Friday, Jan. 14, 2022
Board Highlights for January meeting
The following are the highlights of the Near North District School Board (NNDSB) meeting of Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022.
Public Education Symposium moves online
The pandemic has led to Ontario Public School Boards’ Association (OPSBA) to move its annual Public Education Symposium online. The symposium is the association’s premier professional development for school boards.
This year’s event will be held Friday, Jan. 28.
Because boards will pay a flat fee based on student enrolment, all trustees plus five additional board staff will be able to participate in the symposium.
Anti-sex trafficking protocols introduced
A report was presented to the Board that outlined NNDSB’s administrative guideline for anti-sex trafficking protocols. The protocols are in response to a Ministry of Education requirement that all school boards in Ontario must have a protocol for the response to suspected sex trafficking occurrences.
The guideline creates community-centred anti-sex trafficking protocols, and outlines education for students, families and staff about sex trafficking, healthy relationships, safe and responsible use of technology, addressing high-risk behaviour and knowing when and how to seek help.
Accomplishments honoured in year-end review
The Board took time to honour the work achieved by staff last year. A year-end review was included in the agenda package, and Director of Education Craig Myles spoke to the work at the meeting.
In spite of being challenged by remote learning and continuing effects of COVID-19, NNDSB staff made strides in all areas of the organization. The Multi-Year Strategic Plan was approved and launched, the board was acknowledged by the Ombudsman of Ontario for implementing recommendations around transparency and governance, two new school builds are in the works in North Bay and Parry Sound, and relationships with stakeholders are being improved through communications and collaboration.
For more information, see this media release.
Indigenous Student Trustee sworn in
Allen Lewis Trodd was sworn in as NNDSB’s Indigenous Student Trustee at Tuesday night’s meeting.
Lewis Trodd is a Grade 11 student at Parry Sound High School who is from Magnetawan First Nation. He is a member of NNDSB’s Indigenous Youth Circle and Student Senate.
In his presentation to the Indigenous Youth Circle, Lewis Trodd said, “I’d love to be the student trustee to be able to talk about, explain, to show them the great ideas we make here…talk about our goals, what we plan to do, what we hope to do.”
For more information, see this media release.
Student Trustee highlights community engagement
In her presentation to the Board, Student Trustee Cecilia Darling spoke about the activities that secondary school students participated in prior to the winter break. Several of the schools participated in collecting items for charities and local food banks. Staff and students also participated in holiday-related events, like writing letters and donating small gifts to seniors in long-term care homes.
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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
P. (705) 472-8170 ext. 5010
E. Deb.Bartlett@nearnorthschools.ca
