Monday, July 25, 2022

NNDSB students take control of their future and soar to new heights through new summer school program

An innovative new summer learning program teaches coding and other practical 21^st century skills as students take control of robots and drones.

At STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) camp students in Grades 7 to 10 gain skills in modern technology as they improve their literacy and numeracy. Summer Program Principal Jamey Byers says students develop coding skills and engage in hands-on activities that involve a variety of robots including drones, LEGO robotics and programable robots called Spheros which helps students grasp fundamental STEM concepts.

“Students use their experiences to work through challenges designed to promote problem solving. Working with these challenges promotes perseverance and an understanding of the development process in technological areas. This allows students to work towards solutions to real-world problems,” Byers says. “Throughout the program students continue to improve their literacy and math skills.”

STEM Camp teacher Jason Henstridge explains how students are able to turn their imagination into reality using 3D printers and design software.

“Students have created items such as can openers, personalized jewelry and custom video game interfaces. Others have used the design and printing to augment other projects they are working on,” Henstridge says. Depending on the size and complexity of the creation, printing can take anywhere from 10 minutes to 14 hours to complete. “Most of the materials that we are using in the printers are derived from plant-based crops such as corn and it is biodegradable.”

Henstridge says students also do a lot of coding to operate a variety of small robots. Using “block coding,” students assemble code using “blocks” that direct a device to perform specific steps in a larger overall task. Robots are programmed to navigate obstacle courses, read, and respond to colour patterns on a piece of paper, and even play sounds and music.

“Students are exposed to a variety of technologies that they may not have spent time with before, each technology has its own attraction and students seem to be drawn to different types,” Henstridge says.

Students designed customized “armour” for their Spheros robots and then developed ways to remove the armour from other robots. Henstridge says this resulted in great problem-solving strategies as students pitted their robots against one another in battles.

One of the highlights of the camp is drone flying. Students once again use block coding to give the vehicles a set of flight path instructions and head to the school cafeteria with the drones to put their code to the test. For the first flight students had to make the drone take-off, fly in a square path and land. If students forgot a step, they would have to return to the code for adjustments.

Having mastered the basics students move onto to more complex maneuvers such as navigating a three-dimensional obstacle challenge featuring specific flight paths and objects requiring photos to be taken by the drone.

Henstridge points out that the heavy focus on developing and refining coding skills is sometimes challenging for STEM camp students.

“Persevering through the ‘almost there’ moments to get to the desired result is sometimes tough but, students have been great at supporting each other,” Henstridge says. “Relying on knowledge developed in the group and helping each other has been the key to a successful camp. When one person overcomes a challenge, seeing that it is possible is motivating to the rest of the group.”

Byers says students gain more than coding and robotics skills from STEM camp. They hone the necessary 21^st century skills of communication, collaboration, creativity, critical thinking, citizenship and character.

“All of this comes back to the core of what we do, enhancing student achievement and well-being,” Byers says. “These students will be able to use the STEM camp experience to enhance their learning moving into September.”

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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

Tuesday, July 19, 2022

West Ferris culinary arts program gives students a taste of restaurant work

What began as an idea to recreate a commercially-made breakfast wrap has exploded into a weekly lunch program that serves 250 students and staff at West Ferris Secondary School in North Bay.

The West Ferris lunch program offers hospitality students the opportunity to get the full restaurant experience by working in every position from dishwasher to cook to server while delivering meals they planned and made from scratch.

Hospitality teacher Theresa Parise draws on her wealth of experience as a restaurant owner and operator to guide students through a practical introduction to the food industry.

“We began preparing lunches for the students participating in the lunchtime literacy workshops. The lunches were very popular and helped incentivize students to show up for some extra literacy support while being nourished at the same time,” Parise says. “One of my students suggested making a breakfast wrap. We brainstormed and planned the project.”

With the help of that student, who had restaurant experience, students began efficiently producing the breakfast wraps daily and from there began to explore the possibility of providing lunches to the entire student body. The class began a menu project which included market research using data collected from the entire school on their preferred types of lunch items. Once the data was collected students began to execute their ideas. Once the project took shape students were expected to create a menu consisting of one meal at a fixed price consisting of a main, a side and a dessert. They had to cost each piece of the menu, create a shopping list, and a plan for the creation and service of the meal. At the end of each week the class then decides on which meal to produce for the following week.

The hospitality classroom runs like a well-oiled machine with tasks being checked off each day of the week. The class needs to prepare for both pre-ordered lunches and cash orders at the counter.

“Our lunches are usually offered every Thursday. We build the menu by designating each day of the week to a component of the lunch,” Parise said. “Monday might be a baking day where students in Periods 1 and 2 make dough for buns for a sandwich.

The Period 3 class would shape, proof, and bake the bread. Tuesday and Wednesday would be prepping the rest of the components required. It is extremely busy; we serve an average of 200 students and 40-50 staff each week at $8 per lunch.”

Examples of the meals produced by the program include a chicken club wrap with tomato bisque soup and strawberry parfait, panzerotti with classic Caesar salad and tiramisu cheesecake trifles and nacho taco salad with Mexican rice and butter tart bars. Almost all of the menu items are made entirely from scratch.

Throughout the semester students rotate through all the positions of a commercial kitchen and restaurant. Duties are categorized as either “front of the house” or “back of the house.”

Front of the house positions include servers who prep and bag lunches, set up tables and hand out orders, expediters who run orders, bag food or work the cook line if necessary, and cashiers.

Back of the house jobs are prep cooks, line cooks, a kitchen caller, who places the orders with the cooks, and last but not least, the dishwashers.

Students are expected to participate in all front of house and back of house positions at least once before the end of the semester and they must be present to work their own lunch project if it is chosen.

“The atmosphere is a healthy, tense vibe where everyone knows we have a job to do and a goal to meet,” Parise says. “I raise the bar quite high here as some students don’t realize how rewarded and accomplished they can feel at the end of the day.

“Everyone has a different personality, and some students are just going to be more suited to these kinds of quick, high-performance jobs than others. This a good place for students to learn that about themselves,” Parise says.

The West Ferris lunch program is open to all students and Parise says many have found employment in the food service industry as a direct result of their experience there. Others have gone on to post-secondary education in culinary arts and hospitality.

Monday, July 11, 2022

Fellowship provides opportunities for vice-principal, students

Cheryl Sheffield, vice-principal at Parry Sound High School, is about to embark on the “opportunity of a lifetime” working with naturalists, scientists, explorers and National Geographic photographers during a 10-day expedition to the Galapagos Islands.

Sheffield is one of 50 educators, and one of only six Canadians who are finally able to participate in the Grosvenor Teacher Fellowship for which she was selected two years ago; the pandemic put the expedition on hold. The fellowship is a professional development opportunity for pre-K-Grade 12 educators and is supported by Lindblad Expeditions and the National Geographic Society.

The fellowship will provide a unique learning opportunity for classes in the Near North District School Board (NNDSB), as Sheffield is hoping to be able to connect live with classrooms and other learners through live feeds and other online applications. “I would love student enquiry to guide my exploration of Galapagos, and I look forward to interacting with classrooms in our board to answer student questions and respond to wonderings they may have about this unique part of the world,” she says.

Sheffield is committed to returning home with an experience that will translate into reimagined curricula that will inspire students, colleagues and communities to care more deeply about the planet and act on global issues.

She will travel aboard National Geographic Endeavour II, a Lindblad Expeditions ship. Sheffield says, “I’m hoping to follow in the footsteps of Charles Darwin and come to know more about his theory of evolution, by exploring the incredible archipelago famed for its unique flora and fauna.” She is looking forward to encountering giant tortoises, blue-footed boobies, marine iguanas, playful penguins, and curious sea lions in their natural habitats among the Galapagos Islands.

The vice-principal is also hoping to better understand the conservation efforts in place within Galapagos to protect its wild spaces and wildlife, and how they might be similar to or align with that of the Georgian Bay Biosphere and other environmental efforts in our area.

Applicants were able to select their top five options for their expedition, and Galapagos was Sheffield’s top pick. Her fellowship shipmate is a teacher from Hawaii, and they are already working together to plan deliverables for their expedition.

Upon her return, she takes on a two-year leadership commitment to support National Geographic’s education initiatives. As a Fellow, she may be asked to conduct webinars, participate in meetups and mentor other educators, and she hopes to bring learning to life for students and educators here in our community.

Interested class teachers and individuals can connect with Sheffield on her expedition and learning journey via this Google form. She will reach out in late August with details about the learning connections, and with specifics about the online platforms that will be used during her expedition. She will also be available following her expedition to offer presentations and act as a resource to share her knowledge of the numerous resources and opportunities available through National Geographic.

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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

 

Tuesday, July 5, 2022

New outdoor classroom helps students connect to the land and traditional teachings

In education, the environment is often regarded as the “third teacher” after parents and educators. Throughout Near North District School Board (NNDSB), educators strive to include the environment in their lessons whenever they can. Now, after four years and the efforts of the entire community, Sundridge Centennial Public School finally has a classroom for its third teacher.

Sundridge Centennial’s new outdoor classroom was unveiled to a large gathering of students, parents and community members at a ceremony which lauded the considerable efforts of the community. Rodney Stanger of Timiskaming First Nation opened the ceremony by demonstrating Indigenous culture and encouraging students to continue connecting with nature. Stanger sang a traditional song to honour the work completed and to encourage the continued development of understanding of the world around us through varied perspectives.

“This classroom will be used by all age groups and our community partners as a safe space to enjoy the environment around us,” Principal Jill Cooper said. “All subject matter can be taught in this space from mathematics and science to literacy. We hope to add “wonder wagons” full of discovery tools, microscopes, magnify glasses, bug jars and more.”

Teachers Candy St. Onge and Cathy Russell founded the project five years ago and secured an initial grant from the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan. The project encountered considerable challenges and delays throughout the pandemic but was propelled forward thanks to the dedication of staff.

“Principal Cooper has been an excellent advocate and supporter of the outdoor classroom initiative. Jill has brought the project up at every staff meeting and parent council meeting to gather donations and volunteers,” Russell said. “She pushed through any challenges we faced with a positive attitude and even delivered construction materials in her own horse trailer to help keep our costs down.”

Cooper connected the project leads with NNDSB experts, including Indigenous education and experiential learning leads to ensure the project would be meaningful and create on-going learning opportunities for students, staff and community members.

Through the involvement of community partners and staff, the project evolved from a simple pole structure with sailcloth to protect students from the elements to a more permanent structure with trusses and a shingled roof.

One of the most prominent features of the outdoor classroom is the elaborately painted ceiling created by students and teacher Christine Charette who has experience working as a Métis artist in community art projects.

“The meaning and intention behind the painting is to honour nature, to foster a caring culture between all people, and to further our path toward Truth and Reconciliation while doing so,” Cooper said. “Because it is an outdoor classroom, it was a natural fit for students to have meaningful discussions around caring for the natural world and how we are all connected to it.”

The painting is anchored in a blue background, representing water. “Water is life” is a major theme. The painting includes the Seven Grandfather Teachings, which are Anishinaabe guiding principles passed down from generation to generation to lead people in living a good life in peace and without conflict.

The seven teachings of truth, love, respect, wisdom, courage, humility and bravery are represented in the painting by seven animals, painted in the Eastern Woodland style, and are the central focus of the ceiling. Around the animals, there are 300 fish swimming around in schools.

“Each student and teacher from Sundridge Centennial Public School painted their own fish, using the Métis dot art style. The students chose colours to represent someone special in their lives, or a special place in nature, so that each fish is symbolic of what they love,” Cooper said. “This means that the entire painting is not only a snapshot of traditional teachings, but also filled with individual stories that will linger in the memory of the project and will continue to bring layers of meaning to those learning in the outdoor classroom.”

The Sundridge Centennial Public School outdoor classroom was made possible through the support of the following community partners: Custom Home Designs; Phoenix Building Components; McLaren Bros. Construction; North Bay Home Depot; Wilson Transportation; Almaguin Highlands Community Living; Sundridge Lions Club; South River Planning Mill; EBL Groundworks; Retired Teachers of Ontario; Sundridge Home Hardware; Jeremy Bean Designs; Indigenous Education Partnership; Arborist Alliance; the Village of Sundridge; NNDSB experiential learning department and Almaguin Highlands Secondary School.

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For more information, please contact:

Brett Hanson

Communications Coordinator

Near North District School Board

1. (705) 472-8170, extension 5083
2. Brett.Hanson@nearnorthschools.ca

Thursday, June 30, 2022

NNDSB brings Hockey Canada Skills Academy to Parry Sound, Seguin

A partnership between Near North District School Board (NNDSB), Hockey Canada and the Townships of Parry Sound and Seguin will enable students in Grades 8-12 at Parry Sound High School (PSHS) to earn credits while building their hockey skills and confidence.

The program will launch in September 2022 and run for the first semester only (September through January) at the Bobby Orr Community Centre in Parry Sound and in the second semester only at Humphrey Arena (the program in second semester will also be open to Grade 8 students at Humphrey Public School).

The program delivery will be provided by PSHS teacher AJ Wheaton, who is a qualified Hockey Canada Skills instructor. Students will be able to work towards a high school credit and a Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) pathway in health and wellness.

“We look forward to providing this innovative programming for our students that will improve their learning experience, student success and student engagement,” says Dawn Buckland, principal of PSHS.

Participants in the program will do their off-ice learning at PSHS as part of a physical education credit and the hockey skills curriculum from Hockey Canada, then apply those skills on the ice at the arenas. Students will spend time on specific skills areas like skating, shooting, passing and goaltending. They will also develop essential life skills such as learning about balanced nutrition and mental health. Students will have an opportunity to experience the game of hockey in a non-competitive environment that focuses on a holistic approach to health, wellness and skill-building.

NNDSB Director of Education Craig Myles has been instrumental in seeking out opportunities for the board to provide innovative programming. “It’s imperative that NNDSB meets the needs of our communities, while providing innovative programming that engages students. The Hockey Canada partnership is a great opportunity for our students to build their skills and learn about health and wellness. Sport provides the opportunity for people to develop in a multitude of ways, and this partnership will enable students to develop many essential life skills.”

Board Chair Jay Aspin says the partnership embodies the board’s commitment to Excellence in Relationships and Excellence in Teaching and Learning. “Staff continue to create partnerships that offer NNDSB students the best opportunities for learning. There are many ways to teach about health and wellness, and the Hockey Canada partnership is just one way NNDSB is transforming educational experiences in tandem with Canada’s game.”

Manager of Parks and Recreation for the Town of Parry Sound, April McNamara, says, “I thank NNDSB for bringing an exciting program to the youth of Parry Sound. There are so many benefits to bringing youth together on the ice.”

Seguin Township Manager of Community Services Dominique O’Brien says staying active is fundamental to support youth mental and physical health. “We are so pleased that Hockey Skills Canada is making this program accessible to Seguin kids. The Township looks forward to welcoming the organization to our arena this winter.”

Anyone interested in more information should contact Principal Dawn Buckland at Parry Sound High School, 705-773-7979.

NNDSB central program staff are also working to expand the program to other secondary and elementary schools for the 2023-2024 school year in different regions of the board. Details on the progress will be released accordingly.

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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

Tuesday, June 28, 2022

Henvey Inlet First Nation, Magnetawan First Nation and Hydro One come together to support community school

It’s been a long time coming but students at Britt Public School are now enjoying a brand-new playground structure thanks to support from community partners.

The small rural Kindergarten to Grade 8 school located near the shores of the Magnetawan River has a high population of students from Henvey Inlet First Nation and Magnetawan First Nation and has been without a playground since 2012 when the old structure was removed.

Through the generous support of community partners Henvey Inlet First Nation, Magnetawan First Nation and Hydro One, a plan was developed in 2018 to build a new playground featuring climbing structures, slides and interactive play areas.

Britt Public School Vice-Principal Marlene Michaelis says staff, students and families are all truly grateful for the support. “These three partners funded the entire playground. We appreciate the ongoing support for all of our students.”

Michaelis says Henvey Inlet First Nation applied for funding through Hydro One’s community investment program focused on Building Safe Communities.

“We are proud to be a partner in building a new playground at Britt Public School, which will now offer students a new safe play space where they can create connections with each other and build resiliency,” said Jay Armitage, vice-president, marketing and communications with Hydro One. “Hydro One feels a deep responsibility to be present and support the local communities and organizations who are working tirelessly to energize life which is why we have designated 20 per cent of our corporate donations and sponsorships towards projects in Indigenous communities.”

Michaelis says the students have enjoyed the new playground immensely. “They are developing strong social skills as they learn to take turns and share the equipment. We are seeing smiles and hearing laughter as they play together and develop their gross motor skills,” said Michaelis.

Michaelis says as a staff, they are seeing students engaging with one another in a lighthearted and positive way and seeing the joy as the students use the slides, climbers and towers. “They are helping one another and building friendships as they explore the equipment.”

“The sense of community has been strengthened at Britt Public School as we all come together to share in the joy that our students bring. Miigwetch,” said Michaelis.

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For more information, please contact:

Brett Hanson

Communications Coordinator

Near North District School Board

1. (705) 472-8170, extension 5083
2. Brett.Hanson@nearnorthschools.ca

 

Friday, June 24, 2022

Laurentian Learning Centre students reach for new heights with bursary support

There are plenty of student success stories at Laurentian Learning Centre (LLC). The smaller alternative education school operated by Near North District School Board (NNDSB) in North Bay serves students for whom a larger secondary school is not a good fit.

Recently, three LLC students were recognized for their achievements and received support for their post-secondary goals in the form of bursaries from NNDSB and the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry.

Bursary recipients Brittany Richer, Bridgette Middlebrook and Levi Mercier are all prime examples of how the LLC approach can help propel students towards their future goals.

“I wasn’t doing the greatest in the bigger high schools, so I came here to get more help. Mr. Kidd with the co-op program helped me out a lot. He got me a job with a mechanic shop. From there I’ve been doing pretty good,” said Levi Mercier, a recipient of one of NNDSB’s new Skilled Trades Bursaries, sponsored by the Ontario Ministry of Education.

Mercier said the smaller class sizes allow teachers to spend more time on what students need to help them progress.

Scottish Rite of Freemasonry bursary recipient Brittany Richer says she feels uncomfortable and finds it difficult to concentrate in larger classrooms with many students.

“I learn things a little bit slower. Having more one-on-one time is so helpful for me,” said Richer. “I feel I’m on the path to achieving my goals because of my experience at LLC,” Richer added.

LLC vice-principal Sarah Spence said there are many success stories at the school. Each student has a different definition of success, whether it be regular attendance, earning credits, gaining employment or graduation.

“Some students may not even realize that they want to be in our school until they give it a chance. Once they feel the atmosphere, they settle in. We are a safe, supportive, structured environment meeting so many more needs than just education,” Spence said. “The school provides an engaging environment where students can feel safe and focus on their goals.”

Spence said LLC staff take the time to get to know their students which helps to identify their particular path to success. This in turn allows for the creation of a specific pathway that works for each student.

Skilled Trades bursary recipient Bridgette Middlebrook will graduate from LLC this year, has already started studying at Canadore College and is more than a year into her apprenticeship at Goldfleet Subaru.

“I found it was a lot easier to get into the trades and get into it faster with more hands-on than a normal high school,” Middlebrook said. “I think it would have been more difficult with more challenges along the way without the LLC.”

Mercier is apprenticing at Trout Lake Auto and is enrolled at Canadore College in the fall. Richer is pursuing her goal of becoming a certified personal support worker.

Spence said the small school environment is an asset to the students of LLC. “Students may have one instructional teacher but will connect with staff and administrators of the school who will be there to support students not only academically, but physically and mentally as well.”

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For more information, please contact:

Brett Hanson

Communications Coordinator

Near North District School Board

1. (705) 472-8170, extension 5083
2. Brett.Hanson@nearnorthschools.ca