Safe Cycling program rolling with funding partnership

Friday, Nov. 26, 2021,

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Nipissing Parry Sound Student Transportation Services (NPSSTS), or the Consortium, has requested distribution of this letter to families regarding transportation delays.

Sincerely,

Near North District School Board

Thursday, Nov. 25, 2021

Dear Parents and Guardians,

The North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit (NBPSDHU) has provided a parent and guardian frequently asked questions (FAQ) document and a letter detailing vaccination clinics for children aged 5 to 11.

Thank you,
Near North District School Board

Friday, Nov. 19, 2021

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Yesterday the Government of Ontario made COVID-19-related announcements that will affect Near North District School Board (NNDSB) students. The two garnering the most attention relate to taking COVID-19 tests over the winter break and the return to regular timetabling in secondary schools in February.

In its efforts to keep schools safe and open for in-person learning, the Ministry of Education will be distributing 11 million rapid antigen screen tests to public school students in advance of the December break. Students will be asked to do five tests over the break in preparation for return to in-person learning. More communication will be sent home closer to the start of the winter break with details of this initiative.

The Ministry also announced that school boards will be permitted to resume regular timetabling of four courses a day beginning in February 2022 because high vaccination rates among youth aged 12-17 have contributed to low COVID-19 cases among secondary school-aged students.

The board just learned of this yesterday, and NNDSB’s executive team is taking the time to understand the entirety of the announcement. We will, as always, work with the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit and the co-terminus boards to determine the best course of action to keep our staff and students safe.

Sincerely,
Near North District School Board

Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2021

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Near North District School Board (NNDSB) updates you with a monthly Letter to Families. This letter is being sent specifically to share three pieces of information related to COVID-19.

1. The North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit (NBPSDHU) has released a letter to families explaining its decision about optional testing for COVID-19 for students. The health unit has decided not to implement either of the testing strategies due to the low number of cases in the area. Please see the attached PDF for details.
2. NNDSB will be allowing spectators to Nipissing District Athletics (NDA) hockey games. Spectators must follow the processes in place at arenas, including QR codes, contact tracing and confirmation of self-screening.
3. There are increasing numbers of COVID-19 cases in the districts of Sudbury and Algoma, which is affecting NNDSB students.

NBPSDHU has recommended that teams not travel to or from the areas of Sudbury and Algoma. Until further notice, school teams from those districts will not be allowed to participate in tournaments in the NBPSDHU’s catchment area, nor will local students be able to travel to games and events in Sudbury or Algoma.

It will be the decision of Northern Ontario Secondary Schools Association (NOSSA) and Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations (OFSAA) whether to hold the events without teams from all areas, whether to move the event, or to cancel it.

At NNDSB, the restriction on travel in and out of areas with very high COVID-19 includes field trips. This decision, like all others made by the board throughout the pandemic, has been made to protect the health and safety of staff and students.

If you have questions or concerns about the content of this letter, please follow up with your school principal.

Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,
Near North District School Board

November 16, 2021

Inclement Weather Notice to NNDSB Families;

With winter weather starting to settle in, the following communication outlines the Near North District School Board’s response to inclement weather days when school transportation is cancelled due to student safety concerns.

The Nipissing-Parry Sound Student Transportation Services (NPSSTS) manages and coordinates transportation for our district, in addition to three of our co-terminus boards. On inclement weather days, when buses are cancelled due to unsafe travelling conditions, schools will remain open to students who can safely make their way to and from school without the use of school bus transportation. We remind parents/guardians that any students dropped off must be picked up at regular school dismissal time.

In some circumstances, the Board will decide to close a school. This decision could be due to the severity of the weather, loss of power or water, and in rare cases the school’s inability to maintain or follow other COVID-19 protocols which might place students in an at-risk position.

Critical to this is the following of ministry and health authorities’ guidelines regarding the number of permissible student contacts and cohort sizes. If schools are closed for the day, parents will be notified through their school, board and local media communications. Our primary concern is always the safety of our students.

If buses to your school are either cancelled for the day and/or schools closed, instruction and related student activities will be provided for your child to complete at home. These activities may include online or offline activities that every child can access.

We understand that because each school and community is unique, plans will vary across the Board in response to local contexts. However, we plan to ensure that the learning continues for students, despite the weather outdoors.

Sincerely,
Gay Smylie
Superintendent of Education

Nov. 16, 2021

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, students, families, and educators have encountered unprecedented challenges. Disruptions to learning have understandably resulted in increased concerns related to student achievement and well-being. And yet, students, educators and families have demonstrated resiliency and flexibility in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and students have continued to learn and grow.

As we look ahead to the 2021-22 school year (and beyond), we share a commitment to supporting the health and safety, mental health, well-being and achievement of all students. This includes building on the skills and capacity students and educators have gained during the pandemic, both in the classroom and during periods of remote learning. As staff have welcomed students back to school this fall, they have honoured a variety of starting points for learning and continue to be responsive to the needs of all learners. As part of a system-wide commitment to learning recovery and renewal, staff have prioritized student well-being, engagement in learning, and growing meaningful partnerships with families.

Home and school communication is an essential component to learning recovery and student success. On Nov. 17, 2021, your child will receive their first formal “progress report”. The fall progress report card is designed to encourage early and on-going communication between you and your child’s teacher. Teachers’ early assessments and feedback will allow you to understand how well your child is developing learning skills and work habits we know are essential for success. The progress report provides a measure of “progress” for all academic subjects – such as language, math, social studies, science and technology – but instead of assigning a grade or mark, it will tell you how well your child is progressing: “very well”, “well” or “with difficulty”. This early assessment and communication will highlight strengths and areas to improve before evaluations are completed – for example, during end-of-term report cards.

It is important to note that levels of progress do not equate to letter grades of “A, B, C, D” and do not necessarily lead to report card grades in any specific range. As we move through this year, students will continue to access opportunities to practice and develop the knowledge and skills required to achieve the curriculum expectations. If your child receives a “progressing with difficulty” it is our expectation that the teacher would have already contacted you to create a collaborative plan that focuses on next steps and how those steps will be achieved through both home and schools supports.

The progress report is followed by an opportunity for parents/guardians to meet with their child’s educator(s). Parent/Guardian and Teacher interviews provide families with an opportunity to identify additional ways to support their child effectively and help to foster home and school partnerships. When families, educators and caregivers work as partners they develop a meaningful relationship and share valuable communication that can help to grow a student’s sense of trust, belonging, well-being and success as a learner.

Gay Smylie
Superintendent of Education

Monday, Sept. 27, 2021

To our Families and Community Partners,

It has been six years since the Truth and Reconciliation Commission completed its work of giving voice to the Indigenous Peoples who have been affected by Indian Residential Schools. It took the Commission seven years to travel across the country and hear from 6,500 witnesses. Their testimony became one of six reports released by Truth and Reconciliation Commission that highlight the suffering of Indigenous Peoples at the hands of their oppressors.

The Commission, led by the Honourable Murray Sinclair, put the genocide that was perpetrated against Indigenous Peoples in Canada in the spotlight. The findings and resulting exhibit were a catalyst for change. The commission also released 94 Calls to Action that act as way finders; concrete steps to move forward in acknowledging the truth of Canada’s history with Indigenous Peoples and beginning the very difficult and uncomfortable work of reconciliation.

The Calls to Action list 94 changes that need to be made to dismantle the systemic racism that continues to affect Indigenous Peoples in Canada. Near North District School Board (NNDSB) recognizes it has a role to play in truth and reconciliation. It is imperative that the board climbs the mountain as requested by the Commission.

The path to truth and reconciliation will be slow and painful, but the steps must be taken.

The Board of Trustees has proactively acknowledged this, and endeavours to be part of the change. In addition to opening meetings with a land acknowledgement, Board meetings now open with a prayer from an Elder. The Indigenous Trustee, elected by members of the First Nations to represent them on the Board, is actively consulted and her input valued in decision-making on issues that affect Indigenous students.

The board is fortunate to have guidance from Indigenous Education Lead Tracy Hendrick, whose work involves not only supporting Indigenous students and their families, but also helping all NNDSB staff and educators understand how colonization continues to affect members of Indigenous communities, and to guide staff in developing their understanding of Indigenous worldviews to best support all students. NNDSB is thankful for the learning provided by teachers of Indigenous ways and Anishinaabemowin (language), FNMI grad coaches who provide support in the choice of pathways for students and Indigenous Child Development Counsellors concerned with student well-being. We recognize this is just the beginning of the climb.

As an institution, NNDSB is taking steps in response to the Calls to Action, including:

• working to eliminate educational gaps between Indigenous and non-Indigenous children (have staff positions to support Indigenous families in education)
• an Indigenous Trustee position elected by members of the area First Nations to sit on the NNDSB Board of Trustees
• offering Indigenous language classes to all interested students at 12 schools
• providing resources and building capacity to support all staff and students in understanding Indigenous history, culture, perspectives, and ways of knowing
• encouraging and supporting non-Indigenous staff who want to take a First Nation, Metis and Inuit Additional Qualification course
• partnering with Anishinabek Education System (AES) to place two full-time cultural advisors/knowledge keepers in schools on a regular basis
• successful AES pilot project applicant to be one of five boards in the province to provide cultural competency training to administrators

From the Truth and Reconciliation Commission grew Orange Shirt Day. Phyllis Webstad told the Commission of having her new orange shirt taken from her as a six-year-old child on the first day of residential school. Held on Sept. 30, Orange Shirt Day provides an opportunity for discussion about residential schools and lets survivors and their families know they still matter.

The federal government has legislated Sept. 30, 2021 as the first National Truth and Reconciliation Day. NNDSB wants the day to be acknowledged in a way that is most appropriate and meaningful to members of the eight First Nations that are NNDSB community partners, and other Indigenous Peoples in our schools. Schools have been given the flexibility to provide community-relevant programming.

The legacy of residential schools weighs heavy in the hearts of survivors and their families, who have been subjected to 200 years of colonization and systemic discrimination. NNDSB will continue to climb the mountain and strive to do better.

 

Jay Aspin                                                                   Craig Myles

Chair of the Board                                                   Director of Education

Friday, Sept. 24, 2021

Dear Parents and Guardians,

This weekly Letter to Families is intended to help you learn how Near North District School Board (NNDSB) will support you in the return to school.

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The Government of Canada has legislated Sept. 30, 2021 as the first National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, and deemed it a federal statutory holiday. Not all provinces have followed the federal government’s lead, so it is not a statutory holiday across the country.

Federally-regulated institutions (banks, post offices, federal government departments, etc.) will observe the statutory holiday. In Ontario, it is not a statutory holiday, so school will be open that day.

At NNDSB, schools will be marking the day in their own way. Families who are interested in how the first Truth and Reconciliation Day will be acknowledged at their child’s school should contact the principal.

Anyone interested in learning more about Truth and Reconciliation and/or Indigenous education at NNDSB can visit this page.

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Over several months last spring, the communications team recruited students to participate in Student Voice. This new page on NNDSB’s website is the spot for all students to share their ideas, thoughts, and work.

The communications team is still looking for reps at some schools and is always eager to share student work. Anyone wanting to participate as either a Student Voice rep for your school or a contributor) is asked to email student.voice@nearnorthschools.ca.

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We would like to remind families that all students are required to complete their COVID-19 Self-Screening each day before they arrive at school. Teachers will confirm completion of the screening with all of their students, as required by our local health unit. The health unit has extended the daily confirmation by staff by two weeks.

The daily screening is an important way that we can minimize the risk of COVID-19 transmission in our schools. The screening can be accessed using this link: COVID-19 School Screening Tool. Should you need a paper copy due to issues with internet access please contact your child’s school for assistance.

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NNDSB is excited to share that Parry Sound High School and Chippewa Secondary School will be raising tipis this month to provide safe, culturally appropriate, outdoor learning spaces for their students.

The extended tipi ‘shaptaun’ at PSHS is being raised by Johna Hupfield’s Grade 9-10 Indigenous language class with the support of Serpent River First Nation’s Sumac Creek Tipi Company. The tipi at Chippewa is being raised by Angela Evans’ Grade 10 Indigenous Studies class with the support of Nipissing First Nation knowledge keeper Perry McLeod-Shabogesic.

We look forward to learning about the tipi teachings, and to inviting more classes to enjoy these amazing spaces.

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As part of the board’s strategic commitment to excellence in communication, NNDSB has created a place on the website to begin collecting public feedback on Administrative Guidelines. New and revised guidelines will be posted for 30 days. Please refer to the website on a regular basis for the guidelines that are open for feedback.

Administrative Guidelines that are open to feedback can be found here.

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NNDSB follows the direction of the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Health and the public health unit when devising COVID-19 plans.

Thank you,

Near North District School Board

Friday, Sept. 17, 2021

Dear Parents and Guardians,

This weekly Letter to Families is intended to help you learn how Near North District School Board (NNDSB) will support you in the return to school.

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The first National Day of Truth and Reconciliation takes place on Sept. 30.  Orange Shirt Day has become more than a one-day event and many teachers have already started gathering resources to start the important work of truth and reconciliation that will continue throughout the school year.

In following through on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action, students will be learning about Indigenous perspectives and stewardship of land, treaties, the Indian Act, residential schools and Canada’s current relationship with Indigenous Peoples. Teachers and students are supported in this work by the board’s Indigenous education lead, and many local Indigenous Elders and knowledge keepers.

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The mental health team has been busy connecting with students we served last year and over the summer to help students transition back to school and hopefully have a great start to the new year.

If you have any concerns about your child, please reach out to our social work team who will connect the student to supports and services. It is as simple as emailing socialwork@nearnorthschools.ca and we will contact you to set up services for your child, whose well-being is our number one concern. We are here to help.

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Secondary Tutoring Services are available for all students Grades 9-12 across the Near North System. The tutoring is offered virtually Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday with four half-hour sessions each day. This is a one-to-one service that provides support in all program areas to support student achievement.

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Parents and guardians are advised that those who have submitted new or updated transportation forms to Nipissing Parry Sound Student Transportation Services (NPSSTS) will experience a two-day delay from the time that the change is confirmed on the NPSSTS website to when the operator can accommodate the change.

This means that parents will see the change has been processed, but that the change won’t take effect for another two days. This delay is due to the time required to provide the change information to the bus operator and for the driver to make changes to the required seating plan. NPSSTS thanks all our families in advance for their patience and understanding.

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Near North District School Board is pleased to share that all students in Grades 1-3 classrooms now have access to DreamBox Learning.

DreamBox is a digital math program that combines a fun and engaging math learning environment with curriculum focused outcomes. DreamBox lessons are interactive experiences that promote active learning and independent critical thinking and respond to each student’s strategies and decisions in the moment. Because DreamBox dynamically adapts lessons and learning paths based on the needs of each learner, students always have just the right level of support when and where they need it. Students are encouraged to continue their learning with this resource at home.  To access DBL at home, students simply need to login to Clever (using their NNDSB username and password).

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Students in classrooms across the NNDSB are learning about developing positive mindsets and social emotional learning (SEL) skills related to mathematics.

Collaborative problem-solving tasks using tangible math tools and discussions about the “Power of Yet” are being explored to support students in developing the skill of perseverance to solve challenging math questions. Additionally, students are building math process skills such as problem-solving, communication, reflecting and reasoning through open and differentiated relevant and engaging math tasks.

Creating positive mathematics learning environments and mindsets are critical foundations to successful experiences throughout the school year.

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At Near North District School Board, we value and embrace students and employees with diverse backgrounds, identities, and personal experiences.

“Our schools should be places where students not only learn about diversity but also experience it. Students should see themselves and their classmates reflected in their studies. Students and families should expect their interactions with their school community to leave them feeling accepted for who they are. All students should believe in their potential and know that they will be supported along the way from Kindergarten to Grade 12 and beyond, no matter what pathway they choose.” (Equity Action Plan 2017).

Culturally responsive teaching recognizes that all students learn differently and that these differences may be connected to background, language, family structure and social or cultural identity. The board has produced a yearly equity calendar for staff that highlights special awareness days for each month of the year. New books are added to NNDSB libraries that support diversity and inclusion so students will see themselves, their culture and identity reflected in their library books, to enhance learning about cultural heritage, gender identity, anti-racism, differing abilities and human rights.

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A school should be a place that promotes responsibility, respect, civility, and academic excellence in a safe learning and teaching environment. A positive school climate exists when all members of the school community feel safe, included, and accepted, and actively promote positive behaviours and interactions.

Both NNDSB’s Code of Conduct and individual schools’ Codes of Conduct reflect standards of behavior that promote a safe, inclusive environment and are applicable to all students, staff, parents, volunteers, and community groups. Each stakeholder has a specific role to play in creating welcoming, respectful environments.

Please take the time to read your school’s Code of Conduct and discuss it with your child. Ask them to consider how they might model responsibility, respect, civility and academic excellence within their school community.

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NNDSB follows the direction of the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Health and the public health unit when devising COVID-19 plans.

Thank you,

Near North District School Board