Friday, March 24, 2023

PSHS dinner shows off students’ culinary skills

Parry Sound High School (PSHS) students’ culinary prowess was on full display at a dinner they hosted on March 8 for stakeholders and community partners.

The seventh annual dinner is part of PSHS’s Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) hospitality and tourism program.

“This unique opportunity provided students with the chance to impress businesses in the area and develop co-op and employment opportunities through showcasing their skills,” SHSM coordinator Lisa Spencer said. “SHSM programs in Parry Sound are nurtured by teachers who have connections to particular sectors and businesses in the area. They work very closely with local businesses to develop partnerships.”

Spencer went on to note that more than 50 per cent of students who are enrolled in a SHSM continue on in that same sector pathway once they graduate high school. Parry Sound area hospitality and tourism SHSM programs have a very high employment rate in that particular sector.

The students also used the evening as practice for an upcoming Skills Canada culinary competition. Skills Canada partners with NNDSB, other educators, employers, labour groups and governments to promote skilled trade and technology careers to Canadian youth.

Students from across Ontario compete in Skills Canada competitions to show off their abilities in a variety of skilled trades. PSHS hospitality and tourism, automotive and welding students will all be competing in qualifying competitions on April 1.

“All the food in the dinner preparation was under the direction of Senior Student Chef Lily Stiles, working with her crew of 10 culinary SHSM students. The menu was completely prepared in the PSHS kitchen,” PSHS hospitality and culinary teacher Blair Cousins said.

Dinner guests were treated to a variety of mocktails and hors d’ oeuvres to start the evening and for the main course guests were served minestrone soup, a delicious cheeseburger with side salad and a brownie plate for dessert.

Stiles said, “It was challenging plating 45 tossed salads with all the different components and while I have been practicing the hamburgers, ensuring all the students were keeping it consistent and preparing the plates for people with allergies did mix us up for a few minutes”.

Among the honoured guests were Near North District School Board (NNDSB) Chair Erika Lougheed, Vice-Chair Howard Wesley and Director of Education Craig Myles.

“The PSHS hospitality and tourism dinner was a great night out and the food was truly amazing,” Chair Lougheed said. “It was great to see students showcase all that they have learned and extremely gratifying to see how experiential learning is providing students with valuable skills for life after secondary school.”

Other guests included Parry Sound area farmers, restaurant owners and chefs, hospitality business owners, and former students who have continued in the industry.

Board Vice-Chair Wesley said, “I enjoyed the dinner prepared by Parry Sound High School’s hospitality students. Mr. Cousins continues to advocate and dedicate his time to bring opportunities to his incredible students where they can showcase their hospitality and culinary abilities. The entire program and school staff continue to demonstrate a high level of professionalism.”

Preparations for the dinner began in January and students have been working on perfecting the menu for weeks in advance. During the event, students occupied a variety of roles in addition to preparing the food. Students interacted with guests, set tables and served entrees.

Cousins said, “The feedback from the guests was overwhelmingly positive and there was really strong support for the flavours that were presented. These meals are a unique opportunity for our students to interact with people who are in the industry while learning the skills required to prepare a catering event.”

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For more information contact:

Brett Hanson
Communications Coordinator
Near North District School Board
P. (705) 472-8170, extension 5083
E. Brett.Hanson@nearnorthschools.ca

March 24, 2023

Area’s beauty a theme of names for new North Bay school

Near North District School Board’s Naming Committee for North Bay’s newest elementary school wishes to thank the community and the schools for submitting proposed names for the school, set to open in September 2023.

From the many suggestions received, the most common theme was the wish to convey the natural beauty of the geography, which is special to this area. Committee members, after much deliberation and consideration of many factors, have narrowed the submissions to the following options, listed below along with a brief rationale and in alphabetical order: 

• Graniteville Public School (GPS)

The Graniteville neighbourhood was named when the City of North Bay was growing and encompasses the area where the three schools come together as a new elementary school;

• Maple View Public School (MVPS)

The landscape around the school is a beautiful view of the maple trees;

• Trout Lake Public School (TLPS)

The new school is located near the life source of North Bay known as Trout Lake.

Once again, input is being sought from interested community members, students, and their families to assist the Committee and the Board of Trustees in the final deliberations to choose the new school’s name. The Committee will meet again following this consultation period and will forward its recommendations to Near North District School Board’s Trustees for final decision.

Please use this link to submit your choice from the list provided by April 3, 2023.

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For more information contact:

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

Friday, March 10, 2023

Board invites community to help rename Chippewa Secondary School

A school renaming committee has been formed by Near North District School Board’s (NNDSB) Board of Trustees to support a process that invites suggested names for Chippewa Secondary School in North Bay.

The committee is seeking input from members of the Near North community, including students, school councils, staff, alumni, community partners and local organizations. This input will help the committee to select a name that emphasizes positive relationships with all members of the education community and fosters an engaged and inclusive school climate.

The committee met Wednesday night and is ready to accept submissions from NNDSB stakeholders. Stakeholders are asked to be mindful of using the predetermined criteria as outlined in the administrative guideline School Openings, Closures & Consolidations. Submissions must include reasoning for the suggested name and may choose to include a description of how the proposed name will honour and support our collective goal of achieving truth and reconciliation.

Please use this link to enter your proposed name submission(s). Submissions can also be received via telephone by calling Chippewa Secondary School at 705-475-2341 and the secretary will help complete the form (beginning March 20). The deadline for all submissions is Thursday, March 30.

On April 12 the committee will shortlist five names and will put them out for feedback in another survey, which will be open from April 13-20.

Once stakeholders have suggested the top three names, the committee will finalize the recommended name. The name and accompanying report will go to the Board of Trustees at the May meeting.

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For more information contact:

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

Tuesday, March 7, 2023

Near North staff debrief, modify lockdown response

Following recent lockdowns at schools in the North Bay and Parry Sound regions, the Near North District School Board (NNDSB) has held several debriefing sessions with various stakeholders to review and enhance our response to lockdown situations, including communication with families and stakeholders.

Schools regularly practice lockdown drills so that all students and staff are prepared to respond safely and efficiently in the event of an emergency. The board is proud of staff and students for their handling of these tense and difficult situations and is grateful that no one was injured during these events.

Changes to communication with families and stakeholders during and following a lockdown will now include:

• the communications team will endeavour to post to the board’s social media accounts that the school is in lockdown;
• the communications team will send an email and recorded message via SchoolMessenger to families of the school in lockdown when possible ;
• where possible, the board will share the social media posts of the police service involved, if applicable;
• once the lockdown is over, the communications team will share that information on the board’s social media accounts and update the Board of Trustees;
• a letter to families from the impacted school will be sent following the lockdown.

All NNDSB families are encouraged to like and follow the social media accounts of the school(s) their children attend and the NNDSB accounts. Families who want to be added to the SchoolMessenger voicemail and/or email list must submit the board’s Canadian Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL) form to their school(s).

One issue that came to light during the debriefs was the number of students and/or families communicating with each other via mobile devices during the lockdowns. While we understand that the situation is excruciating for all during a lockdown, safety is of paramount importance. Receiving a notification could expose the location of staff and students, compromising their safety. It is imperative that messages not be sent or received during a lockdown.

Another concerning issue was the amount of misinformation being shared on social media during the West Ferris Secondary School (WFSS) lockdown, which may have increased public anxiety and fear. The erroneous online reporting of events and injuries necessitated additional investigation by members of the North Bay Police Service (NBPS). This, in turn, lengthened the time WFSS was in lockdown.

During the time that a school is in lockdown and police are on the scene, it is a police investigation. Families and community members should not attempt to gain access to the premises, as this results in police resources being used to manage growing crowds rather than dealing with the reason for the lockdown.

During the lockdown at WFSS, parents and community members chose to attend the school once notification of a lockdown was communicated. As a result of increased traffic in the area, emergency vehicles would have been unable to provide additional support to WFSS because personal vehicles were stopped and parked on the roads. It is imperative that roadways are kept clear, and that parents, guardians and community members remain away from the scene.

Insp. Jeff Warner of NBPS says, “Our officers are trained to respond to situations involving potential threats to the children and staff within our schools. This training is intense and follows the best practices from other agencies across the country and the United States. Our officers remain focused on their objective and should not be hampered by other distractions.”

Addressing the concerns of families and community members, Insp. Warner says, “I understand the frustration and fear of the parents wondering if their child is safe but in order to maintain a safe operation within the school, parents attempting to gain entry, push past our officers or inundate our emergency phone lines at headquarters does hamper our ability to work safely and effectively. I would like to remind parents and caregivers to trust in the ability of the officers who are responding and to take some level of comfort in knowing our officers will do everything possible to ensure everyone is safe.”

During a lockdown, phones will not be answered at the school or the board office, nor will there be any updates unless they are initiated by the responding police service. Please do not call a police detachment, as they will not be able to provide updates during an event either. Parents and guardians are asked to watch police services’ social media accounts to receive the most accurate and up-to-date information during a lockdown.

If police receive a call that indicates a person with a weapon is at or in the school, the goal is to eliminate the threat. We understand this is difficult, but it is vital that students, staff and families trust the process and follow the lockdown procedures. Everyone should familiarize themselves with NNDSB’s school emergency procedures, and contact their school if there are questions.

Superintendent of Education Gay Smylie says, “The Safe Schools team will continue to work with police services across the district to ensure that our emergency response policies and practices are effective, efficient and maintain the highest level

of student safety possible. We are thankful to the North Bay Police Service and the Ontario Provincial Police for their continued support during and following these events.”

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For more information, please contact:

Deb Bartlett

Communications Officer

Near North District School Board

1. (705) 472-8170, extension 5010
2. Deb.Bartlett@nearnorthschools.ca

Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023

Hockey players help NNDSB battle bullying

Members of the North Bay Battalion are continuing their work to help Near North District School Board (NNDSB) in anti-bullying efforts.

Pink Shirt Day is an international anti-bullying initiative held the last Wednesday of February that raises awareness about bullying in schools, workplaces, homes and online. This year, members of the Battalion met with students in Grades 7 and 8 at West Ferris Secondary School and gave a Pink Shirt Day presentation, followed by fun activities with students.

Before the visit, students had the opportunity to design and create their own Pink Shirt Day logos. Grade 7 and 8 students at Parry Sound High School, Chippewa Secondary. School and F.J. McElligott Secondary School were also being provided with pink shirts.

On March 8, the North Bay Battalion will focus on positive character traits during its game against the Owen Sound Attack. NNDSB students’ character cards will be displayed in the foyer, Sunset Park Public School’s Royals will be singing the national anthem, and NNDSB families can get discount pricing to this game through this link using the promo code SCHOOLS.

Bullying awareness and prevention tie into the curriculum for both grades.

The Grade 7 curriculum includes learning about personal safety and injury prevention (including the benefits and dangers of technology and the impact of bullying/harassment including bullying based on sexual orientation) and human development and sexual health (including relationship changes and consent).

Grade 8 areas of focus include assessing situations for potential danger in person and online, and the impact of violent behaviours and supports. In human development and sexual health, students learn about gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, knowing and appreciating oneself, healthy relationships and considerations related to intimacy and consent, and mental health literacy, in the form of societal views and the impact of stigma.

The North Bay Battalion has created this video about its anti-bullying work with NNDSB students.

The board is grateful for the mentorship of North Bay Battalion players, and their willingness to be role models for younger students. This is yet another example of NNDSB’s commitment to excellence and relationship, one of the four pillars of the board’s multi-year strategic plan.

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For more information, please contact:

Deb Bartlett

Communications Officer

Near North District School Board

1. (705) 472-8170, extension 5010
2. Deb.Bartlett@nearnorthschools.ca

Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023

Near North District School Board welcomes YMCA Child Care program to Parry Sound High School

Near North District School Board (NNDSB) is excited to welcome YMCA Child Care services to Parry Sound High School. The YMCA’s licensed preschool program, currently located at Smith Crescent, requires a new home to accommodate the upcoming construction of the West Parry Sound Aquatic and Recreation Centre. NNDSB is pleased to expand its existing partnership with the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka to provide the space needed within Parry Sound High School and allow this community organization to continue providing quality care to local families.

The YMCA remains committed to providing high-quality, early childhood education to the community of Parry Sound. This new, larger space will allow for the growth of the preschool program, from 16 preschool children to 24 children. Once the NNDSB K-12 school is built, the program will expand to include infants and toddlers.

“Near North District School Board is pleased to assist the YMCA Child Care Services by providing space in our high school for the preschool program. The partnership was not anticipated to get underway until the JK-12 new build was complete,” says Superintendent Gay Smylie, supervisor of Early Years and Parry Sound High School. “This is a bonus for everyone. With increased space for the preschool program, there is a possibility to serve more children. When it does come time to move into the new school, it will be a simple move on the same property into the brand new childcare space,” says Smylie.

“We are extremely thankful for the opportunity to relocate to the Parry Sound High School. Our childcare centres located in high schools have provided unique opportunities to work collaboratively with the school community, including co-op placements and volunteer opportunities,” says Fiona Cascagnette, vice-president, YMCA Child Care.  Cascagnette adds, “The future expansion of our services to include infants and toddlers in the new JK-12 school will support even more families to access licensed childcare programs in Parry Sound.”

The YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka and NNDSB look forward to working closely together with the Ministry of Education to meet the licensing requirements for the centre over the coming weeks. The new childcare space at Parry Sound High School is expected to be operational in early April. Further updates to childcare and school families will be provided as the project gets underway.

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About the Near North District School Board:

Near North District School Board is an English-language public school board serving the North Bay – Parry Sound – Nipissing area. The board has approximately 10,000 students in 27 elementary schools, seven secondary/senior schools and various alternative learning centres. For more information, please visit nearnorthschools.ca and follow Near North District School Board on social media.

NNDSB Media Contact

Deb Bartlett

Communications Officer

Near North District School Board

1. (705) 472-8170, extension 5010
2. Deb.Bartlett@nearnorthschools.ca

About the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka:

The YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka is a charity dedicated to building healthy communities.  We are committed to nurturing the potential of children, youth and families, promoting healthy living and fostering social responsibility within the community. We serve 1 in 5 people throughout Simcoe County and the District of Parry Sound and Muskoka. In keeping with our commitment to inclusiveness and accessibility, the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka offers financial assistance to those unable to afford program fees, including thousands of children and youth who experience YMCA camps and programs each year. For more information, please visit www.ymcaofsimcoemuskoka.ca.

YMCA Media Contact

Shelby Wise

Manager of Marketing and Communications

shelby.wise@sm.ymca.ca

249-288-6505

Friday, Feb. 17, 2023

The following are the highlights of the Near North District School Board (NNDSB) meeting of Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023.

Literacy supports outlined for trustees

Trustees were presented with a report that outlined NNDSB’s response to the Ontario Human Rights Commission’s (OHRC) Right to Read Report. Every month at the Board meeting, progress within an area of the multi-year strategic plan (MYSP) is highlighted; last night Excellence in Teaching and Learning was highlighted, with an emphasis on literacy.

Trustees heard that before the OHRC’s report release, a central team of program and special education staff worked to identify key priorities, actions and performance measures that have informed the plan to support improved literacy outcomes for all students. Key objectives include engaging staff in professional learning, initiating strategic investments in literacy resources, providing evidence-based assessment tools and implementing timely and effective literacy intervention programs.

Read more in this media release.

Director’s report highlights program successes

Director of Education Craig Myles’ report highlighted key pathway initiatives being implemented at the Laurentian Learning Centre. The personal support worker (PSW) program is now in its second session, with 34 graduates expected from the Parry Sound, North Bay and Mattawa classes. There will be a third session in Parry Sound. To date, 100 per cent of grads have been offered employment.

Information sessions are now being held for the new custodial services training program, scheduled to begin in March. This program, like the PSW program, aims to fill community needs for trained custodial workers. The program is for adults 18 years or older, who either have or are working toward their secondary school diploma.

These programs illustrate NNDSB’s commitment to Excellence in Teaching and Learning and Excellence in Innovation by helping people gain skills and knowledge that will also fill labour gaps in our communities.

TOROS administrative guideline received

After months of work from the ad-hoc Theatre Outreach on Stage (TOROS) committee, trustees received a report that included the administrative guideline for the program.

TOROS was on hold for two years during the COVID-19 pandemic and is being restarted this spring and summer.

The report outlines that the guideline may require updating once the program is started.

Administrative guidelines can be found on the board’s website.

Gender identity, expression admin guideline received

Trustees received the board’s gender identity and gender expression administrative guideline at its meeting. The document will help ensure that all members of the educational community are provided with a safe and respectful place at school.

The guideline recognizes there are gender-diverse people who may request accommodation on the part of a school and/or board, including how students are addressed in records, washroom access, dress code, sports and extracurricular activities, change rooms and student support and advocacy.

The Ontario Human Rights Code outlines equal rights and opportunities and freedom from discrimination for all persons in the delivery of educational services. The administrative guideline will help NNDSB staff implement appropriate accommodation solutions.

Trustees approve 2023-2024 school year calendar

Trustees approved the 2023-2024 school year calendar following public consultation about the date of a board holiday. The public was able to provide feedback on whether a board holiday took place on the Friday before the start of March Break, or at the end of the school year.

More families indicated they wanted the day to take place on Friday, March 8.

The 2023-2024 school year calendar was planned in collaboration among the district’s four co-terminus school boards.

Although the Board has approved the calendar, it still needs to be approved by the Ministry of Education. Once it is approved, it will be posted on the NNDSB website.

Festival of the Sound to receive Trustee Initiative funds

Festival of the Sound successfully applied for $20,000 from the NNDSB Trustee Initiative Fund, which supports organizations and projects that include students from across the board.

Festival of the Sound is a world-renowned chamber and classical music festival in Parry Sound. It takes place over three weeks with dozens of concerts. Last fall, elementary students in Parry Sound collaborated with artists in an experience that inspired creativity through music. This year, the Festival of the Sound would like to grow its partnership with the board by offering performances of Sounding Thunder: The Song of Francis Pegahmagabow to intermediate and senior division students in all regions of NNDSB.

The funding application notes that more than 1,000 students from across the district will be attending the production, which enriches students’ understanding of Indigenous history, culture, perspectives and worldviews.

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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.

The Board’s next regular meeting is scheduled for March 28, 2023.

For more information, please contact:
Deb Bartlett (she/her)
Communications Officer
Near North District School Board
(705) 472-8170 ext. 5010
Deb.Bartlett@nearnorthschools.ca