FACE program graduates GED class and new “giving shed” opens in Blackwater

Emma Hughes
Gila River Indian News 

The Blackwater Community School’s Family and Child Education (FACE) program has been continuing to work on projects as part of a grant they’ve received.

 With the help of the Striving Readers Comprehensive Literacy program grant, the FACE program has created self-sustaining projects that contribute to the students and Community. 

Their “Elderly complex beautification and cleanup” project has been very successful with students and parents cleaning the yards of the elderly complex. The students also painted flower pots and provided their choice of flower seeds.

 Another project that the school has been working on is the “uniform giving shed” to provide any student in need of a new or gently used school uniform. The shed is now open and located at the school and offers other clothing items such as jackets. The shed is also open for any donations. 

The school had a ribbon cutting ceremony for the uniform giving shed on April 29. Lt. Gov. Robert Stone was present to cut the ribbon for the new shed at the school.

To celebrate the success of their projects, the FACE program rewarded the students that have worked hard and participated in the projects. Students and parents were treated to a day of pizza and fun activities at the District 1 multipurpose building.

John Fullen, teacher for the FACE Program says it couldn’t have been done without all the parents ideas, involvement and hard work in the program.

Blackwater Community School has continued to celebrate the success of their students and parents. A preschool graduation ceremony was held on May 22, at the District 1 multipurpose building.

Two of the graduating classes preformed a song and dance. One, a modern song and one a traditional round dance which was sung by Barnaby Lewis. Awards and certificates were given to the students.

The graduation ceremony also acknowledged GED graduates in the FACE program, who were also inducted to the National Adult Education Honor Society:  Jason Williams, Kaitlin Jackson, Anna Gonzales, and Nicholas Antone.