December (2017) Has Arrived!

Inuujaq School began the month of December by thanking the bus driver and custodians for their hard work.  Everyone assembled in the gym for a special breakfast.  The bus driver and custodians sat at the front of the gym behind a line of tables.  The tables were filled with juice boxes, coffee, yogurt, and bannock.  The principal introduced the people sitting at the tables and then led the student body in saying “Thank You!” in Inuktitut.  An applause followed.  I could tell from the faces of the bus driver & custodians that they appreciated being acknowledged for what they do.  The students were fed bannock, yogurt, and juice.  The breakfast was done in thirty minutes.

            

At the end of the school day, (December 1), the staff assembled in the staff room to celebrate four birthdays.  I photographed the four staff members sitting on a couch behind a birthday cake made by JF.  We sang “Happy Birthday” and the four cut the cake into equal slices.  Someone also brought raw arctic char and narwhal to share.  Large pieces of cardboard were spread out on the floor and the Inuit teachers began cutting pieces with ulus.  I sat down next to them and ate several pieces of char.  I also had a slice of cake.  Delicious.

            

The high school wing was beginning to look a lot like Christmas.  The high school students began decorating the wing with various Christmas decorations.  There were stars, streamers, and many posters.  I made a candy cane and Christmas tree posters using finger paints.  By December 8, Christmas decorations were all over the school.

            

Aside from all the Christmas decorations that have gone up, the Grade 1 class put together an art display titled, “People who work in our school.”  Each student was given one staff member and tasked with drawing them.  (Inuujaq School staff were not asked to pose).  Regardless, I think the final drawings turned out alright.   

            

The local Food Bank was also getting into the Christmas Spirit by preparing Christmas hampers.  These hampers were filled with various food items and would be gifted to needy families in the community.  A portion of the food was donated from the local Northern Store.

            

The staff Christmas Dinner on the evening of December 8.  Staff were allowed to bring one guest.  The dinner was a pot luck so everyone had to bring something.  I brought Triscuit crackers and smoked Gouda cheese.  The dinner took place in the high school math & science classroom.  Tables & chairs were rearranged, and Christmas decorations & a tree were put up.  The food was placed at the back of the room.  When everyone was present, an elder blessed the food and the dinner began.  We all dined like royalty.

            

The dinner ended with the usual Secret Santa gifts exchange.  Participants had three chances to guess who their Secret Santa’s were for the past week.  If they guessed correctly, great.  If not, the Secret Santa would stand up for everyone to see.  They would then present the final gift to the person.  The cycle continued until there were no more presents under the tree.

            

Everyone helped clean up the math & science room.  The decorations were left alone because JF wanted his students to write their final exams in a more Christmas-like atmosphere.

            

Speaking of final exams, they were held during the last week of school (Dec. 11 – 13).  I only administered two exams: Grade 10 English & Grade 10 Social Studies.  My drummers had a final performance test.  I made sure my students reviewed all the necessary materials well before the exams were given.  I also made sure my exams had answer keys.  Marking exams is so much easier when you have answer keys.