Superintendent Newsletter 7
From the office of the Superintendent Septem,ber 6
Welcome, Interim Superintendent Dr. David Swank
Please join us in welcoming David Swank, Ed.D., as Interim Superintendent of Maȟpíya Lúta Schools, effective Monday, September 21, 2026.
Dr. Swank brings more than 18 years of experience in education and organizational leadership, including experience working with Lakota students, families, and communities.
As Interim Superintendent, Dr. Swank will work closely with school leaders, faculty, staff, families, and organizational leadership to support students, maintain continuity in school operations, and help prepare our students for happiness and success in all their future endeavors.
Wóphila Wednesday invites students to welcome a parent, grandparent, relative, or other important relative to share lunch together. Rooted in the Lakȟóta values of wóphila (gratitude), thiyóšpaye (extended family and kinship), and strengthening relationships, these gatherings recognize that food has always been about more than nourishment—it brings relatives together, carries teachings, and connects generations.
Each Wóphila Wednesday will highlight recipes featuring Indigenous and traditional ingredients while giving students opportunities to learn about the cultural significance, history, and stories connected to the foods we share. By gathering around the table with relatives, we hope to strengthen students’ connections to family, community, culture, and the land.
