Darrell Greer
Northern News Services

Rankin Inlet (Sept 05/01) - The lives of a number of working parents in Rankin Inlet just got a little easier.

The Kataujaq Society has launched an Early Childhood After School program in Leo Ussak elementary school.

The program caters to students in grades 1 and 2 and the society's director, Evelyn Thordarson, says the local district education authority arranged for a room to be made available for the school year.

Amanda McLarty is the program's co-ordinator. McLarty is also the crafts co-ordinator at the Kataujaq Day-Care Centre.

"Amanda (McLarty) goes to the school a little after 3 p.m. and stays with the children until about 5:15 p.m.," says Thordarson.

The program is also employing the talents of two student instructors, Kathleen Merritt of Maani Ulujuk middle school and Stella Kabalik of Alaittuq High.

The young instructors head to Leo Ussak at the end of their school day to help with the after-school program.

"Although we can have two students with Amanda, they can't be left alone with the children.

"Amanda, as the adult instructor over 19, has to be with the children at all times, but we are excited about being able to utilize two local students in the program."

The kids enrolled in the program will do arts and crafts, reading and other activities.

School principal Cheryl Forbes has offered the use of the school gymnasium to allow the kids to be involved in some sports as well.

Thordarson says the benefit of the program to the community is that working parents no longer have to worry about what their children are doing after school.

She says the society was approached by parents last year, who had children in its day-care program, to operate an after-school program.

"At the time, we didn't have the staff in place to accommodate the program, but, with the students we had working with us during the summer and one full-time worker from our day care, we decided we could swing it."

The society will be applying for start-up funding through the Department of Education and Kivalliq Partners in Development, but primary funding will come from the parents of kids in the program.

"At $40 a week per kid, the fees are very reasonable.

"The $40 pays the wages of the people looking after the kids and the snack they receive, so we feel the rate is fair and affordable."