Friday, March 4, 2022

Dear Parents and Guardians,

This monthly Letter to Families is intended to keep you apprised of news that affects all students and families of Near North District School Board (NNDSB). The Letter to Families is distributed on the first Friday of the month.

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School staff, students, and their families have welcomed the resumption of high contact and high-intensity extracurricular activities as permitted by the Ministry of Education.

Further to this, the Ministry of Health has recommended that individuals who have completed a five-day isolation period after testing positive for COVID-19, experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, or being identified as a household contact of someone with presumed COVID continue to wear a well-fitted mask in all public settings. As such, this recommendation is also being applied to the return of extracurricular sports and music activities. Until further notice, students who participate in high contact/high-intensity extracurricular activities must self-assess their individual situations and decide if the following recommended options apply to their situations.

When returning to these activities following a five-day isolation period it is recommended that:

1) Students choose to return to the activity on Day 6 and wear a mask during the activity (i.e.: basketball or hockey) for Days 6-10 or

2) Students choose to return to the activity on Day 11, following their isolation period.

The rationale for this recommendation is that the Omicron variant can still be transmitted up to 10 days after symptom onset (National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Japan). Parents are encouraged to speak to their children about these options and communicate with the school coach/team leader.

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While many COVID-19 restrictions have recently been lifted by the provincial government, it is important for students and families to understand that schools adhere to guidelines from the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education and local public health units.

At this time, NNDSB’s COVID-19 policies around school visitors, spectators for sports and masking have not changed. As always, principals will share any important COVID-19 updates directly with students and their families.

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The Ministry of Education recently announced that virtual learning will continue to be available for students in Kindergarten to Grade 12 for the 2022-2023 school year. NNDSB has begun the initial planning for next year.

Further information regarding virtual learning and registration information will be sent to all families in the coming weeks and will be made available on our website.

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It is that time of year again when we look to welcome our newest and youngest learners into the NNDSB family! If you have a child who was born on or before Dec 31, 2018, they are eligible to begin school this September. Registration has never been easier; simply follow this link to our Kindergarten Registration page and complete the form. We strongly recommend that families register as soon as possible.

Your child’s school will be conducting Journey into Learning events this spring to share information about your child’s kindergarten classroom, program and school community; call your local school to find out more!

Kindergarten students may also be registered in French Immersion. That program runs throughout the district at Parry Sound Public School, Alliance and Sunset Park Public Schools in North Bay and Mattawa District Public School. Information about French Immersion at NNDSB can be found here.

The early years team is also offering parents the opportunity to learn about French Immersion kindergarten programs at a virtual event being held March 23 at 6 p.m. Families can register using this link. This session will provide families with an overview of the French Immersion program, discuss ways in which families can support their children at home, and answer questions.

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NNDSB works in partnership with the Canadian Ecology Centre in Mattawa to provide a variety of full-credit courses that take place in the summer.

Students live and learn on-site, and courses take place over a two-week period. This is a great way for secondary students to get an early start on credits and participate in experiential learning.

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Below is information from NNDSB’s program team:

Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) and Right to Read report:

The Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) released its Right to Read report Feb. 28, 2022, on human rights issues affecting students with reading disabilities. The report called for critical changes to Ontario’s approach to early reading, in areas such as curriculum and instruction, screening, reading interventions, accommodations and professional assessments. Here are links to the news release and executive summary.

In anticipation of this report, the NNDSB program team, in collaboration with the special education department, has been working over the past two years to grow capacity in comprehensive literacy assessment, instruction and intervention. Our central staff have conducted a review of current literacy practices and renewed our commitment to ensuring all students develop skills in service of reading, writing and communicating. Acknowledging that the Ministry will need time to synthesize the report and provide direction to school boards, we remain focused on preparing staff to achieve the recommendations included in the final OHRC Right to Read report and improving the outcomes for all NNDSB students.

EQAO: Grades 3 and 6 assessments of reading, writing and mathematics:

The Ministry of Education is resuming primary and junior EQAO assessments this year. The information gathered by these standard assessments in math and literacy will allow our education system to better understand the impact of the pandemic over time and inform investments in learning recovery and renewal. The EQAO assessments have been modernized and are now offered as an online, digital assessment.

Last week, EQAO released the new assessment framework for Grades 3 and 6, which provides a detailed description of the new online format of the primary and junior division assessments of reading, writing and mathematics. The assessment information has been posted on EQAO’s website. The framework details how the assessment is mapped to the Ontario curriculum.

Students, parents and educators have the opportunity to become familiar with the digital assessments and the e-assessment platform through EQAO’s online Grades 3 and 6 sample assessments. Accessibility features, such as a text-to-speech feature, are built into the e-assessment platform, and the platform also interfaces with other accessibility software tools commonly used by students. Other features (such as highlighting, line drawing and eraser tools) are available to all students as they write the assessments. Use these links to access the sample assessments: Grade 3 sample test and Grade 6 sample test.

We will continue to share information about the new EQAO assessments as it becomes available.

Grade 4 students learning to code:

Grade 4 students from across NNDSB will be embarking on a synchronous coding learning experience in partnership with Google and the Cobblestone Initiative. This live coding event takes place from March 29-31 and includes live events and a Q & A session for educators.

This innovative model will allow teachers to access classroom-embedded STEM professional learning while students will benefit from live interactive coding experiences delivered by online coding experts.

Indigenous Cultural Advisors:

In partnership with the Anishinabek Education System (AES) and Participating First Nations (PFNs), we are thrilled to announce that two cultural advisors have been hired (contracted by Moose Deer Point and Dokis) to establish connections and relationships with board and school staff, students, and local community, and to build, develop, and increase an understanding of Anishinaabe history, culture, knowledge, teachings and protocols.

Rodney Stanger and Tasheena Sarazin visit schools regularly to support capacity building and professional development, help develop and deliver cultural and land-based activities, facilitate special events, host socials and luncheons with staff and students, connect schools with local Elders/Knowledge Keepers and develop cultural resources and guidelines/protocols.

Check out this SWAY link for more information and to see pictures and videos.

Intermediate (Grades 7-10) PowerUp Literacy intervention:

K-12 program department and special education staff worked in partnership to acquire a resource to support intermediate literacy learning.

Lexia PowerUp has been launched in all schools with students in Grades 7-10. This resource is designed to enhance core English language arts instruction for non-proficient readers. PowerUp Literacy accelerates the development of both fundamental literacy skills and higher order thinking skills through personalized learning paths. PowerUp Literacy addresses the instructional needs of a wide range of students, from struggling to nearly proficient readers, by identifying skill gaps and providing personalized, systematic instruction in word study, grammar, and comprehension.  These new literacy tools will help teachers plan daily classroom instruction and assessment that are systematic, evidence-based and assess foundational reading skills, provide differentiated and personalized instruction and set appropriate learning goals with their students.

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Each year school boards in our district work with the District Social Services Administration Boards to conduct a childcare viability survey. This year the survey is open from Monday, Feb. 28 until Friday, March 11.

The goal of this survey is to understand the need for childcare programs for school-aged children (ages 3.8-12 years). The survey results inform the number of programs that operate within our schools, so it is very important that parents take the time to communicate their childcare needs for the 2022-2023 school year via this survey. The survey can be accessed via this link.

Please note, NNDSB does not provide the childcare; the board works with community partners that are the service providers, often in childcare spaces located in schools.

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In addition to staying informed via the board’s website, families can find NNDSB on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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NNDSB follows the direction of the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Health and the public health unit when devising COVID-19 plans.

Thank you,

Near North District School Board

 

 

Friday, Feb. 18, 2022

Board Highlights for February meeting

The following are the highlights of the Near North District School Board (NNDSB) meeting of Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2022. 

Final version of Administrative Guideline presented

Following the public consultation, trustees were presented with the final version of the board’s Supporting Students with Prevalent Medical Conditions Administrative Guideline. This administrative guideline consolidates three others: administration of medication, anaphylaxis and epilepsy seizure disorder management.

The new guideline contains detailed and specific information on anaphylaxis, asthma, diabetes and epilepsy. Each condition has its own section that includes information on definitions, terminology, education, training, response and resources, special considerations and a plan of care.

Board supports establishing NNDSB Foundation 

The Board received a report following the annual general meeting of the board’s charitable arm, NNDSB Charity Works.

An update was shared to note NNDSB Charity Works will be exploring the establishment of a foundation to complement the work of the charity in support of NNDSB’s commitments in Multi-Year Strategic Plan (MYSP) to the pillar of Excellence in Relationships.

Currently the charity provides scholarships and bursaries for academic achievement and helped with school supplies and breakfast programs. Board Chair Jay Aspin has requested the investigation of a NNDSB Foundation to enhance this work and expand

the Board’s ability to fundraise and expand the ability to support its schools. Several school boards in Ontario have foundations, which receive donations from local business, grants, community organizations and citizens. The funds are used to support a variety of programs and initiatives.

Trustees passed a resolution at the Board meeting to express their support for this approach and Chair Aspin said he was “very excited” about the potential a foundation could bring to NNDSB.

Chair expresses confidence in COVID-19 management

Trustees were presented with a fulsome report by SO Tim Graves, the board’s COVID-19 lead, that detailed the processes and plans that have assisted the board in managing the pandemic.

The report includes information about new screening tools (one for school and childcare, one for absence reporting), the status of access and distribution to personal protective equipment (PPE) for staff, the supply of rapid antigen tests to daycares, students and staff, the status of athletics and extracurricular activities at schools and the youth vaccine clinics that the health unit is holding.

COVID-19 news, guidance documents, testing instructions, letters to families, health unit information and links can be found on this page of the board’s website.

Director updates on staff absences, PSW program

Current health guidance states that when someone is experiencing two or more COVID-19 symptoms, they are presumed to be positive and they, and all members of the household should self-isolate. Director of Education Craig Myles said that is causing NNDSB to experience significant absences that are difficult to fill. The staff absences are not unique to NNDSB; boards across the province are experiencing similar difficulties.

Director Myles also updated trustees about the personal support worker (PSW) program that the board is launching district wide. He thanked media partners who shared news of the initiative and helped create awareness of the program. There are 18 students in North Bay and 12 in Parry Sound ready to start at the end of the month, with a waitlist for a September class.

Trustee Steer shares report from OPSBA

Trustee Bill Steer, NNDSB’s delegate to the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association (OPSBA), gave a brief recap of work that the organization is doing in its advocacy of public education.

His report included a suggestion that stronger language be used in reference to reconciliation, and that OPSBA needed to prioritize equity and anti-racism as a whole. He also noted that equity geography; that what works in Toronto does not necessarily fit in the North or other areas with different demographics.

He also shared news of a Student Trustee Handbook created by OPSBA and the Ontario Student Trustees’ Association.Later in the Board meeting trustees carried a motion to bring forward a recommendation to OPSBA to continue with virtual meetings as it transitions out of pandemic in an effort to reduce environmental/carbon footprint. During Committee of the Whole, trustees noted how virtual meetings encourage broader participation and create expanded opportunities for input, together with the positive effects on the environment.

MYSP committee update

Some changes to the MYSP committee’s terms of reference were approved at the Board meeting. The changes include expanded membership to include the Officer of Corporate Affairs, and the clarification of additional duties related to the development and monitoring of appropriate metrics.

There was also a report, introduced by Committee Chair Steer, and provided by Director Myles, to update the Board about the MYSP. Committee Chair Steer noted that the work of the committee has evolved from the design and creation of a visionary plan and its corresponding goals to the work of bringing the vision to reality.

Included in the report was a graphic depicting the steps in the evolution of culture change at NNDSB. The steps include empowering employees and stakeholders to lead and embrace change, and the MYSP incorporating new and better changes. Director Myles noted how organizational change experts caution that large-scale culture change could take five to10 years. Director Myles acknowledged that many people may be experiencing discomfort in the change, and change agents will have to honour where people are to help bridge the space between where the board is and where it wants to be.

Next steps for the committee include establishing metrics that will focus on the measurement of MYSP success. This involves establishing baseline data, determining the time and learning required for the change (the work) and how to evaluate progress against the baseline data, which is the measurement of achieving the MYSP priorities. The next MYSP committee meeting will tackle the development of qualitative and quantitative base metrics.

March Board meeting date changed

Because the regularly scheduled March 2022 Board meeting fell in the March Break, the Board approved moving the March meeting to Tuesday, March 22, 2022.

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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.

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

Monday, Feb. 7, 2022

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Near North District School Board (NNDSB) is supports school vaccine clinics for students aged 5 to 11, who are eligible for COVID-19 vaccination.

Please use this link to a letter from the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit which invites families to participate in a survey to help then in planning future youth vaccination clinics in the district.

The letter advises families to keep scheduled appointments and provides information on how to book an appointment.

Thank you,

Near North District School Board

Friday, Feb. 4, 2022

Dear Parents and Guardians,

This monthly Letter to Families is intended to keep you apprised of news that affects all students and families of Near North District School Board (NNDSB). The Letter to Families is distributed on the first Friday of the month.

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In recent weeks there have been several weather-related bus cancellations, as well as delays due to driver shortages. We understand that cancellations and delays, especially ones that are announced later in the morning, may cause upheaval to some families’ plans.

NNDSB is a member board of a consortium that provides transportation services to schools. Nipissing Parry Sound Student Transportation Services (NPSSTS or the consortium) provides the service, not the board. The guidelines they have in place provide details of cancellations will occur. Cancellations are made to maintain the safety of NNDSB students and bus drivers.

When NNDSB receives notification that the consortium has cancelled a route or corridor, we post on the board’s social media accounts (see links at the end of this letter). Full details can be found on NPSSTS’s delays and cancellations page.

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As students have returned to school, they continue to be expected to complete the daily COVID-19 self-screening tool. Occasionally, students may be required to self-isolate, as a precautionary measure. Considering these circumstances, NNDSB has developed a plan to support ‘short-term’ remote learning.

Central staff will work in collaboration with classroom educators to support students who may be required to access remote learning for short periods of time. Short-term (Kindergarten to Grade 8) remote learning resources include technology enabled synchronous learning experiences (or live events), facilitated by program coordinators, librarians and Indigenous cultural advisors.

Furthermore, after-school virtual/synchronous tutoring is now available to all (Kindergarten to Grade 12) students to support them in continuing their learning during short-term absences. To learn more about these short-term learning supports, please contact your child’s educator.

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It is that time of year again when we look to welcome our newest and youngest learners into the NNDSB family! If you have a child who was born on or before Dec 31, 2018, they are eligible to begin school this September. Registration has never been easier: simply follow this link to our Kindergarten Registration page and complete the form. We strongly recommend that families register as soon as possible.

The Early Years Team is also offering parents three opportunities to learn about kindergarten programs in Near North. These virtual events will occur on Feb 10, 16, and 22, 2022, all starting at 6 p.m. Parents can register using the QR code found on our Kindergarten webpage.

These sessions will provide parents with an overview of the Ontario kindergarten curriculum, what kindergarten in NNDSB looks like and answer any questions parents may have. Your child’s school will also be conducting parent sessions this spring: stay tuned for more information or call your local school to find out more!

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Tuesday, Feb 8 is Safer Internet Day. To support the safety and well-being of NNDSB students, we encourage all parents to attend the presentation ONLINE DANGERS: Online Child Sexual Exploitation and Cyberbullying. This is an online panel presented by Public Safety Canada, that will tackle some of the most difficult topics that youth, parents, and caregivers face today – cyberbullying to online child sexual exploitation. A panel of experts from the Canadian Centre for Child Protection, Kids Help Phone and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, will define the issues, tell parents and caregivers what to look out for, and discuss how they can talk to their kids.

Though this panel is tailored towards parents and caregivers, much of the information will be valuable for educators to learn more about these issues and how to better support families.

The English and French panels will be live at the same time on Feb. 8, from 6-7 p.m. Participants are encouraged to register for a session based on their language preference. Registration will close an hour before the event.

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NNDSB has so much great information to share from the program team! Read on to learn about the launch of innovative science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and coding Initiatives.

Near North Codes: In February, NNDSB math facilitators introduced a new teaching and learning resource to support STEM, science, technology, engineering, the arts and math (STEAM) and coding in mathematics classrooms. Near North Codes is a monthly professional learning publication and instructional resource designed to support staff in developing familiarity with coding and confidence integrating coding into classroom learning experiences.

Each month, a new edition of Near North Codes will be released. Resources will be sequenced as a progression of coding tasks, designed to support educators with the implementation of the new math curriculum coding expectations for Grades 1-9.

Teachers will find helpful links to support their own understanding of the expectations, along with a series of highlighted tasks for each division. These tasks can be immediately implemented with students, using Scratch Jr (primary) or Scratch (junior & intermediate).

Live Coding Events: All NNDSB Grade 4 classrooms have been invited to embark on an exciting coding adventure with Real-Life Googlers in partnership with the Cobblestone Initiative.

This live coding event will take place from March 29-31. It will include a one-hour live, co-taught virtual lesson on March 29, followed by a 30-minute live lesson on March 31.

Participating educators will have access to a drop-in Q&A session on March 30. No prior coding experience or knowledge is required for staff or students to participate. This innovative model will allow teachers to access classroom-embedded STEM learning while students benefit from interactive coding experiences delivered by coding experts.

Tutoring: Tutoring services have been made available to students and families across the system. After school, small group, in-person tutoring is available in 12 elementary schools focusing on learning recovery for primary students in literacy and numeracy. Virtual, one-on-one after-school tutoring support has been available to secondary students. This support is available each Tuesday to Thursday. Starting January 2022 virtual, one-on-one after school tutoring support has been available to elementary students. Progress monitoring in the primary programs and number of tutoring sessions offered virtually demonstrate improved outcomes and high frequency use of supports.

Intermediate (Grades 7 – 10) Literacy Intervention: Grades K-12 program and special education staff continue to work in partnership to explore and identify resources that support intermediate literacy learning. In the coming weeks, additional reading resources and assessment tools will be shared with intermediate educators and students. New literacy tools will help teachers plan daily classroom instruction and assessment that are systematic, evidence-based and assess foundational reading skills, provide differentiated and personalized instruction, and set appropriate learning goals with their students. Upcoming professional development opportunities will ensure that intermediate educators understand how to access and apply tools and gather the information they need to address students’ reading learning needs.

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In addition to staying informed via the board’s website, families can find NNDSB on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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NNDSB follows the direction of the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Health and the public health unit when devising COVID-19 plans.

Thank you,

Near North District School Board