Monday, Nov. 15, 2021

Honouring and remembering veterans has been and will always be an important part of education for students, staff and communities. Each year, students and schools across Near North District School Board (NNDSB) mark the day in various ways.

At Sundridge Centennial Public School, Grade 7 and 8 students in teacher Jamey Sollman’s class led Remembrance Day events at the school to honour and show respect and admiration for those who sacrificed so much to protect our country.

“My great-grandpa fought in the war and made it back,” said student Corbin Stenning. “Learning in class about some of the things he would have gone through gave me a new perspective of what he went through and what the war was like,” he said.

Classmate Declan Mullins shared that he learned the true meaning of being a hero.

“I was able to reflect and remember my great-grandpa and how heroic he was as a soldier and police officer,” said Mullins.

Multiple projects and tasks to understand and teach the importance of honouring veterans took place last week, and on Remembrance Day, in a community-wide display of respect and admiration for veterans, students placed large poppies as memorial markers within the front gardens of the school.

Sollman’s students prepared a virtual ceremony for staff and students inside the school, and outside, veterans and members of the Sundridge Branch 467 Legion attended to speak to students on the touching display and work they did to show respect.

“Isn’t this amazing? Sundridge Centennial Public School students did an incredible job,” said Rena Lang, co-chair for the local poppy committee and Legion member. Eleven years ago, Lang was a barber for troops in Afghanistan. “Seeing this display makes us feel great because the students took the time to do this, when they didn’t have to.”

“As a staff, we put a strong emphasis on encouraging students to investigate and learn the significance and importance of Veteran’s Week and specifically Remembrance Day,” said Sollman, “We feel there is a great significance in developing and maintaining our close community connection with the local Legion Branch 467 with regards to education and participation in shared community events like our Remembrance Day Ceremony.”

Lest we forget.

 

Students in Grades 4-8 at White Woods Public School recently explored Indigenous art styles and artists the week leading up to and including Truth and Reconciliation week.

While learning about Indigenous art styles, students received teachings from Marilyn Armstrong, a White Woods PS teacher, Ojibwe artist, and Nipissing First Nation member, who shared with students her knowledge and journey of art.

Students studied Ojibwe artists and their work before taking their inspiration to their blank canvas. Under the guidance of Armstrong, students increased their appreciation and understanding of aspects of Indigenous culture.

In addition to creating art and learning about Indigenous culture, students participated in an oral presentation on an Indigenous tradition or custom.

To see more of the amazing photos, visit the Student Voice page.

November 8, 2021

Dear Parents and Guardians,

We would like to invite you to participate in a Parent School Climate Survey available online between November 15 and December 3, 2021. The purpose of this voluntary survey is to find information related to: (1) equity and inclusive education, (2) bullying/harassment, and (3) health and well-being among students at your child’s school. We know that a safe, inclusive and accepting school environment is essential for student success and well-being.

The information gathered from student, parent and staff surveys will be used by your child’s school staff to help them promote an environment of respect, safety, and belonging for all students. We value your input and parent voice.

If you have children attending more than one Near North School, you are welcome to complete the survey for each school. If you are unable to complete this survey online and would like a paper copy to complete, please contact your child’s school and we would be happy to provide you with a paper copy. All paper copies also need to be completed and returned to the school by December 3, 2021, so that the data can be inputted.

Your input is very important to ensuring that our schools are safe and welcoming environments for all students and staff. Please be assured that your answers are confidential.

The Parent School Climate Survey can be accessed from the Near North District School Board’s website www.nearnorthschools.ca.

Thank you so much for taking the time to complete this important survey.

Sincerely,

Gay Smylie
Superintendent of Education
Near North District School Board

Friday, Nov. 5, 2021

Dear Parents and Guardians,

This monthly Letter to Families is intended to keep you apprised of news that affects all students and families of Near North District School Board (NNDSB). The Letter to Families is distributed on the first Friday of the month.

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One of NNDSB’s community partners, Nipissing University’s Biidaaban Academic Support, is offering a tutoring program for Indigenous youth in Grades 3-8, with a focus on math and literacy.

Nipissing University student volunteers offer online or in-school tutoring support between October and March based on student needs and the tutor’s availability. Students will receive up to three hours of tutoring.

Families may register here or contact Makayla Nowee at 705-474-3450 ext. 4586 or email makaylan@nipissingu.ca.

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Families whose children are eligible for transportation should have received a notice from Nipissing-Parry Sound Student Transportation Service (the Consortium) regarding opting out of transportation services.

Seating charts have been created for contact tracing purposes. If students will not be accessing assigned transportation this year, families are asked to complete a form confirming they are opting out of busing services this school year. If you are in this situation and have not yet filled out a form, please contact your school secretary for the form.

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There has been an update to the COVID-19 school and childcare screening tool.

Families should use this version of the tool to decide if they should be attending school or childcare.

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Library services reminds families that NNDSB provides safe, accurate and age-appropriate online subscriptions to students through the NNDSB Virtual Library. These educational sites are available to elementary and secondary students from home, 24/7 for research and homework help.

The subscription also includes SORA, which is a student digital reading library for students to borrow e-books and audio books of popular fiction titles for their independent reading enjoyment. Subscriptions are password protected.

Students may reach out to their school librarian for login information.

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NNDSB will continue to take steps and enact procedures that build resiliency, enhance the safety and well-being of all individuals in its schools and promote clear standards of behaviour. The board’s code of conduct, and each school’s individual code of conduct, reflect the requirements outlined in Policy/Program Memorandum No. 128 (Dec. 5, 2012).

The Ontario standards of behaviour apply to all individuals (principals, teachers, other school staff, students, parents/guardians, volunteers, community groups, partners, etc.) involved in the schools and activities of NNDSB. These standards of behaviour apply to students whether they are on school property, on school buses, travelling to and from school, at school-authorized events or activities, or in other circumstances that could have an impact on the school climate.

Families play an important role in the education of their children and can support the efforts of school staff in maintaining a safe, inclusive, accepting and respectful learning environment for all students. Parents and guardians fulfill their role when they:
• show that they are familiar with the provincial Code of Conduct, the board’s code of conduct, and school rules by conducting themselves in a respectful manner while at the school and while in conversation (in-person, phone, email) with the school;
• communicate regularly with the school;
• show an active interest in their child’s school work and progress;
• help their child be appropriately dressed, and prepared for school;
• ensure that their child attends school regularly and on time;
• promptly report to the school their child’s absence or late arrival;
• encourage and assist their child in following the rules of behaviour;
• assist school staff in dealing with disciplinary issues involving their child.
Learn more by reading your school’s code of conduct, available on your school’s website.

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The Healthy Schools Team has been hard at work this school year bringing many opportunities for increased physical health and well-being to students throughout the district. Last week we announced our newest project: Safe Cycling with NNDSB. This project, made possible through

partnerships with the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit, Ride Smart Ontario and the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), is aimed at Grade 7 and 8 students who will become conscientious, safe and skilled cyclists who can practice regular bike maintenance, troubleshoot mechanical problems, and learn how to cycle in all environments safely. This project was made possible thanks to funding provided through the Ontario Active School Travel Fund by Green Communities Canada with support from the Government of Ontario and will result in students becoming leaders in active transportation. Our goal is to get more students using travel modes that are active, safe and sustainable!

NNDSB received a generous grant from the Safe and Healthy Schools Branch of the Ministry of Education to promote the sport of cricket.

Cricket is a global sport played worldwide and has generated significant interest in Canada in the last decade.
The program’s goal is to represent all genders, including providing a supportive environment for girls to participate in physical activity. The cricket initiative’s four key focus areas are equity; inclusion; quality opportunities; and collaboration and partnerships.

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There has recently been a minor update made to the COVID-19 School and Childcare Screening Tool to provide further clarification on the federal government’s return to school requirements for students who are returning from international travel.

Individuals returning from international travel may not attend school or childcare for 14 days upon their return. For further clarity, while unvaccinated children under the age of 12 are exempt from federal quarantine if they travelled with a fully vaccinated companion, they may not attend school or childcare for 14 days upon their return. Individuals with all other quarantine exemptions (e.g., travelling for cross-border custody arrangements; travelling for medical treatment) may continue to attend school or childcare. Copies of the new screener are available for download here.

Please ensure that your child uses this screening tool each day before attending school, as it is the best way to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our schools.

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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