Roll Call - October 30, 2026

Students at Taos Day School in Taos, New Mexico, learn how to fix a bicycle in the school gym.

Cheyenne‑Eagle Butte Schools recently held a successful K–6 Pumpkin Painting parent involvement activity. The event took place in the cafeteria and brought together students, parents, and guardians for a festive, hands‑on celebration just in time for Halloween!

Families were invited to decorate pumpkins alongside their K–6 students, creating a colorful and creative atmosphere filled with laughter, encouragement, and imagination. Refreshments added to the fun, giving families a chance to relax and enjoy the evening while building meaningful connections within the school community.

Students proudly showcased their painted pumpkins, each reflecting unique ideas and personal flair. The strong turnout demonstrated the enthusiasm of families and the excitement of seasonal activities.

Mariano Lake Community School hosted its first intergenerational Paint Night, bringing together students, families, and staff for an evening of creativity and connection. Longtime community support for the school’s fine arts programming made the event possible. For more than a decade, community supporters have helped nurture artistic opportunities for Mariano Lake students, including this recent paint night for dormitory students.

Mrs. Dana, a professor at the University of New Mexico, spent the evening guiding participants as they painted a blooming cactus. Students, families, and the principal enjoyed learning new techniques, experimenting with color, and expressing their creativity on canvas.

The night was filled with laughter, encouragement, and impressive displays of natural artistic talent. Many young artists showcased their skills, creating vibrant pieces that reflected both imagination and cultural inspiration – an opportunity for students to grow, explore, and shine!

Beclabito Day School celebrated the creativity and talent of its students as they entered schoolwork and arts‑and‑crafts projects in the Northern Navajo Nation Fair in Shiprock. Students were excited to see their creations displayed for fairgoers and were honored to receive ribbons for their submissions.

The Northern Navajo Nation Fair is held annually to uplift Diné culture, harvest, and community. The 2026 event marks its 113th year as it continues to bring together families, artists, and community members across the region.

By participating in this longstanding celebration, Beclabito Day School students had the opportunity to share their work with a wider audience while honoring cultural traditions and creative expression. Their achievements reflect both dedication in the classroom and pride in representing their school at a historic community event.

T'iis Ts'ozi Bi'Olta' Community School recently hosted a warm and engaging Family Art Night organized by the Parent Engagement Committee. The event brought families together for an evening of painting, drawing, and coloring, offering a welcoming space to connect, create, and unwind.

Families enjoyed working side by side, producing colorful artwork that many proudly took home as a reminder of their shared experience. Chips and salsa added to the inviting atmosphere as families moved between art stations. Student volunteers played an important role in the event's success, greeting families at the door, distributing supplies, and keeping paint stations running smoothly by changing the water throughout the evening.

Family Art Night brought students, families, and staff closer together, reinforcing the strong sense of belonging at T'iis Ts'ozi Bi'Olta' Community School.

As we move deeper into the school year, we’re excited to showcase the events, learning moments, and celebrations happening across BIE schools. We’re now collecting content for October and November, and we invite you to share the stories that reflect the heart of your school community.

We’re looking for:

• Fall festivals, family nights, and cultural celebrations
• Halloween
• Red Ribbon Week activities
• Native American Heritage Month lessons, displays, and events
• Veteran’s Day programs
• Classroom projects, artwork, and hands‑on learning
• Any school milestones or reflections as we close out the first quarter

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!

The Bureau of Indian Education is initiating a Tribal Consultation to seek tribal input and guidance on two proposed policies: the Personal Wireless Devices & Digital Wellness Policy and the K-12 Student Artificial Intelligence Acceptable Use Policy. BIE is committed to providing a safe, culturally enriching, and academically rigorous environment for all Native students, while recognizing the profound impact new tools and technologies have on education.

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.

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 Teaching with Technology Weekly Webinar series is hosted weekly by the STEP Education and Training team. Coaches lead each engaging session on a topic that increases teachers' confidence in Blended Learning and Educational Technology Strategies. Additionally, they’re at the ready to answer questions from any topic educators bring about Schoology, classroom strategies, digital curriculum resources and more. The current Teaching with Technology series is "Blended Learning for Mixed-Grade Classrooms."

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.