Malcolm Gorrill
Northern News Services

Inuvik (Sep 14/01) - The walls within the Inuvik Pre-school are ringing again with the squeals and laughter of young children.

Classes started for the new year Aug. 29 and 30. For four-year-olds there is a morning class and a separate afternoon class. Both run Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

There is a morning class, and another afternoon class, for three years olds. These take place Tuesdays and Thursdays.

As of last Friday there were still openings in the morning classes for both ages.

Teacher-in-charge Patti Male explained that much of September consists of introduction, and teaching the rules.

"They have just four pre-school rules they have to know," Male said.

"We are a structured program. We're structured because that gives us the freedom to do other things when the kids learn, you know, how to put their toys away and how to pick them up and stuff."

One thing which will be covered this month is fire drills.

"We do the fire drill procedures in the pre-school here," Male said. "We like to go to the fire hall and stuff and October."

As well, digital photos will be taken of each of the children and then printed off, so that the children can decorate their own photos.

"I'm going to use nature things for them to decorate it, little pine cones and stuff, so it kind of brings fall in," Male explained.

In keeping with fall, the four-year-olds are to learn about squirrels, as they prepare for the winter.

As well, those at the Inuvik Pre-school usually take part in show and tell the last Thursday and Friday of each month.

"They get to bring in anything," Male said.

"They can bring in a toy or they can bring in a picture of a grandparent, anything they like."

The pre-school held a grandparents day on Monday.