Near North District School Board

TOK Exhibition

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By: Astra Vainio-Mattila

students learn at TOK Exhibition has chippewa secondary schoolThe IB class of 2022 has recently completed their culminating tasks for the new and improved Theory of Knowledge course, and there’s no better way than this exhibition to see how much they have improved over the course of the past month. Theory of Knowledge is a course which is mandatory for all full IB students, and involves thinking about the ways in which we as a society acquire, pass on, and use knowledge. This is done by studying the ways different subjects interact with knowledge, as well as several written papers. Even without the traditional year long course, Ms. Skorich has made the TOK class has been a joy to participate in, and this exhibition is a fantastic example of that.

Each student was tasked with choosing three objects of either personal or societal importance, and was challenged to relate eachTOK Exhibition has chippewa secondary school of these objects back to questions surrounding the concept of knowledge and other topics discussed in class. The whole class participated, along with a few teachers, and they all learned about several different topics as well as their social and personal impacts on the students. This was a fantastic way of showing how IB students have to expand their horizons and go out of their comfort zones while still having a good time and being creative, and it proves how essential TOK is to the IB experience.

Board Highlights for October Meeting

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Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021

Board Highlights for October Meeting

The following are the highlights of the Near North District School Board (NNDSB) meeting of Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021.

Elder Beaucage opens meeting with prayer

Elder Peter Beaucage, a retired Canadore College professor, was invited to open the Board meeting with a prayer. Elder Beaucage spoke in the Nipissing dialect of Anishinaabemowin, then interpreted his words.

He requested that the Great Spirit give participants in the meeting positive guidance to do their work in a positive way.

Zone 2 Trustee Gagne sworn in

Caren Gagne, appointed as the Zone 2 Trustee, was sworn in at the Oct. 12 meeting of the Board of Trustees.

Trustee Gagne, a resident of Zone 2, was a business owner for 40 years and has an extensive history of volunteerism in her community.

Province to provide menstrual product access

Last year, former Student Trustee Madelaine Paradis brought the issue of access to menstrual products to the Board. The initiative was part of a provincial campaign of the Ontario Student Trustee Association. The intent is to reduce “period poverty” which occurs when women cannot afford or lack access to menstrual products.

The initiative, which has been supported by school boards across Ontario, is also supported by all four of Ontario’s main teacher unions.

On Oct. 7, the provincial government announced a partnership with Shoppers Drug Mart to donate menstrual products to access in school washrooms to school boards across the province.

NNDSB Director of Education Craig Myles and Board Chair Jay Aspin complimented former Student Trustee Paradis and current Student Trustee Cecelia Darling on their work on this initiative.

Fricker tender awarded to local company

The Board accepted the recommendation of the Fricker Build Committee and awarded the tender for the new Fricker build to Venasse Building Group Inc. of North Bay. The group’s bid was $17,580,000.

Tenders were evaluated using the Broader Public Sector procurement guidelines.

The Board is excited for the consolidation of three schools that will enhance elementary education in this section of North Bay and ensure that students experience the modern features of a contemporary elementary school.

The school will accommodate students in Grades JK to 6, a four-room childcare centre and an EarlyON Child and Family Centre.

Summer program supports elementary students

Trustees received a report from the program team, under the leadership of Superintendent Melanie Gray, about the 2021 Summer Learning Program for students in Grades 1-8. The program was held virtually from July 5-23 with three hours of teacher-led instruction daily.

The programming is designed to help students acquire math and literacy knowledge and skills. This summer, programming was also designed to prepare intermediate students for success as they enter the secondary panel and the new de-streamed Grade 9 math curriculum.

The summer program had three camps whose staff was made up of teachers, educational assistants and child development counsellors.

Several community partners also contributed to student engagement, including Perry McLeod-Shabogesic who shared Indigenous stories, Science North which delivered online workshops and presentations, an NNDSB all-female innovator team, a Métis perspective on the innovation of fire building and staff from Canadore College who helped with several presentations and pre-recorded sessions.

The report adds that the summer learning program helps students’ learning trajectories while promoting positive parent-school relationships, professional development and leadership opportunities for all educators.

Partnership with C3P outlined

A report from Superintendent Gay Smylie outlined how a partnership with the Canadian Centre for Child Protection (C3P) is training educators about sex trafficking and helping to implement prevention strategies. The partnership is a result of the requirement that all Ontario school boards establish and follow a protocol for the response to suspected sex trafficking occurrences

Through C3P, staff will receive training to identify the signs of sex-trafficking, respond to disclosures, be responsive to diverse student populations and support the immediate physical and emotional safety needs of students. Staff will also learn how to avoid certain actions that could make an individual’s situation worse.

A 2.5-hour certificate level training called Commit to Kids: Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Training will empower all adults who work with children and youth to become protective adults. NNDSB will also be provided with guidance, resources and templates from C3P to support the creation of child protection policies.

Staff were given an overview of C3P resources as well as information about the government initiative. Superintendent Smylie’s report noted that because educators have daily contact with children, they are well poised to identify the cues and safely intervene if they suspect a student is involved in trafficking.

C3P will host a virtual parent information night Nov. 17 during Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week. There will also be publications available for parents.

The resources are made available through funding of the Ontario Provincial Strategy to Protect Children from Sexual Exploitation on the Internet and support from the Ontario Provincial Police.

NNDSB policy implementation lauded

Director of Education Myles addressed NNDSB’s successful implementation of a vaccination policy using a third-party app, ThriveHealth.

The app provider has recognized the board for developing a procedure that is one of the most effective across Canada. ThriveHealth has reached out to see if NNDSB would support the Government of the Northwest Territories by sharing the board’s approach.

Director Myles says the work demonstrates the board’s strategic commitment to excellence in innovation. He expressed his thanks to the human resources and information technology departments under the leadership of Superintendent of Business Seija Van Haesendonck for their work that has brought national recognition to the board.

Student Trustee reports full slate of activities

Cecilia Darling, NNDSB’s Student Trustee, reported that students are demonstrating their enthusiasm for the return of extra-curriculars. Band and drama clubs, as well as basketball, volleyball, cross-country, golf and soccer teams have drawn students to participate.

Secondary schools have held their elections, and the new student leaders are planning spirit weeks, Halloween events, and focusing on mental health and wellness.

The Student Senate has begun setting its goals for the year and are starting initiatives that address the interests and needs of students.

Student Trustee Darling also requested and received the support of the Board to attend the Ontario Student Trustee Association fall general meeting Nov. 4-7.

Board supports nomination of SBO to OSBIE

The Board approved the nomination of NNDSB Superintendent of Business Seija Van Haesendonck to the Ontario School Boards’ Insurance Exchange (OSBIE) Board of Directors, representing the Northeast Region.

During the committee-of-the-whole meeting (held just before the Board meeting), Director of Education Myles said the position with OSBIE “aligns with her portfolio and the work she does on a daily basis”. He added NNDSB would be “honoured to have a rep at that table” which would also align with the multi-year strategic plan’s pillars of Excellence in Relationships and Excellence in Communication.

Administrative Guidelines open for consultation

Last month the Board approved that NNDSB administrative guidelines could proceed to public consultation once reviewed by Executive Council. In order to keep Trustees apprised of which guidelines are open for consultation, it was requested that the guidelines that are available for stakeholder input be listed in the agenda as a standing item.

There are currently five administrative guidelines that are open for consultation. They can be found on this page of the board’s website (in the first text box).

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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.

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:

Deb Bartlett (she/her)
Communications Officer
Near North District School Board
P. (705) 472-8170 ext. 5010
E. Deb.Bartlett@nearnorthschools.ca

Fricker tender awarded to Venasse Building Group Inc.

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Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021

Fricker tender awarded to Venasse Building Group Inc.

Near North District School Board (NNDSB) is pleased to announce that Venasse Building Group Inc. of North Bay has been awarded the contract for the new Fricker build. The group submitted a tender of $17,580,000.

The Request for Proposals (RFP) closed on Sept. 23, and an evaluation committee met to discuss the bids that were submitted. The tenders were evaluated using a scoring matrix that follows the Broader Public Sector procurement guidelines.

The Fricker Build Committee, chaired by Trustee Bill Steer, met on Oct. 5 and unanimously agreed to support the recommendation of the evaluation committee. Both committees had agreed to award the tender to the top-scoring applicant.

Board Chair Jay Aspin said, “The new Fricker school which will consolidate three schools and enhance elementary education in this section of North Bay. This school will ensure that more students in the city will experience the modern features of a contemporary elementary school.  As this has been a key priority of our board, our Fricker Build Committee has worked effectively with administration to make it happen.”

“This project underpins the Board’s commitment to innovation under the new Multi-Year Strategic Plan, in that we look forward to providing future-oriented learning experiences that promote excellence in student achievement and well-being” stated Trustee Steer.

NNDSB Director of Education, Craig Myles said, “We look forward to working with contractors and architects to get this project underway, in the best interest of our staff, families and most importantly, our students.”

Trustee Louise Sargent, who sits on the Fricker Build Committee, noted that it was gratifying to see the tender awarded to a local company.

Funding from the Ministry of Education will cover the cost of demolition of the former W.J. Fricker Senior Public School and the construction of a replacement school, which will accommodate students in Junior Kindergarten to Grade 6, a four-room childcare centre (one infant, one toddler and two pre-school rooms), and an EarlyON Child and Family Centre.

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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

Modification to Nipissing District COVID-19 Protocol for Inter-school Extracurricular Activities, Sports and Clubs

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Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2021

Modification to Nipissing District COVID-19 Protocol for Inter-school Extracurricular Activities, Sports and Clubs 

The four co-terminus boards (Conseil scolaire catholique Franco-Nord, Conseil scolaire public due Nord-Est de l’Ontario, Nipissing-Parry Sound Catholic District School Board and Near North District School Board) and the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit have been working collaboratively and diligently to introduce extra-curriculars as quickly as possible while keeping staff and students safe.

We know the decision of spectators not being permitted at practices or games has not been favourable in the community. As the protocol for inter-school extra-curricular activities is fluid and can be modified as needed and when required, a decision has been made to allow media to cover and/or broadcast school board events in our community, so the events may be shared with students’ families and friends, as well as the broader public. We are pleased to announce this comes into effect immediately.

Extra-curricular Media Protocol

  • Media will be permitted at school extra-curricular events both indoors and outdoors, to provide the opportunity to broadcast events and results to the community.
  • The co-terminus boards have developed a media pass that must be displayed to gain entry to an event.
  • To obtain a pass, members of the media must show proof of being fully vaccinated.
  • Media contacts must register prior to the event.
  • Upon arrival to the game/event, member of the media verifies self-screening and signs in visitor log (as per usual process).

We are diligently working on viable solutions to enable the attendance of spectators, which will follow all required provincial health and safety processes, including maintaining spectator logs for contact tracing, as a next phase of our extra-curricular protocol. Please watch for further news.

We thank you for your understanding and patience.

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For more information, please contact:

Jacqueline Levesque, Communications & marketing agent, Conseil scolaire catholique Franco-Nord, levesquj@franco-nord.ca

Guylaine Scherer, Communications Director, Conseil scolaire public du Nord-Est de l’Ontario, guylaine.scherer@cspne.ca

Victoria Johnson, Executive Assistant to the Director of Education, Nipissing-Parry Sound Catholic District School Board, johnsonv@npsc.ca

Deb Bartlett, Communications Officer, Near North District School Board, Deb.Bartlett@nearnorthschools.ca

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Communiqué de presse

Pour diffusion immédiate

Le mercredi 6 octobre 2021

Modification au protocole COVID-19 pour les activités parascolaires interscolaires, les sports et les clubs du district de Nipissing

Les quatre conseils 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) et le Bureau de santé du district de North Bay-Parry Sound ont fait preuve de collaboration et de diligence pour lancer les activités parascolaires aussi rapidement que possible tout en assurant la sécurité du personnel et des élèves.

Nous reconnaissons que la décision d’interdire les spectateurs lors des entraînements ou des parties n’a pas été bien accueillie par la communauté. Étant donné que le protocole pour les activités parascolaires interscolaires est fluide et peut être modifié selon les besoins, une décision a été prise pour permettre aux médias de couvrir ou de diffuser les événements du conseil scolaire dans notre communauté, afin que les événements puissent être partagés avec les familles et les amis des élèves, ainsi qu’avec le grand public. Nous sommes heureux d’annoncer que cette décision entre en vigueur immédiatement.  

Protocole des médias relatif aux activités parascolaires

  • Les médias seront autorisés à assister aux événements parascolaires de l’école, tant à l’intérieur qu’à l’extérieur, afin de permettre la diffusion des événements et des résultats à la communauté.
  • Les conseils limitrophes ont mis au point un laissez-passer pour les médias qu’il faut présenter pour avoir accès à un événement.
  • Pour obtenir ce laissez-passer, les représentants des médias doivent présenter une preuve de vaccination complète.
  • Les représentants des médias doivent s’inscrire avant l’événement.
  • À l’arrivée à la partie ou à l’événement, le représentant des médias confirme son autodépistage et signe le registre des visiteurs (comme d’habitude).

Nous travaillons diligemment à trouver des solutions viables pour permettre la participation des spectateurs, tout en respectant les critères provinciaux en matière de santé et de sécurité, y compris la tenue d’un registre des spectateurs pour la recherche des contacts comme prochaine étape de notre protocole parascolaire. Veuillez surveiller les prochaines communications à ce sujet.

Nous vous remercions pour votre compréhension.

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Pour de plus amples renseignements, veuillez communiquer auprès de :

Jacqueline Lévesque, Agente des communications et du Marketing, Conseil scolaire catholique Franco-Nord, levesquj@franco-nord.ca

Guylaine Scherer, Directrice du service des communications, Conseil scolaire public du Nord-Est de l’Ontario, guylaine.scherer@cspne.ca

Victoria Johnson, Adjointe exécutive du directeur de l’éducation, Nipissing-Parry Sound Catholic District School Board, johnsonv@npsc.ca

Deb Bartlett, Agente des communications, Near North District School Board, Deb.Bartlett@nearnorthschools.ca

Lougheed, Erika – Chair

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Trustee Erika Lougheed believes public education is one of the strongest and most important building blocks to help create healthy communities. She believes that schools where students feel safe, supported and understood promote growth, development and wellness. A former East Ferris councillor, Trustee Lougheed is interested in policy. She wants to ensure that no student is left behind and that the needs of all students are met, setting them up for future success. She says the relationships between staff in the education system and her two school-aged children were a big motivator in her decision to run as a trustee. Trustee Lougheed has an interest in outdoor education and has worked as a wilderness guide. She believes that land-based settings are opportunities for students to learn about the importance of reconciliation and supports creating conditions for people to find common ground. Trustee Lougheed lives in Corbeil with her family, is an active volunteer, a potter and an advocate for equity and the environment.

 

Letter to Families: Response to threat at Chippewa Secondary School

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Monday, Sept. 27, 2021

Dear Parents and Guardians,

We want to address the misinformation that is circulating this morning regarding a “gun incident” at Chippewa Secondary School.

Near North District School Board (NNDSB) was in contact with North Bay Police Service this morning about the social media and media coverage of what was being called a “gun incident”. A threat had been made late last week, police investigated and resolved the situation over the weekend.

This morning, in an abundance of caution, police attended the school to further ensure the safety of members of the Chippewa school community.

There is not, nor has there been a viable concern to student and staff safety. The North Bay Police Service says there was no incident and will be issuing a media release about this later today.

NNDSB wants to ensure all stakeholders that safety and well-being is our primary concern; we value the relationship we have with our police partners for their support.

Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,

Near North District School Board

Letter to families: Truth and Reconciliation Week

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Monday, Sept. 27, 2021

To our Families and Community Partners,

It has been six years since the Truth and Reconciliation Commission completed its work of giving voice to the Indigenous Peoples who have been affected by Indian Residential Schools. It took the Commission seven years to travel across the country and hear from 6,500 witnesses. Their testimony became one of six reports released by Truth and Reconciliation Commission that highlight the suffering of Indigenous Peoples at the hands of their oppressors.

The Commission, led by the Honourable Murray Sinclair, put the genocide that was perpetrated against Indigenous Peoples in Canada in the spotlight. The findings and resulting exhibit were a catalyst for change. The commission also released 94 Calls to Action that act as way finders; concrete steps to move forward in acknowledging the truth of Canada’s history with Indigenous Peoples and beginning the very difficult and uncomfortable work of reconciliation.

The Calls to Action list 94 changes that need to be made to dismantle the systemic racism that continues to affect Indigenous Peoples in Canada. Near North District School Board (NNDSB) recognizes it has a role to play in truth and reconciliation. It is imperative that the board climbs the mountain as requested by the Commission.

The path to truth and reconciliation will be slow and painful, but the steps must be taken.

The Board of Trustees has proactively acknowledged this, and endeavours to be part of the change. In addition to opening meetings with a land acknowledgement, Board meetings now open with a prayer from an Elder. The Indigenous Trustee, elected by members of the First Nations to represent them on the Board, is actively consulted and her input valued in decision-making on issues that affect Indigenous students.

The board is fortunate to have guidance from Indigenous Education Lead Tracy Hendrick, whose work involves not only supporting Indigenous students and their families, but also helping all NNDSB staff and educators understand how colonization continues to affect members of Indigenous communities, and to guide staff in developing their understanding of Indigenous worldviews to best support all students. NNDSB is thankful for the learning provided by teachers of Indigenous ways and Anishinaabemowin (language), FNMI grad coaches who provide support in the choice of pathways for students and Indigenous Child Development Counsellors concerned with student well-being. We recognize this is just the beginning of the climb.

As an institution, NNDSB is taking steps in response to the Calls to Action, including:

  • working to eliminate educational gaps between Indigenous and non-Indigenous children (have staff positions to support Indigenous families in education)
  • an Indigenous Trustee position elected by members of the area First Nations to sit on the NNDSB Board of Trustees
  • offering Indigenous language classes to all interested students at 12 schools
  • providing resources and building capacity to support all staff and students in understanding Indigenous history, culture, perspectives, and ways of knowing
  • encouraging and supporting non-Indigenous staff who want to take a First Nation, Metis and Inuit Additional Qualification course
  • partnering with Anishinabek Education System (AES) to place two full-time cultural advisors/knowledge keepers in schools on a regular basis
  • successful AES pilot project applicant to be one of five boards in the province to provide cultural competency training to administrators

From the Truth and Reconciliation Commission grew Orange Shirt Day. Phyllis Webstad told the Commission of having her new orange shirt taken from her as a six-year-old child on the first day of residential school. Held on Sept. 30, Orange Shirt Day provides an opportunity for discussion about residential schools and lets survivors and their families know they still matter.

The federal government has legislated Sept. 30, 2021 as the first National Truth and Reconciliation Day. NNDSB wants the day to be acknowledged in a way that is most appropriate and meaningful to members of the eight First Nations that are NNDSB community partners, and other Indigenous Peoples in our schools. Schools have been given the flexibility to provide community-relevant programming.

The legacy of residential schools weighs heavy in the hearts of survivors and their families, who have been subjected to 200 years of colonization and systemic discrimination. NNDSB will continue to climb the mountain and strive to do better.

 

Jay Aspin                                                                   Craig Myles

Chair of the Board                                                   Director of Education

Letter to families: Weekly updates for Sept. 24

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Friday, Sept. 24, 2021

Dear Parents and Guardians,

This weekly Letter to Families is intended to help you learn how Near North District School Board (NNDSB) will support you in the return to school.

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The Government of Canada has legislated Sept. 30, 2021 as the first National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, and deemed it a federal statutory holiday. Not all provinces have followed the federal government’s lead, so it is not a statutory holiday across the country.

Federally-regulated institutions (banks, post offices, federal government departments, etc.) will observe the statutory holiday. In Ontario, it is not a statutory holiday, so school will be open that day.

At NNDSB, schools will be marking the day in their own way. Families who are interested in how the first Truth and Reconciliation Day will be acknowledged at their child’s school should contact the principal.

Anyone interested in learning more about Truth and Reconciliation and/or Indigenous education at NNDSB can visit this page.

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Over several months last spring, the communications team recruited students to participate in Student Voice. This new page on NNDSB’s website is the spot for all students to share their ideas, thoughts, and work.

The communications team is still looking for reps at some schools and is always eager to share student work. Anyone wanting to participate as either a Student Voice rep for your school or a contributor) is asked to email student.voice@nearnorthschools.ca.

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We would like to remind families that all students are required to complete their COVID-19 Self-Screening each day before they arrive at school. Teachers will confirm completion of the screening with all of their students, as required by our local health unit. The health unit has extended the daily confirmation by staff by two weeks.

The daily screening is an important way that we can minimize the risk of COVID-19 transmission in our schools. The screening can be accessed using this link: COVID-19 School Screening Tool. Should you need a paper copy due to issues with internet access please contact your child’s school for assistance.

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NNDSB is excited to share that Parry Sound High School and Chippewa Secondary School will be raising tipis this month to provide safe, culturally appropriate, outdoor learning spaces for their students.

The extended tipi ‘shaptaun’ at PSHS is being raised by Johna Hupfield’s Grade 9-10 Indigenous language class with the support of Serpent River First Nation’s Sumac Creek Tipi Company. The tipi at Chippewa is being raised by Angela Evans’ Grade 10 Indigenous Studies class with the support of Nipissing First Nation knowledge keeper Perry McLeod-Shabogesic.

We look forward to learning about the tipi teachings, and to inviting more classes to enjoy these amazing spaces.

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As part of the board’s strategic commitment to excellence in communication, NNDSB has created a place on the website to begin collecting public feedback on Administrative Guidelines. New and revised guidelines will be posted for 30 days. Please refer to the website on a regular basis for the guidelines that are open for feedback.

Administrative Guidelines that are open to feedback can be found here.

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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

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