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
