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Paulatuk's kindergarten class leader
Five-year-old Kalleigh Ruben a bright young student

Kassina Ryder
Northern News Services
Published Monday, June 3, 2013

PAULATUK
Kalleigh Ruben is only five years old, but her work ethic is already well-established at Angik School in Paulatuk.

NNSL photo/graphic

Kalleigh Ruben, a kindergarten student at Angik School in Paulatuk, painted her hands to help create sun rays for an art project during the school's Welcome Back the Sun celebration earlier this year. Ruben is one of the top students in her class. - photo courtesy of Sierra Daley

Ruben has had a nearly-perfect attendance record during the school year, which was also her first year of kindergarten, said teacher Sierra Daley.

"Kalleigh is one of the few who really loves coming to school," she said. "She really enjoys it. She comes pretty much every day."

Ruben said she has already figured out which part of her school day she likes best.

"My favourite part was colouring," she said of her first year at school.

Ruben also enjoys physical activity, such as "playing in the gym. Playing with my friends."

She is looking forward to riding her bike this summer.

Daley said Ruben is also an avid reader. Students are tested using a PM Benchmarks reading assessment resource at the beginning of each school year to determine their skill levels. Ruben tested just below a Level 1 during her first days of school, which meant she understood basic literacy concepts.

Now, she is already reading at Level 5, which is where students should test by the middle of Grade 1.

Daley said Ruben might even reach beyond that level by the end of the school year.

"I'm hoping that even by the end of June she goes up higher than a Level 5," she said.

Ruben said titles in the Magic School Bus series are some of her favourite books to read.

Daley said Ruben also enjoys stories about princesses and has brought books from home to share with her classmates.

She likes to read with her mom and her sister," Daley said.

Ruben's great reading skills means she also has an excellent vocabulary.

"Kalleigh uses complex sentences when she's talking," Daley said. "She can hold a conversation with adults."

Ruben is also helpful to her classmates and knows how to use her words to communicate her feelings to others.

"She's a good problem solver and she's good at helping other kids problem solve as well," Daley said.

Daley said Ruben's success at school encourages everyone around her.

"She's one of the leaders in the classroom," she said.

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