Oshki Ogimaag Community School
October 04, 2024
Boozhoo Oshki Ogimaag Community School Families and Community Partners,
One of things we are doing as a team for our professional development at Oshki Ogimaag, is a book study. We are reading The Cultural Toolbox: Traditional Ojibwe Living in the Modern World by Anton Treuer. This text is arranged by "the four seasons of the year, and the four seasons of life," offering a personal perspective of Ojibwe culture and traditions, and makes connection to rest of the world. Some team members have read this text (some even multiple times), some team members, of course, have lived experience of Anishinaabe culture and tradition, and for some, this is the beginning of a journey learning about Ojibwe culture.
Monthly as a team, we meet and engage in dialogue with each other reflecting on this text, sharing our own insights and perspectives. Learning together and engaging in rich dialogue as a community of educators serves to elevate and strengthen our teaching practices as well as enhances our understanding of one another, strengthening our foundation as a team. We have gratitude that Ms. James has created the space and dedicated the time for us to do this with one another. Ms. James is also beginning to read this text with her 4th and 5th grade students.
Some of the key concepts we explored in our dialogue of the text, this week were:
- The best protection for one's energy and spirit is to be good to others. We discussed how this concept is one that is crucially important to role model and teach to our students. This shift in perspective is an important reminder to carry forward in all of our interactions.
- Treuer speaks to how creating warm, inviting spaces, free of clutter, attract good people, luck, and makes good people want to be there. We discussed this in the context of how we prepared for a new school year; decluttering and cleaning, teachers have created warm, inviting environments with great intention, cultivating spaces of safety and calmness, where students can focus and learn best.
- We discussed the significance of spending time in nature, planting and harvesting, how these traditional practices connect students to their ancestors, connect them to the earth, help keep them in good health and preserve Anishinaabe cultural traditions which contributes to the wellness and thriving of future generations.
- Lastly, we discussed focusing on the collective versus the individual. We talked about the importance of only taking what one needs and sharing one's harvest with others. When we receive so many societal messages focused upon individualism and consumerism as pathways to fulfillment, it is important to maintain focus on the collective, remembering that in order to thrive as a whole, we need each other's gifts and care. Our strength lies in our support of each other's learning, growth and wellness.
As we forge ahead in this year of growth and rebuilding ,this dialogue brings to the forefront of our minds how meaningful the work we do at Oshki Ogimaag is and the significant importance of the experiences that our students are engaged in here. Miigwech to all of our families and Community partners for your support and collaboration, that serves to bring our school's mission to life each day!
Autumn Harvests and After School Theater Club!
Students harvested herbs with Grand Portage Community Health Educator, Amy Bell, from the herbal tea garden that students planted, and once they are dry they will make tea with them. We will serve tea harvested from the herbal tea garden at our Indigenous Peoples' Day Feast! Students also harvested Asemaa with Amy Bell. Students use the Asemaa (sacred tobacco), as an offering of gratitude (including to plants and animals) and/or a sign of respect and strengthening relationships when asking for help or guidance, or when someone has offered their time and gifts to the students.
Students harvested tomatoes and pumpkins with Tess Bailey, Grand Portage Community Nutrition Educator and Emily Derke, Grand Portage Agricultural Coordinator.
On Thursdays after school, students continue their work with Sue Hennessy, the Artistic Director at the Grand Marais Playhouse, in theater class!
We have a great amount of gratitude for the amazing individuals that spend time offering our students hands-on community-based learning experiences!
Students did a great job with their assessments this week! With our awesome attendance each student completed Curriculum Based Measurement assessments in reading and mathematics. Next week (October 07-11) students will do their FastBridge assessments in reading and mathematics.
Tips to Support Your Child's Success:
- Get a good night's sleep.
- Get to school on time.
- Encourage your child with positive affirmations about how much they know and how capable they are!
We Need 2 Parents of Currently Enrolled Students to Join Our Board!
We are looking for a minimum of two individuals who are parent/guardians of a currently enrolled student of Oshki Ogimaag Community School to join our Board of Directors! The Parent Board Members are required per MN statute. We are looking to fill these vacancies ASAP!
The Board meets 1 time per month, the 3rd Wednesday of each month (unless otherwise noted on the calendar), at OOCS at 4:30pm.
Participating on the Board is a great way to serve Oshki Ogimaag Community School and use your voice to play an instrumental role in supporting OOCS in meeting the goals of our mission! Also, we have amazing Community Board members that you would get to spend time with!
Please reach out (email below) or reach out to a current Board member (see our website) if you are interested!
