Friday, June 14, 2024
The following are the highlights of the Near North District School Board (NNDSB) meeting of Tuesday, June 11, 2024.
Trustees receive Chippewa rebranding update
Trustees received a report as an information item in their agenda package that updated the Board on the rebranding process at Chippewa Secondary School.
The report, co-authored by Superintendent Gay Smylie and Chippewa Principal Krista Tucker Petrick, noted that boxes were placed in the office for staff and students to self-nominate to be on the rebranding committee.
Three meetings have been held, at which the group discussed the name and purpose of the committee, terminology and what goes into the committee’s process; set the process, set criteria for name suggestions and brainstormed a short list process, consultation, comment and feedback; and reviewed the raw data from the 282 responses received, reviewed the name suggestion criteria, discussed how many names they wanted on the shortlist to go out for consultation, determined the voting process and reviewed the confidentiality needed to keep those names private until the group hears back from partner organizations.
Consultation with community groups is underway. The committee continues to meet to prepare for the voting process. The committee will continue its work until the end of the school year, or until a vote of the students and staff can be taken to determine the new team name, whichever comes first.
EDI results provide areas of focus for 2024-2025
A report from Superintendent Gay Smylie outlined the results of an Early Development Instrument (EDI) questionnaire completed by kindergarten teachers, and how results will provide areas of focus for the 2024-2025 school year.
The EDI questionnaire is used internationally and measures children’s ability to meet age-appropriate developmental expectations near the end of the two-year kindergarten program. Five areas are evaluated: physical health and well-being; social competence; emotional maturity; language and cognitive development; communications skills and general knowledge.
At NNDSB, the EDI was administered in spring 2023 and NNDSB reported on 567 kindergarten students in year 2. Children who are described as vulnerable are those whose scores fall below the 10 per cent percentile cut-off on any of the five domains. The questionnaire showed that 42.5 per cent of NNDSB students are vulnerable in at least one domain, and 21.5 per cent are vulnerable in two or more domains.
The number of NNDSB students who are deemed vulnerable is significantly higher than the provincial average in the domains for physical health and well-being and emotional maturity.
Using the questionnaire’s results, the board’s Early Years team has decided to focus on gross and fine motor skills, prosocial and helping behaviour and communication skills in the 2024-2025 school year. Because the cohort students are now at the end of Grade 1 and may not have mastered the skills to move them out of the vulnerable category, NNDSB will be providing focused lessons for use in Grades 1 and 2 classrooms to ensure those gaps are closed before students move out of the primary division.
Director offers thanks and congratulations
In his report to the Board, Director of Education Craig Myles offered his thanks to various members of NNDSB’s community. He thanked staff for their “heroic” efforts working throughout the staffing crunch, the supervisory officers for their support of schools, departments, staff, the Board of Trustees and students in navigating a shifting landscape, the students for their hard work this year that makes him proud to be the Director of Education at NNDSB, and the trustees for their passionate interest in educational efforts.
The Director’s report also included several items that shone a spotlight on student achievement. The 29th annual Trojan Parade for Cancer at West Ferris Secondary School (WFSS) was held in late May, and raised more than $50,000 for North Bay Regional Health Centre. To date, the event has raised more than $350,000. The city-wide pow wow was held May 30, a collaboration between four co-terminous boards, Nipissing First Nation and the City of North Bay. More than 2,000 students participated in the interactive teaching and learning opportunity at Memorial Gardens. Parry Sound High School (PSHS) students Lauren Johnson and Madisyn Heimes participated in the Skills Ontario restaurant service competition in Toronto, winning gold and silver, respectively. The Director’s report thanked the teachers and coaches of the program for their work in building exemplary skills for a future career in an industry that’s important to the Parry Sound community. Grade 9 student Emma Gall of PSHS received an honourable mention in the 2024 Leacock Medal for Humour competition. The Redpath Rotary4Kids annual fundraiser featured a class of Sunset Park Public School as its ambassadors this year. Money raised will aid and support to children with extraordinary needs.
Myles also acknowledged outgoing Student Trustee Dora Chen and Indigenous Student Trustee Albany Benson for their efforts this school year. He also congratulated both of them, who have been recognized for their leadership. Chen is the recipient of the Ontario Public Student Trustee Leadership Scholarship, which acknowledges outstanding
achievement and leadership demonstrating positive student impact. Chen created the career pathway education fair to assist and educate students in their post-secondary paths. Benson is the recipient of a 2024 TD Scholarship for Community Leadership. She was recognized for her work in organizing assemblies and events, and for leading the necessities drives for Attawapiskat, which saw thousands of dollars’ worth of items collected and sent to northern communities.
The Director also thanked everyone who has stepped up in these times of challenging staffing situations. Through the summer, staff will continue to research solutions for ongoing staffing issues, which are occurring across all departments. Facilities work through the summer will include maintenance, upgrades and repairs while there are no staff and students in buildings. Staff are doing their best to keep up with the demands of maintenance and unforeseen delays due to staff availability of NNDSB and contractors, who are also facing staff, equipment, parts and supply issues.
Living Consciously motion moving forward at OPSBA
Trustee Bill Steer, NNDSB’s representative on the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association (OPSBA), reported that the Board’s proposed Living Consciously course has been forwarded to be discussed at the organization’s AGM.
In March, Trustee supported a motion to ask for the creation and development of a mandatory secondary school course that will address equity, inclusion and diversity (social norms); food security and nutrition; wellness (active lifestyle choices and mental health) and climate change (mitigation and living with); in accordance with OPSBA’s mission, vision and values.
Trustee Steer also noted that he was acclaimed as Chair of OPSBA’s Northern Caucus.
Indigenous Student Benson’s final report
Indigenous Student Trustee Albany Benson gave her final report to the Board. She shared that at Chippewa, OKIMAKAN’S pow wow dancing workshops were successful, as was the intermediate presentation which introduced the students to the Indigenous Youth Circle (IYC). Men’s and women’s drumming continues, along with grad cap beading and moccasin making. The group has been involved with the moose hide campaign with the Indigenous Friendship Centre, and had a teaching and learning pow wow at Memorial Gardens. Graduating students in the Indigenous Centre have been invited to a formal dinner held at the Indigenous Centre to celebrate their successes.
WFSS had a successful intermediate presentation, a successful day acknowledging Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, and sold student-created beadwork and buttons, raising more than $700 to be donated to the Ojibway Women’s Lodge in Nipissing First Nation. Students have also painted and beaded goods to gift to Aanmitaagzi for facilitating their teaching and learning pow wow. IYC member Malia Mathias-Mizzi has started teaching drumming at Woodland and Silver Birches Public Schools. WFSS students have recently attended the pow wow at Nbisiing Secondary School, and plan on having a feast this month in their Indigenous centre.
At Northern Secondary School (NSS), Joey Nixon beaded red dress pins for all students and staff. They also had a successful teaching and learning pow wow, moose hide campaign pins were handed out, and drumming continues every week.
The PSHS pow wow took place June 7. Secondary school students also attended a water walk in the community, and intermediate students attended a ribbon skirt and shirt making workshop.
At Almaguin Highlands Secondary School (AHSS), classes planned to attend the PSHS pow wow. Plans are in the works for Indigenous Peoples Day, which will include bannock making, art, stories and archery activities.
Members of IYC attended their annual retreat, taking part in a tour of Nipissing University. Principal Chris Walking discussed the student achievement plan, and Will Morin shared his knowledge of the medicine wheel, clan system, language and more during a dream catcher activity. Nathalie Wajashk Restoule spoke to the youth about healthy relationships, and provided teachings about cedar and cedar baths. The next day, students and grad coaches were up for a 5:30 a.m. sunrise ceremony, then they attended and helped with the four-board pow wow at Memorial Gardens.
Indigenous Student Trustee Benson gave a huge meegwitch to the people who supported here on her journey. She is grateful for the help of Kelly Huston and Sarah Spence, and all the staff who made her feel welcome and provided her with opportunities.
Student Trustee Chen provides final report
Student Trustee Dora Chen reported that students are preparing for upcoming exams, and are celebrating with awards and recognition as the end of the school year approaches.
Chippewa hosted the OFSAA soccer championships recently. Sports and teams including beach volleyball, track and field and tennis have concluded for the year, and athletic banquets are in progress.
Arts programming in NNDSB have concluded. Students from secondary school music programs were selected and invited to attend an honours band in Sudbury. A performance of Biz Town by the PSHS drama program was held at the Stockey Centre in Parry Sound. The PSHS senior band has also been promoting itself to elementary and senior students to increase awareness of band as an extracurricular activity. Chippewa’s senior band received a silver rating at the Music Fest National Competition in Toronto. AHSS earned an award from the Kiwanis competition for their theatre.
NSS students went to Toronto to attend a women’s conference for the trades. They also participated in a skills competition. F.J. McElligott Secondary School had an open house for their greenhouse and sold plants to raise funds. They will be awarding a $1,000 grant to a deserving student with those funds. WFSS had another successful cancer walk, raising more than $50,000 for North Bay Regional Health Centre. AHSS students travelled to Sundridge Arena to learn about meal preparation, and created many pre-packaged meals for community members. Chippewa hosted its second annual Dodge the Stigma dodgeball tournament, raising money for the Wellness Warriors mental health club in school.
The last Student Senate meeting included conversation with the safe and positive environment committee from the health unit. Student Senators contributed to a discussion about inclusivity within the school, and shared personal experiences and those of their peers, allowing for a wider range of perspective to be considered. AHSS also implemented after school tutoring and have been helped by running a late bus system to help students studying late after school.
Chen reported that at the Ontario Student Trustees’ Association (OSTA) AGM, she was able to announce the publication date of My Student Trustee resource, which was her project for the year. She also attended sessions with key stakeholders of OSTA, and participated in roundtable discussions with professionals about technology in education and how to create more opportunities for student leadership. Chen was also recognized at the AGM with one of the OPSBA Student Trustee Scholarships for Outstanding Student Leadership.
She said winning the award motivated her to continue her advocacy work on equitable opportunities for youth. She is appreciative of Student Senate and the Board of Trustees for supporting her in her journey and learning experiences.
Ad hoc committee to report on data informing Parry Sound JK-12 school
Trustees approved an amended motion brought forward by Trustee Julie Bertram to provide a report on the current data informing the new JK-12 school.
The amended motion will see an ad hoc committee struck that will gather data on the Parry Sound area and provide a report to the Board by the end of the 2024-2025 school year.
Motion proposes feasibility study regarding the property at 320 Ski Club Rd.
Trustee Jeanie Fuscaldo brought a motion to the Board meeting, asking for a report to the Board regarding the feasibility of selling the property at 320 Ski Club Rd. (the former Widdifield Secondary School). The motion passed, and the Director of Education will provide a report at the June 2025 meeting.
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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.