"Providing educational opportunities
for our American Indian/Alaska Native children to succeed"
Since 1972, the Native American Student Services (NASS) program has provided educational opportunities and support for American Indian/Alaska Native children in the Lawrence Public Schools. The goal of NASS is to enhance and provide support to the student’s overall academic growth and development through programs for students and families.
Presently, the American Indian/Alaska Native student population makes up 4.6% of the Lawrence school district's total enrollment. We serve more than 490 students who represent more than 130 tribal affiliations. Our program is part of the division of Student Intervention Services under the umbrella of Teaching and Learning Services. We work collaboratively within the community and the Lawrence Public Schools to meet strategic goals by being a student-centered environment that ensures all students learn academic and life skills to reach their maximum potential.
Current Funding
The NASS program is funded by the Title VII Indian Education grant and the Johnson O’Malley grant. The main objective of the Title VII Indian Education grant is to enhance students’ reading and math skills by providing tutorial services. Tutors for the NASS program work with students individually or in small groups primarily after school. The tutoring service is often supplemental to the services some students receive through the Title I Reading and Math programs. The Johnson O’Malley grant objective is to focus on self-esteem and cultural enrichment, while providing family-to-school coordination when needed.
Eligibility of Services
Due to federal, state and local guidelines, NASS requires the parent and/or legal guardian to complete a Title VII Student Eligibility Certification form and provide the following documentation:
- A copy of a birth certificate for each child
- Tribal enrollment card - If the student does not have a tribal enrollment card, the parent’s tribal enrollment card can be substituted.
Current Services Provided 2008-2009 Academic Year
- School Supplies: Grades K-12 – Distributed at the beginning of each academic year and also to new NASS families enrolling in USD 497 throughout the school year
- Tutoring Services: Grades K-12 – Primary areas include reading and math
- Grades 7-12 – Study Time Café 6pm-8pm, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, NASS offices, every subject, from 7th grade math to Physics and Social Studies and Term Papers and a lot more!
- Monthly Newsletters and Weekly E-mail Bulletins - Sent to NASS families to keep students and families updated on events and activities in the community
- Cultural Programs
- In conjunction with Haskell Extension office. Please call for more details.
- College Preparation
- ACT, SAT, PSAT test fee reimbursement
- ACT, SAT, PSAT test prep books available for checkout
- Will reimburse for online test prep
- Scholarship information and assistance, including Gates Millennium Scholar information
- New!! Get Ready series of workshops, monthly-college prep and career information
In the 2007-2008 academic year, NASS provided the following services and programs to students and families:
- School Supplies: Grades K-12 – Distributed at the beginning of each academic year and also to new NASS families enrolling in USD 497 throughout the school year.
- Tutoring: Grades K-12 – Primary areas include reading and math
- Monthly Newsletters and E-mail Bulletins - Sent to NASS families to keep students and families updated on events and activities in the community
- Scholarship Information Night
- Cultural Curriculum Resource Kits - Available for Teachers
Other Information About NASS
- Established Memorandum of Understanding with Haskell Indian Nations University in fall 2006
- An active internship site for Haskell Indian Nations University/American Indian Studies
- Working with KU Service Learning Center, serving as host site for student volunteers
- An affiliated member of the American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES)
- Represented by single membership on the National Johnson O’Malley Association (NJOMA)