Boats, Gas, & School

I returned to Arctic Bay in early August.  I spent a good three hours unpacking and rearranging everything in my residence.  School staff reported to work on August 10.  We had to get everything ready for the first day of school with students.  The school year would begin on Monday, August 15.  (More on that coming up).  School Administration held a Welcome Back Meeting for new and returning staff.  Schedules were handed out and operational procedures were reviewed.  Staff were then dismissed to do what needed to be done to get ready for Monday.  In between this work, staff shared stories about what they did over the summer break.  Many were impressed and surprised by my adventures in Las Vegas and Toronto. 

Three boats were anchored in the bay.  Two appeared to be privately owned yachts while the third looked a research vessel.  I didn’t inquire further because all my attention was focused on my classroom.  I would be teaching three high school social studies classes, a high school drum class, and three middle school guitar classes for the fall semester (August to December).

Everyone in town breathed loud sighs of relief when the gas ship arrived on August 14.  The community had run out of gasoline at the end of July.  I think barrels of gasoline were flown in while people had to use their vehicles & boats sparingly.  The situation made me think of the post-apocalyptic film series Mad Max.  The gas ship spent two days in the community refilling the gas silos.  The territorial & federal governments need to look at building more gas silos in all Nunavut communities because gasoline consumption is only going up.  I think it’ll be many more years before alternative fuels & energy will replace fossil fuels in the North.

Staff were hard at work in the Home Ec Room on the morning of Monday, August 15.  It was the first day of school and food needed to be prepared for the morning assembly & breakfast.  Food preparation began at 8am.  The menu consisted of various fruits, yogurt, and juice boxes.  Tea and coffee were added for parents, guardians, and Elders.  Chairs, tables, and a portable sound system were set up in the gym.  The food was brought over to the gym in bowls.  Staff then prepared plates.  You don’t keep the audience waiting.  Everything was ready just in time.

The assembly began at 9am.  The principal welcomed everyone to the 2022-2023 school year.  The staff came up to the front, introduced themselves, and briefly explained their role(s).  An Elder blessed the food and then breakfast was served.  Staff handed out plates of food & juice to students and guests.  Everyone enjoyed their breakfast.  The assembly lasted around an hour.  Students & teachers returned to their respective classrooms while parents & guardians were free to leave.  The first day of classes officially began.

I treat the first of school as an orientation day.  I introduce myself to my students, review the course outline, and play a few icebreaker games.  I’m not a fan of beginning the curriculum on the first day.  Too soon.  The first day of the semester should be an easy/fun day.  The second day can be all work and no play.