Thursday, June 17, 2021

Trustees approve MYSP that will be board’s roadmap

The five-year roadmap that charts the course for Near North District School (NNDSB) has been approved by the Board of Trustees. It has taken 16 months of extensive research and collaboration to get the Multi-Year Strategic Plan (MYSP) to this stage. Now that the plan is approved by the Board, staff will be oriented to their role in the MYSP, which will officially launch in September.

The MYSP is more than just an assertion of the work the board wants to accomplish. It is a comprehensive document that incorporates the voices and concerns of internal and external stakeholders into a plan whose goals all focus on student achievement and well-being. As a living document, the MYSP will adapt as new ministerial and community initiatives come forward to align with the board’s ultimate goal of student achievement and well-being.

Board Chair Jay Aspin said, “With strong and capable leadership from our Director, Craig Myles, this Multi-Year Strategic Plan has been one of the most important initiatives our board has undertaken. This strategic plan will be our compass in focusing on marshalling our resources on student achievement and well-being over the next five years. This process included comprehensive survey scans by Nik Nanos of Nanos Research, one of Canada’s most prominent research firms who concluded ‘our board was headed in the right direction’. Committee Chair Trustee Bill Steer did a tremendous job of shepherding our board through this important process despite the disruptive challenges of a pandemic.”

The MYSP has four strategic priorities: Excellence in Teaching and Learning, Excellence in Communication, Excellence in Building Relationships and Excellence in Innovation. The work of the committee included overseeing the creation of improvement plans for schools, departments and the board that set measurable goals that aligned with the four priorities.

With the MYSP in place, the processes and decisions of the board will be guided by the plan, which will ensure all resources are aligned to the board’s core purpose of student achievement and well-being.

The full MYSP report to the board can be found on Page 64 of the agenda package. All MYSP information can be accessed on the MYSP page of the board’s website.

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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

Tuesday, June 15, 2021

Trustees approve compliant 2021-2022 budget

North Bay, ON –

At tonight’s meeting, the Board of Trustees of the Near North District School Board (NNDSB) approved the 2021-2022 budget, which has an operating revenue of $160.9 million. The budget was developed, after review for efficiencies and savings, to align with the Multi-Year Strategic Plan (MYSP) and provides resources that support the Board’s mission and vision.

The budget was first reviewed and approved by the Finance Committee, which is chaired by Board Vice-Chair John Cochrane.

Ministry of Education funding to boards is provided based on enrolment and the needs of students in each board. NNDSB expects to receive 90 per cent of its operating revenue from the province in the form of operating grants based on enrolment of 9,488.5 students in the 2021-2022 school year, an increase of 136 students.

Expenditures are projected at $161.2 million, resulting in a deficit of $417,000, or 0.3 per cent of the total budget. COVID has significantly impacted revenue and expenses this year, and the Ministry of Education is allowing boards to access previous years’ surpluses to assist with the current budget. The Ministry has allowed two per cent of operating grants ($2.9 million for NNDSB) but asked boards to budget half this amount. This budget is compliant.

This year’s operating budget projects a decrease of $3.4 million (2.1 per cent) less revenue than 2020-2021 revised estimates.

The budget has been prepared with the knowledge there will be support for remote learning in the fall, though there was not enough information to determine the number of students registered with the remote school. There will be further Priorities and Partnership Funds (PPF) announced in the coming weeks which may reduce the deficit.

By function, 71 per cent of operating expenses are spent on instruction. A further 17 per cent is on pupil accommodation, which are costs associated with maintaining the buildings that house students.

Of the work done by staff throughout this school year, Board Chair Jay Aspin says, “What a year! This board has overseen the consolidation of three high schools into two and put final touches on the consolidation of three elementary schools into one in North Bay, as well as the consolidation of two elementary schools with a high school to form a K-12 school in the Parry Sound area. The completion of a Multi-Year Strategic Plan will focus resources on student achievement and well-being over the next five years.

“Every staff member deployed new and innovative methods of instruction to deal with disruptions in the face of a costly and unpredictable pandemic. All these accomplishments have been achieved with a small deficit due to the dedication and hard work of all members of the Near North board,” says Chair Aspin. “It has been a remarkable year that has moved our board forward considerably despite being challenged by extremely difficult conditions.”

The full budget report can be found beginning on Page 91 of the agenda package.

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For more information, please contact:

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

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