SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Tina Drew, chair of the N.J Macpherson School Parent Advisory Committee, is trying to get a $8,500 grant from the city to make the school's playground more accessible to children with disabilities. Part of the grant would go to improving the sidewalks for wheelchairs.

"They're really excited about it and hope they get the sponsorship," said Allan Shortt, a board trustee with Yk Education District No. 1.

He said if the group gets the grant for sidewalks, it could then get sponsors to donate pieces of equipment to the playground such as a basketball hoop for children in wheelchairs.

"We want to promote it as a playground for all of Yellowknife," he said.

Guidance for lunch-hour supervisors

Responding to parents' requests, the school district has provided a package for parents who supervise schoolyards at lunch hour on how to identify and handle incidents of bullying.

"It was the most impressive, well-organized package I have ever seen for lunch hour supervision," said Mira Hall, board trustee.

The package includes check marks on how to deal with specific types of bullying such as roughhousing or inappropriate language and includes pictures of each student.

"The parents can walk out there to be completely equipped to enforce the rules."

Reanna Erasmus suggested they should send it to the legislative assembly.

School trips approved

Three school trips were approved for students from Sir John Franklin High School.

One of the trips is a 12-day tour of France and Italy, allowing students to enjoy the architecture such as the Eiffel tower, Notre Dame Cathedral and the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

Another approved trip is to Ireland, Wales, and England.

Students will start in Killarney, Ireland and end the trip in London.

Also approved is a trip for the Sir John Franklin culinary club to Spain and Portugal to learn about Spanish cuisine. The trip will allow students to enjoy the various foods those countries have to offer. All three trips will be in March.

"There's something missing here," said board trustee Terry Brooks. "I've never seen any requests to the board for chaperons. Seeing the culinary thing, maybe it can be a suggestion."