Friday, Nov. 5, 2021
Dear Parents and Guardians,
This monthly Letter to Families is intended to keep you apprised of news that affects all students and families of Near North District School Board (NNDSB). The Letter to Families is distributed on the first Friday of the month.
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One of NNDSB’s community partners, Nipissing University’s Biidaaban Academic Support, is offering a tutoring program for Indigenous youth in Grades 3-8, with a focus on math and literacy.
Nipissing University student volunteers offer online or in-school tutoring support between October and March based on student needs and the tutor’s availability. Students will receive up to three hours of tutoring.
Families may register here or contact Makayla Nowee at 705-474-3450 ext. 4586 or email makaylan@nipissingu.ca.
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Families whose children are eligible for transportation should have received a notice from Nipissing-Parry Sound Student Transportation Service (the Consortium) regarding opting out of transportation services.
Seating charts have been created for contact tracing purposes. If students will not be accessing assigned transportation this year, families are asked to complete a form confirming they are opting out of busing services this school year. If you are in this situation and have not yet filled out a form, please contact your school secretary for the form.
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There has been an update to the COVID-19 school and childcare screening tool.
Families should use this version of the tool to decide if they should be attending school or childcare.
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Library services reminds families that NNDSB provides safe, accurate and age-appropriate online subscriptions to students through the NNDSB Virtual Library. These educational sites are available to elementary and secondary students from home, 24/7 for research and homework help.
The subscription also includes SORA, which is a student digital reading library for students to borrow e-books and audio books of popular fiction titles for their independent reading enjoyment. Subscriptions are password protected.
Students may reach out to their school librarian for login information.
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NNDSB will continue to take steps and enact procedures that build resiliency, enhance the safety and well-being of all individuals in its schools and promote clear standards of behaviour. The board’s code of conduct, and each school’s individual code of conduct, reflect the requirements outlined in Policy/Program Memorandum No. 128 (Dec. 5, 2012).
The Ontario standards of behaviour apply to all individuals (principals, teachers, other school staff, students, parents/guardians, volunteers, community groups, partners, etc.) involved in the schools and activities of NNDSB. These standards of behaviour apply to students whether they are on school property, on school buses, travelling to and from school, at school-authorized events or activities, or in other circumstances that could have an impact on the school climate.
Families play an important role in the education of their children and can support the efforts of school staff in maintaining a safe, inclusive, accepting and respectful learning environment for all students. Parents and guardians fulfill their role when they:
• show that they are familiar with the provincial Code of Conduct, the board’s code of conduct, and school rules by conducting themselves in a respectful manner while at the school and while in conversation (in-person, phone, email) with the school;
• communicate regularly with the school;
• show an active interest in their child’s school work and progress;
• help their child be appropriately dressed, and prepared for school;
• ensure that their child attends school regularly and on time;
• promptly report to the school their child’s absence or late arrival;
• encourage and assist their child in following the rules of behaviour;
• assist school staff in dealing with disciplinary issues involving their child.
Learn more by reading your school’s code of conduct, available on your school’s website.
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The Healthy Schools Team has been hard at work this school year bringing many opportunities for increased physical health and well-being to students throughout the district. Last week we announced our newest project: Safe Cycling with NNDSB. This project, made possible through
partnerships with the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit, Ride Smart Ontario and the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), is aimed at Grade 7 and 8 students who will become conscientious, safe and skilled cyclists who can practice regular bike maintenance, troubleshoot mechanical problems, and learn how to cycle in all environments safely. This project was made possible thanks to funding provided through the Ontario Active School Travel Fund by Green Communities Canada with support from the Government of Ontario and will result in students becoming leaders in active transportation. Our goal is to get more students using travel modes that are active, safe and sustainable!
NNDSB received a generous grant from the Safe and Healthy Schools Branch of the Ministry of Education to promote the sport of cricket.
Cricket is a global sport played worldwide and has generated significant interest in Canada in the last decade.
The program’s goal is to represent all genders, including providing a supportive environment for girls to participate in physical activity. The cricket initiative’s four key focus areas are equity; inclusion; quality opportunities; and collaboration and partnerships.
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There has recently been a minor update made to the COVID-19 School and Childcare Screening Tool to provide further clarification on the federal government’s return to school requirements for students who are returning from international travel.
Individuals returning from international travel may not attend school or childcare for 14 days upon their return. For further clarity, while unvaccinated children under the age of 12 are exempt from federal quarantine if they travelled with a fully vaccinated companion, they may not attend school or childcare for 14 days upon their return. Individuals with all other quarantine exemptions (e.g., travelling for cross-border custody arrangements; travelling for medical treatment) may continue to attend school or childcare. Copies of the new screener are available for download here.
Please ensure that your child uses this screening tool each day before attending school, as it is the best way to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our schools.
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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
