Near North District School Board

Letter to Families – vaccine clinic survey

By

Monday, Feb. 7, 2022

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Near North District School Board (NNDSB) is supports school vaccine clinics for students aged 5 to 11, who are eligible for COVID-19 vaccination.

Please use this link to a letter from the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit which invites families to participate in a survey to help then in planning future youth vaccination clinics in the district.

The letter advises families to keep scheduled appointments and provides information on how to book an appointment.

Thank you,

Near North District School Board

February 2022 Letter to Families

By

Friday, Feb. 4, 2022

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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In recent weeks there have been several weather-related bus cancellations, as well as delays due to driver shortages. We understand that cancellations and delays, especially ones that are announced later in the morning, may cause upheaval to some families’ plans.

NNDSB is a member board of a consortium that provides transportation services to schools. Nipissing Parry Sound Student Transportation Services (NPSSTS or the consortium) provides the service, not the board. The guidelines they have in place provide details of cancellations will occur. Cancellations are made to maintain the safety of NNDSB students and bus drivers.

When NNDSB receives notification that the consortium has cancelled a route or corridor, we post on the board’s social media accounts (see links at the end of this letter). Full details can be found on NPSSTS’s delays and cancellations page.

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As students have returned to school, they continue to be expected to complete the daily COVID-19 self-screening tool. Occasionally, students may be required to self-isolate, as a precautionary measure. Considering these circumstances, NNDSB has developed a plan to support ‘short-term’ remote learning.

Central staff will work in collaboration with classroom educators to support students who may be required to access remote learning for short periods of time. Short-term (Kindergarten to Grade 8) remote learning resources include technology enabled synchronous learning experiences (or live events), facilitated by program coordinators, librarians and Indigenous cultural advisors.

Furthermore, after-school virtual/synchronous tutoring is now available to all (Kindergarten to Grade 12) students to support them in continuing their learning during short-term absences. To learn more about these short-term learning supports, please contact your child’s educator.

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It is that time of year again when we look to welcome our newest and youngest learners into the NNDSB family! If you have a child who was born on or before Dec 31, 2018, they are eligible to begin school this September. Registration has never been easier: simply follow this link to our Kindergarten Registration page and complete the form. We strongly recommend that families register as soon as possible.

The Early Years Team is also offering parents three opportunities to learn about kindergarten programs in Near North. These virtual events will occur on Feb 10, 16, and 22, 2022, all starting at 6 p.m. Parents can register using the QR code found on our Kindergarten webpage.

These sessions will provide parents with an overview of the Ontario kindergarten curriculum, what kindergarten in NNDSB looks like and answer any questions parents may have. Your child’s school will also be conducting parent sessions this spring: stay tuned for more information or call your local school to find out more!

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Tuesday, Feb 8 is Safer Internet Day. To support the safety and well-being of NNDSB students, we encourage all parents to attend the presentation ONLINE DANGERS: Online Child Sexual Exploitation and Cyberbullying. This is an online panel presented by Public Safety Canada, that will tackle some of the most difficult topics that youth, parents, and caregivers face today – cyberbullying to online child sexual exploitation. A panel of experts from the Canadian Centre for Child Protection, Kids Help Phone and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, will define the issues, tell parents and caregivers what to look out for, and discuss how they can talk to their kids.

Though this panel is tailored towards parents and caregivers, much of the information will be valuable for educators to learn more about these issues and how to better support families.

The English and French panels will be live at the same time on Feb. 8, from 6-7 p.m. Participants are encouraged to register for a session based on their language preference. Registration will close an hour before the event.

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NNDSB has so much great information to share from the program team! Read on to learn about the launch of innovative science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and coding Initiatives.

Near North Codes: In February, NNDSB math facilitators introduced a new teaching and learning resource to support STEM, science, technology, engineering, the arts and math (STEAM) and coding in mathematics classrooms. Near North Codes is a monthly professional learning publication and instructional resource designed to support staff in developing familiarity with coding and confidence integrating coding into classroom learning experiences.

Each month, a new edition of Near North Codes will be released. Resources will be sequenced as a progression of coding tasks, designed to support educators with the implementation of the new math curriculum coding expectations for Grades 1-9.

Teachers will find helpful links to support their own understanding of the expectations, along with a series of highlighted tasks for each division. These tasks can be immediately implemented with students, using Scratch Jr (primary) or Scratch (junior & intermediate).

Live Coding Events: All NNDSB Grade 4 classrooms have been invited to embark on an exciting coding adventure with Real-Life Googlers in partnership with the Cobblestone Initiative.

This live coding event will take place from March 29-31. It will include a one-hour live, co-taught virtual lesson on March 29, followed by a 30-minute live lesson on March 31.

Participating educators will have access to a drop-in Q&A session on March 30. No prior coding experience or knowledge is required for staff or students to participate. This innovative model will allow teachers to access classroom-embedded STEM learning while students benefit from interactive coding experiences delivered by coding experts.

Tutoring: Tutoring services have been made available to students and families across the system. After school, small group, in-person tutoring is available in 12 elementary schools focusing on learning recovery for primary students in literacy and numeracy. Virtual, one-on-one after-school tutoring support has been available to secondary students. This support is available each Tuesday to Thursday. Starting January 2022 virtual, one-on-one after school tutoring support has been available to elementary students. Progress monitoring in the primary programs and number of tutoring sessions offered virtually demonstrate improved outcomes and high frequency use of supports.

Intermediate (Grades 7 – 10) Literacy Intervention: Grades K-12 program and special education staff continue to work in partnership to explore and identify resources that support intermediate literacy learning. In the coming weeks, additional reading resources and assessment tools will be shared with intermediate educators and students. New literacy tools will help teachers plan daily classroom instruction and assessment that are systematic, evidence-based and assess foundational reading skills, provide differentiated and personalized instruction, and set appropriate learning goals with their students. Upcoming professional development opportunities will ensure that intermediate educators understand how to access and apply tools and gather the information they need to address students’ reading learning needs.

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In addition to staying informed via the board’s website, families can find NNDSB on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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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

Almaguin Highlands Secondary School students learn about being active citizens

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Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022

Almaguin Highlands Secondary School students learn about being active citizens

Students across Near North District School Board (NNDSB) are active citizens in their communities every day. As part of a civics and citizenship class at Almaguin Highlands Secondary School (AHSS), students helped sweeten the holidays for local seniors.

Teacher Laurel Gough’s civics and citizenship class ran a Christmas cookie collection for a local initiative, Adopt a Senior for Christmas. The project is run by Meranda Wood, an AHSS graduate who works for the North Bay Police Service.

Gough says this all came together during a discussion about active citizenship within our communities. Students were wondering what kind of difference they could make.

“This provided an opportunity to discuss the various ways we can have a significant impact within our area, including running a holiday charity drive. We discussed the significance of thinking beyond ourselves, developing empathy and understanding the needs of others,” said Gough. “The students created their own promotional material for the Christmas cookie collection, and even wrote and read their own morning announcements. They are a wonderful group of caring individuals who will surely go forward to become excellent active citizens within their communities,” she said.

Though the project was spearheaded and organized by Gough’s class, all AHSS students were invited to donate contributions.

Adopt a Senior for Christmas helps seniors in the community who are alone for Christmas by collecting their wish lists and creating stockings for them, as well as organizing someone in the community to buy them a gift. The gifts are then distributed to the seniors.

“The Grade 10 students in Mrs. Gough’s civics and citizenship class learned the importance of active citizenship. We learned that being an active citizen is the responsibility to help out in your community, in the world and to be a person who volunteers or donates to local organizations” says student Charlie Hall. “We applied this knowledge, spearheading a Christmas goodie collection at Almaguin Highland Secondary School for the Adopt a Senior for Christmas Charity.

“The local charity program’s goal is to ensure that no senior feels alone at Christmas. We hope that our contributions created a feeling of Christmas cheer for the seniors who received some of our special treats,” adds Charlie.

A staggering 81 boxes of goodies were collected at AHSS and distributed to local seniors in the community.

Gough says the treats were delivered by community paramedics who ensured recipients knew their goodies came from students at AHSS.

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photo of students wearing masks, displaying donations of treats

Cutline information:

Almaguin Highlands Secondary School students in Laurel Gough’s civics and citizenship class spearheaded a school-wide Christmas cookie collection to brighten the holidays for seniors.

For more information, please contact:

Deb Bartlett
Communications Officer
Near North District School Board
P. (705) 472-8170, extension 5010
E. Deb.Bartlett@nearnorthschools.ca

Community support helps fill tummies at Phelps Central

By

Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022

Community support helps fill tummies at Phelps Central

A group of contributors from the Redbridge area has pooled together financial resources to make a $2,500 donation to the breakfast program at Phelps Central Public School.

In addition to packing the pantry, the donors also bought staff and students pizza lunch before the start of the winter break.

Rhondi Synnott, a Grade 5/6 teacher at the school, says “Not only will students have full tummies to optimize learning, but they can also see first-hand how kindness has positive effects on each other and the community as a whole.”

The donors to the breakfast program include A&L Drywall, John’s Mobile Small Engine Repairs, Platinum Heating and Electrical, Kelly’s Auto Glass, Marc Girard of Century 21, Lafargeholcim and the Trendy Thrifter.

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For more information, please contact:

Deb Bartlett
Communications Officer
Near North District School Board
P. (705) 472-8170, extension 5010
E. Deb.Bartlett@nearnorthschools.ca

Letter to Secondary Families – semesters

By

Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022

Dear Parents and Guardians of secondary school students,

Near North District School Board (NNDSB) had announced that it would move to a normal four-course semester system when approval was given by the Ministry of Education and the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit. As we had not received such approval, we announced in our Letter to Families on Jan. 7 that we were moving forward with a quadmester model for the second half of this school year.

Since that communication, the Ministry of Education confirmed that all school boards in Ontario can resume a four-course semester timetable with the approval of the local health unit and that the local health unit was in support of this model.

Plans are being made to transition secondary students from octomester to semester timetables effective Jan. 31. Families and students do not need to take action, and course selections will remain unchanged. Questions about the semester timetable should be directed to the school.

We will be maintaining our commitment to student and staff safety and well-being and will continue to follow the directions and advice of the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Health, and the North Bay Parry Sound Health Unit.

Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,

Near North District School Board

Letter to Families – reopening details

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Friday, Jan. 14, 2022

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Further to our letter of Wednesday, Jan. 12, this letter to families provides more information about the return to in-person learning on Monday. Near North District School Board (NNDSB) will continue to share details about the return to school as they become available.

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Many workplaces are expecting to be short-staffed due to the transmissibility of the Omicron variant of COVID-19, and the new requirements around self-isolating. NNDSB is anticipating staff shortages, too.

If schools are not able to safely operate with the number of available staff, NNDSB will close schools. The announcement may be made the night before, the morning of the closure, or possibly even during the day in certain circumstances.

We understand the lack of notice will be problematic for many families. Unfortunately, it is a reality we face, and we want to give families advance notice so they may make contingency plans if their child’s school is closed.

NNDSB will work within the parameters outlined by the Ministry of Education, and situations will vary from school to school. If a school is closed, it will be communicated to affected families by the school through SchoolMessenger. Information will also be shared on NNDSB’s Facebook and Twitter accounts as soon as possible.

While schools may be closed, learning will continue online. Teachers will reach out to families about remote learning opportunities in the event of a school closure.

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Effective Monday, Jan. 17, 2022, it will be mandatory that all JK/SK students wear masks.

High-quality, three-ply masks will be made available for all students at all schools. Schools also stock medical-grade masks for all students if needed.

Non-fit-tested N95 masks will be available for all staff.

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The Ministry of Education announced it will be providing families with rapid antigen tests to assist in keeping schools safe for students and staff. The kits, like those sent home with students before the winter break, will be distributed next week.

NNDSB will be distributing all tests it has received. Schools and board offices do not have a stock of tests. More tests will be distributed once NNDSB receives more. Next. week, students will be given two tests each.

Instructions will be included with the tests. If the instruction sheet is misplaced, you may find the instructions for the tests here. There is also an instruction video. Rapid antigen tests are only to be used if a student is exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19.

All staff and students will be required to confirm they have successfully self-screened every day before coming to school.

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If your family borrowed a device(s) from NNDSB for the return to online learning, please return all devices, charging blocks and cables to school next week.

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On the advice of Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health and the local health unit, indoor high contact and high-intensity activities (such as wrestling, basketball, multi-cohort choirs and wind instrument ensembles, for example) have been paused. For the week of Jan. 17, all extra-curricular activities and practices will be paused. All interschool sports will be paused until Jan. 31, pending review by the health unit and co-terminus school boards.

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As always, any important news will be shared with stakeholder groups, including families, by letter. The board’s website is also updated, with pandemic news located on the COVID-19 alerts page. News is also posted to the board’s Facebook and Twitter accounts.

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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. The health and safety of students and staff remains our top priority.

Thank you,

Near North District School Board

Board Highlights for January meeting

By

Friday, Jan. 14, 2022

Board Highlights for January meeting

The following are the highlights of the Near North District School Board (NNDSB) meeting of Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022.

Public Education Symposium moves online

The pandemic has led to Ontario Public School Boards’ Association (OPSBA) to move its annual Public Education Symposium online. The symposium is the association’s premier professional development for school boards.

This year’s event will be held Friday, Jan. 28.

Because boards will pay a flat fee based on student enrolment, all trustees plus five additional board staff will be able to participate in the symposium.

Anti-sex trafficking protocols introduced

A report was presented to the Board that outlined NNDSB’s administrative guideline for anti-sex trafficking protocols. The protocols are in response to a Ministry of Education requirement that all school boards in Ontario must have a protocol for the response to suspected sex trafficking occurrences.

The guideline creates community-centred anti-sex trafficking protocols, and outlines education for students, families and staff about sex trafficking, healthy relationships, safe and responsible use of technology, addressing high-risk behaviour and knowing when and how to seek help.

Accomplishments honoured in year-end review

The Board took time to honour the work achieved by staff last year. A year-end review was included in the agenda package, and Director of Education Craig Myles spoke to the work at the meeting.

In spite of being challenged by remote learning and continuing effects of COVID-19, NNDSB staff made strides in all areas of the organization. The Multi-Year Strategic Plan was approved and launched, the board was acknowledged by the Ombudsman of Ontario for implementing recommendations around transparency and governance, two new school builds are in the works in North Bay and Parry Sound, and relationships with stakeholders are being improved through communications and collaboration.

For more information, see this media release.

Indigenous Student Trustee sworn in

Allen Lewis Trodd was sworn in as NNDSB’s Indigenous Student Trustee at Tuesday night’s meeting.

Lewis Trodd is a Grade 11 student at Parry Sound High School who is from Magnetawan First Nation. He is a member of NNDSB’s Indigenous Youth Circle and Student Senate.

In his presentation to the Indigenous Youth Circle, Lewis Trodd said, “I’d love to be the student trustee to be able to talk about, explain, to show them the great ideas we make here…talk about our goals, what we plan to do, what we hope to do.”

For more information, see this media release.

Student Trustee highlights community engagement

In her presentation to the Board, Student Trustee Cecilia Darling spoke about the activities that secondary school students participated in prior to the winter break. Several of the schools participated in collecting items for charities and local food banks. Staff and students also participated in holiday-related events, like writing letters and donating small gifts to seniors in long-term care homes.

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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.

For more information, please contact:
Deb Bartlett (she/her)
Communications Officer
Near North District School Board
P. (705) 472-8170 ext. 5010
E. Deb.Bartlett@nearnorthschools.ca

 

Board takes time to honour its accomplishments in 2021

By

Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022

Board takes time to honour its accomplishments in 2021

Trustees of the Near North District School Board (NNDSB) took a few moments at their Jan. 11 meeting to appreciate the achievements made throughout 2021.

In a year that saw even more challenges presented by the continuation of the COVID-19 pandemic, staff of NNDSB forged ahead with plans to achieve the Board’s goals.

Director of Education Craig Myles spoke to the work accomplished in 2021 at the Board meeting. The presentation was accompanied by a document in the agenda package called 2021 A Year in Review. Highlights included the launch of the Multi-Year Strategic Plan (MYSP), acknowledgement by the Ombudsman of Ontario for implementing recommendations around transparency and governance, recognition for successfully implementing a vaccination policy procedure and being asked to support the Government of the Northwest Territories in doing the same, submission of successful grant proposals to enhance services, commencement of the process of building new schools in North Bay and Parry Sound, increased stakeholder communication, formation of the Equity Advisory Circle and Indigenous Youth Circle, launch of a Personal Support Worker program throughout the district and begun a reorganization to better align resources.

“These results are very pleasing,” said Board Chair Jay Aspin. “As Trustees, in 2018 we were given a public mandate to reform and rejuvenate the Near North board. With the strong support of the Board of Trustees and the solid leadership of Director Craig Myles and his senior leadership team, we are accomplishing our goals despite the harsh, disruptive pandemic conditions we’ve faced. Our heartiest congratulations to everyone for working so hard toward the achievement of these goals.”

In the area of human resources (HR), the board has begun recruitment and selection processes to build talent pools of future leaders. Leadership development and succession planning are a focus, with learning modules that staff are able to work on independently.

NNDSB’s finance committee has developed a budget procedures manual that aligned the budget development process with the MYSP goals of student achievement and well-being. A monitoring process ensures trustees are apprised quarterly of financial operating results, accumulated reserves and the trustee development reserve fund.

Staff maximized provincial and federal offers of funding for COVID-19-related support. NNDSB secured funds to purchase laptops, iPads and internet connectivity devices for use by students. Staff aggressively pursued federal government funding that supports energy efficiency and air quality improvement at NNDSB schools.

On the capital planning front, NNDSB is working on two new schools. The JK-12 Parry Sound School will be a space in which students will seamlessly transition from daycare through secondary school in a modern building. In North Bay, the new Fricker build will accommodate students in JK-6 from Carmichael and Norman, as well as extended French students from Fricker.

Several modifications were made to Board governance, all of which were initiated to improve efficiency. In September, a proposal was accepted that gave expressed consent from the Board to the senior administration team to proceed to public consultation on the development, creation or update of administrative guidelines, eliminating the delay in requesting consent to seek consultation. Another change was the development of the Extraordinary Circumstances by-law, which allows for the Chair to act on behalf of the Board to temporarily invoke the by-law to deal with an emergency or extraordinary circumstance.

NNDSB began the process of streamlining processes and better aligning role responsibilities. The board is creating role descriptions for all departments and is merging operational roles in finance and human resources. A flow chart is being created that will graphically and clearly illustrate organizational structure. The board is working to fill gaps in areas determined as understaffed, beginning with the hiring of an HR manager in August 2021. A plan for cross-training will ensure smooth business operations in and between departments, and the process of recruiting vice-principals, principals and supervisory officers is being strategically designed.

The board also continues to work to maintain the confidence of its various stakeholder groups. The board has formed an equity advisory circle, an Indigenous education advisory circle and an Indigenous youth circle, all of which increase communication and collaboration in the provision of education to a wide range of students. The board remains focused on reconciliation and building stronger relationships with Indigenous staff, students and communities. A new communications team has improved the quantity and quality of communications with stakeholder groups and strives to keep all groups apprised of news in the board.

A major achievement in 2021 was the creation of a PSW program that will train and certify workers in all areas of NNDSB. Partnerships were formed with healthcare organizations who will provide space in living classrooms, allowing students to learn on-site and use their knowledge immediately in practical application of the skills.

Director Myles said he was inspired by the volume and quality of work that was accomplished last year as staff faced challenges caused by COVID-19. “I know staff are under tremendous pressure during this pandemic, yet time and again, this team is able to deliver. The MYSP has charted the course for this board, and I’m proud to see staff forge ahead in the service of student achievement and well-being.”

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For more information, please contact:

Deb Bartlett
Communications Officer
Near North District School Board
P. (705) 472-8170, extension 5010
E. Deb.Bartlett@nearnorthschools.ca

Letter to Families – return to in-person learning

By

Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022

Dear Parents and Guardians,

The Ministry of Education announced today that students will return to in-person learning on Monday, Jan. 17, 2022. This letter to families includes important items as Near North District School Board (NNDSB) prepares to welcome students back.

 

Student Masks

One of the safety measures that will be introduced by the Ministry of Education is the proactive provision of two high-quality three-ply cloth masks to students. The use of these masks is not being mandated at this time, but rather to encourage the use of a higher quality mask than some of the single or two-ply masks that students may have access to.

While these masks are washable and reusable, they have a limited number of recommended washes and as such, boards will be providing two of these three-ply masks to each student on an ongoing eight-week cycle.

Upon our return to in-person learning, all NNDSB schools will be sending two masks home with all students. We would encourage students to wear these masks daily, and for parents to ensure they are washed frequently.

 

Staff Masks

The Ministry of Education will also be providing NNDSB education staff with the option of a non-fit-tested N95 mask. These masks meet the same National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health (NIOSH) standards as fit-tested N95s but have not been, and are not required to be, fit-tested. Staff will have the option to wear either medical/surgical masks or non-fit-tested N95 masks provided by the government. Staff in all NNDSB schools will have access to the non-fit-tested N95 masks beginning on Monday, Jan. 17.

 

Screening 

As per the Ontario government’s announcement on Dec. 30, 2021, testing and case and contact management are now focused on the highest risk settings, which excludes schools. Isolation requirements for individuals with COVID-19 symptoms have also changed.

Rigorous screening and monitoring of symptoms by students, families, and staff are critical to limiting transmission and keeping schools safer and open for in-person learning. As an additional layer of protection for students and staff, effective January 2022, all Ontario schools are required to reinstate daily on-site confirmation of screening for all students and staff until further notice. Teachers will confirm with students each morning that they have completed their screening before attending school.

A more sensitive COVID-19 symptom list is being reinstated for daily active screening of all students and staff in schools and childcare. Anyone who has symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 or is a confirmed positive case must self-isolate, regardless of vaccination status

The updated School Screening tool can be accessed here.

 

Reporting and Managing COVID-19 Cases

Given recent changes to case and contact management by the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Education has suspended reporting of cases in schools. Further to this direction, NNDSB is no longer reporting COVID-19 active and resolved cases or closed classrooms on its website. The table on this page was last updated on Dec. 29, 2021, the last date that we received data from North Bay Parry Sound Health Unit.

Public health units will no longer be dismissing cohorts. Given the widespread transmission and inability to test all symptomatic individuals, schools will not be routinely notifying students/pupils in classes with a positive case, or if a child/student or staff is absent due to symptoms associated with COVID-19.

More information on COVID-19 symptoms and guidelines for isolation can be found on the health unit’s website.

 

Enhanced Cohorting and Cleaning

When students return to in-person learning, new time-limited cohorting protocols will be implemented to limit direct and indirect contacts. The Ontario government stated this will include the pausing of high-contact extra-curricular sports and stricter lunch cohort requirements at all schools.

NNDSB’s enhanced cleaning protocol will continue. Further details and additional measures may be implemented as NNDSB consults its local health unit to ensure schools are as safe as possible. Any developments will be shared with families.

 

Rapid Antigen Testing

NNDSB is expecting to receive rapid antigen test kits from the government for distribution to students and staff. As stated by Minister of Education Stephen Lecce, two rapid antigen test kits would be provided to all staff and elementary students, while secondary students will receive them on an as needed basis, if symptomatic at school.

NNDSB follows the direction of the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of

Health and the public health unit when devising COVID-19 plans. Please monitor the board’s website for the latest information.

Thank you,
Near North District School Board

Allen Lewis Trodd sworn in as Indigenous Student Trustee

By

Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022

Allen Lewis Trodd sworn in as Indigenous Student Trustee

Near North District School Board (NNDSB) unanimously accepted the recommendation from the Indigenous Youth Circle to appoint Allen Lewis Trodd as the Indigenous Student Trustee. In a first for the board, Lewis Trodd, a Grade 11 student at Parry Sound High School, was sworn in as the Indigenous Student Trustee at tonight’s Board meeting with an honour song by Rodney Stanger.

Lewis Trodd is Anishinaabe and Coast Salish from Magnetawan First Nation, and is a member of NNDSB’s Indigenous Youth Circle and Student Senate.

In his presentation to the Indigenous Youth Circle about his desire to be the Indigenous Student Trustee, Lewis Trodd said speaking to the Board (he addressed the Board at its November meeting) was “cool, but I’d love to be the student trustee to be able to talk about, explain, to show them the great ideas we make here…talk about our goals, what we plan to do, what we hope to do.”

In his Indigenous Youth Circle presentation, he said, “I like to think of myself as a nice, charismatic guy” who welcomes the opportunity to show the Board what matters to Indigenous students. “It means a lot to me…this is important to me,” he said. “If I’m able to become (Indigenous) Student Trustee it will allow me to make something happen or change that I’ll be able to help Indigenous students out.”

NNDSB Board Chair Jay Aspin indicated, “Our board was pleased to have added an Indigenous Student Trustee position to enable Indigenous youth to have a say with regard to their education, so we are delighted with their selection of Allen Lewis Trodd. In today’s world, there is nothing like the power of education to assist in advancing reconciliation.”

Tracy Hendrick, NNDSB’s Indigenous Education Lead, says this year, 11 per cent of NNDSB students self-identified as First Nation, Métis or Inuit. Having an Indigenous Student Trustee is important, she says, because “we need to be centering Indigenous student voice. Indigenous youth programming and resources should not be solely planned by non-Indigenous adults. Indigenous youth bring a unique perspective to the table.”

Director of Education Craig Myles said the Indigenous Student Trustee will be in a position to bring the ideas and desires of NNDSB’s Indigenous students to the Board table. “Allen has assumed an important responsibility to his Indigenous and non-Indigenous peers, to trustees, and to staff. The board looks forward to working with Student Trustee Lewis Trodd and hearing what Indigenous students believe is important in their school experience.”

Hendrick says Lewis Trodd will be working with Student Trustee Cecilia Darling. “They will be working together; they are not on two separate paths. This sends an important message to all students and the public about what reconciliation actually looks like.”

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For more information, please contact:

Deb Bartlett
Communications Officer
Near North District School Board
P. (705) 472-8170, extension 5010
E. Deb.Bartlett@nearnorthschools.ca

Biindigen

Mii gwi Anishinabek wewena nkenmaaminak dependajig maa kiing.
"We acknowledge in a good way, the original people of the land here"
We value the cultures, histories and relationships with the Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island (North America)

Connect With Us

Near North District School Board
963 Airport Road, P.O. Box 3110, North Bay, ON P1B 8H1
[P] 705-472-8170   [TF] 1-800-278-4922   [F] 705-472-9927