Friday, Oct. 21, 2022

Hockey skills academy has NNDSB students shooting for future success

The inaugural semester of the hockey skills academy in Parry Sound is off to a tremendous start. The program is a partnership between Near North District School Board (NNDSB,) the Townships of Seguin and Parry Sound using Hockey Canada skills training. The academy gives students in Grades 8-12 at Parry Sound High School (PSHS) the chance to build hockey skills while earning a high school credit and the option of a Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) pathway in health and wellness.

The 22 students enrolled in the first semester bring a wide variety of skill levels and hockey experience and the program has something to offer all.

NNDSB Vice-Chair John Cochrane, who strongly advocated to bring this program to the hockey loving community of Parry Sound, said “the Board is dedicated to the support of students individual learning styles. We are proud of how the PSHS Hockey Academy creates opportunities for personal growth and encourages the development of healthy lifestyles and essential life skills through teamwork and mentorship.”

Qualified skills instructor and PSHS teacher AJ Wheaton, who leads the program explained the students have been busy and engaged since the first day of the semester.

“During our in-class sessions, students have been learning about individual hockey skills and tactics, practice planning, hockey philosophy and analyzing hockey videos,” Wheaton said. “They are also learning essential life skills like physical fitness, perseverance, time management, teamwork, and goal setting. Students will also be taking on leadership roles in this course. They will have an exciting assignment where groups will be designing, implementing, and leading a skills practice on the ice for their peers.”

During the week students spend Mondays in off-ice training consisting of fitness testing, floorball, and workouts. Tuesday through Thursday classes are spent at the rink where students engage in 50-minute skills testing and development practices. Fridays are in the classroom where students analyze hockey videos, work on hockey appreciation assignments and study hockey philosophy, rules, and awareness and engage in character and leadership learning. Wheaton said he hopes to take the group on hockey field trips and bring in some guest speakers as the semester progresses.

Students are benefitting not only from increased access to ice time but also from the focus on developing their individual skills.

All the on-ice drills are primarily designed to work on individual skills and tactics, Wheaton said. “This is something that you may not see as much off in a minor hockey practice, especially at older age groups. This is not a hockey team, it is a skills program, therefore we will not be working on team concepts or strategies such as breakouts, powerplays, etc. Instead, it will be all skills focused on things such as skating, puck handling, shooting, and passing.”

“Learning through sport offers students valuable lessons about teamwork, dedication, and the value of hard work. The hockey academy is a prime example of how innovative approaches to education benefit NNDSB students and exemplify the board’s commitment to excellence in teaching and learning,” NNDSB Director of Education Craig Myles said.

Wheaton said the students are enthusiastic and excited to be part of the program and are excited to be able to come to school and talk about hockey and are appreciative of extra ice time to work on their skills. Wheaton also noted that he routinely receives positive comments related to the program from parents and community leaders in the Parry Sound area.

“For myself, the on-ice piece has felt pretty natural. I have been coaching a variety of minor hockey levels for the past 14 years, so being on the ice and organizing practices is something I have a passion for,” Wheaton said. “I have always had a focus of skill development and encouraging players to better understand the game in any practice I have run in the past. I love the game and to be able to come to work and not only get onto the ice with the students but also talk about and discuss a shared passion is a very rewarding experience.”

Wheaton hopes the program will be as rewarding for students and foster a similar lifelong passion for the game.

“We are having issues with player retention in Canada, especially at the older age groups and in small towns. A program like this, run through the school, will hopefully encourage more players to continue being engaged and improving their skills,” Wheaton said. “The baseline goal of any hockey program, especially this one, is for the kids to have fun and develop into life-long hockey players. A specialized program like this is hopefully just the start of something big at Parry Sound High School.”

NNDSB is in the planning stages in partnership with the Township of Seguin to offer this exciting program involving Parry Sound High School and Humphrey Elementary School in semester two.

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For more information, please contact:

Brett Hanson

Communications Coordinator

Near North District School Board

(705) 472-8170, extension 5083

Brett.Hanson@nearnorthschools.ca

Friday, Oct. 21, 2022

NNDSB graduation rate tops of northeastern Ontario English public boards

Near North District School Board (NNDSB) is proud to share that its four- and five-year graduation rates are the highest among English public school boards in northeastern Ontario.

These positive results show that NNDSB’s steadfast commitment to student achievement and well-being as outlined in the multi-year strategic plan’s (MYSP) strategic priorities of excellence in teaching and learning is paying dividends.

NNDSB has prioritized student achievement by creating engaging programs with a focus on innovation and generating new and exciting opportunities for students to realize academic success.

This focus has opened different pathways for student success through fulsome programming in the trades, arts and science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), affording students unique opportunities for future success and helping to mold them into well-rounded citizens.

“In our prioritization of student achievement and well-being the Board has had to make difficult sacrifices and tough decisions to support the creation of innovative opportunities and learning spaces for students. The graduation rate is evidence that this commitment has paid off. The Board commends all staff for their dedication to making NNDSB students their top priority,” Board Chair Jay Aspin said.

As of 2021, the four-year graduation rate for NNDSB’s 2016-2017 Grade 9 cohort is 76.8% and 82.5% for the five-year graduation rate. NNDSB acknowledges there is still much work to be done to ensure all students can fully realize their academic goals, and the Board is encouraged by these results and remains committed to the goals set out in the MYSP.

“We are proud of our graduating students and commend them on their hard work to achieve personalized success. This success is also thanks to the support of staff, parents, caregivers, families and community partners, the Board thanks them for their commitment. It’s clear that our prioritization of student achievement and well-being above all else is working and we will continue to put the needs of NNDSB students first,” said Director of Education Craig Myles.

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For more information, please contact:

Brett Hanson

Communications Coordinator

Near North District School Board

(705) 472-8170, extension 5083

Brett.Hanson@nearnorthschools.ca

Monday, Oct. 17, 2022

Board Highlights – Oct. 11, 2022 meeting

The following are the highlights of the Near North District School Board (NNDSB) meeting of Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2022.

Anna Pearson acknowledged for teaching excellence

Anna Pearson, a Grade 6 French Immersion teacher at Sunset Park Public School, was acknowledged at the Board meeting for being a recipient of the Prime Minister’s Award for Teaching Excellence.

Pearson uses a variety of teaching methods to encourage and empower students learning in French, by linking their experiences as French speakers through music, film, field trips and guest speakers. She is also committed to teaching her students about social justice, linking her teaching to current events and difficult subjects. Pearson’s work and its recognition exemplify NNDSB’s commitment to excellence in teaching and learning.

NNDSB issued a media release about the achievement.

Board receives mental health report 

The Board received a report outlining NNDSB’s three-year mental health and wellness strategy. The report follows stakeholder consultation and aligns with the board’s multi-year strategic plan (MYSP).

The following six value statements are key to NNDSB’s mental health and addictions strategy: collaboration with families; evidence-based outcome-informed approaches; community partnerships; equity in our diverse educational community and being accountable for the success and well-being of all; student voice to inform and guide our work; our staff, who play a vital role in promoting and supporting mental health.

The plan will be in effect until it is renewed and revised in the fall of 2025.

Here is a link to the report, which was part of the agenda package.

Trustees receive board improvement plan report 

The Board improvement plan for student achievement and well-being was presented to trustees. The plan explains how the four priorities of the MYSP (excellence in communication, excellence in relationships, excellence in teaching and learning and excellence in innovation) act as a guide in achieving the Ministry of Education’s core purpose of student achievement in literacy and mathematics and ensuring equity and well-being.

The board improvement plan details how a six-week cycle of plan, act, observe and reflect will be implemented to ensure alignment and consistency across all departments and schools.

The full report can be found here.

Director Myles provides report to Board

Director of Education Craig Myles’ report to the Board featured several pieces of good news.

This month’s report featured data to support the board’s commitment to excellence in communications. Analytics shows that the board’s social media platforms are steadily gaining new followers, and approximately 10 administrative guidelines have been revised and/or consolidated in the past year.

The app development cooperative education program that took place in the summer has resulted in paid employment for an NNDSB student. One of the summer students who developed a mobile app was offered a part-time position as a junior programmer. The student’s parent says the employer was impressed with the student’s knowledge and abilities with Swift and other coding languages.

The board’s environmental committee says the EcoSchool’s platform will be rolled out to schools this month. Staff and students will have the opportunity to learn how practices can reduce their environmental footprints and how their initiatives can work towards achieving the EcoSchool certification of environmental excellence.

NNDSB is proud of its partnership with the North Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre to see the grand opening of the Nizhwaas Asiniik Skoonweh Kahn (Seven Stones Learning Centre). The centre supports Indigenous adult learners in earning their Ontario Secondary School Diplomas with a cultural and decolonized approach.

NNDSB’s first Hockey Skills program has begun in partnership with Hockey Skills Canada and the Town of Parry Sound. The program will run at Parry Sound High School in semester one and Humphrey Public School in partnership with Seguin Township in semester two.

Notices of Motion filed for follow-up reports

Vice-Chair John Cochrane, First Nations Trustee Nichole King and Trustee Caren Gagne each filed a notice of motion at the committee-of-the-whole meeting, which was moved and passed at the Board meeting.

Vice-Chair Cochrane requested a thorough report regarding information received by the board from the Town of Parry Sound regarding the area’s population and the impact of population on the JK-12 build. Vice-Chair Cochrane also wanted misinformation about municipal funding clarified in the report.

Trustee King’s notice of motion was for an updated report about the actions taken and next steps in the healing process following damage to the Shapatuan at Parry Sound High School. Trustee King sought follow-up on the board’s commitment to strengthen relationships and support the healing process for students.

Trustee Gagne requested the board write a letter to the Ministry of Education advocating for a stronger commitment to student transportation supports. School transportation challenges are being felt across the province, and Trustee Gagne said the cancellations are particularly disruptive in her area.

Multi-Year Strat Plan Committee report

As the board enters its second year of the 2021-2026 MYSP, the committee has set its sights on evaluating the plan. The MYSP committee will bring a report to the Board quarterly and will provide a data report at the January and June 2023 meetings that showcase the progress/growth. Further data will be highlighted in the Director’s monthly update to trustees.

Board receives update on Dreamcoat agreement conclusion

NNDSB trustees received a report regarding administration’s decision to accept the conclusion of the agreement with Dreamcoat Fantasy Theatre (DFT). Following the expiration of the agreement in 2018, DTF has been asked to remove its items from storage at West Ferris Secondary School, as the space is required for NNDSB programming and instructional needs.

During the committee-of-the-whole meeting, members of the community expressed interest in providing input regarding future opportunities for DFT to access space with NNDSB. The Board of Trustees voted in favour of hosting a community meeting to welcome broader public input.

Chair lauded trustees for service to education

Board Chair Jay Aspin acknowledged that the Oct. 11 meeting was the last scheduled of the term for this Board. In his remarks, he outlined the many significant accomplishments implemented during the term.

He said he was proud and privileged to be part of the team that accomplished so much since its first meeting in 2018 during a very disruptive pandemic. He stated our board has been elevated to a Board that is well respected in the province.

He acknowledged Trustees Donna Breault, Rob Learn and Al Bottomley, who are not seeking re-election. Chair Aspin thanked them for their time and efforts in public service and students’ education.

School board trustees will be elected in the Oct. 24 municipal election.

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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

Friday, Oct. 14, 2022

Before-school childcare program opens at Mapleridge PS

Near North District School Board (NNDSB) is pleased to announce that a new before-school childcare program has opened at Mapleridge Public School in Powassan for the 2022-2023 school year.

Currently, the District of Parry Sound Social Services Administration Board (PSDSSAB) operates an after-school program for school-aged children at Mapleridge. “We are pleased to be piloting this expansion of our School-Age Program in Powassan to include before-school care for children ages 4-12 starting at 7:30 a.m.,” said Brenda Wiltshire, manager of directly operated childcare programs for the PSDSSAB.

NNDSB’s Superintendent of Early Years, Gay Smylie added, “NNDSB values its strong partnership with PSDSSAB as we work together to provide services that benefit children and their families. We are so fortunate to expand the program to provide care for children before the school day starts. This takes the pressure off families that need to get to work but also ensure their children are cared for before the school day starts.”

This expansion was a result of data obtained in the annual childcare viability survey, which is supported by the Nipissing and Parry Sound Social Services Administration Boards. Due to an increase in need for before-school care, the Parry Sound DSSAB was willing to expand its current offering at Mapleridge. This is wonderful news for the families of Powassan and surrounding area and for students who will now experience one less transition in their school day.

Families wishing to register for the program can contact the Parry Sound DSSAB office at 1-800-661-3230.

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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

Thursday, Oct. 13, 2022

Fricker project progressing on schedule and on budget

Near North District School Board (NNDSB) build committee members recently toured the site of the new elementary school being built at the location of the former W.J. Fricker Public School.

On hand for the site tour were Board Chair Jay Aspin, NNDSB Trustee and build committee chair Bill Steer, Trustee Louise Sargent, Superintendent of Education Gay Smylie, Superintendent of Business Seija Van Haesendonck, Capital Projects Manager Marianne Speirs and Executive Assistant Krista Messenger.

Committee members received an update on the progress of the build from the Venasse Building Group site supervisor and were pleased to hear that construction is progressing on schedule and on budget.

The Ontario Ministry of Education has provided funding for the school, with additional funding provided by NNDSB to build a new JK-6 school, Child Care and EarlyON Child and Family Centre to replace W.J. Fricker Public School. Once complete, students from nearby E.W. Norman and E.T. Carmichael Public Schools will be relocated to the brand-new facility The new school supports the board’s multi-year strategic plan (MYSP) pillar of excellence in teaching and learning by providing a modern space in which students will be educated for the 21^st century.

Committee members were provided with a thorough review of construction plans and were briefed on the next steps in the project.

All classrooms in the new school will feature very large windows providing natural light to the learning spaces. The childcare and kindergarten classroom windows will be installed at lower heights to allow the littlest learners the chance to look outside.

During the tour, sub-trade labourers were busily laying the last few courses of block walls and pouring the few remaining concrete floors. Once these critical steps are complete, roof construction will commence to seal the structure against the elements before the winter sets in.

“Our Board has worked extraordinarily hard under very difficult circumstances these past couple of years to obtain approval and get this new school built. The new school on the former Fricker site completes the process of responding effectively to declining enrolment and modernization of facilities in all areas of North Bay ensuring the students of the Near North are equipped to achieve their full potential,” Chair Aspin said.

Director of Education Craig Myles said NNDSB is “proud to provide updated schools that contribute to student achievement and well-being while being fiscally responsible.”

The board will soon be establishing a renaming committee for the school which is scheduled to open to students in September 2023.

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For more information, please contact:

Brett Hanson

Communications Coordinator

Near North District School Board

(705) 472-8170, extension 5083

Brett.Hanson@nearnorthschools.ca

Thursday, Oct. 13, 2022

The healing process continues following vandalism at Parry Sound High School Shapatuan

Following two incidents of vandalism at the Shapatuan (teaching lodge) at Parry Sound High School in the spring, Near North District School Board (NNDSB) First Nations Trustee Nichole King filed a notice of motion seeking Board support for an updated report about the actions taken and next steps. The update is to be presented to the Board in open session and available to the public.

The Shapatuan is a culturally responsive and relevant learning space for youth, who were devastated by the vandalism. Trustee King is monitoring the progress of rebuilding the Shapatuan as well as the continuation of the relationship-building between the board and school and the First Nations communities affected by the racist acts. Her notice of motion is on behalf of First Nations rightsholders so the communities and the Board can be apprised of the next steps in the students’ healing process and the work of NNDSB.

Trustee King, Board Chair Jay Aspin and Director of Education Craig Myles were three of several delegates at a sharing circle hosted by Wasauksing First Nation in August, and this notice of motion is part of the on-going work of relationship-building.

Chair Aspin said, “This relationship with First Nations communities as well as the healing process of our students are extremely important to our board. NNDSB appreciates the guidance of communities, the youth leadership and their families as well as dedicated staff in this situation.”

Director of Education Myles said he is “grateful for the leadership of Trustee King as the board strives for improved relationships with First Nations rightsholders and the Indigenous students who attend NNDSB schools.”

The notice of motion was placed on the agenda of October’s committee-of-the-whole meeting and approved at the Oct. 11 Board meeting.

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Deb Bartlett

Communications Officer

Near North District School Board

(705) 472-8170, extension 5010

Deb.Bartlett@nearnorthschools.ca

Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2022

Vice-Chair Cochrane moves to correct misinformation about funding allocation in Parry Sound

Near North District School Board (NNDSB)’s Vice-Chair John Cochrane brought forward a notice of motion that aims to correct misinformation circulating about the new JK-12 school and allocation of spending in Parry Sound.

The Vice-Chair is the Zone 4 Trustee for Parry Sound and filed the notice of motion in response to a letter to the Board and a meeting he was invited to attend. The letter, from the Town of Parry Sound, expressed concerns about the area’s potential population growth and council’s desire for another accommodation review around the new Parry Sound JK-12 school.

Board Chair Jay Aspin said, “Our Vice-Chair has been the model of integrity, transparency and solid initiatives towards the betterment of our students, particularly in the Parry Sound area he represents. It is not surprising that he is requesting this report as he has indicated that it is important that all stakeholders in that region be provided with accurate information regarding our board’s operations. Our Board takes very seriously the provision of correct information or the correction of misinformation which may impact our students negatively.”

Vice-Chair Cochrane wanted to act quickly on behalf of his constituents and bring the matter to the Board. He requested that a report be researched and written, presented to the Board in open session and made available to the public, consistent with the Board’s commitments to accountability and transparency.

“It’s important to me that constituents know NNDSB is willing to work with all levels of government,” said Vice-Chair Cochrane. “NNDSB wants what is best for students, and that is to get an education in Parry Sound that prepares students for the future.”

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

Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2022

NNDSB teacher earns Canada’s highest teaching honour

The Prime Minister’s Award for Teaching Excellence recognizes “remarkable achievements in education and a commitment to preparing their students for a digital and innovation-based economy.” Sunset Park Public School teacher Anna Pearson exemplifies these qualities and much more, which is why she is a recipient of this year’s Teaching Excellence award.

A Grade 5/6 French Immersion teacher, in addition to teaching literacy in both official languages, Pearson instructs students in math, physical education, visual arts, science and social studies. One of her favourite subjects is social studies, as it allows her to encourage students to “think critically about past and current events and issues facing their world.”

Sunset Park Principal Amy Wood said, “The staff and students at Sunset Park Public School are so fortunate to have the honour of working alongside and with Anna Pearson. She is a true team player and is dedicated to her students, always modelling her love of learning. Her teaching styles are innovative, she encourages students to develop higher level thinking skills and her learning environment is engaging, allowing students to learn through exploration and hands-on practice.”

Pearson said it is important for her as a teacher to incorporate a variety of stimulating and engaging lessons where students learn through exploration and hands-on activities to keep them active and engaged in the curriculum.

Pearson’s classes have participated in writing tasks that saw students researching and writing biographies of fallen WWII soldiers from North Bay’s Algonquin Regiment and participating in a commemoration ceremony at the Algonquin Regiment War Memorial. During anti-bullying week, Pearson taught her students about real-world “upstanders” like Martin Luther King Jr., Viola Desmond, Anne Frank, Rosa Parks, Nelson Mandela, Mahatma Gandhi and Malala Yousafzai. Students then created biographies on a chosen upstander.

As part of her commitment to anti-bullying and ethical decision making, Pearson’s students met with Holocaust survivor Eva Olsson who spoke to students in Grades 4-6 at the school about her experience and trauma in the Holocaust and the importance of bullying prevention.

“In my commitment to citizenship education and diversity, over the years, it is important to me to engage guest speakers from various backgrounds who tell their own stories, in their own words,” Pearson said. “Guest speakers have included An Nguyen, the child of Vietnamese refugees who taught my students about the historical trauma and forced migration but also about Vietnamese culture such as New Year (Tet), Ms. Erica Kataquapit of Attawapiskat who taught my students about the importance of wampum belts and Dr. Amadou Ba, a Senegalese-Canadian francophone to speak my students about West African Culture, music and dance.”

Pearson also utilizes guest speakers to encourage her students to make real-world connections with emerging technologies, such as when she had a Marvel Studios Special FX manager speak to students about coding and animation.

Pearson takes full advantage of the vast learning opportunities that technology presents “to provide unique and innovative opportunities to actively engage in hands-on, inquiry-based learning with a variety of technologies,” she said.

Pearson’s students have travelled virtually through the Canadian Parliament buildings, a Lancaster bomber, Mohawk Institute Residential School in Brantford and a powerful virtual engagement with Anne Frank’s secret annex.

“I also use technology to bridge cross-curricular subjects and citizenship education. Through virtual experiential learning of the immigrant experience, I encouraged my students to explore specific settler communities related to their heritage and past while interweaving stories of Indigenous ways of knowing and being,” Pearson said.

Pearson models the commitment to life-long learning that she encourages in her students. Pearson is currently studying to achieve her PhD in education while teaching in the education program at Nipissing University. She also is active in the community teaching dance and martial arts.

A notable chapter in Pearson’s life-long learning was a scholarship to attend an educator seminar in Jerusalem, Israel where she learned approaches to teaching the Holocaust to junior students.

“The scholarship program solidified my commitment to teaching my students about social justice and linking my teaching to current events and difficult subjects. Every year we participate in International Holocaust Remembrance Day and discuss difficult topics in an appropriate and yet impactful manner,” Pearson said.

In 2020 Pearson was honoured for her Holocaust education in the classroom as a distinguished educator by the Canadian Society of Yad Vashem.

Superintendent of Education Timothy Graves said, “We are proud to recognize Anna Pearson as one of our outstanding educators and look forward to seeing her students flourish as they move on into their futures. Anna embodies the objectives outlined in the Board’s Multi-year Strategic Plan. She is an active and engaging educator and always connects her lessons to real-world issues while making them thought-provoking and poignant for her students.”

Since 1994, the Prime Minister’s Awards for Teaching Excellence have honoured more than 1,700 exceptional teachers from across Canada. At an upcoming ceremony, Nipissing- Timiskaming MP Anthony Rota will present Pearson with an official certificate and a letter signed by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Sunset Park Public School will also receive an official certificate.

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Brett Hanson

Communications Coordinator

Near North District School Board

(705) 472-8170, extension 5083

Brett.Hanson@nearnorthschools.ca