Wednesday, July 14, 2021

NNDSB initiatives enable students to be role models for younger students

Traits like being generous, compassionate, cooperative and considerate aren’t just being talked about in Near North District School Board (NNDSB) schools, they’re being modelled. Staff carefully plan initiatives that are designed to build character and create role models in schools. The initiatives provide the opportunity for leadership by older students, while giving younger students people to look up to.

The projects that Parry Sound High School Construction Technology students made this year for their young peers at McDougall Public School are great examples of mutually beneficial activities. Mr. Buckland’s students made picnic tables and portable chalkboards that will be used this fall at McDougall Public School’s outdoor learning spaces. The portable boards can be used in any outdoor space and stored inside when not in use. They can be used at the new Parry Sound JK-12 school’s outdoor learning spaces in future.

These projects bring together many aspects of education that are important in NNDSB. In addition to the above-mentioned character building that takes place, the initiative at Parry Sound High School contributes to outdoor learning that schools in the district are fortunate to be able to provide, while at the same time creating role models of the secondary school students and very happy young learners.

The project involved a contribution from community partner Gray’s Paint & Flooring, that donated chalkboard paint and supplies.

These initiatives are subtle yet effective ways to help build character in students. By encouraging them to develop positive character traits, NNDSB staff enrich students’ lives outside of academics. These character traits help develop young adults, and give them a framework to make mindful, important decisions in life. They create a sense of community whereby our elementary students feel connected to the secondary school.

Other opportunities that are usually on the go in a non-COVID world include Iron Chef competitions for Grade 7 and 8 students hosted and mentored by the Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) Culinary Arts students and school-organized community pow wows, to which the five local First Nations are invited.

We look forward to the opportunities ahead.

For more information contact:

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

Wednesday, June 30, 2021

Across Near North District School Board (NNDSB), teachers found engaging ways for students to learn. As part of a culminating assignment, a Grade 11 and 12 English class at F.J. McElligott Secondary School read and studied an independent novel and students demonstrated their knowledge in whatever mode they chose depending on their strengths. Some students went in an artistic direction and some took a research approach.

“Students become more engaged in their study of English when they have autonomy over what they read, what they focus on, and how they present their understanding,” said teacher Chris Davis. “The challenge for the teacher is knowing your students well enough to provide just enough structure and support so that students gain momentum and find inspiration. I try to use shared texts, regular conferencing, student exemplars, and lots of feedback to help students refine their focus of study within the parameters given. When students can recognize their own strengths or areas of interest it opens the door to cross-curricular opportunities to show off what they know.”

The culminating English assignment had several components to it: an oral presentation; demonstration of knowledge of the students’ choosing; and of course, the reading of their novel.

“At some point in the course, we watched the documentary called The Way I See It and it talked a lot about the photographer for the President of the United States, said student Emma Dupuis. “I really liked the idea of how photos could tell a story. So, by doing that, I made a story with photos and quotes from book characters in the novel.”

One of Emilio Lavoie’s strengths is in graphic design and that was the creative direction he chose – designing a book cover for his assignment.

Student project 

“My strengths are making things online like graphic design and stuff through software called Canva. I use that a lot for my presentations and stuff like that. So, I came up with the idea of making a book cover,” he said.

Both students shared that this type of learning keeps them engaged and motivated.

Creative writing was also a part of the culminating assignment with oral presentations.

“I wrote about Amanda Gorman’s inaugural poem. The words and how she presented her poem, I thought it represented how my main character could go from this really dark reality and to something brighter. I tried to compare it to how the poem can apply to many things, including my book,” said Emilio.

In this assignment, students express their strengths and passions through a natural student voice.

Wednesday, June 30, 2021

Near North District School Board (NNDSB) is proud to announce five students will be taking part in Shad, a highly acclaimed summer enrichment program for well-rounded and academically successful secondary school students.

Three students from Chippewa Secondary School – Kaitlyn Bertrand, Jack Mah and Victoria Jones and two students from Almaguin Highlands Secondary School – Alyssa Jolliffe and Megan Lee, will spend four weeks in July learning at a virtual campus to expand their knowledge and skills in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math).

“The program offers a wide range of different topics to discover, and I am hoping that Shad will help me become a more well-rounded learner,” noted Bertrand. “This will be a great experience to build upon my leadership skills and give me a chance to work meaningfully as a member of a team.”

Learning through lectures, workshops, projects and activities, students will learn and expand their STEAM knowledge, which introduces participants to a multi-disciplinary approach.

“I am really interested in the sciences, and I know that Shad really explores different aspects of that. I’m also really excited to learn about engineering, art and math because it covers all the STEAM components,” Lee said. “I’m just excited to try some different things that I wouldn’t have otherwise been able to do.”

“I hope to be able to learn new and interesting things while attending Shad as well as grow as a student through the experiences that Shad offers and to make new connections with people who share similar interests to me,” Jones noted. “You should look for ways to pursue your interests, thoughts, or passions, and I am so grateful to this school, school board, teachers, family, and friends for supporting me, and helping me be a part of this opportunity.”

Mah is looking forward to coding.

“While looking at one of the packages Shad sent me leading up to the program, I noticed that I was given a device for coding! Coding is something I’ve always found interesting but never had the chance to investigate, so I’m really excited about this activity. As well, because my Shad program will take place virtually through Western University, I’d love to hear more about the post-secondary institution before I begin applying to universities in the fall.”

To be accepted into the program, students must go through a rigorous application process, which goes in-depth into both the students’ academics and extra-curricular activities.

“The application process is very similar to a university application, and I know how competitive and sometimes challenging that can be,” Lee shared.

Thousands of secondary school students from across Canada apply to Shad each year and roughly 900 are accepted into the program.

“I was first introduced to Shad when I went to the Canada-wide science fair in Grade 8 and ever since then, I’ve been wanting to apply,” Jolliffe said. “I definitely want to learn more about like the business and engineering portion, because I don’t really know a whole lot about that. So, I’m really excited to learn about that.”

Shad’s program attracts students with high aptitudes for risk-taking, curiosity, excellence, and resilience and prepares them to take on social and economic challenges. The program includes a real-world design challenge that asks students to work on issues such as food security, water and waste management.

“As a student, I’m really hoping that Shad will help me find some new interests and also be able to connect with like-minded motivated youth from across the country,” Lee shared. “I’m also hoping that this program might help me to steer me in a direction for what I want to do later as a career after secondary school. I’m looking forward to exploring some different things that might spark a new interest.”

“While the delivery and platform of Shad will be unique this summer, I am thrilled to take part in the program,” said Mah. “Without a doubt, it’ll be a wonderful month, and I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity.”

Students say their educational experience at NNDSB has helped them in pursuing their goals.

“NNDSB courses have made me well prepared to be successful in this program and I am very grateful for both the guidance and support of the faculty,” said Bertrand.

“The staff and teachers at my school, have always helped me stay engaged in my academics and they’ve been very helpful in the application process. Everybody has been there to provide guidance and support for me,” said Lee.

“My educational experience at NNDSB has helped me in pursuing my passions through supportive teachers and staff, as well as by providing different opportunities, and supporting me when I ask to pursue a new project or passion of mine in school or in school-related things,” said Jones.

“If it weren’t for the counsellors at Chippewa, I wouldn’t have known very much about this program. As well, it is the chemistry, biology, functions, etc. courses that led me to develop an interest in STEAM. The classes I’ve taken through NNDSB have shown me what I enjoy learning about. By helping me find what topics intrigue me, the school board’s indirectly steered me towards my passions,” Mah exclaimed.