On, 09-03-2013, the Nakasuk School Choir performed at the Early Childhood Education Conference Feast in Iqaluit. We commend and congratulate the Choir for their beautiful performance! We, also, thank Choir Directors Marlene Letkeman and Amanda Kerton and volunteer, Brigitte Bilodeau, for their dedication, time and efforts on behalf of our students!

It was an excellent performance and our students had the opportunity to entertain the following guests who attended the feast: 

·         Hon. Eva Aariak – Premier / Minister of Education
·         Leslie Leafloor - Early Childhood Development Manager 
·         David Lloyd – Assistant Deputy Minister of Education
·         Cathy McGregor – Director, Curriculum and School Services
·         Community Delegates
·         Representatives from various Government Agencies

Attached are photos from this event.

#1 - Left to right are: Tracey MacMillan (Principal / Nakasuk School); Leslie Leafloor (Early Childhood Development Manager); and Marlene Letkeman, Curriculum Support Teacher / Choir Director, Nakasuk School)
#2 - Amanda Kerton (Teacher / Choir Director / Nakasuk School) prepares with students.
#3 - Brigitte Bilodeau (Volunteer / Nakasuk School) helps students dress for the performance.
#4 - Martha Idlout (Delegate / Resolute Bay) and Tracey MacMillan (Principal / Nakasuk School)
#5 - Marlene Letkeman (Curriculum Support Teacher / Choir Director / Nakasuk School)
#6 - #10 Nakasuk School Choir in Action!

Students and Staff at Nakasuk School, Iqaluit, welcomed John Maurice (President, Iqaluit Speed Skating Association; and Iqaluit District Education Authority Member). John presented information about Speed Skating as an extra-curricular activity. 

On March 30th, 2013, skaters from Nakasuk School, Iqaluit, will compete in the Annual John Sands Iqaluit Interschool Speed Skating Competition. The event is sponsored by the Iqaluit Speed Skating Club.

We thank John Maurice for the presentation and wish our students good luck in the competition! 

Attached are photos from John's visit. 

#1 Staff Presentation: Left to right are: Susan Tigullaraq (Student Support Teacher); and John Maurice.
#2 John Presents
#3 Harry Butt (Physical Education Teacher); Rosalie DeMaio (Student & Speed Skating Association Member); and John Maurice provide information to students.
#4 John Maurice is featured with eager students: Owen Merkosak; Manuel Netser; and Amber Nuyalia (Gr.5 Students)

We at Nakasuk School, Iqaluit, regularly instruct our students of the necessity of healthy attitudes and choices. Therefore, we promote good eating habits and regular exercise as basic building blocks to a sound body and mind. Consequently, when the opportunity arose to hear a presentation by members from the Aqsarniit Student Council on the dangers associated with smoking, we welcomed them to Nakasuk.  

We thank Emily-Ann, Hayden and Samuel for delivering an excellent presentation. It was interesting, informative and our students appreciated the interactive approach. 

Attached are photos from the presentation. 

#1- Aqsarniit students receive an appreciation certificate from Gr. 5 Nakasuk Students. 
Left to right are: Hayden Hickey (Aqsarniit Student Council); Manuel Netser (Gr.5 Student, Nakasuk); Emily-Ann Niego (Aqsarniit Student Council); Neevee Kilabuk (Gr.5 Student, Nakasuk); Samuel Kuluguqtuq (Aqsarniit Student Council; and Jeffrey Tikivik (Gr. 5 Student, Nakasuk)

#2- Aqsarniit Presentation Team
Left to right are: Emily-Ann Niego; Samuel Kuluguqtuq; Hayden Hickey (Student Council Members); and Don Peters (Principal, Aqsarniit Middle School)

#3 - Manuel Netser wins a puck! Presented by Emily-Ann Niego.

#4 & #5 - Aqsarniit Student Council Members.

#6 & #7 - Question Period 

Recently students in Shannon Richardson’s and Kelly Esford's Gr. 4 Classes visited the Nunavut Legislative Assembly, Iqaluit. They had been learning about the Canadian Parliamentary System in Social Studies at both the National and Local levels. In class they had practiced how to write, debate, and vote on various topics. As a support for the curriculum outcomes, students toured the Nunavut Legislative Assembly and learned more about how a Bill becomes a Law. We thank Shannon and Kelly, Gr. 4 Teachers, for their efforts to enrich student learning at Nakasuk School with meaningful and authentic learning experiences. This initiative made the learning "real" for the students. We, also, commend our students for their interest and involvement in the class debates! Great Job!

Attached are photos from the Legislative Assembly that relate to the study of the Government Unit in Social Studies.

Kelly Esford, Gr. 4 Teacher, Nakasuk School, Iqaluit, was introduced to cake decorating when she was an Elementary School student. Consequently, it became a real passion of hers. 

Recently, she invited students to participate in an after school Cake Decorating Class. There was a four pronged approach to the program: firstly, for the child to have fun; secondly, enhance Mathematical skills in Measurement; thirdly, develop artistic abilities; and fourthly, learn about food safety and preparation. 

Classes ran during the month of February. Nakasuk School provided all of the necessary materials. The only things the students were required to bring was enthusiasm and a willingness to learn. At the end of the project the students were able to bring home the products of their efforts, namely, the cakes.

We thank Kelly Esford and our parent volunteers for their support, and, our students for their efforts.

Attached are photos from this successful endeavour.

Last week students and teachers at Nakasuk School, Iqaluit, celebrated 100 Days of Learning! To acknowledge the 100th day of school, students and teachers engaged in various activities. They decorated doors, wore special hats, designed glasses and took part in learning activities to reflect the number 100. It was their way of indicating that learning at Nakasuk School is, indeed, fun! We thank our teachers for assisting our students with the displays and our students for their enthusiastic support of all we do! We are very proud of the work and efforts of all! 

Attached are photos from these events.

Today, Grade 5 Student Leaders at Nakasuk School prepared healthy pizza`s for our staff, teachers and entire student body. Consequently, we had a lot of smiling faces and satisfied students! 

This year we have expanded our nutritional offerings at Nakasuk School. In addition to our Breakfast and Lunch Programs, we regularly offer healthy snacks to all. One way to facilitate the delivery of this program is to have different leadership groups take ownership at various times during the school year.  

The focus is to combine our Student Leadership Program with Healthy Initiatives. It is important that all schools have a solid learning environment, but, it is equally important that students enjoy being there. Providing leadership opportunities for our students is one way we use the Principles of Inuit Quajimajatuqangit. In particular, highlighted are the concepts of collaboration and skills and knowledge acquisition. These are based firmly on the concept of service.

We thank our student leaders and their Teacher Mentors, Cathy Welsh and Susan Tigullaraq, for providing this service for the student body and staff. It was true Pijitsirniq (providing a service) in action. Congratulations students for a job well done!!!

Attached are photos illustrating the hard work of our student leaders!

In keeping with the spirit of maintaining stated New Year Resolutions, the students and staff at Nakasuk School continue to ``Set the Standard and Lead the Way`` (our school motto). During the lunch hour staff exercise in the gym and after school it is not unusual to find staff working out to an exercise video in the Library. Our teachers work hard to offer creative activities during Daily Physical Activity. Additionally, every Friday in their homerooms students make and share Friendship Fruit Salad. This activity provides good examples of students and teachers interacting in a positive fun-filled activity that sets a happy tone for our students as they end a work filled week.  

We rely on staff who order our food supplies - especially Christa Kunuk, School Community Counsellor. Our Grade 4 and Grade 5 Student Leaders prepare and deliver the food to our classes. Then, our students and Homeroom Teachers make the Fruit Salad. Students learn that they can prepare healthy snacks with food that is available here in Iqaluit. Each week our students use the following ingredients to make their Friendship Fruit Salad:
- Fresh Frozen Blueberries
- Fresh Frozen Strawberries
- Apples
- Oranges
- Large Containers of Yogurt

The final ingredients are: Enthusiastic Students and Supportive Teachers who serve, share and enjoy the delicious snack!

We thank our Student Leaders and their Teacher Mentors for providing this service for the student body and staff. It is true Pijitsirniq (providing a service) in action. Congratulations students for a job well done!!!

We also thank Teacher Morty Alooloo and Teacher Kelly Esford and their Grade 4 classes for organizing the Friday Friendship Fruit Salad events during the past couple of weeks.

On February 1st, 2013, staff at Nakasuk School participated in Professional Development sessions. The following focus topics were explored:

- Mathematics Strategies
- Student Information System
- Teacher Evaluation
- C.A.R.E. Workshop

We thank all participants for their contributions and, in particular, we thank Marlene Letkeman, Curriculum Support Teacher, for facilitating the Mathematics Strategies and assisting Homeroom Teachers in setting up the attendance portion of the new Student Information System.

In addition, we thank the Embrace Life Council and Sara Smith from the Red Cross for delivering the C.A.R.E. (Challenge Abuse through Respect Education) workshop that is a personal safety program for children aged between 5 and 9. 

On 22-01-2013 Nakasuk School, Iqaluit, welcomed Year 4 Nunavut Teacher Education Program students. The NTEP Interns are in the process of completing a course that addresses individual student needs and challenges. Consequently, they wanted to learn more about Individual Student Support Plans (ISSP's) and practical approaches for achieving positive results. Consequently, the NTEP Interns met with our Student Support Teachers Cathy Welsh and Susan Tigullaraq to hear their views. During the information session, Cathy and Susan discussed the importance and the process of creating support plans such as: Individual Education Plans (IEP's); Individual Adapted Plans (IAP's); and Individual Behaviour Plans (IBP'S). Additionally, they shared their strategies for achieving those goals.

We thank Cathy and Susan for imparting their knowledge and expertise in this area. Also, we appreciate the genuine interest shown by the NTEP students. We look forward to working with NTEP and Nunavut Arctic College in future endeavours. 

The attached photo, clockwise from the bottom are: Cathy Welsh (Student Support Teacher); Susan Tigullaraq (Student Support Teacher); Andrea Burry (NTEP Instructor); Stuart Crose (NTEP Intern); Cassie Young (NTEP Intern) and Ashley Wesley (NTEP Intern).