Nipissing Parry Sound Student Transportation Services (the consortium) has advised Near North District School Board of a potential service disruption. Read the communication here.
NPSSTS update Re: Alouette Bus Lines Service Interruption Subsidy to Families
Thursday, April 2, 2026
Dear Parents, Guardians and Students
Re: Alouette Bus Lines Service Interruption Subsidy to Families
The Nipissing-Parry Sound Student Transportation Services (NPSSTS) recognizes that families affected by the ongoing service disruption may be experiencing financial pressures as they provide alternate transportation for their children to and from school.
In response, the NPSSTS is working with several stakeholders to develop and implement a subsidy program that, subject to eligibility criteria, would provide financial assistance to parents or guardians who are transporting their children to school.
The subsidy would be retroactive to the start of the service disruption. Further details will be shared as soon as they are available. We thank you for your understanding and patience as we continue to work to support those affected by the service disruption.
Yours truly,
Chuck Seguin
Executive Director – NPSSTS
Ferris Glen celebrates with appreciation day
Lieutenant Governor Edith Dumont visits Northern Secondary School
Letter to Families from Nipissing-Parry Sound Student Transportation Services
COMMUNIQUÉ
2026-03-27
Dear Parents, Guardians and Students
Re: Nipissing-Parry Sound Student Transportation Services (NPSSTS) – Our Role
In light of the ongoing labour dispute at Alouette Bus Lines, we feel it is important to clarify the role of the NPSSTS, both in normal operations and during an operator labour disruption.
What NPSSTS Does:
- We are a not-for-profit corporation formed by the four member school boards to plan and manage transportation services.
- We prepare bus routes for eligible students.
- We establish, negotiate and administer contracts with transportation companies (“operators”) and assign routes to those operators.
- We are a customer of the operators.
- We ensure compliance with the contract and enforce contract requirements on behalf of the member boards.
- During an operator labour disruption, NPSSTS will:
- Plan and coordinate with the affected operator within the terms of the contract.
- Take steps to maintain and exercise our contractual rights and obligations.
- Take steps to mitigate the impact on students by continuously assessing and restoring service where resources are available, including exploring alternative options with other operators when possible.
- Communicate updates and routing changes directly to affected families as solutions are developed and ready to implement.
What NPSSTS Does not do:
- We do not purchase or own buses or other vehicles.
- We do not hire, train, schedule or manage drivers. Those responsibilities fall to the operators.
- We do not set or negotiate driver wages or benefits, as we are not their employer.
- We do not participate in collective bargaining between operators and their drivers.
As stated in our earlier messages, the NPSSTS and the local school boards are not parties to these negotiations and are not involved in the bargaining process. The Consortium has not issued a notice of contract termination to Alouette Bus Lines. We remain hopeful that the parties will reach an agreement soon and re-establish full service to our school communities.
If you have any questions, please contact us at info@npssts.ca.
Yours truly,
Chuck Seguin
Executive Director – NPSSTS
Highlights from the 3rd Jack Lyons Memorial Exhibition
Message to families from Director MacJanet
Thursday, March 12, 2026
Dear Parents, Guardians, and Families of the Near North District School Board,
I am writing to you with gratitude and optimism as we continue our work together in support of students across our system. Strong family/school relationships are at the heart of student success. When families and schools work in partnership — grounded in trust, communication, and shared purpose — our students benefit academically, socially, and emotionally. Your voice, your involvement, and your advocacy matter deeply, and I thank you for the ways you support your children and our schools each day.
I also want to acknowledge the ongoing challenges created by the Alouette Bus Lines strike. We recognize how disruptive this situation has been for many families. Reliable transportation is not simply a convenience — it is an essential service that ensures fair access to learning. Please know that the transportation consortium and School Board continue to be kept updated as the company’s owners and drivers continue to negotiate to reach a fair and prompt agreement. We understand how important this service is to your daily lives and to your children’s education, and we are still hopeful for a positive resolution between the two parties.
Since beginning my role as Director, I have had the privilege of visiting 27 of our 33 schools. I have been consistently impressed by the professionalism, compassion, and commitment of our administrators, educators, and support staff. Their care for students and their broader communities is clear in every school I enter. It has been both inspiring and reassuring to see the dedication that defines our board.
A few weeks back, I had the opportunity to attend a town hall in Parry Sound, where I was pleased to reaffirm to the community that the new school will be open to students this September. This project is an exciting investment in the future of the region, and I look forward to seeing students walk through its doors in the fall.
It is truly a privilege to serve the communities of the Near North. I take this responsibility seriously and remain committed to listening, learning, and leading in ways that strengthen trust and improve outcomes for students.
I would also like to once again extend an invitation to School Council meetings. I deeply value the opportunity to connect directly with families. Please feel free to invite me through your school principal. I have already had the pleasure of attending meetings at Parry Sound High School and Land of Lakes Public School, and I look forward to visiting many more school communities in the months ahead.
Thank you for your continued partnership, your resilience, and your trust. Together, we will continue to create learning environments where every student feels supported, challenged, and valued.
With appreciation,
Jay MacJanet
Director of Education
NPSSTS announces additional Alouette bus routes to run March 12, 2026
Nipissing Parry Sound Student Transportation Services (NPSSTS, or the Consortium), has released a communication about the reinstatement of more Alouette bus routes beginning on March 12. Read the communication here.
March Letter to Families
Friday, March 6, 2026
Dear Parents and Guardians,
The monthly Letter to Families is intended to keep you apprised of news that affects all students and families of Near North District School Board (NNDSB).
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March Break is just around the corner! A reminder that the March Break takes place from Friday, March 13 up to and including Friday, March 20. We welcome staff and students back to school on Monday, March 23.
We wish everyone has a happy, healthy March Break!
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School Mental Health Ontario has launched a four-part parent/caregiver webinar series focused on key mental health and substance use health topics identified by parents and caregivers in Ontario. The webinars will feature a presentation by leading experts on the topics.
The first session about balanced device use has already been held. Upcoming webinar topics and dates are: conversations about vaping, April 10; conversations about body image, May 7; conversations about anxiety, June 5.
Parents and caregivers can submit questions in advance via this link.
All sessions will be uploaded to the By Your Side learning hub.
Here is the link to register for these free webinars.
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The Math Department is planning a virtual math session for parents from Grades JK-12. The presentation will take place on March 31st from 6:30 to 7:30 pm. The presenter is Scott Elliot, Chartered Professional Accountant.
The learning objectives for participants are to obtain information and tips to raise kids who are financially independent and responsible, to better understand the challenges of raising money-smart kids and to learn how to address age-appropriate money-related topics with young kids, pre-teens, teenagers, and emerging adults.
Some of the topics discussed will include why teaching kids about money is important, the goals and challenges of raising money smart kids and tips on allowance, budgeting, credit cards, cell phones and virtual spending.
To register, parents/guardians can use this link: Registration form for NNDSB Financial Literacy Session
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In addition to staying informed via the board’s website, families can find NNDSB on Facebook and Instagram.
Sincerely,
Near North District School Board
Building strong futures: F.J. McElligott Secondary School upgrades welding shop through community partnerships
NPSSTS announces reinstatement of more Alouette bus routes
Friday, Feb. 27, 2026
Nipissing Parry Sound Student Transportation Services (NPSSTS, or the Consortium), has released a communication today about the reinstatement of more Alouette bus routes beginning on Monday. Read the communication here.
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