Community members are invited to join Maple Avenue Elementary School Jan. 28 as it kicks off its Native American study with an all-school assembly in the gymnasium from 9 a.m. to 9:45 a.m.
In its ongoing celebration of cultures, the school will focus this year on the Great Lakes and Wisconsin native nations. Each grade will represent a different tribe with: kindergartners as Ho-Chunk – formerly Winnebago; first grade as Menominee; second grade as Oneida; third grade as Potawatomi; fourth grade as Ojibwe – formerly Chippewa; and fifth grade as Mohican, Stockbridge – Munsee Band.
Native American author Karen Hartman will present her book “Dream Catcher – The Legend, The Lady, The Woman” to each grade. The schedule for Hartman’s presentations, which will be in the school’s Large Group Area, is:
- 10-10:30 a.m. – second grade;
- 10:45-11:15 a.m. – first grade;
- 12:30-1 p.m. – kindergarten;
- 1-1:45 p.m. – fifth grade;
- 2-2:45 p.m. – fourth grade; and
- 2:45-3:15 p.m. – third grade.
In addition, all students will be creating dream catchers in their classrooms at various times throughout the day. Parents and community members are welcome to view the artwork that will be displayed throughout the school during the year.
Native American topics and activities for the coming months include storytelling in February, clothing and tools in March, games in April, music and dance in May and powwow and food in June.
Maple Avenue Elementary School is located at W240 N6059 Maple Ave., Sussex.