📣 Isna Wica Owayawa Open Registration 📣
Registration is now open for NEW students for the 2025–2026 school year!
🗓️ Deadline: August 8th
📍 Pick up registration packets in the front office
🎒 First Day of School: August 14th
📑 New students must provide:
*Birth Certificate
*Blood Degree (CIB)
*Updated Immunizations
*Social Security Card
*Custody Papers (if applicable)
*Report Card from previous school
*MAPS / Test Scores
*Attendance & Behavior Record
*IEP (if applicable)
📞 For more info, contact Carleen or Lisa at (605) 867-6875
#IsnaWicaOwayawa #SchoolRegistration #BackToSchool #LakotaEducation #Fall2025
Registration is now open for NEW students for the 2025–2026 school year!
🗓️ Deadline: August 8th
📍 Pick up registration packets in the front office
🎒 First Day of School: August 14th
📑 New students must provide:
*Birth Certificate
*Blood Degree (CIB)
*Updated Immunizations
*Social Security Card
*Custody Papers (if applicable)
*Report Card from previous school
*MAPS / Test Scores
*Attendance & Behavior Record
*IEP (if applicable)
📞 For more info, contact Carleen or Lisa at (605) 867-6875
#IsnaWicaOwayawa #SchoolRegistration #BackToSchool #LakotaEducation #Fall2025
50 Years of Self-Determination in Education
📘 Did You Know? The History of Loneman School & Native Self-Determination in Education
In Article VII of the Fort Laramie Treaty, the U.S. Government promised to provide a schoolhouse and a teacher for every 30 Oglala Sioux children. As a result, schools were built across Pine Ridge Reservation — including Isna Wica Owayawa (Loneman School), established in 1892, making it one of the oldest schools on the reservation.
Originally called Number 5 Day School, it began as a one-room schoolhouse for K-8 students in the White Clay District. After a fire in 1954, the school was rebuilt with expanded facilities — classrooms, a gym/dining hall, kitchen, staff housing, and a bus garage.
But perhaps the most groundbreaking moment came after the passage of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (P.L. 93-638) in 1975.
🏫 Loneman School became the first school in the nation to move to "local control" under 638.
This meant that tribal communities — not the federal government — would oversee education, including curriculum, staffing, and administration.
Today, Loneman School and others on Pine Ridge are operated and led by tribal citizens, many of whom are alumni. These schools aim not just to educate, but to restore and revitalize Lakota language, culture, and identity.
✨ The transition to 638 wasn’t always easy. Legal complexities and administrative challenges were part of the journey — but the goal was always clear: educational sovereignty.
This is more than a school. It’s part of a larger movement by Native nations to take back the power to educate their children — in their own language, with their own values, by their own people.
📚 #LonemanSchool #IsnaWicaOwayawa #638School #NativeEducation #LakotaLanguage #SelfDetermination #PineRidge #OglalaSioux #IndianEducation #FortLaramieTreaty #NativeHistory #TribalSovereignty
📘 Did You Know? The History of Loneman School & Native Self-Determination in Education
In Article VII of the Fort Laramie Treaty, the U.S. Government promised to provide a schoolhouse and a teacher for every 30 Oglala Sioux children. As a result, schools were built across Pine Ridge Reservation — including Isna Wica Owayawa (Loneman School), established in 1892, making it one of the oldest schools on the reservation.
Originally called Number 5 Day School, it began as a one-room schoolhouse for K-8 students in the White Clay District. After a fire in 1954, the school was rebuilt with expanded facilities — classrooms, a gym/dining hall, kitchen, staff housing, and a bus garage.
But perhaps the most groundbreaking moment came after the passage of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (P.L. 93-638) in 1975.
🏫 Loneman School became the first school in the nation to move to "local control" under 638.
This meant that tribal communities — not the federal government — would oversee education, including curriculum, staffing, and administration.
Today, Loneman School and others on Pine Ridge are operated and led by tribal citizens, many of whom are alumni. These schools aim not just to educate, but to restore and revitalize Lakota language, culture, and identity.
✨ The transition to 638 wasn’t always easy. Legal complexities and administrative challenges were part of the journey — but the goal was always clear: educational sovereignty.
This is more than a school. It’s part of a larger movement by Native nations to take back the power to educate their children — in their own language, with their own values, by their own people.
📚 #LonemanSchool #IsnaWicaOwayawa #638School #NativeEducation #LakotaLanguage #SelfDetermination #PineRidge #OglalaSioux #IndianEducation #FortLaramieTreaty #NativeHistory #TribalSovereignty
Isna Wica Owayawa
Returning Student Registration for SY 2025-2026
Registration is happening now until July 31st (Deadline).
Packets can be picked up in the front office Monday-Friday from 8:00 am to 3:30pm. Returning students need update Immunization Record and/or Custody papers.
New student registration will take place at a later time.
For More Information: Call 605-867-6875
Contact: Carleen or Lisa
Isna Wica Owayawa Kindergarten Screening Thursday June 26th & Friday June 27th
Testing times are available (30 Minute slots)
Thursday June 26th - 9:00 am to 2:30 pm
Friday June 27th - 9:00 am to 2:30 pm
*All students need to participate in screening before enrolling in Kindergarten for SY 2025-2026*
Students must be 5 years old by September 1st
Contact Lisa at 605-867-6875 Ext 6904
Isna Wica Owayawa
Returning student Registration Only
SY 2025-2026
Packets can be picked up Monday-Friday 8:00 am to 3:30 pm.
New Student Registration will be in August
More Information: 605-867-6875
Contact Carleen or Lisa
Reminder: The Warrior Mindset FREE basketball camp is happening at the school from June 10th to June 12th for all students. Students must have their own ride to and from school.
Camp times are as follows:
K-4 students: 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
4th-8th grade students: 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Also, snacks, drinks, and t-shirts will be provided by Project AWARE to all the participants.
Good Evening!
Due to recent rain and road conditions, our school vehicles will not be able to access off-road areas for student pickup tomorrow, Friday, June 6th. Please arrange to bring your students to the main road where our vehicles can safely reach them. Your students will be excused if they can't make it to school because of the roads. We appreciate your understanding!
Isna Wica Owayawa
Kindergarten Screening
Thursday June 26th & Friday June 27th
Testing times are available (30 Minute slots)
Thursday June 26th - 9:00 am to 2:30 pm
Friday June 27th - 9:00 am to 2:30 pm
Contact Lisa at 605-867-6875 Ext 6904
*All students need to participate in screening before enrolling in Kindergarten for SY 2025-2026*
Students must be 5 years old by September 1st
Eighth grade meeting on Tuesday 5/27 at 5pm. We would like all students, parents, and trip chaperones to attend. Thank you, have a great evening!
Attention Parents/Guardians,
You are invited to attend the final presentation of Isna Wica Owayawa students Lakota Value Projects. For the past school year our students have learned and presented on 12 Lakota Values. Students will be presenting their final project on Woksape. We would like to invite parents and guardians to attend the presentations. Presentations will take place on Tuesday May 6 after 2:30pm. Please come see the work students put into their Lakota Value Projects.
Happy Principal Appreciation Day to the absolute best there is—Ms. Lisa! We’re so grateful for your leadership, kindness, and unwavering commitment to our Lakota community. Thank you for all that you do daily for our staff and students! 🎉🦅 💙 🌷💖 Families, feel free to drop a message of appreciation in the comments to help us celebrate her!
📢 Good Afternoon, Loneman Families!
☀️ Reminder: There are no after-school activities today. All students will be dismissed at 3:45 PM and should ride home as usual.
📚 21st Century Literacy Night – TONIGHT! (5:00-7:00 PM)
Join us for:
✨ Engaging literacy activities
📖 Free books for students
🎁 Exciting door prize drawings for families
🍽️ Supper will be served at 5:30 PM!
✈️ Washington D.C./NYC Trip Parent Meeting – 5:30 PM
Parents/guardians of students attending the trip, don’t forget our important meeting! Get all the details & travel kits, and ask questions.
We can’t wait to see you there! 🎉
#LiteracyNight #FamilyEngagement #SchoolEvents #DCNYCTrip
Good Afternoon 8th Grade Parents. This Saturday will be our feather tying ceremony at 1:00 pm. Please give the sponsors a call regarding this event. Thank You!
Good Morning, 8th grade parents. The end of the year is near! Please submit your student's baby pictures and 8th-grade pictures. We are working on their slide show and our school yearbook. Thank you. Have a great day!
Isna Wica Owayawa
Teca Wacipi Okolakiciye
April 17th, 2025
Isna Wica Owawaya Gym
We are looking for teachers for SY 25-26 Elementary Teachers Middle School (ELA, Reading, Science, Math) Teachers PE/Health Teacher Math Intervention
Please email: lisa.yellowhorse@isnawica.org or hr@isnawica.org
$3000 Sign on Bonus for Certified Teachers
Attention 8th grade parents: the proofs for your students' pictures are now available for viewing. Please stop by the school to choose three of our favorites. Thank You!
Employment Opportunities
Isna Wica Owayawa is recruiting innovative and positive staff for the following positions. If you would like to be part of our TEAM working " to provide students with the most effective and supportive learning experience " - we welcome you to apply! Our TEAM understands that students face many challenges in today's society. We strive to provide each student a safe environment for learning. If you have that philosophy, we are looking for you! We welcome you to apply!
https://www.isnawica.org/page/employment
We are also looking for Teachers & Paraprofessionals for SY 2025-2026.
For the application process please contact the Human Resource Office at hr@isnawica.org
If you have questions about positions please contact Principal Lisa Yellow Horse at lisa.yellowhorse@isnawica.org or 605-867-6875 Ext 6904
💫We are planning for School Year 2025-2026.
💫 We are hiring for Elementary & Middle School Teachers.
💫We are hiring Para Educators for Special Education, Gifted and Talented, and General Education Departments.
Contact the Human Resource Office for applicatios. If you have any questions please contact Principal Lisa Yellow Horse at 605-867-6904.
Sorry for the error in the message earlier. The 8th grade parent meeting time is 5:30 PM tonight. Hope to see you all there!