Cultural/ Language Updates
In addition to receiving the Department of Education Native Language grant to support the creation of an Ojibwemowin Immersion track for the k-12 school, our students and staff have been maintaining access and building opportunities for learning of cultural practices. From the first week of school and the annual feather pole ceremony, to the monthly powwows, which are now facilitated by student leaders, it is the mission of the school to embed these opportunities in our daily and weekly routines.
Wellness Initiative Updates
The student wellness committee has built a series of fun activities for students to participate throughout the school year. In October, a Punt, Pass and Kick football competition was held for 3rd through 5th grade with the help of our Varsity Football players. Also in October, we hosted our Zombie Run for 1st through 5th grades. Feats of Strength is an elementary initiative to improve overall strength and gross motor skills. This initiative is an excellent precursor to support our middle and high school athletic programs already in place.
Starting in June, High School students and a staff member participated in the Tough Mudder 5k in Hugo, Minnesota.
Also, in October, we hosted our Zombie Run for 1st through 5th grades. Elementary students were given flags and the High School Zombies were sent out to capture their flags.
Feats of Strength is an elementary initiative to improve overall strength and gross motor skills. Introduced in November, students and teachers had 3 months to practice for the competition that was held in February. Skills included 9 different exercises that ranged from push-ups and planks, to jump rope, and crab walk and the most grueling event; The Wall Sit. Feats of Strength focuses on 9 different exercises that provide the PE department with an overall sense of where students are in their physical wellbeing. Evaluating these specific skill sets and collecting individual information will give our instructors a better road map to build the PE curriculum. Additionally, having this individual information, and used in conjunction with the nationally recognized Pacer test will allow the department to view the overall physical health of the elementary student body. High School student athletes assisted with running the event.
Academic Updates
The demands of colleges and careers continue to increase, it is our goal to provide academic programming that prepares students not only for the knowledge and skills that they will need at the next stop in their journey after graduation, but also the level of rigor that they will face in the world of work and higher education. Students are able to apply these skills in college preparatory classes in STEM and English, CTE courses in our Carpentry program, Elementary Reading challenges, and in recent math team competitions and the annual AISES conference.
Student Services Updates
At Lac Courte Oreilles we understand that the success of our students depends on more than just the academic content and cultural lessons they receive while in school. At each level, we do our best to provide exposure to a wide range of experiences and activities, designed to build interest, explore new topics, provide support and challenge students to build connections to their communities. This is done through hands-on activities, guest speakers and field trips throughout the year in addition to our robust 21st Century after school program, our Gifted and Talented Program, and our many community partnerships.
Upcoming
- On Wednesday, March 5th we will be hosting our first Family Literacy Fair from 2:30-5:30 in the LCO cafeteria. There will be food and prizes!
- Beginning March 31st LCO students in grades 3-8 and 11 will be participating in the BIE Standardized Assessment in Math, Language Arts and Science. This test is required by the BIE and impacts our school accountability rating.
- The Annual Ziigwan Showcase will be held on Friday, April 11th, 2025 in the Theresa Williams Gymnasium. The event will also be live streamed.
- The annual graduation powwow will be held on May 23rd, at the Honor the Earth Powwow Grounds. Graduation ceremonies will be held in the gym on Friday, May 30th.
- There will be summer school this year for students in grades k-12, dates to be determined.
- Registration for Kindergarten and Four-Year-old Kindergarten will begin March 18th, 2025.