The Falling of Nixyaawii Featured in CUJ

An article about Nixyaawii is to be featured in the Confederated Umatilla Journal, that is to be released in a couple days. Instead, of focusing on something to be proud of, or something exciting, or recognition, it is about how Nixyaawii is finding "millions of reasons why this school should fail." There are a couple things that are true, but I yet disagree with.

The fact that the year is ending with commonly less than 50% of students in class, has something to do with poor student accountability and behavior. Also a lack of parental and community involvement, drug and alcohol abuse, and students' apathy toward the cultural aspects of the school's unique curriculum. This I cannot disagree with, students are simply have a lack of motivation, to keep them coming, and participating in school.

There is one thing major, that has nothing to do with the fact of students attitudes. This is what the paragraph says:

The death of a student, Priscilla Craig, in an alcohol-related car crash in January, and the subsequent grieving among her fellow classmates, also has been a factor in moral and behavior, teachers said.

The way it is written, makes it sound like we're blaming her death for students coming to school high, or drinking. To whom this point of view came from, is completely wrong. Her choices, have nothing to do with the choices of our students today. If anything, we should be paying respect to her, and not put our decisions based upon our 'grieving'.

This article is going to be featured in the May CUJ, and these are just a couple of my opinions.

Pendleton Schools Host Art Show

From April 25 to the 27th, the Pendleton School District shows off students' art from grades k-12. Education foundation of Pendleton, Pendleton Convention Center, Pendleton School District, and Altrusa have all pitched in to sponsor this show. There is a variety of art showcased, such as drawings, prints, paper mache, ceramics, paintings, and much more. Many elementary projects were very interesting, creative, and made students put themselves into the art project. Such as Kindergarten students from all the schools put their work together, to show a little garden. This garden consisted of hand-print flowers, painted butter-flys, and more flowers made of many different materials. The work all came together as if it were to be one piece. The show all together is good. Drawings, paintings, and anything with a flat surface creates the walls of the convention center, while more artwork is featured in the center, on tables.

Community Clean-up

April 20, 2007 was the annual Earth Day. People accross the country, and even the people accross the world dedicate their time to volunteer helping the earth. Nixyaawii's staff, and students helped with the 'Community Clean-Up'. Umatilla Housing Authority set up a tent, and a Pepsi stand, at the July grounds, for volunteers to check-in, and pick up a big yellow trash bag. You could find Tribal members and their big yellow trash bags from Wetlands Park, up to Tutuilla Flatts, doing their duty to help the earth. A free lunch was offered to volunteers, who picked up enough to fill up a large dumpster, not only with trash, but old tables, chairs, and even a sofa.

Working Towards Better Nixyaawii

Lately a big problem for our school is, simply, lack of participation. Just about half the enrolled students attend regularly. Also grades, and attendance have fallen significantly since the end of basketball season. For example, there are 14 students enrolled in my current class, 6 of which are in class, 3 of which are working. Teachers are completely aware of this problem, plus the problem of Drug and Alcohol use in their students, but what can they do? What is the solution for this ongoing epidemic spreading through the school? Some solutions I've considered are: Getting students re-motivated, and a better learning environment.

First of all, what makes a student get up in the morning and get to school on time? Strict parenting, the alarm clock, or just self-discipline, right? What should be the reason, is the necessity of education. A student should want to come to school, for hopes of a fortunate future. What I believe is causing this problem is lack of motivation. I think that the students don't realize what can lie ahead of them if they simply try. From my experience, I've attended several conventions, where I have met several important people. Seeing what these people have accomplished, and how they enjoy their career, is my motivation. The problem, again, is that this 'motivation' wears away. Something I think our school can do about this, is open the students' minds to the doors education may open. Possibly a motivational speaker, or a youth conference out of town.

Also, the location of our school makes it easy for students to leave. With the lack of motivation in students, they will easily take advantage of being able to leave. Smoking, and even drinking are reasons to ditch school, also just boredom, and no reason to stay. I, as well as many other students believe that this school was made way too ahead of itself. This school does have the capability to open up opportunities to native students, but was made without the necessities of a good school.

This school, is very important to our reservation community, but participation, and improvements are things we lack. What we can do to fix this, I don't exactly know, I just took the time to recognize what is going on at our school.