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North Kitsap School District

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Native American Education

NKSD Inter-Tribal Parent Education Committee

The results are in! Native family and community members have provided input on the Native American Education Program.

What’s next?

1. View the results of the survey here.
2. Look over the Title VI draft application here.
3. Read over the Title VI Application summary:

 

The North Kitsap School District is in the process of applying for the Title VI grant for the 2025-26 school year. Little has changed in the grant application since 2024-25.

In keeping with feedback from families, we are applying for a single year grant, which gives us the ability to make changes, based on data and feedback.

Achievement and attendance data, as well as results from the Native Family and Community survey, guide Title VI program development. Data and feedback are available on the Native Education webpage.

The Title VI grant funds are solely used to fund 2 of the 5 Native American Liaisons (NALs). NALs are the primary providers of activities for Native learners.

We are keeping the same goals (objectives) for the 2025-26 school year:

  • Increase academic achievement,
  • Increase knowledge of cultural identity and awareness, and
  • Increase support for at-risk students

To accomplish these goals we engage in the following activities:

  • Career preparation,
  • College preparation,
  • Cultural enrichment,
  • Culturally-responsive academic enrichment,
  • Culturally-responsive academic support,
  • Culturally-responsive mentoring,
  • Culturally-responsive professional development,
  • Drop-out prevention strategies,
  • Indian education, including language and history,
  • Parent involvement, and
  • Student advocacy or leadership.

Additionally, we coordinate with Title I, LAP, Title III, Impact Aid, and the Tribal Language Program, to provide comprehensive support to Native Learners.

North Kitsap Staff Engage in Professional Learning to support Native learners

  1. New Employee Orientation,
  2. District Pre-service Professional Development days in August,
  3. Training of teachers on STI units developed with local tribes,
  4. WWNAEC conference and NAEI conference and
  5. KAIROS blanket exercise.

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The North Kitsap School District is a unique meeting ground where current curriculum intertwines with timeless traditions. Graced by the dynamic presence of the Suquamish and Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribes, we work diligently towards an educational approach that acknowledges and interweaves the rich cultural wisdom of our Native American/Alaska Native students. Through our district's Native American Education Program, funded by a Title VI grant, we focus on amplifying both the academic development and cultural enrichment of our students.

Our program's effectiveness lies in the sustained collaboration with the Suquamish and S'Klallam tribes. This connection ensures our curriculum echoes the cultural values and aspirations of these tribes. Regular Inter-Tribal Parent Education Committee meetings create an open channel for dialogue with the tribal community, facilitating an exchange that influences our educational practices and fosters cultural understanding. This partnership extends its influence beyond the education of our Native American students; it permeates throughout the district, promoting understanding and respect for these tribes' rich history, culture, and enduring traditions. It works to dismantle stereotypes, broaden perspectives, and enhance the learning experience of all students, fostering a culture of mutual respect and appreciation for the rich tapestry of our diverse community.

The Native American Education Program in North Kitsap School District goes beyond teaching historical facts and cultural aspects. It aims to immerse students in these experiences, enabling them to carry forward these rich insights into their lives. We recognize that our community's strength and beauty lie in its diversity, akin to a tapestry woven from countless unique yet interconnected threads. We endeavor to nurture this understanding among our students, preparing them for a future where cultural comprehension and collaboration hold equal importance to academic knowledge. In doing so, we are building a present and future that genuinely celebrate and learn from our community's rich diversity.

Contact Us

Teaching & Learning Department
18360 Caldart Ave NE
Poulsbo, WA 98370
Fax (360) 396-3934
 

Gwen Lyon
Executive Director of Teaching & Learning
(360) 396-3021
 

Valerie Anderson
Assistant Director of State & Federal Funding
(360) 396-3017
 

Kiana Herrick
Native American Liaison
(360) 396-3723
Locations: David Wolfle Elementary, PAL/NKOA, Options
 

Chanel Fake
Native American Liaison
(360) 396-3386
Locations: Richard Gordon Elementary, Poulsbo Elementary, Hilder Pearson Elementary, Vinland Elementary, Poulsbo Middle School, North Kitsap High School
 

Millie Loughnane
Native American Liaison
(360) 396-3868
Locations: Suquamish Elementary, PAL/NKOA
 

Gina Roof
Native American Liaison
(360) 396-3412

Locations: Kingston Middle School, PAL/NKOA


Kristena Rose
Native American Liaison
(360) 396-3396
Locations: Kingston High School, PAL/NKOA, Choice
 
Port Gamble S'Kallam Tribe
Suquamish Tribe

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