Terry Halifax
Northern News Services

Inuvik (Sep 20/02) - Despite the news from Statistics Canada's recent census that says Inuvik is shrinking, student enrolment is up in both the elementary and senior high schools.

The Inuvik schools are also up and running with a full contingent of teachers.

Sir Alexander Mackenzie principal Bernie MacLean said the elementary school has 477 students this year, up from the 440 of last year.

SAM has seven new teachers this year and Maclean said the new team seems to be getting along well in their new school.

"They seem to be very keen and energetic, with positive attitudes and we're looking forward to their input," MacLean said.

He said there are no new plans forthcoming, but will also maintain the projects in school improvements from previous years.

"A lot of things started last year that we'll be continuing this year," he said. "Things like Citizen of the Week, Book and Bannock were things that came out of the school improvement."

There are some renovations nearly complete for some preschool class space, but MacLean said the five classes added are running out of space.

Samuel Hearne Senior Secondary Principal Carson Atkinson said they have nine new teachers at Samuel Hearne to compliment their staff.

Atkinson said student enrolment is also up at SHSS this year with 380, up from 360 last year.

"We're starting to get squeezed a little bit in terms of course options, but everything seems to be okay," Atkinson said.

While some classes are getting quite full, he said they are watching closely as classes edge up to 30 or more students.

"We're trying to make sure that kids don't get into situations where they are overwhelmed," he said.

Atkinson said they hope to have a strong girl's basketball team, with the addition of a new English teacher.

"We have a teacher who was co-captain of the U. Vic Canadian CIAU championship basketball team two years ago, who I hope will be involved in getting things started," Atkinson said.

The usual student programs will continue along with the peer mediation program that was started last year.

Atkinson said student Angela Storr will be taking an $11,000 field trip to the Antarctica with a group of other students from across the country.