Director of Education Update: January 2019

North Bay Secondary Schools

With a decision regarding the 2019/202 student transitions confirmed, the focus is now on communicating that message to the community.  All North Bay high schools remain open and the Fricker graduating Grade 8 students will be either moving to specialized programs offered at Chippewa and West Ferris or Widdifield as their receiving home school.  WJ Fricker remains open next year as usual and the work schedule for the new building has been reassessed.

Communication mechanisms include media releases and use of social media platforms.  In addition, radio ads highlighting the parent information nights for Chippewa and Widdifield will be released soon indicating the dates as February 13 and February 12, 2019.

Thanks to West Ferris staff and students who welcomed parents to their building to explain their programming expectations and offerings on January, 17, 2019.

3:2 Consolidation -Staff Input

On January 8, 2019, the Director met with any staff members from the three North Bay high schools who wished to share their thoughts/concerns/considerations regarding the 3:2 North Bay high school consolidation with trustees.  This information was shared with all Trustees.

Bus Cancellation Days

With inclement weather resulting in bus cancellations, Senior staff, principals and teachers have been focusing on communicating that that our schools remain open with learning opportunities during the day.  Parents can expect that classes may be combined, or teachers may work with small groups, as educators continue to welcome students and complete or update communication and lesson plans, offer extra support for individual students and work through EDSBY to communicate work that students could complete at home (as available).  We also continue to try to address equity issues for those students and families who may not have access to wifi in our pre-planning.

Enrolment

Overall our enrolment in the elementary panel throughout the region has increased by 199 students over projected enrolment.

Within the secondary panel enrolment has decreased across the region by 78 student.  Schools most affected were Northern, FJ McElligott, Parry Sound, Chippewa and Widdifield.  Again, some of the numbers can be explained and others are of concern with specific grade loss leaving us with questions.  Almaguin and West Ferris are both up in their overall FTE of 30 FTE for both schools combined.  Chippewa and Widdifiled are down a total of 39 FTE.

Some variances can be easily explained, and others require further analysis to understand trends and projections.

Parent Involvement Committee – Upcoming Speaker

Congratulations to our Parent Involvement Committee who have secured Annie Kidder as presenter for the Near North District School Board on March 4, 2019.  Ms. Kidder is a highly influential figure in Ontario and Canada as the Executive Director of People for Education

 “People for Education is a unique organization in Canada: independent, non-partisan, and fueled by a belief in the power and promise of public education. We create evidence, instigate dialogue, and build links so that people can see – and act on – the connection between public education and a fair and prosperous society.” (https://peopleforeducation.ca/)

Ms. Kidder is often on TVO’s The Agenda with Steve Paikin discussing educational issues.

The Women of Lockerbie:

I had the distinct pleasure of attending the production of The Women of Lockerbie (By Deborah Brevoort) which completed its 4-day run just Friday.  The play dealt with some challenging and emotional subject matter of the crash of Pan Am flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland December 21, 1988 and the aftermath for those in Lockerbie and parents of a victim.  The performances of Grade 9-12 students from all three North Bay high schools enrolled in the night school theater arts program were profoundly moving.  Congratulations to all cast and crew who took part in this production.

Naagaanshki-Nishnaabemjik, The new language speakers leading the way

The NNDSB Indigenous Education team were successful in their application to the Ministry of Education for funding to support the delivery and development of a leadership opportunity for Indigenous students (Grades 7-12) in a culturally relevant context. Consistent with the priorities set as by the First Nation Advisory Council, Indigenous Education Advisory Circle and the Truth and Reconciliation: Calls to Action, the focus of the leadership gathering was to be around language revitalization.  Students from schools of the NNDSB that currently offer Ojibwe Language as well as Nibissing Secondary School on Nipissing First Nation alongside their language teachers, took part in a 3-day Language Learning and Leadership Gathering at Spirit Point with a focus on language revitalization and leadership through the development of a network of youth language leadership. Local Elders and Knowledge keepers supported this locally rich learning and leadership opportunity.

Jackie Young
Director of Education
January 22, 2019

Inclement weather season is once again upon us.  With our northern winters being very unpredictable, there will be days when cancelling the school bus becomes necessary.  It is therefore important that parents have contingency plans in place in advance.  You should monitor weather conditions as we do.  The NPSSTS uses all weather resources we have at our disposal, including Environment Canada.  Should you see a weather warning from Environment Canada in the evening, there is a strong likelihood that buses will be cancelled the following day.

When the decision is made to cancel buses, it is made with student safety in mind.  The NPSSTS works closely with our experienced team of operators to make the best decision based on the information we have at hand.

Please remember that although school buses may be cancelled, schools remain open.  All students are encouraged to attend school using alternate transportation where possible.  You will also be responsible for transportation home at the end of the day.

Plan ahead and please visit http://en.npssts.ca/npssts/en/delays for details of bus cancellations and delays.

Download the Inclement Weather Information Sheet

What is Treaties Recognition Week?

First Nations were the original occupants of the land now known as Ontario.  Treaties, which are legally binding agreements that set out the rights, responsibilities, and relationships of First Nations and the federal and provincial governments, were signed with the intent of delivering mutual benefits.   Despite this promise, Indigenous peoples became the target of colonial policies designed to exploit, assimilate, and eradicate them.

Today, the Ontario Government recognizes the wrongs of previous generations and is looking to change the future by building relationships based on trust and respect.  In  2016, Ontario marked its first Treaties Recognition Week from November 6th to November 12th.  It was introduced to honour the importance of treaties and to help Ontarians learn more about treaty rights and treaty relationships.

What occurs during Treaties Recognition Week?

During Treaties Recognition Week, students, and the broader Ontario public promote awareness with special events, social media campaigns, and special learning activities in school.  In schools, students learn why treaties matter to not just our Indigenous peoples, but to all Ontarians from various Indigenous speakers and planned learning activities including classroom tools, resources, and copies of actual treaties.

Although they were signed more than a century ago, treaty commitments are just as valid today as they were then.  Every Ontarian is a treaty person.

Find out more information and resources at: https://www.ontario.ca/pages/treaties

The 2018/2019 school year is off to a great start and as in past years, the Near North District School Board (“NNDSB”) continues to meet the priorities and commitments identified in the Multi-Year Plan.  This Report will focus on the ways in which we are achieving the following two priorities:

• Excellent in the Teaching and Learning Environment; and
• Excellence in Creating a Culture of Caring.

Excellence in Teaching and in the Learning Environment:

The NNDSB’s Multi-Year Plan identifies the following commitments with respect to the teaching and learning environment:

• Become a learning and research driven board
• Continue to develop early years to graduation practices
• Develop and promote growth mindset in all staff and students early years to graduation
• Ensuring Equity: Provide access to resources, technology and experiences that meet student’s strengths and needs
• Set high standards for all students and address gaps as identified for targeted support

Our programming staff have been working diligently to establish programs and resources that will support of staff and students in their leaning needs.  This includes the development of French as a Second Language Resources and Math and Literacy Resources. For the October Board Meeting we have chosen to highlight two programs that demonstrate how we are meeting our commitments.

Transforming FSL Resources:  This project aligns very well with our primary literacy project through the shared themes of authentic meaningful learning opportunities and the use of student work captured through pedagogical documentation to support language acquisition, in this case second language.

Getting to Know our Students as Mathematicians:  The work of this project dips into a fair number of areas on the grid under Numeracy.   These areas include EQAO leads, Math Assessment Resource, Focusing on the Fundamentals of Math – Educator Learning, SWST and Math Facilitator School Support, as well as, Professional Development and Principal Learning Networks.

Focus on our North Bay Intermediate/Secondary Schools

Specialist High Skills Majors (“SHSM”) – Once again the NNDSB has outdone itself in the many offerings of these unique and focused programs designed to offer our Grade 11 and 12 students career path opportunities which match their skills and interests.  Students receive the SHSM seal on their secondary diploma after completing 8-10 courses in the student’s selected field.  Students earn valuable industry certification and may gain important skills on the job with actual employers.  SHSMs offer our students the opportunity to explore, identify and hone in on career goals by making informed choices about their next steps beyond secondary school. We have nearly twice the footprint of the province for our SHSM programs and the graduation rate for SHSM students is an average of 5% higher than those who are not in SHSM!

School	Programs
Almaguin Highlands Secondary	·         Environment ·         Health and wellness ·         Information Communication Technology
Parry Sound High School	·         Health and Wellness ·         Hospitality and Tourism
Chippewa Secondary School	·         Business ·         Sports
FJ McElligott	·         Environment
Northern Secondary School	·         Hospitality and Tourism
West Ferris Secondary	·         Arts and Culture ·         Business ·         Construction ·         Manufacturing
Widdifield Secondary	·         Arts and Culture ·         Construction ·         Environment ·         Health and Wellness

 

Excellence in Creating a Culture of Caring

The NNDSB’s Multi-Year Plan identifies the following commitments with respect to the creation of a culture of caring:

• Create and understand strategies to have students feel more included and understood
• Promote a culture based on trusting relationship, shared responsibility and thoughtful action
• Celebrate and recognize the achievement of staff and students

These commitments are often achieved through the establishment of unique programming and learning opportunities in partnership with local organizations. Such opportunities provide our students and staff with the opportunity to engage in thoughtful and introspective learning in unique environments.  For the October Board Meeting we have chosen to highlight two such programs that have allowed for interactive experiences outside the classroom that develop a sense of belonging and awareness in our students.

Biosphere:  The NNDSB appreciates and thanks the Georgian Bay Biosphere Reserve for their ongoing support and educational resources including the curriculum-based Lessons in a Backpack.  This program is designed for grades 1-9 with local ecology as the focus for the classroom and school yard.  Classroom visits are available to explore: State of the Bay Ecosystem Health, Integrating Local Climate Knowledge and the Curriculum, Science Journals for Kids, Teaching Teens about Climate Change, and the Fall Green Teacher Webinar Series.

Learning Together:  Learning Together/Apprenons ensemble is an interactive conference for families with young children (ages birth to approx. 8 years).  It has been held annually for the past 13 years with the location rotating among the four school Boards.  Nipissing University and Canadore College alongside the four Boards and many community agencies such as the YMCA, Early On,  the Health Unit, Student Nutrition etc. are proud contributors and sponsors.  This year it was held on Oct. 13 at Chippewa Intermediate Secondary School with more than 300 families and children in attendance.  Together, children and families engaged in literacy and numeracy activities, outdoor nature crafts, moved through dance, yoga and Martial Arts, touched many a truck, observed reptiles, explored space and shared healthy snacks among many other activities. One of our EW families said that the Planetarium from Science North was a big hit. Their young lad loved the mini-triathlon and was very proud of completing it!  This year an educator and student from Widdifield animated children and their families’ hopes and dreams for our community.  This piece of art will be displayed at City Hall.

Finally, please note that West Ferris hosted an evening to meet the trustee candidates October 18, 2018.  Many thanks to our incredible North Bay School Councils for their efforts to offer this important event.  We are very grateful for this important night and for highlighting this opportunity to all of those interested in furthering public education and the efforts of the NNDSB.

Jackie Young

Director of Education

Telephone Town Halls for Northeastern Ontario (including the surrounding area of North Bay, Sudbury, Sault Ste. Marie) will be held:

• October 23: 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.,
• November 20: 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.,
• November 26: 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. (French),
• November 29: 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Please register at the link below
https://www.ontario.ca/form/register-telephone-town-halls-about-education-ontario

For more information on the government’s consultation:
https://www.ontario.ca/page/for-the-parents