A lack of faith in the education system prompted parents from J.H. Sissons school to relocate six Grade 2 students in December. A recent government study says that J.H. Sissons -- like other schools -- needs more money to address growing demands.
Kirsten Murphy
Northern News Services
Yellowknife (Jan 17/01) - The extra demands of children with special needs was behind the transfer of six Grade 2 students from J.H. Sissons school and does not reflect on teaching or parenting, say school officials.
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Facts: - 8.3 per cent of the 9,619 students in the NWT have special needs (ie. behaviour, mental, physical challenges).
- 61 per cent of NWT students require some type of educational support. The Dept. of Education defines "support" as an additional service or device.
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Bonnie Madsen, parent of one of the transferred students, said she doesn't want parents of special needs students "thinking we're against their children or the teacher."
Madsen said the onus is on the education system to make the necessary improvements, and that the school's principal has turned to the District 1 education board for help.
Sissons principal Paul Bennett recently presented a report on standardized reading results with a request for specialized staffing to Knapp.
One part-time teacher's aid was hired before Christmas at Sissons, but "parents wanted something done (in November) and we were hoping for a little more time," said Knapp.
"I'm sorry this happened but it was the parents' choice," Knapp said.
"Our schools are community schools and we're not going to dissuade people from coming."
School Board chair Dan Schofield said parents of students at N.J. Macpherson wonder about the impact of the six new students.
"It's serious and we as a district have tried to find a solution in a year when hands are tied and budgets are spent," Schofield told trustees last week.
N.J. Macpherson principal Ronda Nicklen said the six students were placed in two Grade 2 classes of 28 pupils.
"It's an adjustment but the district has a policy on class size and we had room for the students," Nicklen said.
A recent report said that more teachers, teachers assistants and smaller class sizes are needed in the NWT.
The Student Needs Assessment report said the 61 per cent of the territory's 9,619 students require specialized assistance such as reading tutorials, speech therapy, hearing and visual aids, behaviour modification or some type of personal care.
Education Minister Jake Ootes said $12-million has been committed to student support needs throughout NWT.
