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District outlines Native American Heritage Month plans, receives $4,000 Native Pathways grant
Summary
Jennifer Willoughby, director of early childhood and family education, briefed the board on Indigenous Peoples Day activities, an upcoming Native Spirit Week (Nov. 10–14), a $4,000 Native Pathways grant from the American Indian College Fund and planned FAFSA/college events for students.
Jennifer Willoughby, director of early childhood education and family education, updated the board on Indigenous education efforts and events planned for November.
Willoughby said the district took 24 students to Duluth City Hall for Indigenous Peoples Day, hosted a family night with Ojibwe language activities and crafts, and collected about 20 JOM (Johnson‑O’Malley) forms to date. She outlined Native Spirit Week activities scheduled for Nov. 10–14 with themed days (native allied day, red day for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, orange shirt day for residential schools, dress‑your‑best and moccasins day) and said staff will table at middle and high schools. The district plans a native feast and game night at the middle school on Nov. 13 to celebrate a new powwow drum the students made.
Willoughby said the district received a $4,000 Native Pathways grant from the American Indian College Fund to support college exploration and FAFSA assistance; the first related event is a FAFSA/college information evening on Nov. 5, followed by lunchtime “lunch and learn” sessions for students on Nov. 18, 20 and 25. She also summarized JOM/title VI form collection and verification procedures that determine eligibility for Johnson‑O’Malley funding.
Board members asked about local history curriculum and Willoughby said the district has begun a self‑assessment and will work with grade‑level teams and teachers to update curricular materials and identify gaps.
