"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      2007-2008 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 & Thursdays, NASS offices, every subject, from 7^th grade math to Physics and Social Studies and Term Papers and a lot more!
• Monthly Newsletters and E-mail Bulletins  - Sent to NASS families to keep students and families updated on events and activities in the community
• Healthy Family Programs
  • Tennis Clinics
  • Parenting Class fee reimbursements
• Cultural Programs
  • Drumming and Singing class – meets Wednesdays at 6:30 in Minoka Hall, HINU campus
  • Word Warrior Writing Workshop – Upcoming event!! Learn from published Native American writers
• College Preparation
  • ACT, SAT, PSAT test fee reimbursement
  • ACT, SAT, PSAT test prep books available for checkout
  • Scholarship information and assistance, including Gates Millennium Scholar information

In the 2006-2007 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
• Family Programs - The goal for the family programs is to provide additional support to parents and students such as Diabetes Prevention, Stress Management and Time Management
• Programs for Secondary Students - This outreach has proven successful and allows NASS to bring the program to the consumer, our students. Topics covered include: ACT: What it is and preparing; Time Management, and Career Goals.
• Cultural Curriculum Resource Kits  - Available for Teachers

Other Information About NASS

• Established Memorandum of Understanding with Haskell Indian Nations University in fall 2006
• Working with KU Service Learning Center, serving as host site for student volunteers
• Established relationship with Haskell Upward Bound program
• An affiliated member of the American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES)
• A group member of the United States Tennis Association (USTA) Missouri Valley Region.
• Represented by single membership on the National Johnson O’Malley Association (NJOMA)