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MYSP survey results show board progressing towards goals

May 11, 2022 By Deb

Wednesday, May 11, 2022

MYSP survey results show board progressing towards goals

Data from April’s Multi-Year Strategic Plan (MYSP) online survey has been compiled and shows Near North District School Board (NNDSB) is moving in a positive direction in the four priority areas: Excellence in Communication; Excellence in Relationships; Excellence in Teaching and Learning; and Excellence in Innovation.

Trustee Bill Steer, who chairs the MYSP Committee, presented a progress report to trustees at last night’s Board meeting. “The MYSP Committee and the Board will continue to identify additional numerical data points that will assess various aspects of our educational operations through the intent of the MYSP. The MYSP progress report is the next step in applying the plan,” he said.

The April survey gathered responses from staff, parents/guardians, students and community partners.

Baseline data was taken from internal sources and stakeholder interviews with Nanos Research, Ministry of Education special advisors and Ramsay Partners Inc. prior to development of the MYSP.

Respondents to the April survey overwhelmingly believed that the volume of communication from NNDSB had increased in the past two years, and almost 79 per cent of respondents were able to find all or most of the information they were looking for.

The majority of respondents (89 per cent) agree that NNDSB schools have innovative programs and 89 per cent agree that the board offers excellence in teaching and learning.

The survey responses also provided the board with some goals for improvement and next steps to continue building confidence with stakeholders. Among identified improvements are web pages for literacy and numeracy content, increasing understanding of where information may be found, investigating innovative options for students who live in areas of declining enrolment, and increasing opportunities for stakeholders to be heard and to increase community involvement in schools.

“The reliable saying ‘you can’t manage what you can’t measure’ holds true,” says Board Chair Jay Aspin. “Our MYSP Committee is developing both qualitative and quantitative measures to assist us with full measures to assess the progress of our recently created MYSP. Qualitative data has been developed from our pupils, employees, parents, partners and the public. Our board is very pleased with this data produced from this survey as it reflects the tremendous transition the board has undergone by establishing meaningful strategic goals then assessing delivery of these goals,” he says.

In addition to presenting the qualitative data from the survey, the MYSP progress report also shared quantitative information that outlines how NNDSB is working in all four priority areas to support the student, school, department and board improvement plans.

Accomplishments in the past year include improved and faster access to assistive technology for students, expanded course offering for all students through online learning, summer programs to help mitigate gaps due to COVID-19 disruptions, dedicated staff to support Indigenous education, optimized experiential learning opportunities and enhanced relationships with community partners via the equity advisory circle, as one example.

Director of Education Craig Myles said the MYSP survey gave stakeholders the opportunity to share feedback, while providing valuable information to NNDSB staff about progress and next steps.

“It’s vital that we keep lines of communication open with all stakeholder groups. The board needs to know how people feel about what we are doing,” says Myles. “The survey responses allowed us to assess how we are doing and provide direction to implement strategies focused on improvement.”

Here is the link to the full progress report with more details, data and accomplishments.

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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

 

Filed Under: Media Releases, News and Announcements, NNDSB Featured, NNDSB Shared News

Northern Ontario Film Studios and Near North District School Board strike a long-term deal for film training in Northern Ontario

May 10, 2022 By Deb

Thursday, May 5, 2022

Northern Ontario Film Studios and Near North District School Board strike a long-term deal for film training in Northern Ontario

The Northern Ontario Film Studios (NOFS) is delighted to announce a new partnership and filming initiative with Near North District School Board (NNDSB) to provide on-the-job training opportunities to NNDSB students in conjunction with NOFS film productions filming in Northern Ontario. This learning cooperative will play a crucial role in engaging students in exploration of the multitude of career pathways available within the Northern Ontario film industry by creating awareness and interest in the variety of careers immediately available for them once they graduate. This hands-on training will give students the foundational building blocks to enter this exciting and growing industry.

Northern Ontario Film Studios is the largest full-service film studio in Northern Ontario, providing both creative and production services to a wide range of clients in the film and television industry. With a vast array of film production experience, unparalleled in the region, the Northern Ontario Film Studios has created award-winning film and television content around the world.

With its sister company Hideaway Pictures, they have produced more than 60 films and provided production services, studio space and equipment rental for more than 100 film and television projects in Northern Ontario. Having three studio spaces in the North Bay and Sudbury area, they have created more 3,000,000 hours of work for Northern Ontario residents, amounting to more than 2,000 full-time equivalent jobs in the North. The gross economic impact to the Ontario economy is well over $150,000,000 in direct spend.

In 2019, NOFS built a permanent $2,000,000 turn-of-the-century town in Powassan, ON. It is the only one of its kind in the province which has garnered attention from the industry abroad and is sought after as a future filming location.

In 2021, NOFS and Hideaway Pictures announced a new $125,000,000 deal to bring over 25 new film and television projects to Northern Ontario in the next 5 years. President of Production David Anselmo says, “This partnership is the first step to developing the young talent we have in our region and keeping them at home to work and grow in a new and exciting industry. Twenty years ago, when I chose to pursue my passion as a filmmaker, I never had the opportunity to do it in Northern Ontario. This partnership is just another way NOFS can fulfill its mandate of creating long lasting cinema in the North.”

NNDSB is responsible for the public education of approximately 10,000 learners from across the Almaguin Highlands, North Bay, Mattawa, West Nipissing and Parry Sound areas. The board serves a wide variety of communities within a 17,020 square km area and operates 27 elementary schools, six secondary schools, and a variety of alternative and continuing education programs and services.

NNDSB engages with organizations from many sectors to enhance student success, professional learning and the educational environment. Partners include community organizations, post-secondary institutions, businesses, charitable foundations, health agencies, arts organizations and social service agencies.

Board Chair Jay Aspin says, “Our board is truly excited about this new dynamic connection. Transforming and enhancing our board through innovation and the advancement of new relationships form a key pillar of our recently created multi-year strategic plan. This partnership will assist us in achieving these goals as we engage with the Northern Ontario Film Studios resulting in opportunities to improve student success, professional learning and broaden our educational environment.”

Of the initiative, NNDSB Director of Education Craig Myles says, “It is important to Near North District School Board to continue to create innovative pathways that help students to make connections with the workforce and the community. This exciting new partnership with Northern Ontario Film Studios provides our students with an opportunity to explore the burgeoning film industry and seek further study and or employment in an exciting career in their home communities.”

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For more information, please contact studio manager Kaitlyn Greenough at 705.885.1660 or kaitlyn@hideawaypictures.com.

Filed Under: Media Releases, NNDSB Featured, NNDSB Shared News

Board Highlights for April meeting

April 14, 2022 By Deb

Thursday, April 14, 2022

Board Highlights for April meeting

The following are the highlights of the Near North District School Board (NNDSB) meeting of Tuesday, April 12, 2022.

Trustees review use of resources for campaigning

Trustees discussed and approved a procedure that outlines how and when Board resources may be used during the campaign period. Rules and procedures must be established before May 1, in accordance with The Municipal Elections Modernization Act, 2016.

The procedures apply to all trustees, registered trustee candidates and staff, and is intended to supplement the Trustee Code of Conduct.

The procedure covers the use of school board resources during the municipal and school board election campaign period, which for the upcoming campaign will be from May 1 to Oct. 24 (election day). The resources covered by the procedure included staff time, computer, fax, telephone, cell phone, laptop, tablet, website, newsletter, email, board or school social media accounts.

While trustees are expected to continue to use their board-issued resources to fulfil their duties as a member of the Board, they are not to use them for campaign-related purposes.

School trip guidelines modified after consultation

Following a public consultation period, the administrative guideline that deals with school trips has been modified.

The school trip guideline will include a standardized form for use by all schools, an approach that evaluates an activity on its level of risk and the requirement of a criminal reference check for all school volunteers, regardless of level of supervision.

The modified version was reviewed and approved by executive council on April 5, 2022.

Community use of schools resumes

In his report, Director of Education Craig Myles noted that the Community Use of Schools program has resumed. Organizations that require the use of school facilities are invited to submit applications.

More information and applications may be found on this page.

MYSP survey closes tomorrow

The Multi-Year Strategic Plan (MYSP) committee is seeking stakeholder input to measure progress since the five-year plan has been operationalized. More information about the survey can be found in this media release.

The survey is open until Friday, April 15 and the survey link can be found here.

Report highlights Indigenous education initiatives

A report from the First Nations Advisory Committee highlighted the scope of Indigenous education in the board and introduced three new initiatives.

The report announced a new Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) arts and culture program with an Indigenous studies focus that will be implemented at Parry Sound High School in September 2022, an initiative that will see all Grade 11 students take NBE3 – English: understanding contemporary First Nations, Métis and Inuit voices and an alternative secondary school program that will be delivered in partnership with the North Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre. More will be announced about this in the coming weeks.

Board Chair Jay Aspin says, “Our board is committed to ensure Indigenous students have every opportunity for success. This board action plan is part of a complex structure of supports prioritizing equitable outcomes to move forward towards the success and well-being of these students through much needed systemic change.”

The full report is available in the Board package, and a media release has been issued.

Student Trustee advises of Senate elections

Student Trustee Cecilia Darling told the Board that secondary school elections to NNDSB’s Student Senate will take place soon. The election timeline will see newly elected Senators from each school attend the Senate meetings by May.

She also noted that election and information will be send to students to be shared with their school communities.

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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

 

Filed Under: Media Releases, News and Announcements, NNDSB Featured, NNDSB Shared News

Multi-layered approach supports Indigenous education

April 13, 2022 By Deb

Wednesday, April 13, 2022

Multi-layered approach supports Indigenous education

The First Nations Advisory Committee (FNAC) report presented at last night’s Near North District School Board (NNDSB) meeting outlined the scope of Indigenous education in schools and introduced several new initiatives.

In addition to outlining the status of Indigenous education across the board, the report announced:

  • a new Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) arts and culture program with an Indigenous studies focus that will be implemented at Parry Sound High School in September 2022
  • an initiative that will see all Grade 11 students take NBE3 – English: understanding contemporary First Nations, Métis and Inuit voices
  • an alternative secondary school program that will be delivered in partnership with the North Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre. More will be announced about this in the coming weeks.

One of the board’s key priorities is working towards equitable outcomes for Indigenous students. This is accomplished by supporting Indigenous student well-being, transitions and pathways, parent and community engagement and by maximizing system and educator capacity.

The board action plan for Indigenous education focuses on supporting student success and well-being for Indigenous learners, families and communities, as well as  increasing the knowledge, understanding and awareness of Indigenous culture, worldview, historical and contemporary issues and perspectives for all members of school communities throughout the board.

Board Chair Jay Aspin says, “Our board is committed to ensure Indigenous students have every opportunity for success. This board action plan is part of a complex structure of supports prioritizing equitable outcomes to move forward towards the success and well-being of these students through much needed systemic change.”

In addition to the work that takes place across the board, there are school and community initiatives that support system work. FNAC is grateful to the team of Indigenous language teachers, First Nations, Métis and Inuit studies teachers, graduation coaches, transitions support and education counsellors, as well as allies who help create dynamic learning environments.

Director of Education Craig Myles acknowledges that cooperation and communication between NNDSB and Indigenous partners are vital to success in this area. “We, as a board, are committed to ensuring equitable outcomes for Indigenous students. NNDSB’s work at all levels in support of Indigenous student well-being, transitions and pathways, parent and community engagement, as well as system and educator capacity are rooted in the Multi-Year Strategic Plan (MYSP).”

Among the initiatives at NNDSB that support Indigenous students are youth circles (from which the Indigenous Student Trustee is appointed), graduation coaches at four secondary schools who support Indigenous students with culturally responsive approaches to learning and an outreach worker who supports Indigenous families moving to the area.

To support educators, the board has invested in cultural competency training for all staff and has contracted cultural advisors who support learning and increase the understanding of Anishinaabe history, culture, knowledge, teachings and perspectives.

The full report is available in the Board 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

 

Filed Under: Media Releases, News and Announcements, NNDSB Featured, NNDSB Shared News

Workshop explains how executive skills promote school success

April 12, 2022 By Deb

Tuesday, April 12, 2022

Workshop explains how executive skills promote school success

Near North District School Board’s (NNDSB) Parent Involvement Committee is hosting a workshop with Dr. Peg Dawson, who will discuss how executive skills can affect students’ ability to learn and student success.

The online session for families takes place Monday, May 2 at 7 p.m.

Dr. Dawson and her colleague, Dr. Richard Guare, have co-authored the books Smart but Scattered and Smart but Scattered Teens, as well as several books on this topic for educators, mental health professionals and families. She is a school psychologist with expertise in the assessment of learning and attention disorders.

Dr. Dawson’s workshop for educators introduces the 11 executive skills featured in the Smart but Scattered model and provides school-based strategies for strengthening each skill across the grade levels.

The workshop for families describes how these skills develop throughout childhood and suggest strategies that can be used to help children acquire the critical skills they need to be successful students.

The Smart but Scattered website says executive skills “refer to the brain-based cognitive processes that help us to regulate our behaviour, make decisions and set and achieve goals.” They include task initiation and follow through, planning and organization, working memory, performance monitoring, inhibition of impulses and self-regulation. Dr. Dawson believes these skills are “absolutely critical to school success.” Learn more about how Dr. Dawson defines executive skills here.

She is past president of the National Association of School Psychologists, the International School Psychology Association and is a recipient of NASP’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

NNDSB invites members of the community to attend Dr. Dawson’s using this link. People can also attend by phone. Find your local dial-in number here, then use Meeting ID: 833 3486 5926 and Passcode: 020746.

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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

Filed Under: Media Releases, News and Announcements, NNDSB Featured, NNDSB Shared News

Program offers free Intro to the Trades dual credits at Canadore College

April 4, 2022 By Deb

Monday, April 4, 2022

Program offers free Intro to Trades dual credits at Canadore College

Near North District School Board (NNDSB) is taking registrations for a program that will see re-engaged learners earn up to two credits towards their secondary school diploma and up to two college course credits towards a Trades Fundamentals certificate at Canadore. The program is called Introduction to the Trades.

Alysha Young, NNDSB’s re-engagement lead and a dual-credit teacher, says this course is for adult learners aged 21 and older who have not earned their Ontario Secondary School Diplomas.

Learners will attend the Commerce Court Campus of Canadore College in North Bay from April 25 to June 10 for half days (9 a.m. to approximately 12:30 p.m.). Students can take an introduction to carpentry and/or introduction to plumbing course. There is no cost to attend the program and students will receive financial assistance with equipment and transportation.

The introduction to carpentry course introduces students to a variety of hand and power tools, with an emphasis on identification, selection and safe operating procedures. Skill building will focus on residential construction.

The introduction to plumbing course introduces student to plumbing theory, safety, tools and materials. Students will work through the Ontario Building Code sections that relate to plumbing. Practical experience will be gained working in the program’s shop.

“This program is an excellent opportunity to attend Canadore and explore the trades as a career while earning high school and college credits,” says Patricia Jackson, project leader at Canadore College. “Past students have gone on to complete the certificate at Canadore, and work in the trades.”

Young says the dual-credit program is a collaborative effort between all four co-terminus school boards, Canadore College and the Ministry of Education. They work with partners in the community and tackle labour market shortages, creating programs that give learners a head start to an education that will address labour needs in the community.

“The objective of the dual-credit program,” she says, “is to aid students who have the potential to succeed.” In addition to the college instructor, students will have the support of a secondary school staff member in the student success role. “The students have more support than they would in a regular college class,” says Young.

“The goal is to help students land jobs,” she says. This is an example of NNDSB’s commitment to Excellence in Innovation, and Excellence in Teaching and Learning, two of the pillars of the board’s multi-year strategic plan.

For more information, contact Alysha Young at Alysha.Young@nearnorthschools.ca or 705-472-5419 ext. 4066.

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Cutline information (Trades-1, Trades-2):

Students in the dual-credit Introduction to the Trades course can earn up to four credits; two towards their secondary school diploma, and two college course credits.

photo of students working at framingclose up photo of plumbing - pipes and shut-off valve

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

Filed Under: Media Releases, News and Announcements, NNDSB Featured, NNDSB Shared News

Board Highlights for March meeting

March 25, 2022 By Deb

Friday, March 25, 2022

The following are the highlights of the Near North District School Board (NNDSB) meeting of Tuesday, March 22, 2022.

Board recognizes outstanding students 

The Board of Trustees will be acknowledging outstanding students and members of school communities who have gone “above and beyond” and whose achievements exemplify the board’s strategic commitments outlined in the Multi-Year Strategic Plan (MYSP).

Guests will be invited to Board meetings to share how they are illustrating the four pillars of the plan: Excellence in Innovation; Excellence in Teaching and Learning; Excellence in Relationships; and Excellence in Communication.

The first presentation occurred at Tuesday night’s Board meeting, when Madison Moore of Chippewa Secondary School and Fionna Truong of West Ferris Secondary School were recognized. They are the 2022 recipients of the Rotary Club of North Bay’s Service Above Self Award, presented to students who exemplify warmth and caring towards their peers and others. The award program is intended to promote the values of the Rotary Club’s motto Service Above Self, to ensure youth are aware of the benefits of volunteerism.

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

Updated guidelines follow public consultation

After approval by executive council of the multi-year French as a Second Language (FSL) plan in December, three Administrative Guidelines (AG) were approved for review.

The Extended French AG, French Immersion AG and Core French AG were posted on the board’s website from Feb. 1 to March 5, 2022. Public feedback was incorporated into the final version of each AG, which were presented for approval at the exec council meeting on March 8, 2022.

Amendments focused on inclusion of the full-day kindergarten document and, revised FSL curriculum and including best practices that allow for flexibility to support school timetables, schedules and staffing strengths.

Director’s update

Director of Education Craig Myles presented a lengthy report to the Board, following the March Break.

He addressed the lifting of many COVID-19 restrictions and noted how the changes have resulted in mixed feelings as we move along in pandemic recovery. Myles expressed gratitude to the staff, students, families and community partners who have provided safe learning environments for students since March 2022.

There was also a mid-year update that detailed progress in the four areas of the MYSP. For each pillar in the plan, the Director’s goals are listed with indicators of achievements to date that show forward momentum in realizing the goals of the plan. Trustees were appreciative of the update, expressing pride and satisfaction in the work being done by staff.

Board Vice-Chair John Cochrane noted that with the launch of the personal support worker program, “we are leaders”. The program in smaller communities provides a service to both students and the partner healthcare facilities. Trustee Bill Steer said it was gratifying to be able to see how far the board has come in implementing the MYSP. Director Myles agreed, calling the amount of work and growth that has taken place throughout a pandemic “amazing”.

The complete mid-year update can be found beginning on Page 36 of the agenda package.

MYSP committee launches survey

Trustee Bill Steer, who chairs the MYSP committee, updated trustees on the committee’s on-going work. Following approval by trustees in June, and implementation beginning in September, the committee’s next step is to assess the plan’s effectiveness with the development of metrics.

To measure that, the committee launched a survey and is seeking responses from a variety of stakeholder groups. The survey opened March 11 and will remain open until April 15. Once the survey closes, the committee will meet to review the data and establish metrics in order to present a report to the Board at its May meeting.

Trustee Steer called the measurement, “the last piece of the puzzle in this long process,” referring to the development and implementation of the MYSP.

Distribution and Determination Report approved

A Trustee Determination and Distribution report was presented, along with supplementary information from the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC). Before every municipal election, school boards are required to review and recommend the number of trustees and the areas they represent, in order to ensure fair and equitable representation of all public school supporters.

Following discussion in Committee of the Whole, a resolution was brought forward to approve that no changes would be made to trustee determination, and that trustee distribution will remain status quo.

NNDSB’s Board of Trustees is comprised of nine trustees; eight elected trustees and one First Nations trustee who is appointed to represent all First Nations who are NNDSB education partners.

Projects receive Trustee Initiative Fund support

Trustees approved supporting two projects through the Trustee Initiative Fund.

The Journey into Learning program of NNDSB will receive $7,520 to purchase 600 copies of the book This is What I’ve Been Told to be included in the Journey into Learning (JIL) kit for kindergarten students. The book was written by a NNDSB teacher and introduces the local Anishinaabemowin language and culture. The funding request noted that the book reflects the peoples, languages and cultures of this area, not other parts of Ontario or Canada, and that its inclusion in the JIL kit indicates the commitment of NNDSB to focus on Indigenous education.

The second request, for $7,500, was approved for the Festival of the Sound’s Music Scores program. The funding will see Music Scores programming in 10 NNDSB schools in the Parry Sound area over a two-week period. This year’s program will

encourage mastery of the creative process and critical thinking through Indigenous and sound-based storytelling. Three artists, led by Samantha Whelan-Kotkas of the National Arts Centre, will help students conceive, compose and present original works.

The two-week virtual residency will culminate in a final performance on April 8 feature music created together with students and the visiting artists.

Facilities Study Committee seeks name change

The North Bay Facilities Study Committee, an ad-hoc committee tasked with reviewing the board’s use of property assets in North Bay, received Board approval to be renamed the North Bay Consolidation Committee. The name change more accurately reflects the scope of the committee’s work.

The committee also presented a draft terms of reference, which was approved by the Board.

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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

 

Filed Under: Media Releases, News and Announcements, NNDSB Featured, NNDSB Shared News

Outstanding NNDSB students recognized at Board meeting

March 23, 2022 By Deb

Wednesday, March 23, 2022

Outstanding NNDSB students recognized at Board meeting

At last night’s meeting of Near North District School Board (NNDSB), trustees heard the first of what will be a series of presentations that recognize students who go “above and beyond”.

The Board will welcome students and members of school communities who embody the board’s strategic commitments established within the Multi-Year Strategic Plan (MYSP). Invited guests will explain how their actions exemplify the MYSP pillars of Excellence in Teaching and Learning, Excellence in Innovation, Excellence in Relationships and Excellence in Communication.

By hearing presentations, the Board of Trustees will be able to recognize students and support the entrenchment of the board’s MYSP priorities within school communities.

Board Chair Jay Aspin said, “It is significant that our Board of Trustees recognize outstanding students and members of the school community that go ‘above and beyond’ to fulfill the commitments set out in our strategic plan.”

The first of the presentations acknowledged the work of students Madison Moore of Chippewa Secondary School and Fionna Truong of West Ferris Secondary School. The pair was recently honoured by the Rotary Club of North Bay as recipients of the 2022 Service Above Self award. The award criteria include how students demonstrate warmth and caring towards peers or others. The Rotary Club’s student awards program is intended to promote the values of the club’s motto, Service Above Self, and ensure students know of the benefits of volunteerism.

Madison Moore was recognized at the Board for embodying Excellence in Relationships. A Grade 12 student, Madison has accumulated almost 400 volunteer hours since 2018. She is an athlete who recognizes the value of dedication and teamwork. Most of her volunteer hours were acquired in the sport of hockey and at tournaments such as the boys’ OFSAA tournament.

Fionna Truong is a Grade 11 student in the Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM) program. She was recognized by the Board for illustrating Excellence in Innovation because of being an integral part of the robotics world in North Bay. She has been a team captain for FIRST Robotics, a build captain for Team 1305 and volunteers as a mentor with FLL (Lego) team at West Ferris. She has also worked with other student on a UV Cube Development Project that addressed the healthcare challenge of sterilizing personal protective equipment. Fionna is a team member working on a business plan to move the project into the production phase.

“These two students are shining examples that permit us to realize that commitment and I am very pleased our Board of Trustees has formally recognized their accomplishments,” said Chair Aspin.

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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

Filed Under: Media Releases, News and Announcements, NNDSB Featured, NNDSB Shared News

Student project aims to use education to eradicate racism

March 15, 2022 By Deb

Tuesday, March 15, 2022

Student project aims to use education to eradicate racism

Spearheaded by two Grade 11 students, a mural being unveiled at Chippewa Secondary School commemorates Black history and the power of education to eradicate racism.

The project was designed and coordinated by Rainat Salako and Omobola Agboola as their Creativity, Activity Service (CAS) project in the International Baccalaureate (IB) program.

Rainat says, “This project began because I wanted to think of a way to bring cultural awareness to the school. As a student of colour, I felt as if I was not being represented in the art around me. I wanted to change that and help others feel welcomed and acknowledged at our school. I believe this project will help to accomplish that.”

“I wanted to do this project because I believed that our school needed some more representation from the Black community, not just during Black History Month but also throughout the year and the years to come. I believe this mural is a great way to leave a legacy and to give a friendly reminder to people about the Black community, not just once a year but every day,” says Omobola.

She and Rainat said the project had a few challenges, which were overcome with support from their project sponsor, staff and students.

The project came to fruition with the help of Ashley Oszytko, an intermediate art teacher at Chippewa who took the lead on supporting the students. Oszytko says,
“Representation in our schools is so important and this mural will be a reminder that all Chippewa students are beautiful, strong, and important. We embrace different cultures, races, genders, and beliefs here at Chippewa, and the raised clenched fist will now be a permanent reminder that anti-racism begins here in the hallways of our schools.”

Stephanie Silverthorn, the IB CAS coordinator, helped the girls develop their idea, coordinate the logistics of sourcing materials and arranging working sessions with volunteers. She says, “The purpose of the CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service) project is to enable students to work collaboratively in a leadership capacity to enact positive change. Rainat and Omobola have done a beautiful job of identifying a concept that is of importance both to them individually and to our school community as a whole. Their vision and teamwork have resulted in a powerful piece of art that will have a lasting impact on the students and staff within our building. I am so proud of them.”

Chippewa’s principal, Krista Tucker Petrick, is grateful for the legacy created by Rainat and Omobola. “They generously shared their vision to showcase Black brilliance during Black History month and to ensure that there was artwork in the school that reflected African, Caribbean and Black identifying students. The dedication of Omobola and Rainat is evident in the wonderful mural that has been created and will be hung in the halls of the school. Staff here are appreciative of the effort and care that went into the organization and painting of the artwork and the daily information that was shared by these students on the announcements during February.

“I am grateful to Rainat and Omobola for being such amazing leaders in the school. I would also like to express my thanks to Dr. Julius Agboola for sponsoring the mural,” says Tucker Petrick.

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three students work on mural in a classroom

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

 

Filed Under: Media Releases, News and Announcements, NNDSB Featured, NNDSB Shared News

Survey will measure MYSP implementation status

March 11, 2022 By Deb

Friday, March 11, 2022

Survey will measure MYSP implementation status

Near North District School Board’s (NNDSB) Multi-Year Strategic Plan (MYSP) committee is seeking survey responses to measure the implementation status of the 2021- 2026 MYSP. The five-year plan was approved by the Board in June 2021 and implementation began in September 2021.

The MYSP was developed after extensive consultation with a variety of stakeholder groups, which identified key priorities for the board. Now that the plan has been operationalized for several months, the committee is keen to measure both status and progress. The metrics for measurement are aligned closely to the MYSP goals.

The MYSP committee, chaired by Trustee Bill Steer, has developed metrics for each of the four pillars of the MYSP (excellence in teaching and learning, excellence in innovation, excellence in relationships and excellence in communication).

Committee Chair Steer says, “We recognize how our MYSP is an organic document, so this survey is intended to keep us informed on how our community feels about our progress. Data collection is essential to measuring our progress, so we are looking for feedback from all stakeholders, as part of our ongoing data collection strategy.”

“In June of last year, our board completed an extensive participatory process which culminated in our five-year MYSP to serve as our roadmap over the years 2021-2026. To be consistent with this process, this survey will continue to engage the participation of all stakeholders. Just as importantly, it will provide us with valuable benchmark metrics that will assist our board in assessing the progress of this strategic plan from year to year,” says Board Chair Jay Aspin.

The survey can be found on the board’s website and is open from March 11 until April 15, 2022.

Once the data is collected, it will give the MSYP committee an indication of which areas are successfully moving ahead according to the plan. The committee plans to review data and present a report to the Board at its May meeting.

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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

 

 

Filed Under: Media Releases, News and Announcements, NNDSB Featured, NNDSB Shared News

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