Shonto Governing Board of Education, Inc.

The Navajo Nation required all Navajo schools to engage in distance learning thus limiting the person to person interaction. However, toward the end of the school year, the COVID-19 cases were decreasing across the Navajo Nation and parents were more inclined to send their student into the building because they know their students did not perform well during throughout the school year. So, a summer school credit recovery program was initiated in the areas of English Language Art and Mathematics. This was also extended to our students who qualified for Extended School Year because to reduce any learning regression. Unfortunately, there were still a number of limitation with in the district and on the Navajo Nation. So, opening the building to our upperclassmen and families who sought out additional support were encouraged to engage in credit recovery and ESY.

The student service technician (SST) position is supporting the academic success of all students in the following aspects: (1) be an early intervention support if students grades are starting to drop, (2) be an early intervention support if student start missing class(es), (3) schedule and coordinate with local colleges and universities for our upperclassmen to be informed of their college opportunities, (4) to support students as they fill out scholarships, (5) to support students as they fill out college applications and FASFA, etc. Another aspect of the SST, is to support the social and emotional aspect of the student. During this pandemic, is essential for someone to make special note of the behavior of students and since we did not see student on a day to day basis watch their attendance and work can be manifest itself in declining attendance and grades. When that occurred the SST will reach out via phone call. At times, there have been problems that require counseling services and identification of homeless situation. So, the necessary actions were taken on behalf of the students and family. Therefore, this role is integral for the academic, social emotional and mental well-being of our students.

The federal programs coordinator is a support to the High School principal. The federal program coordinator role supports the academic, social, emotional, and mental health needs of all students, and particularly those students disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, including students from low-income families, children with disabilities, and students experiencing homelessness to ensure the appropriate funding is available for the school. The federal program accomplishes their role by: (1) applies for the applications under the direction and guidance of the principal, (2) gather necessary documents to verify the action steps are being address to impact students learning, (3) collaborate with the principal to ensure the goals and actions steps are relevant to the learning needs of the school, (4) communicate any updates on an application, (5) communicate opening and closing of applications. Thus, ensuring the day to day operation can seamless occur.