Jillian Dickens
Northern News Services

Paulatuk (Aug 29/05) - School is back in session in Paulatuk and spirits are high as teachers and students settle into the new year.

The Angik school opened Aug. 15 - early compared to other schools further south.

"We open early so we can close early," said Mary Ruben Bennett, who has been teaching at Angrik since 1992. "May is spring for us, and families go out on the land then. It's always been like that."

A lot has changed since the Angik school closed its doors for the summer.

There is a new principal, four new teachers and Grade 11 has been reintroduced to the curriculum.

"The people of Paulatuk want to bring their kids back to the community," said Principal Robert Ginge.

Grade 12 students are attending school in Inuvik.

About half the projected number of students are in school now, and more are walking through the doors every day, said Bennett.

"It's still fishing season for char and whitefish, so some students are out with their parents. And we don't frown on that because they are learning life skills on the land."