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Cherokee Nation education committee reviews summer youth programs, Head Start staffing and scholarships; approves March minutes
Summary
The Cherokee Nation Education Committee received reports on vocational hiring and summer programs, college resources and scholarships, Head Start staffing, and school events. The committee approved the March minutes and adjourned after the reports.
The Cherokee Nation Education Committee received updates from staff on vocational and youth programs, college supports, Head Start staffing and scholarship awards and approved the March minutes before adjourning.
The reports outlined program schedules and staffing for summer youth opportunities and early-childhood services that affect students and families across the Nation. Executive Director Diane Kelly highlighted a recent hire from program participants and identified the staff who will run summer programs.
"I wanted to feature Tana Glass, who's also a Cherokee citizen, and she got hired," Executive Director Diane Kelly said, describing a participant who completed a GED and career training and was then hired through the committee's career exploration program. Kelly told the committee the career exploration program dates for 14- and 15-year-olds and the career pathways summer employment program begin in June and end in July, with a leadership program that runs a few weeks longer. She introduced two managers who will oversee summer placements: Jackie England (based in Sallisaw) and Michelle Arris (based in the Stowell office). Kelly said staff will send contact extensions and phone numbers to councilors.
Executive Director Mark Vance reported on college resources and scholarships, saying the department has "approximately served 6,350 students," its highest total to date for the period reported. Vance said scholarship application activity is high; he repeated a June 15 application deadline and said scholarship funding decisions will be finalized before the fall term. He also noted Camp Cherokee sessions are scheduled from June 3 through Aug. 1 at seven locations and directed councilors to the department flyer and application information.
Verna Thompson, reporting for Head Start, said the program's AmeriCorps tutoring team has grown and that vacancies are decreasing. "We now have 14," Thompson said, referring to AmeriCorps tutors. She told the committee Head Start had 10 openings with five candidates currently in selection or background checks.
Sequoia High School Superintendent Terry Eustace gave a school-year update and invited councilors to upcoming events, including a May 13 graduation at 6:30 p.m. and a baccalaureate service featuring John Morris of FCA as speaker. Eustace described recent athletic signings and outreach to present postsecondary and service academies to students.
Janice Randall, representing the Cherokee Nation Foundation, briefed the committee on school testing preparations for Oklahoma State testing and the ACT and on scholarship distributions. "We had over a thousand applications," Randall said, and she told councilors scholarship awards will not be paid out until August, prompting inquiries from families about when funds will be received.
Votes at a glance: The committee voted to approve the March minutes after a motion and second; members present voiced "aye" and the chair declared the motion passed. The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn, which the committee approved.
Staff follow-up: Kelly said managers England and Arris will be the contacts for summer placements and that staff will share phone extensions; Vance said department flyers and scholarship details will be emailed to councilors.
