Friday, Dec. 16, 2022
Board Highlights – Dec. 13, 2022 Meeting
The following are the highlights of the Near North District School Board (NNDSB) meeting of Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022.
Targeted tutoring supports announced
NNDSB unveiled its tutoring supports programs that are funded through the Ministry of Education’s Plan to Catch Up. Three approaches have been developed that prioritize math, literacy and other foundational learning skills.
Students in NNDSB have access to before- and after-school tutoring, LEARNstyle corrective reading program and small group tutoring that takes place during the school day. More details may be found in this media release.
Enrolment tops 10,000 students
The number of students attending NNDSB schools has topped 10,000 students, higher than pre-pandemic enrolment levels.
Preliminary projections for the 2023-2024 school year indicate the board will see 10,086 students, up from 10,010 this school year. Enrolment dipped a little in 2019 and 2020, then increased in 2021 and 2022.
Improvements made to school trip guidelines
The administrative guideline that oversees the organization of school trips has been improved, with updates regarding the building of quinzees and increased safety measures regarding swimming and water safety.
An extensive package of information, including the safety guidelines, waivers and preparation needed for school outings and activities was included in the Board agenda package.
The update includes a principal/superintendent information and approval form, used to ensure that all safety precautions and Ontario Physical and Health Education Association (OPHEA) guidelines are in place.
This administrative guideline was one of three presented to the Board following a 30-day public consultation process. This process demonstrates the board’s commitment to excellence in communication. Once the public has the opportunity to provide input, staff bring them forward as information items to trustees.
Director provides lengthy report
Director of Education Craig Myles provides a lengthy report to the Board, including students’ participation in various awareness weeks and information sessions provided to NNSDB families.
Students participated in Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week. The Director relayed that students engage in various activities and educators are provided resources to create safer spaces for all students. In tandem with the week, the Canadian Centre for Child Protection (C3P) hosted a webinar about avoiding online sexual exploitation of children. The board’s Parent Involvement Committee hosted Part 1 of its speaker series with an overview of NNDSB’s mental health supports including the SNAP Schools pilot.
The teacher/coach of the hockey skills program that is running in Parry Sound has been working with a teacher coach in Mattawa. The program is to expand there in 2023.
Data that supports positive movement in the area of the board’s multi-year strategic plan (MYSP) in the area of excellence in teaching and learning include that more than 260 staff have completed or are nearing completion of the 4 Seasons of Reconciliation cultural competency training course that has been offered to all staff. Additionally, the board has positioned itself well to address the Ontario Human Rights Commission’s Right to Read report. The board has taken a proactive approach to systemic learning, with significant investment made in evidence-based reading assessments and instructional resources.
Two new administrative guidelines are posted on the website for public consultation. The first is about gender identity and gender expression, the second is about Theatre Outreach on Stage (TOROS).
Post-consolidation renaming of Chippewa
Trustees received a report about the next phase of the 3:2 consolidation of secondary schools in North Bay, which involves renaming and rebranding.
There is an equity issue that is putting a priority on the renaming and rebranding of Chippewa Secondary School. It has been understood that the former Chippewa mascot is no longer appropriate, yet the school community needs an identity and mascot.
Next steps will follow NNDSB’s administrative guideline on school openings, closures and consolidations; the Director of Education through the Superintendent of Education will establish a naming committee and make a recommendation of a new name.
Multi-year strategic plan update provided
An update from the MYSP committee was included in the agenda package. The committee met Dec. 1, its first since the new Board took office. The update provided data to support program in relation to the four pillars of the MYSP with further information forthcoming next money as part of the committee’s semi-annual report.
Indicators of excellence in teaching and learning include that 2,364 assessments of SK to Grade 2 students for reading have been completed, 91 per cent of Grade 9 students in NNDSB are on track to earn their Grade 9 English credit and 86 per cent of Grade 9 students are on track to earn their Grade 9 math credit.
Indicators of excellence in innovation include 100 per cent employment rate and 33 per cent expansion of the personal support worker (PSW) program, exploration for three more schools across the region to participate in the new hockey skills program, EMHWare program to better track mental health referrals and expanded use of reading and math digital screening tools and learning supports.
Indicators of excellence in relationships include five new partnerships and eight new programs with built-in partnerships including childcare programs, Unlearning Bias and newcomer welcoming.
Indicators of excellence in communication include that NNDSB had 41 good news stories in local and national media outlets since Sept. 1 and a significant increase in page views and engagement on the board’s website and social media platforms.
Update about steps since shaptotuan vandalized
Following an October notice of motion and resolution, a report was presented to trustees that outlined the steps that have been taken since the shaptotuan was vandalized at Parry Sound High School (PSHS) last spring.
Administration is committed to building relationships with First Nation communities.
Since the vandalism occurred, a healing circle has been held and a Knowledge Keeper led a sharing circle for students affected by the vandalism. Actions to support Indigenous student well-being include: the creation of a principal of student achievement and well-being position with an Indigenous education portfolio; a mandatory Grade 11 course, Understanding Contemporary First Nation, Métis and Inuit Voices, was implemented board-wide; a new Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) in arts and culture with an Indigenous studies focus was offered at PSHS; equity lead were implemented in all schools; the Indigenous Youth Circle gathered in person to talk about priorities of its members and a second Indigenous Education Lead Teacher Coordinator was hired.
On-going plans include the provision of culturally safe/appropriate spaces for Indigenous students at PSHS; encouraging youth voice; weekly drop-in sessions for secondary teachers with Indigenous Leads, continued development and nurturing of community partners, the hiring of a west region Indigenous Student Support. Worker and the development of several Indigenous Education administrative guidelines including cultural protocols, Indigenous language and appropriation.
National anthem notice of motion voted down
Trustee Jeanie Fuscaldo filed a notice of motion that requested the playing of the national anthem before all Board meetings. The motion was seconded by Trustee Louise Sargent, which allowed the topic to proceed to discussion.
Trustee Fuscaldo said the national anthem expresses pride in the heritage of people who settled and built Canada, and thought it was an expression of unity. Indigenous Trustee Ashley Ste. Pierre said she was taken aback when she saw the notice of motion; from an Indigenous perspective, the national anthem represents cultural genocide and the requirement that Indigenous people assimilate to what the settlers wanted. She added that playing the national anthem is not the way for the board to move forward, in truth and reconciliation. Indigenous Education Lead Amanda Mathias Mizzi said it may be unifying from a Canadian perspective but fails to acknowledge the nation-to-nation relationship between Canada and First Nations. Director Myles noted that part of his job was to protect NNDSB from being brought into disrepute, and asked trustees to consider the ramifications of their decisions. He said there are ripple effects, including how the decision would be seen by Indigenous students and staff.
After emotional discussion, the question was called, and the motion was voted down.
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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.
For more information, please contact:
Deb Bartlett (she/her)
Communications Officer
Near North District School Board
- (705) 472-8170 ext. 5010
- Deb.Bartlett@nearnorthschools.ca
