Native American After-School Program

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.