DEPARTMENT OF DINÉ EDUCATION Ms. Patricia Gonnie Acting Superintendent of Schools (928) 871-7475 [email protected] FY’2021 1ST QUARTER REPORT (OCTOBER, NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 2020) I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Accomplishment(s): • DODE programs continue to work with HCOC and OPVP on matters related to school reopening plans; mental health initiatives; and COVID-19 incidents relative to DODE. During weekly school leadership meetings, updates and remarks are provided by Acting Superintendent of Schools Patricia Gonnie about the ongoing impact the pandemic has had on schools across the Navajo Nation. Staff from OPVP and DODE programs give remarks as needed, and the CDC and Navajo Nation Epidemiology Center also provide updates on COVID-19 statistics. • With the approval and subsequent arrival of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines for COVID-19 on the Navajo Nation, education workers and other essential staff have been designated for phase 1B of the scheduled rollout. No date has yet been set for DODE staff to enroll. • The Navajo Nation Council approved legislation 0316-20, appropriating $2.5 million from the Unreserved, Undesignated Fund for scholarships and financial assistance. The Higher Education Grant Program, which provides federal funding for scholarships to tribes, is administered by the Department of Interior. Through a P.L. 93-638 contract between the Dept. of Interior and the Navajo Nation, the BIA forwards funds to the Office of Navajo Nation Scholarship and Financial Assistance (ONNSFA) to provide financial aid and scholarships to Navajo college students. Current Priorities: • Continue to monitor the ongoing developments of the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccine rollout. Establish a set time for DODE staff to enroll in a vaccination slot if they so choose. Use the information provided by NNEC to maintain safe workspaces for staff. • The first Navajo Fiber Internet Project is in the works. The first of three E-Rate applications were designated as ready by the FCC on January 11. Per NMPED, the FCDL should be issued shortly afterward. The form covers one ready section, with two to go, one for NM. and one for AZ. COGNIA NAVAJO NATION Office of the President and Vice President Fiscal Year 2020 | Quarter 1 Report October 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019 Due Date: January 17, 2020 Division or Department Name: AdvancED Navajo Nation/ Department of Dine' Education Date of Submission: 12/28/2020 Instructions: This report will be the first quarterly report for fiscal year 2020. In addition to the report, the budget report should be attached to this report via email. Submit this report and budget report to [email protected] , [email protected], and [email protected] . Division/Department Section The purpose of the quarterly report is to share accomplishments, challenges, and significant events during the quarter. A. Major Accomplishments (1 minimum, 5 maximum) What are some major accomplishments? For example, program improvements, funding, system changes, new laws established. 1. From October to Decemeber, our office staff have worked with and contacted 25 schools across the Navajo Nation. These schools were contacted and supported via technical assistance over the phone, Zoom meetings. We are working with schools to ensure they are starting to prepare for their Accreditation Engagement Reviews for next school year, conduct their Monitoring reviews this school year. The first schools with reviews were in October and continue each month throughou the school year. 2. Office staff has worked with 8 schools. 1:1 with schools who will host their Accreditation Engagement Review, and Monitoring Reviews during this fiscal year. Schools that are preparing for their Engagement Review have been trained on the tools that will be used to evaluate their progress; and the official Cognia Training “Preparing for your Engagement Review” training. Program Manager worked with schools 1:1 to ensure understanding and implementation of framework and online platforms. 3. This quarter we worked to recruit and retain 30 team members and/or lead evaluators. As all reviews are completed virtually, all work with team members is done virtually, including training and ensuring they are able to meet all expectations to serve on the teams. 4. We have primarily worked with schools over zoom meetings to increase their capacity in their ability to prepare for their engagement reviews. Due to the closure of schools and the current stay at home 1 order, we ceased all activities regarding the Eleot pilot and other onsite school support. We have supported approximately 25 schools 5. Due to the current stay at home order, all Cognia/AdvancED staff members have been attending all meetings, PD, support calls and other development over zoom meetings, Microsoft team meetings, and phone calls. We have not met in person and will continue to meet in the virtual format until further notice. B. Challenges (1 minimum, 5 maximum) What are some major challenges? As an example, barriers to achieving program deliverables or outcomes. 1. School Reopenings and the format of the education that will be provided is not a barrier, but rather creates more unknowns. All schools will undergo and host virtual reviews. We are currently workingn with all schools to understand this format. There are two schools that are unresponsive at this time. 2. 3. 4. 5. C. Presidential or OPVP Assignment If you were to share one or two major assignments from the OPVP, please describe below. The status of the project(s) will be reported each quarter going forward. Project # 1: Project # 2: D. Outreach and Communication Report major events to the priorities and program achievements. For example, nationwide run & walk, conference to business owners, ribbon cutting events. Do not report routine events, only high level items that relate to public engagement. Date: Number(s) Type of Activities & Outcome (MM/DD/YYYY) Location: Event Name: Reached: (Brief Summary) 2 3 Office of the President and Vice President FY2021 Quarterly Budget Report Department Name: AdvancED Navajo Nation/ Department of Dine' Education Date Submitted: 23-Dec-20 Fund Type: General, Current Budget External, Prior Year Fund Name Fund Period Original Amount Revised Amount Budget Balance Percent Balance Budgeted Positions Vacancies External AdvancED Navajo 10/01/2020 - 09/30/ $375,000.00 $375,000.00 $340,875.00 91% 4 1 General Fund Nation 2021 1 NAVAJO HEAD START Office of the President and Vice President Fiscal Year 2020 | Quarter 4 Report July 2020 to September 2020 Due Date: October 07, 2020 Division or Department Name: Navajo Head Start Date of Submission: December 18, 2020 Instructions: This report will be the first quarterly report for fiscal year 2020. In addition to the report, the budget report should be attached to this report via email. Submit this report and budget report to [email protected] , [email protected], and [email protected] . Division/Department Section The purpose of the quarterly report is to share accomplishments, challenges, and significant events during the quarter. A. Major Accomplishments (1 minimum, 5 maximum) What are some major accomplishments? For example, program improvements, funding, system changes, new laws established. 1. Secured $53,476.00 from the New Mexico Indian Affairs Department for HB-2 funding. 2. Re-initiation of the TCU-HS Partnership with Navajo Technical University and identification of the 2021 summer cohort. 3. Successfully coordinated all NHS centers and offices during the COVID-19 pandemic and continued services and providing resources to our families. 4. Purchase of HATCH learning tablets for children in the Head Start Program and implementation of e- learning platform. 5. No unmet financial needs from FY2020. B. Challenges (1 minimum, 5 maximum) What are some major challenges? As an example, barriers to achieving program deliverables or outcomes. 1. Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on Center-Based and Home-Based services for Head Start and Early Head Start families. 2. Immediate hiring of personnel based on Navajo Nation DPM procedures which are very slow due to limited NN staff to complete the hiring. 1 3. information Technology Infrastructure and Connectivity needs improvement and NHS was denied funds to address it through the program. 4. Slow Navajo Nation procurement process that stalls NHS payments and places blame on NHS from vendors. 5. N/A C. Presidential or OPVP Assignment If you were to share one or two major assignments from the OPVP, please describe below. The status of the project(s) will be reported each quarter going forward. Project # 1: DODE: Re-evaluate Title 10, Navajo Nation Education Code. NHS is working with Office of Head Start, Navajo Nation Department of Dine' Education programs, NHS Policy Council, Navajo Nation Board of Education, and tribal colleges & universities to brainstorm for improvements and partnerships on projects that involve Title 10. NHS seeks to separate from the Navajo Nation.. Project # 2: Navajo Language Commission. NHS is working with other departments and programs to ensure the revitalization of the Dine' language among NHS students and strengthening of the Navajo Head Start Immersion Program. Program wants to hire Dine' Language & Culture Specialists to maintain the Immersion Program. NHS has secured additional funds to strengthen the Diné curriculum through a Navajo Language Consultant as well as partnered with Navajo Technology University to increase the numbers of Diné speaking staff and