Friday, January 6, 2006
The test is administered to students in grades 3, 6 and 9 across the Territories and is intended to show if students are achieving excellence in language arts and mathematics.
The parent advisory council for Sir John Franklin high school wanted to see how their kids did on the test, but were turned down. Erasmus said the test isn't a real measure of student success, and agreed with Dent that it's a snapshot of how students were doing on the day they answered the questions.
A student might not have slept well, missed breakfast or be under stress - all of which could affect their test score. True enough, but it's a largely irrelevant argument.
Tests scores are an indication of whether students are retaining any of what they've been taught, or if it's all going in one ear and out the other.
Ultimately, test scores determine whether students pass or fail, if they will get the diploma, certification or degree that the work-a-day world demands as proof of their education. Hiding the achievement test scores is a lot like burying your head in a snow drift.
It doesn't serve anyone's interest, especially not the students'.
Loading zones on downtown streets are necessary for getting goods into stores, but what about people?
We are not talking about people who have a permanent medical condition that prevents safe walking. They can get a permit for one of the many designated parking spots around the city.
We mean people who can walk well enough but are at risk from blowing winds and snow, icy sidewalks and temporary medical problems.
At the height of the Christmas rush, Yellowknifer asked people how they dealt with the problem of safe access when coming into and out of the mall entrances. The general response was they go ahead and simply park there.
We suspect bylaw officers know this and so long as people are being reasonable, will allow the unloading of people and their purchases and belongings from their vehicles despite having no permit.
But there are many people who won't take such liberties and will risk the walk down the block, which puts them and the city's insurance premiums at risk.
A loading zone bylaw that recognizes the benefits of easy access for both goods and people would make life easier for many Yellowknifers.
Editorial Comment
Darrell Greer
Kivalliq News
As we look ahead to a promising new year, we'd like to take a moment to thank all those who have helped Kivalliq News grow right along with our territory.
First and foremost, we'd like to thank all our readers for your continued support because without you, there'd be no need for us.
The efforts of associate editor Mikle Langenhan must also be acknowledged. It's thanks to her that readers are able to enjoy the news in their native Inuktitut.
Being a regional newspaper in the Kivalliq has its fair share of challenges, especially when it comes to highlighting accomplishments in every community.
We simply wouldn't be able to do it if not for the good folks who pass along tips and photos of those who strive to improve quality of life in their communities.
That list of people includes Gord Billard in Arviat, whose photos from various school and community events, as well as the efforts of the Qitiqliq Music and Drama Club, have brought a smile to the face and a tear to the eye of many people across the region.
Words sometimes don't seem adequate enough to properly thank Leonie Aissaoui of Repulse Bay for all her contributions to the Kivalliq News during the past decade.
There's rarely news in Repulse that Leonie doesn't pass along to us, and for that we are eternally grateful.
For the past year or so, we have been fortunate enough to receive photos and news items from students in the Jonah Amitnaaq Multi-Media Club in Baker Lake.
These kids do a wonderful job in their community and we appreciate them sharing their budding talents with our readers.
While we're dealing with Baker, we'd also like to tip our pens to Tania Marsh, Bill Cooper and Jim Kreuger for taking the time to highlight your community's traditional artists, developing athletes, and young students and scientists.
To Glen Brocklebank and his significant other, Anna, as well as RCMP Const. Allan Nickerson in Chesterfield Inlet - thanks for all the great items of the past year and we look forward to more.
To Noel Kaludjak and Bruce and Leonie McKitrick in Coral Harbour, thanks for everything and all the best in the new year.
Lest we leave the impression only folks outside of Rankin Inlet lend us a hand, we have a few thank yous to pass along here too.
Thanks to Doug and Karen McLarty for the great paper carriers of the past 10 years, and for realizing even the local editor can't be everywhere all the time.
Many a great McLarty photo has graced the pages of our newspaper.
A personal thank you to Sarah Ayaruak for always having the time to put a name to the faces who escape me.
Sarah has helped many a photo appear on our pages by knowing almost everyone who has ever lived in the region.
Thanks to all the teachers, recreation co-ordinators, SAOs and everyone else who took the time to send a photo or answer one of my seemingly endless questions.
And finally, to all those who advertised with the Kivalliq News during the past year, thanks for helping us keep the lights on.
It's been a great year, and we look forward to informing and entertaining you again in 2006.
Editorial Comment
Jason Unrau
Inuvik Drum
Local fans of the Simpsons television series can now take pride in the fact that like Springfield - the cartoon homeland of Bart and Lisa - Inuvik has its very own landfill fire.
Though true that Springfield's is a tire fire (not a landfill roast), with no restrictions on dumping for much of the nearly three decades that Inuvik's landfill has been in operation, it's a pretty fair bet that there's more than a few tires sizzling in our burning heap of trash smouldering outside of town.
By the outgoing landfill contractor's estimate, 80 per cent of what's buried in the dump is cardboard and paper - both recyclable - which makes marvellous fuel for fire.
Before the environmental movement hit its stride and citizens of the developed world started to realize the impact their packaged lifestyles were having on Mother Nature, the bury and forget mentality ruled the day when it came to dump management.
As municipalities started to understand seepage and ground water contamination, dumps were required to have liners to mitigate this.
People were prohibited from tossing batteries, old paint cans and used motor oil into the regular landfill and these items were separated at the door, so to speak.
Enter Inuvik's landfill, where before AB Salvage took it over in 2000, it was a throw-away free-for-all.
Think about landfills around the territory employing this same game plan and it paints a grim picture.
For the past five years, AB Salvage has been working hard to sort through this colossal mess of everyday trash mixed with batteries, washing machines and tires.
AB Salvage even set up a recycling station at the dump entrance to encourage people to sort their own garbage.
Despite best intentions, the landfill contractor says people still managed to sneak in oil hidden in other containers, and so on.
Though the contractor's efforts to pull out caustic contaminants perhaps decades earlier, the place remains "years away from being anywhere like landfills down south."
Apart from the fact that Inuvik's dump lacks a liner - which to anybody who believes in gravity means that come spring thaw all the landfill run-off spills downhill towards Boot Lake - when the town had the chance to get behind AB Salvage's recycling efforts, it balked.
Even knowing that by awarding AB Salvage the next three-year landfill contract would mean continued efforts - at the very least - to pull the bad stuff out from the rubbish heap, the town awarded the contract to another business.
Whether the new contract holder will continue AB Salvage's sorting efforts remains to be seen.
While all of these things have nothing to do with the fire itself, if you've smelled something rich in the air this holiday season, keep in mind it's the landfill giving a little something back to the community for all its efforts in filling the place up. What a wonderful Christmas present!
Editorial Comment
Roxanna Thompson
Deh Cho Drum
Out with the old and in with the new. That's the saying heard from many lips at this time of the year.
Gazing into the crystal ball for 2006, it's more likely the saying "the more things change, the more they stay the same" will prove to be a better fit.
You don't have to be Nostradamus to foresee events that have dragged on over the past few years will continue to make news in the coming year.
High on the list of things to watch is the proposed Mackenzie Valley pipeline. With hearings scheduled for communities around the NWT, speculation about the future of this mega-project is sure to be a hot topic of conversation.
In Fort Providence, work on the long-awaited Mackenzie River bridge might begin.
In communities around the Deh Cho, health care will remain a concern. With doctors, nurses and other health workers in high demand and short supply, issues are sure to arise. Hopefully it won't take a serious accident for people to take notice.
As always, situations relating to the weather and a variety of animals from bison to loose dogs will continue. These stories are as predicable as death and taxes.
In the near future, candidates for the federal election will be out in the communities making a variety of platform promises.
On Jan. 23 voters will be at the polls to choose a leader. In Fort Simpson, residents will also be voting on a plebiscite to remove restrictions on alcohol.
The crystal ball's answer is a bit murky on whether either vote will have any affect on changing the status quo.
Predictions aside, there are some things it would be great to see more of in the new year.
Last January, students at Deh Gah school in Fort Providence raised $2,500 and their counterparts at Thomas Simpson school in Fort Simpson raised $1,150 in support of victims of the tsunami.
We should all take a lesson from them.
It's heart-warming to see communities pull together in times of need even if they don't personally know the people they are helping.
On the other side of that coin, it's heart-wrenching to see communities pull themselves apart through arguments and family feuds.
The Deh Cho is approaching a crossroads and the choices made will affect almost every aspect of the future. Communities will need to speak with a united voice to ensure their message is heard.
Exciting times are just ahead and no matter what happens it's sure to be an interesting year in the Deh Cho.
Scott Dowdall died in December 2004 when he was struck by another snowmobile after falling off his machine. Other information appeared in the story "Two die in snowmobile crash."
As well, a CBC-sponsored debate for candidates in the Jan. 23 federal election is set for 7 p.m. Jan. 11 at Northern United Place.
Both stories appeared in Yellowknifer, Jan. 4. We apologize for any embarrassment or confusion caused by the errors.