Monday, April 24, 2023

NNDSB students putting their skills to the test at provincial competition

Thirteen Parry Sound High School (PSHS) skilled trades students are on their way to the province-wide Skills Ontario competition championships in Toronto on May 1.

With 27 other students from various school boards all vying for spots in the Skills Ontario championship the PSHS team faced stiff competition at the qualifying competition on April 1^st at Canadore College in North Bay.

Parry Sound students Brad Spooner, Ola Tarko, Reese Norrie and Lily Stiles took home medals and qualified for the next round of competition in their respective disciplines of construction, television and video production and culinary arts. They will be joined by nine other PSHS students who are also advancing to the Skills championship.

PSHS culinary arts teacher and skilled trades champion Blair Cousins said the students have been preparing for the competition since September and doubled their efforts in January when the competition scope documents were released by Skills Ontario.

“Many students practice several times a week,” Cousins said. “The construction students studied blueprints and developed our own measurements to build a mini woodshed model based on the isometric drawing in the scope.”

PSHS teacher Jordan Buckland has been working with bronze medalist Bradley Spooner and fellow student Jonah Smith, who finished just out of the medals, for several years. Buckland said the students were selected because of their outstanding work ethic, reliability, and their overall desire to further their learning in the trade.

Both Brad and Jonah had comfort in seeing other competitors struggle with the same areas they were learning, and it showed them that they were competitive with other construction students.

Students in TV video production were tasked with creating a 30-second public service announcement pertaining to climate change targeted to a preteen audience. PSHS students Ola and Reese used humour to encourage people not to litter because littering causes many animals to die each year. The next step at the provincial championships is to create a 90-105-second video which will include the use of an object in an unconventional way.

Culinary Gold Medal winner Lily Stiles has been practicing with a focus on this year’s Skills Ontario contest. She completed precise knife cuts, a side salad and hamburger with pickled jalapenos and freshly made tarragon mayonnaise with a brownie dessert.

Teacher Nicky Dusome feels the Skills Ontario competition is important because it allows students to compete in a highly specialized market and gives insight into those markets. It also is a great item to have on college applications.

In addition to the PSHS competitors, several other NNDSB schools are sending students and staff to the Skills Ontario competition to observe and take part in conferences as part of the board’s ongoing efforts to encourage interest in the skilled trades.

Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) Coordinator and Dual Credit Teacher Roy Desjardins said Northern Secondary School, Almaguin Highlands Secondary School and PSHS are all sending students and educators on day trips to the competition.

Chippewa Secondary School and F.J. McElligott Secondary School will be sending delegations to the Skills Ontario Young Women’s Conference. The conference will feature speakers and exhibitor booths hosted by female skilled tradespersons/apprentices, partners of Skills Ontario, colleges, organizations and other skilled trade and technology-related industries.

“The Young Women’s Conference is tailored to those who are interested in having more understanding of the skilled trades. It also allows them to network and have conversations with mentors like themselves,” Desjardins said. “Many young women may want to be involved in the skilled trades but don’t see themselves represented in those roles. Engaging with people like themselves who have found success in these fields allows them to have the perspective that it’s achievable.”

The Skills Ontario competition is “a wonderful opportunity for students to showcase their skills, to meet other young people with similar interests, to champion for themselves and be ambassadors of their school and our board,” Desjardins said. “Whether a student wins or not, they deserve to be celebrated.”

-30-

 

Monday, April 17, 2023

TOROS information night being held May 18

Near North District School Board (NNDSB) is proud to announce this summer’s Theatre Outreach On Stage (TOROS) production of Back to the ‘80s Totally Awesome Musical. The show dates are Thursday, Aug. 10 through Sunday, Aug. 13 at West Ferris Secondary School in North Bay.

An information night will be held Thursday, May 18 at 6 p.m. in the West Ferris Secondary School gymnasium for interested students. Students will have an opportunity to hear more about the program, meet the staff and learn a song and dance they can use in their audition.

This year, TOROS will be looking for all kinds of talent, as the cast includes a wide range of actors, dancers and artists. TOROS gives area youth the opportunity to be part of a full-scale musical production. The program is open to students in Grades 8-12 from any school board, and each student earns a secondary school credit for their work in the show. Rehearsals take place five days a week; some rehearsals will be held in the evenings in June and then Monday to Friday from the beginning of July until mid-August.

Since 1987, TOROS has been a proud NNDSB tradition. Many TOROS alumni have gone on to work as professional artists across North America. Others have gone on to teach or promote the arts within their own communities.

For further information about the TOROS program, contact director Jessica Soule at Jessica.Soule@nearnorthschools.ca, or producer Shannon Falconi at Shannon.Falconi@nearnorthschools.ca, or like and follow the TOROS Facebook page.

-30-

Friday, April 14, 2023

Chippewa renaming committee will shortlist five names

The Chippewa Renaming Committee continues its work of bringing Widdifield, Fricker and Chippewa staff and students together under one new name and identity as part of the consolidation process.

Committee members were pleased with the number of suggested names provided by the community via survey, which closed March 30, 2023, noting that some trends and themes emerged. The submissions sparked fulsome and collaborative discussion as members discussed name submissions and how each aligned with the criteria outlined in the School Openings, Closures and Consolidation Administrative Guideline. As per the Terms of Reference, the final names brought forward will not perpetuate harm and will align with the Human Rights Code.

The committee is aware of the suggestion to keep the name as Chippewa, acknowledging that many emotions and opinions accompany any school name change. Through discussion, the committee reinforced that the change is not to erase history, but to create a new identity that unites all consolidated school members and reflects values of equity and inclusivity.

The committee worked its way through a top 10 selection process and agreed to meet again before confirming a shortened list of five names. Once ready, the committee looks forward to sharing that list with stakeholders and rightsholders for further consultation and feedback.

-30-

Friday, April 14, 2023

The following are the highlights of the Near North District School Board (NNDSB) meeting of Tuesday, April 11, 2023.

Report covers new program, public consultation

Director of Education Craig Myles’ monthly report to the Board included information on the new custodial services training program, the Eco Schools program and opportunities for the public to give feedback on NNDSB initiatives.

Myles reported that custodial services training is being taught by longtime NNDSB custodial staff member Deb Lamb, who brings a wealth of knowledge to the role. Students are highly engaged in the course, in which the board partners with YES Employment and the District Social Services Administration Board (DSSAB).

The Eco Schools program was purchased and promoted by NNDSB to all schools, and the experiential learning tool is being utilized in most schools. The program allows schools to conceptualize and engage in ecologically responsible practice in schools and supports staff in tracking progress over time. At the end of the year, school applications are assessed based on a benchmark and are awarded a certification level. Several NNDSB schools are striving for platinum status certification.

The Multi-Year Strategic Plan reflection survey will be launched later this week, and all stakeholders and rightsholders are encouraged to provide feedback. The survey can be found on the board’s website and is open from April 12 until April 28, 2022. Once the data is collected, it will give the MSYP committee an indication of which areas are successfully moving ahead according to the plan. The committee plans to review data and present a report to the Board at its May meeting. See more information in this media release.

A new administrative guideline about English as a Second Language (ESL) is on the website for public consultation. The guideline covers placement and programming for English language learners. The guideline and link for feedback may be found here.

Guideline being developed for Trustee Initiative Fund

Through the Board’s Finance Committee, a report was brought to the Board about the Trustee Initiative Fund. The report also referenced an administrative guideline that will be developed to provide clarity around the application process for support from the Trustee Initiative Fund.

The fund is allotted $50,000 annually to support initiatives that support an expanse of students from across the district, as determined by trustees. Funds must be spent in the year in which the approval was made, and there is no deadline for application submissions.

Applications may be accessed exclusively by NNDSB trustees and members of executive council. Completed applications are shared through the Director’s Office and are accepted throughout the year.

Executive Council will review the Trustee Initiative Fund process to bring more structure. Information in the guideline will include eligibility criteria and receipting/purchasing requirements.

New North Bay elementary school named

The Board accepted the recommendation of the naming committee of the new North Bay elementary school and approved naming the school Maple View Public School.

The move follows a months-long process that included three public consultations in the form of surveys, with Maple View being the most popular name. Read more in this media release.

Student Trustees’ reports share school news

Indigenous Student Trustee Allen Lewis Trodd reported that there is a lot of planning taking place with the Indigenous Youth Circle (IYC), which is hosting a powwow on June 2. He added that the drumming group has been invited to many events. The group Oshkishkode will be spreading awareness on May 5, the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit People. He also noted that students attended a session at Nipissing University at which they met other Indigenous people and participated in cultural activities. He reports that Indigenous students are happy to have culturally safe spaces in their schools. The IYC completed its terms of reference and will be selecting its Indigenous Student Trustee this week.

Student Trustee Cecilia Darling noted that secondary schools have been a little quieter, and said schools were celebrating with spring and Easter events, including a Chippewa Secondary School hometown run to support Youth Special Olympics, awareness for mental health supports, a songwriting workshop at Almaguin Highlands

Secondary School, a drama festival for student actors to show off what they’ve worked on this semester, and that badminton, track and soccer are starting up.

Audit committee seeking volunteer member

In a verbal report by Trustee Shane Hall, Chair of Audit Committee, it was announced that there is an opening for a volunteer community member to the Board’s audit committee.

The posting has been extended, and information about the position may be found here.

-30-

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

Thursday, April 13, 2023

MYSP committee seeks feedback on progress

Near North District School Board’s (NNDSB) Multi-Year Strategic Plan (MYSP) committee is once again seeking public feedback to measure the implementation of the 2021- 2026 MYSP.

After extensive consultation with a wide range of stakeholder groups the MYSP was developed with key board priorities identified. The five-year plan was approved by the Board in June 2021 and implementation began in September 2021.

The plan has now been operational for almost two years. The board received public feedback via survey in March and April of 2022.  Now in year two, the committee is eager to receive further feedback to measure status and progress of the MYSP since its inception, and advancement on goals for improvement set by feedback from the previous survey.

Measurement metrics were developed for each of the four pillars of the MYSP (excellence in teaching and learning, excellence in innovation, excellence in relationships and excellence in communication) by the MYSP committee and employed in last year’s survey.

MYSP committee Chair Bill Steer said, “The success of the MYSP is closely tied to the information we receive from the community regarding our progress. As part of our ongoing data collection strategy, we are again asking stakeholders to tell us what they think.”

Feedback from the 2022 survey indicated NNDSB was moving in a positive direction relative to the four pillars. The majority of respondents felt that NNDSB schools offer improved communication and excellence in teaching and learning.

The board was also provided with areas of improvement including increasing the understanding of where information can be found, exploring innovative options for students living in areas of declining enrolment, and increasing community involvement in schools.

Director of Education Craig Myles said, “the MYSP surveys provide essential feedback for further action on our progress pathways.”

“Providing opportunities for stakeholders to share their opinion is essential,” Myles said. “Community feedback provides the board with the direction needed to implement effective approaches for continuous improvement. We need to know what people think about what we are doing.”

The survey can be found on the board’s website and is open from April 12-28, 2023.

Once the data is collected, it will give the MSYP committee an indication of which areas are successfully moving ahead according to the plan and what areas may require additional focus. The committee plans to review data and present a report to the Board at its May meeting.

-30-

Wednesday, April 12, 2023

New North Bay school named Maple View Public School

Students of the new elementary school in North Bay will be MVPs after trustees of the Near North District School Board accepted the naming committee’s recommendation to select Maple View Public School as the new school’s name. The selection was made at last night’s Board meeting.

The decision was the culmination of several months of work by the committee, which oversaw multiple opportunities for public consultation.

The public was invited to submit a name and rationale in one survey period. After that, the committee created a shortlist of three names, which were included in a survey for voting by the public.

Survey data indicated that Maple View Public School was the top choice.

According to the process outlined by the naming committee, the top name was to be the one forwarded to the Board.

The new school, which will bring together the students of E.W. Norman and E.T. Carmichael Public Schools, is set to open in September 2023.

The committee report is available in the Committee of the Whole agenda package.

-30-

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.

-30-

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).

-30-

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.”

-30-

 

For more information contact:

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