Representatives of the Winslow Unified School District were invited to the National Johnson O’Malley Association conference in Washington, D.C., recently that focused on Native American Education in the United States.
Johnson O’Malley (JOM) is a federal program put in place in 1934 that focuses on funding educational endeavors of Native American students.
During that conference, the WUSD team was awarded the Exemplary Program Award for the second year in a row. The district was nominated by the Navajo Nation JOM Association due, in part, to the S.A.F.E. (Student Alternative Fixed Environment) room programs at Winslow Junior High School and Winslow High School.
The S.A.F.E. program is designed to be an intervention for at risk students struggling with tardiness, truancy and behavior issues. It is partially funded by a grant from JOM.
According to WUSD Federal Programs Director Denise Estudillo, “Historically, S.A.F.E. was more of an in-house suspension. At one point, JOM was no longer going to allow funds to support it because it is for funding the education of our students, not disciplinary purposes. I approached the (then) principals of WJHS and WHS, Darlene McCauley and Chris Gilmore, respectively and together we were able to guide the program in a different direction. It became a program that successfully continued the learning process and was no longer deemed punitive by the Navajo Nation JOM. Within a short amount of time, we saw tardies and truancies decrease.”
The Winslow staff also shared information in a workshop presentation at the National JOM Association Conference and were greeted by tribal leaders and influencers.
Estudillo said, “Debra Haaland, one of the first American Indian Congresswomen, was present to extend her support and gratitude for WUSD’s dedication to education and extremely proud since her mother is a former Winslow Bulldog, class of 1954. Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez, who was in D.C. on tribal business, met with the Winslow crew and extended his congratulations and support as well.”
Estudillo is proud of the S.A.F.E. program and the other efforts put forth to better the education for Native American students in WUSD. She explained that paraprofessionals Ricardo Lyons and Zach Young oversee the S.A.F.E. rooms and have a constant communication with classroom teachers. She stated, “That communication keeps the student in school, in most cases, as infractions are dealt with in a manner that is appropriate and culturally sensitive to the student’s needs. Students can re-enter the regular learning environment on target and ready to meet their goals.”
Estudillo also wishes to encourage parents, students and educators to get involved with Indian Education, noting that information about the WUSD1 JOM program goals and objectives is accessible on the district website at www.WUSD1.org. The Indian Education Committee meets on the last Monday of every month unless posted agendas state otherwise.
