The Puyallup Tribe signed a resolution on May 30 that will give $500,000 to the Tacoma Public Schools (TPS) to support its Indian Education and outreach programs. Each year for five years, the Puyallup Tribe will donate $100,000 to the TPS Indian Education.
“We offer our grateful thanks to the Puyallup Tribe which has contributed to making our Indian Education program such an important part of our schools and community,” said Dr. Arthur Jarvis, superintendent, Tacoma Public Schools. “Increasing student achievement takes a strong collaboration of schools, families and community partners. Our students, the program and district will benefit greatly from the Puyallup Tribe’s support.”
The Puyallup Tribal council and Tacoma School District's Indian Education program share a vision of giving tribal youth opportunities for a better future and the Puyallup Tribe has made a commitment to support the Tacoma Indian Education program by granting a total of $500,000 over a five-year period. "The entire council has supported education, and this is another fine way to express that support," said Tribal councilmember James Miles.
This is a model program, according to the Puyallup Tribe which believes it has a responsibility to help the greater Tacoma Indian community. The Puyallup Tribe chose the Tacoma Indian Education program because of its current programs and partnerships with communities and families.
"We want to explore what greater relationship we can accomplish [with Tacoma schools]. We want to create a model that we can replicate through surrounding areas," Miles said. Miles says that in addition to helping those members of the Tribe, "we have a responsibility to help the greater Native American community, especially in terms of education. Education opens the door of opportunity it is our heritage and our culture that binds all of us."
"In their native language they are known as S'Puyalupubsh, meaning "generous and welcoming behavior to all people (friends and strangers) who enter our lands. I would like to thank the Puyallup Tribe for its generosity. This funding will allow us a better way to provide sustained support for our Native American students. This funding will help implement successful student interventions, tutoring and resources to assist in identifying Native American students who are eligible for services and professional development for teachers, among other things," said Walt Swan, Indian Education coordinator, Tacoma Public Schools.
The mission of the Tacoma Indian Education program is to support the efforts of local educational agencies, Indian tribes and organizations, postsecondary institutions and other entities to meet the unique educational and culturally related academic needs of American Indians and Alaskan Natives so that these students can achieve the same challenging state standards as all students.
The Indian Education program has more than 500 students enrolled, with more joining the program.
The TPS is a diverse urban school district serving students in Tacoma, Wash. More than 31,000 students attend Tacoma’s five comprehensive high schools, 11 middle schools, 37 elementary schools and eight alternative learning sites.
The purpose of the Indian Education program, combined with parent involvement, is to assist Tacoma’s Native American students to Believe, Succeed and Accomplish. The program’s goal for this year is to raise money to provide more resources for TPS students in the 2008–09 school year.
Contact the Public Information Office at 253.571.1015 for more information.