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.

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.”

Thursday, April 2, 2026

Ferris Glen Public School has a lot to celebrate, and that’s just what they did in a recent appreciation day. Students and staff assembled to celebrate their success in the ‘best school’ contest run by radio station 100.5 KISS FM.

Although Ferris Glen was runner-up in the contest, they were the highest voted elementary school, and Principal Jennifer Delorme said the school community is very proud, and the real reward of the contest was that, “reading the many kind and thoughtful comments online shared about our school meant so much to our community and reminded us of what makes our school such a special place.”

Delorme says what makes the school so special, “is the pride we all share in it. We take great care in fostering a welcoming, respectful, and caring environment, and that commitment is evident the moment you walk through our doors.”

She adds that “we work intentionally to create a space where everyone feels valued, safe, and proud to belong. There is a shared understanding that our school’s positive reputation is something we all help to uphold, through our actions, our attitudes, and the way we support one another each day.”

Students took to the microphone and shared their thoughts about what they love most about their school. One Grade 8 student said, “I'm graduating, I'm sad to leave, but I know next year I'm going into high school as my best self. Ferris Glen isn't just teaching curriculum, it's teaching us on how to be our best, most kind, inclusive, appreciative and responsible selves.”

To celebrate who they are and the pride they have in our school, students and staff created a giant rainbow love chain, with every student writing a message about why they love their school.

“The messages were sincere and heartfelt. Students shared their appreciation for their teachers and friends, special events such as fall fair and spring fling, and the happiness they feel coming to school each day,” Delorme said. “Many wrote about having fun, feeling welcome and loved, and how our school makes them smile.”

Delorme said that while the school certainly had fun spreading the word and collecting votes for the contest, it was never about winning. It was about being proud of who they are and showing appreciation for others.

“Mrs. Alyson Roynon had her Grade 5/6 class create a beautiful banner that was delivered to the other school. We wanted to congratulate them and acknowledge their success. It was a meaningful gesture that reflected our shared values of respect, kindness, and community,” Mrs. Alyson Roynon said. “And of course, no celebration is complete without pizza and cookies. We were thrilled when 100.5 KISS joined our celebration and surprised students with pizza for everyone. It was a wonderful day!” Delorme said.

Friday, March 13, 2026

The 3rd Jack Lyons Memorial Hockey Exhibition in honour of the late Chippewa Secondary School students was held on March 10 at Boart Longyear Memorial Gardens in North Bay. The exhibition brought together over 3,000 students and community members four periods of friendly hockey between school teams, North Bay Police and the North Bay All Stars.
The exhibition raised over $20,000 in support of One Kids Place summer camps for local youth with autism.