Copyright © 2004 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved
News from Cherokee Nation
Copyright © 2004 CNO
BRIGGS, OKLAHOMA – Students at Briggs Public School have learned a lot about trash and what to do with it, or more importantly, what not to do with it. The Briggs School students used an $11,000 Learn and Serve grant from the Cherokee Nation to raise awareness of the importance of recycling in their community.
Briggs School 5th graders sing, "On the Road Where They Cried" as a tribute to those who traveled the Cherokee Trail of Tears. Back row from left to right, Jake Drueppel, Ashley Boswell, Kimberly Fleet, Kurtis Mouse, Stevie Jones. Front row from left to right, Jami Guthrie, Keith Woffard, Sierra Trapp, Shelby Blossom, Jeremy Dry. 
“We are just so proud of these students for the efforts they are putting into the project,” said Alicia O’Donnell, federal programs director at Briggs School.
The students in the after-school program worked several months rehearsing a play called “The Wartville Wizard” about a town that learns the hard way about the effects of littering. They performed the production, which encouraged people to recycle, for their classmates and students from surrounding area schools.
“The (Learn and Serve) program requires schools to develop community partnerships to fulfill service activities,” said Donna Gourd, Cherokee Nation’s Learn and Serve program manager. “It is designed to educate students about Cherokee history while promoting civic responsibility and character based on cultural values.”
The students also delivered Easter cards to local nursing home residents, and produced several books for the Briggs School Early Childhood Library.
The Briggs community recently held a dinner to celebrate the accomplishments of the Briggs School Learn and Serve program. The students showcased their increased knowledge of Cherokee history and culture by singing songs in the Cherokee language and giving a history-based computer presentation. Guest tables where decorated with cornhusk dolls and baskets the children had made during Briggs Culture Day.
“We’re excited to begin working with the Briggs community to develop an ever stronger Learn and Serve program for the next school year,” O’Donnell said. “We hope to expand on all of the good things we’ve done this year.”
Schools within the Cherokee Nation’s 14-county jurisdictional boundaries are eligible to apply for Cherokee Nation Learn & Serve sub-grant money. A workshop will be held in June to inform interested schools or districts about service learning and to present sub-grant requirements, timelines and assistance in writing project proposals. Grant checks will be distributed to qualifying schools at the beginning of the 2004-2005 school year.
For more information, contact Donna Gourd, Cherokee Nation Learn and Serve program manager, phone:456-0671 (ext.2641) or Darleen Denny, Cherokee Nation Learn and Serve Program outreach coordinator, phone: 456-0671 (ext.2638).
| Related contact information: |
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Mike Miller, Cherokee Nation Director of Communications Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2210) Fax: 918-458-5580 E-mail: Communications@cherokee.org
Larry Daugherty, Advertising Manager |
Steven Swogger, Agriculture Liaison Natural Resources Department Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2546) FAX: 918-458-7673 E-mail: sswogger@cherokee.org
Bradley D. Peak, Cherokee Nation |
