Positive year concludes at MUI
Attendance continues to be main challenge for school staff
Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Wednesday, June 17, 2015
RANKIN INLET
The writing of departmental exams, awaiting the results and the handing out of diplomas are all that remain in a successful school year at Maani Ulujuk Ilinniarvik (MUI) in Rankin Inlet.
Sidney Nichol accepts the Outstanding Senior High Male Athlete of the Year Award from principal Jesse Payne at Maani Ulujuk Ilinniarvik in Rankin Inlet on June 11, 2015. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo |
Principal Jesse Payne said a positive and healthy school environment were key components to the year.
He said MUI's snack program is a high point for students and, this year, elders were hired to prepare bannock for the program.
"We had fruit trays on one Friday every month and we also held two special catered breakfasts," said Payne.
"We invited the elders in for one of them and the parents for the other.
"We really ramped up the program in trying to offer good healthy choices.
"Our healthy initiatives were really a high point of the year."
Payne said he's proud of the strong staff and 275 strong student body at MUI.
He said the staff is working hard to keep attendance up, which continues to be a challenge every year.
"Our attendance stayed, percentage wise, in the 70's throughout most of the school year.
"We still struggle to keep students in school but, at the same time, those who do come regularly have a tendency to do well.
"We were at about 80 per cent in August, which is pretty accurate with the new Maplewood student information system, and we were at 78 in September, 81 in October, 78 in November, 73 in December and 78 in January.
"The lowest we went was 70 per cent in May, which is not surprising for that time of the year with nicer weather."
Payne said MUI netted an extra one and a half positions with the learning coaches this past year.
He said the year's science fair took a definite upswing in the overall quality of the projects, with both teachers and students having a high interest in the event.
"We do have some staff moving on, so we'll have some new teachers coming in this August.
"We had 40 grads in 2014, and we have a potential grad list of 26 this year.
"We'll have 56 new students coming in three Grade 7 groups for the coming school year, which will bump our population up somewhat."
Payne said while overall school spirit was good this past year, the staff would like to do more to improve it.
He said staff members met at the end of the current year to discuss what could be done to increase school pride and spirit.
"Basically, what we're looking at is trying to increase the number of activities we have at the school and try to engage students and parents more.
"Music Monday was quite popular again this year, and it's student-led activities that we'd really like to increase going forward.
"We're going to continue to push attendance and the importance of being in school.
"But, overall, it's been a fairly positive year for us and we'll try to improve upon that in the coming year."
