Boozhoo Oshki Ogimaag Community School Families and Community Partners,
This week, student’s ended their short week with a Valentine’s Day Celebration, as has been an ongoing tradition at Oshki Ogimaag. The framework in which we celebrate this day with students, is a celebration of Love, Friendship, and Appreciation for one another. We incorporate into our SEL (Social Emotional Learning) work with students the concept that as a Community we care for one another and support each other. Learning at it’s best and highest level, is a cooperative and collaborative endeavor, involving risk-taking, mutual trust and mutual respect, and “We all do better, when we all do better.” - Paul Wellstone.
We celebrate creativity, students make their Valentine’s Day boxes representing things that they love, showcasing insight to their identities and share with each other words of kindness, friendship and love. We incorporate into our learning that our goals are not only to aim for personal achievement but we seek to achieve goals that support our Community, our school Community, our local Community and future generations. We also practice using and writing words in Ojibwe to use on this day, Mina Zaagidwin Giizhigad (a day we are happy to express love to one another) and Mino-zaagidiwigiizhigad (Happy Love Each Other Day) are two examples.
Yesterday, our staff engaged in a Professional Development Day, and as a staff the best outcomes arise from our cooperative and collaborative work, and this too, involves risk-taking, mutual trust and mutual respect. We began the day, continuing our book study of Anton Treuer’s The Cultural Toolbox:Traditional Ojibwe Living in the Modern World. Our discussion was of the Spring: New Life chapter of the text and we covered the Introduction with new members on our Team joining the book study. Topics explored Ojibwe identity and the challenges Indigenous peoples can face when trying to learn about their culture, due to colonization, which as Treuer states, “Colonization is ensure, and it creates terrible wounds and traumas.”
We discussed the generational traumas of our students and all Indigenous peoples, caused by the colonization of America, resulting in forced relocation, genocide, forced attendance in government boarding schools, and other traumatic events that leave lasting imprints upon the Community. The rippling effects of these traumas effect mental and physical health and wellbeing, damage to cultural identity, ongoing financial barriers, and can cause distrust in school systems.
We discussed how learning about one’s culture is part of a powerful healing process, that will also have rippling positive effects seven generations forward. Treuer states, “Decolonization can mean many things, but learning one’s heritage culture is a powerful process, and it is very healing…but access to reliable, approachable, usable, cultural information and experience is elusive for many.”
The existence and perseverance of Oshki Ogimaag Community School is decolonization and healing in practice. In everything we do, we seek to preserve Anishinaabe language and culture, while providing students access to high quality, academic experiences, meeting students where they are at as individuals, providing support for their academic and social emotional needs. We see our students as the name of our school states, New Leaders. We see the light in each of them and it is our goal that when they graduate from our school, that they feel strong in their cultural identity to continue to persevere and face the obstacles before them and we aim to provide them the academic tools as well as strategies for their social emotional wellbeing to continue their journeys as Leaders who will continue to care for their Community.
A Peek Into Our Week
Waagoshag - In Reading and Writing, Kindergartners continued to sound out and write sight words and read poems, doing some Valentine’s Day themed work. In Reading and Writing, 1st grades continued to read short stories and learn 1st grade sight words, also engaging in some Valentine’s Day themed work. In Math, Kindergarteners continued to identify shapes, while 1st graders continued to work in addition and subtraction within 20. Students focused on Friendship Month and did Valentine’s Day themed art work and SEL (social emotional learning) lessons.
Makwag - This week in Foundational Reading Skills, Makwag learned about the suffix -ed, and the three different ways to pronounce it /ĭd/, /d/, and /t/. For their poem launch they read The Time Machine, where the poet built a time machine to find their brother’s lost outfit but then realizes that they are wearing it! In Language Arts Module, students read The Dog That Dug for Dinosaurs, A story about Mary Anning’s little dog, Tray, who helped her discover dinosaur bones. Students read the text, practiced retelling the beginning, middle and end of the text, and responded to comprehension questions about the text. In Math, Makwag are learning about measuring in centimeters and using a ruler. In Art, Makwag made their Valentine’s Day boxes.
Migiziwag - In Math, Migiziwag worked on multiplication and division with multi-digit numbers, comparing decimals and fractions. Migiziwag has been researching animal defense systems and are writing essays about their research. In Art, Migiziwag made their Valentine’s Day boxes.
Hands-On, Community-Based Projects Happening at Oshki Ogimaag
Students continue swimming lessons, lead by certified instructors from Cook County YMCA. Students have swimming on Mondays and Wednesdays through the end of February.
Students work with Anne Brataas, from the MN Children’s Press, engaging in Writers Workshops, on Mondays and Wednesdays through the the end of February.
North House Folk School provides Woodworking classes after school on Wednesdays.
Mondays 3:30-4:30, through March 31st, Dr. Erik Redix is leading Ojibwe Language Table, located in the OOCS Conference Room! Join us to learn and/or increase your Ojibwemowin skills! See flyer below for details!
Each Friday afternoon, the whole school joins together for hiking in the woods along trails, creeks, adventuring to different local areas in nature, including the shores of Gichigami. Forest Fridays are lead by our Environmental Education Coordinator, Ms. Jeana Van Dyne, and Forest Friday activities target meeting our Environmental Education goals with our authorizer, Osprey Wilds.
See below, last week students put down Asemaa before harvesting red willow and made heart designed crafts, with Ms. Emily Derke, Grand Portage Agricultural Coordinator.
Jenn Sorenson, RN, Health Director at Grand Portage Health Services sent out the following message about increased flu activity this week:
An increase of influenza has been seen in the community over the past few weeks. Flu viruses primarily spread through droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. These droplets can land on people nearby or on surfaces that others might touch. It is important to continue to practice safety precautions during this time. If you have flu-like symptoms such as cough, fever, or body aches stay home except to get medical care. Most people will recover in a few days to less than two weeks. If you are very sick or at high risk of getting very sick from flu, talk to your health care provider to see if antiviral medication is recommended.
In addition to getting the flu vaccine, simple preventative actions can help stop the spread of influenza and other respiratory viruses:
- Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home when sick.
- Cover cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
Please call the Health Services for testing, questions and recommendations for managing flu-like illnesses.
During this time of increased flu activity and other illness activity, we want to keep all of our students, staff and Community safe. We will be diligent about sending symptomatic students and staff home to prevent the spread of illness. See flu fact sheet below.
Chilly Temps Call for Cold Weather Gear
Please make sure your student comes to school in weather-appropriate clothes and outdoor gear every day. We are committed to outdoor learning and experiences throughout the entire school year, including the many months of chilly, snowy, weather we experience in Minnesota. Now is a good time to switch to long sleeves each day so your student can be comfortable. Each day your student should have the "Big 5": Boots they can hike in, a jacket warm enough for the weather, snow pants, hat, and mittens or gloves.
If your family faces barriers preventing you from providing these items for your students, please reach out, we often have donations of winter gear and/or can help you connect with Human Services to ensure all students have warm winter gear. Please include sizes and color preferences, when reaching out.
