Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2022

Dear Parents and Guardians,

This letter is to provide you with an update on provincial negotiations taking place with the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), which in Near North District School Board (NNDSB) represents school secretaries, custodial and maintenance staff, IT technicians, library technicians, as well as some finance and board support staff.

This morning, CUPE gave five-day notice of a full strike, which would begin on Monday, Nov. 21.

NNDSB’s senior team is awaiting guidance from the Ministry of Education and is planning for the possibility of a strike on Monday.

We will communicate details with families as soon as possible. Updates may be found on NNDSB’s website; an icon will direct families and stakeholders to a labour disruptions news page. It includes resources to support families and all communications that have been issued related to the disruption.

In addition to staying informed via the board’s website, families can find NNDSB on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Sincerely,

Near North District School Board

Monday, Nov. 14, 2022

Dear Parents and Guardians,

This message is to advise you of two educational opportunities that Near North District School Board (NNDSB) is providing to families.

Mental health and SNAP – Nov. 16 at 6:30 p.m.

The board’s Parent Involvement Committee (PIC) is hosting Part 1 of its speaker series for parents on Wednesday, Nov. 16 at 6:30 p.m. This session will give an overview of NNDSB’s mental health supports, including the SNAPÒ Schools pilot. SNAP helps participants develop skills to promote a positive change in behaviour when managing anger, peer pressure and dealing with bullying. Learn more and find meeting details in this poster.

Preventing online sexual exploitation – Nov. 23 at 7 p.m.

As part of the board’s Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week, NNDSB is holding an online presentation on Wednesday, Nov. 23 at 7 p.m. Called Online Risks and Emerging Trends, the session is presented in tandem with NNDSB’s partner, the Canadian Centre for Child Protection (C3P). The evening consists of a video and information and resources about preventing online sexual exploitation of children and keeping children safe. There will be a live question-and-answer period. This session reflects the newest issues facing youth, and is designed for families of children aged 8-17). Please see this poster for more information and to register for the presentation.

Sincerely,

Near North District School Board

Monday, Nov. 7, 2022

Dear Parents and Guardians,

The Government of Ontario has confirmed that Bill 28 – Keeping Students in Class Act will be rescinded. The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) has confirmed that protests will end, and CUPE members will be back to work as of Nov. 8, 2022.

CUPE remains in a position to strike with the five-day notice period still required as per the Labour Relations Act Ontario.

Near North District School Board will be reopening all schools effective Nov. 8, 2022, and regular transportation will be in place.

Community Use of Schools will resume on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2022, giving custodians a day to prepare facilities.

Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,

Near North District School Board

Friday, Nov. 4, 2022

Dear Parents and Guardians;

In addition to following the status of the labour disruption involving Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), Near North District School Board (NNDSB) has been in regular contact with our open schools, evaluating the feasibility of maintaining in-person learning.

After communicating with principals and vice-principals and consulting with the board’s facilities department, NNDSB has determined it is unable to meet the health and safety requirements for all students while the services of CUPE members are withdrawn.

All NNDSB schools will be closed to in-person learning as of Monday, Nov. 7, 2022, except special education classes in secondary schools that were open Friday, Nov. 4, 2022 (Parry Sound High School, Almaguin Highlands Secondary School, West Ferris Secondary School, Chippewa Secondary School). We are sending this message out as early as possible so families may make arrangements for alternative childcare.

In order to support its highest needs students, NNDSB will make efforts to re-open elementary special education classes beginning Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, with more information to come from these schools on Monday, Nov. 7, 2022.

Schools will communicate on Monday, Nov. 7, 2022 about at-home learning for students, and how families can support their child(ren).

NNDSB’s website has a new icon that directs families and stakeholders to a labour disruptions news page. It includes resources to support families and all communications that have been issued related to the disruption.

Should the labour disruption be settled over the weekend, additional information will be sent to families.

We understand this labour action is challenging to families and appreciate your understanding as we navigate it together.

Sincerely,

Near North District School Board

Friday, Nov. 4, 2022

Dear Parents and Guardians,

The monthly Letter to Families, distributed on the first Friday of the month, is intended to keep you apprised of news that affects all students and families of Near North District School Board (NNDSB).

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NNDSB is proud to offer all parents the ability to access their child’s report cards via Edsby. This pertains to all elementary and secondary reporting, including the elementary progress reports (Grades 1-8) and the initial observations of learning reports (kindergarten), which will be available to parents after 2 p.m. on Nov. 16, 2022.

Please be aware that as schools work to get these reports online, there may be a slight delay. If you do not see your child’s report by Nov. 17, please reach out to your school. If you have not yet logged into Edsby or created an account, please visit this page of NNDSB’s website that explains how to create an account and login.

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Municipal elections were held Monday, Oct. 24, which included the positions of school board trustees.

NNDSB is still awaiting the name of an appointee, and until all trustees have been determined, will not be publishing the names of the 2022-2026 Board members.

The Board’s inaugural meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 15 at 6:30 p.m. As a reminder, NNDSB Board meetings are open to the public and are usually held on the second Tuesday of each month. Agenda packages are posted to the website two days in advance of the meeting.

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The Ministry of Education made an announcement late last month that outlined more action in its Plan to Catch Up, including Catch Up payments for families.

Families are being provided with up to $250 per child to help offset costs for additional tutoring supports, supplies or equipment to enhance student learning. The application portal will be open until March 31, 2023.

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School Mental Health (SMH) Ontario is a provincial implementation support team that helps school districts enhance student mental health through the use of evidence-based strategies and services.

SMH provides leadership and coaching for educators and school/system leaders, as well as mental health awareness for parents and families, and a platform for student voice and leadership in school mental health.

The organization is seeking applicants to its parent/caregiver collaboration group. This group will share thoughts on what children need in order to thrive and the types of tools, education and supports parents and caregivers want to support their children’s mental health.

More information about the parent and caregiver collaboration group can be found here, and this is the application.

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NNDSB is the first school board in Canada to have all their schools sign up for the 2022 I Read Canadian Day.

I Read Canadian Day is an initiative that celebrates the richness, diversity and breadth of Canadian literature. Taking place for the third year on Nov. 2, 2022, this celebration empowers families, schools, libraries, bookstores and organizations to host activities and events by reading Canadian books for just 15 minutes.

Award-winning Canadian author Eric Walters was so impressed, he took to social media and challenged other Canadian school boards to follow. He said, “The Near North District School Board has EVERY school signed up for I Read Canadian Day on November 2! How about some other boards matching?” ~ Eric Walters

Congratulations to all involved for participating in this wonderful investigation into Canadian literature.

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NNDSB has several procedures that keep students and staff safe during events that take place inside and outside of schools. Frequently news stories and social media posts will refer to students being “in lockdown”, when in fact they are in a hold and secure.

This poster will explain to families the differences between a lockdown and a hold and secure. It outlines the reasons for which one may be called, and what happens at the school. Very often, a hold and secure is called when there is a medical situation at a school; a hold and secure keeps the hallways clear so first responders have clear access to the person and protects the dignity and privacy of the person during transport.

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The board partners with outside organizations – YES Canada and MLI Homestay – to bring international secondary school students to NNDSB.

MLI currently has an urgent need for a homestay family in North Bay for a female Japanese student who is attending Chippewa Secondary School until June 2023. Compensation is provided to assist with expenses.

During their stay, students live with a local family and experience daily life in Canada while developing their English language skills through this immersion experience.

To learn more, contact Kayla at kknight@mlihomestay.com or call 587-222-7172 or visit www.mlihomestay.ca.

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Regarding COVID-19 management, board facilities remain working under provincial direction without any additional measures put in place by the local health unit. It is recommended that all staff and students self-screen daily before they attend school and stay home if they are feeling unwell.

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In addition to staying informed via the board’s website, families can find NNDSB on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Sincerely,

Near North District School Board

Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2022

Dear Parents and Guardians,

As noted in our letter of Monday, Oct. 31, Near North District School Board (NNDSB) has been planning for any labour disruptions resulting from the provincial negotiations with the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE).

CUPE has announced that its members may not be at work on Friday, Nov. 4.

In NNDSB, CUPE represents school secretaries, custodial and maintenance staff, IT technicians, library technicians, as well as some finance and board support staff.

NNDSB is endeavouring to provide continuity of learning for students but must keep staff and student safety and well-being as a priority. After contingency planning, it has been determined that should the CUPE day of protest occur, some NNDSB elementary schools will remain open, some elementary and secondary schools will be closed to all students, and some secondary schools will only open for students attending self-contained special education classrooms.

Each school will be sending a communication to their families regarding the school’s status for Friday, Nov. 4.

Each school board in the province has varying employee groups represented by CUPE, so every board must make contingency plans based on their own circumstances. This is why you have heard of board-wide closures, while NNDSB is in the position to keep some schools and classrooms open.

If your child(ren) attends childcare in NNDSB schools, please contact your childcare provider for details on whether they will be open or closed on Friday.

All community use of schools permits will be suspended as of Friday, Nov. 4 until further notice. NNDSB does not have the capacity to maintain safe conditions for permit holders.

The status of negotiations is fluid, with on-going developments. We understand that this situation is challenging and requires that families also have contingency plans. The board appreciates your patience and understanding as we navigate this together.

Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,

Near North District School Board

Monday, Oct. 31, 2022

Dear Parents and Guardians;

Near North District School Board (NNDSB) continues to monitor the provincial labour negotiations closely.

In NNDSB, Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) represents school secretaries, custodial and maintenance staff, IT technicians, library technicians, as well as some finance and board support staff.

We highly value the service of CUPE workers ​but note that negotiations are ​currently a provincial matter.

The board has been contingency planning to maintain the continuity of learning for students and, where possible, to try to keep schools open. We will endeavour to share information in a timely manner, recognizing that the current labour environment changes quickly and frequently.

Families will find updates on the board’s website and can find NNDSB on  Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Sincerely,

Near North District School Board