~NEWS~
JOM Eligibility Updates
An American Indian student is eligible for JOM benefits if either (1) an enrolled member of a Federally recognized Tribe, or (2) has a link to a Tribal member (through descendancy) that is within a certain proximity, meaning the student has a least one parent or grandparent (living or deceased) who is a member of a federally recognized Tribe. In addition, they permit blood quantum calculations that include blood from different federally recognized Tribes to ensure an inclusive JOM eligibility. This clarifies that a student - who is not a member of a federally recognized Tribe or does not possess ¼ Indian blood degree - can be determined JOM eligible if the student is able to provide documentation of at least one parent or grandparent (living or deceased) who is a member of a federally recognized Tribe. Acceptable documentation would be a birth certificate(s) linking the student to the parent or grandparent who is a member of a federally recognized Tribe.
If you believe your student is now JOM Eligible, please complete the JOM form at the bottom of this page or White Earth JOM form if your child is enrolled or a descendent of White Earth Nation. Please let us know if you would like a hard copy of any of our forms and we will send it out.
Kindergarten & New Student Registration
Will you be joining us?
(Click the link above for details on how to register...Online registration is now an option)
2024-25 Bus registration
(Click the link above to register - must be done annually)
Ethnic and Racial Demographics Designation Form
This is a new form required by the Minnesota Department of Education, under the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). This demographics form has been distributed to students to bring home for completion by families. Please note...If your child identifies as American Indian and any other race, they will no longer be counted as American Indian for reporting purposes. If you select two or more races on this form, your child will be identified as "Two or More Races" for reporting purposes. If you wish for your child to be identified at the local, state, and federal level as American Indian, you may want to consider selecting American Indian only on this form. Your child does not need to be enrolled in a tribe to select American Indian, they can be a descendant. The reason for this note is the inform you and to help the Indian Education program accurately identify our American Indian students and serve them.
Educational Benefits Application
Watch your mail in August 2024 for the Golden Educational Benefits application to apply for free and reduced school meals, sport fee waivers, ACT waivers, college application waivers. If you misplace the form sent out in the mail, you can obtain an application by clicking on the link above, stopping at the district food service office located at 502 Minnesota Avenue, or pick one up at your child's school.
Don't forget...
You can fill it out online from our school distrcit webpage under the food service tab and by logging in to your family access account. If you have more than one student, you must click on one of your students to access the application. Let us know if you need any technical assistance, we're happy to help.
About Us:
The Bemidji Indian Education Program is designed to meet the identified educational and cultural needs of American Indian Students attending the Bemidji Area Public Schools. Annually, a needs assessment is conducted where the educational and cultural needs of American Indian students are outlined, based on that Needs Assessment. The ultimate goal of the Indian Education Program is to assist American Indian students to successfully complete high school and to encourage and prepare students to seek post-secondary training and education. The Indian Education Program has become an integral part of our public school system. The Local Indian Education Committee in cooperation with the Board of Education and school staff governs the Indian Education Program.
Indian Education Forms Include:
Title VI (ED 506) Form (For all American Indian students in I.S.D. #31)
JOM Form (For all American Indian student enrolled in a tribe other than White Earth Nation)
White Earth Nation JOM Form (For White Earth Nation Enrollees only)
Hard copies of these forms may be obtained from the district and can be turned into your student's school or faxed to (218) 333-3188
Job Announcements: We're hiring!
Please click the link below to apply
Academic Advisors
