A four-year-old boy is back in kindergarten full time thanks to the efforts of his mom, Samantha Nakoolak, who wouldnSA国际影视传媒檛 take no for an answer.

Michael Tutanuak, 4, faces challenges with his speech and, as such, he needs a student support assistant (SSA) with him when heSA国际影视传媒檚 in class.

Nakoolak said everyone knew Michael would need an SSA when he was registered for kindergarten this year.

She said she contacted the school after registering Michael to see if he would have an SSA available and was told he would, but they werenSA国际影视传媒檛 sure who it would be at that point.

SA国际影视传媒淢ichael started school on Aug. 16 and I went to the school the following week to see what more I could be doing at home to help him,SA国际影视传媒� said Nakoolak.

SA国际影视传媒淎t that meeting, I was told he was doing really good adjusting to school but there were some problems. He ran away a couple of times, and he had been crying a couple of times for toys and stuff like that.

SA国际影视传媒淭hen, at that meeting, they told me because theySA国际影视传媒檙e short staffed, their last option may be to only have him attend kindergarten on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

SA国际影视传媒淭hen on Friday morning, Aug. 23, I spoke with Leo Ussak Elementary School principal Sarah Ayaruak, who said they were extremely short staffed and they asked to have my son stay at home.SA国际影视传媒�

Nakoolak said she took Michael to the babysitterSA国际影视传媒檚 and went to work feeling deeply frustrated.

She said she posted the situation on Facebook and then wrote a letter to Education Minister David Joanasie, which she also sent to Deputy Minister of Education Louise Flaherty, her assistant and the superintendent of schools.

SA国际影视传媒淧eople started sharing what I had posted on Facebook and I spoke to my MLA, Lorne Kusugak, about my situation just before lunch on Aug. 23, and he told me heSA国际影视传媒檇 speak to Education Minister Joanasie after he returned to Iqaluit on Aug. 26.

SA国际影视传媒淭his past Monday morning the school principal and the superintendent of schools had a long talk and I received a call from Sarah (Ayaruak) that afternoon and she told me she was glad I took my concerns to those I did.

SA国际影视传媒淪he told me they had hired a full-time SSA to be with my son and he could attend kindergarten five days a week.

SA国际影视传媒淚 wasnSA国际影视传媒檛 expecting it all to happen that fast, but ISA国际影视传媒檓 extremely grateful it did.SA国际影视传媒�

Nakoolak is still working on her own to see if she can find the funding to have a full-time speech therapist located in Rankin Inlet.

She said the experience was tough and really emotional for her until she received the good news that Michael was back to school full time.

SA国际影视传媒淢ichaelSA国际影视传媒檚 really happy to be back in school and heSA国际影视传媒檚 doing really well, but he still has his days,SA国际影视传媒� she said.

SA国际影视传媒淚 had to pick him up one day this past week at 11 a.m. because he didnSA国际影视传媒檛 want to go back inside after the recess break and wouldnSA国际影视传媒檛 calm down.

SA国际影视传媒淚 know there are other students out there going through the same thing and, if anybody needs help in drafting a letter or finding out who to send it to, ISA国际影视传媒檓 here for them because I know how emotional and frustrating it can all be.

SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檓 happy I did what I did so that my son can get a fair and proper education just like any other kid.SA国际影视传媒�