The Near North District School Board understands that our students, parents and stakeholders have questions with respect to the 3:2 Consolidation and the upcoming school year. The Frequently Asked Questions have been developed as a way for you to obtain accurate and current information. As new information and questions come forward this section will be updated. If you have a question that is not addressed please contact our Information and Communication Officer, Mairghread Knought.
Mairghread Knought
Information/Communication Officer
Near North District School Board
(705) 472-8170, extension 5010
Mairghread.Knought@nearnorthschools.ca
Feedback and Information
The Near North District School Board views parent, student, staff, and stakeholder input as an integral part of this process. As we move forward opportunities for comments, feedback and input will be provided and all stakeholders will be notified. Communications will be provided though a variety of methods including, but not limited to, media releases, updates to the websites, and public meetings when appropriate. All information will be made available in accessible formats upon request. Accessibility Guidelines for Customer Service
School Zone and Required Attendance
Due to enrollment numbers and the need to accommodate existing program requirements, students and parents cannot opt out of the 3:2 Consolidation process. Requests for out of zone attendance will be considered in accordance with the Board’s policy for addressing such requests. Administrative Guideline Out of Zone Attendance
No, students will be required to attend the intermediate and secondary school for which they are zoned.
The Board has identified several situations where students will be permitted to remain at their existing school due to enrollment and program needs. They are as follows:
- Extended French/Sunset French Immersion Students Grade 9, 10 and 11 students will be permitted to remain at Chippewa Secondary School to finish their careers in Grades 10,11 and 12.
- Extended French/Sunset French Immersion Students Grade 12 students will be permitted to remain at Chippewa Secondary School for their “Victory Lap” only if, there is room to accommodate the students and their first-choice credits.
- Students enrolled in pre-IB (Grades 9 and 10) who intend to enroll in IB in Grade 11.
No. The eligibility and application process for all specialized programs will remain the same. Students who apply and are accepted into the programs will be able to attend regardless of their designated zone.
Re-Branding and School Idendity
The priority for the upcoming school year is ensuring safe and effective transitions for the students. Once students are settled in the Board will be developing and implementing a plan designed to obtain feedback and information from students first and foremost, parents, staff and stakeholders with respect to the best ways to honour alumni, the distribution of memorabilia, and communication of this process. Rebranding will be driven by student voice.
Both uniforms and no uniforms will be permitted during the 2018-2019 school year, until the full cohort is in the building in 2019. At that time the school will review the question of uniforms using our policy and working with the School Advisory Council and parent voices of those in the building.
There will be two schools with two sports teams. The Board is working with the appropriate agencies and sporting authorities to bring proper attention to our situation ensure that our students are not penalized.
Transportation and Busing for New Schools
As with all projects and plans of this magnitude the Board is expecting some refinements based on the number of students who remain with their cohorts etc. We will continue to update this information as numbers become more solidified and report back to all stakeholders.
Our intention and plan, alongside Ministry funding prospects, is to provide programming opportunities that address student need and teacher requests, keeping in mind responsible planning and curricular expectations for the future. We will continue to work alongside our staff who provide us with valuable insight and input with respect to this matter.
Many large scale projects of this nature can be affected by weather, labour, Ministry timelines for funding, etc. We know the importance of having timelines established and ensuring that this information is shared with our stakeholder groups. Should these timelines need to be adjusted we will communicate this to all affected parties in a responsible and respectful manner.
