Harlem Elementary Students ROAR into the New School Year and Welcome New Administration

With the beginning of the 2021-2022 academic year, Harlem Elementary School is already adding to their esteemed Rockin' ROAR Roster! Under the leadership of two female American Indian Educators: Principal Evelyn Bigby and Assistant Principal Jessica Cochran, the school year began on August 25.

At an assembly on the first day of school, students were introduced to the ROAR Guidelines so that they could start school on positive footing by learning how to be Respectful, Organized, Always safe, and Responsible at all times.

During the final week of August 2021-and the first full week of school for the students-three students emerged as noteworthy. First grader Andrew Cole, fourth grader, Arin Healy Paris, and fifth grader, Christopher Plumage filled the top slots on the Lil' Wildcat ROAR Roster.

According to Janice Gilham, a spokesperson for the school, these three students have started off the new academic year with determined purpose by exhibiting the ROAR Guidelines.

Although Bigby served as Assistant Principal last year, she moved into the principal's position for the current school year. After her fifth day on the job, she wrote this positive post for her Facebook Page: "Thankful for collaboration with colleagues. We are here for the students."

Bigby has always believed that young people do not care how much a person knows until they know how much that person cares. She demonstrates that philosophy not only in her positive attitude but in other gestures. For example, last October when COVID was rampant, she showed up at Fort Belknap Community Center dressed in an inflatable Baby Shark costume to deliver Halloween treat bags along with student homework packets. She made the drive-thru delivery on behalf of Warriors for Families.

About that incident, Bigby said: "During COVID, we were told so much about what we can't do, that I simply wanted to bring a smile to the faces of our kiddos. If dressing up as Baby Shark is what it takes, I'm willing to do that. It's deeply satisfying to know that we can bring smiles to the faces of so many with such simple gestures."

Bigby alluded to the debut of one more inflatable costume that has yet to appear. "Definitely, probably, hopefully we will collaborate with tribal programs to get a Trunk and Treat event organized. Baby Shark, T-Rex, or Unicorn might be present at that event or maybe it will be the new inflatable. The appearance of that one unseen costume is yet to be determined."

After a week and a half on the job as principal, Bigby expressed: "Being a principal is easy. It's like riding a bike. The bike is on fire. You are on fire. Everything is on fire, but for some reason, it is most definitely worth it."

Despite the stressful days, Bigby is grateful for the opportunity to serve Harlem Elementary School as the principal and expressed excitement for the new school year. "I am absolutely loving my new role as principal, although it has been crazy busy."

During a conference call with Bigby and Cochran, an initial question about progress to date caused the two to laugh. "We're both getting through the days, and the challenges keep the job interesting. As I get my footing, I suspect things will get easier," Bigby said.

This administrative team is the first to both be born and raised locally, and both are graduates of teacher training programs offered through Aaniiih Nakoda College (ANC). Bigby was a member of the first Fort Belknap College cohort, and Cochran was a member of the Nee-tha-hatsa-nak/Wa'Uspe-Wicakiya Preparation Program, the ANC Indian Education Professional Development cohort that graduated in 2016 from Montana State University-Billings. Bigby was also a graduate of the first Indian Leadership Education and Development (I LEAD) Project offered through MSU-Bozeman.

"Shout-out to the college programs that provided these valuable opportunities," Bigby stated.

Given Bigby's Guiding Principle: To treat all people with dignity and respect, the school year is off to a roaring start, and Bigby believes that morale is on the rise.