Tuesday, June 28, 2022

Henvey Inlet First Nation, Magnetawan First Nation and Hydro One come together to support community school

It’s been a long time coming but students at Britt Public School are now enjoying a brand-new playground structure thanks to support from community partners.

The small rural Kindergarten to Grade 8 school located near the shores of the Magnetawan River has a high population of students from Henvey Inlet First Nation and Magnetawan First Nation and has been without a playground since 2012 when the old structure was removed.

Through the generous support of community partners Henvey Inlet First Nation, Magnetawan First Nation and Hydro One, a plan was developed in 2018 to build a new playground featuring climbing structures, slides and interactive play areas.

Britt Public School Vice-Principal Marlene Michaelis says staff, students and families are all truly grateful for the support. “These three partners funded the entire playground. We appreciate the ongoing support for all of our students.”

Michaelis says Henvey Inlet First Nation applied for funding through Hydro One’s community investment program focused on Building Safe Communities.

“We are proud to be a partner in building a new playground at Britt Public School, which will now offer students a new safe play space where they can create connections with each other and build resiliency,” said Jay Armitage, vice-president, marketing and communications with Hydro One. “Hydro One feels a deep responsibility to be present and support the local communities and organizations who are working tirelessly to energize life which is why we have designated 20 per cent of our corporate donations and sponsorships towards projects in Indigenous communities.”

Michaelis says the students have enjoyed the new playground immensely. “They are developing strong social skills as they learn to take turns and share the equipment. We are seeing smiles and hearing laughter as they play together and develop their gross motor skills,” said Michaelis.

Michaelis says as a staff, they are seeing students engaging with one another in a lighthearted and positive way and seeing the joy as the students use the slides, climbers and towers. “They are helping one another and building friendships as they explore the equipment.”

“The sense of community has been strengthened at Britt Public School as we all come together to share in the joy that our students bring. Miigwetch,” said Michaelis.

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For more information, please contact:

Brett Hanson

Communications Coordinator

Near North District School Board

1. (705) 472-8170, extension 5083
2. Brett.Hanson@nearnorthschools.ca

 

Friday, June 24, 2022

Laurentian Learning Centre students reach for new heights with bursary support

There are plenty of student success stories at Laurentian Learning Centre (LLC). The smaller alternative education school operated by Near North District School Board (NNDSB) in North Bay serves students for whom a larger secondary school is not a good fit.

Recently, three LLC students were recognized for their achievements and received support for their post-secondary goals in the form of bursaries from NNDSB and the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry.

Bursary recipients Brittany Richer, Bridgette Middlebrook and Levi Mercier are all prime examples of how the LLC approach can help propel students towards their future goals.

“I wasn’t doing the greatest in the bigger high schools, so I came here to get more help. Mr. Kidd with the co-op program helped me out a lot. He got me a job with a mechanic shop. From there I’ve been doing pretty good,” said Levi Mercier, a recipient of one of NNDSB’s new Skilled Trades Bursaries, sponsored by the Ontario Ministry of Education.

Mercier said the smaller class sizes allow teachers to spend more time on what students need to help them progress.

Scottish Rite of Freemasonry bursary recipient Brittany Richer says she feels uncomfortable and finds it difficult to concentrate in larger classrooms with many students.

“I learn things a little bit slower. Having more one-on-one time is so helpful for me,” said Richer. “I feel I’m on the path to achieving my goals because of my experience at LLC,” Richer added.

LLC vice-principal Sarah Spence said there are many success stories at the school. Each student has a different definition of success, whether it be regular attendance, earning credits, gaining employment or graduation.

“Some students may not even realize that they want to be in our school until they give it a chance. Once they feel the atmosphere, they settle in. We are a safe, supportive, structured environment meeting so many more needs than just education,” Spence said. “The school provides an engaging environment where students can feel safe and focus on their goals.”

Spence said LLC staff take the time to get to know their students which helps to identify their particular path to success. This in turn allows for the creation of a specific pathway that works for each student.

Skilled Trades bursary recipient Bridgette Middlebrook will graduate from LLC this year, has already started studying at Canadore College and is more than a year into her apprenticeship at Goldfleet Subaru.

“I found it was a lot easier to get into the trades and get into it faster with more hands-on than a normal high school,” Middlebrook said. “I think it would have been more difficult with more challenges along the way without the LLC.”

Mercier is apprenticing at Trout Lake Auto and is enrolled at Canadore College in the fall. Richer is pursuing her goal of becoming a certified personal support worker.

Spence said the small school environment is an asset to the students of LLC. “Students may have one instructional teacher but will connect with staff and administrators of the school who will be there to support students not only academically, but physically and mentally as well.”

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For more information, please contact:

Brett Hanson

Communications Coordinator

Near North District School Board

1. (705) 472-8170, extension 5083
2. Brett.Hanson@nearnorthschools.ca

Friday, June 17, 2022

Board Highlights of June Meeting

The following are the highlights of the Near North District School Board (NNDSB) meeting of Tuesday, June 14, 2022. 

Board receives update on 3:2 consolidation work

Trustees received an update on the work being done at West Ferris and Chippewa Secondary Schools as part of the 3:2 consolidation.

Despite delays in some material deliveries, a substantial amount of work has been completed, and the intention is for all work to be finished for September 2022.

At West Ferris, the bus loop and parking lot upgrades were completed in the fall of 2021.The new kitchen facilities and servery are complete, and students have been serving 250 student lunches per week. A point-of-sale program is generating revenue for the program, enabling the purchase of a double door freezer and 20-quart commercial mixer. The cosmetology classroom is complete and in use, with hair styling station and workstations for manicure instruction. The learning commons will be completed this summer. It features energy efficient lighting fixtures and height adjustable furniture and bookshelves.

A bus loop and parking lot upgrades were completed at Chippewa in the fall. The learning commons space was 70 per cent complete when a weather event caused considerable damage to the roof and new finished interior ceiling. This damage is expected to be repaired over the summer. The auditorium has new seating, including a row with removable seats that will provide accessible seating as required. House lighting has been upgraded and can be controlled via an application on a cellphone.

More information and photos are available in the report in the Board agenda package.

School climate survey results

The results of the 2022 school climate survey were shared with trustees. The Ministry of Education mandates that boards administer voluntary school surveys at least once every two years. The surveys help schools assess perceptions of safety, help boards make informed planning decisions about programs, determine the effectiveness of programs and build positive school climates.

Parents and guardians, students from Grades 4-12 and staff completed the survey. Next steps for NNDSB’s safe schools team will be to draw attention to the SAFER SCHOOLS! reporting tool which can be used by anyone to report incidents of bullying, harassment or discrimination. The sooner these incidents are reported, the more quickly steps can be taken to resolve the issue.

Among the survey results are that 94 per cent of students in Grades 4-6 feel very safe or safe in their classrooms, 88 per cent feel safe or very safe on the school grounds and 89 per cent are aware of how to report mistreatment at school. Of intermediate and secondary school students, 94 per cent of respondents say they feel safe or very safe in their classrooms, 86 per cent say they feel safe or very safe on school grounds and 77 per cent are aware of how to report bullying or harassment at school.

More information about the survey and responses may be found in this report in the Board agenda package.

Director’s update 

Director of Education Craig Myles shared updates with the Board. Myles congratulated staff and students as the school year draws to a close. He also thanked trustees for their leadership through challenging times and complimented staff across the system who have stepped up to the plate throughout the pandemic “so that kids are successful.”

West Ferris Trojans participated in their 26^th annual Parade for Cancer on May 31. Students raised $56,000 for the Cancer Care Fund at the North Bay Regional Health Centre.

The City of North Bay is hosting Armed Forces Day on June 22. NNDSB students from 10 North Bay schools have been invited to participated in a special event attempting to break the record for the number of people comprising a giant maple leaf. Students will also listen to the 22 Wing band and watch demonstrations by the the CH-147 Chinook, Canadian Forces Snowbirds and the Canadian Armed Forces SkyHawks Parachute team.

Myles also thanked Student Trustee Cecilia Darling and Indigenous Student Trustee Allen Lewis Trodd for bringing students’ voices to the Board table.

Student Trustees report on elections, events

Student Trustee Cecilia Darling and Indigenous Student Trustee Allen Lewis Trodd thanked the Board for supporting them in their participation in the Ontario Student Trustees’ Association annual general meeting. Darling said the event provided her the opportunity to grow, and Trodd said attending helped him to better understand his role.

Darling reported to the Board that students are gearing up for exams and the last weeks of school. Secondary schools are planning events, including activities to welcome incoming students and their families. These events allow student leaders to share their experiences and offer advice about secondary schools.

Trodd shared a SWAY presentation with the Board, which highlighted the first in-person meeting of the Indigenous Youth Circle. He said the group spoke about what they want in their schools, including cultural safe spaces and connection to their cultures.

It was announced at the Board meeting that following a unanimous decision by Student Senate, student trustees would be able to serve two-year terms. Both Darling and Trodd will serve a second term on the Board.

Multi-year Strategic Plan update

Trustee Bill Steer, who chairs the Multi-Year Strategic Plan (MYSP) committee, updated the Board on the key indicators and metrics that are being used to measure progress and alignment in each of the four priority areas of the MYSP –

Excellence in Teaching and Learning, Excellence in Innovation, Excellence in Communication and Excellence in Relationships.

Two key indicators for each pillar will be reported on regularly; further proof of NNDSB’s commitment to goal setting and achievement at school, department and board levels.

More information may be found in this media release.

Board approves $168.3 million budget

As recommended by the finance committee, Trustees approved the 2022-2023 budget. The compliant budget will have revenue and expenses of $168.3 million, with a $62,930 surplus.

Like all work, the budget process is managed through the lens of the board’s MYSP, ensuring that NNDSB is managed efficiently and is financially sustainable year over year.

The board is expecting an enrolment increase of 3.2 per cent; it’s expected there will be 141 more elementary students and 161 more secondary students.

NNDSB will be receiving $1.8 million as one-time funding through the OCVID-19 Learning Recovery Fund to provide temporary staffing supports for learning recovery, the implementation of the first year of de-streamed Grade 9 mathematics, delivering remote learning, supports for special education and maintaining enhanced cleaning standards.

More information about the budget can be found in this media release.

Tenders approved, Lavase Road property sold

The Board approved two tenders for work to be done at Mattawa District Public School and Chippewa Secondary School.

The board received federal funding from two different sources to upgrades in the ventilation system at the elementary school in Mattawa. As the lowest tender price exceeded the funding and involved additional engineering fees. In February, trustees approved the use of school condition improvement funding to support the work. The board also sought additional work, supported by a second federal funding program and matching board funds. Last night, the Board awarded a $605,000 contract to Venasse Building Group for work at Mattawa District Public School.

The Board also approved the replacement of the roof of the library at Chippewa Secondary School to Venasse Building Group in the amount of $385,000. The work was necessary after a weather event resulted in significant water leaking into the newly renovated library. The exterior roof replacement must be completed before the interior damage can be repaired. The Board’s school condition improvement fund will pay for this work.

The Board approved the sale of its Lavase Road property, subject to final legal approvals regarding closing dates, for $565,000.

Board approves special education plan

The Board accepted the recommendation of the Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) and approved an updated special education plan.

The plan includes updated professional development opportunities that are available to staff, a list of resources provided to SEAC members and how to conduct an Identification, Placement and Review Committee (IPRC) 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.

 

For more information, please contact:
Deb Bartlett (she/her)

Communications Officer

Near North District School Board

1. (705) 472-8170 ext. 5010
2. Deb.Bartlett@nearnorthschools.ca

 

Thursday, June 16, 2022

Measuring metrics substantiates board’s efforts to improve accountability, transparency

As it wraps up the first school year operating under its multi-year strategic plan (MYSP), Near North District School Board (NNDSB) is forging ahead with plans to make evidence-based decisions that contribute to student achievement and well-being.

NNDSB staff regularly gather evidence in a variety of initiatives to create a fulsome view of progress toward achieving excellence in the four priority areas. The board has chosen two key indicators upon which to provide regular reports for each of the four priority areas of the MYSP – Excellence in Teaching and Learning, Excellence in Innovation, Excellence in Communication and Excellence in Relationships – and will be measuring to assess progress and alignment. The use of quantitative metrics contributes to NNDSB’s commitment to improved accountability and transparency.

Board Chair Jay Aspin says, “Our board is pleased with the implementation of these quantitative metrics for the purpose of assessing the board’s progress with its Multi-Year Strategic Plan. Coupled with the qualitative metrics we recently released, these metrics provide a full assessment of the progress of our plan. Our board has spent much time and effort developing and implementing an effective five-year plan which is regarded as our ‘road map for success’. It is commendable that we are among the top boards in the province that have actually extended the effort to develop these metrics to fully measure the progress of our strategic plan which speaks directly to accountability and performance.”

At the Board meeting Tuesday, June 14, MYSP Committee Chair Bill Steer spoke to a report that outlined the indicators that have been selected for each of the four priority areas.

“The MYSP is the key document that brings all educational matters and audiences of our Board together,” say Steer. “Now we can continue to share quantitative and qualitative measures that will make a difference and reflect upon the four pillars contained within the plan,” he says.

In the pillar of Excellence in Teaching and Learning, metrics that address supporting students’ success in literacy and numeracy were measured. In literacy, it was noted that 33 staff members have been trained to identify students at risk of reading outcomes without supports, and that 500 PowerUp literacy licenses were purchased to support the needs of students in Grades 7 and 8 who may benefit from targeted literacy learning opportunities. All math educators learned about the new de-streamed math curriculum, which includes coding and financial literacy.

The Excellence in Innovation pillar, the metrics being measured are the number of students participating in experiential learning opportunities (Special High Skills Majors and Ontario Youth Apprenticeship programs), as well as the use of a profession learning portal for staff.

New partnerships were measured in order to evaluate progress in the Excellence in Relationships pillar of the MYSP. In the 2021-2022 school year, six new partnerships were forged. Two of these resulted in the emergence of two significant programs – the personal support worker (PSW) program and the coop program with Northern Ontario Film Studios.

While looking at Excellence in Communications, the MYSP committee looked into engagement in website and social media platforms, and the number of positive news stories that were published by media outlets. Analytics shows that the number of visitors to the board’s website has increased more than 48 per cent since September with longer session durations during a visit. The board was featured in 91 positive news stories between September 2021 and May 2022, an average of 10 per month.

The setting of key indicators and measuring their affiliated metrics is further proof of NNDSB’s commitment to goal setting and achievement at school, department and board levels.

More information about quantitative data related to the MYSP can be found in the Board’s agenda package.

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For more information, please contact:

Deb Bartlett
Communications Officer
Near North District School Board
P. (705) 472-8170, extension 5010
E. Deb.Bartlett@nearnorthschools.ca

 

 

Wednesday, June 15, 2022

NNDSB approves $168.3 million compliant budget

At its meeting last night, trustees of Near North District School Board (NNDSB) approved the 2022-2023 budget, as recommended by the finance committee.

Finance Committee Chair John Cochrane provided a report and presentation of the compliant budget, which will have revenue and expenses of $168.3 million with a $62,930 surplus.

The budget process is managed through the lens of the board’s multi-year strategic plan (MYSP) ensuring that NNDSB is managed efficiently and is financially sustainable year over year.

Board Chair Jay Aspin says, “Our board is very pleased with all the contributors in our system that have assisted us in achieving our financial goals for this past year. Moving forward, our board has endorsed a 2022-23 budget that will continue to move the board solidly forward with many positive enhancements. Among the most notable for the coming year will be the consolidation of three elementary schools to a new Fricker elementary school in North Bay, and the consolidation of two elementary schools with an existing high school to build a combined K-12 school in Parry Sound. As well, we have invested in the second year of implementation of our multi-year strategic plan, focusing our priorities on student well-being and achievement which includes the tripling of the student mental health allocation.”

The Board heard that enrolment is expected to increase by 3.2 per cent and it is projected that there will be 141 more elementary students, and 161 more secondary students enrolled in NNDSB than this year. As a result, there were no teacher layoffs this spring.

NNDSB will receive $1.8 million as one-time funding through the COVID-19 Learning Recovery Fund to provide temporary staffing supports for learning recovery, the implementation of the first year of de-streamed Grade 9, delivering remote learning, supports for special education and maintaining enhanced cleaning standards. The board will focus these funds toward administrative and special education support for the virtual school, supporting early and later literacy, and English language learners across the board.

The board continues to budget for a deficit in special education, with a projected deficit of $192,000 in 2022-2023. The board continues to allocate additional funds to ensure that the special education needs of students across the board are well-supported, and special education staffing has remained consistent.

As prepared, the budget shows a $1.3 million transportation deficit. The Ministry will be allocating a two per cent increase included in the provincial allocation, and if the board receives a full two per cent increase to its transportation funding, the deficit would be reduced to $1 million.

This year, the Ministry of Education provided a 5.45 per cent cost update to the non-staff portion of the school operations allocation. This funding is to help boards manage increases in commodity prices (electricity, natural gas, facilities insurance, etc.) and additional money to support the increased costs of running ventilation systems longer and replacing filters more often.

Funding also included a provision for labour negotiations, as collective agreements expire on Aug. 31, 2022. The provision is subject to the outcome and conclusion of negotiations

The Ministry’s Pupil Foundation Grant includes a new component for broadband network operations. The funding supports network connectivity, infrastructure, security and operations in schools and board buildings.

There is a significant increase in funding for mental health. The Ministry has increased the base amount of the allocation to support student mental health from $100,858 to $301,723 per board and increased the per pupil amount from $1.34 to $6.67.

The board continues to examine staffing to ensure that positions, roles and responsibilities match Ministry funding parameters, and the four priorities of the MYSP. This ensures alignment of resources and initiatives to the goal of student achievement and well-being.

“It has been a challenging year to keep our staff and students safe in the midst of the second year of a very difficult and disruptive pandemic and remain fiscally responsible” says Chair Aspin. “We have approved a solid, strategic financial plan and look forward to the year ahead.”

Details on the budget may be found within the Board’s agenda package. Information about education funding process can be found on this page of the Government of Ontario website.

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For more information, please contact:

Deb Bartlett
Communications Officer
Near North District School Board
P. (705) 472-8170, extension 5010
E. Deb.Bartlett@nearnorthschools.ca

 

Almaguin Highlands students use their construction skills to build community partnerships

Construction students at Almaguin Highlands Secondary School (AHSS) in South River honed their skills and gave back to their community while building a pair of gate booths for the Dunchurch Agricultural Society (DAS).

The booths, which will be installed at the entrance of the Dunchurch fairgrounds, are being constructed through a collaboration between the school and the Parry Sound Home Depot.

Almaguin manufacturing technology teacher Darran Andersen, who is also director of the DAS, saw the need for the gate booths and thought it would be a good learning opportunity for his students. His proposal of the project to his fellow agricultural society members was met with unanimous approval. Andersen next turned to community partners Home Depot for support.

Shendah Davy, specialty department supervisor at the Home Depot Parry Sound location says when Andersen contacted her about support for the project, she knew it would be a good fit for the Home Depot Canada’s associate-led volunteer force, Team Depot.

Material costs were donated by the Community Investment team at the Home Depot Canada and expertise was shared by Home Depot Canada team.

“It’s a core value of the Home Depot Canada to give back to the communities we live and work in,” Davy said.  “It was great to work with the four dedicated students from Almaguin and watch them develop their construction skills. Who knows, they might be Home Depot associates one day!”

Andersen and Almaguin construction teacher Carter Schaffner hand-picked the group of students to participate in the project which took place over one full day of building followed by class time for two weeks.

The AHSS students used the skills they had learned in Andersen and Schaffner’s classes to build a wood framed structure, and with the help of the Home Depot Canada volunteers, acquired new knowledge of pitch and slopes of roofing and trusses.

Andersen said students saw first-hand the benefits of programs such as Team Depot and gained newfound appreciation for the importance of local volunteers and local organizations such as the DAS and what it brings to small communities.

“Students were impressed by their accomplishment for one day. The project took shape very quickly and the students felt they contributed in a very positive manner to support local organizations and businesses,” Andersen said. “They identified the importance of working together to complete the work in such little time. They were very proud to demonstrate the skills they had already learned to the volunteers from the Home Depot Canada.”

Davy says the Home Depot Canada tries to engage with these sorts of community activities regularly.

“We have numerous requests that come through and each one is individually assessed for how it ties into the goals of the Home Depot Canada community investment program,” Davy said.

“This was the first project we’ve done since COVID, so we were rather excited to get back out there in the community again,” Davy said.

The completed gate booths are scheduled to be installed at the Dunchurch fairground entrance in the coming weeks.

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For more information, please contact:

Brett Hanson

Communications Coordinator

Near North District School Board

1. (705) 472-8170, extension 5083
2. Brett.Hanson@nearnorthschools.ca

Wednesday, June 1, 2022

Students, community partner laud board’s PSW program

The first class of personal support worker (PSW) students is about halfway through Near North District School Board’s (NNDSB) unique program, which re-engages learners while assisting to close the gap in employment needs in the healthcare sector. The program sees students learn in living classrooms – they learn theory and often within hours are on the floor putting into practice what they’ve just learned.

The program is running in Parry Sound and North Bay, with community partners Belvedere House and Cassellholme, which are providing the classroom space and mentorship of the PSW students.

The in-class sessions will wrap up June 30, then students will have to fulfil placement hours in both long-term care and community care settings.

In North Bay, instructor Nancy Corbett is no stranger to Cassellholme. She’s been a registered practical nurse (RPN) there for 25 years and has worked as a preceptor for practical nursing students.

She loves teaching in the living classroom, where students start to learn slowly with portering and feeding residents before they learn about hygiene and other aspects of care. Corbett says when students get to shadow PSWs, they learn by seeing others do the work, then get to try it themselves. She says living classrooms “are the way to teach. It’s the way to go,” because of the shortened timeframe between learning and doing.

The hands-on learning is what appealed to Arianna Poullas. The North Bay resident studied for a year at college but didn’t enjoy learning in a classroom from a textbook. The PSW program appealed to her because after theoretical learning, there is application of the knowledge.

“I like being able to do things with my hands,” says Poullas. “It makes things make sense to me.”

She says the small class size helps the group all feel like family, and says it’s been like that since the first day. The students are supportive of each other, and Poullas says this is the best program she’s ever been involved in. She says learning by reading “just doesn’t stick in my head”; she likes being out on the floor and is happy to not be learning solely by books.

PSW student Jillian Hewitt is also a part-time employee and single mom who enjoys the flexibility of the program.

She enjoys observing and learning from the PSWs, as she finds every person does things a little differently. Watching the others lets her find the best way for her to do the job.

Hewitt says the program is well-organized and the way it’s been taught has made the content “easy to absorb.” She feels supported by Corbett, her peers and staff at Cassellholme, and is confident in the skills she will have when she graduates after her placement hours.

Poullas loves working with Cassellholme’s residents and is hoping for a job in long-term care. She’s already been hired in the home’s Helping Hands program; Cassellholme Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jamie Lowery says it’s like a pre-PSW job position in which staff assist the PSWs.

Poullas is one of seven of the PSW students who have been hired as Helping Hands at Cassellholme. Lowery says the work that was done in vetting candidates has created a class of students who have “an inherent desire to be a PSW.” He says staff is “blown away” by the quality of students and of the course being taught.

NNDSB’s intake process is credited with successful inaugural classes.

Lisa Spencer, who facilitates specialist high skills majors and experiential learning for NNDSB says, “Our intake process consisted of an initial literacy assessment and interview where our team had the opportunity to meet and support each student individually. As a continuing education program, not all our students came to us with their high school diploma so really understanding the pathway for our students helped us to support the initiation process. We can see that our intake process is supportive, and we are very proud of all our students. They can earn their high school diploma while participating in a state of the art post-secondary program.”

Corbett says the interview process gleaned candidates who were best suited to the work of a PSW and who displayed the commitment needed to complete the course. Lowery says he was impressed with NNDSB and its flexibility in designing the program. Teaching learners to deal with difficult people is a skill that the PSW students can use in many aspects of life, not just at work.

He adds that for some, working as a PSW may be only the first step in a healthcare career. Cassellholme has a training budget for its staff which can help people meet their career goals.

There are plans to run the PSW program in September in West Nipissing and Mattawa, too. People interested in taking the PSW course can visit this page for more information. It contains links to an information session, information about the literacy assessment, and a fillable form to register interest in the program. Spaces are limited so potential students are urged to register as soon as possible.

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For more information, please contact:

Deb Bartlett
Communications Officer
Near North District School Board
P. (705) 472-8170, extension 5010
E. Deb.Bartlett@nearnorthschools.ca

Tuesday, May 24, 2022

Evergreen Heights kindergarten students plant trees

Kindergarten students at Evergreen Heights Education Centre in Emsdale got the chance to get their hands dirty and learn a little about trees, gardening and caring for the environment by planting a pair of apple trees in the schoolyard.

One Norland apple tree and one Haralred apple tree were awarded to the class as prizes for their winning entry in a Near North District School Board (NNDSB) Earth Day contest. The contest invited students across the board to share their ‘green moves’ in support of environmental stewardship, waste and carbon management and development of school spaces.

“As a board we strive to ensure that all students have the opportunity to participate in learning about the world around them,” Secondary Program Coordinator Lisa Spencer said. “This year, our teachers across the board and kindergarten to Grade 12 planned amazing activities with their students to showcase how students can ‘invest in the planet’. The Environment Committee formalized the opportunity for sharing these activities through the apple tree contest. We invited teachers and classes to share back what they had done to invest in their planet with the offer that we would purchase, provide and plant two apple trees in the yard of the selected school.”

For Earth Day, Skye Goulbourne’s kindergarten class learned about using both sides of their paper, turning off the water when they brush their teeth and turned off their classroom lights to conserve energy while they spent the Earth Day afternoon outside. The students even created a craft using recycled materials.

“Earlier in the year, we had a family donate some empty DVD cases and asked if we had the use for them,” Goulbourne said. “We gratefully accepted them because we are all about turning trash into treasures in kindergarten. For the Earth Day contest we decided to use them to make handprint Earth Day decorations. They put little dots of blue paint with their fingers on the cases to make an Earth and wrote Happy Earth Day on them.”

When tree planting day arrived, the class took turns helping to plant the trees by scooping soil onto the tree roots after Goulbourne and staff had dug the holes. Their involvement in an activity which can benefit the whole school is something that is very important to the youngest students at Evergreen Heights.

“There are limitations through the school that keep the littlest learners from participating in some of the activities that older students get to do. So, it instills a sense of community that these littlest learners did something that everyone at the school can enjoy,” Goulbourne said.

“As they go through their time at the school and we get to do things with the apples that come from the trees I think there will be a real sense of pride in the students from knowing that they did that,” Goulbourne said. “They will be an integral part of caring for these trees for the rest of the school year and our year one students will continue to care for the trees next fall and hopefully get to collect some apples too,” she added.

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For more information, please contact:

Brett Hanson

Communications Coordinator

Near North District School Board

P: (705) 472-8170, extension 5083

E: Brett.Hanson@nearnorthschools.ca

Thursday, May 19, 2022

Summer school theme: celebrate, experience, plan

The theme of this year’s summer school program at Near North District School Board (NNDSB) is Celebrate prior learning, Experience new learning and Plan Forward for future learning.

NNDSB is offering Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) camp for the first time ever this year. The camp will run in the mornings at West Ferris Secondary School for students in Grades 7-10. Camp will run from 9 a.m. to noon July 4-22, and students will get hands-on experience with STEM education while learning foundational literacy and numeracy skills. Students will interact with drones, coding, robotics with an appearance from First Team1305 and more. Principal recommendation is required to participate.

West Ferris Secondary School is also the site of Summer of the Arts, a Grade 9 and 10 integrated arts (ALC10/20) and Grade 11 and 12 exploring and creating in the arts (AEA30/40) courses being offered. Students can build on their artistic talents while earning a secondary school credit. These courses run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. from July 4-29.

E-learning courses are being offered for all students. Courses include French Immersion civics and careers, science, English, math, history, cooperative education, physics, geography and more.  The Grade 8 reach ahead credit is also being offered, providing students who will be entering Grade 9 in September the opportunity to earn a credit over the summer.

The board is also continuing its partnership with the Canadian Ecology Centre, with a number of courses being offered at the Mattawa-area facility.

The deadline for registration through guidance counsellors at secondary is Friday, June 24. Learn more and see summer school options in this flyer.

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For more information, please contact:

Deb Bartlett
Communications Officer
Near North District School Board
P. (705) 472-8170, extension 5010
E. Deb.Bartlett@nearnorthschools.ca

Thursday, May 19, 2022

NNDSB staff get Caverhill Road Race running again

Near North District School Board (NNDSB) staff put in hundreds of volunteer hours to ensure that the Caverhill Road Race took place after a two-year hiatus caused by COVID-19 and its resulting restrictions.

The race, initially known as the Nobel Road Race, has been an annual spring staple in the community. This year, organizers Brigid Wright (principal of Nobel Public School) and Dawn Buckland (principal of Parry Sound High School) organized the May 7 event on short notice.

Buckland says, “In times of extreme staff shortage, it was amazing to see countless NNDSB staff and student volunteers work tirelessly to get the event up and running.” In addition to attending planning meetings, there were volunteers on race day all along the route.

The organizing team knows how important extra-curricular activities are to students and staff and are excited to begin the transition back to participation in such events.

The Caverhill Road Race is a single event organized and run by NNDSB staff, and features student-only categories. This year there were categories for Grade 3 and 4 girls, Grade 3 and 4 boys, Grade 5 and 6 girls, Grade 5 and 6 boys, Grade 7 and 8 girls and Grade 7 and 8 boys. The route is approximately three kilometres, finishing at Nobel Public School.

Among the race volunteers were Parry Sound High School students whose efforts on race day exemplify the character traits encouraged at NNDSB; the board supports students in being strong role models for their younger peers.

NNDSB is proud of its staff who are willing to go the extra mile and create memorable experiences and opportunities for students.

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For more information, please contact:

Deb Bartlett
Communications Officer
Near North District School Board
P. (705) 472-8170, extension 5010
E. Deb.Bartlett@nearnorthschools.ca