Darrell Greer
Northern News Services

Baker Lake (Sep 11/02) - Rachel Arngnammaktiq elementary school in Baker Lake is earning straight As for its bilingual curriculum.

The school is in its second year using the English-Inuktitut format.

The idea was born when co-principal Jody Janzen grew frustrated with the reluctance of parents to register their children in the Inuktitut stream at the school.

"To me, it was a ridiculous situation," says Janzen. "Here were these parents -- who are in danger of losing their language -- with the opportunity to have their kids taught in Inuktitut and they weren't taking it."

Janzen says somebody had to make the parents understand the importance of their children retaining the Inuktitut language.

"I decided to take the choice away and make it a bilingual school."

Janzen approached the local District Education Authority with her plan, saying more had to be done in the school to promote Inuktitut.

She says people in Baker use a different dialect than most places and, because of that, the community is losing the language quickly.

"I told them we have to change that and the bilingual approach is my solution."

The DEA supported Janzen, who then submitted the school's program for approval.

"I sent it into the local superintendent, saying this is the way our programs will run and it went through."

English, math and science are taught in English, while social studies, Inuktitut, health and culture are taught in Inuktitut.

The school's Southern staff teach the English classes and Northern teachers conduct those in Inuktitut.

The school went bilingual from kindergarten to Grade 3 during the first year.

As Grade 3 students moved to Grade 4, that grade became bilingual as well.

Janzen says the goal is to have every student educated in two languages.

"I'm excited over the fact we finally have students learning to speak Inuktitut. Next year, the school (kindergarten to Grade 6) should all be bilingual."

The approach seems to be paying dividends.

Janzen reports the academic average increased this past year.

"We monitor the kids very closely, including testing them at the beginning and the conclusion of the school year to make sure we don't have any slipping behind.

"So far, we couldn't be happier with the results."