Friday, Nov. 21, 2025
The following are the highlights of the Near North District School Board (NNDSB) meeting of Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025.
Admin guidelines open for consultation
Trustees were provided with draft revised administrative guidelines, which are now in the process of a 30-day public consultation.
The first draft revised administrative guideline is about adult education and includes the need for all learners to adhere to the code of conduct. The second is about the exclusion of students, and provides increased clarity on reporting attendance and achievement for students on exclusion. The third guideline is about home instruction and provides clarity about reporting attendance and achievement for students receiving home instruction.
All guidelines open for public consultation can be found on this page, by opening the first accordion on the page.
Director’s report to the Board
The Director of Education’s report to the Board of Trustees included recognizing the work accomplished by staff since the start of the school year. The report also expressed appreciation to trustees for their support in navigating challenges, and noted the dedication of newly appointed trustees to bring the board back to the central focus of student achievement and well-being.
Sundridge Centennial Public School was recognized for once again opening its doors and parking lot on Halloween night to provide a warm space for trick-or-treaters and a gathering place for residents. Principal Jill Cooper noted that schools should act as a critical part of the community and should act to create a solution when needs are identified in the community.
Students at Almaguin Highlands Secondary School are being supported in their efforts to curb vaping. Many partners, including the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit, contributed to the students designing and building an anti-vaping gazebo, meant to act as a gathering point for lunchtime activities.
Students at White Woods Public School in Sturgeon Falls set out to raise $4,500 in their Terry Fox Run, but raised a whopping $12,000 this year. Congratulations to
staff for their dedication to these efforts, and to students and their families for supporting this cause.
External member of audit committee appointed
Trustees approved the recommendation of the audit committee’s external member selection committee to appoint Narmada Subramanian to the audit committee as an external member.
This is a three-year term effective immediately and ending on Nov. 17, 2028.
Indigenous Student Trustee Trudeau’s report
Indigenous Student Trustee Riley Trudeau reported that the first in-person meeting of the Indigenous Youth Circle (IYC) took place in at Northern Secondary School. Unfortunately, the rep from Parry Sound High School had to attend virtually. The group discussed IYC merchandise, and each member provided school updates. At its last meeting, IYC chose the Chanie Wenjack Fund to receive IYC’s give back fundraising.
At Almaguin Highlands Secondary School, IYC participated in Walk for Wenjack, Treaty Week, Louis Riel Day and Rock your Mocs. The group is also looking to start a medicine garden in their school.
Chippewa’s IYC meets weekly, and is planning a moccasin workshop for secondary school students.
At F.J. McElligott, IYC held a Truth and Reconciliation presentation for all students and staff. There were a number of activities, and the junior phys ed students played lacrosse and learned about the national league and the Indigenous history behind the game.
Northern Secondary School’s IYC worked on Walk for Wenjack events and is planning to bring an artist to work on painting. There were also plans for Treaty Week and Indigenous Veteran’s Day. The group hopes for beading and braiding workshops. Most of the IYC members are graduating this year, so there are recruitment efforts at the school.
West Ferris’ IYC worked on Walk for Wenjack events and has incorporated drumming into the school with women’s hand drumming, and Grandfather drumming starting soon. There was a hide scraping workshop, as well as beading and medicine pouch workshops. Intermediate students attend IYC meetings once a month.
Student Trustee Bassi’s report
Student Trustee Dev Bassi reported that NNDSB students continue with many extracurricular activities, with midterms now over.
He spoke about different initiatives at secondary schools, including Socktober at Chippewa, which collected 400 pairs of new socks for donation to local shelters, and a stem cell swab-in and information session run by two students with support from Canadian Blood Services.
West Ferris’ positivity committee made brochures to promote wellness and provide resources to students, and at Almaguin, a BBQ was part of an anti-vaping campaign. Students from F.J. McElligott went to Stratford to see productions of Annie and MacBeth.
Bassi reported that fall sports are wrapping up with many teams making their way to OFSAA.
Arts and other clubs are making an impact, with a fundraising concert at Chippewa to raise money for OutLOUD North Bay, a new games club at Almaguin, and McElligott students preparing for their holiday play.
Student Senate met on Nov. 5 in person at Laurentian Learning Centre. Senators discussed the effect of the Take Back Your Washrooms campaign and how to move the initiative forward.
Bassi noted that as Vice-President of Public Education at OSTA-AÉCO, he recently attended OSTA’s fall general meeting, where he met with many speakers and gained professional development regarding consent education, student well-being, equity, diversity and inclusivity, and truth and reconciliation. He also hosted two sessions for public student trustees from all across Ontario. One session was about OPSBA, student advocacy, and Bill 33; the second session provided professional development regarding teamwork and public speaking.
Change to June 2026 PA day
Trustees approved a motion to changes the PA day in June 2026 from June 4 to June 5.
Initially, boards selected June 4 as the PA day following direction from the ministry, as that day was pre-set as an election day. As elections have been held, there is no reason to keep Thursday as the PA day. Nipissing Parry Sound Student Transportation Services (NPSSTS, or the consortium) is aware of the change.
The updated school-year calendar and co-terminus boards’ notice can be found here.
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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.
