STATEMENT

Thursday, April 6, 2023

NNDSB committed to an equitable process regarding renaming of Chippewa Secondary School

Near North District School Board (NNDSB) is committed to the well-being and achievement of students. All schools in Ontario – in accordance with the Ministry of Education – must make sure that schools are safe spaces where every student is provided with all the tools and supports, they need to reach their potential and staff members feel like a valued part of the school team.

For some students, school is neither welcoming nor inclusive. It is therefore incumbent on NNDSB to make changes that reflect our commitment to equity, safety and well-being.

The board understands that there is sentiment attached to the name of Chippewa Secondary School, which has been part of North Bay for decades and has graduated thousands of students. But not all former and current students feel the same sense of pride. For many, the name of the school, its mascot and affiliated activities represent an appropriation of culture. The name has been used to perpetuate racist activities that affect student well-being.

Throughout the North Bay secondary schools consolidation process, NNDSB has always been transparent and forthright in the direction it was going. In 2017 the Board of Trustees approved the consolidation and outlined the process, including the renaming of Chippewa. The timing of the renaming process is not the result of a new decision of the trustees elected in the fall of 2022, but the methodical advancement of a decision made by the Board in 2017. It is the role of trustees to uphold and carry on with the governance decisions of former Boards.

NNDSB is mindful of the responsibility to choose a name that is respectful of all stakeholders and rightsholders. NNDSB has noticed the public is in favour of further consultation. The Chippewa renaming committee is an ad hoc committee that represents various stakeholders and rightsholders. Committee membership consists of two NNDSB trustees, a superintendent of education, the principal of Chippewa, three Chippewa teachers, two representatives of Nipissing First Nation, the school’s advisory council chair, a student, the NNDSB Indigenous lead, a community member, and two additional staff members.

The Board Chair, Erika Lougheed, was elected by the trustees to represent them, and as such is the spokesperson for the Board of Trustees to communicate Board decisions.

At its December 2022 meeting, a detailed report which outlined the rationale for the name change was presented to the Board. Included in the rationale is a desire to create a new identity that will create a psychologically safe and inclusive environment for all students and staff including the staff and students that came from the former Widdifield Secondary School. The name change is also NNDSB’s acknowledgment that the Chippewa name was and is painful for some former and current students and staff.

The Chippewa name change is indicative of the board’s resolve to move forward with First Nations and Indigenous partners in Truth and Reconciliation.

School boards have a role to play in education regarding the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action. Number 63 specifically notes that in education, student capacity needs to be built for intercultural understanding, empathy, and mutual respect. To that end, NNDSB is presently engaged in a comprehensive process of Indigenous Education; ultimately to improve well-being and achievement for all students.

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Friday, March 31, 2023 

The following are the highlights of the Near North District School Board (NNDSB) meeting of Tuesday, March 28, 2023.

Director’s Report highlights progress data

Director of Education Craig Myles’ monthly report included data that demonstrates movement in a positive direction in the area of Excellence in Teaching and Learning.

He reviewed the school effectiveness framework, which is one of NNDSB’s systemic improvement planning efforts. The framework is a dynamic document that supports school improvement and student success by identifying evidence-based indicators of successful practice for effective schools.

The school effectiveness framework acknowledges where schools are and incorporates its vision and goals for improvement.

The first activity is underway with a focus on school/system leadership conversation and reflection to grow a common understanding of the process and ensure future activities are responsive and relevant to school and system needs.

The Director’s Report also highlighted the annual hospitality dinner held at Parry Sound High School earlier this month.

The dinner is an opportunity for members of the hospitality industry to enjoy an evening of networking and dining while observing students of the school’s hospitality program preparing and serving a three-course meal.

The 34 students are part of a Special High Skills Major (SHSM) program and use the annual dinner as preparation for the upcoming Skills Canada competition.

Chair highlights trustee PD opportunities

In her report to the Board, Chair Erika Lougheed highlighted the many opportunities for professional development available to trustees.

Upcoming sessions include one on governance versus operations, the second part of Indigenous education training and one on the communications protocol.

Board supports resolutions at OPSBA meeting

As part of his Ontario Public School Boards’ Association (OPSBA) report, OPSBA rep and Trustee Bill Steer sought the Board’s approval to bring two resolutions to OPSBA’s annual general meeting.

The first resolution will ask OPSBA to enhance its Public Education Symposium with more videotaping of its sessions and live virtual sessions to increase the accessibility of the event. The rationale includes the sold-out status of the event (capacity) and OPSBA’s acknowledgement of environmental stewardship as a guiding principle (removing the necessity of travelling to the conference).

The second resolution calls on OPSBA to work with members boards to develop a board self-assessment tool suitable for trustees, staff and the public to increase public confidence, transparency and understanding. The tool would allow the Board to evaluate its work.

Trustees invest in books for kindergarten students

The Board approved an investment of $13,626.90 from the Trustee Initiative Fund to purchase books to be included in the Journey into Learning guide and kit that is distributed to families of new kindergarten students.

The money will purchase 1,400 copies of the book Outside, You Notice by local author Erin Alladin. The book reflects NNDSB’s commitment to inquiry, outdoor pedagogy and experiential learning, and reflects the board’s move to increased time outdoors and intentional learning activities that simultaneously support well-being.

All committee meeting dates to be publicly available

Trustee Bill Steer provided a notice of motion which was supported and approved by the Board to ensure all committee meeting dates are added as an information item on subsequent Board meeting agendas.

Trustee Steer’s motion noted that members of the public are permitted to attend open meetings of the Board and its committees. It is critical that the public be made aware of how to contact the Board and attend meetings.

Staff will look into how this will be put into operation (in-person and online).

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Note: the full agenda package is posted on the website before meetings, and official minutes are posted after they are approved at the next Board meeting.

For more information, please contact:
Deb Bartlett (she/her)
Communications Officer
Near North District School Board
P. (705) 472-8170 ext. 5010
E. Deb.Bartlett@nearnorthschools.ca

 

Thursday, March 30, 2023

NNDSB students immersed in music, drama and history with Sounding Thunder

Near North District School Board (NNDSB) students from around the district were immersed in a fusion of music, history, storytelling and drama when they attended performances of Sounding Thunder: The Song of Francis Pegahmagabow presented by the Festival of the Sound.

The Festival of the Sound is a world-renowned chamber and classical music festival in scenic Parry Sound. Sounding Thunder is a multidisciplinary performance melding live orchestral music, storytelling and traditional singing to tell the story of the celebrated Ojibwe sniper from Shawanaga and Wasauksing First Nations, a decorated military officer and founder of the early Indigenous political movement in Canada.

In partnership with NNDSB and partly supported by funding from the NNDSB Trustee Initiative Fund, Sounding Thunder was performed in six presentations at West Ferris Secondary School in North Bay and Parry Sound’s Charles W. Stockey Centre for the Performing Arts for more than 1,400 NNDSB students from across the district.

The opportunity was open to all grades 4-6 and 9-12 students in the West region and all grade 11 students in every region. The performance aligned with the curriculum of NNDSB’s Understanding Contemporary First Nation, Metis & Inuit Voices course.

Students enrolled this course greatly appreciated this unique opportunity to celebrate local Indigenous history, while growing their intercultural understanding, empathy, and mutual respect.

Festival of the Sound Executive Director Michael Martyn said, “Sounding Thunder is a significant undertaking for a small arts charity. These six presentations in three days would not have been possible without the support of the trustees of the Near North District School Board. Festival of the Sound seeks to continue developing our role as service provider of quality arts and culture programming to NNDSB and other school boards across the province.”

As part of NNDSB’s ongoing efforts to realize the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action, students learned from both local Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists as they shared this incredible story which celebrates local Indigenous history, and grows intercultural understanding, empathy, and mutual respect.

Emily Batenchuk, a Grade 11 student from Chippewa Secondary School said, “I was entranced by the beautiful music and beautiful singing. It enhanced the emotion of the scenes and got you hooked on the performance; at times it was also very relaxing. The performance felt real and genuine. The scenes during the war contained emotions that you could feel, anger, desperation, fear, all of it.”

“The music was able to convey what was happening as the story played out. You could hear sounds of water, gunfire, and war all expressed through the sound of music,” Chippewa student Liam Brandon said. “The story itself really highlights the struggles Indigenous people had to face and how Francis was able to persevere through these struggles. Despite all the discrimination and hard times he faced, he still managed to defy the odds against him. I find the story of Francis Pegahmagabow to be very empowering and uplifting.”

Sounding Thunder is based on the biography by Dr. Brian D. McInnes, who is a great-grandson of Francis Pegahmagabow, and who also served as narrator of the performance. The performance was originally produced in 2018 at Festival of the Sound and then briefly toured Ontario.

Michael Martyn said after seeing the performance, Queen’s Chancellor Murray Sinclair, former Chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, stated that every student in the country ought to see Sounding Thunder. This sentiment served as the inspiration for the performances brought to NNDSB students.

“It was a very moving, honest and well-executed artistic interpretation of the life of Francis Pegahmagabow,” Almaguin Highlands Secondary School student Lowell Wilson said. “The experience of Sounding Thunder is an incredible one which I would suggest anyone with the ability and time to go and see.”

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For more information contact:

Brett Hanson
Communications Coordinator
Near North District School Board
P. (705) 472-8170, extension 5083
E. Brett.Hanson@nearnorthschools.ca

Thursday, March 30, 2023

PSHS hockey skills program expands to serve area elementary schools

The popular Hockey Canada Skills Academy program at Parry Sound High School (PSHS) has been expanded this winter to offer sessions to Grade 8 students at the school as well as students at Humphrey Public School, Nobel Public School, McDougall Public School and Wasauksing Kinomaugewgamik School.

The goal of the sessions is to develop individual hockey skills and knowledge, healthy living habits, team-building and serve as a transition activity for Grade 8 students heading into secondary school.

Qualified skills instructor and PSHS teacher AJ Wheaton said the program grew out of a desire to promote interest and growth in the hockey program at Parry Sound High School.

The program was run in weekly sessions for six weeks throughout February and March with students participating in on and off-ice instruction.

Wheaton said students arrive at the rink in the morning and begin an off-ice warmup followed by two one-hour on-ice sessions where they focus on individual hockey skills and tactics.

“Some of the skills we focus on are stickhandling, passing, shooting, skating and puck control and protection. The techniques taught are progressive and designed so that students who are new to hockey all the way to elite level players will be challenged and learn something,” Wheaton said. “After a lunch break the students participate in an hour-long off-ice session that varies depending on the day. Off-ice sessions will consist of hockey theory, hockey training and testing and floorball skills.”

Skills training is supported by volunteers and community partners as well as some PSHS students who participated in the first semester of the secondary school hockey skills program.

“We have parent volunteer Jay Thomas, Wasauksing Education Counsellor Mike Kalfus and Chris Lawrence who helped with our first semester hockey program at PSHS,” Wheaton said.

Kalfus has been involved in the PSHS program since its inception. “For the Grade 8 kids from Wasauksing, I introduced the program to our school and facilitated participation for as many of our Grade 8 students as possible. I actively participated on-ice with the teacher overseeing the program,” Kalfus said.

“It has been a fantastic program for all ages, genders, and skill levels. My hope is that students will get support, growth, a feeling of belonging out of the program,” Kalfus added.

Highlights of the program for Kalfus have been seeing the students’ improvement – almost immediately – on the ice, seeing them putting the effort in and giving the students something a bit different to look forward to. He said Wheaton’s approach with Wasauksing students has been perfect.

“True community partnerships and shared success benefits all kids. The optics are huge for our young people,” Kalfus said. “To be able to actively work together to give each student a reason to go to school is a good thing. Once again, this program is a very real example of the adults coming together to benefit the kids, at their level.”

“I think that this is a great opportunity for students to experience something new. Students retain information and can implement things they learn immediately in an experiential learning setting,” Wheaton said.

“In this case, it is also an opportunity for students to meet new people and build relationships with students from other schools in our region. This should be a memorable transition activity for Grade 8 students heading into high school and will hopefully encourage them to explore more experiential education opportunities, such as the Hockey Canada Skills Academy, being offered at Parry Sound High School.”

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For more information contact:

Brett Hanson
Communications Coordinator
Near North District School Board
P. (705) 472-8170, extension 5083
E. Brett.Hanson@nearnorthschools.ca

 

Friday, March 24, 2023

PSHS dinner shows off students’ culinary skills

Parry Sound High School (PSHS) students’ culinary prowess was on full display at a dinner they hosted on March 8 for stakeholders and community partners.

The seventh annual dinner is part of PSHS’s Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) hospitality and tourism program.

“This unique opportunity provided students with the chance to impress businesses in the area and develop co-op and employment opportunities through showcasing their skills,” SHSM coordinator Lisa Spencer said. “SHSM programs in Parry Sound are nurtured by teachers who have connections to particular sectors and businesses in the area. They work very closely with local businesses to develop partnerships.”

Spencer went on to note that more than 50 per cent of students who are enrolled in a SHSM continue on in that same sector pathway once they graduate high school. Parry Sound area hospitality and tourism SHSM programs have a very high employment rate in that particular sector.

The students also used the evening as practice for an upcoming Skills Canada culinary competition. Skills Canada partners with NNDSB, other educators, employers, labour groups and governments to promote skilled trade and technology careers to Canadian youth.

Students from across Ontario compete in Skills Canada competitions to show off their abilities in a variety of skilled trades. PSHS hospitality and tourism, automotive and welding students will all be competing in qualifying competitions on April 1.

“All the food in the dinner preparation was under the direction of Senior Student Chef Lily Stiles, working with her crew of 10 culinary SHSM students. The menu was completely prepared in the PSHS kitchen,” PSHS hospitality and culinary teacher Blair Cousins said.

Dinner guests were treated to a variety of mocktails and hors d’ oeuvres to start the evening and for the main course guests were served minestrone soup, a delicious cheeseburger with side salad and a brownie plate for dessert.

Stiles said, “It was challenging plating 45 tossed salads with all the different components and while I have been practicing the hamburgers, ensuring all the students were keeping it consistent and preparing the plates for people with allergies did mix us up for a few minutes”.

Among the honoured guests were Near North District School Board (NNDSB) Chair Erika Lougheed, Vice-Chair Howard Wesley and Director of Education Craig Myles.

“The PSHS hospitality and tourism dinner was a great night out and the food was truly amazing,” Chair Lougheed said. “It was great to see students showcase all that they have learned and extremely gratifying to see how experiential learning is providing students with valuable skills for life after secondary school.”

Other guests included Parry Sound area farmers, restaurant owners and chefs, hospitality business owners, and former students who have continued in the industry.

Board Vice-Chair Wesley said, “I enjoyed the dinner prepared by Parry Sound High School’s hospitality students. Mr. Cousins continues to advocate and dedicate his time to bring opportunities to his incredible students where they can showcase their hospitality and culinary abilities. The entire program and school staff continue to demonstrate a high level of professionalism.”

Preparations for the dinner began in January and students have been working on perfecting the menu for weeks in advance. During the event, students occupied a variety of roles in addition to preparing the food. Students interacted with guests, set tables and served entrees.

Cousins said, “The feedback from the guests was overwhelmingly positive and there was really strong support for the flavours that were presented. These meals are a unique opportunity for our students to interact with people who are in the industry while learning the skills required to prepare a catering event.”

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For more information contact:

Brett Hanson
Communications Coordinator
Near North District School Board
P. (705) 472-8170, extension 5083
E. Brett.Hanson@nearnorthschools.ca

March 24, 2023

Area’s beauty a theme of names for new North Bay school

Near North District School Board’s Naming Committee for North Bay’s newest elementary school wishes to thank the community and the schools for submitting proposed names for the school, set to open in September 2023.

From the many suggestions received, the most common theme was the wish to convey the natural beauty of the geography, which is special to this area. Committee members, after much deliberation and consideration of many factors, have narrowed the submissions to the following options, listed below along with a brief rationale and in alphabetical order: 

• Graniteville Public School (GPS)

The Graniteville neighbourhood was named when the City of North Bay was growing and encompasses the area where the three schools come together as a new elementary school;

• Maple View Public School (MVPS)

The landscape around the school is a beautiful view of the maple trees;

• Trout Lake Public School (TLPS)

The new school is located near the life source of North Bay known as Trout Lake.

Once again, input is being sought from interested community members, students, and their families to assist the Committee and the Board of Trustees in the final deliberations to choose the new school’s name. The Committee will meet again following this consultation period and will forward its recommendations to Near North District School Board’s Trustees for final decision.

Please use this link to submit your choice from the list provided by April 3, 2023.

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For more information contact:

Deb Bartlett
Communications Officer
Near North District School Board
P. (705) 472-8170, extension 5010
E. Deb.Bartlett@nearnorthschools.ca

 

 

Friday, March 10, 2023

Board invites community to help rename Chippewa Secondary School

A school renaming committee has been formed by Near North District School Board’s (NNDSB) Board of Trustees to support a process that invites suggested names for Chippewa Secondary School in North Bay.

The committee is seeking input from members of the Near North community, including students, school councils, staff, alumni, community partners and local organizations. This input will help the committee to select a name that emphasizes positive relationships with all members of the education community and fosters an engaged and inclusive school climate.

The committee met Wednesday night and is ready to accept submissions from NNDSB stakeholders. Stakeholders are asked to be mindful of using the predetermined criteria as outlined in the administrative guideline School Openings, Closures & Consolidations. Submissions must include reasoning for the suggested name and may choose to include a description of how the proposed name will honour and support our collective goal of achieving truth and reconciliation.

Please use this link to enter your proposed name submission(s). Submissions can also be received via telephone by calling Chippewa Secondary School at 705-475-2341 and the secretary will help complete the form (beginning March 20). The deadline for all submissions is Thursday, March 30.

On April 12 the committee will shortlist five names and will put them out for feedback in another survey, which will be open from April 13-20.

Once stakeholders have suggested the top three names, the committee will finalize the recommended name. The name and accompanying report will go to the Board of Trustees at the May meeting.

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For more information contact:

Deb Bartlett
Communications Officer
Near North District School Board
P. (705) 472-8170, extension 5010
E. Deb.Bartlett@nearnorthschools.ca

Tuesday, March 7, 2023

Near North staff debrief, modify lockdown response

Following recent lockdowns at schools in the North Bay and Parry Sound regions, the Near North District School Board (NNDSB) has held several debriefing sessions with various stakeholders to review and enhance our response to lockdown situations, including communication with families and stakeholders.

Schools regularly practice lockdown drills so that all students and staff are prepared to respond safely and efficiently in the event of an emergency. The board is proud of staff and students for their handling of these tense and difficult situations and is grateful that no one was injured during these events.

Changes to communication with families and stakeholders during and following a lockdown will now include:

• the communications team will endeavour to post to the board’s social media accounts that the school is in lockdown;
• the communications team will send an email and recorded message via SchoolMessenger to families of the school in lockdown when possible ;
• where possible, the board will share the social media posts of the police service involved, if applicable;
• once the lockdown is over, the communications team will share that information on the board’s social media accounts and update the Board of Trustees;
• a letter to families from the impacted school will be sent following the lockdown.

All NNDSB families are encouraged to like and follow the social media accounts of the school(s) their children attend and the NNDSB accounts. Families who want to be added to the SchoolMessenger voicemail and/or email list must submit the board’s Canadian Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL) form to their school(s).

One issue that came to light during the debriefs was the number of students and/or families communicating with each other via mobile devices during the lockdowns. While we understand that the situation is excruciating for all during a lockdown, safety is of paramount importance. Receiving a notification could expose the location of staff and students, compromising their safety. It is imperative that messages not be sent or received during a lockdown.

Another concerning issue was the amount of misinformation being shared on social media during the West Ferris Secondary School (WFSS) lockdown, which may have increased public anxiety and fear. The erroneous online reporting of events and injuries necessitated additional investigation by members of the North Bay Police Service (NBPS). This, in turn, lengthened the time WFSS was in lockdown.

During the time that a school is in lockdown and police are on the scene, it is a police investigation. Families and community members should not attempt to gain access to the premises, as this results in police resources being used to manage growing crowds rather than dealing with the reason for the lockdown.

During the lockdown at WFSS, parents and community members chose to attend the school once notification of a lockdown was communicated. As a result of increased traffic in the area, emergency vehicles would have been unable to provide additional support to WFSS because personal vehicles were stopped and parked on the roads. It is imperative that roadways are kept clear, and that parents, guardians and community members remain away from the scene.

Insp. Jeff Warner of NBPS says, “Our officers are trained to respond to situations involving potential threats to the children and staff within our schools. This training is intense and follows the best practices from other agencies across the country and the United States. Our officers remain focused on their objective and should not be hampered by other distractions.”

Addressing the concerns of families and community members, Insp. Warner says, “I understand the frustration and fear of the parents wondering if their child is safe but in order to maintain a safe operation within the school, parents attempting to gain entry, push past our officers or inundate our emergency phone lines at headquarters does hamper our ability to work safely and effectively. I would like to remind parents and caregivers to trust in the ability of the officers who are responding and to take some level of comfort in knowing our officers will do everything possible to ensure everyone is safe.”

During a lockdown, phones will not be answered at the school or the board office, nor will there be any updates unless they are initiated by the responding police service. Please do not call a police detachment, as they will not be able to provide updates during an event either. Parents and guardians are asked to watch police services’ social media accounts to receive the most accurate and up-to-date information during a lockdown.

If police receive a call that indicates a person with a weapon is at or in the school, the goal is to eliminate the threat. We understand this is difficult, but it is vital that students, staff and families trust the process and follow the lockdown procedures. Everyone should familiarize themselves with NNDSB’s school emergency procedures, and contact their school if there are questions.

Superintendent of Education Gay Smylie says, “The Safe Schools team will continue to work with police services across the district to ensure that our emergency response policies and practices are effective, efficient and maintain the highest level

of student safety possible. We are thankful to the North Bay Police Service and the Ontario Provincial Police for their continued support during and following these events.”

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For more information, please contact:

Deb Bartlett

Communications Officer

Near North District School Board

1. (705) 472-8170, extension 5010
2. Deb.Bartlett@nearnorthschools.ca