Friday, March 31, 2023
The following are the highlights of the Near North District School Board (NNDSB) meeting of Tuesday, March 28, 2023.
Director’s Report highlights progress data
Director of Education Craig Myles’ monthly report included data that demonstrates movement in a positive direction in the area of Excellence in Teaching and Learning.
He reviewed the school effectiveness framework, which is one of NNDSB’s systemic improvement planning efforts. The framework is a dynamic document that supports school improvement and student success by identifying evidence-based indicators of successful practice for effective schools.
The school effectiveness framework acknowledges where schools are and incorporates its vision and goals for improvement.
The first activity is underway with a focus on school/system leadership conversation and reflection to grow a common understanding of the process and ensure future activities are responsive and relevant to school and system needs.
The Director’s Report also highlighted the annual hospitality dinner held at Parry Sound High School earlier this month.
The dinner is an opportunity for members of the hospitality industry to enjoy an evening of networking and dining while observing students of the school’s hospitality program preparing and serving a three-course meal.
The 34 students are part of a Special High Skills Major (SHSM) program and use the annual dinner as preparation for the upcoming Skills Canada competition.
Chair highlights trustee PD opportunities
In her report to the Board, Chair Erika Lougheed highlighted the many opportunities for professional development available to trustees.
Upcoming sessions include one on governance versus operations, the second part of Indigenous education training and one on the communications protocol.
Board supports resolutions at OPSBA meeting
As part of his Ontario Public School Boards’ Association (OPSBA) report, OPSBA rep and Trustee Bill Steer sought the Board’s approval to bring two resolutions to OPSBA’s annual general meeting.
The first resolution will ask OPSBA to enhance its Public Education Symposium with more videotaping of its sessions and live virtual sessions to increase the accessibility of the event. The rationale includes the sold-out status of the event (capacity) and OPSBA’s acknowledgement of environmental stewardship as a guiding principle (removing the necessity of travelling to the conference).
The second resolution calls on OPSBA to work with members boards to develop a board self-assessment tool suitable for trustees, staff and the public to increase public confidence, transparency and understanding. The tool would allow the Board to evaluate its work.
Trustees invest in books for kindergarten students
The Board approved an investment of $13,626.90 from the Trustee Initiative Fund to purchase books to be included in the Journey into Learning guide and kit that is distributed to families of new kindergarten students.
The money will purchase 1,400 copies of the book Outside, You Notice by local author Erin Alladin. The book reflects NNDSB’s commitment to inquiry, outdoor pedagogy and experiential learning, and reflects the board’s move to increased time outdoors and intentional learning activities that simultaneously support well-being.
All committee meeting dates to be publicly available
Trustee Bill Steer provided a notice of motion which was supported and approved by the Board to ensure all committee meeting dates are added as an information item on subsequent Board meeting agendas.
Trustee Steer’s motion noted that members of the public are permitted to attend open meetings of the Board and its committees. It is critical that the public be made aware of how to contact the Board and attend meetings.
Staff will look into how this will be put into operation (in-person and online).
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Note: the full agenda package is posted on the website before 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
