Sho-Ban School receives $800,000 Native language immersion grant
School assembly hosted to announce grant details
Sho-Ban School Board chairperson Jessica Matsaw speaks to attendees on January 14.
By LORI ANN EDMO
Sho-Ban News
FORT HALL — Shoshone-Bannock Jr./Sr. High School has received an $806,000 grant from the National Fund for Excellence in American Indian Education to strengthen Native language immersion.
The school will create grade level materials, dual-language signage and immersive cultural events under the “Creating a Space to Belong” initiative to elevate Shoshone language according to a press release from the granting agency.
A school assembly inviting the community was January 14 to announce the grant where Louie Martin said a prayer, Dean of Students Effie Hernandez served as emcee and Jessica Matsaw, School Board chairperson, talked about the grant. Miss Shoshone-Bannock Myke Moore was in attendance talking about her experience with language. Fort Hall Business Council Vice Chairman Lee Juan Tendoy sang a song about Creator blessing and gave a history of the school.
Sho-Ban Jr./Sr. High School Dean of Students Effie Hernandez speaks.
In a separate interview, Pam Eschief, school administrator, said they will be implementing the grant with Chief Tahgee Elementary Academy and the Tribes Language and Culture Preservation Department staff.
She said the school intends to build an outdoor classroom – a space where the teachers can utilize in the spring and fall, “to get outside the building that gives the kids a different setting.”
Eschief said the outcome is “to further develop the language program, provide opportunities for our students to be language learners in sixth to twelvth grades.”
Leah Pandoah is the current language teacher at Sho-Ban Jr./Sr. High. Included in the grant funds is professional development through the granting agency, along with Indigenous Montesorri Institute in Albuquerque, N.M. to help the schools gain knowledge on implementing the language.
Louise Dixey, LCPD director, said their staff will be providing support, assist with language instruction and curriculum development with the Shoshone teachers at the schools.
Dr. Laticia Herkshan, CTEA Shoshoni language coordinator, said they will be helping create and align the Shoshone curriculum, create the materials and a major goal is “to create a bridge between our school and Sho-Ban School to strengthen it.” Herkshan said the students and teachers will also be participating in an after school program to immerse in the language. Their first curriculum meeting was January 14. Tribal elders will also be utilized to support the grant.
“We’re excited to work on it (the grant) and it’s a great opportunity – we’re excited to see it grow,” she said. Herskhan is thankful to all the people who had the foresight to create both of the schools.
Sho-Ban students receive candy grab bags at the assembly.
