KUGAARUK/PELLY BAY - What's happening monthly at Kugaardjuk School is now compiled in a newsletter with a strong magazine flair since the start of the school year.

Kugaardjuk School principal Michael Bartley reads Nanuq News Now, a monthly magazine featuring news, activities and pictures from the school. - photo courtesy of Michael Bartley

Principal Michael Bartley said he decided to start the four-page miscellany of news, activities and photos to keep both the school and parents informed.

"I wanted to get the community more involved and (let) the parents know what is happening in the school and all the things that we're doing," he said.

The bilingual English and Inuktitut publication, distributed to students, staff and parents, is called Nanuq News Now. The name combines the school mascot – Nanuq the polar bear – with Nunavut News/North, which served as the inspiration for the newsletter, said Bartley. He added the publication has been very well received.

"Just like with the radio, it's got all this potential but we have to kind of break everyone into it and get them interested," he said.

The newsletter also features an "Ask Mary and Mike" column, where student questions are answered anonymously, something Bartley said the students like.

"You can tell it's got really good lessons to it ... and proper ways to behave. It's very encouraging and positive. It's nice," he said.

Students are not yet taking part but Bartley said he eventually would like them to contribute.

"I would like to have students write articles in it, make it bigger," he said. "I would like to eventually get them to do things, writing some things, how they feel doing their stories."

Grade 12 student Brandon Nartok said he likes to read the newsletter and look at the pictures.

"I like it. It was good," he said.

Bartley said he believes this is the first school newsletter of its kind in Nunavut. He started one in Pangnirtung himself several years ago but he said it was not as good as the current one in Kugaaruk.

We welcome your opinions. Click here to e-mail a letter to the editor.