Iqaluit parents fight to establish parent-teacher association

Parents of students at Nakasuk school in Iqaluit have formed the Nakasuk Parents Association, because they weren't allowed to form a parent-teacher association.

Sherry McNeil-Mulak started organizing parents last fall to set up a parent-teacher association.She met with the Nakasuk school principaland sent multiple emails to the school and the Iqaluit District Education Authority to ask for their support.

"And we expected nothing but a warm reception," she said.

Instead, McNeil-Mulak got no response until she received a letter from the IDEA in November denying any support and saying the DEA already fills that role.

"It was a surprise. It was a disappointment," she said.

Undeterred, the parents formed the Nakasuk Parents Association in January.

They've attracted 23 families and held two meetings, but they haven't been allowed to meet in the school or send a letter home with children inviting other families to join, something McNeil-Mulak said is preventing them from reaching more parents.

Half a dozen of these parents were at a DEA meeting Monday night, where McNeil-Mulak got the chance to describe the group's intentions and repeat the request for support.Several DEA members said they hadn't heard this side of the story and offered to give the parents a timely response.

McNeil-Mulak said it can't come soon enough. She said she wants to start fundraising, volunteering, and working with school administration.

"This is a great school, I can't say that enough," she said. "We love Nakasuk School and that's why we want to work with the school as parents."