June 7, 2021

Local businesses support SHSM students’ certifications

Near North District School Board (NNDSB) offers a wide range of programming options for students across the district. One program, the Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM), allows secondary school students in the pathways of apprenticeship, college, university or workplace to focus on sector-specific skills. Students gain specialized training and certifications while completing the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) requirements.

In past years, students benefited from many in-person trainings and certifications, but COVID-19 and the resulting lockdowns and shut-downs made accessing the certifications challenging, as in-person training is no longer an option.

Lisa Spencer, coordinator of student success, gap closing, secondary program and SHSM, says that students in the SHSM program complete their secondary school diploma requirements while also earning two coop credits, and between four and seven certifications. There are mandatory certifications, such as automated external defibrillator (AED) training, cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS), along with at least one sector-specific certification.

The orders in place around COVID meant that no one was able to come and teach those components.

NNDSB’s Health and Safety and Maintenance Coordinator, James Coventry, was able to access and post content through the board’s Safe Schools portal that enabled students to get some safety-related certifications.

Meeting some of the sector-specific requirements was more difficult, says Spencer. Trainers weren’t able to come to the schools, yet “we want them (students) in touch with the sector,” says Spencer. The benefits include businesses knowing about NNDSB students and their training, which opens doors for coop placements and employment, and exposes students to professionals in the sector.

SHSM students must spend six hours in a sector-partnered experience, which traditionally (pre-COVID) meant one day at the location of a business partner. COVID has altered how that is done; it means that students can no longer attend in-person, but it also means students had access to a wider pool of partners thanks to technology.

One such connection made was with Anita Brisson, a local business owner, project management professional and a certified LEAN Six Sigma Black who has been providing professional development since 2006. The SHSM business students at both Chippewa and West Ferris Secondary Schools took her Project Management for Beginners course, in which they learned about time management, task breakdown and budgeting.

“The project management course gave students perspective about project scope and goals, and other skills that are valuable in the workplace,” says Spencer.

Other partnerships that developed because of COVID include Nipissing University, which created a sports/nutrition program for SHSM health and wellness students, and Inksmith, which worked on modules for SHSM students in the areas of math, coding, and innovations, creativity and entrepreneurship (ICE).

Spencer notes the relationships with leaders, sector entrepreneurs and partners in the community has not waned through the pandemic, and in fact, the partners have been helping to solve the problem of meeting the needs of the hours students need to meet their educational requirements.

These partners, she says, “align with our vision for learning”. The priority is always “what’s best for kids”, and other initiatives that have resulted in learning opportunities for students include a sector-partnered experience in coding and workshops for students on musical instrument care.

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Information about Near North District School Board:

Near North District School Board is an English-language public school board serving the North Bay – Parry Sound – Nipissing area. The Board consists of approximately 10,000 students in 27 elementary schools, seven secondary/senior schools and various alternative learning centres. For more information, please visit nearnorthschools.ca and follow Near North District School Board on social media.

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

May 21, 2021

Board Highlights for May Meeting

The following are the highlights of the Near North District School Board meeting of Tuesday, May 18, 2021.

North Bay secondary schools consolidation update

A report from Superintendent Gay Smylie provided Trustees with an update to the 3:2 consolidation of North Bay’s secondary schools. Many upgrades are set to begin this spring at both Chippewa and West Ferris Secondary Schools.

The Phase 2 budget was approved in October 2020, with the majority of investment to renovate the libraries and auditoriums. The spaces are required to be flexible and adaptable, as they are multi-purpose areas that are used for classes, presentations and productions. Multiple stakeholders were consulted to ensure the spaces were conducive to creativity and innovation for learners will maintaining flexibility.

Renovations to the auditorium at Chippewa will benefit performers and the audience. There will be a new curtain system and mechanical track installed, modernized lighting including a switch from incandescent towards LED, new seating including an area for wheelchair access.

There was also an investment in Phase 2 to support programming.

A classroom at West Ferris will be retrofitted to support experiential learning programs including hairstyling and esthetics. The Indigenous Hub at Chippewa is being updated to provide casual seating and small group meeting spaces and a kitchenette, and etched glazing will increase natural light while providing privacy for students.

The libraries at both secondary schools are being transformed into learning commons, with flexible seating to accommodate a variety of configurations and barrier-free shelving to increase accessibility. Glazing is used to create individual, small and large group seating options, and space is used innovatively with the creation of built-in banquette seating and an outdoor working/learning space. Electrical outlets have been placed throughout the learning commons to ensure all have access to a power source for electronic devices.

Conceptual designs can be viewed as part of the report in the agenda package.

Virtual learning planning for 2021-2022

Superintendent Tim Graves’ report updated Trustees on the board’s plans for providing virtual learning to students in 2021-2022.

Boards across the province, including NNDSB, have been contemplating how they will offer remote learning in September. The two most common models – virtual school and hybrid – each have benefits and challenges.

The virtual school model operates as its own school, with staff and students reassigned from their home schools. In some boards, families were asked to choose their option early, so virtual schools could be staffed, but NNDSB hopes to avoid early decisions which must be made without a clear understanding of the most current requirements for in-school and virtual learning as laid out by the Provincial Government, Ministry of Education and local health authorities.

The majority of school boards using the virtual school model have restricted or eliminated options to change between virtual and in-class learning during the school year. This is because the changes require system reorganizations which disrupt classroom placements for students and cohort groupings for thousands of students in both in-school and remote learning. Continuity and familiarity are proven to reduce stress for staff and students.

In the hybrid model, virtual school and in-school are not separate programs. Teachers instruct students in their classrooms and provide synchronous (same time), asynchronous and/or paper packages for students at home. Hybrid classes offer the students at home a chance to engage with their instructors and classmates for virtual discussions and lectures, but they can also complete coursework online.

Boards that use the hybrid model don’t face the same staffing concerns, but there are pedagogical challenges for teachers, who must provide synchronous and asynchronous instruction to in-class and at-home learners.

Because of the above-mentioned challenges, NNDSB’s senior team has been collecting data for the past 18 months and had delayed making a final decision while waiting for further Ministry clarification on remote learning expectations. Earlier this month the Ministry announced funding opportunities to support virtual learning and asked that families wait to make their decision until June 1, 2021.

There were also additional safety requirements outlined for the return to school in-class, including cohort limitations and the restriction of the numbers of classes students can take at one time.

Staff continue to review funding details, safety strategies and the benefits and challenges of each option in order to identify the learning model that provides the greatest educational experience for students.

Families can expect communication that provides specific information about the 2021-2022 school year which will outline health and safety measures and protocols for in-school learning, a thoughtful and accessible approach to remote learning, and a straightforward process for registering students.

Budget procedures manual outlines process, timeline

In keeping with NNDSB’s commitment to governance and transparency, a budget manual has been created that outlines the structure of the budget process, clarifies roles in the process and provides deadlines for the process so that the finance team is able to present the budget to trustees on schedule. The documented process keeps current staff on track throughout the process and supports good succession planning when the board is transitioning senior staff.

The manual outlines the roles and responsibilities of the Superintendent of Business and Treasurer for coordinating the overall budget, superintendents for developing and coordinating budgets within their areas of responsibility, department managers for overseeing budget preparation for their departments, the finance committee for providing direction and priorities for the coming year and to review draft budgets and to the Board of Trustees who establish goals and objectives and approve the final budget.

Outlined in the document are timelines for announcements from the Ministry of Education, requirements for a balanced budget under the Education Act and the deadline for submitting a balanced budget to the Ministry.

Trustees updated on Parry Sound JK-12 build

Trustees were updated on plans that the new Parry Sound JK-12 school anticipated to open in September 2023. The update for the Board came via a report from the Parry Sound Build Committee, whose May meeting featured a presentation by +VG Architects (the Ventin Group).

The committee meeting was attended by +VG’s Paul Sapounzi and Ed Bourdeau, who shared a review of project developments, including a timeline and project stages. The first phase includes a partial demolition this summer, ensuring students have a functional school to attend in September 2021 while construction begins on the new building.

Plans include the demolition of the north side of the current building (library area), while maintaining the cafeteria and shop areas. The two-storey school will feature two wings forming an L-shape: a childcare/elementary wing and a secondary wing. Main elements will be located on the first floor (cafeteria, lobby, gym, administration offices). The second floor will be academic wings, with seven additional elementary classrooms and private study areas. The rear wing will house technology areas, and science and technology wings are being overlaid to make the best use of ventilation systems.

Survey shows NNDSB earning stakeholder trust

Data gathered in surveys taken after each of the six virtual Multi-Year Strategic Plan (MYSP) sessions indicated that NNDSB has begun to earn stakeholder trust, as respondents stated the board has come a long way in building trust and cautioned the board to maintain a focus on excellence in relationships.

The MYPS’s has four priority areas: Excellence in Teaching and Learning, Excellence in Communication, Excellence in Relationships and Excellence in Innovation. Excellence in Teaching and Learning was identified as the priority area that was most important to the greatest number of survey respondents. Excellence in Relationships was identified most often as the areas in which NNDSB needed improvement, and Excellence in Teaching and Learning and Excellence in Communication were tied for the areas in which most respondents thought NNDSB was performing best.

The MYSP draft is in its final stages and will be edited and revised before it is finalized for presentation to the Board of Trustees at the June 2021 meeting. The Board Improvement Plan for Student Achievement and Well-Being is a living document that will be updated and modified to meet the needs of the entire NNDSB school community and Ministry-mandated expectations as they arise.

The information session presentation (and all other MYSP documentation) is available on the MYSP page.

Projects sought for Trustee Initiative Fund

Chair Aspin shared as part of his report that he would like staff to investigate potential projects for investment by the Trustee Initiative Fund. There is $35,000 left due to the cancellation of events due to COVID. Funds are to be used for events that unify students across the board. Expending this fund was recognized by the Finance Committee as well.

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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.

Information about Near North District School Board:

Near North District School Board is an English-language public school board serving the North Bay – Parry Sound – Nipissing area. The Board consists of approximately 10,000 students in 27 elementary schools, seven secondary/senior schools and various alternative learning centres. For more information, please visit nearnorthschools.ca and follow Near North District School Board on Social media.

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

May 18, 2021

Trustees updated on Parry Sound JK-12 build

Near North District School Board (NNDSB) trustees were updated on plans that would anticipate the new Parry Sound JK-12 school opening in September 2023. The update for the Board came via a report from the Parry Sound Build Committee, whose May meeting featured a presentation by +VG Architects (the Ventin Group).

The committee meeting was attended by +VG’s Paul Sapounzi and Ed Bourdeau, who shared a review of project developments, including a timeline and project stages. The first phase includes a partial demolition this summer, ensuring students have a functional school to attend in September 2021 while construction begins on the new building.

Plans include the demolition of the north side of the current building (library area), while maintaining the cafeteria and shop areas. The two-storey school will feature two wings forming an L-shape: a childcare/elementary wing and a secondary wing. Main elements will be located on the first floor (cafeteria, lobby, gym, administration offices). The second floor will be academic wings, with seven additional elementary classrooms and private study areas. The rear wing will house technology areas, and science and technology wings are being overlaid to make the best use of ventilation systems.

The L-shape will allow construction around the existing building while placing the new build prominently on the site between the two main streets.

NNDSB Board Chair Jay Aspin said, “Our Board is very pleased to have received architectural plans from the Ventin Group for our Parry Sound K-12 school currently scheduled to open September 2023. Since elected, the construction of this school has been a top board priority and thus we are very gratified to keep our promise to the Parry Sound region.”

Bourdeau, +VG’s education specialist, told the committee the ideal time to tender is early January 2022, which requires that drawings should be submitted to the Ministry for approval in September 2021 in order to be approved and plans completed in December.

The Board approved a presentation to be made by Chair Aspin, Vice-Chair Cochrane and Director of Education Craig Myles to the Town of Parry Sound Council.

Construction is scheduled to begin in March of 2022, allowing a full 18 months to construct the building. It is anticipated that the move-in will occur over the summer of 2023 for a school opening in September 2023.

Board vice-chair John Cochrane, who is chair of the Parry Sound Build Committee, said, “The taxpayers, students and staff of the Parry Sound regional high school have waited far too long in an outmoded 72-year-old building. Our Board has been committed to rectify this situation. We thank our MPP Norm Miller and our local politicians for expediting our Board’s initiative.”

Sapounzi told the committee that in his experience, the projects that are taking a long time for ministry approval are the ones that come in above budget. He said that taking time to thoroughly prepare and meet all requirements will help expedite the process.

The school has been approved for six edu-pods (four for secondary and two for elementary). The pods are designed by +VG and are interlocking structures that maximize flexibility and reflect quality learning spaces. The cost is comparable to a pre-fab portable, but they can be built by local tradespeople.

Also at the May meeting, the committee approved Terms of Reference, and Board Vice-Chair John Cochrane will continue to chair the committee. Other members include Board Chair Jay Aspin (ex-officio), Trustee Nichole King, Trustee Rob Learn, Superintendent Gay Smylie and Capital Projects Manager Marianne Speirs.

Sub-committees have also been formed to support information-sharing and to keep the project moving in a timely manner.

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Information about Near North District School Board:

Near North District School Board is an English-language public school board serving the North Bay – Parry Sound – Nipissing area. The Board consists of approximately 10,000 students in 27 elementary schools, seven secondary/senior schools and various alternative learning centres. For more information, please visit nearnorthschools.ca and follow Near North District School Board on social media.

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

May 4, 2021

Student Senate supports peers in pledge to be well

Near North District School Board (NNDSB) is pleased to announce the launch of a Wellness Together Pledge as part of the Student Senate’s focus on mental health.

During the week of Mental Health Week, May 3-7, NNDSB intermediate and secondary school students will unite to Pledge to Be Well.

Designed to increase mental health awareness and promote ways of coping with stress, pledging students will receive a wellness kit. There are three kits to choose from: mind, body, and spirit. All three contain items to help students stay active and fit; items to keep their brains engaged and focused; and items to help build inner strength and balance.

This mental health initiative is designed to acknowledge students who have adapted to the changes to the educational model throughout the pandemic and provide them with tools and resources to manage their stress and anxiety.

On a daily basis, NNDSB’s mental health leadership team has been inspired by the resiliency and perseverance of its students and are happy to support their efforts.

The wellness kits will be safely distributed during the week of May 17. This campaign can be found on NNDSB’s mental health campaign’s Instagram @ThriveNNDSB.

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Information about Near North District School Board:

Near North District School Board is an English-language public school board serving the North Bay – Parry Sound – Nipissing area. The Board consists of approximately 10,000 students in 27 elementary schools, seven secondary/senior schools and various alternative learning centres. For more information, please visit nearnorthschools.ca and follow Near North District School Board on social media.

For more information, please contact:
Josh Casey
Information/Communication Coordinator
Near North District School Board
P. (705) 472-8170, extension 5083
E. josh.casey@nearnorthschools.ca

Friday, April 30, 2021

Extended French program exclusive to NNDSB junior students

A second choice for French as a Second Language – Extended French – is an option that is offered locally only by Near North District School Board (NNDSB) with a Grade 5 entry point.

Extended French provides more French language instruction than core French but is not fully immersive, with approximately 60 per cent of instruction in French. It is designed for students who do not speak French at home. The program begins for students in Grade 5 and continues throughout secondary school.

Research shows that second language learning enhances students in the reasoning, problem-solving and creative-thinking skills necessary for 21^st century learners, as well as providing students with advantages in future career options as bilingual speakers.

Extended French is available in all areas of NNDSB. It is offered at Land of Lakes Public School, Parry Sound Public School, E.W. Norman Public School, Mattawa Public School and White Woods Public School. Students may continue Extended French at Almaguin Highlands Secondary School, F.J. McElligott Secondary School, West Ferris Secondary School, Northern Secondary School and Parry Sound High School.

Families interested in pursuing Extended French for their children are encouraged to visit this page, or call their nearest school that offers the program. Current NNDSB students need to register for the program, and students new to NNDSB must register with the board and select Extended French in the language program dropdown menu.

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

Wednesday, April 28, 2021

Funding supports installation of school ventilation systems

Near North District School Board (NNDSB) has applied and been approved for $6.2 million in joint federal and provincial infrastructure funding to improve air quality in classrooms. The funding, under the COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure Stream: Education Related (CVRIS), is part of a larger project that provides upgrades to public infrastructure.

NNDSB’s application was for the evaluation of building systems, verification of performance, review and update of recommended maintenance measures for air handling systems. The funding covers the purchase and installation of ventilation equipment for 15 schools and will optimize air quality in a variety of spaces, including classrooms, offices and gyms.

The funding was announced earlier by the Province of Ontario, but the local announcement was made this morning by MPP Vic Fedeli and MP Anthony Rota, with participation from NNDSB Chair Jay Aspin.

“As Chair of the Board of Trustees, I express my gratitude to the provincial and federal governments for their support of NNDSB in our goal of providing education while keeping student and staff safety and well-being top of mind in these challenging times,” said Chair Aspin.

“Supporting air-quality and other infrastructure projects in Nipissing schools helps to protect our communities, making them stronger, healthier and safer today, and for years to come,” said MPP Fedeli. “These are extremely important investments that will upgrade our schools’ infrastructure and systems  – all part of the Covid-19 response,” added MPP Fedeli.

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

Monday, April 26, 2021

Highlights from April Board meeting

The following are the highlights of the Near North District School Board (NNDSB) meeting Tuesday, April 20, 2021.

New Parry Sound school update

Acting Superintendent Gay Smylie provided Trustees with an update on the new JK-12 school being built in Parry Sound.

The update notes the board’s project team has met with architects from the Ventin Group and established the basic criteria for the new school, including the project schedule as well as conceptual site and floor plans. Conceptual plans are being refined, and it is expected that a report with designs will be presented at the May 2021 Board meeting.

Trustees were provided with the project schedule that would see the demolition of a small portion of the school this summer, in preparation for new construction beginning March 2022. The schedule allows for an opening date of September 2023.

 

Surplus items available for sale online

Several departments of NNDSB have collaborated over the past few months to put a process in place for the distribution of surplus items resulting from the consolidation of North Bay secondary schools. A new Administrative Guideline for Surplus Furniture and Equipment was created, accompanied by a process to distribute relevant material to schools, then to offer the materials to outside sources if required.

To date, more than a dozen NNDSB schools have taken advantage of the new online inventory processes, and items were shipped to sites over the Spring Break, ready for use when in-person learning resumes.

Items are declared surplus if they are not required for use in schools, already exist in sufficient amount or are not suitable to support 21^st century learning. As per the Administrative Guideline, after items have been distributed to schools, any remaining surplus items will be auctioned on www.govdeals.ca. Members of the public will be able to bid on items and if successful, pay online.

Most NNDSB items will appear under the Furniture/Furnishings category, although there are items to be found in other categories.

Successful bidders will be contacted by staff in the Finance Department to arrange pick up their items. The public is encouraged to view the board’s guideline and terms and conditions before placing a bid.  

 

Summer Learning program recognized provincially

Director of Education Craig Myles shared with Trustees that NNDSB was recognized provincially by the Council of Directors of Education (CODE) for the successful work of last year’s Summer Learning Program.

The board’s outcomes were combined with those from eight other school boards for a report submitted to the Ministry of Education by CODE. The report showed how summer learning successfully supports Ontario’s vulnerable students and their families from all regions of the province.

Last summer, and for several years previous, NNDSB facilitated a technology-enabled distance learning program combined with small group learning experiences that promoted resilience, well-being and social interaction, while improving literacy and numeracy skills through fun and engaging activities.

If the Summer Learning Program is approved to run this summer, identified students will be invited to participate.

 

Executive team offered PD in human rights

The board’s executive team has been invited to participate in the Intensive Program in Human Rights for School Board Leaders offered through Osgood Professional Development. Similar to the sessions for trustees that were offered earlier this year, the session will provide a foundational understanding of human rights standards and equity relevant to Ontario’s publicly-funded school boards, and principles of the province’s Human Rights Codes, with a focus on addressing systemic inequality.

Each session features a keynote presentation by a human rights expert followed by facilitated small group discussions and case studies, designed to help integrate a human rights and equity-based approach to the work of school board leaders

Virtual information sessions held for stakeholders

The Multi-Year Strategic Plan Committee has organized six information sessions for stakeholders to learn more about the improvement plans that will support student achievement and well-being. The sessions are held from 6 to 7 p.m. beginning April 27 and will be held in all regions of the board. The schedule and Zoom links to all meetings can be found here.

 

Mental wellness webinars organized by PIC

NNDSB’s Parent Involvement Committee (PIC) has organized a three-webinar series to support students and their families in mental health and well-being. The sessions are being held from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on three consecutive Wednesdays.

The series kicked off April 21 with the board’s mental health lead, Susan Lessard, on the topic of Strategies to Help Your Child with Mental Wellness. On April 28, the board’s mental health team presents a companion webinar on How to Help a Friend with mental Wellness and What to Do if You or Your Child Are Struggling. (Participating with your teen is highly recommended for this session). The final webinar on May 5 will be led by Justin Hawn, education technology program coordinator and Andy Rogers, technology-enabled learning and teaching contact. The session will show how parents and students can connect to the school through various technology spaces to enhance learning and well-being whether remote or in-person.

More information about NNDSB’s PIC and links to the webinars can be found here. The webinars are free of charge and are open to anyone in the community.

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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.

Information about Near North District School Board:

Near North District School Board is an English-language public school board serving the North Bay – Parry Sound – Nipissing area. The Board consists of approximately 10,000 students in 27 elementary schools, seven secondary/senior schools and various alternative learning centres. For more information, please visit nearnorthschools.ca and follow Near North District School Board on Social media.

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