School Notebook

EDUCATION

OUR MISSION

We’re here to give community members the opportunity to capture their dreams and goals and guide them on a path that will establish their foundations to become leaders amongst their peers. Our purpose is to give students the best opportunity to thrive and succeed in life. We’re committing ourselves in providing guidance, encouragement, and confidence that will empower students to successfully attain their greatest potential in academics.

ABOUT US

Coyote Valley Education Department offers multiple programs to Tribal Members from Kindergarten to Collegiate students. Programs are funded through Federal Award funds and Tribal distribution. Students can receive assistance in academic tutoring support, receiving student aid for undergraduate programs, finding scholarships, support in joining vocational training/trade institute, and establish Individual Education Plans that will guide Tribal Members through their educational careers. Many of these supports are offered year-round to all students.

OUR SERVICES

Dollar Bill in Jar
STUDENT AID

Students pursuing undergraduate degrees or vocational careers have the opportunity to receive student aid through their Tribe. Student aid will assist in paying tuition costs, textbooks & school supplies, room & board, and transportation fees. Funding for this assistance comes from tribal funds and BIA (Bureau of Indian Affairs) Federal Department. Funding availability varies year to year as Tribal revenue and Federal Government budgets fluctuate. Aid is available for all institute grading term systems: trimester, semester, quarter, module, and skill trade fees (vocational). Students must enroll in one of the grading terms mentioned above to be recognized as students receiving student aid through the Tribe. The application can be found on the website under “Student Aid” or PDF copies can be emailed to you directly.

Teacher Helping Student
TUTORING SERVICES

Tutoring services are available at the education centers five days a week; Monday – Friday, 2:30 pm – 7:00 pm. These services are offered to any Tribal Member pursuing their academics in Elementary, Jr. High, High School, and College. Students needing one on one support in tutoring may be requested. Time slots for private sessions are conducted during the evenings. Children between grades K – 12 can receive tutoring after school with access to libraries, computer stations, textbooks, internet, and workstations. Please contact the EDU office if you have any questions regarding tutoring services.

Yogurt with Fruit
SFSP

Food Program Children 17 years and younger are eligible to receive portion snacks during the academic school year & portion lunch during summer breaks through the California Department of Education food program. Each meal is portioned to give children the necessary nutrients needed daily. Snacks are mandatory to offer at least two out of the five food groups & three out of the five food groups for lunch meals. Meals are cycled every fifth teen days giving children a variant of options each week. Menus are created by community, staff and children’s input. As seasons change throughout the year so does menu production. Meals offer during winter & fall focus on hot components as spring & summer focus on cold components making food consumption more pleasing to children. 

Image by Andie Kolbeck
ACTIVITIES & FIELD TRIPS

Activities are done daily in the EDU centers & gymnasium once children have completed their academic assignments. Each week is focused on particular themes that engage children in arts n crafts, painting, drawing, building, music, and other creative/artistic skills. The majority of these themes/activities are created by children’s input & ideas that is expressed to staff. Children interested in recreational activity have the chance to do physical sports activity in the gymnasium with staff. Children have many options to choose from to keep them engaged and learn different types of skills at the same time. The majority of these trips are done when children are on school/holiday breaks giving them the opportunity to attend these functions without interfering with schooling. Some trips involve long-distance traveling & overnight staying. 

BIA - Higher Education Grant Application Requirments

Students should make application for admittance to an accredited college or university while applying for grant assistance. Students are to be directed to the Financial Aid Officer of the college they plan to attend or are attending to have their financial need evaluated. A student should request that an official financial needs analysis be forwarded by the Financial Aid Officer to the Coyote Valley Tribal Education Department. This analysis will include all sources of financial assistance, which are to be applied toward meeting the student’s total needs. The Tribal
Education Director will review the official analysis and base the amount to be granted on the established need, and on the amount of available funds. APPLICATION DEADLINES: All applications will be considered on a first come, first served basis, based on the availability of funds. First priority will be given to applicants who summit their application no later than the following deadline dates: Late application will be considered only if there are remaining funds available. Eligibility Requirements

  • Must be a member of the Coyote Valley Band of Pomo Indians
  • Must be accepted for admission to a nationally accredited institution of higher education, which provides a course of study conferring the Associate of Arts or Bachelor’s degree
  • Must demonstrate financial need
Universities and Colleges
  • The college or university a student elects to attend must be accredited by a nationally accredited agency or be an institution whose credits are accepted on transfer by not fewer than three institutions that are accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency.
Required Application Documents
  • Students must have completed grant application to be considered for the semester/quarter. After all application documents are submitted, an acknowledgement letter will be mailed to the student notifying them if their application was completed or incomplete. A complete application package must include:
  • Coyote Valley’s BIA Higher Education Grant Application
  • Tribal Enrollment Certification
  • High School Transcript, GED
  • Financial Needs Analysis (Student Budget)
  • Current College Transcripts
Reasons for Denial:
  • Application not submitted in a timely manner
  • Incomplete application
  • Must demonstrate financial needStudent not an enrolled member of the Coyote Valley band of Pomo Indians
  • Student not attending school, dropped out, or did not register
  • Student in default with school financial aid or Coyote Valley BIA Higher Ed. Program
Award Process:

  • Awards will be made on a semester or quarter basis. Once an award has been determined, an award letter will be sent to the students and the financial aid office notifying them of the award amount and semester funded.

Conditions for Continuation of Grant:

  • Students receiving grants must maintain acceptable academic standing at college or the university; maintain social conduct within the policies and rules of the institution attended, demonstrate satisfactory progress toward degree requirements, submit a written request (application) in advance for the next year’s scholarship in a timely manner and successfully complete the school year or grant period specified by the college. Grade reports of each student are to be reviewed at the end of each semester or quarter. Students earning less than a “C” average grade (GPA 2.0) may be continued on a probationary grant, providing the college recommends their continuance. The recipient shall agree to the following conditions set forth by signing and dating the application form.
  • Grantee shall submit a new application each academic year.
  • Grantee shall submit their transcripts of the last semester/quarter attended.
  • Grantee shall be responsible for keeping the Coyote Valley Education Office informed of his/her status once he/she has entered college. A change of address, change of income, intent to transfer to another institution and academic progress shall be made known as soon as possible to the Education Director. All changes must be made in writing for documentations.
  • A new budget (Financial Needs Analysis) must be submitted every academic year.
ACADEMIC PROBATION PROCEDURES Students currently receiving funding will be put on probation IF THE FOLLOWING EVENTS OCCUR:
  • Student’s GPA falls below the minimum 2.0 requirement
  • Student is not enrolled full-time (minimum 12 class units) or taking less than the full time unit requirement for the institution attending.
BIA Higher Education Grant Application



BIA Current Award Levels

All awards are based on the availability of funds, eligibility criteria, and student need. Scholarships awards are administered on a first come, first served basis. Eligibility Definitions

  1. Part–time: Students in good standing enrolled in less than 12 units of study at an accredited post-secondary institution
  2. Full–time: Students in good standing in 12 or more unites of study at an accredited post-secondary institution
  3. Resident Students: Living at home while attending school
  4. Non–resident students: Living away from home to attend school
  5. Scholarship probation: Students who have received funding to attend school who did not complete their classes, or whose grade point average falls below 2.0. Students will be placed on probation for the semester of enrollment following being placed on scholarship probation. While on scholarship probation, if the student does not successfully complete classes, or fails to improve GPA (Grade Point Average), that student will be ineligible for future funding. A Tribal member who has lost his/her scholarship eligibility may appeal to Tribal Council to show cause for being reinstated for funding.
Scholarship award eligibility Part–time: Up to $500 per semester to cover the costs of registration, books, supplies necessary for classes. Full–time:

  • Community College Level: Up to $750 per semester to cover the costs of registration, books, supplies necessary for classes.

  • State College/University level: Up to $1,000 per semester to cover the costs of registration, books, supplies necessary for classes.

Full–time non–resident students:

  • Community College Level: Up to $1,000 per semester to cover the costs of registration, books, supplies necessary for classes and living expenses.
  • State College/University level: Up to $1,500 per semester to cover the costs of registration, books, supplies necessary for classes and living expenses.



BIA - Adult Vocational Training Grant Application 2015

Eligibility Definitions

  1. Part time: Students in good standing enrolled in less than 12 units of study at an accredited training program leading towards a certificate to become employed in a vocational field.
  2. Full time: Students in good standing enrolled in 12 or more units of study at an accredited training program leading towards a certificate to become employed in a vocational field
  3. Resident Students: Living at home while attending school
  4. Non-resident students: Living away from home to attend school
  5. Adult vocational training (AVT) grant probation: Students who have received funding to attend school who did not complete their classes, or whose grade point average falls below 2.0. Students will be placed on probation for the semester of enrollment following being placed on adult vocational training grant probation. While on AVT grant probation, if the student does not successfully complete classes, or fails to improve GPA, that student will be ineligible for future funding. A Tribal member who has lost his/her AVT grant eligibility may appeal to Tribal Council to show cause for being re-instated for funding.
AVT Grant award eligibility
  1. Part time students: Up to $500 per semester to cover the costs of tuition, books, supplies necessary for classes.
  2. Full time resident students (living at home): Up to $1000 per semester to cover the costs of tuition, books, supplies necessary for classes.
  3. Full time non-resident students (living away from home): Up to $1,500 per semester to cover the costs of tuition, books, supplies and living expenses.
Adult Vocational Training Grant (For students attending a trade school, college or university program/s for a vocational certificate or degree) In addition to completing the attached application, please submit the following:
  1. Letter in writing stating why you need the grant, and how it will be used;
  2. Certification of Tribal Enrollment in the Coyote Valley Band of Pomo Indians
  3. Copy of letter of admission from vocational technical school, with certification from school
  4. that you are enrolled as a full-time student;
  5. Transcript from last school attended, or verification of G.E.D.;
  6. Verification that APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID has been completed.
Provide this office with a copy of your Student Aid Report.
If you do not complete this Application for Federal Student Aid, you are not eligible for this grant program. The Vocational/Technical School you will be attending must submit a Financial Needs Analysis to this office, showing the cost of schooling (tuition, books, fees, supplies), and what other financial aid you will be receiving (PELL grant, student loans, scholarships, etc.) EVERYTHING LISTED ABOVE MUST BE RETURNED TO OUR OFFICE IN A TIMELY MANNER FOR YOU TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR EACH SEMESTER OR BEGINNING OF AN APPROVED TRAINING COURSE BIA-AVTG Application 2015 – FINAL – AA



Student Recognition Award Application

MISSION The Coyote Valley Tribal Council recognizes the importance for its tribal members to achieve success throughout their educational career and the importance for tribal members to be recognized for superior academic achievements. PURPOSE The Student Recognition Award Program is hereby developed in effort to recognize superior academic achievements every semester. ELIGIBILITY To be eligible a student must be a Coyote Valley Tribal Member and attending an accredited elementary, junior high, high school, or higher education institution. General Education Diploma’s (GED’s) are not eligible). It is the student’s or parents responsibility to present eligibility documents for award consideration. Original documents must be presented. Original documents must be presented. PROGRAMS STUDENT RECOGNITION AWARD PROGRAM (SRAP) – Recognition is for the following achievements (amounts are subject to available funding)

  • 4.0 GPA or higher $400 award
  • 3.0 – 3.99 GPA $200 award
  • Perfect attendance $100 award
  • Student of the Month $50 award
GRADUATING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD PROGRAM (GAAP) – (amounts are subject to available funding).
  • High School Graduate $500 award
  • Graduation with an AA Degree $1,000 award
  • Graduation with a Bachelor’s Degree $2,000 award
  • Graduation with a Master’s or a Doctorate’s Degree $4,000 award
FREQUENCY Recognition will be addressed based on official grade report or official graduation notification directly from the accredited education institution each semester (Fall, Spring and Summer) and will be presented at the subsequent General Membership meeting.



Other Scholarship Resources

The American Indian Graduate Center The AIGC is a national private 501(c)(3) nonprofit headquartered in Albuquerque, New Mexico providing fellowships to American Indian and Alaska Native graduate students throughout the United States. Students will find Native American Scholarships, upcoming events, and current news in Indian country. American Indian College Fund The American Indian College Fund provides Native American student scholarships and programmatic support for the nation’s 34 accredited tribal colleges and universities located on or near Indian reservations to provide access to an affordable, quality higher education to all Native students. American Indian Science & Engineering Society The American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) is a representation of American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, First Nations and other indigenous peoples of North America in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) studies and careers. Students will find scholarships that pertain in field areas of mathematics, science, and engineering. Educationgrant.com EducationGrant.com helps students find financial aid resources they need to pay for their college education. This site brings you the latest financial aid news and resources, including information and deadlines for federal and state education grants, scholarships, and student loans. NCIDC The Northern California Indian Development Council, Inc. is a private nonprofit corporation that annually provides services to 14,000 to 15,000 clients statewide. NCIDC research, develop and administer social and economic development programs designed to meet the needs of Indian and Native American Communities. The Phoenix Scholars Program The Phoenix Scholars is an independent 501(c)(3) organization based out of Stanford University. They connect high school seniors with Stanford undergraduates to help those low-income, first-generation, minority students navigate the college and scholarship application process. At the end of student’s junior year, they are invited to join The Phoenix Scholars class and matched with their mentors. Throughout the summer and school year, the Phoenix mentors and Core Team help our Scholars put their best foot forward by encouraging them to apply to highly-selective universities and scholarship programs, editing their personal statements, and helping them manage the complex application process. Coca-Cola Foundation The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation helps more than 5,550 students annually. In high school, these students began their journey of academic excellence, positive leadership and dedication to service. The organization connects and continually nurtures an extended family of passionate, motivated, service-oriented leaders. Hispanic Scholarship Fund The Hispanic Scholarship Fund provides scholarships to Latino students, as well as related support services. HSF seeks to give students all the tools they need to apply to college, do well in their course work, graduate, enter a profession, excel, help lead our nation going forward, and mentor the generations to come. Indian Health Service (Nursing Program) Students considering a career in health care, they invite you to explore and discover a comprehensive array of student opportunities in Indian health. If students have the motivation and the desire to pursue an Indian health career, they have a road map to achieve it. Scholarships for Women Scholarships that recognize women in all fields of study. These scholarships are third party grantors across the United States. The Siemens Foundation The Siemens Competition in Math, Science & Technology rewards promising high school students for their original research projects by offering scholarship opportunities and national recognition. Any high school student may apply, individually or as part of a team. Scholarship awards range from $1,000 to $100,000 as students advance in the competition. Student Science – Intel STS The Intel Science Talent Search is a scholarship contest in which the best and brightest high school seniors can demonstrate their research projects for the chance to win a $100,000 college scholarship. Each year, 40 finalists are selected to present their research at a week-long national conference. Finalists receive $5,000 scholarships and have a chance to compete for the grand prize award. The Gates Millennium Scholars The Gates Millennium Scholars Program, funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, awards scholarships to minority students who are eligible to receive Federal Pell Grants and have achieved academic excellence in high school. The scholarship helps students cover the portion of their college costs not funded by other grant and scholarship awards. Scholarship applicants must be nominated by an educator familiar with their academic backgrounds. Dell Scholars Program The Dell Scholars Program, sponsored by the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation, carries an award of $20,000 to help students complete their college education. High school seniors who have financial need and plan to enroll immediately in bachelor’s degree programs can qualify by enrolling in approved college readiness programs as high school students and completing a Dell Scholars scholarship application online.