Kaibeto Boarding School facts for kids

Kaibeto Boarding School, once known as Kaibeto Day School, is a public school for students from kindergarten through 8th grade. It is a K-8 boarding school located in Kaibito, Arizona. The school is managed by the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE). It can welcome up to 640 students. The school has 22 classrooms, four dormitories where students live, and a cafeteria.

History of Kaibeto Boarding School

Early Years and Growth

Kaibeto Boarding School first opened in 1935. Back then, it was only a day school, meaning students went home after classes. It started with 45 students in a group of stone buildings. The local community had asked federal authorities for a school in their area. On average, 19 students attended each day.

Around 1940, the community asked for a place where students could live at the school. So, a boarding facility was added. It used old army barracks for student housing.

New Buildings and Expansion

In 1948, a person named Amos Singer asked federal authorities for more school facilities. This led to the construction of a new building, called Kaibeto Primary School. Building started around 1953 and finished in 1954. This new part had four classrooms, two dormitories, and a cafeteria. However, the original school buildings were still used because there were so many students.

More additions came in 1961. Another dormitory was built, and the cafeteria was made larger. New homes for school employees were also built. Older school buildings were changed into apartments. A multipurpose room and four more classrooms were also added. In 1975, the elementary and junior high parts of the school joined together to become one institution.

Changes in Leadership and Support

Phyllis Newell-Yazzie became the principal around 2011. Before 2013, a charity program helped 47 students at Kaibeto School. They provided school supplies and clothes. However, the charity stopped its services at the school due to financial problems.

Later, there were disagreements between the school board and the BIE about the principal's role. In March 2015, the BIE announced that Phyllis Newell-Yazzie was no longer the principal.

Learning During the COVID-19 Pandemic

During the COVID-19 pandemic in Arizona, Kaibeto Boarding School stopped holding in-person classes. Several employees at the school became sick with COVID. The school wanted to start online learning when classes were supposed to resume. However, they faced challenges getting electronic equipment for students. Staff also found it hard to find the right equipment at the school itself.

Instead of online learning, Kaibeto Boarding School sent paper packets to students. Students would text their teachers each morning to confirm they were attending. The advisory council for Kaibeto School expressed concerns to Tony Dearman, the head of the BIE. They worried about how COVID was affecting employees and students.