Students at Kullik Ilihakvik in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut, are being asked to bundle up as they return to class for the winter season. The elementary school posted a notice on its website in January 2026 asking parents and guardians to ensure children come dressed warmly for outdoor recess.
The school encourages students to wear two layers of pants for outdoor recess and advises families to provide warm outerwear such as parkas, mitts and face protection. To help families, staff say students who need extra warmth can borrow items from the school’s lost-and-found.
Environment Canada climate data show that Cambridge Bay regularly reaches the deep cold of the Arctic winter in January, with typical daily temperatures often dipping below −35°C and wind chills that can be much lower. Unlike many southern Canadian schools that move recess indoors at milder temperatures, Nunavut schools generally maintain lower thresholds for indoor recess — though actual cutoffs are set locally by each District Education Authority and can vary by community.
The school is overseen by the Ikaluktutiak District Education Authority (IDEA). Kullik Ilihakvik is named for the qulliq — a traditional Inuit oil lamp used for heat and light — and its stated mission includes keeping students safe and healthy while promoting Inuit culture and physical activity.
By maintaining a clothing bank and giving clear advice on layering, the school — with support from local governance and the broader framework of the Nunavut Department of Education — aims to reduce barriers so children can participate in school activities despite the weather. The school asks parents to make sure children arrive at school dressed for the cold as the community enters its coldest month.
For more information, see the school website (Kullik Ilihakvik) and Environment Canada’s climate information for Cambridge Bay.
