Near North District School Board

Director of Education and Board Chair Message to NNDSB Families

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Year-End Message From Director of Education and Board Chair

Dear NNDSB Families,

As we come to the end of this unprecedented school year, we want to thank our students and families for their support and understanding during school closures. Our staff worked extremely hard to provide engaging and relevant learning to support our students. Regardless of what September will bring, we know that all of our students have the foundation to learn and thrive next year.

To all our graduates and their families, congratulations! It was great to see the students and families at their virtual graduations and to celebrate the accomplishments of our graduates. We want to congratulate all students, in the Near North District School Board for their resilience and continued commitment to learning.

We continue to work diligently on our continuity of learning plan including the return to learning in the fall. Updates will be posted at www.nearnorthschools.ca.

Have a wonderful summer. Take care of yourselves and each other and stay healthy.

Craig Myles                                                               Jay Aspin
Director of Education                                             Chair, Board of Trustees

Summer Resources and Supports

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School Registrations

During school closures due to COVID-19, the Near North District School Board will be accepting school registrations through an online application process.

The online registration package is available for families registering their children for school with the Near North District School Board. Children turning four (4) years of age on or before December 31st of the current year and students who are new to the Near North District School Board can access the online Registration Form. Schools will contact families to confirm receipt of the registration form.

Please visit our School Registration page for additional information.

Mental Health Supports and Resources

Understanding the importance of mental wellness for our students, and the unusual circumstances of school closures and COVID-19,  the NNDSB will be extending access to our mental health services throughout the summer months of July and August. Beginning Monday, July 6, 2020, our Social Work team which is comprised of mental health regulated professionals will be providing a variety of mental health supports and services including;

  • direct counselling and treatment for students and families
  • student and parent drop-in/open space forums
  • educational wellness webinars.

Our services can be provided by phone, email and through video connection and are confidential.

Please note that this is not a crisis service. If you are experiencing a crisis, please call HANDS crisis service at 1 -844-287-9072 or call 911. Kids Help phone at 1-800-668-6868 text CONNECT 686868.

What Services are available?

In addition to direct counselling, treatment, and support, the team is also offering online open drop-in sessions for students and parents. Drop-in sessions will be informal and respond to the needs of the group in an open space when participants can ask questions and connect. Links to access drop-in sessions will be added to the upcoming drop-in dates information below closer to the scheduled date.

Upcoming Drop-In Dates:

Please note this forum is public to all students within the NNDSB.  Confidentiality is of the utmost importance; however, despite our best efforts, this format does not allow for certain information to remain confidential. If you would like to speak privately with a social worker, please email socialwork@nearnorthschools.ca.

We are also offering information wellness webinars that will help you and your child prepare for the transition back to school. Additional support for the transition back to school in the fall will also be available when more information is released in August.

We are offering student drop-in times every Wednesday for students who would like to check-in with our social workers.  Two social workers will be on hand to answer questions or address any concerns around mental health and wellness. This is an opportunity to allow students to lead discussions in any areas they feel they have concerns.

The social work team will be holding a drop-in session geared towards parents and welcome parents to ask questions, address emerging issues, and obtain strategies for supporting students of the NNDSB.

Click here to access Parent Drop-In

The Social Work team is happy to announce another information session.  This session will focus on the importance of sleep for mental wellness, tips for creating and maintaining a healthy sleep routine, and how to integrate sleep hygiene into day-to-day life.  The session will also include a brief question and answer period.

Click here to access the session.

The Social Work team is excited to be offering an information session on anxiety.  This session will give an overview of anxiety in its many forms, offer psychoeducation on when to recognize warning signs of anxiety, and suggest strategies for how to cope with anxiety in this challenging time as we head into a “new normal.”

How to Access Mental Health Supports

Services can be accessed via email and phone.  Send an email requesting service to socialwork@nearnorthschools.ca, and leave your contact information. You may also contact the team at 705-707-1606.

Services are available Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm and Wednesday from 11 am to 7 pm.

Emails and phone messages are checked daily, and you will be contacted within 24 hours.

Social Work staff will confirm your consent to receiving services upon initial contact. You will also be asked to provide some information on the current challenges you are experiencing to determine the service the best meets your needs. We work closely with community partners and, if required, can assist you in creating a circle of support.  All discussions and information provided are confidential.

Director and Chair Message to Graduates

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Dear 2020 Graduates,

We wish to congratulate you on your academic achievements and persistence through these unprecedented times. The current reality we are facing with COVID-19 and specifically what you, our graduating students, are facing is a situation that has not been encountered in our time.

Graduation and the ensuing celebrations are a special time. This is a time to commemorate not only your accomplishments with the NNDSB but also your hard work, memories, connections, successes and experiences. While we cannot celebrate as we usually would, this in no way minimizes or diminishes the depth and breadth of your accomplishments. We, along with your teachers and school staff, are incredibly proud of you.

Life has caused a real twist in the tale that will cause you never to forget the year you graduated. We will all remember with flashbulb memory how we spent our last few months of this school year. While there are many lessons to be learned from what the world has endured in the story that we have all been swept up in, it is important to remember that you control your own story. As the world begins to open again and you embark upon your next steps in your life journey, trust in the magic of beginnings.

In the words of Martin Luther King Jr, “Everything you need to accomplish your goals is already in you.”

Write your own narrative, be your own story.

We are eager to see what the future brings to you and how you and your fellow graduates will continue to improve the world around us. Take care of yourselves and each other and stay healthy.

Craig Myles                                                       Jay Aspin
Director of Education                                              Chair, Board of Trustees

West Ferris Students Receive Vale COVID-19 Challenge Grant

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June 19, 2020 –West Ferris Secondary School (WFSS) STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) program students have received one of eleven worldwide Vale COVID-19 challenge grants for their construction and distribution of the UV Cube sterilizer box. The Vale challenge was launched earlier this year to expand solutions against COVID-19, including risk monitoring and prevention and patient monitoring.

Tessa Summers, Fionna Truong, Ella Kelso and Emily Yates built the UV Cube at the request of Fionna’s father, Dr. James Truong, to assist with the sterilization of Personal Protective Equipment at the North Bay Regional Health Centre. The UV Cube is a do-it-yourself sterilizer, about the size of a small oven, made from materials found at the local hardware store. Using high-intensity ultraviolet light, the cube can sterilize everything from medical masks to mobile phones to shoes.

The students are all members of FIRST Team 1305 Ice Cubed, a competitive robotics team consisting of kids from across North Bay. They used their contacts with other FIRST Teams across the country to facilitate the construction and delivery of UV Cubes to health care providers. The funding from Vale will enable the production of fifty kits, which will be donated to small and medium medical clinics in Canada. In North Bay, the UV Cubes will be distributed to the North Bay Regional Health Centre, Casselhome, Easthome, LIPI, Lakeshore Dental and Northern Shores Pharmacy.

To learn more about the STEAM program visit the WFSS website at https://www.nearnorthschools.ca/west-ferris/academics/steam/

For more information, please contact:

Mairghread Knought
Information/Communication Officer
Near North District School Board
(705) 472-8170, extension 5010
Mairghread.Knought@nearnorthschools.ca

NNDSB RECOGNITION OF RETIREES AND 25 YEARS OF SERVICE EMPLOYEES

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Congratulations to the NNDSB employees who will be retiring at the end of this year. We thank you for your hard work and dedication to our students, families and school communities. Congratulations also to those employees who have dedicated 25 years of service in the Near North District School Board (NNDSB).

This year has presented our employees with unexpected challenges. All NNDSB employees, including school administration, educators, and support staff, worked tirelessly using creativity and innovation to support our students in their educational and emotional journey.

Unfortunately, one of the challenges that came to light now is that due to the current social and physical distancing restrictions and health and safety requirements to reduce the spread of COVID-19, we are unable to celebrate our employees as we traditionally would have.

We recognize that the work of those who have dedicated 25 years of service and the NNDSB retirees is invaluable to our students and our system.

Congratulations on your milestone accomplishment. Thank you for your years of hard work and dedication to the Near North District School Board family.

Craig Myles                                                   Jay Aspin
Director of Education                                  Chair, Board of Trustees

NNDSB Establishes a New Governance Manual and By-laws

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June 9, 2020 – The Near North District School Board (NNDSB) intends to adopt a new governance manual and by-laws at the June 22, 2020, regular board meeting. Since inauguration, a complete review of board governance policies, procedures and by-laws was a priority of the board and was further assisted by recommendations of both the Ontario Ombudsman and the Ministry of Education Special Advisors.

The Director of Education retained Wayne Joudrie to lead this process and develop policies, procedures and by-laws that would guide and direct the activity of the NNDSB while reflecting best practices and legislative requirements for Ontario school boards. Mr. Joudrie was a Ministry of Education Special Advisor assigned to work with the NNDSB. He has held prominent senior leadership positions across the education sector, including superintendent of education, superintendent of schools, director of education and executive director of the Public Council of Ontario Directors of Education.

Governance and accountability play an essential role in supporting and improving public confidence in the NNDSB and Ontario’s publicly funded education system. Once approved, the draft governance manual and by-laws will accommodate recommendations put forth by the Ontario Ombudsman and Special Advisors.

“Since taking office, our Board of Trustees have been clear and persistent about their commitment to transparent, accountable and ethical governance. The completion of our governance manual and by-laws is a significant priority for our Board of Trustees and our Senior Administration. These documents are essential to provide both management and Trustees with the framework necessary to provide professional and effective delivery of education services. This accomplishment will provide another key cornerstone to further restore the public’s confidence in our organization.”  Jay Aspin, Chair.

For more information, please contact:

Mairghread Knought
Information/Communication Officer
P. (705) 472-8170, extension 5010
E. Mairghread.Knought@nearnorthschools.ca

June is PRIDE Month

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In June, we celebrate PRIDE.  This is an opportunity to celebrate diversity and raise awareness about the rich culture and history of LGBTQ+ communities. It is important that all our students and staff feel safe and have a sense of belonging within the schools of the NNDSB.  While celebrations need to happen virtually this year, PRIDE month continues to provide opportunities for celebrating and learning about LGBTQ+ communities!

During Pride Month, we encourage staff, students, families and our communities to spend some time learning about the many achievements and contributions of the LGBTQ+ communities in addition to learning about their history, trials and tribulations.​​

National Indigenous History Month

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June is National Indigenous History Month. Each June, Canadians are invited to celebrate the heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding achievements of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples by taking part in National Indigenous History Month learning and events. National Indigenous Peoples History Month is a time to acknowledge our history, to honour Indigenous heritage and to celebrate Indigenous cultures. It also represents an opportunity to reflect on the strength of present-day First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities, and their hopes for the future.

National Indigenous Peoples Day occurs on June 21.  This day represents an opportunity annually for all of us to recognize and celebrate the unique heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding contributions of First Nation, Metis and Inuit People.  This is especially significant for many Indigenous communities as this date is the summer solstice, the longest day of the year.

Please celebrate with us!

https://www.nearnorthschools.ca/programs/indigenous-education

To learn more about National Indigenous History Month, please visit the Government of Canada website at the link below:

https://www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/eng/1466616436543/1534874922512

Extended French Virtual Information Session

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Bienvenue! We invite you and your grade 4 student to consider enrolling in the Near North District School Board’s Extended French program, which begins at the start of grade 5.

The Extended French program is a French-language learning option that is open and available to all students, including students with special needs and identified students. Student IEPs will outline the support necessary for student success.

Our Extended French program implements the following model:

  • Grades 5 and 6 – 60% of grade-level programs and subjects are instructed in French.
  • Grades 7 and 8 – 50% of the daily program are instructed in French
  • Secondary school – a minimum of 4 Extended French courses taught in French.

To learn more about the program, please visit us online at https://www.nearnorthschools.ca/programs/fsl/extended-french/.  We will also be hosting a virtual information session on June 4, 2020, at 6: 30 p.m., which you can access through our website.  Our staff are looking forward to answering any questions you may have and introducing you to our Extended French program.

If you wish to register your child for the Extended French program or obtain more information, please contact the board office at (705) 472-8170 or email info@nearnorthschools.ca.

Celebrating Students Who Make A Difference

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Every year as part the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, the Near North District School Board (NNDSB) asks our schools to nominate students who exude good citizenship, along with understanding and acceptance of human differences and individual qualities.

Please click on their name below to learn more about how they have made a difference this year. Congratulations!!!

Mikaila Kimball & Alistair McPherson - Chippewa Secondary School

Liam Compton - E.W. Norman Public School

Julia Synott - Phelps Public School

Cody Patterson - Mattawa District Public School

Alexis Kreutz - Mattawa District Public School

In past years, nominated students have been invited to a celebration hosted by the Multicultural Centre entitled “The Evening of Applause.” Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, the Evening of Applause will not be proceeding as planned this year. Therefore, to honour all of the award recipients, we will be sending them a printed version of the plaque with a nomination write-up. An official plaque will be forwarded to the school where it will be displayed.

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