Near North District School Board

Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) Releases the Right to Read Report

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Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) Releases the “Right to Read” Report

The Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) released its report Feb. 28, 2022, on human rights issues affecting students with reading disabilities, calling for critical changes to Ontario’s approach to early reading, in areas such as curriculum and instruction, screening, reading interventions, accommodations and professional assessments.

In anticipation of this report, the Near North District School Board (NNDSB)  Program Team, in collaboration with the Special Education Department, has been working over the past two years to grow capacity in comprehensive literacy instruction and intervention. Our central staff have conducted a review of current literacy practices and renewed our commitment to ensuring all students develop skills in service of reading, writing and communicating. 

This system-wide work aligns with our Multi-Year Strategic Plan priority of Excellence in Teaching and Learning by ensuring that all students are provided with instruction that meets their unique learning needs. Acknowledging that the Ministry will need time to synthesize the report and provide direction to school boards, we remain focused on preparing staff to achieve the recommendations included in the OHRC Right to Read final report and improving the outcomes for all NNDSB students.

cover of Right to Read report

Orange Shirt Day

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We will be observing Orange Shirt Day on Friday September 27th this year as September 30th is a PD Day

Orange Shirt Day is an opportunity for schools and communities to come together in the spirit of reconciliation and hope for generations of children to come. As part of the new mandatory curriculum that includes the teaching and learning of Residential Schools, we are encouraging schools to support and participate in this National campaign.

Orange Shirt Day is a legacy of the St. Joseph Mission (SJM) residential school commemoration event held in Williams Lake, BC. It grew out of Phyllis’ story of having her new orange shirt taken away on her first day of school at the Mission, and it has become an opportunity to keep the discussion on all aspects of residential schools happening annually.
For more information: http://www.orangeshirtday.org/

NNDSB “REEL” Writers Film Camp

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We are pleased to share that the Near North School Board will once again be offering an exciting summer learning opportunity to grade 5, 6, 7, and 8 students – The ‘Reel’ Writers Film Camp!

The program is intended to serve students who may benefit from engaging, creative and collaborative learning experiences – developing the skills and literacies to support their future success! A team of camp instructors, lead by an experienced Ontario Certified Teacher will teach each program. Activities will enable students to explore ideas of interest as they develop new communication skills through reading, writing and media arts. A fun camp-like environment will help to foster a community of learners, increase levels of student engagement, and improve student efficacy.

Through the lens of ‘film maker’, students will develop literacy skills – generating, organizing and communicating their ideas for an intended purpose and audience.

  • Activities are social and collaborative, developing skills to support future academic and life success.
  • Participants will generate their own ideas and themes for learning.
  • Students will bring their ideas to life through writing, fine art, photography and video.
  • Camp activities run from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. each day from July 2nd – 19th.

Registration is now open to Grade 5-8 Students in the North, East and West regions.

Please follow the below to obtain more information and register:

https://www.nearnorthschools.ca/reel-writers/

NNDSB Power Learning Camps

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Summer Learning Program

The Near North District School Board is pleased to offer a FREE, 3-week, engaging POWER LEARNING CAMP – July 2nd to July 19th 2019, hosted in all three regions of our district. This camp is being offered to current grades 1-3 students who may benefit from joyful, focused literacy and mathematics instruction.

This Power Learning Camp will focus on the development of reading, writing and math skills, in small group settings, through engaging experiences of the children’s interests. A team of camp instructors lead by an experienced Ontario Certified Teacher will teach each program. A minimum of 15 students is required to run the program. The involvement of parents is critical to the success of the program.

Ongoing communication will inform you about learning experiences and offer extensions of literacy and numeracy learning for you to enjoy with your child at home. Families are responsible for transportation to and from the program site and will be required to commit to regular attendance in order to ensure learning success. More information about the benefits of this Ministry of Education sponsored program will be shared at the start of the camp.

Registration is now open. Please return completed registration forms to your child’s school (office). Please note that registration will be confirmed by June 7th, 2019 (email or phone call) by a NNDSB Power Learning Camp staff member.

DOWNLOAD: NNDSB-POWER LEARNING Invitation and Registration-2019

For more information please contact:

Krista Holmes
Email: krista.holmes@nearnorthschools.ca
Phone: 705-472-8170 Ext. 7003

NNDSB Issues Statement on Health and Physical Education Curriculum

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The Ontario Government and Ministry of Education recently announced the repeal of the Health and Physical Education curriculum introduced in 2015, reinstating the 20-year-old 1998 curriculum in our classrooms.

Many concerns have been raised province-wide about reverting to a curriculum that does not include information on many issues that our children face in our very changed world of 2018.  The ease with which our children can access information on-line makes it enormously challenging for parents and educators and it is critical that we provide guidance to our children so that they remain safe and informed.

The Near North District School Board would like to add to the collective voice of the Boards respectfully asking that the Ontario Government begin its consultation immediately.  We also believe that the 2015 curriculum needs to be the starting point for this consultation and must remain in place until this process is complete.

With the growing number of public statements from many school boards, other concerned organizations, and members of the public, some contradictory messaging has arisen from the Ministry of Education.  Accordingly, Ontario School Boards are now waiting for clarification with respect to the curriculum content that will be available to teaching staff in September.

Recognizing that our students and teachers will be returning the classroom very shortly, the Near North District School Board will remain committed to:

  • teaching that promotes inclusion and diversity;
  • providing the necessary support for the safety and well-being of our LGBTQ+ community and all students and staff;
  • continuing to educate about gender issues, internet safety, healthy relationships, and informed consent.

Since public consultation was the issue prompting this move, it is important that all public, students, parents and staff questions and concerns are heard by our government.  The Near North District School Board encourages you to please contact your local Member of Provincial Parliament and/or the Minister of Education to share your concerns and thoughts.

Sincerely,

David Thompson
Board Chairperson

Biindigen

Mii gwi Anishinabek wewena nkenmaaminak dependajig maa kiing.
"We acknowledge in a good way, the original people of the land here"
We value the cultures, histories and relationships with the Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island (North America)

Connect With Us

Near North District School Board
963 Airport Road, P.O. Box 3110, North Bay, ON P1B 8H1
[P] 705-472-8170   [TF] 1-800-278-4922   [F] 705-472-9927