April 15, 2021

Dear Parents and Guardians,

As you are aware, the Ministry of Education has moved all publicly funded schools to remote learning following the Spring Break. Thank you for your patience over the past few days. The challenges faced by families and by staff alike have been numerous and frequent. I want to thank you for your continued support and patience as we navigate through the changing landscape.

As we head into remote learning after the Spring Break, please review the following communication closely, which outlines important information regarding plans for students to engage in remote learning next week.

On Monday, April 19, students can expect their teacher to provide further direction. Remote learning for elementary and secondary students will begin on Tuesday, April 20.

Access to Schools for Supplies

Students who may have left an item at school prior to Spring Break, which is essential to their learning, should contact their school to arrange for safe pickup.

Technology Distribution

We realize that some students will need to borrow a device from the school in order to learn from home. If your child has no other access to a device for at-home learning, please mention this to your child’s teacher or principal. We will do our best to distribute available devices as soon as possible. We recognize many of our families will be sharing one home device, we are planning with this in mind.

High-Needs Special Education Students in System classes

High-needs, special education students in system classes/specialized program classes will be provided with the opportunity to attend school in-person beginning on Wednesday, April 21. Teachers of specialized class programs will contact families who previously selected in-school learning to determine if they would like to return to in-school learning or to continue remote learning until all in-school learning resumes.

We will re-assess the classes and situations at regular intervals to ensure the programs are running smoothly and safely as per local health unit guidance. Parents/guardians, and students where appropriate, are encouraged to select the option that would best meet the needs of their youth and family.

The Special Education department, in coordination with the transportation consortium, will make every effort to provide regular transportation for in-school learners in fully self-contained specialized program K-12 classes commencing on April 21.

PD Day on April 23

Friday, April 23 is a Professional Development Day for all staff. Therefore, no remote learning will take place for students on Friday as staff will be engaged in professional development.

Online Learning Resources

Please continue to refer to our Near North Passport to Learning website, which offers a variety of resources and tools that cover a range of grades and subjects that may be helpful for students and parents during this time. Resources will continue to be updated and expanded upon on an ongoing basis, including mental health supports for students and families.

The Ministry of Education recently announced the launch of two new portals, TVO Learn and TFOIDÉLLO, apprendre à la maison, which provide supports for students learning remotely by accessing additional educational resources developed by Ontario certified teachers.

In addition, secondary students can continue to access TVO’s Independent Learning Centre (ILC) Open House and Portes ouvertes pour les cours TVO ILC in French-language, which provide access to 144 Grade 9 to 12 courses. These ILC resources are designed to provide flexible learning opportunities to help students keep up with their learning or deepen their understanding of a specific subject.

Thank you and stay safe.

Craig Myles

Director of Education

Wednesday, April 14, 2021

Dear Parents and Guardians,

During the 2020-2021 school year, the NNDSB Parent Involvement Committee (PIC) is focusing on the Ministry of Education goal of promoting well-being.

For students to achieve academic success their well-being is critical, and parents play an essential role in achieving these goals. Through the guidance of our PIC parent co-chairs, the themes of mental health, connectedness and communication were identified to create an online three-part speaker series.

We are pleased to offer three one-hour sessions presented by the NNDSB Mental Health and Education Technology departments.

The sessions are being held on three consecutive Wednesdays, beginning next week. The dates and topics are:

• April 21 – Strategies to Help Your Child with Mental Wellness (Susan Lessard) for parents of students in Grades K-12
• April 28 – How to Help a Friend with Mental Wellness and What to Do if You or Your Child Are Struggling (NNDSB Mental Health Team) for all parents, highly recommended to participate with teen
• May 5 – Staying Connected to the School through Technology (Justin Hawn and Andy Rogers) for parents of students in Grades K-12

Please click on the link to our Sway where you will find more details and the link to register.

We hope you will join us!

Sincerely,

Near North District School Board

April 12, 2021

Dear Parents and Guardians,

The Ontario government announced this afternoon that all publicly funded schools across the province will move to remote learning after the Spring Break.

Starting April 19, elementary and secondary students will shift to remote learning. At this time, there is no return date for when in-person learning will resume.

During the shift to online learning, child care for non-school aged children will remain open, before and after school programs will be closed, and free emergency child care for school-aged children of eligible health care and frontline workers will be available.

Students with special education needs, who require additional support that cannot be accommodated through remote learning, will have the option for continued in-person learning.

In the coming days, we will share additional details with you as they become available.

Please continue to visit NNDSB’s website for updates.

Thank you and stay safe.

Near North District School Board

April 12, 2021

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Further to Friday’s communication about asymptomatic COVID-19 testing during Spring Break, there are also a select number of pharmacies conducting these tests.

As of this afternoon, the government website does not list the pharmacies, but the pharmacies that are participating are the same ones noted in the March 31 letter to families.

Pharmacies

COVID-19 rapid antigen testing is available for students, children and staff at participating pharmacies, which can be found below. To book an appointment for a rapid antigen test, please call one of the participating locations.

• No Frills/Loblaws – Sturgeon Falls (705) 753-5850
• Shoppers Drug Mart – 66 Josephine Street, North Bay (705) 497-8542
• Shoppers Drug Mart – 276 Lakeshore Drive, North Bay (705) 476-3244
• Shoppers Drug Mart – 2025 Cassells Street, North Bay (705) 474-8200
• Shoppers Drug Mart – 90 Bowes Street, Parry Sound (705) 746-2932

Please see the linked letter/consent form and bring a printed copy of the consent form on the day of the test.

Thank you.

Near North District School Board

April 9, 2021

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Before the Spring Break begins, Near North District School Board (NNDSB) would like to inform you of opportunities to access COVID-19 testing during the break.

Asymptomatic targeted testing assessment centres will be available to students and staff in the community.

• April 12-18, students, children, and staff will have access to asymptomatic testing at local assessment centres.
• Children attending child care located within schools, and child care staff, will also be eligible to access this testing.
• To book an appointment, visit the COVID-19 Testing Locations website, and select “assessment centre” as your location type, with the booking details requested.

Thank you again for all your efforts to keep our schools safe. Together we can help to keep ourselves and our communities safe and healthy.

Take care and stay safe.

Thank you,

Near North District School Board

April 8, 2021

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Thank you for continuing to follow the public health and safety measures that have kept schools open and safe for students and staff. It is our collective effort that continues to ensure your children can learn in the classroom.

As per recent announcements, the province has implemented a province-wide shutdown for four weeks in response to worsening trends in key health indicators across the province.

The mental health and well-being of children continue to be a key government priority and schools will remain open for in-person learning through the provincial emergency and stay-at-home order. The Spring Break will continue as planned, from April 12-16, and schools will reopen for in-person learning on April 19.

In light of the recently announced measures, it is more important than ever that we continue to follow health advice over the Spring Break to do our part to keep schools open, for in-person student learning.

At this critical point in the pandemic, the following public health measures are crucial to help prevent and limit the spread of COVID-19:

– Socialize with only your own household.

– Stay home and get tested if you feel ill.

– Participate in the targeted testing offered by NNDSB.

– Screen every day, including during Spring Break, for COVID-19 symptoms before attending child care (the COVID-19 School and Child Care Screening Tool is available to assist families with symptom screening).

– Practice good hand hygiene habits, masking, and physical distancing.

– Refer to Ontario.ca/covidresponse to learn what public health measures are in place in our community.

– Refrain from travelling.

During the Spring Break, students in Grades 1-8 can continue to engage in their own learning through supplemental, curriculum-linked activities available at TVO Learn and TFO IDÉLLO, apprendre à la maison. These rich, engaging opportunities allow students to keep up with their learning and interests. Secondary students can continue to access TVO’s Independent Learning Centre (ILC) Open House and Portes ouvertes pour les cours TVO ILC in French-language

Mathify English) and Eureka! (French) are also available to provide one-on-one online tutoring services for elementary and secondary students. Mathify covers online math tutoring in English for Grades 6 to 10 and Eureka! supports all subjects for French-language students in Grades 1 to 12.

For the week of April 12-18, pharmacies that currently offer testing and assessment centres across the province will accept appointments from students and education staff for asymptomatic testing. The Ministry of Education will be working with school boards to offer school-based clinics. Parents are encouraged to take advantage of this testing capacity to have their children tested to support a safe return to school on April 19. Children attending child care, and childcare staff, will also be eligible to access this testing.

As a reminder, before coming back to school on April 19, you must screen for COVID-19 symptoms. If your child or anyone in your household is ill, stay home and follow the guidance in the school screener.

By following public health advice, we can all enjoy a safe Spring Break and continue to support in-person learning in our schools.

Have a safe, fun and restful break.

Thank you,

Near North District School Board

April 7, 2021

Dear Parents and Guardians,

This afternoon the Government of Ontario announced that in an effort to combat the rising number of COVID-19 cases, a state of emergency has been declared, and stay-at-home orders have been imposed across the province effective 12:01 a.m. tomorrow, Thursday, April 8, 2021.

The announcement does not include the closure of schools. At this time, staff and students who are working and attending school in-person will continue to do so.

NNDSB will continue to monitor this situation and will advise families of changes that affect education.

Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,

Near North District School Board

April 7, 2021

Dear Parents and Guardians,

In the past few weeks, news of the health risks associated with the use of face masks containing nanoform graphene has been circulating.

In response to a Health Canada advisory, Near North District School Board’s (NNDSB) health and safety team reviewed the technical specifications of the masks provided to the board by the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services and in the board’s current inventory. The team has determined that none of NNDSB’s mask supply contains nanoform graphene.

All masks that have been provided by NNDSB to staff and to students who have forgotten their masks are free of this material and are safe for use. The board’s team will respond to any issues that may impact the health and safety of staff and students. All are encouraged to continue to use board-provided personal protective equipment (PPE) in accordance with current policy and procedure.

Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,

Near North District School Board

Tuesday, April 6, 2021

Dear Parents and Guardians,

The Ontario government has announced a new round of funding that will double the Ontario COVID-19 Child Benefit. Parents and guardians will receive $400 per child aged 0 to Grade 12 and $500 per child and youth aged 21 years or younger with special needs to help offset additional learning costs during COVID-19.

Parents and guardians of students who received a payment through the Support for Learners program do not need to apply for the additional payment. The government will issue payments beginning April 26, 2021, in the same manner in which Support for Learners funding was received.

If you missed applying for this, applications will be open from May 3 to May 17, 2021.

Only one parent may apply for the funding, and the person should have custody of the child.

Children, youth or students are eligible if they attend a publicly funded school, attend a private school, attend a First Nation operated or federally operated school, attend school in-person or online, are homeschooled, are enrolled in child care or are at home.

Sincerely,

Near North District School Board