Educators from across the NWT get prepared
Jorge Barrera
Northern News Services
Yellowknife (Nov 29/00) - The Department of Education is holding an "emergency preparedness workshop" in Yellowknife this Thursday and Friday for all NWT Education councils.
The workshops will deal with issues ranging from injuries in school to violent situations with an emphasis on community involvement during crisis situations.
"This is the first time we have had a workshop like this in which councils are directly involved," said Chuck Tolley, director of education operations and development.
Dr. Judith Knapp, superintendent for Yellowknife District 1 Education Council says this conference will give councils the tools to create a plan that fits their schools and at the same time provide cross- territorial continuity.
"It's a bonus to have other council's represented," Knapp.
"We're all going together with this initiative," she added.
At the workshop each council will be given a computerized template to design their own emergency strategy. The template is designed by Edmonton-based Turning Point Services.
According to Tolley NWT schools are safe, but they could be safer considering some of the tragedies that have happened in bigger centres.
"Schools are prepared now but they could be better prepared," said Tolley.
Dr. Knapp says it's important that education councils not find themselves in a purely reactionary role.
"We're trying to be proactive," said Knapp adding that her council has already implemented a telephone tree for emergency situations.
The workshop is jointly organized by the department, the Yellowknife Catholic School Board and the Department of Municipal and Cultural Affairs.
The $30,000 conference has been a year in the works and will be held at the Lahm Ridge Towers.
