San Manuel Department of Education Tutoring Program

The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians considers a quality education critical for the survival of our culture and a necessity to maintain the economic and cultural welfare of our Tribal Nation. San Manuel wishes to ensure the future viability of the Tribe by providing a quality education to our children and for future generations.

San Manuel recognizes that educational attainment and achievement are critical to providing the skills and knowledge that all tribal members will need to ensure the survival of the Tribe. San Manuel is dedicated to providing tribal members with access to quality educational opportunities from early childhood and throughout life.

Additionally, San Manuel is committed to assisting our tribal members and their children in maintaining an education that is culturally relevant. The Tribe has a significant interest in ensuring that our children receive an education in Serrano culture, history, and language.

San Manuel's commitment to education also extends beyond the borders of the San Manuel reservation. In keeping with the Tribe's belief in education's vital role in creating a vibrant and strong community, the Department of Education also serves on advisory boards for several local educational organizations on behalf of the Tribe. In addition to the goal of creating broad-based educational programs, the Department of is also working actively working with San Manuel endowment recipients: California State University, San Bernardino, the University of California, Los Angeles, and Claremont Graduate University.

San Manuel Education Committee

The Education Committee is a standing committee of the San Manuel Tribe, appointed by the General Council in February 2006. The Education Committee is comprised of tribal members who facilitate San Manuel's educational vision. The Committee was delegated with the responsibility of overseeing the educational needs of the Tribe. The Education Committee is also responsible for guiding the development and administration of the San Manuel educational system.

Department of Education

The purpose of the San Manuel Department of Education is to assist in implementing the Tribe's educational vision. Given its relatively new position in the San Manuel government, the Department continues to build its administrative foundation, expand existing educational services and programs, and continue in developing exciting educational opportunities for tribal members. The Education Department staff consists of a Director of Education, three linguists, eight tutors, and an Administrative Assistant.

Serrano Language Revitalization Project (SLRP)

The Serrano Language Revitalization Project's mission is to ensure the continuation of the Serrano language. SLRP aids in the teaching and documentation of the language through developing materials such as grammars, dictionaries, and educational multimedia. SLRP seeks to promote and sustain San Manuel's unique linguistic heritage. All of the project's efforts go toward the ultimate goal of teaching tribal members to speak Serrano so it can be used in everyday communication.

The San Manuel Learning
Resource Center

The goal of the San Manuel Learning Resource Center is to provide San Manuel tribal members with the necessary tools and skills needed to successfully navigate their educational career endeavors. Through indigenous methods and culturally relevant curricula, the San Manuel Learning Resource Center will create a learning environment that will help cultivate the future leaders of San Manuel.

Mission

Established by the Department of Education in 2006, the San Manuel Learning Resource Center is committed to promoting the Serrano language and culture to our San Manuel Band of Mission Indians first, sharing the culture with students outside of the San Manuel Reservation, and establishing an academic awareness and understanding of the Serrano past, present, and future endeavors. In addition, the Department of Education is devoted to providing the Summer Academy, GED, tutoring, athletic programming, academic skills building workshops, career preparatory pathways, and cultural programming to all the members of the San Manuel Tribes.

Tutoring Program

The Tutoring Program provides tribal students various services to help them be successful in the classroom. Our elementary students receive services including: homework assistance, multi-subject tutoring, proofreading and essay writing, long and short-term project assistance, organizational skills, time management, computer/typing skills, note taking methods, educational games and activities, over 1,000 books for students to read, and incentive activities. For middle school and high school students these services consist of: homework assistance, senior notebook preparation, college and scholarship applications, GED study, SAT study, CAHSEE preparation, resume building, career development, organizational skills, time management, computer skills, research techniques, and much more.

Summer Academy

Students, who participate in the Summer Academy, will take part in weekly themed activities focusing on contemporary Native American issues. Through guest speakers, experiential activities, field trips, and cultural programs, students will explore different themes and topics pertinent to Indigenous groups and tribal nations. Additionally, students will survey themes involving history, economic development, politics, sovereignty, cultural resource management, and different cultural practices. Serrano culture and language is emphasized throughout the duration of Summer Academy.

More information is available for San Manuel Tribal Members
at https://www.mysmbmi.com/.

"Whatever you vividly imagine, ardently desire, sincerely believe and
enthusiastically act upon must inevitably come to pass."

~Paul J. Meyer~