Near North District School Board

Students explore Indigenous art at White Woods Public School

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Students in Grades 4-8 at White Woods Public School recently explored Indigenous art styles and artists the week leading up to and including Truth and Reconciliation week.

While learning about Indigenous art styles, students received teachings from Marilyn Armstrong, a White Woods PS teacher, Ojibwe artist, and Nipissing First Nation member, who shared with students her knowledge and journey of art.

Students studied Ojibwe artists and their work before taking their inspiration to their blank canvas. Under the guidance of Armstrong, students increased their appreciation and understanding of aspects of Indigenous culture.

In addition to creating art and learning about Indigenous culture, students participated in an oral presentation on an Indigenous tradition or custom.

To see more of the amazing photos, visit the Student Voice page.

School Climate Survey available November 15

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November 8, 2021

Dear Parents and Guardians,

We would like to invite you to participate in a Parent School Climate Survey available online between November 15 and December 3, 2021. The purpose of this voluntary survey is to find information related to: (1) equity and inclusive education, (2) bullying/harassment, and (3) health and well-being among students at your child’s school. We know that a safe, inclusive and accepting school environment is essential for student success and well-being.

The information gathered from student, parent and staff surveys will be used by your child’s school staff to help them promote an environment of respect, safety, and belonging for all students. We value your input and parent voice.

If you have children attending more than one Near North School, you are welcome to complete the survey for each school. If you are unable to complete this survey online and would like a paper copy to complete, please contact your child’s school and we would be happy to provide you with a paper copy. All paper copies also need to be completed and returned to the school by December 3, 2021, so that the data can be inputted.

Your input is very important to ensuring that our schools are safe and welcoming environments for all students and staff. Please be assured that your answers are confidential.

The Parent School Climate Survey can be accessed from the Near North District School Board’s website www.nearnorthschools.ca.

Thank you so much for taking the time to complete this important survey.

Sincerely,

Gay Smylie
Superintendent of Education
Near North District School Board

NNDSB launches innovative PSW living classroom program at Cassellholme North Bay

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Thursday, Nov. 4, 2021

NNDSB launches innovative PSW living classroom program at Cassellholme North Bay

Near North District School Board (NNDSB) is excited to announce the first of what it hopes will be many sustainable partnerships with long-term care facilities in all regions of the NNDSB.

NNDSB is proud to partner with Cassellholme in North Bay to provide Personal Support Worker (PSW) training in a living classroom environment at Cassellholme. Participants in the program will do their theoretical learning in a classroom at Cassellholme, then be able to apply those skills on the floor of the long-term care home, without having to wait for theory work to end before experiencing placement.

NNDSB hopes to help fill a growing demand for trained PSWs and to provide people 18 years of age and older with an exciting career path. NNDSB will work closely with community partners to establish a hands-on program, inclusive of placements, in partnered long-term care facilities.

A PSW looks after the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of someone who is not able to do so themselves, frequently in the elderly population. The main responsibilities of a PSW include ensuring the patient has healthy and nutritious meals, helping with daily tasks and working with an interdisciplinary team to ensure the best quality of care.

People who do not currently possess their Grade 12 are also eligible. This unique program allows NNDSB to support students in completing their OSSD in tandem with this program. If you are interested, you can request an educational assessment  by contacting Vice-Principal Sarah Spence at Laurentian Learning Centre, 705-472-5419.

NNDSB Director of Education Craig Myles has been instrumental in seeking out opportunities for the board to provide innovative programming. He stated, “Providing this type of opportunity is extremely important to the Near North community in that it serves adult students who need that leg up to a diploma and a rewarding career with many opportunities for growth. The program supports an emergent and vital need for the Near North region. We are proud to offer programs that support students and respond to a community need.”

Supported by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health, the student costs for this specialty program will be subsidized. Successful students of this program will become fully qualified as a PSW. The PSW program can be only the beginning of a journey into many healthcare opportunities. PSWs are employed in many care sectors such as homecare and assisted living and in varied long-term care facilities.

NNDSB’s partner in this program, Cassellholme, has engaged employees in continued opportunities to learn as they earn and seek certification as Registered Practical Nurses (RPN), Registered Nurses (RN) or Registered Nurse Practitioners (NP). “Cassellholme is always looking for ways to be a community partner. By working with NNDSB, we can help foster a new generation of healthcare professionals which may very well be someone’s first step to a rewarding career,” said Cassellholme Chair Chris Mayne.

NNDSB is in the process of hiring a qualified instructor who is a RN or a NP with experience working in this field. Excited to start, NNDSB is aiming for the new year to begin this program. Registration is planned for January with an expected start of February 2022.

Spaces are limited. Anyone interested should plan to attend one of the two following information sessions: Nov. 16 at 1 p.m. online or Nov. 18 at 6 p.m. online. (Teams meeting information is hyperlinked.)

Near North District School Board Chair Jay Aspin said, “This is another proud moment for Near North District School Board in supporting our community. This innovative new program aligns with the Board goals of excellence in innovation and excellence in building relationships. We are enthused to work in partnership with Cassellholme and Ontario Health on what looks like just the beginning of highly rewarding programming in the North.”

“This partnership is a good example of increasing the accessibility of PSW training and education – a focus area of the North East Ontario Regional PSW Workforce Steering Committee,” said Michel O’Connor, Ontario Health North Eastern Region. The committee has come together to identify and to socialize some of the challenges affecting the retention, the recruitment and the sustainability of the PSW workforce. “We hope that the success of this collaboration will be sustained in the future and that the area will benefit from the investment in health human resources required to deliver healthcare services,” he said.

NNDSB is seeking partnerships with local long-term care homes in all regions of the board to re-engage learners who are 18+ interested in training to become a PSW. Any long-term care homes interested in partnering should contact Liana Blaskievich, NNDSB’s Officer Corporate Affairs at 705-472-8170 ext. 5056 or liana.blaskievich@nearnorthschools.ca.

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Cutline information:

PSWs are often referred to as the backbone of healthcare. Here, a PSW is seen with a resident of Cassellholme.

For more information, please contact:

Deb Bartlett
Communications Officer
Near North District School Board
P. (705) 472-8170, extension 5010
E. Deb.Bartlett@nearnorthschools.ca

Northern Secondary School receives generous donation from Caisse Alliance

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Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2021

Northern Secondary School receives generous donation from Caisse Alliance

Northern Secondary School’s (NSS) new Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) program in mining and the classes in manufacturing and transportation will soon see some additional equipment that will enhance the student learning experience, thanks to the generosity of Caisse Alliance’s Sturgeon Falls branch.

Caisse Alliance proudly donated $10,000 to support the purchase of two welding machines and an ATV/UTV/motorcycle lift.

“I cannot thank Caisse Alliance enough for their generous donation. It is refreshing and important to have community involvement,” said Kevin Baker, NSS’ technical education teacher and SHSM lead. “When communities are interested in assisting schools to develop student experiences which reflect real-world opportunities, everybody wins. The tooling we will be adding to our manufacturing lab and transportation lab will enable our students to develop their skills on up-to-date, industry-standard equipment.”

SHSM programs help students to explore careers that are relevant to their community and as a future career path. These funds support this exploration in a meaningful way in this community.

Caisse Alliance’s regional manager, Marcy Lemieux noted, “Our Regional Co-operative Committee recently approved various projects in schools in the region who will each receive a $ 10,000 donation through our Caisse Alliance Fund. This fund was created to help finance projects that will have a long-term impact for as many members of our communities as possible. We are proud to be able to help Northern Secondary School with the purchase of welding equipment and equipment for their mechanics class which will have a positive impact on the development of the school and students.”

NNDSB’s Superintendent of Education Gay Smylie expressed her enthusiasm for the excellent work that Baker does for students.“This is absolutely remarkable! When schools work together with their communities the students come out on top. Kudos to Mr. Baker at Northern Secondary for once again creating opportunities for his students to have access to the latest resources and technology to solidly prepare them for their futures.”

“Building and maintaining relationships in the communities of our schools is an important component in the success of student learning,” said Craig Myles, NNDSB’s Director of Education. “One of the main pillars of our new multi-year strategic plan is excellence in relationships. I cannot stress enough the importance that communities play in the lives of our students. Thank you, Caisse Alliance, for your generosity in helping enhance student learning opportunities at NNDSB and a sincere thank you to Kevin Baker for your strong passion for bringing new opportunities to students.”

Near North District School Board and Northern Secondary School extends a huge thank you to Caisse Alliance for its support of student learning.

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Cutline information:
(Left to right) NSS teacher Kevin Baker, Caisse Alliance Regional Manager Marcy Lemieux and NSS principal Laurent Paquette hold a cheque in the school’s manufacturing lab.

Information about Near North District School Board:

Near North District School Board is an English-language public school board serving the North Bay – Parry Sound – Nipissing area. The Board consists of approximately 10,000 students in 27 elementary schools, seven secondary/senior schools and various alternative learning centres. For more information, please visit nearnorthschools.ca and follow Near North District School Board on social media.

For more information, please contact:
Josh Casey (he/him)
Communications Coordinator
Near North District School Board
P. (705) 472-8170, extension 5083
E. josh.casey@nearnorthschools.ca

Nipissing District School Boards announce protocol for spectators at outdoor events

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Wednesday, October 20, 2021

Nipissing District School Boards announce protocol for spectators at outdoor events

The four local school boards, with the support of the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit, are pleased to announce a protocol that allows spectators at school-related outdoor events, including sports games. This protocol is effective immediately.

School boards are responsible for managing contact tracing and COVID-19 safety measures; therefore, personnel will be at school-related outdoor events to assist in verifying that spectators have completed pre-screening and contact information requirements before entering the venue.

To attend events, spectators at school events are required to:

  • Pre-screen for COVID-19 using this screening tool prior to the event.
  • Upon entry, all spectators must scan the displayed QR code to complete the attestation form. The form collects the spectator’s name and contact information for contact tracing purposes, and attests that the spectator has completed the COVID-19 pre-screening; it is not a vaccination attestation.
  • Masking is required during the event.
  • Physical distancing is requested, unless members of the same household are together.

The four co-terminus boards continue to work together, and with the Health Unit, to maximize student experience while managing the legislated requirements due to COVID-19.

Please note that provincial capacity limits for respective outdoor recreational venues will be maintained.

We thank you for your support and assistance as we work together to keep our school communities healthy and safe.

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For more information, please contact:
Jacqueline Levesque, Marketing & Communications Officer, CSC Franco-Nord, levesquj@franco-nord.ca
Guylaine Scherer, Director of Communications, CSP du Nord-Est de l’Ontario, guylaine.scherer@cspne.ca
Victoria Johnson, Executive Assistant to the Director of Education, Nipissing-Parry Sound CDSB, johnsonv@npsc.ca
Deb Bartlett, Communications Officer, Near North DSB, Deb.Bartlett@nearnorthschools.ca

 

Le mercredi 20 octobre 2021

Les conseils scolaires du district de Nipissing annoncent un protocole pour les spectateurs lors d’événements en plein air.

Les quatre conseils scolaires limitrophes, (Conseil scolaire catholique Franco-Nord, Conseil scolaire public du Nord-Est de l’Ontario, Nipissing-Parry Sound Catholic District School Board et Near North District School Board), avec l’appui du Bureau de santé du district de North Bay-Parry Sound, ont le plaisir d’annoncer un protocole qui autorise les spectateurs à assister à des événements parascolaires extérieurs, y compris des matchs sportifs. Ce protocole entre en vigueur immédiatement.

Les conseils scolaires sont responsables de la gestion de la recherche des contacts et des mesures de sécurité COVID-19 ; par conséquent, du personnel sera présent lors des événements parascolaires qui se tiendront à l’extérieur pour aider à vérifier que les spectateurs ont rempli les exigences d’avoir complété leur autodépistage et de fournir leurs coordonnées avant d’entrer sur le site.

Pour assister aux événements scolaires, les spectateurs sont tenus de :

  • Effectuer un dépistage préalable de la COVID-19 à l’aide de cet outil de dépistage avant l’événement.
  • À l’entrée, tous les spectateurs doivent balayer le code QR affiché pour compléter le formulaire d’attestation. Le formulaire recueille le nom et les coordonnées du spectateur à des fins de recherche de contacts, et atteste que le spectateur a effectué l’autodépistage de la COVID-19 ; il ne s’agit pas d’une attestation de vaccination.
  • Le port du masque est obligatoire pendant l’événement.
  • La distanciation physique doit être maintenue, sauf si les membres d’un même foyer sont ensemble.

Les quatre conseils de la région continuent à travailler ensemble, avec l’appui du Bureau de santé, pour maximiser l’expérience des élèves tout en gérant les exigences légales liées à la COVID-19. Veuillez noter que les limites de capacité provinciales pour les sites récréatifs en plein air respectifs seront maintenues.

Nous vous remercions de votre soutien et de votre appui alors que nous travaillons ensemble pour garder nos communautés scolaires saines et sécuritaires.

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Pour de plus amples renseignements, veuillez communiquer auprès de :
Jacqueline Levesque, Agente du Marketing et des communications, CSC Franco-Nord, levesquj@franco-nord.ca
Guylaine Scherer, Directrice du service des communications, CSP du Nord-Est de l’Ontario, guylaine.scherer@cspne.ca
Victoria Johnson, Adjointe exécutive du directeur de l’éducation, Nipissing-Parry Sound CDSB, johnsonv@npsc.ca
Deb Bartlett, Agente des communications, Near North DSB, Deb.Bartlett@nearnorthschools.ca

 

Director of Education pens letter to bus drivers

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Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021

To our valued bus drivers,

As we celebrate National School Bus Safety Week and School Bus Driver Appreciation Day, I want to let everyone at Nipissing Parry Sound Student Transportation Services (NPSSTS) know how valued you are by Near North District School Board (NNDSB).

Every day, we – along with thousands of NNDSB students and their families – put our trust in you to get the students to school, and back home at the end of the day. Bus drivers in this part of Ontario carry huge responsibility, transporting precious cargo through remote areas, often on treacherous roads.

NNDSB appreciates the partnership with the NPSSTS and the service it provides to the board and our students. We send all of you a hearty thank you today, School Bus Driver Appreciation Day.

Craig Myles
Director of Education

Outdoor classrooms created at Phelps Central Public School thanks to teacher and generosity of local businesses

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Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021

Learning can take place anywhere, including the outdoors. Many schools across Near North District School Board (NNDSB) have outdoors classrooms to enhance the student educational experience. With the initiative of a teacher and the support of a community, Phelps Central Public School now joins the list.

Ali Steer, a Grade 7/8 teacher at Phelps Central PS organized and led a team of volunteers and building supply donors who helped create two outdoor learning spaces where students can connect and be in nature while learning, all while adhering to public health measures.

Since their recent completion, both spaces have been used by most of the school community.

“This project’s completion is an exciting addition to our school and will set the tone for the importance of nature in the mental health and well-being of students, inspiring learning through nature, and getting our students outside more,” touted Steer.

Of course, these new learning spaces would not be possible without the generosity of local business: Richard (Pete) Renaud from R.J. Construction installed two four-season whiteboard structures; all supplies required for these structures were donated to the school by Paul Gagne from Carry All Home Building North Bay; and Jonathan Crockford at Eagle Tree and Landscaping Services generously donated the mulch flooring and log seating for both primary and junior/intermediate classrooms, which have slightly different designs.

“It was really moving to be met with such generosity from the community,” said Steer. “I was almost emotional hearing that these builders were just like, ‘yep, here you go’ and providing hundreds of dollars’ worth of supplies. To have 100 per cent of the time and materials donated was just fantastic. And I think it’s powerful for the students to also experience or understand the power of community coming together that people are willing to gift them this experience for their own education. That’s powerful, too.”

The recent completion of the project is just in time for Take Me Outside day, which is this Wednesday, Oct. 20. It’s a day that raises awareness about outdoor learning by encouraging teachers to take their students outside for at least an hour.

All school subjects can be taught outside.

“We’re doing all subjects outside. From language, math, geography, science, and certainly music,” said Steer. “Outdoor experiential learning is very powerful for most students because it taps into most learning styles. So, when we’re outside, we have more space to use movement, to use tangible objects and manipulatives in a way that’s freeing for the students outside of the four walls of the classroom. For example, we’ve had compass tutorials outside for a geography class where students can do pacing with their compass and understand direction, and orientation. Another example is that we’ve had art lessons where we’re out collecting and identifying species and then bringing those items either back to the classroom or creating arrays and tying in radial symmetry to our math lessons on fractions. There are a lot of opportunities for cross-curricular teaching as well, with the outdoors and it comes more naturally that way.”

Steer said her previous career has provided a unique perspective for student engagement.

“My background in outdoor education and wilderness therapy has prepared me for this because, for years, I’ve understood the importance of having children outside and the power of nature. So, their innate connection to being outside and how it makes them feel good mentally, spiritually, emotionally, and physically. There are so many benefits to learning outside, so why not just tie all the pieces of the curriculum into outdoor experiences to the best of my ability to enhance their learning opportunity? My experience as an outdoor facilitator means that I have a lot of back pocket activities and ways to gather attention, engage students, empower them and there are lots of leadership opportunities outside as well.

“Children want to be outside, they asked to be outside. So being able to facilitate that and link that outside time, which in their minds is usually linked to recess or play, to learning is powerful. They get the pleasure of being outside and all the benefits of having fresh air, sunlight, and tactile things to learn with. I think for students to see that they can be outside and enjoy their surroundings while learning is key,” said Steer.

The students are excited about the outdoor learning spaces.

“The fresh air really helps me concentrate because I feel very grounded and relaxed. It really helps me clear my thoughts,” said Lilly-May, a Grade 8 student.

Echoing their classmate, Rylli noted, “The outdoor classroom is very nice and calming.”

“I think the outdoor classroom is amazing because students get to take off their masks and get some fresh air. And, because I take mental breaks outside which are great,” noted Marcus, a Grade 7 Student.

NNDSB extends a big thank you to all donors and community members who continue to support student learning across the district.

NNDSB Alumnus making splash as filmmaker, credits specialized secondary school programming for his continued success

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Friday, Oct. 15, 2021

Near North District School Board’s (NNDSB) Arts Nipissing and Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) Arts and Culture programs are receiving high accolades from an alumnus.

North Bay local Darren Summersby’s, short film What Comes Next – The Musical recently won Best Canadian Student Film at the Ontario International Film Festival. The film was created as part of Summersby’s final project in Sheridan College’s four-year baccalaureate degree program.

Graduating from Near North District School Board in 2016, participation in unique media arts programs led Summersby to find his passion for the film industry.  Summersby took part in Arts Nipissing and SHSM Arts and Culture programs.  These programs are offered to current WFSS students who, like Summersby can explore their passion for the arts by taking the Arts Nipissing program and can complete their arts path by entering the SHSM program in their senior classes. The SHSM program allows students to receive curricular and experiential programming fine-tuned to their career pathway of choice. It is one of six Specialist High Skills Major programs offered at WFSS and one of 17 programs in varied career sectors offered at secondary schools throughout the board.

Arts Nipissing and SHSM Arts and Culture provide students with an interest and passion for the arts with an opportunity to complete their secondary school graduation requirements, along with an opportunity to study arts disciplines in-depth, and explore post-secondary and career opportunities in a chosen arts career path.

“You know, if it wasn’t for these programs, I don’t think I would be where I am today. It’s really introduced me to this whole industry that I knew nothing about before going into it. A lot of the things that we did in this program were some of the stuff I did at Sheridan College where I went to post-secondary.”

“I went to Sheridan College for their film and television program and a lot of people in the program had nothing like this in their high school. A lot of them weren’t sure if this is what they wanted to do because they weren’t exposed to this type of programming in high school. I was really lucky being from the north, and yet to have such a unique program for us to be able to experiment in this type of field,” Summersby said.

In Grade 12, supported by NNDSB’s Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program and SHSM programs, Summersby competed at the Skills Ontario Competition in the Film and Television Production category representing NNDSB, winning gold. He went on to represent Team Ontario at the national level.

Summersby noted a lot of the assignments that he did while in his first year at college were quite similar to the ones offered in the SHSM film classes.

“Seeing what I was doing in my first year of college, is what we’re already doing in high school. So, I was kind of already familiar with it and a step ahead. That felt good knowing that I was prepared, going into college, and I knew what I was doing.”

WFSS Vice-Principal Marg McDiarmid stated “There have been many upgrades to the school infrastructure including a new dance studio, innovation lab and enhanced theatre. As a result, we are able to offer exceptional programming that meets industry standards in the disciplines of dance, visual arts, vocal music, culinary arts, dramatic arts, media arts/film and video and instrumental music.”

“The Arts Nipissing and SHSM Arts and Culture programs foster creative expression, problem-solving and communication skills. Our staff are passionate about the arts and are committed to helping students develop deeper cultural understandings, self-confidence and awareness and resilience through innovative opportunities for growth and development,” noted McDiarmid. “We look forward to when we can welcome back audiences to support our students in celebrating their artistic achievements.”

Summersby’s film, What Comes Next made its way into 11 film festivals internationally and has gone on to win best film awards at the New York Movie Awards, Europe Film Festival, Best Shorts Competition, and the Berlin Flash Film Festival, and has been a finalist at several others.

Summersby recently offered his expertise in filming and editing the school’s highly acclaimed theatre production Pippin. Offering advice to current and future students, Summersby said secondary school is the time to explore options and see what potential career avenues there are.

“Take risks. Go and take that film class, explore and know that’s your chance to figure out if this is what you’re interested in. See if this is what you’re into. Don’t be afraid. Not a lot of school boards offer programs like we are in the Near North District School Board.”

Biindigen

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)

Connect With Us

Near North District School Board
963 Airport Road, P.O. Box 3110, North Bay, ON P1B 8H1
[P] 705-472-8170   [TF] 1-800-278-4922   [F] 705-472-9927