Near North District School Board

Board of Trustees Election Results

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The following persons have been elected/acclaimed to the Board of Trustees for the Near North District School Board:

Zone 1 (4 Representatives)
Jay Aspin
Donna Breault
Louise Sargent
Bill Steer

Zone 2 (1 Representative)
Greg Barnes

Zone 3 (1 Representative)
Rob Learn

Zone 4 (1 Representative)
John Cochrane

Zone 5 (1 Representative)
Al Bottomley

Nipissing First Nations (1 Representative)
Nichole King

Elected Trustees will officially be sworn in and take office at 5 p.m. on December 4, 2018 during the Inaugural Meeting.  The Inaugural Meeting is a public meeting and will take place at the Board Office located at 963 Airport Road and will be followed by the Annual Organizational Meeting at 6.p in which the Board will confirm, Board Chair, Vice-Chair and Committee appointments.

Almaguin Highlands SS to be Featured on Cogeco YourTV Remembrance Day

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The students in the Grade 11/12 Theatre Production Class at Almaguin Highlands Secondary School (“AHSS”) will be featured in a docu-drama created as part of Cogeco’s YourTV Remembrance Day programming.  Marking the 100 years since the Halifax harbour explosion in 1917, AHSS students researched, wrote and performed the play, “Halifax:1917”, last year.

The play was written to commemorate the 1917 disaster that occurred in the Halifax harbour, killing over 1500 people and injuring (and blinding) thousands more.

YourTV’s Jake Forsyth approached AHSS to produce a docu-drama featuring the students of today and their research, and connections to the stories of 100 years ago.  YourTV of North Bay subsequently filmed a docu-drama featuring the students and their teacher Allison Green to be aired November 8th, 2018. Check your local listings for times of airing.

AHSS will hold its’ own screening on November 9th, 2018 at 7 p.m.  The screen will be free and open to the public. Students and staff involved in the play and docu-drama will be on hand to share their experience.

For more information, please contact:

Allison Green
Almaguin Highlands Secondary School
Phone: (705)492-9744
Email: allison.green@nearnorthschools.ca

Director of Education Response to Candidate Media Release

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Earlier this week articles were published in local media sources based on a media release issued by a candidate for the Board of Trustees.  The media release contained a number of statements with respect to the current and future employment of the Director of Education with the Near North District School Board.  This information contained below is in response to those articles and is being issued for clarification purposes.

Mr. O’Hagan contacted Ms. Young this summer and requested a meeting to discuss issues and priorities for the Near North District School Board.  However, as Mr. O’Hagan was and is currently a candidate for Trustee, his request for a meeting was declined. During the election campaign period employees of the Board, including the Director of Education, must remain non-partisan in order to ensure the integrity of the election process and our residents democratic rights.  Requests for meetings from other candidates and for information that is not readily and/or publicly available have also been declined.

The Director of Education and Board staff are looking forward to working with all elected Trustees to ensure that the Board remains accountable to students, parents and community partners.  Openness and transparency are at the core of public government and Ms. Young is supportive of all initiatives that uphold these values.

“We have a large number of schools with talented students, excellent teaching staff and leading-edge technology and programming.  Our focus at the administrative level is, and has always been, ensuring that we provide our students with the education, opportunities, resources and supports they need.  Any review of our office and our efforts either externally or internally is, and always, has been welcome.”– Jackie Young

Ms. Young was contacted by media sources for comment on Mr. O’Hagan’s media release but unfortunately could not address the timelines offered in time for publication.

For more information, please contact:

Mairghread Knought
Information/Communication Officer
Near North District School Board
(705) 472-8170, extension 5010
Mairghread.knought@nearnorthschools.ca

NNDSB Students Participate Annual Terry Fox Walk/Run Events

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The annual Terry Fox Runs  is days away, and our students are gearing up to raise money for cancer research and help keep Terry Fox’s dream alive.

Terry Fox’s Marathon of Hope might have ended in 1980 but the spark he lit in the hearts and minds of Canadians ignited into a campaign of hope that has lasted more than three decades. Once again this September hundreds of thousands of Terry Fox supporters will participate in their favourite Canadian fall tradition at one of more than 700 Terry Fox Runs from coast to coast to coast to ensure that cancer research continues to forge ahead.

The students and staff at the Near North District School Board appreciate your support with this important initiative.

Terry Fox had a single dream: a world without cancer. Come and join us as we work together in pursuit of this dream. For more information on the Terry Fox Run and Foundation, visit www.terryfox.org

 

Every Child Matters Orange Shirt Day

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Orange Shirt Day

Recognized annually on September 30th

What is Orange Shirt Day?

Orange Shirt Day, which started in 2013, was designed to educate people and promote awareness about the Indian Residential School system and the impact on Indigenous communities. in Canada. We wear orange in affirmation of our commitment to truth and reconciliation.

Indian residential schools operated in Canada between 1831 and 1996 at over 130 sites. The schools were unsafe physically, cognitively, social/emotionally and spiritually. More than 150 000 children were forced to attend the schools. Children suffered ongoing, often severe abuse & neglect and thousands of children died. The schools were a direct cause of loss of language, culture, traditional knowledge and community. The effects continue to echo through our nation.

One Child’s Story

Phyllis was only 6 years old when she was forced to attend residential school in the early 1970’s. The first day at the school was tragic and one she would never forget. Alone and frightened, all her items were taken away, including her best and favourite shiny orange shirt. “The colour orange has always reminded me of that day….how my feelings didn’t matter, how no one cared and how I felt like I was worth nothing. All of us little children were crying and no one cared”.

On September 30th, the same time of year children were taken to Residential schools, we remember and acknowledge this painful legacy. We wear orange to symbolize the journey towards healing, truth and reconciliation, in honour of the children who survived residential schools and those who did not.

Every Child Matters
Moving Towards Reconciliation

Fore more information please visit:

 www.orangeshirtday.org 

Wear Purple on Rowan’s Law Day

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Rowan Stringer loved rugby. A competitive and keen athlete, she was captain of her high school’s team. Tragically, in May 2013, 17-year old Rowan died as the result of head injuries she sustained while playing rugby. In the week before her last game, Rowan was hit twice while playing, likely sustaining a concussion after each blow. Her concussions went unreported, and she continued to play. Rowan suspected something wasn’t right—she texted a friend about her condition and used Google to search for information about concussions. When she was hit again in her final game, Rowan suffered what is known as Second Impact Syndrome—catastrophic swelling caused by a second injury to a brain still healing from previous trauma. Rowan collapsed on the field on May 8, 2013, and died four days later.

What is Rowan’s Law Day?

Rowan’s Law Day was established in 2018, and will be observed across Ontario on the last Wednesday in September each year. The purpose of Rowan’s Law Day is to increase concussion education awareness, especially in schools.

Thank You! – 2018 Kindergarten Parent Survey

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Thank you to all the parents and caregivers who participated in the 2018 Kindergarten Parent Survey.

The ten winners of a $50 gift card have been contacted.

The information gathered will assist community organizations and school boards to better tailor community programs and services and reduce barriers to access.

A report to the community will be available in late Fall 2018.

Thank you to all parents and caregivers who participated in the 2018 Kindergarten Parent Survey.

REEL Writers East Hosting Film Festival

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The REEL Writers program is an NNDSB 3-week summer film camp that offers students in grades 5 to 8 engaging, creative and collaborative learning experiences through scriptwriting, photography, and cinematography.

REEL Writers East, which is held at Almaguin Highlands Secondary School this July, is hosting a film festival to showcase their learning and their finished films. The festival will take place on Friday, July 20, 2018 at 10:45 a.m. and will be held at the Burk's Falls Theatre in Burk's Falls. Families are invited to attend the screening of these young director's films.

For more information please contact:
Pamela Marshall Gray
Principal, Evergreen Heights Education Centre
Tel: (705) 636-5955
Email: Pamela.MarshallGray@nearnorthschools.ca
 
 

Director of Education Update Report 3:2 Consolidation

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At the June 5, 2018 Committee of the Whole Private Session Meeting, the Board of Trustees requested that the Director of Education, Jackie Young, prepare an update report on the 3:2 Consolidation that could be shared with the community.

The information contained within this report is intended to provide parents, students and all stakeholders with an update on the 3:2 Consolidation process.

 3:2 Consolidation

The Board of Trustees, with the support of Senior Administration, will proceed with the 3:2 Consolidation identified in the Board Resolution Number: 17-09-12, as soon as is practicable. The next major milestone for the project will be the submission of a business case to the Ministry of Education to obtain the funding to complete capital and infrastructure projects, purchase equipment and address programming and student transition requirements.  While the funding timelines, eligibility requirements and process has not been identified by the Ministry of Education, Senior Administration with the support of the Board of Trustees, have proceeded with the preparation of a preliminary business case to ensure that the Board is able to capitalize and move quickly when funding opportunities are announced.

Meanwhile, logistics with scheduling and programming requirements are being considered on a regular basis by the Board, Senior Administration, school administration and staff.  While the project costs and timelines are all contingent on funding, all efforts are being made to ensure that the 3:2 Consolidation proceed in a fiscally responsible manner that focuses on the needs and comfort of our students.

As with any capital project contingent on ministry funding, there is the possibility that the funding will be less than anticipated and/or unavailable.  While neither of these scenarios are anticipated, should either one occur, discussion would ensure with the Board of Trustees with respect to options and next steps.

 Programming Costs and Budgetary Implications

The Board of Trustees and our Senior Administration understand that there is a desire for firm numbers, costing details and specifics regarding the consolidation and specifically school transitions.  However as noted, that information has been prepared in a preliminary format only.  To release cost estimates at this stage would be irresponsible and could expose the Board and this project to unnecessary risk and exposure.

As with all capital projects, the final cost and expenditures will depend on the guidelines, templates, timelines and funding as determined by the Ministry of Education.

 Ongoing Communication

The Board and Senior Administration will continue to communicate with students, staff, and stakeholders through a variety of mechanisms including the Board website, school visits, face to face meetings and periodic updates when more information becomes available.

In order to address the concerns voiced by the community and to ensure a means of providing timely, accurate and updated information, the Board has designed a page on our website.  The information is accessible via Quick links on the Home Page and also under the Capital Planning page.  Moving forward we will be preparing a timeline of events to share.  The Board has also hired a new Information and Communications Officer, Mairghread Knought, who will be the communication point person on the 3:2 Consolidation.

 Project Timeline

There has been no change to the identified timeline and the Board and Senior Administration are moving forward in that respect.  However; should the timelines set by the Ministry with respect to funding opportunities impact our ability to meet the set completion date, the Board would need to explore the impact on students and adjust timelines accordingly.  The Widdifield Students will not be moved if the buildings are not appropriately ready to accept them.

UPDATE:  The Near North District School Board has confirmed that the proposed timeframe for the closure of Widdifield Secondary School and relocation of those students to Chippewa Secondary School and West Ferris Secondary School will be delayed.  It is anticipated that the closure will be delayed by a minimum of one year.

 Student Engagement and Rebranding

The Director of Education has begun a series of meetings with our secondary school students to discuss the 3:2 Consolidation to obtain feedback with respect to their concerns, thoughts and recommendations as the process moves forward.

Senior Administration is committed to working with students as the drivers behind what they need and want rebranding (then staff and parents, in that order). The intention is to hear from all students and then design a survey available to all students/staff for their input.  The data collected will be shared with parents through SAC.

The Near North District School Board is committed to ensuring that our students continue to receive the same high-quality education and support they have come to expect from us.

Jackie Young
Director of Education

Fore more information please contact:

Mairghread Knought
Information/Communication Officer
Near North District School Board
(705) 472-8170, extension 5010
Mairghread.Knought@nearnorthschools.ca

3:2 Consolidation Frequently Asked Questions

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The Near North District School Board understands that our students, parents and stakeholders have questions with respect to the 3:2 Consolidation and the upcoming school year.   The Frequently Asked Questions have been developed as a way for you to obtain accurate and current information.  As new information and questions come forward this section will be updated.

Close up of lockers

Feedback and Information

School Zone and Required Attendance

Re-Branding and School Identity

Transportation and Busing for New Schools

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