Near North District School Board

Board Highlights – special meeting Aug. 5, 2021

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Board Highlights – special meeting Aug. 5, 2021

Monday, Aug. 9, 2021

The following are the highlights of the special meeting of the Near North District School Board of Thursday, Aug. 5, 2021.

COVID management, return to school

Trustees of Near North District School Board received an update on COVID-19 management and return-to-school plans during the special board meeting Thursday night.

Director of Education Craig Myles told trustees that the Ministry of Education released its return-to-school guidance document on Tuesday, Aug. 3. Senior staff will carefully go over the document to understand what the return-to-school would look like. NNDSB sent a letter to families on Aug. 4, outlining a few key points and assuring families that when staff have plans in place, they would be shared.

Superintendent of Education Melanie Gray added that the board’s facilities department was well on the way to achieving the work required on ventilation systems in advance of the return to school on Sept. 7.

The province and public health units are encouraging anyone over the age of 12 who can get vaccinated to do so. There are no plans for vaccination clinics to be held at schools in the board.

Trustee Initiative Fund supports purchasing books

Trustees approved a $16,233 expenditure from the Trustee Initiative Fund to purchase 1,400 copies of the book This is What I’ve Been Told, written and illustrated by NNDSB teacher Julianna Armstrong, to be included in a resource bag that will be given to all Year 1 and Year 2 kindergarten students.

It is part of a new initiative called Journey into Learning that welcomes kindergarten learners and their families into the board. In addition to hosting board-wide events for families, Journey into Learning includes a bag with a guide and resources.

This year, the Early Years Team wanted a bag that more closely aligned with the visions and priorities of NNDSB as outlined in the Multi-Year Strategic Plan, with hopes of strengthening the bond between home and school.

This is What I’ve Been Told is an introduction to Anishinaabe language and culture. The report to the Board noted that beginning the Journey into Learning with an intentional focus on Indigenous Education signals the board’s values and visions to stakeholders and supports many of the calls to action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, specifically in the Education, and Language and Culture sections. Through the Trustee Initiative Fund, the Board of Trustees provides funding to organizations and projects that encompass an expanse of students from across the Near North District School Board, as a unifying platform. This application was approved unanimously.

Board seeking new trustee to represent Zone 2

NNDSB is seeking a trustee in Zone 2, following the resignation of Harry Fry, effective June 30, 2021. The Education Act provides the Board with several options for filling the position.

At Thursday’s meeting, trustees reviewed all options and opted to accept applications for the position, which will begin no later than Sept. 28, 2021 and end on Nov. 30, 2022, consistent with all trustees elected in 2018.

Zone 2 covers the areas of Bonfield, Mattawa and Callander.

Capital projects updated

Trustees approved the additional expenditure of $588,127 for 2020-2021 capital projects.

A report from Superintendent of Business Seija Van Haesendonck recapped the $5,786,015 of allocations from the Ministry of Education. This includes school renewal and school condition improvement funding.

Higher tender costs at six sites, as well as two unanticipated projects that were undertaken for site health, safety and security reasons, resulted in the need for the extra funding.

When the current projects are completed, there will be approximately $138,000 of school renewal allocation and $2,400,000 in school condition improvement funding remaining for future projects.

Consultant’s report on Parry Sound school received

The Board received a report from consultant Lygia Dallip on the JK-12 Parry Sound school being built, as recommended by the Parry Sound Build Committee. The report outlined requirements and expectations of the Ministry of Education throughout stages of capital projects, as well as a timeline of the build.

Dallip was engaged as an independent consultant to review the Board’s process related to the project. Her report outlines how the Ministry of Education uses a formula to assess effective use of school space. It is imperative that boards accurately account for enrolment, and the report says NNDSB has consistently been plus or minus two percent in its estimation of projected enrolments.

Addressing the concern of elementary and secondary students in the same school, the report notes the JK-12 model is a “means of managing the impact of declining enrolment across all grades.” It is a way to provide stronger extra-curricular programs in all divisions while providing stronger program opportunities for Grade 7 and 8 and specialized secondary school program spaces. Several boards in Ontario have JK-12 schools.

Dallip’s report is available on NNDSB’s website.

Partial demolition tender awarded for Parry Sound

Trustees awarded the tender for partial demolition at the site of Parry Sound High School to CLC Infrastructure Inc. in the amount of $937,618 plus HST.

Tender documents were reviewed by the Parry Sound Build Committee, which provided a recommendation to the Board.

Work will begin immediately to allow most of the demolition work to be completed before school begins, although there may be some on-going site work and some interior work taking place into September.

A media release about the tender, and all news pertaining to the new JK-12 Parry Sound School be found under the capital planning section of NNDSB’s website.

Board thanks Interim Executive Officer Easton

In a committee of the whole meeting held just prior to the Board meeting, Trustees had the opportunity to thank Interim Executive Officer Wally Easton for his work at NNDSB since February. He will be leaving the Board this week and has helped transition Seija Van Haesendonck into her role of Superintendent of Business.

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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

Partial demolition tender awarded for Parry Sound build

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Thursday, Aug. 5, 2021

Partial demolition tender awarded for Parry Sound build

At a special board meeting tonight, Trustees of Near North District School Board (NNDSB) awarded the tender for partial demolition at the site of Parry Sound High School to CLC Infrastructure Inc. The tender is in the amount of $937,618 plus HST.

The special meeting was called at the request of Board Chair Jay Aspin in response to a recommendation received from the Parry Sound Build Committee, which reviewed the tender documents and provided a recommendation to the board regarding the tender award.

Work will begin immediately.

Chair Aspin says, “Terrific teamwork from our board of Trustees and administration has resulted in this welcome news for the Parry Sound region. We are moving forward with a state-of-the-art K-12 educational facility which we expect will open September 2023.”

Most of the demolition work can be completed before school begins, although there may be on-going site work and some interior work taking place into September. The health and safety of all staff and students is paramount, and NNDSB will ensure the building is safe.

The partial demolition is required to fit the new JK-12 school on the existing site. This will allow for construction of the new school to begin in the spring, allowing 16 to 18 months for construction.

Upon review of the bids received, the board’s procurement team submitted a revised Approval to Proceed (ATP) to the Ministry of Education on July 27 seeking approval for an increased allocation to cover the professional fees and the demolition contract. The board received notice on August 3, 2021 that the increased allocation was approved by the Ministry, which increased the total funding of the build to $27,372,629.

“We are grateful to the Ministry of Education for its increased investment in this project that reflects the realities of our build at this time” says Seija Van Haesendonck, Superintendent of Business. She also expressed appreciation for the Ministry’s recognition of the time sensitivity of the revised request for ATP.

Staff and the architects, +VG Architects (The Ventin Group), have been meeting to discuss designs and site plans, which will be finalized in the next few weeks. In the fall, the board will submit a request to the Ministry of Education for approval to tender for construction.

“Our board is most appreciative of the valuable input we received through community support and give special recognition to Vice-Chair John Cochrane, our Parry Sound representative, and Nichole King, our Indigenous Trustee representative. They have been true regional board champions of this new school,” says Chair Aspin.

He adds that NNDSB is most appreciative of community support and the valuable input it has received for this project.

The board is grateful for the support of the Government of Ontario in efforts to bring this facility to the Parry Sound area.

All news pertaining to the Parry Sound JK-12 build can be found under the capital planning section of NNDSB’s 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

North Bay students benefit from generosity of Rotary Club

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July 30, 2021

North Bay students benefit from generosity of Rotary Club

Students at five Near North District School Board (NNDSB) schools are benefitting from the generosity of the Rotary Club of North Bay.

A donation of $1,800 enabled the purchase of food items that supports breakfast and nutrition programs, specifically for special education students. In five NNDSB schools, 60 students will be helped by the donation of non-perishable food items that will supplement the breakfast programs into the new school year.

“The Rotary Club of North Bay is pleased to provide support for the Special Education Breakfast/Nutritional Programs with the Near North District School Board here in North Bay,” said Don Coutts, a club member. “One of the Rotary Club’s initiatives is providing assistance/support in various ways, for example, assistive devices, iPads, physiotherapy, sensory aids, just to name a few to those children and youth with disabilities in North Bay and area.”

NNDSB offers robust breakfast and nutrition programs at its schools to enhance student learning as a nutritious breakfast and snacks are imperative to learning. These programs allow students to choose a variety of healthy foods each day while at school.

One of the schools that received a food donation from the Rotary Club of North Bay was Woodland Public School.

“On behalf of our Woodland Public School community, we express our sincere appreciation to the Rotary Club for the generous donation of food items. This year, our Woodland Public School family has felt especially connected to the work of our local Rotarians as they’ve shown particular care for our in-person learners with special needs, and beyond this, they’ve named a graduating student from our school as the Rotary Student Ambassador. Our students and families benefit from the focus the North Bay Rotary Club and its members place on supporting children and youth in overcoming adversity. We are so grateful for their kindness and generosity,” said Principal Amanda Meighan.

“We are very grateful for the extremely generous food donation from the Rotary Club of North Bay to NNDSB face-to-face special education classrooms. The non-perishable food items will help to support our students now and into the fall,” said Pippa Madigan, NNDSB’s Elementary Program Coordinator. “We truly appreciate the generosity of our local partners in ensuring that our students have access to healthy foods each day while they are learning at school.”

NNDSB expresses its gratitude to the Rotary Club of North Bay for its continued generosity to the board’s schools, students, and their families.

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For more information, please contact:
Deb Bartlett (she/her)
Communications Officer
Near North District School Board
P. (705) 472-8170, extension 5010
E. Deb.Bartlett@nearnorthschools.ca

Ferris students grow connections with peer support

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Wednesday, July 28, 2021

Community is built when people invest their time in organizations, and in each other. Near North District School Board (NNDSB) supports the building of school communities by giving staff and students the opportunity to share talents while developing leadership skills.

At West Ferris Intermediate and Secondary School, several opportunities exist for participation in mentorship and leadership, some of them for credit.

Principal Andy Gagné says having students reach out to support other students

means an approach in a different and more comfortable way, that is often well received. An example of this is the iCoach program in which students in the Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) program work with and assist with technology in a class.

One of the many goals of the STEAM program is to help students master the 21st century competencies that will help them to successfully navigate the job market of the future. STEAM students become resilient, self-sufficient learners that can quickly adapt to changing situations using the skills that they have learned in the program.

West Ferris is an Apple Distinguished School, recognized for being a centre of leadership and educational excellence. Apple supports the school’s vision as students’ creativity, collaboration and critical thinking are inspired with Mac products. It has helped STEAM students with their understanding and knowledge of technology and their understanding of collaboration and mentoring through such initiatives as iCoach.

Grade 11 STEAM student Kennedy Kerr was an iCoach for a Grade 10 academic English class. Though COVID altered the way she interacted with the class, she was easily able to help the teacher and students in a virtual mode.

In a video she created, Kennedy says, during the octomester as an iCoach, “I am not able to work with the students and the teacher one-on-one. My knowledge from the STEAM program has allowed me to adapt to this unexpected curve in my education with only a few challenges.” Kennedy was able to present work to students and the teacher with iMovies, trailers and Keynotes “in a way that can be shared and presented via online classroom meetings.”

The iCoach position provides unique leadership opportunities for the student, peer support for students in the class, and educational technology assistance to the staff.

Gagné says other mentorship positions occur in the school; within the four self-contained personal life management classrooms (one intermediate class, three secondary school classes). These are mentorship opportunities for which students can earn a credit.

As COVID created the need for cohorts, student leaders were only able to help in one class. Post-COVID, students will be able to support several classes.

At West Ferris, there are also non-credit programs that give students the opportunity to provide leadership, including in academics, physical education and sports, where secondary students mentor younger students.

These are some of the many ways NNDSB works to develop good citizenship in its 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

 

 

 

Students from across Ontario join NNDSB in summer

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Wednesday, July 23, 2021

Students from across Ontario join NNDSB in summer

For six weeks every summer, students from across Ontario come to the Canadian Ecology Centre in Mattawa and earn secondary school credits that are granted by the Near North District School Board (NNDSB). The partnership between the board and the Centre has been going for approximately 30 years and has seen thousands of students learn in the “School of Experiential Education” over the summer months. Students attend for a two-week session, earning a secondary school credit (in an in-residence setting) through experiential learning. Courses from Grade 9-12 in geography, science, biology, physics and kinesiology are offered each summer.

Laura Kielpinski is the Director of Operations and Education at the Centre. In a non-COVID year, the Centre would be running four high school courses concurrently, with 80-90 students attending for a two-week session. Because of COVID, the Centre is running at 50 per cent of capacity, and some of the courses are blended, with some online and some in-person.

Kielpinski says the summer credit courses connect outdoor learning to academics, enriching the learning experience for students, whose classroom is primarily the outdoors, located within Samuel d Champlain Provincial Park. For example, the Grade 11 biology students came to a cold-water stream and monitored how heart rates changed in cold water. Kielpinski says the Centre “inspires intrigue and inquiry in learning.”

The students live on-site, experiencing a camp-like environment with cabins, campfires and canoes. “Students live here, learn here, eat here, play here,” she says. The teachers that are hired for each two-week course are outstanding educators who can bring creativity to their students; they aren’t confined by buildings and time.

The Centre is usually full by the end of the calendar year for the next summer’s program, says Kielpinski. Some students come because they are “reach aheaders” – they want to get a credit under their belt early, enabling more flexibility for options the next school year. Others just learn better outdoors and away from books. Many students are surprised to learn there are no textbooks for courses at the Canadian Ecology Centre.

NNDSB’s secondary summer school principal Jamey Byers says, “We are grateful that we have such a long-standing relationship with the Canadian Ecology Centre; it benefits students in so many ways and is a great facility. The educators and staff there have passion for what they teach, and the students are the beneficiaries of that passion.”

The first week of the 2021 summer program saw two classes – Grade 9 geography and Grade 11 biology.

Maya Yemm and Taryn Wozney are Grade 9 students, attending the Centre for the first time. Maya attends Ashbury College in Ottawa, and Taryn is a student at West Ferris in North Bay.

Maya liked being outside in nature and found there was a lot of cooperation among students in the course, it was not independent study. She said that helped her understand her peers better. She also thought that seeing things – such as an aquifer – made the lessons more real.

Taryn liked that the course was hands-on, and not just delivered from textbooks. She would recommend the summer course for anyone who likes being outside, and not confined to a classroom. She took the summer course to give her more flexibility to take courses she was interested in when school resumes in September.

Students Sebastian Altamirano and Liam Ferrell are both heading to Grade 11 in September. They met this summer in the biology class at the Canadian Ecology Centre.

Sebastian says he has difficulty concentrating and going to school online “didn’t work. I was distracted.” This is his first year taking the summer course and he loves going to school in the outdoor setting, where the class moves around a lot. Although there was an adjustment period, he likes the fast pace of the day, and the learning.

This is Liam’s third summer at the Canadian Ecology Centre. He loves that his classes are enriched with nature, are creative and that his two weeks is a unique blend of school and camp.

Located several hours north of his London, ON home, Sebastian likes the environment that he has not seen before. The rocks and forests are different than what he’s used to, and he saw red squirrels and a black bear during his session at the Centre.

Liam likes taking his mandatory course in the summer which allows him to take the electives he wants at his secondary school in Milton.

Sebastian says the teachers at the Centre have helped him to learn about himself. Students complete journals in which they reflect on course material and their day and their experiences. He says he has learned much about himself and how he manages; his newfound self-awareness will serve him well as he can communicate to his teachers about how he learns best.

Liam says students will love coming to school at the Centre. He describes how lessons come to life when the learning takes place outdoors, and that the education is delivered in ways that can’t be in a typical classroom.

Students interested in pursuing summer credit courses should contact their secondary school guidance counsellors and or visit the Canadian Ecology Centre’s website for more details and upcoming courses.

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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

Experiential learning offers value beyond the classroom

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Wednesday, July 21, 2021

Experiential learning offers value beyond the classroom

Experiential learning provides students the time and space to participate in the process of learning by engaging in real life situations via hands-on activities and reflection.

At Near North District School Board (NNDSB), it’s a process that is valued and that educators are encouraged to use. Students learn by doing and reflect on the experience. It builds on student curiosity and empowers them to drive their own learning and make meaning from the work they are doing.

Examples of this take place in all schools in NNDSB, frequently in the outdoors. One example of this multi-faceted learning is the paddle-making exercise that Grade 6 students at Mattawa District Public School experience every year. Students incorporate math lessons using fractions and measurement. They learn technology safety procedures (working with tools) and incorporate social studies and history, in learning the historical and contemporary contributions of First Nations, Metis and Inuit Peoples.

The paddle-making exercise results in students graduating from the school with a custom, hand-made canoe paddle.

Pre-COVID, the exercise took place in the wood shop of F.J. McElligott Secondary School as a means of supporting the transition from elementary to intermediate school, which is in the secondary school building. Although the tradition was paused during COVID, the Outdoor Education Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) students at F.J. McElligott look forward to once again teaching the Mattawa students how to use their paddles, the parts of canoe and boat safety. In the process of instructing the elementary students, in the annual paddle dip, the secondary students complete their practical canoeing exam.

This is one of the many ways learning and mentorship takes place in NNDSB schools every day.

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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

 

 

Federal funding for schools’ energy improvement costs

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Tuesday, July 20, 2021

Federal funding for schools’ energy improvement costs

Funding through the federal government’s Climate Action Incentive Fund (CAIF) has paid for almost $300,000 worth of work that has been completed at two Near North District School Board (NNDSB) schools.

CAIF is designed to help school boards make energy efficiency improvements and retrofits that reduce energy use, costs and carbon pollution. The funding covered projects that were federally approved and already completed.

Funding covered the installation of a rooftop HVAC/ERV and controls at Chippewa Secondary School ($116,844), which will improve energy efficiency, and roof and insulation replacement at Mattawa District Public School ($175,060), which will reduce heat loss. The $291,904 investment in NNDSB schools will create cost savings for the board.

The work was completed in the fall of 2020, and the board, with the assistance of the Ministry of Education, applied for CAIF when the new funding was announced.

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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

Board provides mental health services this summer

By

Friday, July 9, 2021

Board provides mental health services this summer

Near North District School Board (NNDSB) is pleased to offer mental health services throughout the summer.

The mental health team is providing on-going counselling to students and families who have already connected with the team and will be accepting new referrals throughout July and August.

Three youth drop-in wellness hubs are operating this summer for youth aged 10-18:

A virtual group for students aged 7 to 11 will be held that teaches strategies to cope with anxiety, anger and impulsivity. Sessions will be held July 13, 20 and 27 and August 3, 10 and 17 from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., and students are expected to attend all sessions.

The team is also offering webinars for students and families beginning July 14, and virtual drop-in sessions for parents. A wellness camp is being planned in August, with times and locations to be determined.

Families are asked to register for all summer services at this link. To see what NNDSB’s mental health team does, visit this page of NNDSB’s website. Learn more about all summer supports and services here.

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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

Board’s Acting Executive Officer Lisa Collins seconded for term as president of Ontario Principals Council

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Friday, July 2, 2021

Board’s Acting Executive Officer Lisa Collins seconded for term as president of Ontario Principals Council

Near North District School Board (NNDSB) would like to congratulate Acting Executive Officer/Student Well-Being Principal Lead Lisa Collins on being elected the President of the Ontario Principals Council for the 2021-2022 school year.

Collins has handled her responsibilities at NNDSB with poise, confidence and optimism and demonstrated her commitment to being a team player with her colleagues and NNDSB. Only with solid leadership as exemplified by Lisa can we continue to move ahead towards a positive cultural shift in NNDSB.

Collins began her career with NNDSB 1998 as an educational assistant. A lifelong learner, she went on to earn her teaching degree. She taught in both the English and French Immersion streams for 11 years before becoming a principal with the board in 2010. Lisa has always been passionate about special education and student instruction and well-being.

Acting Executive Collins began working with the Ontario Principals Council in 2016 as the Elementary Provincial Councillor for NNDSB. She was then appointed Member at Large for 2017-2018, was elected Vice-President for 2019-2020 and served as President-Elect for 2020-2021. Collins looks forward to advocating on behalf of school administrators across Ontario in her new role as the President and will be residing in Toronto while she is seconded from the NNDSB for her one-year term with the Ontario Principals Council.

We are very proud of Lisa’s accomplishments in her career and are excited to celebrate her achievements in the coming year.

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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

Board commits to transparent communication with community about Parry Sound JK-12 build

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Tuesday, June 22, 2021

Board commits to transparent communication with community about Parry Sound JK-12 build

Following through on its commitment to provide accurate, transparent and timely communications to stakeholders, Near North District School Board (NNDSB) will be publishing information about the new school on the JK-12 Parry Sound build section of the capital planning page of the board website. Anyone interested in the build will find Board reports and minutes, the build committee’s terms of reference, media releases and the compilation of questions and answers from the community feedback survey.

The purpose of the page, which will be updated regularly, is to hold news, details and questions/answers about the build in one place.

NNDSB has held three information sessions for various stakeholders. There have been presentations to the Town of Parry Sound council, a session with the architect for the public and a session for staff who will be affected by the project.

Following the community presentation about the new build, the community was invited to share questions and concerns in an online form, which closed Thursday afternoon. The information is being compiled by theme (to avoid repeated questions) and questions and answers will be posted online by July 16, 2021.

This is just one more way this board is demonstrating its commitment to excellence in communication and excellence to relationships – two of the four priorities in the Multi-Year Strategic Plan (MYSP). The community has been waiting many years for the Parry Sound build to happen and this board is motivated to see students in a new school capable of providing a 21st century education.

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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

Biindigen

Mii gwi Anishinabek wewena nkenmaaminak dependajig maa kiing.
"We acknowledge in a good way, the original people of the land here"
We value the cultures, histories and relationships with the Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island (North America)

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Near North District School Board
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