TIOSPA... several families who are relatives living in a group. The first concern of the Tiospa was the proper education of the children. Children had to grow up to be able to take care of themselves and carry out their responsibilities. In order to accomplish this, everyone in the group was responsible for each child’s development, both physically as well as spiritually. It is part of the "Tiospa" concept that is basic to the development and operation of the Tribal School.

ZINA... each of the four directions has an identifying color, each of which had its own meaning. The word "Zina" comes from the word "zi", which in Dakota language means the color yellow. Yellow is the color of the east...it is the direction from which the sun rises and the new day begins. It is to this direction that one prays for and receives knowledge, concern, caring, sharing, love, compassion, and spiritual growth so that one can develop their total being spiritually and physically, and live in harmony with the rest of Wakan Tanka's creations.

OUR MISSION

LEARNERS WILL RETAIN THEIR OWN UNIQUE CULTURE AND BE PREPARED FOR A TECHNOLOGICAL/MULTI-CULTURAL SOCIETY

OUR VISION

Tiospa Zina is a place where: creative thinkers exhibit Ohoda, Okciya, Tehinda, Wicake and Waunsida, all are responsible for each child's development, and sacred learners are balanced individual's who live with all Wakan Tanka creations.

PERFORMANCE BASED LEARNER OUTCOMES

EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATORS who demonstrate the ability to express themselves clearly in all aspects of life.

ENLIGHTENED REPRESENTATIVES who incorporate principles of Dakota culture, modern and traditional values, and tribal affairs into their daily lives.

SELF-DIRECTED ACHIEVERS who formulate goals and priorities, and continually evaluate their progress.

BALANCED INDIVIDUALS exhibiting sensitivity, self-confidence, and respect, who model a holistic lifestyle, and are able to live in harmony with self, others, and Mother Earth.

CREATIVE THINKERS who use a variety of problem-solving techniques and resources to resolve challenges facing them.

GLOBAL CITIZENS who demonstrate respect for and acceptance of cultural diversity.

VIOLENCE IS NOT TOLERATED AT

TIOSPA ZINA HIGH SCHOOL

VIOLENCE is any action or word that hurts living and non-living beings (including self, another person, animals, plants, earth, etc.)

Physical violence against another person is any act that does bodily harm or that disregards potential harm. Physical violence against property is any act that damages or that disregards potential damage to public or private property.

Social violence includes such acts as shunning, stealing, making faces/giving dirty looks, betraying a trust, ignoring a child’s request for help as well as many other acts.

Verbal violence includes such acts as lying, calling a person names, making an unwelcome sexual advance, using profanity, ordering a person around, among others.

Visual violence includes drawing degrading pictures of a person, gesturing obscenities, displaying gang colors, glaring, staring deliberately, threatening with a fist, or similar actions.

ACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR, INFRACTION AND DISCIPLINARY ACTION

Tiospa Zina Tribal School has identified DAKOTA VALUES, which when exhibited, would demonstrate acceptable behavior and conduct. Students are expected to adhere to reasonable standards of behavior and conduct themselves in an acceptable manner.

Student actions, attitudes, and appearance are a reflection of that student as a person, as a member of Tiospa Zina Tribal School, and of the community. Students are expected to treat each other and adults with courtesy and respect. Students are expected to exhibit the Dakota Values of Ohoda, Okciya, Tehinda, Wicake and Waunsida.

It is the responsibility of each student to learn the rules that govern the daily activities of the school environment. Failure to comply with the rules will result in discipline action.

ACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR

Learners exhibit tehinda by showing extreme tenderness toward children and doing whatever is necessary to foster their development. (cherish, nourish, cultivate, foster, value, treasure, feel for children, treasure life)

Learners exhibit okicya by sharing their thoughts, time and possessions with others and taking care of those in need. (sharing, generosity, giving, helping another)

Learners exhibit wicake by telling and acknowledging the truth. (honesty)

Learners exhibit waunsida by showing empathy to all living things. (compassion, love, caring, empathy, tenderness, kindhearted, softhearted)

All learners shall exhibit ohoda by holding in high regard self, others, things, the earth and everything related to the living.

RIGHTS OF THE STUDENT

In order to maintain integrity, values and promote high ideals of education, students are expected to follow high standards of personal conduct. Students have the following rights:

1. The right of a free and appropriate education.

2. The right to freedom of religion and culture.

3. The right to be free from unreasonable search and seizure of their person and property, to a reasonable degree of privacy, and to a safe and secure environment.

4. The right to freedom of the press, except where the material in student publications is libelous, slanderous, obscene, or prejudicial.

5. The right to freedom of speech and expression, including symbolic expression, so long as the symbolic expression does not disrupt the educational process or endanger health and safety of student or others.

6. The right to freedom from discrimination.

7. The right to be free from cruel and unusual punishment.

8. The right to peaceable assembly and to petition for the redress of grievance.

9. The right to due process. Every student is entitled to due process in every instance of disciplinary action for alleged violation of school regulations for which the student may be subjected to penalty of suspension, expulsion, or transfer.

10. Students with handicapping conditions have the right to a manifestation determination hearing prior to a suspension/expulsion for more than 10 days in a semester.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE STUDENT

The declaration of rights implies corresponding responsibilities. The student must accept these responsibilities and not infringe upon the rights of others within the school community.

1. To obtain an education. The student must regard the opportunity of obtaining an education as one of their duties to the community. It is their responsibilities to attend class regularly and complete their assignments.

2. To follow school rules. The student must obey recognized laws, rules, and procedures developed by the school and tribe.

3. To practice self-control. The student must refrain from inflicting bodily harm on other individuals and respect the privacy of their person and property.

4. To know the grievance procedure. The student must inform her/him of proper methods and channels of complaints and make use of them when necessary.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE PARENT/GUARDIAN

Ensure your child maintains a high attendance rate

Have high expectations for your child in school

Communicate and work with teachers and school staff to support and challenge your child

Provide a time and place for homework and make sure work is done

Reinforce the 5 Dakota values of Ohoda, Tehinda, Okciya, Waunsida, and Wicake

Attend at least two Parent/Community Involvement Nights

Volunteer to observe and/or participate in student and school-sponsored activities

MEETINGS

If at any time during a meeting, verbal violence takes place from any party, the meeting will end and be re-scheduled for another time.

DUE PROCESS PROCEDURES

It will be the responsibility of the Lead Teacher to insure that students are offered a fair and impartial hearing to student’s facing allegations that could result in suspension, expulsion, or transfer. When a student requests a hearing on a disciplinary action the following will take place:

a. Allegations must be made within 48 hours of the incident and must specify the violation, the date, and the person alleging the violation.

b. A request for a hearing must be made within 5 days of the allegation.