Late January

By late January, it had become apparent that the sun was making its return.  The days (or nights) of near 24-hour darkness were long gone.  By midday, the town and the surrounding mountains were slowly being bathed in Arctic sunlight.  If the mountains weren't in the way, the sun itself would appear much earlier.  The 'word on street' was that the 'Grand Return' would happen around February 5th or 6th.  Regardless, I was glad that we were receiving some sunlight because I could take more pictures.  True, I could use flash, but it just doesn't beat natural sunlight.

            

King George V Mountain and
Gas Station.

My guitarists learned how to play seventeen notes across six strings and how to read them as traditional notes.  The Hal Leonard Guitar Method Books we use keeps it simple by limiting the note positions to the first three frets on the guitar.  I reassured my students that in music, there are only seven letters to memorize - A, B, C, D, E, F, G.  (It was too early to introduce them to accidentals).  The only thing they needed to remember was that the letter sequence frequently repeats (ie. 8 times on a piano).  For added reinforcement, they completed some theory worksheets.  They also looked at several classic tunes and folk songs from the textbook, basic guitar chords, and a few popular songs they requested me to transcribe onto guitar tablature. 

            

I was lucky to be allowed to purchase a blue guitar from the local Co-op.  This enabled me to teach five students instead of four last year.  If the school is awarded the Musicounts Band Aid Grant I applied for back in November, then I'll be able to purchase the necessary equipment to take on more music students on guitar and percussion.  I'll have to wait until the end of February to find out.

            

In Grade 10 English, the remaining two weeks of January were spent reading more short stories and completing the accompanying activities.  My students also wrote in their journals, choosing and answering questions from a long list I found on the Internet.  In Grade 10 Social Studies, my students continued their study of the Canadian government and its structure.  As a plus, they looked at the structure of the Nunavut government.

            

Wednesday, January 22 was a big day for the cadets of 3045 Army.  Instead of a regular training night, the corps held a Parents Night, where parents would see their sons and/or daughters receive promotions, awards, and be chosen for the upcoming biathlon and skills competitions.  The Guest Reviewing Officer for the parade was the newly elected mayor of Arctic Bay, Philip Kalluk.            

            

Arctic Bay mayor Philip Kalluk
inspects cadets on parade.

The parade began promptly at 1830 hours (6:30pm) inside Inuujaq School's gym.  The Commanding Officer of 3045, Lieutenant May, who is now the former mayor, escorted the newly elected mayor to the front of the podium where they were saluted by cadet Sergeant Reid, A.  Philip Kalluk inspected the cadets on parade before receiving a march past.  Afterwards, he gave a brief speech, thanking the cadets for their hard work, and the parents for supporting the cadet movement. 

            

After two junior cadets were promoted, the parade moved on to the presentation of awards.  The first batch of awards were for top cadet, most improved cadet, and obtaining physical fitness levels in bronze, silver, gold, and excellence.  Next came the presentation of certificates to those cadets who passed the firearms safety course.  The course was administered by one of the local RCMP officers.  Moving on, Lt. May presented the biathlon team that would be travelling to Whitehorse in early February for the upcoming northern competition.  The chosen cadets formed a line in front of the podium where they received an enthusiastic applause from the audience.  The procedure was repeated when I announced the eight cadets who had been chosen to represent the corps at the Iqaluit Skills Competition in late March.  I would be their coach and escort officer.

            

Civilian volunteer Darlene Alooloo (left) is presented with a Duke of Ed certificate. 

The final award was the Duke of Edinburgh's Award, presented to those cadets who "set their own goals and challenges, work towards them, and then be recognized for sustaining the commitment[s] they have made."  The self-development program is open to youth aged between 14 - 25, and is available in 3 levels: bronze, silver, and gold.  At the time of the parade, five cadets, a civilian instructor, and a civilian volunteer achieved the bronze level.  They each received a certificate, medal, and pocket watch.

            

Civilian Instructor Micky Iqaqrialu
receives his Duke of Ed certificate.

Everyone was treated to a reception of cupcakes, donuts, cookies, tea, and coffee after the dismissal of the parade.  When the parade square was swept and cleaned, I had the skills team form up in the centre.  I introduced myself as their coach and briefly went over what we needed to learn & master for the competition.
            

Master-Corporal Allurut-Reid receives his Duke of Ed certificate from the mayor of Arctic Bay.

The following Wednesday (January 29) was a Parent-Teacher interview night at Inuujaq School.  Parents & teachers were given the opportunity to meet for the first time after school during the second semester and speak about the progress & behaviours of their children/students.  Unfortunately, I didn't meet the parents of all of my students but I still met some nonetheless.  In our discussions, I touched on attendance, behaviour, and academic progress.  The parents I spoke to were receptive to my observations and comments.         

Dogs on ice. (January 31, 2014)