The Richfield Residential Hall Governing Board and Administration went before the Eduction Committee of the Navajo Nation Council on Wednesday, April 28th 2008 to conclude a year-long project by requesting reauthorization of the tribal grant that funds the operation of our program. The Honorable Jonathan Nez, Council Delegate from Shonto, sponsored the legislation to reauthorize Richfield Residential Hall for another three years of operation.

The Education Committee and several other important tribal officials had many positive things to say about Richfield Residential Hall and the unique opportunities that we offer our students each year. RRH was called a “superior program” in this process, which resulted in the successful reauthorization of our program for another three years. It should be pointed out that only the best programs are reauthorized for three years at a time. Many programs must go through this process on an annual basis.

Special thanks to the Richfield Residential Hall Governing Board, the Honorable Jonathan Nez, the Education Committee of the Navajo Nation Council, Office of Monitoring, Evaluation and Technical Assistance and the RRH Administration for working so hard to ensure that we are able to continue to offer the best academic and social opportunities to our students for many years to come.

RRH Governing Board outside Council Chambers after successful Reauthorization.

Dear Parents:

Happy Holidays! Though it is difficult to believe, the holiday season is already upon us. There seems to be no escaping the Christmas music and displays in almost every store that I go into lately. I love the holiday season as it is a time that we can’t help but spend some time reflecting upon many blessings that we enjoy in our lives. I want each of you to know how much my staff and I enjoy having the opportunity of working with your child and your family. There is no greater joy than watching young people set and achieve goals. It is truly a miracle to participate in the growth of your child here at Richfield Residential Hall.

Most worthwhile pursuits are more successful when undertaken by a team. The pursuit of academic and social achievement is no exception. It has been my experience that children who have a strong support network at home, do better in almost every situation. Certainly students, who have involved parents, tend to achieve academically on a much higher level than those who do not. I want to express my appreciation to you for your constant concern and support of your student as they strive to be the best person that they can be; academically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually. I would also like to thank you for your support of our staff as they strive to teach your child important life lessons each day that they are here. I am confident that the combination of our resources and expertise with your loving support will give your child every chance at success in whatever they undertake.

I encourage you to spend some time during the holiday vacation talking with your child. Ask your student about the successes and struggles they are having at RRH. Share stories of your youth, and of your experiences. Encourage them to do their best in all that they do here. Make concerted efforts to develop strong bonds with your child through quality time spent talking with one another. I believe you will look back on this experience as one of your most cherished.

We cordially invite you and your family to our annual Christmas Dinner to be held at 5:00 pm on Monday, December 21st in the Richfield Residential Hall dining room. If you plan to attend, please contact us so that we can ensure that we have a sufficient amount of food prepared.

Students are looking forward to seeing family again, and there is a great deal of excitement about the upcoming Christmas Vacation. Buses will leave Richfield on Tuesday, December 22nd at 1:00 p.m. and arrive at the following locations:

Page Lumber 5:00 p.m. (approx)

Tuba City Bashas’ 7:00 p.m. (approx)

ALL TIMES ARE MOUNTAIN STANDARD TIME

If you plan to pick your student up you should do so at 1:00 p.m. on the 22nd. Student should not be checked out early. The return trip will be on Sunday, January 3rd, 2010, with buses leaving from Tuba City Bashas’ at 12:00 (noon) and Page Lumber at 1:30 p.m. The Dorm will open at 4:00 p.m.

I wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

President Barack Obama has declared November 2009 as National Native American Heritage Month. Click here <native-heritage-month-2009.pdf> to see the official proclamation.

There have been rumors that RRH has confirmed cases of H1N1, “Swine Flu.” This is not the case. We received a phone call from the clinic indicating that one of our students tested positive for Influenza Type A. That does not necessarily mean H1N1, but we are going to treat it as such. The student with the diagnosis has been given anti-viral medication and is isolated from the other students until symptoms abate. I am confident that the student will recover fully in short order.

Basically, symptoms and treatment of H1N1 are the same as the seasonal flu. Like other types of flu, it is spread through mist when an infected person coughs or sneezes, and is contagious as long as symptoms are present. As such, we are treating this case very seriously so as to best protect all other students in our program. Experts tell me that the best thing we can do is to encourage lots of hand washing, hand sanitizer, and Lysol doorknobs and other frequently touched surfaces, which the staff do throughout the day. Students also have access to Lysol spray for personal items (such as cell phones that they lend to friends). Each student has been given a personal bottle of hand sanitizer and refills are available in the staff office.

Students and staff have been explicitly educated on how to protect themselves and others from the spread of the flu, and have been given all necessary tools to do so. All students and staff are being very proactive in their efforts to prevent the spread of any illness in the dormitory. Experts that we have contacted have assured us that we are going above and beyond in our efforts to prevent the spread of H1N1 or seasonal flu. As such, I am certain that the majority of our students will make it through this especially robust flu season with little effect.

We are being told that if we catch it in the first 48 hours, an anti-viral prescription can work wonders in knocking this thing out much faster. As such, all students and staff have been educated on the symptoms to report.

We all need to be educated and proactive to get through this especially rough cold and flu season. We will provide updated information on our website as it becomes available. Take care of yourself. Wash hands often, get plenty of rest, eat a healthy diet, etc.

We appreciate your support as we work to ensure that our students are healthy and able to focus on their education. This is a good time to ensure that RRH has current insurance and contact information for your student. Contact Diane in the main office at (435) 896-6121 to see if your information is accurate.

It seems that with the changing of the seasons, many people experience the negative side effect of illness. In fact, each October and March, schools across the country gear up for what many call, “cold and flu season.” Cold and flu season is now upon us. Student safety and welfare is the primary concern of all of us at Richfield Residential Hall. Students and staff have been explicitly educated on how to protect themselves from illness and how to avoid spreading it should they become ill.

Click here <flu-season.pdf> to read a letter mailed to all parents regarding Richfield Residential Hall’s efforts to get students through the cold and flu season with as little disruption to their education as possible.

The time has come for Fall Vacation!!! Click below to see the letter sent home to parents.

fall-vacation-bus-list-and-parent-letter-2009.doc

Richfield Residential Hall staff have been in training all week, and we are all excited to have our students arrive on Monday the 17th of August. The dormitory will open at 4:00 pm on Monday, August 17th. On that same day, buses will pick up students at the following locations and times:
Tuba City Basha’s — 12:00 noon (Daylight Savings Time)
Kayenta Basha’s — 12:00 noon (Daylight Savings Time)
Page Lumber — 1:30 pm (Daylight Savings Time)

Click this document <information-letter.doc> for information that will help you to be fully prepared on Monday.

Interest in our program is higher than it has ever been. We are already near capacity for next year. If you are trying to decide if you want to enroll for next school year, you need to decide quickly. We only have a few spots left!

Parents:

As you may know, the principals of both high schools have made a special arrangement with us to allow our students to leave school a full two days earlier than the rest of the student body. While the last day of school is the 29th of May, our students will be released at 1:00 pm on the 27th. We are grateful to the administration of both high schools for this thoughtful consideration of our students’ unique needs.

For your student’s own good, please do not allow them to leave school any earlier than the 27th. This will adversely affect the grades that they have worked so hard towards all year long. I know our students well enough to know that they are going to argue a strong case that will make your little heart go pitter-patter, your eyes steam up, and give you a strong desire to give in to their unhealthy desire. I am asking you to be strong and do the Nancy Reagan….. “JUST SAY NO!!!” Richfield Residential Hall will not be signing any withdrawal forms prior to the 27th. Thank you for your support in this critical manner.
–Mr. Workman