Roll Call - September 18, 2026

Two students play basketball outdoors at Havasupai Elementary School in Supai, Arizona.

Mariano Lake Community School in Crownpoint, New Mexico, proudly represented the BIE at this year’s Navajo Nation Fair and Parade. Staff and students had a wonderful time showcasing their school spirit as they walked 4.5 miles, handing out candy and treats.

The float entry — suggested by Principal Dr. Propst — made the day even more memorable for the students and staff who participated. The teamwork and collaboration needed to participate in the parade strengthen the Mariano Lake community each year.

Northern Cheyenne Tribal School in Busby, Montana, recently welcomed senior leaders from the Bureau of Indian Education, including Director Tony Dearman and Associate Deputy Director of Tribally Controlled Schools Dr. Cherie Poitra. Their visit centered on learning about the school’s programs, meeting students and staff, and seeing firsthand the work happening on campus.

The leadership team spent meaningful time in classrooms, observed ongoing initiatives, and engaged in productive conversations about strengthening programs and supporting student success. Their visit highlighted a shared commitment to collaboration and continued investment in strong educational opportunities for Northern Cheyenne students.

Students from Richfield Residential Hall took a refreshing one‑mile hike up a steady incline to Bullion Falls — a challenge that pushed them just enough to make reaching the top feel rewarding. Once they arrived, the group splashed in the water, took photos by the waterfall, and soaked in the beautiful scenery. It was a memorable way to spend time outdoors together and start the day with energy and connection.

Flandreau Indian School in Flandreau, South Dakota, is embarking on an exciting new project through the Northern Tool Build Program. Fourteen students will transform a hard‑working 1976 Ford F‑350 utility truck into America’s Ultimate Trades Toolbox™, gaining valuable hands‑on experience in the skilled trades.

Build IV is historic: it is the first Northern Tool Build hosted at a tribal school, and for the first time, half of the participating student team is female. Students will take part in every stage of the transformation, building confidence, skills, and a lasting sense of ownership. The project represents innovation, teamwork, and a powerful step toward expanding opportunity in the skilled trades for the next generation.

As we gear up for a new school year, we’re looking for back‑to‑school content to feature in the BIE Weekly. Please share the moments, projects, and events that help kick off your year on a strong note!

We’d love to highlight:

• First‑day photos and welcome‑back activities
• Classroom setups, bulletin boards, and creative learning spaces
• Any 250th‑related projects or commemorations planned for the fall
• Back‑to‑school nights, community events, or cultural celebrations
• Student art, writing, or videos that reflect the excitement of a new year

Your contributions help us showcase the incredible work happening across our schools. Please send in your content so we can celebrate and share your stories!

Please include a brief description with each photo and ensure students pictured have the appropriate media release on file. Your stories help keep our communities connected and inspired!

Wilmer Begoody’s career reflects a deep commitment to safety, service, and community. After retiring from the U.S. Navy, where he served honorably, he transitioned into civilian roles that continued his dedication to protecting others. He spent 13 years as the Occupational Safety & Health Officer for the Gila River Indian Community, followed by two years as a Safety & Occupational Health Specialist with the Department of Energy. For the past five years, he has served in the same capacity at BIE.

Mr. Begoody oversees the safety and occupational health of 31 schools. He acts as the primary contact for all safety and health concerns, conducts annual inspections, and delivers safety training and consultations. His responsibilities also include following up on accident reports, conducting investigations as necessary, and providing First Aid, CPR, and AED classes as a National Safety Council Certified instructor. Demonstrating his commitment to organizational safety, Mr. Begoody volunteered to manage the IA Motor Vehicle Operator Safety Program, diligently tracking driving records for all Bureau Operated Schools.

Mr. Begoody holds a Bachelor of Science in Technical Management with a Minor in Management, as well as a Certification in Occupational Safety & Health Administration from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He is a Certified Fire Inspector through Alabama Fire College and has completed numerous OSHA courses through the Arizona Department of Occupational Safety & Health and the OSHA Institute. He is also a current OSHA 501 General Industry Trainer, further underscoring his workplace safety expertise.

Beyond his professional life, Mr. Begoody is a devoted family man. He enjoys spending time with his wife, two sons, and their dogs. An avid outdoorsman, he enjoys hiking and camping. His favorite pastime is watching the Arizona Diamondbacks, and he cherishes moments at Chase Field with his sons, catching home games and sharing their love of baseball.

Mr. Begoody’s career and personal life reflect a passion for safety, education, and family. His dedication to his profession and his community continues to inspire those around him.

Please bookmark this form and share your upcoming events and milestones with us so we can identify opportunities for BIE and Indian Affairs leadership to participate and celebrate with your school community.

We’re especially interested in ribbon cuttings, groundbreaking ceremonies, policy or program announcements, cultural celebrations, student showcases, major academic or athletic achievements, community events, and other significant school milestones.

Sharing these events early helps us coordinate leadership participation, amplify your school’s accomplishments, and ensure the great work happening across BIE schools receives the visibility it deserves.

ConcurGov travel vouchers must be approved at the regional/office/program level no later than September 18, 2026 5 PM MT/7 PM ET.

Please do not sign, review, or approve ConcurGov travel vouchers from the cutoff on September 18, 2026, through October 13, 2026. Any actions taken during this period will cause processing delays once FBMS reopens for the new fiscal year.

Travel voucher processing – including signing, reviewing, and approving – may resume in ConcurGov on October 14, 2026, 10 AM MT/12 PM ET. AS-IA, BIA and BIE budgets must be loaded in FBMS and available at the spending level for travel vouchers to process successfully.

Questions?

• DOI Travel Help Desk: 1-866-367-1272 option 4, 1; travel_helpdesk@ios.doi.gov.

• Echo Keo, Program Analyst - BIE Travel Lead/Operations POC - echo.keo@bie.edu

What Happens When the Interfaces Between ConcurGov and FBMS are Down?

The interfaces between ConcurGov and FBMS can be unavailable for many reasons including: FBMS system maintenance, system downtime, and Fiscal Year end.

What can I do in ConcurGov?

Users can still make travel reservations, create travel authorizations, sign/route/approve travel authorizations.

What can't I do in ConcurGov?

Users will not be able to apply the Voucher Signed or T-Entered stamp to travel vouchers during interface outages. Users will receive a blank EAI External Funds Checking screen when attempting to apply these stamps.

Please review the following memo from the Director's Office that addresses the BIE's policy regarding usage of the Bureau's official letterhead. It addresses modifications, templates for various purposes, and more.

The Division of Performance and Accountability is beginning the 2026–2027 school year with McKinney-Vento professional development opportunities. Each session is designed for different school staff who play an important role in identifying and supporting students experiencing homelessness. Whether staff are new to McKinney-Vento or would benefit from a refresher, these opportunities are intended to strengthen BIE's collective efforts to identify, connect, and support students experiencing homelessness.

Join the BIE School Operations Division Finance Team for a series of virtual lunchtime trainings on best practices for school financial professionals. Topics are wide-ranging, from inventory logs and submitting UDO certifications to year-end memos and researching transactions. These sessions will take place on Thursdays from July 2026 through April 2027.

Supporting schools with their new resource, the Strategic Transformation of Education initiative launched a Monthly School Website Help Desk on the second Thursday of each month at 3 p.m. EST. The one-hour call features a short training topic, such as a new feature, content strategy, or FAQs, followed by an open session for problem-solving and answering questions.