NEWS & EVENTS ARCHIVE

 

July 6, 2007 Update - Yellowknife Education District No. 1 - Timeline

YK1 Efforts to Address Facilities Issue  

 

Yellowknife Education District No. 1 (YK1) is pleased to provide a timeline of steps taken this year by the district in its attempts to address the issue of space needs for Yellowknife Public Denominational District Education Authority (YPDDEA).

NOTE: This timeline does not provide information on YK1’s participation in Facilities Committee meetings and the long-standing offer by YK1 to share space with YPDDEA. For background details see YK1’s public presentation from last May: YK1 Facilities Update, May 10, 2006.

 

February 8, 2007 

YK1 Board of Trustees’ Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson meet with YPDDEA Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson to discuss the space requirements of YPDDEA for the 2007/2008 school year. This meeting resulted in the following action item: YPDDEA to provide YK1 with a schedule that shows renovation dates and outlines the space needs of YPDDEA during this time. In addition, information about details of the grade levels and number of students that require accommodation within YK1 during the identified renovation time frame is to be provided.

February 28, 2007

YK1 receives letter from the GNWT Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Charles Dent, advising that YK1’s funding is being cut to encourage the district to give a school to YPDDEA.

March 7, 2007

YK1 holds public stakeholders’ meeting to share the letter received from Minister Dent and request input from its stakeholders.

March 14, 2007

YK1’s written response to Minister Dent’s February 27th letter; copied to YPDDEA.

April 2, 2007

This date is 90 days prior to the June 30, 2007 Termination Date identified in the current lease agreement between YK1 and YPDDEA for shared space at N.J. Macpherson School. As outlined in the lease, this is the final date for YPDDEA to provide YK1 with written notice of interest for renewing the agreement. (Complete Lease Document)

April 4, 2007

YK1 sends letter to YPDDEA to request feedback on whether or not YPDDEA intends to lease space in YK1 for the upcoming school year; an April 13th response deadline is requested to provide both districts with ample planning time for the 2007/2008 school year.

April 19, 2007

GNWT Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Charles Dent, holds the first of two scheduled public meetings “Information and Consultation on School Space in Yellowknife”.

April 26, 2007

As of this date, YK1 has not received a response from YPDDEA on the following items:

  • YPDDEA renovation time frame and space need details (Agreed to on February 8th by the Chairpersons and Vice-Chairpersons of YK1 and YPDDEA)
  • Notice of YPDDEA’s intent to lease space (Due by April 2nd as per current lease)
  • A response to YK1’s April 4th letter to YPDDEA requesting feedback on space needs (Response deadline of April 13th)

April 30, 2007

Noon meeting of Yellowknife Education District No. 1 (YK1) and Yellowknife Public Denominational District Education Authority (YPDDEA) superintendents; decision made to have the Board Chairpersons from each district meet in the near future.

May 3, 2007

Second public meeting held by GNWT Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Charles Dent

May 8, 2007

YK1 holds “Open Discussion with Stakeholders on School Space” at 7:30 PM after the regular monthly YK1 Board Meeting at École J.H. Sissons School.

Click here to read a brief summary of stakeholder feedback from the May 8, 2007 Open Discussion with Stakeholders on School Space..

May 10, 2007

YK1 Chairperson and Vice Chairperson meet with the Chairperson and Vice Chairperson of YPDDEA to review the accommodation needs of YPDDEA for École St. Joseph School students.

YK1 receives letter via fax from the GNWT Deputy Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Dan Daniels.

May 11, 2007

YK1 Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent meet at the GNWT Education, Culture and Employment with Deputy Minister and Director of Board Operations to discuss shared space proposal format and timeline.

May 18, 2007

YK1 chairperson and vice-chairperson give initial draft proposal to YPDDEA vice-chairperson in a meeting at the YK1 Board Office. Parties agree that once the proposal is shared with the YPDDEA Board and reviewed, YK1 will be advised of the YPDDEA Board of Trustees’ decision regarding the proposal.

YK1 sends a copy of the proposal to Yellowknife MLA’s and the Minister of Education to ensure all parties are informed of YK1’s position. 

May 24, 2007

YK1 Vice-chairperson receives rejection letter from YPDDEA regarding YK1’s May 18th proposal.

Upon receipt of the YPDDEA rejection letter, YK1 provides a written response seeking to understand why YPDDEA rejected the proposal and offers to look at ways that the proposal could be modified in order to be acceptable to YPDDEA.

YK1 receives word from ECE Director of Strategic and Business Services, that the Minister will not accept the Board’s original proposal. YK1 is advised that changes would have to be made in order for the Minister to support the proposal as a reasonable offer. In addition, YK1 is advised to modify its proposal so that the Minister can consider it to be ‘reasonable’, with the understanding that the YK1 funding cut by ECE to encourage the district to provide a school to YPDDEA would be returned to the district.

At 7:00 pm, YPDDEA holds Parent Information Evening to share its approved plan to accommodate École St. Joseph’s students.

May 25, 2007

Throughout the day and into the evening, various meetings and discussions to negotiate modification of the terms of YK1’s initial shared space proposal involve YK1 Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and Superintendent, ECE Director of Strategic and Business Services, and ECE Deputy Minister.

Late that evening, YK1 submits a revised draft proposal to ECE for consideration.

May 26, 2007

YK1 Superintendent reviews the proposal with ECE Director of Strategic and Business Services, to ensure it will be acceptable to the Minister. At this time, YK1 is advised that the Board’s revised draft proposal is in line with what the Minister could support.

May 28, 2007

ECE Deputy Minister advises YK1 Superintendent that the revised draft proposal outlines terms and conditions that the Minister could support and that ECE will finalize negotiations with YPDDEA.

YK1 delivers the May 25th revised draft proposal to YPDDEA.

YK1 Superintendent receives word from ECE Deputy Minster, that the Minister has accepted the final version of YK1’s shared space proposal as a reasonable resolution to the space needs of YPDDEA and YK1 can expect a decision in the near future.

May 29, 2007

Yellowknife Education District No. 1 continues its efforts to find a solution to the current facilities issue regarding space needs of the Yellowknife Public Denominational District Education Authority (YPDDEA) for the students of St. Joseph’s School. As such, YK1 is in a position to provide its stakeholders with the following information:

  • YK1 is intent on finding a solution that would cause minimal disruption for the students, parents and families of both districts;
  • Consultation is ongoing with YK1, the Department of Education, Culture and Employment, and YPDDEA;
  • YK1 anticipates a response to its most recent proposal in the near future; and
  • Once negotiations are complete, YK1 will provide its stakeholders with further information regarding YK1’s offer, the process and the final outcome.

June 7, 2007

YK1 learns about YPDDEA’s plans for accommodating the École St. Joseph’s students during their renovations from YPDDEA’s website posting: Parent Memo, dated June 6, 2007.

YK1’s Director of Corporate Services, receives email confirmation from ECE of the department’s final contribution figures for the YK1’s 2007-2008 school year. Although a verbal commitment was made in May during proposal negotiations that the funding cut from YK1’s budget by ECE would be returned, the updated contribution schedule does not reflect this.

June 13, 2007

At this time, Yellowknife Education District No. 1 has not received a formal written response from either Yellowknife Public Denominational District Education Authority (YPDDEA) or the GNWT Department of Education, Culture and Employment on the shared space revised draft proposal.

Information available on YPDDEA’s website however, provides a clear message that YPDDEA is not interested in YK1’s proposal to share space. As a result of these steps by YPDDEA, YK1 will make no further efforts to accommodate YPDDEA students within YK1 schools at this time.

Today, YK1 informs its parents, families, staff and stakeholders that the district is moving forward with business as usual for the 2007-2008 school year. This means YK1’s program planning for next year will be based on full access to all YK1 classroom space by YK1 students.

June 19, 2007

YK1 receives a faxed letter from GNWT Minister of Education, Culture & Employment dated June 18, 2007 advising that the GNWT is seeking funds to purchase five modular classrooms for use by École St. Joseph students during the renovations to that building and acknowledges YK1's offer to share space for the 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 school year as a good solution for addressing space needs of YPDDEA for those school years.

The Minister requests that YK1 maintain its offer to YPDDEA of five classrooms for the 2007-2008 school year for two weeks, until the Department knows if it can meet the challenges of providing the five modular classrooms for École St. Joseph use for the 2007-2008 school year.

June 20, 2007

YK1 Chairperson sends a letter to YPDDEA Chairperson acknowledging that to date YK1 has not received any request from YPDDEA for use of space.  Including a copy of the June 18, 2007 letter from the Minister of Education, Culture & Employment for reference, YK1 advises YPDDEA that if no written request for space is received from YPDDEA by July 3, 2007, it is understood that YPDDEA does not require space from YK1 for the 2007-2008 school year.

June 27, 2007

YK1 receives final contribution schedule funding figures for the 2007-2008 school year from ECE.  Funding previously cut (February 28 entry above) has been returned to YK1 as promised during negotiations in May to share space.

July 3, 2007

YK1 receives letter from YPDDEA in response to June 20 notice regarding space need for 2007-2008.  YPDDEA requests an extension to July 6, 2007 to provide notice whether space is required for the 2007-2008 school year.

July 6, 2007

YK1 receives letter from YPDDEA advising that a need for space is not anticipated for the 2007-2008 school year, as well requesting a meeting early in the 2007-2008 school year to discuss YPDDEA space needs for the 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 school years.

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May 14, 2007

Thinking about Kindergarten? September will be here before you know it!

YK1 invites you and your child to visit its Kindergarten classrooms. As you find out more about the benefits of a YK1 Kindergarten program your child can experience what’s in store for next fall.

Whether registered for Kindergarten or not, this is a great opportunity to learn more about the benefits of YK1 programming!

Kindergarten Open Houses

Wednesday,  May 23rd  - throughout the day - 9:00 am to 3:00 pm

  • Mildred Hall School
  • Range Lake North School
  • N.J. Macpherson School
  • École J.H. Sissons School

Seeing is believing – stop by and see how a YK1 Kindergarten program can open the doors to a world of opportunity for your child. Contact the school principals for more information about their Kindergarten Open Houses.

Click here for a copy of the YK1 Kindergarten Information Handbook.

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May 2, 2007

Information Sessions - YK1 French Programs - École William McDonald Middle School

  • Grade 6 Intensive French - May 14, 7:00pm at WMS
  • NEW - Grade 7 Late French Immersion - May 16, 7:00pm at WMS

Click here for more information about YK1 French Programs

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April 20, 2007   Congratulations to YK1 Skills Canada Medalists!

Yellowknife Education District No. 1 congratulates École Sir John Franklin High School Akaitcho Trades and Technical Centre (ATTC) students for their achievement at the NWT Skills Canada Competitions. YK1 also recognizes the dedication and commitment of ATTC teachers Greg Skauge, Arnold Krause, Alan Petten, Alison Cartwright, Jay Pickering and Lewis Jacobs, and acknowledges their contributions to student success.

This year's medalists include:

Hazem Shoblak - GOLD Auto Service

Mark Allan - SILVER Carpentry

Brett Properzi - GOLD Carpentry

Sasko Taskov - BRONZE Job Skills Demo

Sean O'Connell - GOLD Job Skills Demo

Doug Keating & Dustin Curtis - SILVER TV/Video

Ian MacDougall & Chris Aitken - GOLD TV/Video

Ashlyn Gaukel - BRONZE Baking

Louise Gray - SILVER Baking

Michaelis Hurst - GOLD Cooking

Rebecca Kornichuk - SILVER Graphic Design
Tyler Heal - GOLD Graphic Design
Jonathan Paul - GOLD Small Powered Equipment

Spirit Award Winners:

Tim Edwards and Mark Allan

In early June, the GOLD medalists will go on to compete in the National Skills Canada Competition in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

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March 14 - YK1 Responds to the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment

Click here to read the YK1 Board of Trustees' written response to Minister Dent.

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March 13 Board Meeting: Update on Facilities

Based on stakeholder input from Yellowknife Education District No.1's March 7th meeting, Vice-Chairperson Duff Spence presented a trustee’s statement regarding YK1’s position with the facilities issue and put forth a motion that was unanimously passed during the Board's regular monthly meeting.

Trustee’s Statement
In support of the needs of the Yellowknife Public Denominational District Education Authority to accommodate St. Joe’s students during school renovations, YK1 remains open to a shared space partnership. This arrangement is a mutually beneficial, fair and equitable resolution to the temporary issue of space needs.


Although YK1 has offered on a number of occasions, to-date YK1 has not been approached by the Yellowknife Public Denominational District Education Authority nor the Department of Education, Culture and Employment to request a shared space partnership.


At this time YK1 is willing to meet and discuss specific details of the needs Yellowknife Public Denominational District Education Authority has in regards to the duration of the shared space partnership, number of students and grade levels to be accommodated, as well as other details that outline areas for consideration.


To ensure stability in YK1 schools for students, staff, parents and families while at the same time support and assist the Yellowknife Public Denominational District Education Authority, YK1 looks forward to working together in the best interests of all Yellowknife students.

Motion
Moved that the Board of Trustees of Yellowknife Education District No. 1, after consultation with stakeholders on March 7, 2007 approve sharing of space with Yellowknife Public Denominational District Educational Authority for the 2007-2008 school year to assist them with students displaced during the renovations of École St. Joseph School.

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Stakeholders Meeting - March 7 - Summary

Click here for background information on the Facilities Committee.

DOCUMENTS FROM STAKEHOLDERS MEETING

March 7, 2007 Stakeholders Presentation (PDF document)

Frequently Asked Questions & MLA Contact Sheet (PDF document)

The following first page will be sent home with all YK1 students by March 12:

(click on the image below to view the full 5-page Stakeholder Meeting Summary document in PDF format)

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Exceptional Results: Advance Placement French Exams

École Sir John Franklin High School French Immersion Students

The Board of Trustees for Yellowknife Education District No. 1 congratulates SJF students in the Advanced Placement (AP) French Immersion program and their teacher, Micheline Ricard, for exceptional exam results.

  • SJF was the only high school in Canada where 100% of the Advance Placement French Immersion  students passed the exam and achieved a score of 3 out of 5, or higher (3= qualified). The national average is 75%
  • SJF is the only high school in the Northwest Territories who participates in this program. 454 schools across Canada participate in the program
  • 2004-2005 - 94% of SJF students who wrote the exam scored 4 (well qualified) or 5 (extremely well qualified)
  • 2005-2006 - 100% of the students scored either 4 or 5; the majority achieved 5

Click here for more information.

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