Superintendent Message & Newsletter
It is hard to believe that we are over a month into a new school year. I hope that students and staff have settled into their classrooms and are looking forward to a year of learning. I have had a great first month and a half in my role as Superintendent of Education/ CEO. I have had a chance to visit every school multiple times to meet with students and staff. I have also met with community, educational, and government partners to build on pre-existing relationships with a focus on providing the best possible educational experiences for our students.
All YK1 schools hosted Open Houses throughout September. These events provide great opportunities for families to meet YK1 staff and learn more about our wide range of programs. Each school offers their own unique experiences for families to consider. As a reminder, we will also be hosting junior kindergarten and kindergarten information sessions in the new year for families preparing to send their children to school for the first time.
I was proud to see our schools honor the second-ever National Day for Truth and Reconciliation by wearing orange, hosting Feed the Fire ceremonies, and lighting up schools on September 29, 2022. As a district it is important to understand the harmful legacy of residential schools in our territory, to encourage everyone to continue their journey on the path to reconciliation, and to reflect on and respond to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action.
Towards the end of September, seven Trustee candidates were duly elected to YK1’s seven-member Board by acclamation. Unlike last year’s election for a one-year term, this year’s election – and acclamation – was for four years, from 2022 to 2026. I would like to welcome back incumbents Terry Brookes, Tina Drew, and David Wasylciw, and welcome four new members to YK1’s Board – Barbara Bell, Michelle Peters, Allan Shortt (who served as a YK1 Trustee for four terms, as recently as 2018), and Jason Snaggs. Thank you for putting your names forward to help govern education within our school district. I look forward to working with each of you. At the same time, I would like to extend my appreciation to Doreen Cleary, Carla Kinakin, Al McDonald, and Trevor Sinclair, who did not seek re-election. Thank you for your service and dedication to YK1.
October 5, 2022 is World Teachers' Day. The annual event encourages us to appreciate, assess, and improve the educators of the world and to provide an opportunity to consider issues related to teaching. I want to thank all of our teaching staff and recognize the critical role they play in shaping the leaders of tomorrow. You may never truly know how important you are to your students.
Later this month, I am looking forward to watching some volleyball as part of the junior and senior Spike It! tournaments in Yellowknife. Meanwhile, I would like to congratulate École Sir John Franklin High School’s senior boys’ and senior girls’ soccer teams for winning banners at last month’s tournament in Hay River. I am thrilled that students and families can enjoy large sporting events together again after years of interruptions due to COVID-19.
As a reminder, there will be no school for all students on October 10, 2022 for Thanksgiving. There will also be no school from October 19 to October 21, 2022 while staff attend the NWT Educators’ Conference. Please continue to monitor our district websites and social media pages for school and district-wide updates. I also encourage families to download our mobile application and consider participation on school Parent Advisory Committees (PACs). YK1 continues to accept student registrations at schools and the District Office. Please call our office at (867) 766-5050 if you have any questions. Have a great month!
