Teca Ospaye Newsletter

Greetings Parents/Guardians,

We have some Teca Ospaye Youth Council updates for you! Outlined in this newsletter we have new Teca Ospaye Officers, Calendars Fundraiser information, November Native American Month plans, and a few announcements. For now, this Newsletter is sent to Parents/Guardians of our Native Youth in the High School. If you know of someone interested in receiving the Newsletter, please let me know.

Let's get started!

Respectfully,

Elaine Stephens

FPS Title VI Coordinator

FPS Teca Ospaye Youth Advisor

elaine.stephens@k12.sd.us

(605) 997-2780

Election Day for the new Teca Ospaye Youth Council Officers was Mon Sept 23rd. Our newly elected officers are: Juliauna Anderson, President; Diamond Roy, Vice-President; Chante Allen, Secretary; Tate Allen, Student Representative; Davien Schipper, Student Representative. Congratulations to these students! We will focus on completing a few projects from last Spring, working toward projects for the rest of this Fall Semester, and on to the Spring Semester.

Collectively, they all come from Dakota backgrounds; they are active in Cross Country, Track, Softball, Hope Squad, National Honors Society, Teča Ošpaye Youth Council; 4 are Seniors, 1 is a Junior; and 4 out of the 5 students hold part time jobs! The message they want to share is that they want the Teča Ošpaye group to be recognized by the school and community. They also want to share that they would like to do more for children and youth with activities, events etc.

Above are our new Teca Ospaye Officers for the 2024-2025 School Year!

Left to Right: Diamond Roy-Vice President, Juliauna Anderson-President, Davien Schipper- Student Representative, Tate Allen-Student Representative, Chante Allen-Secretary.

I want to say thank you to all of our students that showed interest in a leadership position with the Teča Ošpaye Youth Council. They are all young leaders in your own ways. I look for them to continue to work hard, stay focused and positive, and sharpen their leadership skills for future endeavors. There are many opportunities for them to contribute their gifts to our Native Communities and the World.

As we did last year, we will continue with the Teca Ospaye Calendars Fundraiser. This year's calendar is a little late out of the gate, but the information is important to share to keep families informed on school events and to share Language/Cultural Information. The calendar is another Academic Calendar which is from Aug 2024-July 2025. An Academic Calendar includes important School Information to share with students, parents and families. This calendar will also include some extra information and lessons like last year's calendar. As a reminder, the proceeds from Youth Fundraising efforts go toward youth activities, events, projects etc.

Calendar Details: Includes: Officers Page, 8 Indigenous Languages and Websites, FPS Athletic Schedule, Higher Education Information, Indigenous Maps, Holidays, Lessons Page.

Calendar Sale Begins: Mon Nov 4, 2024

Calendar Price: $25

Pick Up Location: Contact Scooby at the Elementary School (605) 997-2780.

November is Native American Heritage Month. As we did last November, the Teca Ospaye Officers decided to do the Roc Your Mocs Week of dress up days.

• Monday, Nov 11th: Orange Shirt Day - Every Child Matters
• Tuesday, Nov 12th: Roc Your Beads & Braids Day
• Wednesday, Nov 13th: Roc Your Ribbon Shirts & Skirts Day
• Thursday, Nov 14th: Roc Your Tribe Day - Wear your tribal gear
• Friday, Nov 15th: Roc Your Mocs Day (Nationally); Red Shirt Day - MMIP

The Officers also decided to do the Indigenous Word of the Day and Indigenous Person of the Day over the announcements again. We will cover all 3 schools' announcements each day for November through to Christmas Break (roughly 6 weeks of Indigenous Words & People!). If anyone is interested in reading a Script for the Word/Person of the Day over the announcements, please let me know. We can always use help with the Indigenous Languages within our community!

Please see the link below to sign up as an Announcements Speaker. To access the link, you must be signed in to Google. Include your name, indigenous language, and date you're available. Thanks in advance! We appreciate your support!

If you are unable to access the link, please contact me at (605) 997-2780 or elaine.stephens@k12.sd.us.

• Oct 17th: Elementary Family Read Night, 5:30pm-6:30pm, Elementary Commons
• Oct 18th: End of 1st Qtr
• Oct 30th: Picture Retakes
• Nov 1st: No School - Staff In-Service
• Nov 11th - Nov 15th: Roc Your Mocs Dress Up Week
• Nov 13th: School Board Meeting, 6:00pm, Elementary Commons
• Nov 18th: Winter Sports Parent Meeting, 7pm, High School Gym

Teca Ospaye Youth Council activities and events depend on fundraising efforts. In SY2023-2024 the Teca Ospaye Calendar sales helped our Officers support students as well as honor and recognize Asa Eastman and Breyana Ramirez for their efforts to make Teca Ospaye a reality for our students. If you would like to make a donation to the Teca Ospaye Youth Council see below for more information.

Pay by Check

Make checks payable to:

FPS Teca Ospaye Kids

Send payment to:

Flandreau Public Schools

C/O Elaine Stephens

600 W Community Drive

Flandreau, SD 57028