Terry Halifax
Northern News Services

NNSL (Aug 23/99) - The first day of school can be a real trauma for some kids, while others just can't wait to get educated.

Five-year-old Tyler Pilling from Fort Simpson is a little worried about his first day, despite the fact that his mom is going to be his kindergarten teacher.

Tyler says he "doesn't feel very good" about going to his first day of school.

"I don't know any of the kids that will be there," Tyler said.

Melena Akdalialuk, also five years old, just moved from Pangnirtung to Iqaluit and she's very excited about her first day of kindergarten.

"I'm happy because we get to play and stuff," Melena said, "and we get to eat lunch at school."

Six-year-old Helena Balsielle of Fort Resolution says she just can't wait for her first day.

"I wish I could go right now and play in the gym with my friends," Helena said. "I like to draw and paint and play."

Helena's friend, Tyler Mandeville, doesn't share the same enthusiasm. Four-year-old Tyler will be going into pre-school this fall.

"No, I don't want to go," Tyler said. "I want to stay home and play with my cars."

First day jitters aren't just for the little ones. Many teachers still get butterflies on the first day back.

Not Cape Dorset kindergarten teacher, Tiraaq Ottokie Etidlui, though.

She said that after 20 years of teaching, she no longer suffers from the fall stage fright.

"I have a lot of experience, so I don't feel nervous about it," Etidlui said.

"I feel very proud to be a kindergarten teacher -- I love the kids and I love teaching," she said.

With the new school season upon us, Northwest Territories Minister of Education, Culture and Employment Michael Miltenberger said his office is gearing up to greet the newcomers to school with open arms -- and books.

The minister can still remember his first day at school.

"I was living on a reserve in northern Ontario," Miltenberger recalled. "We lived in an apartment above the school because my dad was a teacher."

But even sons of teachers and future ministers can suffer first day insecurities, he said.

"It was that whole thing about stepping out into the world of the big kids, of course, and the new world of structure and studies."