January 29, 2020 – The Near North District School Board (NNDSB) Trustees have approved the allocation of approximately $1.4 million to commence necessary renovations to Chippewa and West Ferris facilities to continue offering existing and expanded programming.    

Funds will be used to prioritize renovations and building upgrades that will assist in improving student success and achievement, while ensuring equitable access to NNDSB programs and facilities.  

The NNDSB is working to provide students with a sense of security and comfort during the transition.  Senior Administration and school staff continue to work on the implementation of the 3:2 School Consolidation through the ongoing review of budgets and workplans.     

 “The Board of Trustees is elated to see this project moving forward. Having the facilities in place to offer high quality, equitable and inclusive education to all students has been a priority for our board since taking office.   We are committed to making decisions that are in the best interests of our students and communities.”  Jay Aspin, Chair. 

For more information, please contact: 

Mairghread Knought 
Information/Communications Officer 
Near North District School Board 
Tel:  705-472-8170 ext. 5010 
Email: Mairghread.Knought@nearnorthschools.ca 

December 17, 2019 –  The Near North District School Board is pleased to announce that Craig Myles has been appointed the Director of Education, effective January 6, 2020.

“The board is pleased to have chosen an internal candidate for our Director. We are confident that his skills and extensive experience with the board will be a key component in moving the Near North forward to embrace the challenges ahead.  Craig’s strong background in secondary programming, familiarity with local educational opportunities and emphasis on board governance will allow him to hit the ground running. ” (Jay Aspin, Chair).

Craig Myles is in his 6^th year as Superintendent of Student Success with the Near North District School Board. With more than15 years of experience as an educational leader, his portfolios have included school effectiveness, special education, safe schools, student success, alternative education, international education and secondary/elementary school supervision. Myles is known for his commitment to students and his focus on improving student achievement through the development and implementation of responsive teaching and learning practices. Under his leadership, the NNDSB has seen an increase in the graduation rate of 5.2% and an elevation of secondary school credit accumulation by 12%.

“This is an exciting opportunity for me to focus my years of experience in collaborating with trustees, administrators, teachers, support staff and parents to improve student learning and student success at the NNDSB. We are fortunate to have such innovative, caring and qualified educators and leaders in our schools and I look forward to my continued work with them to deliver equitable and inclusive high-quality education to all our students” (Craig Myles, Director of Education).

For more information, please contact:

Mairghread Knought

Information/Communications Officer
Near North District School Board
Tel:  705-472-8170 ext. 5010
Email: Mairghread.Knought@nearnorthschools.ca

December 5, 2019 – Near North District School Board (NNDSB) Trustees were provided with an update on the North Secondary School 3:2 Consolidation at a Special Committee of the Whole Meeting on December 3, 2019.   Senior Administration and school staff continue to work on the implementation of the 3:2 school consolidation through the ongoing review of budgets and workplans.    

Trustees discussed options for programming at West Ferris Secondary School and Chippewa Secondary School for the 2020/2021 school year.  In addition to existing programs the NNDSB will be offering a new Near North Sports Program at West Ferris Secondary School.  Senior Administration confirmed their ongoing commitment to ensuring that all specialized programs are equitable and available to all students.   

“The Board of Trustees is committed to making decisions that are in the best interests of our students and communities.  While the decision to close a school is a difficult one, moving forward we will be able to continue providing quality programs and supports for our students.”  Jay Aspin, Chair 

For more information, please contact: 

Mairghread Knought 
Information/Communications Officer 
Near North District School Board 
Tel:  705-472-8170 ext. 5010 
Email: Mairghread.Knought@nearnorthschools.ca 

December 4, 2019 – Last evening at the Annual Organizational Meeting of the Near North District School Board (NNDSB), Trustee Jay Aspin was re-elected as Chair and Trustee John Cochrane was acclaimed as Vice-Chair.   

 Chair Aspin expressed his gratitude to fellow Trustees for the significant  time and effort that has been spent working together over the past year to move forward a number of Board initiatives.   In addition to the decision to proceed with the closure of Widdifield, the Board of Trustees have begun moving forward with a new Multi-Year Plan, a review of the organizational structure, and recruitment of a new Director of Education. 

 Vice-Chair John Cochrane is confident in the commitment of his fellow Trustees and is hopeful  that the Board will be  successful in moving the Parry Sound project forward. 

 “We have turned the corner – We are entering our 2nd year of significant reformation towards regaining the public trust and reputation of the Near North District School Board.  While, there is a significant amount of work to be completed, this Board of Trustees have proven their ability to move forward and make informed decisions based on the best interests of our students and communities. ” Jay Aspin, Chair 

 For more information, please contact: 

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

August 14, 2019 – The Near North District School Board has begun implementing the recommendations contained in the Ombudsman’s Final Report.  In addition to a number of recommendations for improved process and governance, the following recommendation was identified with respect to the Secondary School Consolidation:  

“The Near North District School Board should prepare a new final staff report that explains the additional information received in the summer of 2017 and that was discussed in private in September 2017. It should present the report to trustees as part of a public meeting, afford community members an opportunity to comment on it, and then take a new vote on the secondary school consolidation.” 

 The new final staff report and attached documentation will be presented to the Board of Trustees at a Special Committee of the Whole meeting on Monday, August 19, 2019 at 6:00 p.m.  Following this meeting the report and attached documentation will be posted to the NNDSB website in order to provide the public with an opportunity to review and provide comments.  Any received comments will be compiled and presented to the Board of Trustees at the September 10, 2019 Committee of the Whole beginning at 6:00 p.m.  Parties who wish to speak to the secondary school consolidation will need to register with the Board Office by 12:00 p.m. on Friday, September 6, 2019. 

 The Board of Trustees will re-vote on the secondary school consolidation at the September 24, 2019 Regular Board Meeting beginning at 6:00 p.m. 

 For more information, please contact:  

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

 June 24, 2019 –  The Northern Secondary School  NNDSB ‘Logo’ committee is pleased to share the new school logo of “The Stars”.  “The Stars,” which appears in the middle of our logo represents the idea that we can all be stars, all be shining lights in the night, that we can reach for the stars to achieve our maximum potential. We are stars who will light the paths of others and fuel the imaginations of those who seek inspiration.

Both staff and students are extremely grateful to the members of the committee for their hard work and dedication to this project.   The process of choosing a new name and logo took place over two y

ears, with a consultation process that has included students, staff, and community and alumni partners.  Brandon Harvey, a graduating student, designed what we now call “The Stars” which consists of our school colours of red and silver and the spirit of our new name and school.

Stars are always a welcome sight in the sky, shining bright. That is how we all see our future here at Northern Secondary, bright, inspirational, and welcoming! It’s our time to shine, GO STARS!

For more information, please contact:

Laurent Paquette
Principal
Northern Secondary School
(705)-472-5322
Laurent.Paquette@nearnorthschools.ca