Near North District School Board

Local Teacher Earns Award

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​Congratulations to local educator, Laurie Clayton, who has earned the 2018 Schulich School of Education Associate Teacher Award.   

Calle Mady, Associate Dean of the Schulich School of Education, with Laurie ClaytonClayton has been teaching with the Near North District School Board since 2000.  This past school year, she taught grades 5/6 at Silver Birches Elementary School. 

She was nominated by the Nipissing Education student she supervised.  She was selected for the award out of 11 nominations by a committee of professors at Nipissing University.

Clayton’s extensive community work, fundraising efforts, coaching, and other extracurricular organizational activities were cited in her letter of nomination, as was her use of technology and hands-on activities to engage her learners in and outside of the classroom. The letter also stated, “this class was without a doubt the busiest class I have been in, but it was certainly the most rewarding.”
 
“I volunteer as an associate teacher to provide a safe environment for Nipissing students to make mistakes and grow while in return learning from their knowledge, personality and experiences,” said Clayton.
For more information, please contact:

Mairghread Knought
Information/Communication Officer
Near North District School Board
(705) 472-8170, extension 5010
Mairghread.Knought@nearnorthschools.ca

Board Approves 2018-2019 Budget

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NNDSB Approves 2018-2019 Budget

The Near North District School Board approved the 2018-2019 Budget at the June 26, 2018 Board Meeting.    Board of Trustees and Senior Administration undertook a rigorous budget process in order to develop the compliant in-year budget with a planned deficit of $482,609.  The planned deficit is a direct result of declining enrollment, full implementation of financial reforms which include elimination of top-up funding for "non-enhanced" facilities, increased costs associated with Workers' Compensation legislation, increased costs associated with escalating absenteeism, increased transportation costs and increased costs associated with electricity and snow removal.

As always, the focus continues to be on protecting the classroom as much as possible and the supports that are provided to our students.  During development of the Budget the NNDSB's Multi-Year Plan Priorities were kept at the forefront of all decisions to ensure continued support to:

  • Ensuring equity;
  • Promoting well-being;
  • Ensure safe and healthy learning environments;
  • Aligning resources to where they are needed, or at a minimum, to maintain existing resources where they are needed to support equitable outcomes for all students.

The 2018-2019 Budget will result in no layoffs and in fact the Board has been able to plan for some staffing enhancements as a result of additional funding provided by the Ministry of Education.

Staff have continued to demonstrate their ability to monitor expenses and identify areas of reductions for recovery purposes as well as to effectively "manage" in-year deficits.

2018 NNDSB Budget Overview

For more information, please contact:

Mairghread Knought
Information/Communication Officer
Near North District School Board
705-472-8170 ext. 5010
mairghread.knought@nearnorthschools.ca

Northern SS School Teacher Shortlisted for Prestigious Award

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Northern SS Teacher Shortlisted for Prestigious Award

Northern Secondary School Teacher Kevin Baker was chosen from hundreds of nominees across Ontario by the Ontario Teachers' Federation (OTF) and Ontario Teachers' Insurance Plan (OTIF), as a teacher who makes a difference and inspires students.  He is one of six teachers province-wide to receive an honourable mention, after being nominated by colleague Parker Robinson.

Kevin Baker is a shop teacher at Northern Secondary School and was nominated under the new teacher who has less than 5 years of experience category.  During his time at Northern Secondary School Mr. Baker has undertaken many innovative projects with the students, from a welding club to a robotics club, bringing in many students from elementary schools and engaging them as well. Mr. Baker is known for student engagement and being respected by the students.  Prior to beginning his teaching career Baker spent 30 years as an automotive mechanic in southern Ontario.

Kevin Barker has said of his teaching career "I'm just loving it.  I won the lottery.  I have a great rapport with the kids.  They come to me in Grade 9, I watch them mature and I know what to expect from them and the areas where I need push them.  It makes this job that much more special.  I love this job.  It's just so rewarding."

For more information please contact:
Laurent Paquette
Prinicipal, Northern Secondary School
175 Ethel Street, Sturgeon Falls
P: (705)472-5322 ext. 8067
E: Laurent.Paquette@nearnorthschools.ca

Humphrey Outdoor Learning Space Dedication and Celebration

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  On the evening of Tuesday, June 12th, Humphrey Public School had a grand opening and dedication of the Humphrey Outdoor Learning Space. The Outdoor Space is in honour of Fynn Bywater who was a student at Humphrey who passed away in 2015 when he was in grade 1.

There is a handmade bench in a central location in the space with the following inscription: “This Space is Dedicated to Fynn Bywater, Who Generously Shared with Us His Love of   Learning  Through Outdoor Exploration and Play.”

  The grand opening included a smudging of the space led by Dave Rice who is an Elder at Wasauksing First Nation on Parry Island. He also shared at   the event, about some of the work he has been doing with the students of Humphrey including work around the anishinabe medicine wheel.

The hope is that the space will inspire a natural curiosity, strengthen relationships and foster deep learning experiences. Along with a large platform for students to gather, present and learn, there is natural seating in a circular shape around the stage, re-purposed cable spools for tables and stumps for chairs. The teachers of Humphrey shared that the space can be used for rich learning opportunities across the curriculum and with students from Kindergarten to grade 8.

The students of Humphrey have created peace poles with colourful, inspiring messages and symbols scattered throughout the space. And finally, you enter and exit the space through eight “pollinator and local food” raised cedar beds which the students planted under the guidance of the Georgian Bay Biosphere Reserve.
There were many local businesses who made generous donations to make this space an inspiring place to learn.  As Mr. Krause, the principal shared, it takes many people and community partners to help a project like this come to fruition.

For more information please contact:
Stephen Krause
Principal
Humphrey Public School
P: (705) 475-2321 ext. 8656
E. Stephen.Krause@nearnorthschools.ca

West Ferris to Host Apple Distinguished Schools Site Visit

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The Near North District School Board is excited to announce that on Thursday, June 7th, 2018 the West Ferris Intermediate and Secondary School STEAM program will be hosting staff from District School Board Ontario North East as part of a scheduled Apple Distinguished Schools site visit.  The Director of Education and representatives for the Board of Trustees will be in attendance at 8:45 a.m. on June 7th, 2018 to greet our distinguished guests.

The site visit will focus on showcasing student activities and highlighting how STEAM teachers have been successful creating engaging cross-curricular projects.  This visit will mark the beginning of an ongoing collaboration between the Near North District School Board STEAM program and both teachers and administrators from District School Board Ontario North East, as they work towards creating a STEAM program of their own.

Apple Distinguished Schools are centres of leadership and academic excellence that demonstrates APPLES’ vision for learning with technology and are considered by APPLE to be some of the most innovative schools in the world.  West Ferris Intermediate and Secondary School has been designated as an Apple Distinguished School due to staffs’ continued encouragement of students to be innovative and enthusiastic, while providing opportunities to explore cross-curricular relationships between math, science and technology.

For more information, please contact:

Andy Gagné
HBKin., MEd.
Principal
West Ferris Intermediate/Secondary School
P: 7054752333 x 8561
E: Andy.Gagne@nearnorthschools.ca

Near North Students Challenge the DELF

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Once again students from across the Near North District School Board challenged the DELF (Diplôme d’étude de langue française), a French as a Second Language proficiency test. Students from 4 High Schools presented themselves to be tested and receive a world recognized accreditation of their abilities in speaking French.

The DELF is a formal testing tool for second language learners. Assessors must be trained beyond the Ontario curriculum, to assess students at an international level. The DELF test was created in France and accessed by students all over the world. Students who attain a level of proficiency can use that designation and certificate for post-secondary education applications (in French first and second language courses) as well as for employment.

In order to receive the DELF credentials, students must successfully complete an interview, listening, reading, and writing exercises with a minimum proficiency of 50%. NNDSB students were successful in attaining the level they challenged. This is the NNDSB’s second year in the pilot project with an increase in the number of students participating.  Congratulations to all participating students for their hard work.

For more information, please contact:

Greg Deschamps
Program Coordinator/Conseiller pédagogique, K-12
Near North District School Board
P: 705.472.8170 x 5039
E: Greg.Deschamps@nearnorthschools.ca
 

Chippewa Receives $28,000 in Funding from CWB Welding Foundation

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May 22, 2018 – The Near North District School Board is pleased to announce that after a lengthy application process, Chippewa Intermediate and Secondary School has been selected by the CWB Welding Foundation as the recipient of the Secondary School Equipment and Project Support program.

The CWB Secondary School Equipment and Project Support program is dedicated to the development of Canadian secondary school welding programs. Through this program, Chippewa received $28 000 in funding to refurbish and upgrade the school’s welding facilities.

For more information regarding the CWB Foundation, please visit their website: www.cwbweldingfoundation.org/.

To celebrate and express appreciation to CWB Welding Foundation for this significant contribution, Chippewa Intermediate and Secondary School will be hosting a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Friday, May 25th, 2018, at 10:30am. This event will also officially launch Chippewa’s welding program.

There will be equipment demonstrations, light refreshments, and a CWB Welding Foundation representative will be available to answer any questions.  Those interested in attending are asked to contact Chippewa, at (705) 475-2341.

For more information, please contact:

Mairghread Knought
Information/Communication Officer
Near North District School Board
(705) 472-8170, extension 5010
Mairghread.Knought@nearnorthschools.ca

NNDSB Education Day Forum for Provincial Election Candidates

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May 16, 2018 – The Near North District School Board will be hosting an all candidates forum with a focus on educational matters in recognition of Education Day.  The Ontario Public School Boards’ Association has declared May 23, 2018 as Education Day, in recognition of the important role educational matters will play in the upcoming Provincial Election.

The Near North District School Board Education Day Forum is scheduled for Thursday, May 24, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. at West Ferris Secondary School.

Student, parents, educators and all members of the community are encouraged to attend.  The Education Day Forum is a great opportunity to learn where our local candidates stand on educational issues.   The future growth of the province depends on the continued provision of high quality publicly-funded education.

Education Day Forum Agenda

Education Day Forum 2018 Rules of Procedure

Education Day Forum Questions for Candidates

For more information, please contact:

Mairghread Knought
Information/Communication Officer
Near North District School Board
(705) 472-8170, extension 5010
Mairghread.Knought@nearnorthschools.ca

Parent Involvement Committee Partners with Georgian Bay Biosphere

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Students looking at organic plant materialMay 14, 2018 – During the 2017-2018 school year the NNDSB Parent Involvement Committee partnered with the Georgian Bay Biosphere to offer 6 free events for families across the school board. The events were designed to increase parent engagement in learning, while providing participants with an opportunity to develop an increasing awareness of the importance of habitat and the environment.

Under the title of “Growing with the Biosphere”, sessions were held in which students and parents were able to learn more about Monarch Butterflies and Mason Bees. Families were provided with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience with respect to seed starting and veggie gardening.

The final event was held at Humphrey Public School on May 10th, 2018 where a group of elementary students and their families had the unique experience of building homes for Mason Bees. The event also involved the creation of seed starting pods to grow the important plants for our pollinators.

These homes and seeds will be placed in the Humphrey Public School community as a part of their new Outdoor Learning Space.

For more information, please contact:

Mairghread Knought
Information/Communication Officer Near North District School Board
P. (705) 472-8170, extension 5010
E. Mairghread.Knought@nearnorthschools.ca

Chippewa Band Performs at Atlantic Music Fest

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May 14, 2018 - The Chippewa Intermediate Secondary School Band recently traveled to perform at the Atlantic Music Festival in London, Ontario, hosted by Western University.  Band members participated in instrument-specific workshops taught by renowned musicians, had the opportunity to perform, and received a silver star rating.

In addition, the band was able to experience a live jazz performance at Humber College. The show was put on by the College’s band, “The Yellowjacket Project”, which consisted of recent Chippewa graduate, John Kervin, on the piano and band leader Shirantha Beddage, a talented professor at Humber and a Chippewa Alumnist (1997).

Chippewa’s Junior and Senior bands have had a successful year, in which they competed in multiple events such as the Northern Ontario Music festival. Highlights of the years’ achievements include:

  • Obtaining a spot to perform at Music Fest Canada, which Chippewa has been invited to for over 20 years.
  • Receipt of a Gold Rating for both bands at the local Kiwanis Music Festival.
  • The Senior group scored the highest ranking in the Secondary Band category.

The Junior and Senior Band, consisting of over 60 students, will conclude this fantastic year with their Spring Concert on Wednesday, May 30th at 7 pm in the Chippewa Theatre.

For more information, please contact:
Marla Sunstrum, Chippewa Secondary School Music Department
Phone: 705-475-2341 ext. 8532, Email: marla.sunstrum@nearnorthschools.ca

NNDSB Indigenous Education Logo

Biindigen

The schools of the Near North District Board are situated on the traditional territories of the Anishinaabe. The Near North District School Board values the significant historical and contemporary contributions of local First Nations and the Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island (North America).

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