Public Input Sought To Help CEB Schools Achieve Greater Student Success

       The C-EB school system was notified in April that its students did not meet State or Bureau of Indian Education guidelines for “adequate yearly progress” in the 2006-2007 school year. Although the high school did meet the standard, the K-12 system did not. A combination of test scores, attendance rates and graduation rates is used to determine adequate yearly progress. A failure to achieve standards in those areas threw the system into what is known as Corrective Action.
       To address the problems, the school must work with all staff members, students, parents, school board members, tribal and community entities, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs/Bureau of Indian Education to develop a corrective plan for the upcoming school year. Because the school was just informed of this status, rather than receiving notice before the start of the last school year, an extra effort on the part of all parties is needed.

Apply Now For Tax Refund Program - Help Available

       Applications are now being accepted for a state program that provides once-a-year refunds of sales or property taxes to eligible senior citizens and disabled individuals in South Dakota.
       Under the Sales and Property Tax Refund for Senior and Disabled Citizens, qualified applicants will receive refunds of sales or property taxes based on their income; refund checks are issued beginning at the end of August. The program is funded through an annual appropriation from the South Dakota Legislature.

Col. Zacher receives the award of the Bronze Star Medal

       Colonel Lisa L. Zacher, United States Army, distinguished herself by exceptionally meritorious performance and outstanding combat service to the United States as Chief, Critical Care Services, 28th and 86th Combat Support Hospitals, Baghdad, Iraq, from 9 August 2007 to 31 January 2008, during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Col. Zacher demonstrated superb clinical skills and exceptional leadership as the Pulmonary/Critical Care chief and lead intensivist assigned to the busiest Combat Support Hospital in the Iraq Theater in support of wartime missions. She was a key clinical leader and assumed responsibilities far beyond her duties as the Intensive Care Chief and Theater Consultant in Pulmonary/Critical Care Medicine.

Four Bands chosen to present at national conference

       ST. PAUL, Minn., May 2, 2008 - Four Bands Community Fund will present its innovative approach to poverty reduction at Grassroots & Groundwork: Sharing What Works to Reduce Poverty and Grow Community Prosperity. Four Bands invests in, grows and protects Native assets, encouraging economic development and enhancing quality of life on the Cheyenne Reservation. Expected to attract upwards of 450 people, Grassroots and Groundwork will be held May 28 – 30, 2008 in Bloomington, Minnesota.

Two children die in Cherry Creek Fire

       The bodies of two Cherry Creek toddlers were found after a house fire Friday night. A two-year-old boy, Marvin Rooks, and his sister, four-year-old Keya Rooks, lost their lives.They are the children of Wenona Rooks.
The fire was reported about 5 p.m. on Friday. The family’s log home was destroyed. Rescue attempts were made, but failed. The fire is considered suspicious and is being investigated by federal and tribal law enforcement.
       The CRST Head Start program is requesting assistance for the family. Keya Rooks was a Head Start student. All family possessions were lost in the fire and any donations of household items, appliances, or furniture would be greatly appreciated by the family. They are in dire need of clothing and shoes.
Mom (Wenona) -top 3XL, pants, 26/28 Womens, Shoes, sixe 8
Sister (Amani) - top, 2XL, pants, 22/24 womens, Shoes, sixe 9
Sister (Cetanwin): Top, 14/16; Pants, 14/16; Shoes, size 6.
Any donations can be dropped off at the Cherry Creek Head Start or the Family Services Office in Eagle Butte. An account has been established at the State Bank of Eagle Butte.
For more information on ways to assist the family, call the Cheyenne River Head Start office at 964-8701.

McCrea honored on retirement

       The end of a school year is always bittersweet, but for Cynthia McCrea this one carries more than the usual emotions. After serving as Cheyenne Eagle Butte’s principal for 30 plus years, McCrea will be retiring when the Class of 2008, her last class of seniors, heads out into the world.
       During her career in education, Cynthia McCrea has been a role model and has shown tenacity, fortitude, determination and pride in her service as an adminstrator and promotor of education. The C-EB staff honored her with a surprise retirement party at the school cafeteria after school on Thursday, May 1.

Buy Forever stamps now - before price increase

       Ssh ... Hey, brides-to-be, we’ll let you in on a little secret:
Now would be a good time to get those invitations in the mail.
Actually, it’s no secret at all: Stamp prices are rising 1 cent, to 42 cents, beginning May 12. “You’ve got about two weeks,” advised Aberdeen Postmaster Rod Melinsky.
But if you’re not ready to send out those invites yet, don’t panic: The Forever Stamp might be for you. It’s pretty self-explanatory: You buy the stamp at the current first-class postage stamp rate - now, 41 cents; starting May 12, 42 cents - and “they’re good forever,” Melinsky said.
       If you buy a Forever Stamp now, you can use it after May 12, or even next year, he said. “No matter what the rate increases to, that stamp will cover a 1-ounce letter,” he said.

Thompson named SDSU Pharmacy Alumnus of the Year

       BROOKINGS, S.D. - Carv Thompson was named 2008 Alumnus of the Year by the College of Pharmacy at South Dakota State University. Dean Brian Kaatz presented the award during the college’s annual awards banquet.
       Thompson was born and raised and spent his entire professional career in Faith. After earning his bachelor’s degree in pharmacy in 1954 and receiving his license, he served in the U.S. Army for two years, then worked in his father’s drug store in Faith.
He purchased the store in 1958 when he and his wife, Margaret, expanded the business into a chain of seven Walgreen Agency Drug Stores with locations in Faith, Deadwood, Lead, Lemmon, Philip, McLaughlin and Eagle Butte.