Education United States Project #19796

Native American After-School Program

by Native American Advancement Foundation

Project Report | Apr 29, 2026
A Season of Growth and Connection

By Robb Schrimshaw | Grants Manager

The AfterSchool Program started the new year with strong momentum as students returned to San Simon School in January. This semester has centered on handson learning, cultural connection, and creating a safe, encouraging space where students can grow. STEM activities have been a major highlight, with students experimenting with bottle rockets, rubber band helicopters, hydraulic lifts, and solarpowered creations. Not every project worked on the first try, which led to great conversations about patience and problemsolving. Staff reminded students that real engineers rebuild and try again, and you could see their confidence grow with each attempt.

The Remote Learning Center also played an important role this semester, supporting ASP students on earlyrelease days with prevention lessons, board games, art, and academic help. Staff assisted older students with scholarship letters, district funding requests, and college planning, ensuring that families across the program had access to the guidance they needed.

Language and culture continued to shape the program in meaningful ways. Weekly I:mig sessions introduced new O’odham phrases, greetings, and commands, and students practiced using the language in everyday interactions. They also learned about districts and communities, family trees, and local history, ending the winter storytelling cycle with the origin of the ha:san. Traditional games added another layer of connection. ASP hosted TOKA and Songiwuld games and welcomed youth from the Schuk Toak District for an afternoon of play and lunch. Plans are underway for ASP students to visit Schuk Toak next, strengthening friendships across districts and giving students more opportunities to learn through movement and culture.

Physical activity remained a staple through popup sports events, including soccer, basketball, capture the flag, and ping pong. These sessions helped students stay active and build teamwork skills in a fun, lowpressure environment. As spring approaches, staff are preparing for more traditional games, Tball, and cultural activities that will carry students into the next season of learning.

Thanks to your support, ASP continues to be a safe, joyful, culturally grounded space where O’odham youth can learn, explore, and thrive.

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Jan 5, 2026
Creativity and Learning Shine in the AfterSchool

By Robb Schrimshaw | Grants Manager

The fall months brought renewed energy to the AfterSchool Program as students returned to a full schedule of learning, creativity, and community engagement. In October, classrooms were refreshed with new O’odham language materials and seasonal decorations, creating a warm and welcoming environment for students as they settled into their routines. Early Education students focused on foundational skills such as shapes, numbers, colors, motor development, and pencil control, while older students participated in spirit week and fall celebrations that helped build excitement for the new quarter.

STEM learning received a boost this season with the introduction of LEGO Club, which quickly became a favorite among students in grades 1–8. The club offered a handson space for creativity, engineering, and problemsolving, and students worked together to build structures, experiment with designs, and explore new ideas. LEGO Club added a playful dimension to afterschool learning and supported the program’s ongoing commitment to STEM education.

In November, language immersion activities expanded as students practiced new I:mig phrases, greetings, and short conversations through games, songs, and storytelling. Prevention lessons led by HPC staff supported students in developing selfesteem and positive communication skills, with many students gradually becoming more comfortable participating in group discussions. Popup sports such as soccer, basketball, and capture the flag continued to be a highlight, giving students opportunities to stay active and practice teamwork after school.

December brought a series of communitycentered events that helped close the year on a joyful note. Students participated in NAAF’s Holiday Art Contest, which invited young artists to create pieces inspired by the theme “Holiday on O’odham Jewed.” The contest encouraged creativity and cultural expression, and winners received gift bundles for their work. Early Education students also took part in Friendsgiving, holiday crafts, and the Christmas Light Parade in Sells, where the float theme “Disney on O’odham Jewed” blended familiar characters with O’odham himdag. These events strengthened students’ sense of belonging and connection to their community.

Behind the scenes, NAAF staff prepared for the program’s return to San Simon School in January 2026, coordinating with school partners and planning new academic and cultural activities for the upcoming semester. All of NAAF is excited to see what else the New Year holds in store.

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Sep 9, 2025
NAAF's After-School Program Is Back in Action

By Robb Schrimshaw | Grants Manager

As the new school year begins, we’re proud to share the stories that remind us why this work matters. The Native American After-School Program continues to be a space where students grow academically, culturally, and emotionally—and this summer, that growth was especially visible.

In May 2025, four high school students from the GuVo and Hikiwan Districts were awarded scholarships to boarding academies. Sergio A. and Jonathan S. will attend Subiaco Academy, while Keira S. and Kyla M. will begin their studies at Maur Hill Mount Academy. These students received support through NAAF’s Student Support Services, including FAFSA guidance, scholarship navigation, and college readiness workshops. Their success reflects not only personal perseverance but the strength of a community committed to lifting its youth.

Meanwhile, five early childhood students graduated from the Ce:ce:m A’al o O’odham Ñeñok immersion program and transitioned into kindergarten. Their graduation ceremony honored not only their achievements but the collective efforts of families, educators, and volunteers. These young learners are now entering school with a foundation in language, literacy, and Himdag.

On August 6, 2025, NAAF hosted registration events for the new school year at the GuVo Remote Learning Center and Al Jek Recreation Center. Families gathered to enroll their children in the Ce:ce:m A’al program, enjoy ice cream, and reconnect with staff. The first day of school followed on August 11, marking the beginning of another year of hands-on, culturally rooted education.

This momentum aligns with Executive Order No. 2025-001, issued by Chairman Velon M. Jose and Education Director Carla L. Johnson, which calls for expanded tribal investment in early childhood education and academic support. NAAF’s programming directly advances these goals by offering free, accessible services that prepare students for success while preserving the O’odham language and values.

As Board President Susan Warmack recently wrote: "What fills me with pride is watching people grow, carry our stories forward, and build strong communities. That growth is our real legacy."

Thank you for helping us build that legacy—one student, one story, one season at a time. We look forward to sharing more exciting accomplishments over the course of this new school year.

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