This Community-Wide In-Service is a one day event held in August in which all staff within the community (Child Care, Head Start, and Elementary and Middle Schools) come together (In-Person or Virtually). At the Community-Wide Teacher In-Service, teachers and paraprofessionals will become familiar with Best Practices in instructing GRIC students. The In-Service is designed to not just provide faculty with tools to enhance their teaching performance, but to foster an understanding of the GRIC Culture to maximize student success. It is expected that the In-Service will:

• Provide teachers with an overview of the GRIC Culture;
• Empower teachers with tools toward helping students gain self-esteem and self-reliance through education;
• Provide teachers with the opportunity to discuss their concerns and attain feedback from school and tribal officials while networking;
• Provide comprehensive information to equip teachers with tools that may foster a positive, productive, healthy classroom environment; and
• Cultivate a positive interactive relationship and mutual support among reservation teachers, the schools, and the Community

The Education Summit is an annual event that takes place in February. It is a co-sponsored event between the Governor’s Office and the Tribal Education Department. It is open to all community members, stakeholders, and all other educational staff. This summit provides direction from community leadership related to educational goals within the Gila River Indian Community. The summit topics vary annually.

Graduation Stoles are provided each year to students usually around the time of graduation events.  Students are encouraged to wear their GRIC Stoles during graduation ceremonies.

Student must be an enrolled member of the Gila River Indian Community and graduating from:

• High School
• Vocational Schools
• Community Colleges
• Universities

Students may contact their K-12 Student Advisor at Coolidge High School, Coolidge Alternative Program, Casa Grande High School, Betty Fairfax High School, Vista Grande High School, and Chandler Unified School District. Student Advisors will have identified graduating students.

University and Community College graduates would call their Student Advisor with Student Services at (520) 562-3316.

Parents of Boarding Schools would contact Ivy Namingha at (520) 562-3662.

You may also contact the Tribal Education Department at (520)562-3662 to obtain a GRIC Graduation Stole. 

Chief Azul Scholar Award

This annual event takes place in May. The Chief Azul Scholar Award recognizes educational achievements, academic excellence and leadership. This award seeks to recognize individual student scholars and provide motivation toward excellence for Gila River Students that aspire to reach high academic goals. This award requires eligibility requirements as well as needing to be nominated for the award.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR AWARD INCLUDE:

• Enrolled Members and Direct Descendants of the Gila River Indian Community (GRIC)
• Direct Descendant: Mother or Father Enrolled with GRIC - Certificate of Indian Blood Required
  • Enrolled Student in 4th-12th grade or
  • Full-time Undergraduate College Student
  • Meets all or exceeds the Selection Criteria which include:

1. Excellent attendance record with no behavior referrals.
2. Consistent performance at best level and demonstrates high academic engagement with a strong academic record.
3. Demonstrates inspirational behavior and conduct; and continuously demonstrates a positive, friendly, and cooperative relationship with students, faculty, staff, and the community at large.
4. Demonstrates desire and ability to overcome barriers and achieve their goals.
5. Individual determination to succeed; self-motivated in completing challenging coursework.
6. Demonstrates knowledge of and/or interest in the GRIC culture.
7. Strong record and participation in extracurricular activities, volunteer/ community service.

NOMINATIONS ELIGIBILITY PROCESS:

Students in grades 4th - 12th:

• All nominations must be submitted on the Chief Azul Scholar Nomination Form.
• The Nomination form must be completed fully and must be signed off by a school official. A member from the school, K-12 Advisor Program or Parent must complete the nomination form and submit on behalf of the student.
• All supporting application documents indicated on the checklist must be included with the Nomination Form.

Undergraduate Students:

All nominations must be submitted on the Chief Azul Scholar Nomination Form.

• A Professor, Student Advisor, or Parent must complete the nomination form and submit on behalf of the student
• The Nomination form must be completed fully and must be signed off by a school official.
• All supporting application documents indicated on checklist must be included with the Nomination Form.

Chief Azul Citizenship Award

 This award is annual concurrent with the Chief Azul Scholar Award. The Citizenship Award is only open to High School Seniors. Applicants must meet eligibility requirements as well as needing to be nominated. This award recognizes outstanding students who consistently demonstrate a positive attitude, a friendly demeanor, and who are a role model to others. Fifteen (15) High School Seniors will be selected for this award contingent upon the review of the Citizenship Award nomination and supporting documents.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR AWARD INCLUDE:

• Enrolled Member of the Gila River Indian Community
• Certificate of Indian Blood Required
• High School Senior (12th Grade) for School Year
• Meets all or exceeds the Selection Criteria

SELECTION CRITERIA:

• Excellent attendance record for the School Year (95%-100%).
• Consistent performance at best level and demonstrates high academic engagement.
• Demonstrates inspirational behavior and conduct; and continuously demonstrates a positive, friendly, and cooperative relationship with students, faculty, staff, and the community at large.
• Demonstrates desire and ability to overcome barriers and achieve their goals.
• Individual determination to succeed; self-motivated and consistently improves in academic and social endeavors.
• Demonstrates knowledge of and/or interest in the GRIC culture.
• Strong record and participation in extracurricular activities, volunteer/community service.
• No behavior referrals.

NOMINATIONS ELIGIBILITY PROCESS:

• All nominations must be submitted on the Citizenship Award Nomination Form.
• The Nomination form must be completed fully and must be signed off by a school official, a member from the school, K-12 Advisor Program or Parent must complete the nomination form and submit on behalf of the student.
• All supporting application documents indicated on the checklist must be included with the Nomination Form.

This annual event takes place in March to align with the Mul-Chu-Tha Fair and Rodeo event. The Art and Essay contest is for community children in grade levels 4^th - 12^th grade. The contest focus is on that year’s Fair and Rodeo theme.

ART CONTEST GUIDELINES:

Creatively illustrate what the theme of that year’s fair/rodeo means to you.

• Art entries should be on (8.5X11) sized paper or (8.5X11) dimensional items (including painting, drawings, ceramic, wood, clay, etc.)
• Art Rubric will be use to judge entries.
• Art work submitted not following these guidelines will disqualify the entry from the contest.

ESSAY CONTEST:

Creatively express what the theme of that year’s fair/rodeo means to you.

Essays are required to be no less than;

• 200 words for 4^th-5^th grades
• 300 words for 6^th-8^th grades
• 400 words for 9^th -12^th grades
• Essays must be your own original work
• Essays must relate to the theme
• ALL ESSAYS MUST BE DOUBLE SPACED, TYPED AND 12 POINT FONT
• SIX TRAIT WRITING RUBIC WILL BE USED TO JUDGE ALL ENTRIES.

**Each entry for both Art and Essay must include the following forms:

• Entry Form
• Photo/Audio/Video Release

NO LATE ENTRIES WILL BE ACCEPTED

AWARD CATEGORIES:

1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd place will be awarded in the following categories for the Mul-Chu-Tha Art and Essay Contest:

• 4^th - 5^th
• 6^th - 8^th
• 9^th - 12^th

Winners will be notified after judging is completed and announced at the Community Day event.

• The GRIC Graduation Recognition Event is held annually in June. This event honors graduates from High School, G.E.D., College, Universities, and Trade Schools.
• Locations and times vary year by year. Look for the event announcement beginning in May. To attend the event, you will need to R.S.V.P by a specific deadline (Posted prior to event) by calling the Tribal Education Department. It is a day to recognize all of our graduates for their outstanding achievement.