Lisa Scott
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (June 22/05) - Something about J.H. Sissons school convinced three young teachers to plant roots early in their careers in Yellowknife 21 years ago.

As the longest-serving educators at the school, Sarah Berry, Arlene Bell and Pirjo Vanonen got together to talk about the history of the school recently and why they never left.

The school celebrates its 30th anniversary this week.

"When I came into the school, I was overwhelmed by the quality of the educators and the dedication to serving the children," says Berry, now assistant principal.

Vanonen was in awe of the open concept design of the school, which opened November 7, 1975.

Built to accommodate a growing city, the school on 51A Avenue named after the first territorial judge, featured an open library in the centre, with doorless classrooms forming a ring around it.

"I never saw a school so inviting, so warm," says Vanonen, an educational assistant with special needs students.

The Abe Miller school for students with disabilities joined Sissons that first year. Including the students in regular classrooms was "forward-thinking," she says.

Bell was attracted to the French immersion program, which started in 1979.

"It's almost like being a parent and watching your child learn to speak," she says of the Grade 4-5 program. The school is adding kindergarten French immersion this fall.

Bell left French to work with the Restitution project, an effort to decrease behaviour problems and create a positive community in the school.

Berry, Bell and Vanonen will only have to step out of their classes to join the anniversary celebrations on June 24, but others are coming from the far ends of the country.

Flying in from everywhere

Current students will mingle with old staff and alumni at a hot dog lunch at noon, but the real party begins in the evening.

Vanonen has been tracking down Sissons alumni since December, sending emails and checking search engine Canada 411 in what she calls "a slow process."

Sixty staff and students are flying in from across Canada.

"The energy of the people coming back is driving the reunion. It shows us the importance Sissons has served in the lives of people," says Berry.

The women are almost giddy thinking about sitting down with those who have come and gone through the school's halls.

With all the hugging and reuniting, they wonder if the Sissonites will get any eating done on Friday.