Near North District School Board

West Ferris students find fitness and wellness in Pow Wow dance

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Friday, May 15, 2026

West Ferris students find fitness and wellness in Pow Wow dance

West Ferris Secondary School students met at the intersection of fitness and Indigenous culture at an Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations (OFSAA) Try Day event focused on Pow Wow dance.

The OFSAA Pow Wow Try Day was the creation of NNDSB’s Indigenous Youth Circle (IYC) as a way of bringing the Indigenous and non-Indigenous student population together to further their knowledge, understanding and skills of Pow Wow dancing in a meaningful way.

West Ferris teacher and secondary grad coach Rae-Ann Camirand said the event “was an opportunity to highlight how Pow Wow dance is a form of fitness and personal wellness. Pow Wow and Pow Wow dancing is an important part of Indigenous culture that promotes whole health and well-being; spiritual, emotional, mental and physical.”

The event was made possible through an OFSAA Try Day grant, which provided the funds for the group to bring in Pow Wow dancers from the community to lead three separate workshops throughout the day.

Try Day grants are meant to introduce new fitness concepts, provide tools for measuring individual fitness levels, obtain new equipment for a school workout area, or add a new active sport to a school program.

Indigenous dancers from the local community – Tasheena Sarazin, Ouske Couchie Bob, Albany Benson, Malia Mathias Mizzi, and Niibin Nakogee – led the students through some of the history, meaning and techniques of Pow Wow dance.

During the day-long event, students in multiple Grade 9 and intermediate-level physical education and Indigenous language classes deepened their knowledge, understanding, and skills in Pow Wow. Students learned how Pow Wow dance is a form of personal wellness and fitness and were introduced to various Pow Wow dance styles and their cultural significance.

Some of the intermediate students who participated remarked how they enjoyed the smaller group setting and how they were given the choice of the dance style they wanted to focus on. “It was nice to have the choice between Men’s Grass dancing, Women’s Traditional and Contemporary Fancy dancing,” the students said.

Camirand said that she hopes the students had fun and learned something about the cultural significance of Pow Wow to Indigenous people.

“I hope that Indigenous students had the opportunity to learn more about Pow Wow and dance and its personal meaning for them and their families,” Camirand said. “Hopefully, this series of workshops helped build a more dynamic, rich and inclusive school community that will reach out into the greater community of North Bay.”

Update from Director of Education and Supervisor of Near North District School Board

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May 14, 2026

Important School configuration update in West Nipissing

We are writing to share important information about upcoming changes to our school configurations in West Nipissing.

Beginning September 8, White Woods Public School will become the home for Kindergarten to Grade 6 students, and Northern Secondary School will welcome Grades 7 and 8 students, operating as a Grade 7-12 school.

This change will have a positive impact on students at both White Woods and Northern Secondary. It will allow White Woods to serve its Kindergarten to Grade 6 students more comfortably, improving access to appropriate learning spaces and support services. This replicates the successful model that is in place at most secondary schools in Near North District School Board (NNDSB).

Why we are making this change

As many of you are aware, White Woods is currently over capacity. While this growth reflects the strength of the school community, it also places pressure on learning spaces, with two junior classes currently using the library as a classroom.

At the same time, there is available space at Northern Secondary School. While a portion of the building is occupied by École secondaire publique Nipissing Ouest, the NNDSB-occupied portion has capacity to serve approximately 630 students and has the space and facilities to successfully accommodate intermediate students. Operating a school that is underutilized is not the most effective use of our resources.  Maintaining school buildings requires significant investment, and as a system, we must use our facilities in a way that is responsible, efficient, and sustainable, while providing appropriate and purpose-built learning spaces for students.

These decisions are made with careful consideration, with the goal of creating balanced enrolment, enhancing learning environments, and ensuring we can continue to support programs for all students over the long term.

Long Term Planning

Looking ahead, our plan is for Northern Secondary School to transition to a Kindergarten-Grade 12 school, with White Woods Public School eventually being sold to Conseil scolaire publique de Nord-Est de l’Ontario. The École secondaire publique Nipissing Ouest students will move from Northern Secondary to White Woods.  While a final date has not yet been confirmed, we anticipate this transition may occur at the start of the 2027–2028 school year, but this will be confirmed at a later date.

This combined school model has been successfully implemented in other locations and has provided positive experiences for both elementary and secondary students. At Northern Secondary School, prior to moving in the Kindergarten to Grade 6 students, renovations will create clearly defined, age‑appropriate spaces, including separate entrances for elementary and secondary students and designated areas to support their daily learning needs.

We understand this news may come as a surprise to some families. Please know that we will continue to communicate as planning progresses and will share updates as more details and timelines are confirmed. We also invite you to attend an Information Night on Wednesday, June 17 from 6 to 7 p.m., to learn more and ask questions.

Our priority remains providing high-quality learning environments where all students can thrive, and we are committed to ensuring these changes support a safe, welcoming, and inclusive experience for every student.

Sincerely,

Jay MacJanet, Director of Education   

Rebecca Bell, Supervisor

Learning never takes a vacation at Near North District School Board summer school

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Wednesday, May 13, 2026

Learning never takes a vacation at Near North District School Board summer school

Summer is around the corner, and Near North District School Board has another great season of summer school opportunities planned.

Whether you are into sports, drama, experiential learning or academics, there is something for all students from Grades 8 to 12!

After last summer’s devastating wind storm, the Canadian Ecology Centre has rebuilt and is once again offering two-week live-in on-site credit courses in a variety of subjects. Grade 9 geography, Grade 10 science and Grade 11 biology run from June 28 to July 10. Grade 12 earth and space science and Grade 12 biology are offered from July 12-24.

Visit the Canadian Ecology Centre website for details, pricing and registration.

Keep your game sharp in the off-season with basketball and volleyball focused phys ed credits at West Ferris Secondary School from June 29 to July 24.

The basketball and volleyball programs offer an individual sport, skills-based credit open to Grades 8-12 students across the North Bay area. Athletes will train daily at West Ferris Secondary School and will gain practical skills and game-play experience throughout this intensive program. There will also be an online portion of the course focusing on healthy and active living.

The basketball program runs from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., and volleyball is 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. daily.

Contact your school’s guidance office for details. For out-of-board students looking to pre-register, please contact Terri.Reidt@nearnorthschools.ca and request the registration paperwork.

Theatre Outreach on Stage (TOROS) is also gearing up for the summer. All parts of the production and shows will be housed at West Ferris Secondary. Students in Grades 8-12 participating in this year’s musical production of Pippin will earn a high school credit. There are many opportunities available for interested students, ranging from performers, stage crew, sound and lighting, to costume, set, and prop crew.

The TOROS information night will be held Tuesday, May 19 at 7 p.m. at West Ferris Secondary School, with auditions and call backs running from May 21 to 22. Rehearsals will start in late May and run throughout the summer. The summer part of the course runs June 29 to Aug. 9, Monday to Thursday evening from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Fridays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Grade 11 and 12 students looking to earn high school and college credit this summer through the Inclusive Leadership Dual Credit Program. This program is designed to help students accelerate their learning, build leadership skills, and gain valuable college experience.

This program is a combination of in-class and hands-on outdoor experiences. Students will spend part of each day outdoors in Canadore College’s extensive trail network and will explore concepts and theories related to the development and delivery of outdoor recreation experiences. The program examines both the adventure and environmental branches of outdoor recreation, as well as various therapeutic uses of the outdoors. Students will develop practical outdoor skills and participate in planning and facilitating outdoor experiences.

The Dual Credit program runs July 13-17 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Contact alysha.young@nearnorthschools.ca to register.

NNDSB elementary schools also offer summer learning programming, which is communicated to families by their individual schools.

Visit the summer school page on our website for more information on these and other summer learning opportunities.

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Dave Gunning returns to North Bay for encore performance

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Monday, May 11, 2026

Dave Gunning returns to North Bay for encore performance

Award-winning Canadian folk singer-songwriter Dave Gunning is returning to North Bay later this month, for a second fundraising concert in support of Chippewa Secondary School (CSS). Once again, students are involved in many aspects of the concert, including promotion and ushers. A student choir is also preparing to join Gunning on stage for a song.

Gunning, a Nova Scotian, has released a new album, and the North Bay stop is but one on his tour. Chippewa teacher Jamie Carruthers, via East Coaster Studios, brought his friend Gunning to North Bay last year. At that concert, Gunning debuted his song World of Make Believe, which is the first song on the new album.

“I had such a great time playing there last year, and I’m feeling excited to be coming back with a new batch of songs and some familiar ones,” says Gunning. “I’ve spent a bit of time playing in Ontario over the years, and in particular North Bay and Sudbury. I feel at home up in that part of the province. North Bay has a similar feel to Atlantic Canada, and I find that people connect well with the stories and get all the jokes.”

Last year’s concert included performances by CSS students, and proceeds improved the sound system, paid for microphones, monitor speakers and other equipment to build the school’s inventory of equipment. This allows the school to independently put on shows. While priorities for this year’s proceeds are being discussed, Carruthers says, “We hope to use the money to purchase proper lights that we can use for concert and theatrical productions. We have been renting and borrowing for productions.”

Carruthers says the CSS theatre is “gaining a reputation as being one of the best sounding theatres in Northern Ontario. We have received rave reviews from performers this past season who have performed here, including Joel Plaskett and Adam Baldwin. Both of these performers came from performing at Massey Hall to performing at Chippewa!”

This year’s concert takes place Saturday, May 30. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for the silent auction before the show. Doors to the theatre to take seats open at 6:30 p.m., with a show start of 7 p.m.

Tickets cost $25 for students, and $35 for adults. Tickets can be purchased by clicking the show’s link on www.eastcoasterstudios.com or by going directly to Ticket Scene (https://ticketscene.ca/o/eastcoasterstudios).

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Public Update from Director of Education and Supervisor of the Near North District School Board

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May 7, 2026

We are pleased to share some exciting news about your JK-12 school in Parry Sound.

The secondary school portion of the new building is ready to welcome staff and students.

At the end of the day on June 4, and during the June 5 PA Day, staff will begin moving personal and instructional materials into the new space. Over the weekend, remaining classroom items from Parry Sound High School will be relocated to the new building. Students will begin classes in the new facility on Monday, June 8.

The name of the secondary school will not change and remain Parry Sound High School. A name for the elementary school will be announced at a future date.

Elementary students from PSHS feeder schools will begin Grade 9 at the new build on September 8. Students in all grades currently at the McDougall and Nobel sites will also begin school at the new build on September 8. Brigid Wright will be the principal of the elementary school.

The timing of this move allows for important, time-sensitive work to begin at the current school site, including abatement and demolition, ensuring the full JK-12 school is ready for completion by mid-August.

We are also pleased to confirm that Liz Simser will remain principal of the secondary school and transition to the new building to lead this process. She will work closely with staff to ensure teachers, administrators, and students are well supported throughout the move. A range of supports will also be in place to help students adjust to the new environment and ensure a smooth start.

Staff are actively planning the transition and celebrations to acknowledge the closing of the current high school and the opening of the new high school. Additional celebrations are also being planned for September as both schools are welcomed into the new space.

We will continue to provide regular communications in the coming days and weeks to keep everyone informed. Additionally, a question-and-answer page is now available.

We’re looking forward to June 8.

Sincerely,

Jay MacJanet                                                 Rebecca Bell

Director of Education                                    Supervisor, NNDSB

Sundridge Centennial Public School students organize Earth Day event 

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May 4, 2026

Sundridge Centennial Public School (SCPS) students ran the show for this year’s Earth Day activities.

SCPS student parliament organized, scheduled and implemented a group activity day for the entire school, which included custom-designed bento boxes for every student.

Student parliament representatives Inuli and Sarah said students raised funds for three years to supply 130 bento boxes as a way to encourage environmentally-friendly litterless lunches.

“We hope this will reduce the amount of plastic and cardboard in the school,” Inuli said. “We're encouraging students to bring littlerless lunches to today and in the future. The boxes also have the school logo on them.”

“The fundraisers included our start of the year barbecue, Freezie Fridays and Cookie Fridays,” Sarah said.

Students organized curriculum-based outdoor activities to celebrate Earth Day, and the school was divided into groups or ‘packs’ which rotated around the school yard to each activity station. The packs are multi-grade student groups from kindergarten to Grade 8.  Grade 7/8 students and parliament members prepared, organized and ran each activity in collaboration with an educator, while Grades 5-7 students who weren’t running an activity led the packs from station to station.

SCPS Principal Jill Cooper explained how each activity station connected to school curriculum.

“The scavenger hunt is focused on literacy, oral language, and communication;

sidewalk chalk drawing focuses on using various media to create visual arts,” Cooper said. “Boat Floating is a STEM activity, focused on the science of buoyancy and how technology improves floatation, such as adding wax crayon the paper helps the boat to repel water and float longer.”

Grade 6 student Bodhi said, "We put a big layer of crayon on our boat outside and it fit 102 toy blocks and kept floating. The wax keeps the paper from absorbing the water."

In a STEM-based activity, students designed their own wands at the bubble wand station and evaluated the bubbles they created. Grade 5 student Frejya said, "I liked creating the bubble wands. I made a heart shape but it didn't blow heart-shaped bubbles. They were round. When I go home, I'm going to Google why they are always round bubbles."

Seed planting focused on the science curriculum, specifically, living things and ecosystems. It was the activity that students felt most connected to the Earth Day theme.

Grade 5 student and activity leader Layla said, "We talked about Earth Day in this activity, read ‘The Lorax’ and ‘The Plants We Eat.’ Then we plant our seeds, so kids know how important it is to take care of the Earth."

Principal Cooper said that student feedback from the event was positive, and students have shown an increased level of awareness about reducing, reusing and recycling to minimize waste. Student Parliament is excited to see students make environmentally conscious decisions to further reduce the school’s environmental footprint.

 

Jk-12 update 2026-05-01

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Public Update from Near North District School Board’s  Director of Education and Supervisor, May 1, 2026 

We are pleased to share this update on the progress of the Parry Sound JK–12 school. 

The project is moving steadily toward completion, and we are looking forward to opening a modern, well-equipped learning environment for students in the Parry Sound community. 

Progress Update 

Work on the Parry Sound JK-12 school continues to advance, with a number of key areas now complete or well underway. 

  • In the student hospitality area, commercial appliances are in place. Installation of prep tables is being finalized to allow for electrical hook-ups, with the kitchen on track to be ready by early June. 
  • Classroom setup has begun on the second floor, with furniture being tagged and installed. 
  • Cleaning of classroom spaces is well underway and ongoing. 
  • Gym bleacher installation is complete. 
  • Lobby ceilings and the cafetorium are complete. 
  • Hex pod electrical hook-ups and inspections are complete. Installation of heating and air conditioning units will follow upon delivery. 
  • Exterior cladding is underway, with all masonry work on track for completion by June. 
  • Efforts remain focused on completing all life safety components of the building to support occupancy and opening. 

Next Steps 

The following work is in progress or scheduled as the project moves toward completion: 

  • Installation of doors separating the elementary and secondary areas will be completed by Aug. 1, including two sets of doors (first and second floors). The school will also have separate, controlled entrances for the elementary and secondary areas, as well as a dedicated entrance for Child Care and EarlyON. Access cameras will be installed at the elementary and childcare entrances. 
  • Child Care and EarlyON spaces continue to progress alongside final work on the main school. 
  • The tender for abatement (preparation for demolition, including removal of designated substances) and demolition of the existing school closed April 29. 
  • Upcoming tenders include the parking lot and landscaping. The parking lot will include ample spaces, including accessible parking. 
  • Deficiencies from the original contractor are expected to be resolved by September. 
  • Additional spaces, including the new elementary library and office, are in progress. 
  • Some Indigenous design elements will be completed for June, with remaining elements finalized by September. 
  • Final cleaning and classroom setup will continue right up until opening day. 

Planning for the transition from the existing high school to the new building is in its final stages to support a smooth and organized move. Additional details will be shared in the coming days. 

The building is coming together well, with visible progress being done across all areas as we prepare to welcome students. We will provide regular updates in the coming days and weeks to keep everyone informed. 

Sincerely, 

Jay MacJanet                                                  Rebecca Bell 

Director of Education                                  Supervisor 

Local architects encourage students to build their future profession 

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Wednesday, April 29, 2026

Near North District School Board students had their building skills and imagination put to the test by the North Bay Society of Architects (NBSA) for this year’s Climate Change Challenge. The challenge set out by NBSA was to create a shelter for their “3 little Northern Ontario pigs” to withstand one of three climate change impacts.  Students at Northern, Almaguin Highlands, West Ferris and F.J. McElligott Secondary Schools, as well as Sunset Park, Vincent Massey and Mattawa Public elementary schools all participated. The students’ task was to research, plan, design, prepare drawings, create a written narrative and construct a shelter to withstand fire, water or wind. Groups were given kits containing biodegradable construction materials and an assigned climate change impact. Students were also expected to collect recycled cardboard from home to add to the projects.

Marcus Wheeler of Bertrand Wheeler Architects said, “We're here to introduce the kids to the concepts of architecture and construction and building through a program using the analogy of the three little pigs to talk about the elements of the atmosphere, such as fire, wind and water.

“For years, we've been trying to promote architecture, and some of the other professional sciences like engineering and software design,” Wheeler said. “We felt the profession was underrepresented in schools, and we would love to see more people interested in architecture as a path forward.”

Sunset Park students Spencer and Carter created a structure to resist flood.

“Well, first, we've added a slanted roof so that if the water comes down, it'll just slide right off,” Carter said.  “We've also added some overhang on the bottom, so that it'll float easier, and we've also added some covered paper towel to help it float,” Spencer added. “I think it's really cool.”

Sunset Park Public School Grade 5-6 teacher Zacharie St. Louis said, “The kids are really engaged. They're using all their skills to figure out how to make this work. And they're using recyclable materials from home and some from the school.”

“I'm hoping that they can consolidate some of their skills that they've been learning in science and math,” St. Louis said. “Hopefully that peaks an interest for some future architects as well.”

NBSA is holding Climate Change Challenge events for other area school boards and will announce the winners soon.

F.J. McElligott greenhouse continues to grow young minds

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Monday, April 27, 2026

Mattawa’s F.J. McElligott Secondary School is gearing up for another season of growth in its unique learning environment, FJ’s Blooming Greenhouse.

Since 2014, the greenhouse has been producing annual plants and budding green thumbs thanks in large part to the efforts of dedicated educators and community members.

The greenhouse itself, which technically sits on Town of Mattawa property, was donated to the school by resident and council member Laura Ross on the condition that its use be tied to academics.

Retired teacher Martha Goodfellow has been instrumental to the operation of the greenhouse and its links to curriculum. It’s a role that Goodfellow continues to this day out of her love for gardening and working with youth.

Teacher Frank Salesio says initially students in science courses did much of the planting but more recently participation alternates yearly with a green industries class and a health and nutrition class. After the planting is done and after the last frost, the class tied to the greenhouse will plant the town planters, as well as some flower beds around the Mattawa community.

“During the planting phase, students prepare trays, mix soil, pot up seedlings, tag pots and plant vegetable seed carts,” Salesio says. “In the green industries class, we do units on horticulture and agriculture hands-on style. In health and nutrition there are units on eating patterns and trends and nutrition and health.”

Green industries student Elizabeth says, “It’s a very fun experience, and one that I don’t think a lot of high school students get. I’m very appreciative to have this experience. It’s just fun to learn about plants and get my hands dirty.”

Many different classes play roles in the operation and upkeep of the greenhouse, Salesio explains. “Co-op students have greenhouse placements from March until the end of the semester. Once all of the planting is done, their tasks focus on watering and maintaining the plants until they are all sold. As the season winds down, they help to clean up the greenhouse and do inventory in preparation for the next year.

“Construction classes will be called upon to help build and fix structure when needed, they will also build things like planters and trellises to sell to the public. The cooking classes use some of the herbs that we grow in the greenhouse in their recipes. There is nothing better than fresh home-grown herbs,” Salesio says.

Greenhouse production seems to expand every year. Goodfellow says this year F.J. McElligott students will plant 23,000 seedlings consisting of mostly bedding plants and some herbs and vegetables, 2,000 vegetable plants grown from seed, and create 200 hanging baskets and planters. The greenhouse employs an F.J. alumni post-secondary student each year to work full-time during the greenhouse season.

“We always open on the Friday before Mother's Day (May 8 this year) until mid-June or until we sell out,” Goodfellow said. “We are open 7 days a week, Monday to Friday 10 a.m. - 4p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. We also have a Facebook page, FJ's Blooming Greenhouse, feel free to join and follow.”

Biindigen

Mii gwi Anishinabek wewena nkenmaaminak dependajig maa kiing.
"We acknowledge in a good way, the original people of the land here"
We value the cultures, histories and relationships with the Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island (North America)

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Near North District School Board
963 Airport Road, P.O. Box 3110, North Bay, ON P1B 8H1
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