Friday, Aug. 30, 2024
Dear Parents and Guardians,
The 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). It is typically distributed on the first Friday of the month, but is sent the Friday before school begins in September as a welcome to the new school year.
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Director of Education Craig Myles hopes everyone had a safe and enjoyable summer, and offers NNDSB students a heartfelt welcome to the 2024-2025 school year!
Some staff at NNDSB have been working through July and August to prepare our facilities for another school year brimming with lessons and adventure. Our educators are looking forward to providing students with a great year of learning and fun.
To our youngest learners and new families, welcome to NNDSB! This monthly letter is just one way we endeavour to keep our families informed of what’s going on in the board.
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Math fact fluency, or the ability for students to recall basic math facts quickly, accurately, and effortlessly, is an essential component of students’ math knowledge. Lack of fact fluency can slow down students’ processing of more complex math problems and situations.
Recent research shows the importance of fact fluency as a foundation for more difficult math, and even as a predictor of future math success. For these reasons, fact fluency is one important component of math programming across our district as we begin the new school year. Please check out our updated NNDSB Math For Families page for strategies and resources to help your child build fact fluency at home.
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If you’re receiving this letter by email, you’ve filled out the Canadian Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL) form and provided express consent to receive material from NNDSB and your child’s school. If you are reading this online or via social media and would like to receive board news, please be sure to fill out and return the CASL form that will be coming home with students in the first few days of the school year. Alternatively, the form can be accessed here, and returned to your child’s school.
If you do not return the CASL form, you will not receive any communication from either the board or schools.
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Families should have received letters from their child’s school regarding the Ministry of Education’s updated policy guidance about codes of conduct, which includes restrictions on the use of personal mobile devices while at school or school events effective Sept. 1, 2024.
This information is being sent at school level. If you have not received a letter, reach out to your child’s school.
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Student exchange organization YES Canada, in partnership with NNDSB, is welcoming international students from a range of destinations such as Australia, New Zealand, Japan and France to study at local secondary schools in North Bay, Parry Sound and surrounding areas this school year. Hosting opportunities are available in the fall and throughout the school year.
YES Canada is seeking families interested in participating in this rewarding experience and hosting an incoming student. Host families provide a home away from home in a safe and nurturing environment, three meals per day and the opportunity for the student to become a family member. A monthly stipend to offset the cost of hosting is provided, as well as on-going guidance and support from the experienced YES Canada team prior to and during a student’s stay.
If you are interested in hosting an international high school student or would like to learn more about YES Canada’s homestay program and the many benefits of becoming a host, we will be excited to connect with you. Hosting opportunities are available for possible durations of two, three, five, 10 and 12 months.
For more information or to become a YES Canada Host Family email homestay@youthedservices.ca, call 416-624-6200 ext. 410 or visit the YES Canada website.
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Last year, the Ministry of Education directed school boards to share a detailed summary of PA Day activities with families in communication, on the website, on social media and in board buildings.
Information about PA day activities will be included in the monthly letter to families, including links to board’s website.
Click here for information about PA Day activities. You will find a list of dates of PA Days; each link will take you to an outline of that day’s activities for staff. Here is a link to the training that took place Aug. 28 and 29.
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A hard copy of the 2024-2025 school year calendar will be sent home with students, but it can also be found online.
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School transportation is provided by Nipissing Parry Sound Student Transportation Services (NPSSTS), not NNDSB. Families can visit www.npssts.ca for information on eligibility, walking distances, processes for making changes, registration for the parent portal and to subscribe to notifications.
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There is a communications protocol in place for families to resolve issues that may arise at school. Communications information can be found on this page of the website. Open the communication protocol accordion for more information, including the purpose of the protocol. The family communication protocol will outline the process to be followed in addressing concerns. Escalating an issue to the board office without first working with the teacher and principal will result in your concern being redirected to the school.
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The next meeting of the Board will be held Tuesday, Sept. 10 at 6:30 p.m. The meeting is open to the public and you are welcome to attend in person or join via Zoom. The link and login information can be found at the top of the Board and committee meetings page.
Information about the Board, committees and their meetings can be found here.
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The next meeting of the special education advisory committee (SEAC) will be held Thursday, Sept 19 at 1 p.m. via Zoom, or in person at the North Bay board office.
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In addition to staying informed via the board’s website, families can find NNDSB on Facebook and Instagram.
Sincerely,
Near North District School Board
