Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024

Nanak Sidhu will bring northern perspective to role as president of Ontario Student Trustees’ Association

Nanak Sidhu, who was sworn in last night as Near North District School Board’s (NNDSB) student trustee for the 2024-2025 school year, has been elected as the president of the Ontario Student Trustees’ Association (OSTA-AECO). The group is the largest official student stakeholder group in the province, advocating on behalf of more than two million students.

Sidhu, a Grade 12 student at Chippewa Secondary School, was elected by his fellow student trustees from across the province. He submitted an intention to run form for the positions of president and vice-president public education. The process this year required him to record and submit a video that was reviewed by all student trustees, who then voted online.

“I was honoured to win the position,” says Sidhu, whose term as president began Aug. 1. “I’m incredibly grateful to Dora (Chen, last year’s student trustee). Without her guidance and support, I don’t think I would have had the knowledge or confidence to run in the first place.”

Sidhu says in the role, he will work with others on the leadership team to advocate to help make Ontario’s education system the best it can be.

Among his goals for his term as president are building on the progress that’s been made with menstrual equity, advocating for schools to embrace technology as a tool for learning rather than resisting it, and focusing on enhancing student well-being across the province, mentally, physically, and emotionally.

As for personal development, Sidhu says he hopes to gain the satisfaction of knowing “I’ve contributed to meaningful change in the education system, ensuring that student voices are heard and valued. I aspire to develop as a leader, gaining insights and experiences that will serve me in future endeavours, while also leaving behind a legacy of equity, inclusivity, and collaboration that continues to benefit students across Ontario.”

As for how his term as president of OSTA-AECO could benefit NNDSB students, Sidhu says” I believe there are definite benefits in bringing our unique student perspective to the table.”

The student trustee also encourages any NNDSB student to reach out if they want more information about becoming a trustee, joining student senate, or learning more about.

OSTA. “While any president is approachable, I hope my presence within our schools makes it easier, especially when it’s a familiar name and face,” he says.

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Monday, July 15, 2024

NNDSB approves $188.7 million budget

After being granted an extension by the Ministry of Education, trustees of Near North District School Board (NNDSB) approved the 2024-2025 budget at a special meeting this afternoon. The finance committee recommended approval of the budget .

Finance Committee Chair Shane Hall provided a report and presentation of the budget, which has revenue and expenses of $188.8 million and $188.7 million  respectively, resulting in a surplus of $61,324.

“I am grateful for the work of the finance team in presenting this balanced budget,” said committee Chair Hall.

Hall thanked staff for their efforts in preparing the 2024-25 budget which continues to be focused on student achievement and well-being, and resulted in an overall staffing increase and the preservation of academic programming.

Of note in this year’s budget is a projected enrolment increase of 0.4 per cent. There is also a projected staffing increase of 33 full-time equivalent (FTE) positions. Of these positions, 9.4 teaching FTE were added in 2023-24 through math and literacy funding and continued through the Ministry’s Responsive Education Program funding in 2024-25. The board also converted 9.0 FTE educational assistants from temporary positions to permanent positions.

The special education budget is projected to be a deficit of $609,000, funded by projected 2023-24 special education deferred revenues, and the transportation budget – which continues to cause challenges to school board budgets across the province – will be a $2.14 million deficit.

Superintendent of Business (SBO) Seija Van Haesendonck noted this budget was complicated by changes in the revised funding structure of the Ministry of Education, although she was pleased to note that the board received increased special education funding and Indigenous Education funding as part of the first year of a five-year phase-in of census updates.

Board Chair Ashley St. Pierre said, “I am proud of the work of the finance staff and the finance committee in preparing this balanced budget. NNDSB is in great shape to continue its work of student achievement and well-being.”

Details on the budget may be found within the Board’s agenda package. Information about education funding process can be found on this page of the Government of Ontario website.

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Thursday, June 27, 2024

NNDSB and ETFO occasional teachers ratify new collective agreement

Near North District School Board (NNDSB) and the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) Near North Occasional Teacher Local (NNOT) representing occasional elementary teachers, have ratified a four-year local collective agreement covering the period from Sept. 1, 2022 to Aug. 31, 2026.

“We are happy that our members have ratified a local four-year agreement with Near North District School Board. The deal reflects our commitment to providing high-quality education while ensuring fair and improved working conditions for our dedicated members,” said NNOT President Margaret Soroye. “We wish to thank our members for their unwavering support throughout this process and our negotiating team, who worked diligently on behalf of our members to secure a fair agreement.”

Previously at the provincial table, a central agreement was ratified between ETFO T/OT and the Government of Ontario / Ontario Public School Boards Association (OPSBA) on Dec. 19, 2023.

On behalf of the Board, NNDSB Chair Ashley St. Pierre expressed gratitude to the negotiation teams for their efforts in achieving this collective agreement. “Because of their work, staff members who contribute so much to our students will continue their vital work in classrooms, supporting student achievement.”

Director of Education Craig Myles said the ratification of the four-year collective agreement means that “the valuable work of occasional elementary teachers will continue. The board appreciates the effort that led to the ratification of this agreement. Occasional teachers play a very important role in NNDSB schools. The role is even more critical during current province-wide staffing challenges. It is encouraging to see schools and classrooms will have further stability as we move into the new school year ahead”

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Wednesday, June 26, 2024

Pickleball Ontario donates instructional package to NNDSB

In advance of its tournament in North Bay on July 5-7, Pickleball Ontario donated an instructional pickleball package to Near North District School Board (NNDSB). The package, valued at more than $1,500, will be kept at one of the board’s two resource centres, and can be signed out by any educator who’d like to teach and play pickleball with their students.

Daphne Micallef Reid, president of Pickleball Ontario, said the donation of the package – which includes a net, pickleballs and four sets of paddles – is a way for Pickleball Ontario to reach out to communities in advance of tournaments, and help to grow the sport of pickleball.

Junior Bent, Pickleball Ontario’s vice-president, delivered the package to the resource centre on June 14. He said the organization was happy to donate the package, because they want to see pickleball become an Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations (OFSAA) and Olympic sport, so helping students to learn about the game is imperative to growing the game.

Bent says there are “so many great health benefits to playing pickleball”. In addition to improving physical health, people benefit from increased social interactions, too. He says the game is very inclusive, and multi-generations of families can play the game together; he’s seen photos of young people playing with their grandparents.

He credits the popularity of the sport to its low barrier to entry and the variety of health benefits. He adds that it’s an easy sport to learn.

Michelle Cundari, president of North Bay Pickleball Club, said the club has seen significant growth in recent years, with a rapidly increasing number of enthusiastic members. The club’s rising popularity mirrors the broader trend of pickleball becoming a mainstream sport. This surge has attracted participants of all ages and skill levels to join and engage in the sport.

Lindsay Kunkle, a library technician at the Classroom Support Centre North, said the resource centres house teacher resources that “couldn’t be in every classroom”. This would include items like manipulatives, toys for kindergarten classrooms, and “additional resources to help teachers provide the best possible education for the children.”

Staff can either sign out and have the material sent to their school by courier or can go in person to the resource centre to pick items up.

Bent encourages people to investigate the North Bay pickleball club, and to attend the tournament July 5-7, which is being held at Nipissing University.

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Wednesday, June 19, 2024

School-specific research being used to benefit students and families

Working with researchers from Nipissing University, staff, students and families at Sundridge Centennial Public School (SCPS) are providing valuable data about student movement patterns – including physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and sleep – and their impact on mental health indicators. The results are benefitting students, families, and the school as they work on changes to everyday practices that enhance students’ ability to achieve.

SCPS Principal Jill Cooper has been working with Dr. Brenda Bruner and Dr. Barbi Law, professors at Nipissing University, whose areas of specialization are physical activity, psychological skills, health promotion, and community-based participatory research. Their research interests are primarily related to physical activity and sport participation.

The Move More, Sit Less study gathers information about student activity levels throughout the entire day, not just during school. The goal of the project is to provide schools with a snapshot of students’ movement behaviours so the school community can identify opportunities and work with the research team to support healthy active living. Cooper stresses that the changes are “over and above our daily physical activity time, which is completed as a morning routine with the entire school population walking/jogging/running the perimeter of the playground for a period of 15 minutes, as per Ministry of Education mandates.”

Several initiatives have been adopted at SCPS as a result of this research to encourage students to move more in school. For example, wipe books and dry erase chart paper allow students to stand and solve problems using non-permanent vertical spaces.

Cooper says staff at SCPS were keen to help, as the research was about their students. There has been minimal disruption through the school day, as the body breaks are taking place in a natural point in the lesson.

In the fall of 2023, Bruner gave a presentation to educators, parent council and student parliament. She explained that through the research, she wanted to give back. Bruner felt that when people read studies, the data is collected in contexts that are different; she wanted to do research to add to research literature “by contributing to the context we’re in.” In other words, she wanted rural and northern data included in research literature. For example, she says rural students’ time spent sitting is increased because of the time they spend every day on school buses.

The purpose of Bruner and Law’s research is to improve children’s physical activity towards 24-hour movement guidelines, a shift away from physical activity just at school. “The whole day is important,” Bruner says. The guidelines for healthy children and youth aged 5-17 recommends at least 60 minutes per day of moderate to vigorous physical activity, several hours of a variety of structured and unstructured light physical activities, nine to 11 hours of sleep per night for children aged 5-13 and eight to 10 hours of sleep per night for those aged 14-17, and no more than two hours of recreational screen time per day.

The research conducted at SCPS showed that students’ habits were good in some areas, but many had poor sleep or spent too much time sitting. The activity data was grouped by division (primary, junior, intermediate), which showed that older students spent less time in movement. Bruner and Cooper, along with the SCPS educator team, came up with ideas to encourage movement throughout the school day, which may have the added benefit of helping students to refocus on lessons.

Cooper says after the initial round of data collection, the staff started movement and body breaks. Staff have access to resources to learn to incorporate movement into their day. They noticed a significant change in the children’s ability to focus, so body breaks have been integrated into crucial parts of the day, so children can maintain attention and engage cognitive processes more efficiently.

The study is also helping students to improve their sleep by teaching them to be more mindful. The majority of students had some sort of screen in their rooms, and most students are hearing notifications through the night. Students are working at increasing self-regulation, when engaging in screen time.

The study will continue to develop initiatives that address the findings of the data and tackle them as a school; the SCPS parent advisory council encouraged parents to visit well-being information stations throughout their welcome back to school event in September of 2023, including sharing the valuable information collected and recommendations made by Dr. Bruner and Dr. Law.

SCPS student parliament has supported this endeavour by using the data shared to plan and implement a “sleep week” initiative. Students who track their sleep goals over the week of June 17-21, 2024 are invited to a PJ and movie celebration on June 21, with the hopes students will value the importance of getting nine to 11 hours of sleep daily.

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Tuesday, June 18, 2024                                                                                                                                           

NNDSB and ETFO teachers ratify new collective agreement

Near North District School Board (NNDSB) and the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) Near North Teacher Local (NNTL) representing elementary teachers, have ratified a four-year local collective agreement covering the period from Sept. 1, 2022 to Aug. 31, 2026.

“We are pleased that our members have ratified a local four-year agreement with Near North District School Board that reflects our commitment to providing high-quality education while ensuring fair and improved working conditions for our dedicated members,” said NNTL President Rob Hammond. “We wish to thank our members for their unwavering support throughout this process and our negotiating team, who worked diligently on behalf of our members to secure a fair agreement.”

Previously at the provincial table, a central agreement was ratified between ETFO T/OT and the Government of Ontario / Ontario Public School Boards Association (OPSBA) on Dec. 19, 2023.

“The Board is grateful to members of the negotiation teams that have worked to achieve this collective agreement,” said NNDSB Chair Ashley St. Pierre. “Having the agreement ratified means that elementary teachers can continue the valuable work they do with our youngest learners.”

Director of Education Craig Myles said he’s appreciative of the effort that has gone into the ratification, and he looks forward to the continuance of the important work of elementary teachers and their vital work for students.

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Friday, June 14, 2024

The following are the highlights of the Near North District School Board (NNDSB) meeting of Tuesday, June 11, 2024. 

Trustees receive Chippewa rebranding update

Trustees received a report as an information item in their agenda package that updated the Board on the rebranding process at Chippewa Secondary School.

The report, co-authored by Superintendent Gay Smylie and Chippewa Principal Krista Tucker Petrick, noted that boxes were placed in the office for staff and students to self-nominate to be on the rebranding committee.

Three meetings have been held, at which the group discussed the name and purpose of the committee, terminology and what goes into the committee’s process; set the process, set criteria for name suggestions and brainstormed a short list process, consultation, comment and feedback; and reviewed the raw data from the 282 responses received, reviewed the name suggestion criteria, discussed how many names they wanted on the shortlist to go out for consultation, determined the voting process and reviewed the confidentiality needed to keep those names private until the group hears back from partner organizations.

Consultation with community groups is underway. The committee continues to meet to prepare for the voting process. The committee will continue its work until the end of the school year, or until a vote of the students and staff can be taken to determine the new team name, whichever comes first.

EDI results provide areas of focus for 2024-2025

A report from Superintendent Gay Smylie outlined the results of an Early Development Instrument (EDI) questionnaire completed by kindergarten teachers, and how results will provide areas of focus for the 2024-2025 school year.

The EDI questionnaire is used internationally and measures children’s ability to meet age-appropriate developmental expectations near the end of the two-year kindergarten program. Five areas are evaluated: physical health and well-being; social competence; emotional maturity; language and cognitive development; communications skills and general knowledge.

At NNDSB, the EDI was administered in spring 2023 and NNDSB reported on 567 kindergarten students in year 2. Children who are described as vulnerable are those whose scores fall below the 10 per cent percentile cut-off on any of the five domains. The questionnaire showed that 42.5 per cent of NNDSB students are vulnerable in at least one domain, and 21.5 per cent are vulnerable in two or more domains.

The number of NNDSB students who are deemed vulnerable is significantly higher than the provincial average in the domains for physical health and well-being and emotional maturity.

Using the questionnaire’s results, the board’s Early Years team has decided to focus on gross and fine motor skills, prosocial and helping behaviour and communication skills in the 2024-2025 school year. Because the cohort students are now at the end of Grade 1 and may not have mastered the skills to move them out of the vulnerable category, NNDSB will be providing focused lessons for use in Grades 1 and 2 classrooms to ensure those gaps are closed before students move out of the primary division.

Director offers thanks and congratulations

In his report to the Board, Director of Education Craig Myles offered his thanks to various members of NNDSB’s community. He thanked staff for their “heroic” efforts working throughout the staffing crunch, the supervisory officers for their support of schools, departments, staff, the Board of Trustees and students in navigating a shifting landscape, the students for their hard work this year that makes him proud to be the Director of Education at NNDSB, and the trustees for their passionate interest in educational efforts.

The Director’s report also included several items that shone a spotlight on student achievement. The 29^th annual Trojan Parade for Cancer at West Ferris Secondary School (WFSS) was held in late May, and raised more than $50,000 for North Bay Regional Health Centre. To date, the event has raised more than $350,000. The city-wide pow wow was held May 30, a collaboration between four co-terminous boards, Nipissing First Nation and the City of North Bay. More than 2,000 students participated in the interactive teaching and learning opportunity at Memorial Gardens. Parry Sound High School (PSHS) students Lauren Johnson and Madisyn Heimes participated in the Skills Ontario restaurant service competition in Toronto, winning gold and silver, respectively. The Director’s report thanked the teachers and coaches of the program for their work in building exemplary skills for a future career in an industry that’s important to the Parry Sound community. Grade 9 student Emma Gall of PSHS received an honourable mention in the 2024 Leacock Medal for Humour competition. The Redpath Rotary4Kids annual fundraiser featured a class of Sunset Park Public School as its ambassadors this year. Money raised will aid and support to children with extraordinary needs.

Myles also acknowledged outgoing Student Trustee Dora Chen and Indigenous Student Trustee Albany Benson for their efforts this school year. He also congratulated both of them, who have been recognized for their leadership. Chen is the recipient of the Ontario Public Student Trustee Leadership Scholarship, which acknowledges outstanding

achievement and leadership demonstrating positive student impact. Chen created the career pathway education fair to assist and educate students in their post-secondary paths. Benson is the recipient of a 2024 TD Scholarship for Community Leadership. She was recognized for her work in organizing assemblies and events, and for leading the necessities drives for Attawapiskat, which saw thousands of dollars’ worth of items collected and sent to northern communities.

The Director also thanked everyone who has stepped up in these times of challenging staffing situations. Through the summer, staff will continue to research solutions for ongoing staffing issues, which are occurring across all departments. Facilities work through the summer will include maintenance, upgrades and repairs while there are no staff and students in buildings. Staff are doing their best to keep up with the demands of maintenance and unforeseen delays due to staff availability of NNDSB and contractors, who are also facing staff, equipment, parts and supply issues.

Living Consciously motion moving forward at OPSBA

Trustee Bill Steer, NNDSB’s representative on the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association (OPSBA), reported that the Board’s proposed Living Consciously course has been forwarded to be discussed at the organization’s AGM.

In March, Trustee supported a motion to ask for the creation and development of a mandatory secondary school course that will address equity, inclusion and diversity (social norms); food security and nutrition; wellness (active lifestyle choices and mental health) and climate change (mitigation and living with); in accordance with OPSBA’s mission, vision and values.

Trustee Steer also noted that he was acclaimed as Chair of OPSBA’s Northern Caucus.

Indigenous Student Benson’s final report

Indigenous Student Trustee Albany Benson gave her final report to the Board. She shared that at Chippewa, OKIMAKAN’S pow wow dancing workshops were successful, as was the intermediate presentation which introduced the students to the Indigenous Youth Circle (IYC). Men’s and women’s drumming continues, along with grad cap beading and moccasin making. The group has been involved with the moose hide campaign with the Indigenous Friendship Centre, and had a teaching and learning pow wow at Memorial Gardens. Graduating students in the Indigenous Centre have been invited to a formal dinner held at the Indigenous Centre to celebrate their successes.

WFSS had a successful intermediate presentation, a successful day acknowledging Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, and sold student-created beadwork and buttons, raising more than $700 to be donated to the Ojibway Women’s Lodge in Nipissing First Nation. Students have also painted and beaded goods to gift to Aanmitaagzi for facilitating their teaching and learning pow wow. IYC member Malia Mathias-Mizzi has started teaching drumming at Woodland and Silver Birches Public Schools. WFSS students have recently attended the pow wow at Nbisiing Secondary School, and plan on having a feast this month in their Indigenous centre.

At Northern Secondary School (NSS), Joey Nixon beaded red dress pins for all students and staff. They also had a successful teaching and learning pow wow, moose hide campaign pins were handed out, and drumming continues every week.

The PSHS pow wow took place June 7. Secondary school students also attended a water walk in the community, and intermediate students attended a ribbon skirt and shirt making workshop.

At Almaguin Highlands Secondary School (AHSS), classes planned to attend the PSHS pow wow. Plans are in the works for Indigenous Peoples Day, which will include bannock making, art, stories and archery activities.

Members of IYC attended their annual retreat, taking part in a tour of Nipissing University. Principal Chris Walking discussed the student achievement plan, and Will Morin shared his knowledge of the medicine wheel, clan system, language and more during a dream catcher activity. Nathalie Wajashk Restoule spoke to the youth about healthy relationships, and provided teachings about cedar and cedar baths. The next day, students and grad coaches were up for a 5:30 a.m. sunrise ceremony, then they attended and helped with the four-board pow wow at Memorial Gardens.

Indigenous Student Trustee Benson gave a huge meegwitch to the people who supported here on her journey. She is grateful for the help of Kelly Huston and Sarah Spence, and all the staff who made her feel welcome and provided her with opportunities.

Student Trustee Chen provides final report 

Student Trustee Dora Chen reported that students are preparing for upcoming exams, and are celebrating with awards and recognition as the end of the school year approaches.

Chippewa hosted the OFSAA soccer championships recently. Sports and teams including beach volleyball, track and field and tennis have concluded for the year, and athletic banquets are in progress.

Arts programming in NNDSB have concluded. Students from secondary school music programs were selected and invited to attend an honours band in Sudbury. A performance of Biz Town by the PSHS drama program was held at the Stockey Centre in Parry Sound. The PSHS senior band has also been promoting itself to elementary and senior students to increase awareness of band as an extracurricular activity. Chippewa’s senior band received a silver rating at the Music Fest National Competition in Toronto. AHSS earned an award from the Kiwanis competition for their theatre.

NSS students went to Toronto to attend a women’s conference for the trades. They also participated in a skills competition. F.J. McElligott Secondary School had an open house for their greenhouse and sold plants to raise funds. They will be awarding a $1,000 grant to a deserving student with those funds. WFSS had another successful cancer walk, raising more than $50,000 for North Bay Regional Health Centre. AHSS students travelled to Sundridge Arena to learn about meal preparation, and created many pre-packaged meals for community members. Chippewa hosted its second annual Dodge the Stigma dodgeball tournament, raising money for the Wellness Warriors mental health club in school.

The last Student Senate meeting included conversation with the safe and positive environment committee from the health unit. Student Senators contributed to a discussion about inclusivity within the school, and shared personal experiences and those of their peers, allowing for a wider range of perspective to be considered. AHSS also implemented after school tutoring and have been helped by running a late bus system to help students studying late after school.

Chen reported that at the Ontario Student Trustees’ Association (OSTA) AGM, she was able to announce the publication date of My Student Trustee resource, which was her project for the year. She also attended sessions with key stakeholders of OSTA, and participated in roundtable discussions with professionals about technology in education and how to create more opportunities for student leadership. Chen was also recognized at the AGM with one of the OPSBA Student Trustee Scholarships for Outstanding Student Leadership.

She said winning the award motivated her to continue her advocacy work on equitable opportunities for youth. She is appreciative of Student Senate and the Board of Trustees for supporting her in her journey and learning experiences.

Ad hoc committee to report on data informing Parry Sound JK-12 school

Trustees approved an amended motion brought forward by Trustee Julie Bertram to provide a report on the current data informing the new JK-12 school.

The amended motion will see an ad hoc committee struck that will gather data on the Parry Sound area and provide a report to the Board by the end of the 2024-2025 school year.

Motion proposes feasibility study regarding the property at 320 Ski Club Rd.

Trustee Jeanie Fuscaldo brought a motion to the Board meeting, asking for a report to the Board regarding the feasibility of selling the property at 320 Ski Club Rd. (the former Widdifield Secondary School). The motion passed, and the Director of Education will provide a report at the June 2025 meeting.

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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.