By Deb
Friday, Dec. 9, 2022
Dear Parents and Guardians,
The Ministry of Education has updated the School and Childcare Screening Tool to align with recommendations of the Chief Medical Officer of Health.
Please familiarize yourself with the new tool, and ensure that questions are answered before going to school or childcare every morning.
Anyone feeling sick or with any symptom of illness (even if not listed in the tool) should stay home that day.
Sincerely,
Near North District School Board
By Deb
Monday, Dec. 5, 2022
Dear Parents and Guardians,
This school year is moving along quickly, and this is the final monthly Letter to Families for the 2022 calendar year.
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There have been a few occurrences this school year of schools being placed on hold and secure and lockdown. It is vital that all stakeholders understand that these occurrences are placed in order to keep all safe; i.e. the plan is preventative, it is not necessarily a response to an imminent threat. Families are urged to familiarize themselves with school emergency procedures to understand when they are placed and why they are called.
Student and staff safety is a top priority and NNDSB will always take any and all precautions to ensure safety. The board’s Administrative Guideline Health and Safety: Emergency Response Plan outlines exactly what steps are to be taken to keep students and staff safe. This includes ongoing collaboration with community partners that includes reviewing and debriefing incidents, reviewing and revising current response plans and determining next steps to ensure the ongoing safety of students and staff at NNDSB schools.
Please understand that when an incident is underway or unfolding, the safety of your children is the top priority. We also want to be responsible and work with our community partners to make sure that the news we are sharing with families is accurate. NNDSB does not want to contribute to misinformation in the community.
Please speak with your child’s principal if you have questions or to receive more information about emergency preparedness plans for your school. Families that do not receive notifications from their schools and/or NNDSB may not have signed their Canadian Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL) form that comes home with students every fall. Because CASL applies to school boards, NNDSB is prevented from communicating with families without their written consent. Once schools receive a signed CASL form, a family’s contact information will be added to a database to receive email and/or telephone communications.
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We have been fortunate with only one inclement weather day so far this fall, but there will soon be more frequent weather-related cancellations of school transportation. Families whose children take the bus to school should have plans in place for days when there is no transportation to school.
Transportation for Near North District School Board (NNDSB) students is provided by Nipissing Parry Sound Student Transportation Services (NPSSTS), whose staff monitor the weather and make the decision whether to cancel buses. Cancellations are always made with safety as the top priority.
When buses are cancelled because of inclement weather, schools usually remain open. If schools remain open, students are encouraged to attend school using alternate transportation where possible; families are responsible for transportation to and from school if buses are not operating.
If weather or another event forces the closure of a school, there will not be transportation, nor will students be allowed in the building. In such cases, individual schools will be communicating directly with families.
When transportation is cancelled or schools are closed, families should look for communication from the school(s) regarding at-home work.
NPSSTS announces the cancellations of routes or corridors early in the morning. Families will find up-to-date information on NPSSTS’s delays/cancellations page, on NNDSB’s Facebook page and local radio stations announce cancellations.
For more information about transportation and inclement weather, visit NNDSB’s transportation page.
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The program team is happy to provide the following information and resources to NNDSB families:
Passport to Learning: We would like to ensure that all families are aware that a student’s @nearnorthschools.ca account is a passport to learning. When students or staff login to our board website using their NNDSB username and password, they have access to digital tools that enable productivity, communication, collaboration and creativity. The NNDSB Passport to Learning features many learning resources to enhance learning at school and at home including, hundreds of educational resources, free downloadable Microsoft 365 software, online subscriptions, encyclopedias, research archives and links to Ministry of education resources.
DreamBox Learning – Grade 1-3 Math: NNDSB is pleased to share that all students in Grades 1-3 classrooms have access to DreamBox Learning (DBL). DreamBox is a digital math program that combines a fun and engaging math learning environment with curriculum-focused outcomes. DreamBox lessons are interactive experiences that promote active learning and independent critical thinking and respond to each student’s strategies and decisions in the moment. Because DreamBox dynamically adapts lessons and learning paths based on the needs of each learner, students always have just the right level of support when and where they need it. Students are encouraged to continue their learning with this resource at home. To access DBL at home, students simply login to Clever (using their NNDSB username and password). Click here to access additional information to support the use of DBL at home.
TVO Mathify – FREE 1:1 Grade 4-12 math tutoring with Ontario Certified Teachers! Families of students in Grades 4-12 have access to free online math tutoring with Ontario Certified Teachers in a safe and secure environment. Supports include interactive math lessons and activities, personalized learning, an interactive whiteboard and an online portfolio for saved work and tutoring sessions. Mathify tutors are available from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m Monday to Friday and3:30 to 9 p.m. on Sunday.
To register students, click the link on the Mathify page of the NNDSB site or select Mathify from the LMS. A link is also available in Edsby’s Launchpad. Students create a username, password and select their grade, course and school board. After registration, students can access Mathify from these same locations. The LMS uses students’ NNDSB login and saves having to remember another username/password.
Literacy Learning: There is much to celebrate in literacy learning in NNDSB. The board has invested in exciting new resources like Acadience screening tools, the Flyleaf reading program and Lexia PowerUP, plus a variety of skill development resources. Acadience screenings ensure educators know what core literacy skills a student has mastered and what skills are still being developed.
Flyleaf decodable books and instructional resources support the development of core literacy skills in K-3 classrooms. Lexia PowerUp provides literacy instruction and activities for students in Grades 7-10 through a focus on word study, grammar and comprehension skill building.
Students are engaged in literacy activities that are based in skill building from recognizing letter sounds to word building in a myriad of ways.
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The Medical Officer of Health of the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit, Dr. James Chirico, has provided a letter of support to Near North District School Board (NNDSB) and requested that it be shared with our school families.
The letter includes attachments from the Chief Medical Officer of Health for Ontario, in which the use of masks indoors is strongly encouraged. Dr. Chirico notes the local health unit is seeing emergency department visits for flu-like illnesses at twice the pre-pandemic three-year average for this time of year.
Dr. Chirico is urging NNDSB families to practice the following infection control measures to fight the respiratory illnesses of COVID-19, influenza and Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) that are resulting in emergency department visits:
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Director of Education Craig Myles extends holiday greetings to all students, staff and families.
As we head into the final weeks of 2022, Director Myles thanks all students, staff and families for their perseverance over the past years of the pandemic, and appreciates their efforts in keeping NNDSB schools safe and members of our school communities healthy.
The Director hopes students, staff and families take time to enjoy what is important to them over the break, and wishes all a safe and happy holiday.
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In addition to staying informed via the board’s website, families can find NNDSB on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Sincerely,
Near North District School Board
By Deb
Monday, Nov. 28, 2022
Near North District School Board (NNDSB) Student Trustee Cecilia Darling has been dancing since the age of three and will soon have the opportunity to exhibit her talent on the world stage.
Darling will represent Canada this week as part of the national team at the World Dance Championship in Slovenia.
Darling said she was shocked when she learned she was selected for the national team, having entered the tryouts just for fun and experience.
“I decided to try out for the team because I thought that it was an exciting opportunity to explore dance at the international level and be able to perform in a whole new setting,” Darling said. “When I heard I was on the team, I had the realization that my dance journey was being expanded in a way that I hadn’t thought possible, and I was very excited about the experience to come.”
Darling is not new to high-level competition. As a member of the competitive team at BTS Corp. in North Bay, she competes regionally multiple times a year and has had the opportunity to compete nationally three times.
“Initially, I was put into dance when I was three years old by my parents, but it was my love of movement, music and performing that truly started me on this dance journey,” Darling said. “I love performing and always having a goal to work towards, whether it be a technique in a class or an accomplishment at a competition. There is nothing better than the feeling of dancing on stage and then coming off, knowing that you have given it your all.”
In preparation for the World Dance Championship, Darling has been working hard at choreography and weekly rehearsals through the summer and fall. In addition to regular dance classes at her home studio, Darling travels to Waterdown and Newmarket every weekend to rehearse with the team.
Darling will be competing in three styles of dance; jazz, contemporary, and ballet with solos in jazz and pointe which are her favourite styles. There will be 21 countries represented at the World Dance Championship. Darling will compete against 28 other dancers in the jazz solo category.
“At this competition, each dance will compete in a large category against dancers from across the world. If you perform well in the first round you will advance to the semi-finals and then the finals where medals will be awarded to the top three,” Darling said. “When we first arrive, we have a day to rehearse and then competition will begin. I will be dancing for the majority of the days of the competition.”
Darling says there is more to dancing than just the movements. It can provide so many benefits, from discipline to confidence, and perseverance. She recommends young dancers just “put themselves out there and follow what they love.
“Performing and competing can make people nervous but it is the sense of achievement and satisfaction that it brings that makes it worth it. If you love it, it is worth the time and hard work,” Darling said.
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For more information, please contact:
Brett Hanson
Communications Coordinator
Near North District School Board
P. (705) 472-8170, extension 5083
E. Brett.Hanson@nearnorthschools.ca
By Deb
Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022
Dear Parents and Guardians,
The Government of Ontario has confirmed that a tentative agreement has been reached with the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) and CUPE members will be at work as of Nov. 21, 2022.
Near North District School Board schools will be open effective Nov. 21, 2022, and regular transportation will be in place.
Community Use of Schools will also resume on Monday, Nov. 21, 2022.
Thank you for your support.
Sincerely,
Near North District School Board
By Deb
Monday, Nov. 14, 2022
Dear Parents and Guardians,
This message is to advise you of two educational opportunities that Near North District School Board (NNDSB) is providing to families.
Mental health and SNAP – Nov. 16 at 6:30 p.m.
The board’s Parent Involvement Committee (PIC) is hosting Part 1 of its speaker series for parents on Wednesday, Nov. 16 at 6:30 p.m. This session will give an overview of NNDSB’s mental health supports, including the SNAPÒ Schools pilot. SNAP helps participants develop skills to promote a positive change in behaviour when managing anger, peer pressure and dealing with bullying. Learn more and find meeting details in this poster.
Preventing online sexual exploitation – Nov. 23 at 7 p.m.
As part of the board’s Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week, NNDSB is holding an online presentation on Wednesday, Nov. 23 at 7 p.m. Called Online Risks and Emerging Trends, the session is presented in tandem with NNDSB’s partner, the Canadian Centre for Child Protection (C3P). The evening consists of a video and information and resources about preventing online sexual exploitation of children and keeping children safe. There will be a live question-and-answer period. This session reflects the newest issues facing youth, and is designed for families of children aged 8-17). Please see this poster for more information and to register for the presentation.
Sincerely,
Near North District School Board
By Deb
Monday, Nov. 7, 2022
Dear Parents and Guardians,
The Government of Ontario has confirmed that Bill 28 – Keeping Students in Class Act will be rescinded. The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) has confirmed that protests will end, and CUPE members will be back to work as of Nov. 8, 2022.
CUPE remains in a position to strike with the five-day notice period still required as per the Labour Relations Act Ontario.
Near North District School Board will be reopening all schools effective Nov. 8, 2022, and regular transportation will be in place.
Community Use of Schools will resume on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2022, giving custodians a day to prepare facilities.
Thank you for your support.
Sincerely,
Near North District School Board
By Deb
Friday, Nov. 4, 2022
Dear Parents and Guardians;
In addition to following the status of the labour disruption involving Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), Near North District School Board (NNDSB) has been in regular contact with our open schools, evaluating the feasibility of maintaining in-person learning.
After communicating with principals and vice-principals and consulting with the board’s facilities department, NNDSB has determined it is unable to meet the health and safety requirements for all students while the services of CUPE members are withdrawn.
All NNDSB schools will be closed to in-person learning as of Monday, Nov. 7, 2022, except special education classes in secondary schools that were open Friday, Nov. 4, 2022 (Parry Sound High School, Almaguin Highlands Secondary School, West Ferris Secondary School, Chippewa Secondary School). We are sending this message out as early as possible so families may make arrangements for alternative childcare.
In order to support its highest needs students, NNDSB will make efforts to re-open elementary special education classes beginning Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, with more information to come from these schools on Monday, Nov. 7, 2022.
Schools will communicate on Monday, Nov. 7, 2022 about at-home learning for students, and how families can support their child(ren).
NNDSB’s website has a new icon that directs families and stakeholders to a labour disruptions news page. It includes resources to support families and all communications that have been issued related to the disruption.
Should the labour disruption be settled over the weekend, additional information will be sent to families.
We understand this labour action is challenging to families and appreciate your understanding as we navigate it together.
Sincerely,
Near North District School Board
By Deb
Friday, Nov. 4, 2022
The Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) has released the results of the Grades 3 and 6 assessments of reading, writing and mathematics as well as the Grade 9 mathematics and Grade 10 Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT).
The 2021–2022 school year marked a return to EQAO’s provincial assessment administrations, which had been paused for the prior two years. For the first time, Near North District School Board (NNDSB) students completed the new digitalized and modernized EQAO assessments. As per the Ministry of Education direction, students learning in person (and students learning remotely who wrote in person) participated in the assessments in the 2021–2022 school year.
“We wish to recognize the effort that our staff and students have put forth and the resilience they have shown throughout the COVID-19 disruptions to learning. As we work collaboratively to support learning recovery and renewal, the information generated from the EQAO assessments will help to inform our next steps at the system, school and classroom level,” said Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Melanie Gray.
The impact of the pandemic is being observed in early literacy and math achievement across grades and these results are consistent with trends that have been observed across our region and the province. The 2021-2022 EQAO results will help our board identify the areas that students need support, to ensure they catch up and are able to achieve future success.
The results will help establish a new baseline that captures the impacts of the pandemic and improvements to Ontario’s education system that have occurred since the last time the tests were administered. The 2021-2022 NNDSB results reveal an increase in the percentage of students who were successful in the OSSLT and indicate some positive outcomes in the area of Grade 6 reading and writing. Performance in math across all divisions and reading and writing in Grade 3 will continue to be a system-wide focus as we work to help our students overcome the COVID-19 disruptions to learning.
Reading and Writing
Grades 3 and 6: While results vary by school, the overall trends showed a decline in Grade 3 reading and writing achievement when compared to pre-pandemic measures. However, Grade 6 scores demonstrated positive results in both reading and writing.
Grade 10: The Grade 10 literacy test is a compulsory standardized test for all secondary school students in Ontario wishing to obtain an Ontario Secondary School Diploma. The test is based on all of the reading and writing expectations in all subjects up to the end of Grade 9. In 2021-2022, 91 per cent of first-time eligible students participated in the OSSLT and 71 per cent of them were successful.
Mathematics
Grades 3 and 6: Improving mathematics results for both primary and junior divisions will continue to be a focus for learning recovery and renewal efforts. This year, board math facilitators and school-based math facilitators have been assigned to support classroom-embedded professional learning and implement high-impact instructional practices to improve outcomes in mathematics. The district continues to work in partnership with lead educators and communities to develop responsive approaches to mathematics learning and to create engaging learning environments that will lead to improved performance for all students. In 2021-2022, 42.2 per cent of Grade 3 students and 27 per cent of Grade 6 students met the provincial standard in the EQAO mathematics assessments.
Grade 9: In 2021-2022, a new universal and de-streamed secondary mathematics curriculum was introduced. The Grade 9 EQAO assessment is now a computer-based, adaptive assessment that measures the mathematics skills students are expected to have learned by the end of the Grade 9 mathematics course. Thirty-four per cent of students who wrote the Grade 9 de-streamed math test met the provincial standard in 2021-2022.
EQAO results are just one of many assessment tools that both schools and boards use to measure and improve upon the quality of student programming and student success. The new modernized, digital assessments and reporting tools will inform efforts to close gaps in learning and strengthen literacy and math skills.
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Deb Bartlett
Communications Officer
Near North District School Board
P. (705) 472-8170, extension 5010
E. Deb.Bartlett@nearnorthschools.ca
By Deb
Friday, Nov. 4, 2022
Dear Parents and Guardians,
The monthly Letter to Families, distributed on the first Friday of the month, is intended to keep you apprised of news that affects all students and families of Near North District School Board (NNDSB).
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NNDSB is proud to offer all parents the ability to access their child’s report cards via Edsby. This pertains to all elementary and secondary reporting, including the elementary progress reports (Grades 1-8) and the initial observations of learning reports (kindergarten), which will be available to parents after 2 p.m. on Nov. 16, 2022.
Please be aware that as schools work to get these reports online, there may be a slight delay. If you do not see your child’s report by Nov. 17, please reach out to your school. If you have not yet logged into Edsby or created an account, please visit this page of NNDSB’s website that explains how to create an account and login.
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Municipal elections were held Monday, Oct. 24, which included the positions of school board trustees.
NNDSB is still awaiting the name of an appointee, and until all trustees have been determined, will not be publishing the names of the 2022-2026 Board members.
The Board’s inaugural meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 15 at 6:30 p.m. As a reminder, NNDSB Board meetings are open to the public and are usually held on the second Tuesday of each month. Agenda packages are posted to the website two days in advance of the meeting.
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The Ministry of Education made an announcement late last month that outlined more action in its Plan to Catch Up, including Catch Up payments for families.
Families are being provided with up to $250 per child to help offset costs for additional tutoring supports, supplies or equipment to enhance student learning. The application portal will be open until March 31, 2023.
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School Mental Health (SMH) Ontario is a provincial implementation support team that helps school districts enhance student mental health through the use of evidence-based strategies and services.
SMH provides leadership and coaching for educators and school/system leaders, as well as mental health awareness for parents and families, and a platform for student voice and leadership in school mental health.
The organization is seeking applicants to its parent/caregiver collaboration group. This group will share thoughts on what children need in order to thrive and the types of tools, education and supports parents and caregivers want to support their children’s mental health.
More information about the parent and caregiver collaboration group can be found here, and this is the application.
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NNDSB is the first school board in Canada to have all their schools sign up for the 2022 I Read Canadian Day.
I Read Canadian Day is an initiative that celebrates the richness, diversity and breadth of Canadian literature. Taking place for the third year on Nov. 2, 2022, this celebration empowers families, schools, libraries, bookstores and organizations to host activities and events by reading Canadian books for just 15 minutes.
Award-winning Canadian author Eric Walters was so impressed, he took to social media and challenged other Canadian school boards to follow. He said, “The Near North District School Board has EVERY school signed up for I Read Canadian Day on November 2! How about some other boards matching?” ~ Eric Walters
Congratulations to all involved for participating in this wonderful investigation into Canadian literature.
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NNDSB has several procedures that keep students and staff safe during events that take place inside and outside of schools. Frequently news stories and social media posts will refer to students being “in lockdown”, when in fact they are in a hold and secure.
This poster will explain to families the differences between a lockdown and a hold and secure. It outlines the reasons for which one may be called, and what happens at the school. Very often, a hold and secure is called when there is a medical situation at a school; a hold and secure keeps the hallways clear so first responders have clear access to the person and protects the dignity and privacy of the person during transport.
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The board partners with outside organizations – YES Canada and MLI Homestay – to bring international secondary school students to NNDSB.
MLI currently has an urgent need for a homestay family in North Bay for a female Japanese student who is attending Chippewa Secondary School until June 2023. Compensation is provided to assist with expenses.
During their stay, students live with a local family and experience daily life in Canada while developing their English language skills through this immersion experience.
To learn more, contact Kayla at kknight@mlihomestay.com or call 587-222-7172 or visit www.mlihomestay.ca.
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Regarding COVID-19 management, board facilities remain working under provincial direction without any additional measures put in place by the local health unit. It is recommended that all staff and students self-screen daily before they attend school and stay home if they are feeling unwell.
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In addition to staying informed via the board’s website, families can find NNDSB on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Sincerely,
Near North District School Board
By Deb
Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2022
Dear Parents and Guardians,
As noted in our letter of Monday, Oct. 31, Near North District School Board (NNDSB) has been planning for any labour disruptions resulting from the provincial negotiations with the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE).
CUPE has announced that its members may not be at work on Friday, Nov. 4.
In NNDSB, CUPE represents school secretaries, custodial and maintenance staff, IT technicians, library technicians, as well as some finance and board support staff.
NNDSB is endeavouring to provide continuity of learning for students but must keep staff and student safety and well-being as a priority. After contingency planning, it has been determined that should the CUPE day of protest occur, some NNDSB elementary schools will remain open, some elementary and secondary schools will be closed to all students, and some secondary schools will only open for students attending self-contained special education classrooms.
Each school will be sending a communication to their families regarding the school’s status for Friday, Nov. 4.
Each school board in the province has varying employee groups represented by CUPE, so every board must make contingency plans based on their own circumstances. This is why you have heard of board-wide closures, while NNDSB is in the position to keep some schools and classrooms open.
If your child(ren) attends childcare in NNDSB schools, please contact your childcare provider for details on whether they will be open or closed on Friday.
All community use of schools permits will be suspended as of Friday, Nov. 4 until further notice. NNDSB does not have the capacity to maintain safe conditions for permit holders.
The status of negotiations is fluid, with on-going developments. We understand that this situation is challenging and requires that families also have contingency plans. The board appreciates your patience and understanding as we navigate this together.
Thank you for your support.
Sincerely,
Near North District School Board
Mii gwi Anishinabek wewena nkenmaaminak dependajig maa kiing.
"We acknowledge in a good way, the original people of the land here"
We value the cultures, histories and relationships with the Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island (North America)
