JA Writers Serving Native Americans Concerned With the Education of Native American Children September 2011 Issue

www.jonesacademy.org

Inside This Issue... Back to School Bash DARE Native Nation Fire Safety

Fire Safety Gone Wild Library Time Super Students Welcome to J A J A Writers

1st and Second Graders Seneca Jones, Terrell Warrior, Jenaro Lujano and Jose Lainez-Ortiz

The Back to School Bash is an event held on campus during the first month of school to welcome students back to Jones Acad-emy. There were many activities for the students to participate in including: Boot Camp- a giant inflatable obstacle course, a huge water slide and the Rocky Mountain which is a challenge to even skilled climb-ers. The kids had an awesome time. They hung out with friends and enjoyed the summer weather. There was lots of food and fun on hand for all who attended.

by Meggie Left Bear

The Rocky Mountain seemed to be the most popular choice of activity for the elementary boys.

Some students chose to stay indoors and play the X Box games.

The water slide was refreshing in the 100 degree weather!Kielind Jim, Delanie Lime and Danielle Murillo enjoy their snowcones.

Making snow cones was a lot of fun too!

On August 24th 2011, a police car rolled slowly down the street at Jones Academy. What was going on, you might ask? Not what you might expect. DARE officer Isaac James had come to visit with the students in Mr. Sirman’s fifth grade class about making good decisions . During his presentation, the students learned that D. A. R. E. means Drug Abuse Resistance Education. It is a program that teaches students the consequences of doing drugs and making bad decisions. Mr. James brought some fun activity books with him that helped the students practice making good decisions. He also talked about “comfort-able talk” and how to say things without hurting someone’s feelings or making them mad. By the end of the program students were using tips they learned to break down situations so that they could make proper choices that would help them to have a brighter future. What a huge success! Thank you Mr. James for coming to our school and teaching our students how to say no to drugs and yes to making good choices!

D.A.R.E- On The Beat For Drug Defeat!

Pictured with D.A.R.E officer Mr. Isaac James are members of Mr. Sirman’s fifth grade class. Back row: Julian Moore, Tru-von Willis, Corey Whitecalf, Jeremy Pitts, Desma Valdez, Jazlynn Bernal, Lena Goodbear. Front row: Samantha Lopez, Kyle Miller, Sabian Hawkins.

“ I learned what D.A.R.E means and how to make good decisions!” - Fifth Grader Sabian Hawkins

By Mariss Smith

Back To School With Native Nation

August 27th was no typical Saturday night. When I got to the gym there were different colored lights flashing on the walls. There was a small stage set up, and on it was a lot of unfamiliar equip-ment. I didn’t really know what it was for but I soon found out. The crowd was going wild. Native Nation had arrived. You might ask, “Who is Native Nation?” Native Nation is a band who sings rap, hip hop and r and b. The group consists of Jesse Robbins, aka Red Eagle and Anthony Marks, aka DJ Pyro both of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and former Jones Academy student Chris Taylor of Durant, Oklahoma. This group came to Jones Academy to kick off the Back To School Bash and to welcome the students to Jones Academy’s campus. Everyone enjoyed the music and the show put on by Native Nation. Some of the songs they sang included everyone’s favorite Native Girl, Native Nation and 7th generation. What a great way to start off the school year and to recognize Na-tive Pride!

Delanie Lime, Maleah Butler and Liliana Bernal anxiously waited for DJ Pyro to set up his equipment.

Daykotaa Elizondo was mesmerized by Red Eagle’s singing!

Members of Native Nation, take a moment to pose with fans Jazlynn Bernal and Gabriela Bernal.

By Brylee LaFaunce

Fire Safety during camping was the overall theme for the fire prevention program put on this year for the elementary students at Jones Academy by the Fire Department from the Ammunition Plant .The children’s favorite singing bear, Cody, was on hand to entertain and educate by singing songs such as “Under the Bad Smoke!” and “Tools, Tools, Tools” and “ Stop, Drop, and Roll!”. Students learned the importance of putting out campfires before leaving a campsite. They also learned about having a safe place to meet outside a burning build-ing and what to do if a persons clothing or body catches on fire.After the presentation students got to intro-duce themselves to Sparky, the Fire Station Dog and Smokey Bear.

Gabriella Chatkehoodle gets a hug from Smokey the bear while Alanna Brown gets a High Five from Sparky!

This firefighter was dressed in full gear to show the students that firemen are friendly.

Seneca Jones, Gavin Stonecalf, and Julian Moore test their skills at implementing the Stop, Drop, and Roll procedure.

Sparking Fire Safety at Jones Academy -A visit from our friends at the Fire Department

On September 23rd, Jones Academy elementary students from grades 3 through 6 went to the Wild Life Expo near Guthrie, Oklahoma at the Lazy E Arena. With 114 booths to visit, the students had tons of free gifts and activities to enjoy. Students experienced camouflage face painting , duck calling with whistles, pallet shooting, kayaking and much more. They also enjoyed the displays of animals such as falcons, catfish, and turkeys. Some booths showed different types of skins and which animals they came from. Inside the main building , a presentation was held about off road vehicles. It stressed the importance of wearing a helmet. After leaving the event, the students ended their field trip with single scoop ice cream cones at Braums.

By Joshua Sam

These boys were really “digging in” to a tray of earth worms. There were a lot of hands on activities to enjoy at the Wildlife Expo. Denyunhia Willis successfully operates a

turkey call.

Hector Bernal enjoyed the Bat exhibit so much he decided to hang out with them!

Madison Cheek, Diaz Willis and Xyniah Thlocco- Deere watch as LaRae New Holy plays an interactive game. There was something for every age group to participate in at the event.

Elementary Students

Gone Wild!

Dual libraries benefitting Ja stuDents by Joshua sam

Jones Academy houses 2 libraries on campus. The Burton Library is for the older students and the Sitter Library is for the younger ones. There are many resources including books, magazines, DVDs, Audio-Tapes, and Journals available to the students and staff members. Also available is the computer lab which contains 15 computers that can be used for research, group projects, and term papers. Elaine Garvin has been Jones Academy’s Librar-ian for about a year and a half. The library now has over 10,000 books. Mrs. Garvin hopes the students will find interest in their tribes and use the library for research of their ancestors and cultural practices. She is very helpful in finding the information for the students.One of the libraries’ most generous benefactors is Ruth Lynn Hooper. She donates books, money and artwork to help better educate the students on campus. Her belief in the value of education comes from the family, some of whom are mem-bers of the Choctaw Nation and the Chickasaw Nation. Dr. Hooper’s great-grandfather, Edward Hayes Wilson, was Superintendent of Wheelock Academy from 1894 to 1898. Her great-aunt, Mamie (Wilson) Farrell earned a master’s de-gree in mathematics, and taught at Goodland Indian Orphanage. Her grandfather, Edward Lewis Wilson and grandmother, Nina (Selph) Wilson, helped to instill life-long principles of learning into Ruth Lynn when she was a child. Her father, Phillip Lovell Hooper was a Colonel in the US Army Horse Cavalry then later in the Infantry. Because he was a great role model, Ms. Hooper followed in her father’s military foot-steps. She became the first female officer to make full colonel in the Medical Service Corps. Her mother, Nina Jane (Wilson) Hooper was strong, resourceful, and resilient and a positive influence on her daughter. Ms. Hooper visits Jones Acad-emy regularly and enjoys mentoring students on a personal level.

(in conjunction with interview by Mr. David Sanchez )

Dr. Ruth Lynn Hooper answers questions for JA Writer, Joshua Sam.

Mrs.Garvin enjoys reading books to the elementary students.

Students take advantage of the computer lab and use the internet to research information for term papers.

Hartshorne Miners Homecoming 2011

Jones Academy would like to send out a proud Congratulations to Shalane Black! Shalane was chosen as Junior Attendant for the Hartshorne Miners Football Homecoming Court 2011. Miss Black is a Junior at Hartshorne High School. She is a member of the Cheyenne Arapaho tribe and has attended Jones Academy for 6 years.

Homecoming Junior Attendant Miss Shalane Black with Senior escort Tyler Capps.

L-R Back: Mcgavyne Lone Elk, Daisica Rice, 6th grade; Lena Goodbear, Truvon Willis, 5th grade; middle, Odalys Lujano, 4th grade; Lastenia Lainez-Ortiz, 3rd grade; front, Seneca Jones, 1st grade; and Jose Lainez-Ortiz, 2nd grade.

Alternative Notable Student: Emilia Farmer, 10th Grade

First Nine Weeks Super Students

Welcoming

Several

New

Elementary

Students

To

Jones

Academy

1st Grade

2nd Grade

3rd Grade

4th Grade

5th Grade

6th Grade

Seneca Jones

Elygin Solomon Terrell WarriorHailey Wilson

Braimes Jim

Reina Rodriquez

Denyunhia Willis

LaRae New Holy

Jackson West

Julian Moore

Daniel Marquez Meshia Willis

Kaitlan Wilson Gavin Stonecalf Jacob Moore

Alanna BrownKobe Stonecalf

Joslyn Jones

Diaz Willis

Meet the J A

Writers

Halito from the JA Writers. This year we have a very diverse group producing the JA Writers Newsletter. All of our staff members are very excited to be a part of the publication of the school newsletter, and all are dedicated, hard working students who attend the Jones Academy Alternative Learning Center. Acting as staff members:

Mariss Smith is the only third year member of our staff and is a Senior this year. She will be returning for her final year as our Bits Manager. Mariss is a member of the Mississippi Choctaw Tribe and hails from McAlester, Oklahoma. Joshua Sam is a second year member of our staff and is also a Senior this year. Joshua will be in charge of Graphic Designs. He is a member of the Mojave Choctaw Tribe and is from Hartshorne, Oklahoma. Running our Publication Department this year is Brylee LaFaunce. Brylee is a Sophomore and is also a second year staff member. Last year she was awarded the “Photographer of the Year” Award for the JA Writers Newsletter. She is from Alderson, Oklahoma and is a member of the Choctaw Tribe. Our Technical Manager, Lexus McAfee is a first year student at Jones Academy. She is a Sophomore from McAlester, Oklahoma and is a member of the Seminole Tribe. Choosing photos for the newsletter this year is Meggie Left Bear. Meggie is a Sophomore and is from Devils Lake, North Dakota. She is a member of the Spirit Lake Nations Tribe and is also a first year student at Jones Academy. The responsibility of Layout Design this year has been delegated to Emilia Farmer . Emilia is a first year student at Jones Academy and is a Sophomore also. She has come from Walnut Grove, Mississippi to attend Jones Academy and is a member of the Mississippi Choctaw Tribe. Our Business Manager for the 2011-2012 school year is a first year student at Jones Academy and is a Freshman this year. Vianca Flores Valenzuela is from Tucson, Arizona an is a member of the Tohono Oodham Tribe. This years Text Editor will be Kimberly Black Bear. Kimberly is a first year student at Jones Academy and is a Junior this Year. She is a member of the Sioux Tribe and is from Rapid City, South Dakota. Performing the job of Article Sizing will be Markita Cross. Markita is also a first year student at Jones Academy. She comes in as a Sophomore this year. She is a member of the Sioux Tribe. She is also from Rapid City,South Dakota. In Charge of Mailing Distribution will be Denny Pourier. Denny is a first year student at Jones Academy and is in the ninth grade. She is a member of the Sioux Tribe and is from Pine Ridge, South Dakota. Learall Jackson, a first year student at Jones Academy, is a Junior and a member of the Gila River Tribe .Learall is from Sacaton, Arizona. and will head the Local Distribution of the JA Writers Newsletter. Finally, Serving as Journalism Sponsor and Editor in Chief will be Jones Academy staff member Mrs. Cooley. This will be her second year to oversee the publication of the JA Writers Newsletter. We, The JA Writers, look forward to serving our school, community and surrounding area with dedication, determina-tion and pride!