Friday, April 14, 2023
The following are the highlights of the Near North District School Board (NNDSB) meeting of Tuesday, April 11, 2023.
Report covers new program, public consultation
Director of Education Craig Myles’ monthly report to the Board included information on the new custodial services training program, the Eco Schools program and opportunities for the public to give feedback on NNDSB initiatives.
Myles reported that custodial services training is being taught by longtime NNDSB custodial staff member Deb Lamb, who brings a wealth of knowledge to the role. Students are highly engaged in the course, in which the board partners with YES Employment and the District Social Services Administration Board (DSSAB).
The Eco Schools program was purchased and promoted by NNDSB to all schools, and the experiential learning tool is being utilized in most schools. The program allows schools to conceptualize and engage in ecologically responsible practice in schools and supports staff in tracking progress over time. At the end of the year, school applications are assessed based on a benchmark and are awarded a certification level. Several NNDSB schools are striving for platinum status certification.
The Multi-Year Strategic Plan reflection survey will be launched later this week, and all stakeholders and rightsholders are encouraged to provide feedback. The survey can be found on the board’s website and is open from April 12 until April 28, 2022. Once the data is collected, it will give the MSYP committee an indication of which areas are successfully moving ahead according to the plan. The committee plans to review data and present a report to the Board at its May meeting. See more information in this media release.
A new administrative guideline about English as a Second Language (ESL) is on the website for public consultation. The guideline covers placement and programming for English language learners. The guideline and link for feedback may be found here.
Guideline being developed for Trustee Initiative Fund
Through the Board’s Finance Committee, a report was brought to the Board about the Trustee Initiative Fund. The report also referenced an administrative guideline that will be developed to provide clarity around the application process for support from the Trustee Initiative Fund.
The fund is allotted $50,000 annually to support initiatives that support an expanse of students from across the district, as determined by trustees. Funds must be spent in the year in which the approval was made, and there is no deadline for application submissions.
Applications may be accessed exclusively by NNDSB trustees and members of executive council. Completed applications are shared through the Director’s Office and are accepted throughout the year.
Executive Council will review the Trustee Initiative Fund process to bring more structure. Information in the guideline will include eligibility criteria and receipting/purchasing requirements.
New North Bay elementary school named
The Board accepted the recommendation of the naming committee of the new North Bay elementary school and approved naming the school Maple View Public School.
The move follows a months-long process that included three public consultations in the form of surveys, with Maple View being the most popular name. Read more in this media release.
Student Trustees’ reports share school news
Indigenous Student Trustee Allen Lewis Trodd reported that there is a lot of planning taking place with the Indigenous Youth Circle (IYC), which is hosting a powwow on June 2. He added that the drumming group has been invited to many events. The group Oshkishkode will be spreading awareness on May 5, the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit People. He also noted that students attended a session at Nipissing University at which they met other Indigenous people and participated in cultural activities. He reports that Indigenous students are happy to have culturally safe spaces in their schools. The IYC completed its terms of reference and will be selecting its Indigenous Student Trustee this week.
Student Trustee Cecilia Darling noted that secondary schools have been a little quieter, and said schools were celebrating with spring and Easter events, including a Chippewa Secondary School hometown run to support Youth Special Olympics, awareness for mental health supports, a songwriting workshop at Almaguin Highlands
Secondary School, a drama festival for student actors to show off what they’ve worked on this semester, and that badminton, track and soccer are starting up.
Audit committee seeking volunteer member
In a verbal report by Trustee Shane Hall, Chair of Audit Committee, it was announced that there is an opening for a volunteer community member to the Board’s audit committee.
The posting has been extended, and information about the position may be found here.
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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.
