| Orange County Schools' Native American Program | | | | are properly trained and prepared to do work |
| 08th August 2006 | | | | with Native American students. |
| Author: Stacy Andell | | | | Native American Parent Advisory Committee's |
| Orange County Schools' Native American Parent | | | | Senior Recognition Night |
| Advisory Committee | | | | Every year the Native American Parent Advisory |
| Orange County Schools have taken an active role | | | | Committee recognizes graduating seniors from |
| in the developing quality programs for all their | | | | Orange County Schools. The event includes |
| members of their diverse student population. One | | | | refreshments, speakers, donations, community |
| program that has been developed is aimed at | | | | sponsorship and a Native American dance |
| aiding student performance and improving | | | | demonstration. A new sponsor for this year's |
| instructional opportunities for students of Native | | | | program is the L.A. Dodgers baseball team. Senior |
| American heritage. In order to better achieve | | | | Recognition Night honors those students of Native |
| these aims the Orange County School's Native | | | | American heritage who have worked to excel in |
| American Parent Advisory Committee was | | | | academic achievement within Orange County |
| created. The Native American Parent Advisory | | | | Schools. Senior Recognition Night is also a way for |
| Committee acts under Title VII federal guidelines. | | | | the Native American Parent Advisory Committee |
| It is composed of eight members; six elected | | | | to recognize the families of these students and |
| members and two non-elected positions. The | | | | connect to the community. |
| elected positions of President, Vice President, | | | | Orange County Schools Connect to the Native |
| Treasurer, Secretary, Teacher Representative, | | | | American Community. |
| and Student Representative are elected at the | | | | Orange County Schools actively encourage |
| beginning of each school year and a nominated by | | | | connection with the Native American community. |
| parents of Orange County Schools. The | | | | There are several opportunities for those |
| non-elected positions currently are Chris Eslick | | | | interested in the Native American community in |
| Coordinator, Title VII-Native American Program | | | | the area. One event is The Children Of Many |
| and Oryden Gould, Title VII Community Liaison | | | | Colors Powwow held every July. This event lasts |
| Secretary, who is of Cherokee decent. The | | | | three days and is sponsored by Redbird. Redbird |
| program is intended to support Native American | | | | is non-profit Native American charitable group. It |
| students in attaining high marks in reading, | | | | strives to aid in education of Native Americans |
| language arts, and mathematics. It meets this | | | | and improve the quality of life in the whole |
| goal: by providing services in helping Native | | | | community. Redbird began through a series of |
| American students to meet Orange County | | | | exhibits titled "Spirits In The Material World - |
| Schools' performance standards; by ensuring that | | | | Native Americans Today" which was shown at |
| Native American students partake in their school's | | | | over 100 locations throughout Southern California, |
| Federal, State and local programs as considered | | | | and which was also exhibited in the state of Ohio |
| necessary; by providing recruitment activities and | | | | in 1995. Another area event is the Annual Indian |
| family liaison services to meet the culturally | | | | Fair that celebrates Native American culture. The |
| related academic needs of Native American | | | | Annual Indian Fair is held every June at the |
| students; and by providing professional | | | | Museum of Man in San Diego. |
| development opportunities to ensure that staff | | | | |