Yellowknife (May 17/06) - The Yellowknife Montessori Society has asked Yk 1 to enter into a long-term contract at N.J. Macpherson school.

"Students in the regular system will be presented with different methods of learning," said Ken Bridges, NWT Montessori Society secretary, in a presentation to trustees at the May 9 board meeting.

The Montessori program has existed in Yellowknife since 1975. In September, there will be students in kindergarten to Grade 5 enroled in the Montessori school system at N.J. Macpherson.

Pre-school students are in the Montessori building on 52nd street.

Pilot project at schools next year

Yk 1 is considering a pilot program aimed to resolve conflict between parents/guardians and teachers.

Called Healthy Interactions, the program focuses on how teachers can speak to parents to resolve issues what steps to follow to resolve disputes.

"It's about open and honest, two-way communication," said Val Riewe, associate director for the Society for Safe and Caring Schools and Communities, the organization responsible for training teachers.

Yk 1 superintendent Metro Huculak is spearheading the program with NWT Teachers Association president Amanda Mallon.

A definitive time table for the project has not been decided and cost to the district is not yet known.

Facilities committee update

Facilities committee members were able to reach a consensus on the needs of the Yellowknife campus of Aurora College said Reanna Erasmus, Yk 1 chairperson and member of the committee.

"The priority needed to be Aurora College," said Erasmus.

The Yellowknife campus was identified in the 10-Year Yellowknife Education Facilities Plan as only being able to offer 60 per cent of programming it could in its current buildings, which includes Northern United Place.

The committee was unable to reach a consensus on the overcrowding in Catholic schools, said Erasmus.

The state of facilities in Yellowknife was discussed at an open forum, hosted by Yk 1 last Wednesday.

The committee's report and discussion will remain private, an agreement the committee made, said Erasmus.