Wednesday, June 28, 2023

NNDSB awards Parry Sound JK-12 construction contract after funding increase by Ministry of Education

Near North District School Board (NNDSB) is pleased to announce that a tender has been awarded for work on the Parry Sound High School site. At a special meeting on Tuesday, June 27, trustees voted to accept the recommendation of the Parry Sound Building Committee and award the tender to Van Horne Construction Ltd.

Last week, Minister of Education Stephen Lecce announced the investment of $58.5 million for the project, which will see the construction of a JK-12 school, with $54.8 committed by the Ministry of Education and $3.775 million committed by the board. The investment includes $53.3 million for the school and $5.2 million for the childcare centre. Total funding was increased by $14.6 million in May of this year.

Board Chair Erika Lougheed said, “This is an exciting time for NNDSB. The new JK-12 school in Parry Sound will bring a state-of-the-art learning facility to students in Parry Sound and area. Being able to award brings us a step closer to opening this school.”

A request for proposal was posted on Feb. 2, 2023, with a closing date of March 30, 2023. The Parry Sound Building Committee met on Thursday, June 22 to approve a motion to move the recommendation to award forward to the Board.

“We appreciate the Ministry of Education’s support of this capital project,” said NNDSB Director of Education Craig Myles. “We look forward to working with the contractor to see the Parry Sound school come to fruition. We are so happy to progress with our vision of providing a new and modern 21st-century teaching and learning facility for staff, students, partners and the greater community.”

The Parry Sound JK-12 school will have 815 student spaces, 49 childcare spaces and one EarlyON room to support local families. The new school is scheduled to open September 2025.

Parry Sound-Muskoka MPP Graydon Smith said, “This investment speaks to our government’s commitment to small and rural communities. We are determined to ensure that kids across Parry Sound-Muskoka have access to modern, state-of-the-art learning environments.”

NNDSB is grateful to the Government of Ontario for its support of this project.

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Monday, June 26, 2023

Return of powwow a profound event for PSHS community

The Parry Sound High School (PSHS) powwow is a significant and deeply meaningful event for the school’s Indigenous students and the broader school and local community.

The annual powwow has a decades-long history in the Parry Sound community, having first originated as a social organized by Wasauksing First Nation and the Anishinaabek Club.

PSHS Indigenous Studies and Anishinaabemowin teacher Johna Hupfield explained the creation of the powwow. “Many years ago, knowledge carrier Luci Rice worked on Wasauksing and ensured Indigenous youth had a safe space every Thursday at PSHS to drum, share cultural ideas and overcome racial challenges.”

The creation of the school drum and the importance of the school powwows and socials was documented in a book created by five PSHS students called Building Our Bridge: Our Journey of Reconciliation and received national recognition.

The event has long been organized by members of the PSHS student group Oshki Shkode. Having been on hiatus during the pandemic, this year’s event was meaningful for the school, and particularly for outgoing Indigenous Student Trustee Allen Lewis Trodd.

“We haven’t had the powwow since I started high school in Grade 9. We needed to have it again and bring the youth together. It’s a big part of our culture and our high school history,” Trodd said. “For me, this shows resilience. It makes me happy and proud to see what the youth can do when they come together. It’s amazing to see the students come together to drum, to sing and to dance. It’s also an opportunity to show their culture, who they are to Parry Sound.”

The event also plays an important role in student learning with course connections being made throughout the planning and execution of the event.

“It is a teaching powwow where youth are learning about First Nation culture, values and beliefs,” Hupfield said. Students learn about cultural identity, worldview, life skills, community connections and collaborations, respect for rights of Indigenous people and land reclamation.

“Typically, a group of students step forward to take on the roles planning coordinators for and other students and classes complete work as part of class projects and learning,”

Hupfield said. “It’s super meaningful. Powwow gathers us, we share skills in cooking, share First Nation culture and history.”

Students Reese Pamajewong, Kaiden Tabobondung, Karly Stevens, Korbin King and Tristan Lajambe facilitated and coordinated the budget, community invitations, communication with local media, organized teachers and students and much more to make the powwow a reality.

“We are a unique school with five First Nations attending but also with Indigenous, Métis and a small Inuit community who attend as well, Hupfield said. “Reclamation of culture and identity is happening in this generation. It is part of the reason the youth have called themselves Oshki Shkode, the New Fire.”

“We’ve been planning since last year. It takes a long time. We have to arrange the agenda, organize drummers and emcees, the invitation list and secure funding from the board,” Trodd said.

Supported by the Near North District School Board Indigenous Education team, additional funding for the event was also provided in partnership with the Anishinaabek Education System’s Niigaan Gdizhaami Fund of which Wasauksing First Nation is the grant holder.

“I’m a drummer so seeing all the drum groups come together is a highlight. We have groups from Moose Deer First Nation, the high school and Wasauksing First Nation, Trodd said. “It’s different, being able to wear our regalia in front of everyone. It used to be shunned but now it’s our pride, we are here to show off. It takes a lot of bravery and courage.

“I’m happy to see elders and babies here, I’m happy that the high school is able to bring this kind of event not just to the school but the whole community,” Trodd said.

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Friday, June 16, 2023

The following are the highlights of the Near North District School Board (NNDSB) meeting of Tuesday, June 13, 2023.

Board recognizes PSHS hospitality program educator

Blair Cousins, hospitality and culinary teacher and Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM)  lead for hospitality and tourism at Parry Sound High School (PSHS), was honoured at Tuesday’s Board meeting.

Cousins leads one of the largest SHSM programs in the board, providing students with hands-on learning opportunities. This year, he and his students hosted two SHSM dinners at PSHS. One was to encourage connections to the hospitality and tourism sector in the area, and one was to highlight the trade-related learning and opportunities in the community.

Cousins has also supported leadership in the health and wellness SHSM and hockey programs, further enriching the opportunities for students at PSHS.

The Board is pleased to recognize Cousins for his innovative, caring, and passionate leadership. 

Work of Laurentian Learning Centre highlighted

Trustees learned of the work that takes place at the Laurentian Learning Centre (LLC), which provides secondary programming to disengaged, marginalized, at-risk and struggling secondary school students whose attempts to attend and succeed at mainstream secondary schools have not been successful.

Once students are admitted to LLC the goal is to maintain regular attendance, connect students with supports, improve academic achievement and develop readiness skills to experience academic success to return to mainstream secondary school.

LLC’s timetables are offered in octomesters (one course per day) and quadmesters (two courses per day) which allows students to enrol throughout the school year.

Continuing education programs like non-credit English as a Second Language, adult literacy and basic skills, personal support worker, custodial services programs and self-study continuing education are also offered at LLC.

LLC was also able to support 19 students in writing the Ontario Secondary Student Literacy Test which is required for graduation (the highest number in a school year to date). This school year, 18 students will graduate from LLC.

Director’s report recognizes work of student trustees

This month’s Director’s report included acknowledgements for the work that has gone into another successful school year. Within the report, Director of Education Craig Myles noted that as the school year wraps us, staff and students are celebrating student success, graduations, staff retirements, 25-year employee milestone recognition and summer learning. Myles also thanked trustees for their leadership through the first year of their term.

The director also noted that he’s been visiting schools throughout NNDSB. His experiences have reconnected him with the essence of the board’s mission, vision and values, and he’s found that witnessing the students’ passion for learning has been enlightening.

Student Trustee Cecilia Darling and Indigenous Student Trustee Allen Lewis Trodd received praise for their dedication to serving as the bridge between NNDSB’s student body and the Board of Trustees. Both will be leaving their roles as their two-year terms are completed. The director wished both success in their future endeavours.

MYSP committee presents year-end report

The Board received the Multi-Year Strategic Planning (MYSP) committee’s year-end report.

The report is created twice annually and demonstrates the positive direction NNDSB is moving in across the four priority areas.

As NNDSB wraps up the second year of working under the five-year plan, there have been many accomplishments made in embedding the plan into the culture of the board, including multiple methods of embedding the four priorities (excellence in communication, excellence in teaching and learning, excellence in relationships and excellence in innovation) into all aspects of NNDSB.

This year, the six-week cycle process was implemented throughout the system; all staff are involved in the cycle of plan, act, observe and reflect. At school level, this results in regular assessments of student learning, and the ability to modify.

Of note in the report is the completion rate of English and math courses; the board projected an ambition 86 per cent and 91 per cent but achieved 90 per cent and 94 per cent.

Board approves compliant deficit budget 

Trustees approved a compliant deficit budget at the meeting. The deficit is just under $1 million. Boards are allowed to budget a one per cent deficit.

A report in the agenda notes that the board has budgeted a large transportation deficit for several years. It was felt that it was not appropriate to continue to reallocate funding from other areas when there are cost pressures in those areas, too.

There was also a media release issued about the budget.

Trustees approve sale of two elementary schools

With the completion of the new North Bay elementary school, Maple View Public School, E.T. Carmichael and E.W. Norman Public Schools have been declared as surplus property as of  September 1, 2023. Each property is slightly more than five acres.

Under the Education Act, when schools are declared as property surplus and the decision is made to sell them, they must be offered to specific government-funded agencies before offering the property to sale to the public. The schools will be offered to preferred agencies for a period of 90 days (ending in mid-September). If no offers are received, then NNDSB will submit a request for Ministry approval to offer the property(ies) for sale to the public via a request for proposal.

Updates to NNDSB Special Education Plan approved

Updates to the NNDSB 2022- 2023 Special Education Plan were approved by the Special Education Advisory Committee on May 18, and then by the Board of Trustees at the June 13 Board meeting.

Under the Education Act, all Ontario School Boards are required to prepare and approved a report on the special education programs and services provided by the board, and to submit it to the Ministry for review.

The Plan outlines the Special Education model, roles and responsibilities, the Identification, Placement, and Review Committee (IPRC) Process, Staff Development, and other key elements of programming and services to support students with special education needs. The plan can be found on the Special Education page of the NNDSB website.

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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.

Wednesday, June 14, 2023

At its meeting last night, trustees of Near North District School Board (NNDSB) approved the 2023-2024 budget, as recommended by the finance committee.

Finance Committee Chair Shane Hall provided a report and presentation of the compliant budget, which has a deficit for compliance purposes of ($914,337) and revenue and expenses for compliance purposes of $170.5 million and $171.4 million respectively.

Hall thanked staff for their efforts in preparing a compliant 2023-24 budget that has a continued commitment to improving student achievement and well-being, while working within some challenging funding constraints.

There are a number of cost pressures in this year’s budget, including a new transportation funding formula, changes to the Indigenous Education allocation, and the expiry of the COVID-19 recovery fund. Staff recommended a budget deficit, as there is reduced flexibility within the grant allocations to cover the transportation deficit, while still maintaining sufficient staffing levels to support student achievement and well-being. Last year, the transportation deficit was $1.3 million; this year it has increased to $1.65 million.

Superintendent of Business (SBO) Seija Van Haesendonck confirmed that the transportation deficit has a significant impact on the board’s financial position, but noted the diligent work of Nipissing Parry Sound Student Transportation Services (NPSSTS) staff and member boards to understand and implement the new funding formula, and determine where services can be reviewed and costs adjusted to more closely reflect the funding benchmarks determined by the Ministry of Education

Other significant costs to NNDSB are supply costs to cover absences, and the costs of maintaining facilities, due to rising utility and supply prices. SBO Van Haesendonck noted the challenge of budgeting for costs driven by weather, such as utilities and snow plowing, as a colder than normal winter or a heavier snow load can result in higher costs than anticipated.

The Ministry of Education has directed boards to budget a provision for labour increases, as bargaining for multiple unions continues at the provincial level, with salaries and benefits included in the central agreements. NNDSB has doubled the provision for contingencies to $1.9 million, in preparation for increased salary costs when those agreements are finalized.

According to the Ministry of Education, the board is permitted to budget an in-year deficit of up to one per cent of the school board’s operating revenue but must submit an in-year deficit elimination plan, approved by the Board of Trustees, identifying the measures it will take to balance its budget and eliminate the deficit. Finance Committee Chair Hall noted that the plan approved by the trustees eliminates the deficit by 2025-2026 through the reduction of school operation expenses, improved absence management processes, reduced staffing costs through attrition, and further efficiencies found by NPSSTS through consolidated transportation routes.

The Board heard that enrolment is expected to increase by 2.5 per cent and it is projected that there will be 187 more elementary students, and 60.5 more secondary students enrolled in NNDSB than this year.

Board Chair Erika Lougheed remarked, “I know that NNDSB will continue to make strides in the area of student achievement and well-being, despite the budget deficit.”

Details on the budget may be found within the Board’s agenda package. Information about education funding process can be found on this page of the Government of Ontario website.

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Friday, June 9, 2023

NNDSB upgrades school trip consent forms

Near North District School Board (NNDSB) has revamped and revolutionized the way it informs families of the details and risks of school trips.

School trip preparedness plans or STPs have been created in conjunction with Bill Steer, part-time faculty member with the Schulich School of Education at Nipissing University. The STPs are much more than just consent forms.

NNDSB Safe Schools Principal Emily Samuel says STPs are “grounded in informed parent/guardian consent. We want to identify the inherent and real risks of a school trip and how to mitigate them in a way that’s easy to understand and accessible for parents. In this way parents can be sure what the risks are before agreeing to allow their child to participate.”

STPs are easy to understand, highly visual and contain all the information families might need to grant informed consent. The documents also contain additional information such as Google map links or GPS coordinates for pick up and drop off points as well as mustering areas in the event of an emergency.

School trip preparedness plans have been incorporated into NNDSB’s School Trips Administrative Guideline to set the expectation of what documents and information are required for trip organizers to receive informed parent/guardian consent.

Families can learn more about student trip preparedness plans by watching this short video.

Nipissing University is offering a trip preparedness course that is open to anyone. People working in the fields of education, outdoor education and youth development  or programming can learn more in the Trip Preparedness course.

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Letter to Families – Armed Forced Day

Tuesday, June 6, 2023

Dear Parents and Guardians,

A weather advisory regarding air quality is still in place. With guidance from the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit, Near North District School Board (NNDSB) is planning to allow its students to attend the scheduled Armed Forces Day on Wednesday, June 7.

Young people are among the vulnerable and at-risk groups. The health unit has recommended that participants be allowed to attend Armed Services Day with reduced exposure time and no strenuous activities.

As they would with any outdoor event, supervisors will monitor students for any signs of discomfort or distress. Parents and guardians who are concerned also have the option to not allow their child to attend.

Sincerely,

Near North District School Board

June 2023 Letter to Families

Friday, June 2, 2023

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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We have come to the end of the 2023-2023 school year. The monthly Letter to Families will take a summer hiatus, but NNDSB families will continue to receive communication from the board on relevant and/or urgent topics. The regular monthly letter will be in your inboxes on Friday, Sept. 2 with news and details to get you and your students off to a great start for the 2023-2024 school year.

Warmest congratulations to all secondary school graduates on your well-deserved success. We are sure that NNDSB has prepared you well for your next adventures.

NNDSB wishes all students and families a safe and happy summer!

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Term 2 elementary report cards and kindergarten communication of learning reports will be printed and distributed to families on June 28, 2023. If your child will be absent that day, the report card will be mailed to your home. Term 2 reports cards and communication of learning reports will not be available in Edsby.

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Families are reminded to please connect with their current school before the end of June if they anticipate changing schools over the summer. If you plan on moving to a new home, please use the school locator tool to determine which school your child is eligible to attend. It’s best to make your school aware of this change now, so that your child will have a smooth transition in September.

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Nipissing Parry Sound Student Transportation Services (NPSSTS) is also hoping that families will provide them with updated information to assist with a smooth transition in September.

If your address and/or before and/or after school care is changing for next school year, advise your school before Friday, June 23. If you cannot notify the school by then, please notify by emailing registrations@nearnorthschools.ca. Moves may affect transportation.

NPSSTS is open all summer from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday. They can be reached at 705-472-8840 or toll-free at 1-833-622-1636, or by email at info@npssts.ca.

Families can also visit www.npssts.ca for information on eligibility, walking distances, processes for making changes, registration for the parent portal and to subscribe to notifications.

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There is still time to register for summer school! Families will find information about this year’s programs and credit courses on the summer school page of the board’s website.

The full- and half-credit courses listed for Grades 9-12 are all e-learning courses. The courses run July 4-29 inclusive, and students must have access to a device and reliable internet to connect to course content.

Several additional learning opportunities are taking place in person. Check out the website for more information, including contacts and registration deadlines.

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A number of virtual learning camps will be offered to NNDSB students this summer. These assistive technology camps will increase independence, confidence, and self-advocacy of students in Grades 3-8 as they learn new strategies for using assistive technology tools. In addition, a specific high school-readiness program is being offered for students transitioning into Grade 9 in September.

There is also a coding and robotics program for students with ASD, with the aim of enhancing social and behavioural regulation skills in an authentic coding environment. The summer camp flyer with more information is available here. Please connect with your school’s resource teacher to learn more about registration for these virtual camps.

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The 2023-2024 school year calendar has been approved by the Ministry of Education, and uploaded to the board’s website.

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Upcoming NNDSB Board and committee meetings are as follows:

• Finance committee, Tuesday, June 6 at 11 a.m.
• North Bay Consolidation committee, Tuesday, June 6 at 1 p.m.
• Equity Advisory Circle, Wednesday, June 7, 9:30 a.m.
• Committee-of-the-Whole (Board), Tuesday, June 13 at 6 p.m.
• Full Board meeting, Tuesday, June 13 at 6:30 p.m.
• Parent Involvement Committee, June 14 at 10 a.m. via Teams
• Special Education Advisory Committee, June 15 at 1 p.m. via Zoom
• Audit committee, Tuesday, June 20 at 3 p.m.
• First Nations Advisory Council, Thursday, June 22 at 10 a.m.

Information about the Board, committee and their meetings can be found here.

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Edsby is seeking input from its end users. If members of your family would like to participate as a parent or student, please see complete this survey. It is a simple two-step form.

Edsby uses the data to benchmark user satisfaction over time, understand differences in customers’ use of Edsby, determine where additional Edsby training might be required, and to guide decisions on where to focus engineering efforts.

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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

Tuesday, May 30, 2023                                                                                                                                               

NNDSB and union ratify new collective agreements

The Near North District School Board (NNDSB) and the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 1165-01, representing office, clerical and technical staff; and Local 1165-02, representing custodial and maintenance staff have ratified four-year local collective agreements to cover the period from Sept. 1, 2022 to Aug. 31, 2026.

“CUPE Locals 1165-01 and 1165-02 are pleased to announce that both CUPE and NNDSB ratified new four-year collective agreements, allowing CUPE members to continue supporting student achievement and well-being in schools,” said Trevor Russell, President of CUPE Local 1165.

Previously at the provincial table, a central agreement was ratified between CUPE and the Government of Ontario / Ontario Public School Boards Association (OPSBA) on December 19, 2022.

“These new four-year collective agreements will continue to strengthen the relationship with valued employee groups. Their contribution to a safe and positive learning environment that supports student achievement and well-being is greatly appreciated,” said NNDSB Chair Erika Lougheed. “We respect the efforts of the negotiation team in accomplishing these collective agreements.”

“The NNDSB appreciates the essential work and commitment of support staff and their contribution to supporting the pillars of the Multi-Year Strategic Plan (MYSP),” said NNDSB Director of Education Craig Myles. “The NNDSB is grateful for CUPE’s cooperative work towards the ratification of the collective agreements which will ensure that their indispensable service will continue without interruption.”

Friday, May 19, 2023

Committee’s work remains grounded in Human Rights Code

The Chippewa Secondary School Renaming Committee met on May 17, 2023, to continue its work of determining the best path forward in selecting a new name for Chippewa Secondary School. The committee acknowledged that many voices and perspectives have been brought forward throughout this process. The committee, in alignment with the direction of the Near North District School Board, (NNDSB), continues to prioritize student well-being and the work of the committee remains grounded in the Human Rights Code.

Members heard and discussed the Feb. 16, 2023, statement from the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC), which states, in part, that the “OHRC is aware and concerned about the increasing violence targeted at education officials for doing human rights work, adhering to the obligations set under the Ontario Human Rights Code and implementing government policy.” Like the OHRC, NNDSB remains committed to providing resources, increasing understanding and advancing the human rights of all. The OHRC acknowledges that educational officials continue to be the targets of hate and violence for doing this work, despite the fact that these officials have a legal duty to provide education and learning environments that follow and support the Human Rights Code. The full statement issued by the OHRC can be found here.

NNDSB remains committed to supporting all students, which includes removing barriers that perpetuate harm. The committee has learned, through this process, that NNDSB’s current School Openings, Closing and Consolidation Administrative Guideline requires updates that more closely reflect the mandates set forth in the Human Rights Code. Changes to that Administrative Guideline will follow the usual process for approval, including a 30-day consultation period. Once complete, the Administrative Guideline will ensure that the human rights of all people are prioritized and maintained in the opening, closing, or consolidation of any NNDSB school.

The committee looks forward to meeting again and continuing its work once the new administrative guideline is complete.

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The This is Me Survey Deadline has been extended until May 19.

Near North District School Board (NNDSB) is surveying its students to better understand our student populations and school communities, to identify and respond to barriers to student success, inclusion and well-being, to enhance the creation and distribution of programs and services.

Read more and see the survey questions here.