Friday, Nov. 15, 2024
The following are the highlights of the Near North District School Board (NNDSB) meeting of Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024.
Chair and Vice-Chair acclaimed
Indigenous Trustee Ashley St. Pierre and Zone 4 Trustee Howard Wesley were acclaimed as the Board’s Chair and Vice-Chair respectively, positions they held last year. They will serve for the third year of the Board’s four-year term. The 2022-2026 Board of Trustees is composed of these trustees.
More information can be found in this media release.
Board encourages promotion of mining to students
Trustee Bill Steer brought a motion to committee of the whole, which was approved at the Board meeting. The motion requested that the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association (OPSBA), the Ministry of Education and the Ontario Mining Association work together to promote educational student success programs that are directly and indirectly related to modern mining.
In the notice of motion, Trustee Steer noted that within the boundaries of NNDSB there are more than 60 mining-related businesses, and more than 120 associated jobs for secondary school graduates.
He said OPSBA should “forge partnerships” that highlight the field of mining as a viable career path.
Math achievement action plan outlined for trustees
NNDSB’s assistant superintendent and math lead Kim Pauli submitted a report to the Board about the 2024-2025 Math Achievement Action Plan.
Beginning in September 2023, publicly funded school boards were required to adopt provincial achievement priorities and metrics to help students improve EQAO scores in reading, writing and math. Boards must develop, implement and monitor their math achievement action plans to the ministry three times a year.
A number of resources and tools have been provided to educators and digital tools will help teachers to understand student learning levels and provide targeted supports.
Bullying awareness week content outlined
Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week, held the third week of November, will challenge students to think about how their actions could help cultivate safety and inclusivity in their classrooms, schools and neighbourhoods.
NNDSB’s local partners in the initiative include North Bay Police Service, Amelia Rising and North Bay Battalion. It also includes national partners such as the Canadian Centre for Child Protection and Harmony Movement.
In response to the increase in racist and discriminatory actions and words in the province and schools, the theme of this year’s week is “Call It Out”. The focus will provide skills for students and staff to identify and define racism and discrimination and develop the skills needed to feel confident in calling it out when it occurs.
Local events this year include classroom use of a curated bin of resources at each school’s library, a video and lesson plan from the Battalion who will also be visiting schools, optional school participation in the Words Matter campaign that provided lesson plans and resources on how to address racist and discriminatory words, a parent and caregiver workshop on addressing harmful and discriminatory language provided by Harmony Movement, a full day of learning provided by North Bay Police Services on human trafficking 101, and Pink Shirt Day taking place Wednesday, Nov. 20,
Secondary summer e-learning numbers grow
A report to the Board outlined the offerings and number of students enrolled in courses through NNDSB’s summer learning program.
Through July and August of 2024, learning opportunities were offered onsite and virtually for youth in the region and across the province. More than 800 students utilized the e-learning component and 300 students in K-12 attended in person. This is the third year in a row that the numbers for secondary e-learning grew, drawing students from across the province.
Director’s update highlights achievement, activities
The update from Director of Education Craig Myles included information about a Science North event attended by two classes from Ferris Glen Public School, a gold medal at the Georgian College High School Hospitality Competition won by two Parry Sound High School students, the Parent Involvement Committee’s presentation by Dr. Marian Small, upcoming school food drives and partnerships with Clean Green Beautiful and Trees for Nipissing, who facilitate the gracious donation of trees to schools with the support of a variety of local businesses.
Letter to Minister to be sent to municipalities
A letter from trustees that was sent to Minister of Education Jill Dunlop will also be sent to municipalities in the West Parry Sound area.
The letter requests that the Ministry of Education permit NNDSB to continue operating McDougall Public School as a Grade K-6 school, and that the new Parry Sound school be for Grades 7-12.
-30-
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.
