Eci'

Nompa

Woonspe'

Charter School

 

Mission Statement

To create a learning environment that encourages culture-based community values and language, and challenges learners to "tanhan ihudhda" (take care of yourself) through critical thinking and balance of self for "Mitakuye Oyasin" (All my Relatives).

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In addition to the state educational requirements we provide:

* Post secondary counseling, career inventories, college visits and role models

*Cultural integration (Dakota )through: language, history, drum, arts and games

*Individulized learning plans integrating personal goals and interests

Goals

The Eci’ Nompa Woonspe’ goal is to meet the needs and learning styles of the lower Sioux Dakota community (LSDC) children.  The program is designed to improve the achievement of the LSDC’s children/youth.  Our goal is to have all our students improve on standardized testing and acquire the skills necessary to participate in a global economy.

 

Eci’ Nompa Woonspe’ (center0 is intended to be a small rural learning center for the lower Sioux Dakota community’s education needs and interests from 5th through the 12th grade, approximately forty students.  Its small size will contribute to a sense of co9mmunity and team work among the parents, students, staff and neighbors.  Academic pods will be used to enhance student performance and parental involvement.  Pods are comprised of grades 5-6, 7-9 and 10-12th.  Incorporated in the curriculum will be the principles of life needed to care for one’s self:

  • Respect self and others
  • Honor self and others
  • Help self and others
  • Be happy with self and others
  • Be healthy with self and others
  • Be generous with self and others
  • Treat others as a brother and sister

 

Our natural, traditional Dakota learning values a based on these spiritual and cultural principles.

 

The center learners will become spiritually sensitive Tribal community members, productive workers, responsible citizens, problem solvers, self-directed life long learners and creative, healthy individuals.  They will know, understand and respect the communities, active leadership in the world’s market place, both historically and present.