Yellowknife (Mar 31/06) - Reanna Erasmus, Yk District No. 1 board chair, updated trustees this past week about the board’s position at the facilities committee.

The committee, made up of members from Aurora College and both school boards, is looking at ways to alleviate the space crunch in the Yellowknife Catholic Schools (YCS). The committee is also discussing new facilities for Aurora College.

“Yk 1 plans to operate all its schools. We are open to sharing space.”

Erasmus has proposed sharing space at William McDonald school.

School calendar ire

Parent Advisory committees from all Yk 1 schools are upset over next year’s school calendar which has Christmas break starting on Dec. 22.

“It’s difficult to make a calendar and to keep spring break and Christmas the same every year,” said superintendent Metro Huculak.

The calendar was passed with a six to one vote.

Trustee Laura Clarke voted against it.

However, most of the trustees echoed parents concerns and admitted to “begrudgingly” passing the calendar.

Erasmus said it was difficult not to pass the calendar as the Catholic School Board had approved its calendar Dec. 14. It is important to have similar calendars for organizing bus schedules and synchronizing holidays for parents with children in both boards, said Erasmus.

Trustees agreed to get more consultation from parents on the calendar in the future.

Test scores kept secret

Parents have requested that Yk 1 release the results of the Alberta Achievement Tests.

Erasmus spoke for the board, saying she would support the government’s decision and keep the results sealed.

Peanuts be gone

Suggestions to have all schools peanut free are under consideration by Yk 1 Trustees.

“Some schools are peanut free already because we have several students with allergies,” said Huculak.

Pardy said the idea should be considered because of the sometimes fatal allergic reactions children can have to peanuts.

Students registering in schools must fill out a medical form detailing allergies.

So far so good for French enrolment

Fifteen students have been registered for French immersion kindergarten classes in Yk 1.

Mel Pardy, assistant superintendent, said it looks like there could two French immersion kindergarten classes next year. An April 3 information session is full. There are limited spots available for the next two sessions.