MENUMENU
  • Board
    • Find a School
    • Contact Us
    • Site Map
  • Students
    • Edsby
    • Office 365
    • Virtual Library
    • LMS
    • Clever
    • Career Cruising
  • Parents
    • Parent Portal
    • Bus Delays/Cancellations
    • School Cash Online

Near North District School Board

MENUMENU
  • Go to homepage
  • Schools
        • Find Your School
        • District Map
        • How do I Register?
        • Contact Us
  • Programs
        • Programs

        • e-Learning
        • Alternative and Adult Education
        • Adult English as a Second Language
        • English as a Second Language
        • Extended French
        • French Immersion
        • Indigenous Education
        • Equity and Well-Being / Safe and Accepting Schools
        • Programs (cont.)

        • Kindergarten
        • Special Education
        • Summer School 2021-2022
        • Specialized Programs

        • Arts Nipissing
        • Dual Credits
        • International Baccalaureate
        • Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program
        • Near North Sports
        • Personal Support Worker (PSW)
        • Custodial Services Program
        • Specialist High Skills Major
        • STEAM Program
  • Parents
        • General Information

        • Diploma Requirements
        • Indigenous Student Self-Identification
        • School Calendar
        • Stay informed
        • Who Should I Talk To?
        • Xello Parent
        • Starting at NNDSB

        • Childcare & School-Aged Programs
        • Parent Involvement
        • School Registration
        • Transportation
        • Login

        • Manage My Account
        • Parent Portal
        • School Cash Online
  • Board
        • Administration

        • Senior Administration
        • Board and Committee Meetings
        • Board Governance
        • Board of Trustees
        • Director’s Annual Report
        • Multi-Year Plan
        • 2021: A Year in Review
        • Operations

        • Capital Planning
        • Financial Information
        • Tenders & RFPs
        • General Information

        • ​Accessibility Standards for Customer Service
        • Administrative Guidelines
        • Community Use of Schools
        • Concussion Resources
        • Energy Management
        • Safe Schools Guidelines
  • Learning Resources
        • Clever
        • Copyright Decision Tool
        • Edsby
        • eLearning (LMS)
        • Passport to Learning
        • Learn 360
        • Manage my Account
        • Microsoft Teams
        • Virtual Desktop Apps
        • Ontario Education Resource Bank
        • Office 365 Apps
        • Office 365 Mail
        • TVO Mathify
        • Virtual Library
        • Xello
  • Communications
        • About Communications
        • Social Media at NNDSB
        • Media Contact
        • Media Releases
        • Blog
  • Join Our Team
NNDSB Logo

Media Release

For Immediate Release

Ferris students grow connections with peer support

July 28, 2021 By Deb

Wednesday, July 28, 2021

Community is built when people invest their time in organizations, and in each other. Near North District School Board (NNDSB) supports the building of school communities by giving staff and students the opportunity to share talents while developing leadership skills.

At West Ferris Intermediate and Secondary School, several opportunities exist for participation in mentorship and leadership, some of them for credit.

Principal Andy Gagné says having students reach out to support other students

means an approach in a different and more comfortable way, that is often well received. An example of this is the iCoach program in which students in the Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) program work with and assist with technology in a class.

One of the many goals of the STEAM program is to help students master the 21st century competencies that will help them to successfully navigate the job market of the future. STEAM students become resilient, self-sufficient learners that can quickly adapt to changing situations using the skills that they have learned in the program.

West Ferris is an Apple Distinguished School, recognized for being a centre of leadership and educational excellence. Apple supports the school’s vision as students’ creativity, collaboration and critical thinking are inspired with Mac products. It has helped STEAM students with their understanding and knowledge of technology and their understanding of collaboration and mentoring through such initiatives as iCoach.

Grade 11 STEAM student Kennedy Kerr was an iCoach for a Grade 10 academic English class. Though COVID altered the way she interacted with the class, she was easily able to help the teacher and students in a virtual mode.

In a video she created, Kennedy says, during the octomester as an iCoach, “I am not able to work with the students and the teacher one-on-one. My knowledge from the STEAM program has allowed me to adapt to this unexpected curve in my education with only a few challenges.” Kennedy was able to present work to students and the teacher with iMovies, trailers and Keynotes “in a way that can be shared and presented via online classroom meetings.”

The iCoach position provides unique leadership opportunities for the student, peer support for students in the class, and educational technology assistance to the staff.

Gagné says other mentorship positions occur in the school; within the four self-contained personal life management classrooms (one intermediate class, three secondary school classes). These are mentorship opportunities for which students can earn a credit.

As COVID created the need for cohorts, student leaders were only able to help in one class. Post-COVID, students will be able to support several classes.

At West Ferris, there are also non-credit programs that give students the opportunity to provide leadership, including in academics, physical education and sports, where secondary students mentor younger students.

These are some of the many ways NNDSB works to develop good citizenship in its students.

-30-

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

 

 

 

Filed Under: Media Releases, News and Announcements, NNDSB Featured

NNDSB Indigenous Education Logo

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
MENUMENU
  • Contact Us
  • Find Your School
  • Parent Portal
  • ​Accessibility Standards

Login with IDP
Copyright © 2023 · Near North District School Board