The Weekly Update #4

After a two-year pause, we're excited to relaunch this newsletter as your go-to source for professional learning opportunities, upcoming events, resources, and updates from the Office of Indian Education.

Join OIE as we launch a four-part webinar series focused on supporting districts, schools, and families in understanding tribal regalia protections, fostering positive communication, and ensuring Native American students can celebrate their achievements in accordance with the law.

Participants will learn about:

• Arizona tribal regalia laws
• School and family responsibilities
• Graduation planning best practices
• Communication strategies that prevent misunderstandings
• Available resources within the Tribal Regalia Graduation Toolkit Library

Four-Part Webinar Series Includes 💻

Webinar 1: September

✅ Start the School Year Prepared

Learn the law, understand tribal sovereignty, and begin conversations early.

Webinar 2: January

✅ Building Awareness and Communication

Prepare students, families, and school staff with tools and guidance before graduation planning begins.

Webinar 3: March

✅ Graduation Planning in Action

Review procedures, timelines, communication strategies, and examples of successful implementation.

Webinar 4: May

✅ Looking Back and Moving Forward

Who Should Attend?

• School administrators
• Principals and assistant principals
• Counselors and graduation coordinators
• Native American Education programs
• School board members

📅 Date: Wednesday, September 23, 2026
🕒 Time: 3:30pm-5:00pm
📍 Platform: Zoom Webinar
🎯 Audience: School and district leaders, principals, counselors, graduation coordinators, and Native American Education programs.

Participants will:

• Learn about Arizona laws protecting the right of Native American students to wear tribal regalia and culturally significant items at graduation ceremonies.
• Understand the roles and responsibilities of schools, districts, students, and families.
• Review key resources from the Tribal Regalia Graduation Toolkit.
• Explore strategies for proactive planning and positive communication throughout the school year.
• Gain newly released digital resources that you can print and use immediately.

We invite you to join us at the 2026 OIE Annual Summit for an opportunity to connect, collaborate, and learn with educators, tribal partners, caregivers, and community members dedicated to Native American student success. The event features 24 breakout sessions, networking opportunities, and the return of the popular Culture Expo.

For more information about registration or other event details, please click the link below to visit the OIE Annual Summit webpage.

2026 OIE Annual Summit | Department of Education

K-12 Educators are invited to join Heard Museum for an evening of professional learning. Held in recognition of the National Day of Remembrance for U.S. Indian Boarding Schools, this special program will help educators approach classroom conversations about the American Indian boarding school era and its ongoing impacts with care, accuracy, and respect—while centering Indigenous resilience.

Through engagement with OIE, a special guest speaker, and a range of educational resources, participants will gain perspectives and practical, classroom-ready ideas.

📅 Date: Wednesday, September 30, 2026
🕒 Time: 4:00pm-7:00pm

Discover easy-to-implement, enjoyable and evidence-based ways to re-invigorate how you teach writing. Co-hosted by The Reading League Arizona and The Reading League Colorado, this event supports The Reading League's mission to ensure all children receive effective, research-aligned literacy instruction. Register below to reserve your spot and help strengthen writing instruction in your school or organization.

📅 Date: Thursday, September 24, 2026 & Thursday, October 15, 2026
🕒 Time: 5:00pm-6:30pm

📍 Platform: Webinar

Earn your Master’s and/or Principal Certification in a program designed specifically to support rural school leaders. the program begins January 2027 with online courses and once-per-week zoom meetings.

Three options are available: Earn an MEd with Principal Cert by May 2028, just your Principal Cert by December 2027, or your MEd in Instructional Leadership (no certification) by December 2027. Get more info by clicking on the form below.