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September Director’s Message

September 26, 2018 By Mairghread

On behalf of the Near North District School Board I am pleased to welcome you to the 2018-2019 school year. I hope that you are settling in and adjusting to the school routine. While it is hard to see the end of summer, here at Near North we are excited to once again begin the process of educating our students to their fullest potential. The highlight of my job has always been getting to meet our students and school communities. Each year I am amazed by our students and staff and I cannot wait to be see once again, what they will accomplish this year.

Whether you are a returning student, new to our schools or just starting your journey in Kindergarten, the NNDSB will continue to provide access to high quality education that meets the needs of all our students.

Throughout the year students and parents can access assistance, information and guidance when needed.  All the Boards guidelines and policies are available for students and parents here Administrative Guidelines.  However, we recognize that every student is unique so please do not hesitate to contact us if you require assistance or need further information.  Public Inquiries Administrative Guideline

Thank you for choosing the NNDSB for the educational needs of your children. We are confident that you will be pleased with the dynamic, relevant and engaging learning environment we have created for students. Please check this site and our Facebook page regularly for updates, news and events.

Jackie Young Signature

 

 

Jackie Young,
Director of Education

Filed Under: NNDSB Featured

NNDSB Students Participate Annual Terry Fox Walk/Run Events

September 24, 2018 By Mairghread

The annual Terry Fox Runs  is days away, and our students are gearing up to raise money for cancer research and help keep Terry Fox’s dream alive.

Terry Fox’s Marathon of Hope might have ended in 1980 but the spark he lit in the hearts and minds of Canadians ignited into a campaign of hope that has lasted more than three decades. Once again this September hundreds of thousands of Terry Fox supporters will participate in their favourite Canadian fall tradition at one of more than 700 Terry Fox Runs from coast to coast to coast to ensure that cancer research continues to forge ahead.

The students and staff at the Near North District School Board appreciate your support with this important initiative.

Terry Fox had a single dream: a world without cancer. Come and join us as we work together in pursuit of this dream. For more information on the Terry Fox Run and Foundation, visit www.terryfox.org

 

Filed Under: NNDSB Featured, Uncategorized

Every Child Matters Orange Shirt Day

September 24, 2018 By Mairghread

Orange Shirt Day

Recognized annually on September 30th

What is Orange Shirt Day?

Orange Shirt Day, which started in 2013, was designed to educate people and promote awareness about the Indian Residential School system and the impact on Indigenous communities. in Canada. We wear orange in affirmation of our commitment to truth and reconciliation.

Indian residential schools operated in Canada between 1831 and 1996 at over 130 sites. The schools were unsafe physically, cognitively, social/emotionally and spiritually. More than 150 000 children were forced to attend the schools. Children suffered ongoing, often severe abuse & neglect and thousands of children died. The schools were a direct cause of loss of language, culture, traditional knowledge and community. The effects continue to echo through our nation.

One Child’s Story

Phyllis was only 6 years old when she was forced to attend residential school in the early 1970’s. The first day at the school was tragic and one she would never forget. Alone and frightened, all her items were taken away, including her best and favourite shiny orange shirt. “The colour orange has always reminded me of that day….how my feelings didn’t matter, how no one cared and how I felt like I was worth nothing. All of us little children were crying and no one cared”.

On September 30th, the same time of year children were taken to Residential schools, we remember and acknowledge this painful legacy. We wear orange to symbolize the journey towards healing, truth and reconciliation, in honour of the children who survived residential schools and those who did not.

Every Child Matters
Moving Towards Reconciliation

Fore more information please visit:

 www.orangeshirtday.org 

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Near North District School Board EQAO Results Continue to Follow Provincial Trends

September 24, 2018 By Mairghread

The Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) has released the results of the grades 3, 6 and 9 Assessments of Reading, Writing and Mathematics as well as the grade 10 Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) that were written by Ontario secondary students during the 2017-2018 school year.    

“As a board we understand the value of the information and insight provided by the EQAO results.  EQAO continues to provide us with useful data which we will explore in its entirety to help inform our planning and practices. This information is carefully analyzed to ensure that we continue to meet the programming and educational needs of our students, while recognizing the individual strengths and challenges of those same students.  I’m very proud of all of our students and teachers and applaud their hard work.” – Jackie Young, Director of Education  

Reading and Writing  

Grades 3 and 6:  While results vary by school, the overall trends showed grades 3 and 6 Reading and Writing achievement in many of our schools are at or approaching the provincial outcomes.  In comparison to the previous year’s results, reading scores demonstrated a slight increase in the number of students meeting or exceeding the Provincial Standard (Levels 3 or 4).  

  • 67% of grade 3 students and 78% of grade 6 students continued to meet the provincial reading standard, representing a slight increase over last year. 
  • 56% of grade 3 students and 72% of grade 6 students have met the expected level in writing.  This represents a decrease of 3% for grade 3 students while grade 6 students achieved a consistent result with 2016-17. 

Grade 10:  The grade 10 Literacy Test is a compulsory standardized test for all secondary school students in Ontario wishing to obtain an Ontario Secondary School Diploma.  The test is based on all of the reading and writing expectations in all subjects up to the end of grade 9.  

  • Of first-time eligible writers of the grade 10 Literacy Test, the Board’s test results decreased by 7% from the previous year (74% to 67%).  Similarly, the province’s results slipped 2% from the previous year (81% to 79%). 

 In response to the decrease, Superintendent of Education, Craig Myles said, “We have developed and implemented a Literacy Strategic Plan in all of our secondary schools.  Further, we will examine and triangulate our data in order to determine where we can implement best practices to improve.”’ 

Mathematics 

Grades 3 and 6:   

Mathematics scores decreased during the 2017-2018 year for grade 3 and 6 students within the Near North District School Board and across Ontario.  

  •  41% of grade 3 students met the standard in 2017-18 compared to 47% in 2016-17, indicating a 6% decrease. 
  • 30% of grade 6 students met the standard in 2017-18 compared to 34% in 2016-17, representing a 4% decrease. 

 Improving mathematics results for both primary and junior divisions continues to be a focus.  The Ministry of Education is taking action to help students across the province gain the mathematical knowledge they need to achieve success.  The Near North District School Board has implemented daily focused mathematics instruction for students in grades 1-8 during protected blocks of time.  Protected time for mathematics will allow for a more sustained period of effective instruction and assessment every day. The Board is committed to implementing the strategies outlined in the Focusing on the Fundamentals of Math: Teacher Guide to improve mathematics learning for all students.   

Grade 9:   

  • 38% of students who wrote the grade 9 applied test met the provincial standard in 2017-18 compared to 48% in 2016-17 and 39% in 2015-16. 
  • 75% of students who wrote the grade 9 academic test met the provincial standard in 2017-18 compared to 75% in 2016-17 and 70% in 2015-16. 

 “We will continue with our efforts on math improvement, which includes the implementation of the province’s mathematics initiative, “Focusing on the Fundamentals of Math”, said Superintendent of Education Craig Myles.  

“As a district, we have placed a focus on number sense and numeration as a foundation for mathematical understanding across the strands and subject areas. The EQAO data will help to inform our board and school teams as we collectively engage in efforts to improve outcomes for every child.  We believe that effective programming responds to the diverse interests, learning preferences and readiness of learners.” said Acting Superintendent of Education Melanie Gray. 

 EQAO results are important, but they are just one among many assessment tools that both schools and boards use to measure and improve upon the quality of student programming and student success.   

 For more information, please contact: 

Grades 3 and 6 Results:

Melanie Gray, Acting Superintendent of Education 
(705) 472-8170; 1-800-278-4922, Ext. 7022
Melanie.Gray@nearnorthschools.ca

 Grades 9 and 10 Results: 

Craig Myles, Superintendent of Education 
(705) 472-8170; 1-800-278-4922, Ext. 5002
Craig.Myles@nearnorthschools.ca

 Learn More 

  • Focusing on the Fundamentals of Math: A Teachers Guide 
  • A Parent’s Guide to the Fundamentals of Math – Grades 1 to 8 
  • The Ontario Curriculum Grades 1-8 
  • Doing Math with Your Child, Kindergarten to Grade 6: A Parent Guide 

Filed Under: Media Releases

Wear Purple on Rowan’s Law Day

September 22, 2018 By Mairghread

Rowan Stringer loved rugby. A competitive and keen athlete, she was captain of her high school’s team. Tragically, in May 2013, 17-year old Rowan died as the result of head injuries she sustained while playing rugby. In the week before her last game, Rowan was hit twice while playing, likely sustaining a concussion after each blow. Her concussions went unreported, and she continued to play. Rowan suspected something wasn’t right—she texted a friend about her condition and used Google to search for information about concussions. When she was hit again in her final game, Rowan suffered what is known as Second Impact Syndrome—catastrophic swelling caused by a second injury to a brain still healing from previous trauma. Rowan collapsed on the field on May 8, 2013, and died four days later.

What is Rowan’s Law Day?

Rowan’s Law Day was established in 2018, and will be observed across Ontario on the last Wednesday in September each year. The purpose of Rowan’s Law Day is to increase concussion education awareness, especially in schools.

Filed Under: NNDSB Featured, Uncategorized

Update on Parry Sound JK-12 Project

September 19, 2018 By Mairghread

September 18, 2018 – Please note that the Near North District School Board has not made any further changes after the Board motion adopted in October 2013 to proceed with the construction of a JK-12 school on the existing Parry Sound High School site.    A business case to was submitted to the Ministry of Education under the school consolidation capital program.  In March 2015 the Ministry of Education approved the business case that was submitted for a JK-12 consolidation and funding eligibility was confirmed. The Board continues to work with affected stakeholders, community partners and various levels of government to ensure that the project proceeds in accordance with all legal and legislative requirements.

As with all projects of this nature it is imperative that the Board review all new developments and changes in circumstances as they arise.  If a review of any such information results in a change it would be confirmed by way of Board motion and shared with affected parties and stakeholders through the approved communication process.  The NNDSB is committed to moving forward with this project in a fiscally responsible manner that meets the needs of the students, parents and the community.

For more information, please contact:

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

Filed Under: Media Releases

W.J. Fricker Project Proceeding

September 19, 2018 By Mairghread

September 18, 2018 – Please note that at this time the Near North District School Board has not made any changes with respect to the previously approved Board motion to proceed with the construction of a new elementary school on the W. J. Fricker site.  An application to proceed with the construction of a new elementary school was submitted to the Ministry of Education in accordance with the required “Capital Construction Approval Process”.  The Ministry has approved the scope of the project based upon programming and space requirements submitted by staff.  The Board is currently preparing Request for Proposal documentation required in order to secure an architect to proceed with design and construction drawings.

As with all projects of this nature it is imperative that the board review all developments and changes in circumstances as they arise.  If a review of any such information results in a change it would be confirmed by way of Board motion and shared with affected parties and stakeholders through the approved communication process.  The NNDSB is committed to moving forward with this project in a fiscally responsible manner that meets the needs of the students, parents and the community.

For more information, please contact:

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

Filed Under: Media Releases

Municipal Election Information for Candidates and Schools

September 14, 2018 By Mairghread

The municipal election will be held on Monday, Oct. 22, 2018.   The following guidelines are designed to assist school administrators, current trustees and candidates during the months leading up to the municipal elections.

Role of current trustees

Current trustees are still serving out the end of their term of office and continue to fulfill their usual roles. It is appropriate for schools to involve their local trustee in events and activities at the school in a way they would have prior to the beginning of the municipal election campaigns.

For example, if it is the previous practice of a school to have the local trustee hand out student awards at the monthly assembly or attend a regular school council meeting, this practice can continue during the election campaign.

However, schools cannot send out any campaign material on behalf of the current trustee if he or she is also a candidate in the municipal election.

School visit by candidates

Requests by candidates to visit a school are not considered appropriate during an election campaign.  This restriction includes informal visits to classrooms and meetings with the school council or with school administrators. If a candidate contacts you asking to visit your school, explain that the schools are not permitted to allow visits of any kind by candidates for municipal office.   Questions can be directed to Mairghread Knought, Information Officer and Communications Officer at extension 5010.

It is appropriate for current trustees, who are also candidates, to visit schools to participate in events and activities as they would have prior to the beginning of the municipal election campaigns, however it is not appropriate for those persons to campaign.

All-candidate meetings

In middle and secondary schools, the election may be an ideal time to help students learn more about municipal government. The Near North board allows all-candidates meetings and other learning activities that are part of the classroom program.

Distribution of material by candidates

The Near North Board administrative guideline: "Advertising and Distribution in Schools by Outside Organizations" does not allow any political information to be distributed via schools. For this reason, no campaign material may be distributed to students, parents or staff via schools. It also includes material distributed indirectly on behalf of a candidate—for example; the school council cannot choose to distribute information about a candidate. This restriction includes current trustees who are also candidates in the municipal election. Until the election, the school should not distribute any information by or about trustees who are also candidates.

However, schools do not have control over what happens off school property. If a candidate stands off school property and distributes campaign material to parents and students, there is no action the school can or should take.

On the other hand, it is appropriate to distribute information about the election in general—for example, information from the municipality about the date of the election.

Using Board email by candidates

The use of Board email by candidates (including current trustees) to distribute campaign information is not appropriate, as outlined in the board’s administrative guideline: “Acceptable Use.”  Although it is not explicitly outlined, under Section 2.0: Availability of Access, it states “Access to the Near North District School Board’s electronic communications system, including the internet, shall be made available to employees, trustees, and students for instructional, administrative and professional development purposes.”

Using Board email by a candidate to distribute campaign information by email could be considered a personal advantage given that a member of the public interested in running would not have access to Board email.

Social media—personal accounts

If you follow/friend a candidate on your personal social media accounts (e.g. Twitter and Facebook), you do not need to unfollow him or her. The board is not discouraging staff from following or engaging with candidates on social media during their personal time.

Although it is not an issue for most board or school staff to communicate with and campaign outside of work hours for trustee candidates on social media, it is not recommended that school administrators or other senior staff campaign on behalf of a trustee candidate. School administrators and senior staff may wish to limit retweets, likes and favourites from their personal social media accounts as these can often be perceived as endorsements.

Social media—school accounts

If you follow/friend a candidate on your school’s social media accounts (e.g. Twitter and Facebook), you do not need to unfollow him or her. However, from now until after the election, you should not follow any other candidates unless you have just opened a school account. If you open an account during this time, if you follow one candidate, you should follow them all until after the election.

From now until the election, do not retweet, favourite or like candidates’ social media posts from your school’s accounts. These can be perceived as endorsements and must be avoided.

School councils

School councils are agents of the school and the Near North District School Board and are bound by the same guidelines as the school. It is not appropriate for the school council as a group to endorse a specific trustee candidate or to campaign on behalf of a specific candidate. The council could, however, host an all-candidates meeting to assist parents in learning more about all the candidates.

The council shall not distribute information on behalf of, or about, a specific candidate. If it is the normal practice of the school council to meet regularly with the local trustee(s), those meetings can continue as they usually would. Otherwise, individual candidates are not permitted to meet with the council during the campaign period.

These guidelines apply to the school council as a group.  The individual parent members of a school council, including the chair of the council, are not limited in any way in terms of their ability to campaign for specific candidates. They support a candidate, however, as an individual, not as a representative of the council.

A school council chair or member who is also a candidate for election as trustee may continue in their elected role for the remainder of the 2017-18 school year. However, they must not use their role to promote their campaign while they are serving in the role of school council member. They are not allowed to distribute campaign material on school property or to discuss their campaign during council meetings.

School council meetings are public. Even though candidates for municipal office are not allowed to meet directly with the council, a candidate may choose to attend a council meeting as a member of the public. They may ask a question during public question period, as any other member of the public could, but are not allowed to use this time to deliver campaign messages or to give out campaign material at the meeting.

Requests for information

The Near North District School Board is committed to public accountability and service when responding to any information request. If a candidate contacts the school office for information about your school, provide that information as promptly as possible—as you would if the request came from a parent or other member of your community. There is no need to determine why the information is being requested.

Generally, all information about schools and the Near North board is public, except for confidential student records or personnel issues, and is therefore provided upon request. As you are aware, a list of all the students at your school or in a grade or class is not public information. If you are asked for information that you do not have, refer the request to Mairghread Knought, Information and Communications Officer at extension 5010.

Advice for staff regarding campaigning for candidates

Obviously, it is not appropriate for any Near North board staff member to campaign for or endorse a specific trustee candidate while in the workplace. While it is not an issue for most board or school staff to campaign outside of work hours for trustee candidates, it is not recommended that school administrators or other senior staff campaign on behalf of a trustee candidate.

Filed Under: News and Announcements, NNDSB Featured

Busing Information Available for 2018-2019 School Year

August 14, 2018 By Mairghread

The Nipissing Parry Sound Student Transportation Services website has been updated with busing information for the 2018-2019 school year.  To obtain information on student bus routes and times please log on with the students OEN number under the Student Login tab on the Nipissing Parry Sound Student Transportation Services.  The OEN number can be located on the students report card.

NPSSTS Student Login

Filed Under: NNDSB Featured

NNDSB Issues Statement on Health and Physical Education Curriculum

August 1, 2018 By Mairghread

The Ontario Government and Ministry of Education recently announced the repeal of the Health and Physical Education curriculum introduced in 2015, reinstating the 20-year-old 1998 curriculum in our classrooms.

Many concerns have been raised province-wide about reverting to a curriculum that does not include information on many issues that our children face in our very changed world of 2018.  The ease with which our children can access information on-line makes it enormously challenging for parents and educators and it is critical that we provide guidance to our children so that they remain safe and informed.

The Near North District School Board would like to add to the collective voice of the Boards respectfully asking that the Ontario Government begin its consultation immediately.  We also believe that the 2015 curriculum needs to be the starting point for this consultation and must remain in place until this process is complete.

With the growing number of public statements from many school boards, other concerned organizations, and members of the public, some contradictory messaging has arisen from the Ministry of Education.  Accordingly, Ontario School Boards are now waiting for clarification with respect to the curriculum content that will be available to teaching staff in September.

Recognizing that our students and teachers will be returning the classroom very shortly, the Near North District School Board will remain committed to:

  • teaching that promotes inclusion and diversity;
  • providing the necessary support for the safety and well-being of our LGBTQ+ community and all students and staff;
  • continuing to educate about gender issues, internet safety, healthy relationships, and informed consent.

Since public consultation was the issue prompting this move, it is important that all public, students, parents and staff questions and concerns are heard by our government.  The Near North District School Board encourages you to please contact your local Member of Provincial Parliament and/or the Minister of Education to share your concerns and thoughts.

Sincerely,

David Thompson
Board Chairperson

Filed Under: NNDSB Posts

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