Parry Sound High School and Francis Pegahmagabow Elementary School Update

October 7, 2026

Dear Parents/Guardians,

We have some positive progress to share on the work underway at Parry Sound High School and Francis Pegahmagabow Elementary School.

We’re getting close. The major construction work on the six affected hex pods is now complete, including the flooring, insulation and exterior work. The remaining steps are focused on getting the spaces fully ready for students and staff, including cleaning, moving furniture and equipment and completing the technology set-up.

The current target is to have students back in the hex pods by the end of next week. This timeline will remain dependent on the spaces being fully ready and meeting all safety requirements.  Families will be kept informed as the finishing touches are completed and the move-in schedule is confirmed.

The new playground is also taking shape, with installation underway and landscaping around the play area continuing. The playground is already generating excitement at the school, and we look forward to students being able to make full use of the space. We’ll provide an update when the playground is ready to open.

The track is available for use, with temporary lines expected to be added early next week, weather permitting. The field will need another week or so for the grass to knit before it can be used. Full completion of the track remains on schedule for the spring.

Signage for the transition between the elementary and secondary areas is also moving forward. The floor and overhead signage are currently being designed, with fabrication and installation to follow.

Connectivity throughout the school continues to improve. Wi-Fi is now working in all areas of the building, and the IT team is continuing to work on cellular service to further improve reliable communication for staff.

We know families are eager to see students back in their regular learning spaces. The focus remains on getting these final pieces in place so students can return to hex pods that are safe, ready for learning and properly set up.

We’re getting close to the finish line, and we appreciate the staff and teams who are helping to bring this work together. We’ll continue to keep families informed as the remaining steps are completed and provide an update on Wednesday, October 14.

Sincerely,

Jay MacJanet
CEO/CEDO

Rebecca Bell
Supervisor

NEWS RELEASE 

Near North District School Board Students Improve in Every Elementary EQAO Assessment Area

Highlights

• 72% of Grade 3 students met the provincial standard in reading, up from 60% last year, while 59% met the provincial standard in writing, up from 43%.
• 38% of Grade 6 students met the provincial standard in mathematics, an increase of nine percentage points from 29% last year.
• Achievement increased in all six Grade 3 and Grade 6 assessment areas, with every result higher than it was three years ago.
• NNDSB narrowed the gap with provincial achievement in all six elementary assessment areas.

October 7, 2026 (North Bay, ON) – Students across Near North District School Board (NNDSB) made significant gains on EQAO assessments in 2025-2026, with achievement increasing in all six Grade 3 and Grade 6 assessment areas, particularly in Grade 3 literacy and Grade 6 mathematics.

EQAO assessments provide one measure of student achievement in literacy and mathematics and help schools and boards identify areas of strength and opportunities for growth as well as other locally developed data information.

For Grade 3, 72% of students met the provincial standard in reading, 59% in writing, and 55% in mathematics. In Grade 6, 82% of students met the provincial standard in reading, 79% in writing, and 38% in mathematics. Every Grade 3 and Grade 6 result is higher than it was three years ago, demonstrating sustained improvement over time.

NNDSB also made progress relative to the province. The gap between NNDSB and provincial achievement narrowed in all six Grade 3 and Grade 6 assessment areas this year. While provincial achievement remains higher overall, NNDSB improved at a faster rate than the province in every elementary subject assessed.

“We’re encouraged by the progress reflected in these results, particularly in elementary literacy and mathematics where we saw improvement in every area assessed,” said Jay MacJanet, CEO and Director of Education. “These gains reflect the hard work of our students, staff and families. At the same time, the results help identify where we need to maintain our focus so every student has the opportunity to succeed.”

At the secondary level, Grade 9 mathematics remains an area of concern. In 2025-2026, 35% of NNDSB students met the provincial standard, compared with 58.7% provincially.

Grade 10 literacy also remains an area of focus. In 2025-2026, 71.6% of students writing the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) for the first time met the provincial standard, a decline of 3.7 percentage points from 2023-2024. This compares with a provincial result of 85.6%. These results highlight the need for continued focus on literacy instruction and targeted supports to help students strengthen the reading and writing skills needed for success.

At Near North District School Board, the success and achievement of our students remain our top priority. The recent EQAO results reflect the progress we are making together, showing gains across all elementary assessment areas in math and literacy. To build on this momentum, we have added dedicated instructional coaches to work directly alongside our educators, implementing high-impact strategies that strengthen daily instruction in reading, writing, and mathematics. Moving forward, NNDSB will continue to use data to drive our decision-making and strategically leverage our budget to ensure our resources directly support student achievement across all grade levels.

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Media Contact: 
Natalie Cockerline
Marketing and Communications Officer
Near North District School Board
communications@nearnorthschools.ca

Parry Sound High School Hex Pod Update

October 2, 2026

Dear Parents/Guardians,

As promised, we’re providing another update on the work underway at Parry Sound High School.

Work on the hex pods continues to move forward. Flooring in all six affected units is expected to be completed by the end of today (Friday). Spray foam insulation and reinstallation of the unit ventilators are scheduled for Monday and Tuesday. If that work stays on schedule, the facilities team could begin moving furniture back into the hex pods later next week.

We know families are eager for clarity about when students will be back in their regular learning spaces, and we expect to provide an update on the move-in date on Wednesday, October 7. Our focus remains on making sure the necessary work is completed, and the spaces are safe for students and staff to return.

We’ve also been working on the concerns raised about movement between the elementary and secondary areas of the school.

As shared in our September 30 update, the doors connecting the two areas cannot be locked due to building and fire code requirements. School administration and the Board’s facilities team have been working together on ways to clearly differentiate the two areas while still allowing students and staff to move through the hallways when needed.

The doors between the elementary and secondary areas support a safe and clearly defined separation during the school day, while allowing for their use during emergencies, supervised transitions, and other approved school activities as needed. When students travel between these areas, staff supervision is required, the movement is connected to a specific school purpose, and students are expected to follow established school expectations at all times.

Clear floor and overhead signage will also be added to further identify the transition between the two areas and help guide people through the school.

We appreciate families’ patience as this work continues. A big thank you to our staff and the teams working behind the scenes to keep things moving forward as we completed the repairs and prepare the hex pods for students and staff to return.

We’ll provide another progress update on Wednesday, October 7

Thank you,

Jay MacJanet
CEO/CEDO

Rebecca Bell
Supervisor

Comprehensive Update on Hex Pods at Parry Sound High School

September 30, 2026

Dear Families,

Thank you for your patience and support as we continue to address issues identified within the hex pod classrooms at Parry Sound High School. We understand families have questions regarding the repair work underway and several operational matters related to the school. We would like to provide an update on the work completed to date and the steps ahead.

Hex Pod Investigation and Findings

Following reports of soft spots in the flooring, the Board engaged qualified contractors and a third-party environmental consultant to conduct a detailed assessment of all hex pod classrooms.

The investigation determined that six of the seven hex pods were affected by water infiltration beneath the flooring system. When the flooring was opened for inspection, evidence of moisture-related deterioration and mould growth was identified within the building materials in all six affected hex pods.

The seventh hex pod, which was constructed and installed on-site by the Board’s current contractor, was not impacted by these issues. The school’s newest portable classroom, supplied by a different manufacturer, was also unaffected.

As a precautionary measure, all seven hex pods were taken out of service while inspections, testing, and repair work continue. The spaces will remain closed until all work is complete and the necessary approvals have been received.

Repair Progress

To allow for a thorough repair process, all flooring assemblies within the affected hex pods were removed, including flooring, subfloor materials, vapour barriers, and insulation.

Work completed to date includes:

• Removal of all flooring systems within the affected hex pods;
• Removal of insulation and other affected building materials;
• Inspection of underlying building components;
• Review of exterior wall penetrations, including around windows and doors;

Any additional repairs identified through the inspection process will be completed before the spaces are returned to service.

Air Quality Testing and Reconstruction

Following the removal of affected materials, a third-party environmental consultant conducted air quality testing within the affected spaces.

The testing confirmed acceptable air quality, and environmental air clearance has been provided.

Contractors have now begun rebuilding the six hex pods, including the installation of new insulation, vapour barriers, subflooring, and flooring systems.

Grade 7-8 students have been relocated to alternate learning spaces within the school and the currently unoccupied child-care space. Every effort continues to be made to minimize impacts on students and the broader school community.

Access Between Elementary and Secondary Areas

We have received questions regarding access between the elementary and secondary areas of the school.

The doors connecting these areas cannot be locked, as building and fire code requirements require safe emergency exits throughout the facility. School staff continue to reinforce expectations, establish routines, supervise student movement, and address concerns when they arise.

Where expectations are not met, appropriate consequences are implemented. The school and Board are also exploring additional measures, including door alarm systems that would alert staff when these doors are opened. Additional signage will be installed to reinforce that students are not to access the other side of the school.

Portable Classrooms

We have also received questions regarding the use of portable classrooms.

Portable classrooms are a common feature of school systems across Ontario and Canada. They provide flexibility for school boards to accommodate fluctuating student populations and changing space requirements.

Parking and Traffic

Families have also raised concerns regarding vehicle traffic in the drop-off loop during recess periods.

As an immediate measure, pylons are being used to restrict access to the drop-off loop during recess to help enhance student safety. The Board will continue to monitor the effectiveness of this approach while reviewing longer-term options for the area.

As construction activities continue and additional parking areas become available, traffic flow is expected to improve. Once the upper parking lot is fully operational, it will provide additional parking capacity and alleviate congestion in the drop-off and pick-up areas.

Next Steps

Contractors and consultants continue to be on site, and work remains underway. While significant progress has been made, there is currently no confirmed timeline for completion.

We remain committed to keeping families informed and will provide another update on Friday, October 2, including further information on reconstruction progress and next steps.

We ask for your patience as the Board, school staff and contractors respond to this situation.

Sincerely,

Jay MacJanet
CEO/CEDO

Rebecca Bell
Supervisor

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day 2026

Dear NNDSB Parents, Guardians and Families,   

On September 30, we recognize the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, also known as Orange Shirt Day. Across the Near North District School Board (NNDSB), we take this day to remember the children who never returned home from residential schools, honour Survivors and recognize the impact of the residential school system on Indigenous families and communities.   

Wearing orange is one way we demonstrate our commitment to remembering and learning about the history and legacy of residential schools. This day is also an opportunity to deepen our understanding of the truths of the residential school system, listen to the voices of Survivors and their families, and ensure that these histories and their ongoing impacts are never forgotten.  

As an education system, we have a responsibility to guide students in understanding this history and the role they can play in reconciliation. That responsibility goes beyond September 30. It is part of building awareness of the communities they live in and the history that has shaped them, and recognizing the role each of us can play in advancing reconciliation.  

We recognize there is more to do, and we are grateful to those who help guide us along the way.  

We encourage families to talk with their children about what they are hearing and discussing at school and to create space for questions and honest conversations at home. You may not have all the information yet, and that’s part of the learning process. What matters is creating opportunities to learn together.   

September 30 is a day to remember, reflect, and learn. What we do with those lessons in the months ahead matters. 

Jay MacJanet
CEO/CEDO 

Rebecca Bell
Supervisor 

Progress Update on Parry Sound High School Hexpods 

September 28, 2026 

We would like to provide a brief update regarding the hexpods used by our Grade 7-8 students. 

All seven hexpods remain out of service. The Board continues to focus on this issue and is taking immediate action to address it as quickly as possible.  

Work continued throughout the weekend as qualified contractors and specialists carried out inspections, assessments, and repairs to address the identified issues. 

Student and staff safety remains our highest priority. Students will not return to the affected spaces until all necessary work has been completed, the areas have been thoroughly inspected and tested, and the appropriate approvals have been received. 

We would like to thank those involved in supporting this work over the weekend, as well as our students, staff, and families for their continued patience, flexibility, and cooperation. 

We understand that families are looking for additional information as this work continues. We remain committed to keeping you informed and will provide a more detailed update on Wednesday, September 30, including information on the progress of repairs and next steps. 

Thank you for your continued patience, understanding, and support. 

Update on Parry Sound High School Hexpods

September 24, 2026

The Near North District School Board recently became aware of soft spots in the flooring of some of the hexpods at Parry Sound High School and the possibility of surface mould. Following further investigation by qualified experts, mould was identified within portions of the floorboards. This issue does not involve the newest portable, which was supplied by a different manufacturer.

Message from Ontario’s Minister of Education

As the 2026-2027 school year begins, the Ontario Ministry of Education has asked school boards to share a back-to-school message from Minister of Education Paul Calandra with students and families across the province.

Please read the Minister’s letter below.

Welcome to a new school year!

The Near North District School Board is pleased to welcome students, families and staff to a new school year filled with learning, connection and opportunity!

As students return to classrooms across our communities, we are excited to continue working together to create safe, caring and inclusive learning environments where every student feels a strong sense of belonging. The start of the school year is a time of new beginnings, and we look forward to supporting students as they learn, grow, build friendships, discover new interests and reach new goals.

At NNDSB, we are committed to supporting the academic and social achievement of all students. We know that student success is strengthened through strong relationships among students, families, staff and schools. By listening, staying connected and making sure families have the information they need, we can continue working together to support and encourage every learner throughout the year ahead.

To our students: welcome back. We are so glad to see you and look forward to all that you will accomplish this year.

To our families: thank you for your continued partnership and trust. Your support plays an important role in helping students thrive.

On behalf of the Near North District School Board, I wish all students, families and staff a positive, successful and rewarding school year.

Sincerely,

Jay MacJanet
CEO/CEDO
Near North District School Board