Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025                              

Update on Parry Sound JK-12 school construction

Near North District School Board (NNDSB) is providing an update regarding the construction of the new JK-12 school in Parry Sound.

It has now been confirmed that the new facility will not be completed in time for the first day of school in September 2025. While this is not the outcome we expected, NNDSB is implementing short-term solutions to ensure a smooth and safe start to the school year for all students.

JK-Grade 6 students who were set to attend McDougall Public School for September will attend that school location as originally planned. Students in Grades 9-12 will begin the school year at the current Parry Sound High School building. All Grades 7-8 students will attend the Nobel Public School site.

Once the new school building is complete, students and staff will transition to their new home.

Further updates for the public will be shared through the board’s website and social media channels. Families directly impacted by this delay will receive more detailed information via email.

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Wednesday, August 6, 2025

TOROS tickets on sale for Seussical the Musical

Near North District School Board’s (NNDSB) Theatre Outreach On Stage (TOROS) is proud to announce that tickets are now on sale for its annual summer musical production Seussical.

Grab your seat so you can experience a cast of 65 community students who are bringing this whimsical and vibrant musical to life on stage this summer. The production will take you on a journey through Whoville, reintroducing you to the familiar characters and stories from the world of Dr. Seuss.  You will leave wondering about the All the Thinks You Can Think, smiling from ear to ear and humming that Anything’s Possible. You won’t want to miss this incredibly talented cast in this Amazing performance.

Seussical the Musical is the culmination of an NNDSB summer school program where students earn high school credits while learning about all aspects of theatre production.

Shows run at 7 p.m. on August 6, 7, 8, and 9. Tickets are $25 general admission and are available for purchase online on the NNDSB website.

Tickets can also be purchased in person at Creative Learning Toys, located at 181 Main St. West, North Bay. A limited quantity will be available at the door.

For more information regarding the show and ticket details, contact michelina.beam@nearnorthschools.ca

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Tuesday, July 22, 2025                 

Trustees approve budget, ask runners-up to fill vacant seats

Trustees of Near North District School Board (NNDSB) met on Monday, July 21, to discuss and approve the 2025-2026 school year budget, as well as how to fill two trustee vacancies.

The Board approved the compliant 2025-2026 budget, which was presented by Finance Committee Chair Shane Hall for consideration by the trustees. The budget contained an operating deficit of ($1,274,822) and a deficit for compliance purposes of ($730,233), with revenue of $195 million and expenses of $196.3 million. The Ministry calculates the deficit for compliance purposes by removing specific items from revenues and expenses, such as amounts related to school-generated funds and asset retirement obligations. The Board also approved the 2025-26 in-year deficit elimination plan as presented, which will be submitted to the Ministry along with the 2025-26 estimates.

Of note in the budget are a projected enrolment decrease of 3.59 per cent from 2024-2025 estimates; budgeted revenues have increased approximately 3.29 per cent and expenses have increased approximately four per cent from 2024-2025 estimates; 71.4 per cent of the budget is composed of salaries and benefits; and projected staffing full-time equivalent (FTE) has decreased by 38.7 in response to the projected enrolment decrease.

The special education budget reflects a deficit of approximately $390,000, while the transportation deficit is projected to be $1.99 million, a slight improvement from the $2.14 million transportation deficit projected in 2024-25 as a result of a funding formula change, but still a significant deficit. This transportation deficit cannot be eliminated without further funding from the Ministry of Education.

In addition to the budget, trustees discussed filling two vacancies on the Board. A report in the agenda package outlined the options available to Boards to fill trustee vacancies. Trustees approved a motion to ask the election runners-up to fill the vacancies left by the resignations of Trustees Chantal Phillips (Zone 1) and Jeanie Fuscaldo (Zone 3). The approved motion also allowed for an application and appointment process if either of the runners-up declined the offer to join the Board.

The report noted that filling the vacancies with the 2022 election runners-up demonstrates fiscal responsibility by not incurring the cost of a by-election. It embraces a transparent democratic process and supports local decision-making by endorsing the voters’ second choice of candidate.

 

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Thursday, June 26, 2025

Almaguin Highlands graduate awarded top university scholarship

An Almaguin Highlands Secondary School (AHSS) student has been awarded one of Canada’s most prestigious and sought-after scholarships for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math).

Grade 12 student Keith Rubin has won a $120,000 Schulich Leader Scholarship for engineering for his exceptional academic performance, leadership and peer mentorship.

AHSS principal Heather Hickey says, “Keith has consistently demonstrated exemplary citizenship and leadership throughout his time at our school. He took initiative by leading a school-wide project focused on peer mentorship and academic support. Notably, Keith volunteered his time after school to tutor junior students in mathematics, providing them with academic guidance and encouragement.

“One memorable moment that stands out was when a younger student, struggling with confidence in math, shared how Keith’s patient and compassionate tutoring helped them not only improve their grades but also begin to enjoy the subject,” Hickey says. “Keith’s ability to connect with others and lead by example has left a lasting impact on our school community.”

Rubin says that given the high cost of post-secondary education, especially for engineering, this scholarship is “life-changing. Before knowing that I received this scholarship, money was a concern for me, specifically the cost of tuition and residence,” Rubin says. “However, this scholarship has made it so money is no longer a worry for post-secondary, and I can now solely focus on my future education.”

As the very first AHSS student to win a Schulich Scholarship, Rubin is quick to point out that he could not have achieved his remarkable accomplishments without the support of AHSS educators.

“Every single teacher has supported me over my high school journey; many members of the Almaguin faculty have made me into the person I am today,” Rubin says. “I need to give special thanks to Mr. Perry, my civics and careers teacher, who first informed me of the Schulich Leader Scholarship and kept reminding me to apply from Grades 10 to 12. Then, Mr. Beverly, who not only taught me Grade 11 and 12 chemistry and physics but also inspired me and sparked my curiosity in the STEM fields. Lastly, Mrs. Bell brought out my leadership qualities through the student ambassador and peer tutoring courses.”

Rubin will study engineering at the University of Western Ontario in the fall and says his “dream career would be one where I could return to the Almaguin area and help bring low-cost, yet reliable services and infrastructure to our beautiful region.”

“We are incredibly proud of Keith for receiving this prestigious scholarship,” Hickey says. “From the moment he joined Almaguin, Keith stood out as a student of exceptional character, dedication, and promise. This recognition is not only a testament to his hard work and leadership but also a reflection of the strength and spirit of our entire school community.”

Hickey says that “for a student from a small, rural school to be acknowledged at this level is deeply meaningful. It demonstrates that excellence knows no boundaries and that with the right support, encouragement, and determination, our students can achieve remarkable things. We look forward to following Keith’s journey and celebrating the many accomplishments that lie ahead.”

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Friday, June 20, 2025

Women in welding event sparks passion in Northern Secondary students

Northern Secondary School technology teacher Kevin Baker has been trying to organize an experiential learning activity for female students interested in the trades for years. Specifically, Baker was looking for an “activity or event with a welding focus where a woman in the trade would share their knowledge and experience with students.”

Just such an opportunity presented itself during an impromptu visit to Motion Industries Canada, a community partner in North Bay, where he met welder-fitter Caitlin Hickey.

“I asked Caitlin if she would be interested in coming into our school and working with our students. Not only did she say yes, but she was quite excited about the idea. The project just took off from there,” says Baker. “Motion Canada was also excited by the idea, as they like to help students grow through co-op placements and other activities. They granted Caitlin the time off with full pay for the day to come join us.”

Hickey herself didn’t discover welding until after secondary school, where she predominantly focused on arts classes. After studying aircraft structures in college, she discovered her love for working with metals while helping build the Bombardier CL-415 water bombers, where she was the first and only woman to work on the floor. She then decided to expand her love of metalwork and go back to college for the welder-fitter program.

Now working with Motion Industries, Hickey says that “they have continuously encouraged growth through equal opportunity and training” and would “love to see more workplaces like this, the men and management here, so encouraging to all the women entering into the trades.”

Hickey says she was excited to visit Northern because of her “love of welding and love of encouraging youth, especially women, towards working in the trades.”

Hickey spent the day working with the exclusively female class, helping them improve their welding and layout skills as well as talking about her experiences as a woman in the trades.

“We have our own challenges working in the trades, as women represent only about three per cent of the workforce,” says Hickey. “We’ve actually come a long way, and I think it’s really great seeing their enthusiasm. Women do well at welding with our attention to detail and patience.”

With Hickey’s guidance, students built pet food bowl holders out of steel.

“Caitlin shared her knowledge of welding techniques and ran the women through the process of developing such a product. The students made drawings, fit and prepped materials, then welded the units up utilizing the skills they had developed,” says Baker. “All of the students involved were able to keep the project and take it home when completed,” he adds.

Northern student Hailey says she is very interested in pursuing a career in welding and was inspired by Hickey’s story.

“I know it’s going to be hard and people say it’s a ‘man’s job’ but I want to defeat that. I think it should be regular for women to work in the trades,” says Hailey.

Hickey’s example makes Hailey “feel like [she] has a shot and working in the trades.” She would encourage any girl or young woman to “give the trades a shot.”

Hickey impressed upon the students that “it’s your work that pays off, if you’re passionate about what you do, your work will prove itself.”

“I don’t hide that I am a very feminine woman, but I still do this work as well. So, you don’t have to hide who you really are just because you’re in the trades. You can still do the job just as well or better than men”, says Hickey.

Baker thanks Caitlin Hickey for her essential contribution to his students’ learning and Motion Industries Canada for facilitating the event. He also acknowledges Northern Secondary School’s community welding partners, OCW Metal Works Inc. and A to Z Welding for sharing their knowledge, services and support for co-op students through the years.

“These opportunities are priceless for students. It’s not every day that they can work alongside licensed tradespeople and ask questions,” says Baker. “Having a female tradesperson work with them in a comfortable setting makes the learning experience that much more valuable.”

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Thursday, June 19, 2025

Near North math team members honoured

Two educators from the Near North District School Board have been recognized for their outstanding contributions to math education. Gail Dégagné and Laurie Clayton won the Ontario Mathematics Coordinators Association (OMCA) Award for Excellence and Innovation in Mathematics Education.

Collectively, Dégagné and Clayton have contributed immensely to the development of central key resources, which play an instrumental role in unifying how teachers approach mathematics planning and teaching across the board.

NNDSB Assistant Superintendent Kim Pauli says she is very proud of Dégagné and Clayton for their outstanding contributions to math education across the province.

“The resources, professional learning opportunities, and experiences they have provided both in and out of the classroom have had a huge impact on student achievement and mindset in mathematics,” says Pauli.

Pauli goes on to say that in her role as special education math lead, “Gail has been a huge advocate for students with barriers to learning math. She has supported educators to find ways all students can learn grade-level material in a way that is accessible and meaningful.”

Dégagné says the math team has re-examined special education processes, particularly as they relate to mathematics.

“This collaborative effort led to the development of a more robust, tiered mathematics strategy designed to better meet student needs, boost engagement, and ultimately foster student success,” says Dégagné. She adds that staff worked to understand learners, ensuring that every intervention and support was both relevant and responsive.

Learning strategies included small group interventions both inside and outside the classroom, grounded in sound pedagogy and effective resources.

“Receiving this award is not just a personal honour, it’s a celebration of the collective effort, passion, and commitment of everyone who joined in this mission to create positive change for our students,” says Dégagné. She adds this recognition is the perfect way to close this chapter as she heads into retirement next year.

Pauli says that Clayton, in her role as central math facilitator, “has been instrumental in developing tools and assessments to ensure students are on track with their learning outcomes. Working alongside teacher colleagues, Laurie has shared ‘best practices’ and high impact teaching strategies to support a more responsive and deliberate approach to math instruction.”

Clayton says in working with the NNDSB math team for two years, she knows educators are “committed to meeting the diverse learning needs of their students, and they’re looking for practical, sustainable strategies to do so.”

The team has implemented strategies to support educators. The addition of resources like Knowledgehook and MathUp has “created a common language for instruction, enabled focused professional development, and encouraged collegial dialogue,” she says.

Clayton notes that she’s witnessed a noticeable increase in student engagement, a reduction in behavioural challenges during math lessons and improved student achievement. Equally important, teachers are feeling more confident in their ability to use the tools and strategies to move each learner forward.

“This work matters because every student deserves to feel successful in math,” says Clayton.

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Wednesday, June 18, 2025

Sunset Park’s Mighty Gardeners project grows well-being through community, creativity, and care

At Sunset Park Public School, a small classroom initiative has grown into a vibrant, school-wide movement that connects student well-being, environmental stewardship, and community partnership in powerful, lasting ways. This inspiring transformation is embodied in the school’s Mighty Gardeners project, which highlights how creativity and community can nurture both young minds and the environment.

Last year, educators Jessica Blais and Deanna Riching launched a classroom project focused on community partnerships. During this project, Warren Lindsay from C.G.B. North Bay visited and offered a tree donation. In a light-hearted moment, Blais and Riching jokingly suggested a full garden makeover, and to everyone’s surprise, the idea blossomed. That spontaneous moment sparked what would become a school-wide transformation.

The vision expanded further in the fall as Sunset Park engaged in the work of The Third Path, a student well-being framework developed by Dr. David Tranter. Tranter’s eight conditions of well-being, safety, regulation, belonging, positivity, engagement, identity, mastery, and meaning became the foundation for a new school-wide initiative. Blais and Riching created The Mighty Gardeners to bring those eight conditions to life. In this program, each condition is transformed into a “superpower,” embodied by a unique superhero character. These playful, empowering characters help students connect deeply with important concepts like safety, belonging, regulation, and more.

To make these ideas accessible to children of all ages, Blais and Riching use creative storytelling and visual imagery. Each condition has been translated into simple, relatable language and brought to life in ways that engage and inspire students. This imaginative approach has created a common language of well-being throughout the school, sparking joy, excitement, and a strong sense of connection among students and staff alike.

At the heart of the project is the school-wide Peace Snake, a vibrant pathway of student-painted rocks winding through two large garden spaces. Students from Kindergarten through Grade 6 were placed in one of eight cross-grade “superpower” teams. Together, they have painted their rocks in colours representing their team’s well-being theme, cleared and prepared the garden beds, and helped plant all of the new plants and flowers.

The flowers and plants all came from Laporte’s Nursery, Sunset Park’s official nursery partner. Their support and generous donations, which included several beautiful flower baskets, have brought colour, beauty, and life to every corner of the garden.

The project’s success would not have been possible without the dedication and support of community members. Shawn Blais, owner and operator of Blais & Sons Electric, has spent countless hours helping construct the Peace Snake and assisting with planting throughout the garden. His hands-on commitment and generous support have been vital to bringing this vision to life.

The Mighty Gardeners initiative has also been entered into the national Communities in Bloom competition and will serve as an official site for the City of North Bay’s Centennial celebrations.

This initiative is already opening doors to rich cross-curricular learning in science, literacy, art, environmental studies, and social-emotional development. As a living classroom, the garden will provide meaningful, hands-on experiences that foster connection, responsibility, and creativity in students for years to come.

An official opening ceremony will take place on Monday, June 23 at 3:30 p.m. at Sunset Park Public School. The school looks forward to welcoming Mayor Peter Chirico, community partners who made the project possible, and all members of the public who would like to come celebrate and explore this inspiring new space.

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