Friday, June 13, 2025
The following are the highlights of the Near North District School Board (NNDSB) meeting of Tuesday, June 10, 2025.
Guideline regarding volunteers being updated
The Board agenda included a report that addresses revising the administrative guideline that addresses volunteers at NNDSB. The current guideline needed review to mitigate potential risks and ensure information is current and accurate.
Proposed changes include an annual offence declaration process for volunteers, streamlined data collection processes, a fulsome screening process, consistent practices and revised training procedures.
The draft revised guideline will now undergo a 30-day consultation process.
Director thanks staff for student success
In his written report to the Board, Director of Education Craig Myles noted that as the school year comes to a close, the focus is on student success, graduations, staff retirements, 25-year employee milestone recognition and summer learning. Myles thanked staff who continue to go above and beyond to contribute to student success and school experiences.
Myles also thanked NNDSB students for their hard work all year and wished them all a safe and happy summer break.
The Director’s report acknowledged Indigenous Peoples Day on Saturday, June 21. The day will be honoured in schools on Thursday, June 19 and Friday, June 20 with resources provided by the Indigenous Education Team.
Schools and staff were also mentioned in the report. Chippewa Secondary School teachers Jamie Carruthers and Craig Nodwell were acknowledged; Carruthers spearheaded a fundraising concert for stage/theatre equipment for the school, and Nodwell was recognized by Village Media with a BayToday Community Builder Award for Education. The West Ferris Parade for Cancer took place May 27, with $51,000 raised for the North Bay Regional Health Centre. Vincent Massey Public School was gifted with nine trees by Clean, Green, Beautiful North Bay for the lower school yard. Alliance French Immersion Public School achieved gold Healthy Schools Certification for the 2024-2025 school year, for participating in a range of impactful initiatives that promoted well-being, leadership and inclusivity.
Indigenous Student Trustee’s report
Indigenous Student Trustee Riley Trudeau reported that last month, students participated in a land-based learning workshop at Nbisiing Secondary School, which included teachings, powwow dancing, trapping, maple syrup making and hide scraping.
NNDSB students have been hosting their school powwows – celebrations of laughter, dance, language and culture.
The Indigenous Youth Circle (IYC) held its retreat at Nipissing University on June 5 and 6. The retreat provides a space for students to participate in cultural activities, and gives students from different schools the chance to connect after a year of hard work.
Trudeau said IYC has been the highlight of many students’ secondary school experiences, and expressed how proud she is of these students who continue to inspire. She also thanked NNDSB’s Indigenous Education Team for their support of the students and IYC.
Student Trustee’s report
Student Trustee Nanak Sidhu reported that several spirit weeks, community events, advocacy and fundraising activities and competitions have been held across the district.
He noted the West Ferris Secondary School event that raised $51,000 to support cancer research and patient programs at North Bay Regional Health Centre.
In sports, three Almaguin athletes advance to OFSAA in track and field, and Chippewa’s mixed doubles tennis pair earned NOSSA gold.
West Ferris student Jiya Savsani earned a bronze medal at the Canada-Wide Science Fair.
Sidhu reported that the Student Senate held its last meeting of the year, at which they brainstormed advocacy priorities and improvement ideas. He and the incoming student trustee will collaborate on a plan to ensure an impactful term.
The final Ontario Student Trustees’ Association (OSTA) leadership team meeting is scheduled for July. The session will focus on the incoming team for success, including sharing knowledge, advocacy tools and strategies to keep OSTA strong.
As this was Sidhu’s last Board meeting, he thanked staff and the Board for his experience as a student trustee for NNDSB.
Board approves updated Special Education Plan
Trustees approved the updated Special Education Plan 2025-2026 as presented to the Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC).
Changes noted in the plan include those related to roles and responsibilities, revised language/definitions from the Ministry of Education and revised descriptions of special education placement options.
Also added to the plan was additional, focused professional development for several categories of staff.
SEAC had presentations on several topics throughout the year, including the student achievement plan, the central behaviour team, math interventions and programming for special education students, RISE by LearnStyle and emotion coaching.
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Note: the full agenda package is posted on the website prior to meetings, and official minutes are posted after they are approved at the next Board meeting.
