Near North District School Board

Message to families from Director MacJanet

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Thursday, March 12, 2026

Dear Parents, Guardians, and Families of the Near North District School Board, 

I am writing to you with gratitude and optimism as we continue our work together in support of students across our system. Strong family/school relationships are at the heart of student success. When families and schools work in partnership — grounded in trust, communication, and shared purpose — our students benefit academically, socially, and emotionally. Your voice, your involvement, and your advocacy matter deeply, and I thank you for the ways you support your children and our schools each day. 

I also want to acknowledge the ongoing challenges created by the Alouette Bus Lines strike. We recognize how disruptive this situation has been for many families. Reliable transportation is not simply a convenience — it is an essential service that ensures fair access to learning. Please know that the transportation consortium and School Board continue to be kept updated as the company’s owners and drivers continue to negotiate to reach a fair and prompt agreement. We understand how important this service is to your daily lives and to your children’s education, and we are still hopeful for a positive resolution between the two parties. 

Since beginning my role as Director, I have had the privilege of visiting 27 of our 33 schools. I have been consistently impressed by the professionalism, compassion, and commitment of our administrators, educators, and support staff. Their care for students and their broader communities is clear in every school I enter. It has been both inspiring and reassuring to see the dedication that defines our board. 

A few weeks back, I had the opportunity to attend a town hall in Parry Sound, where I was pleased to reaffirm to the community that the new school will be open to students this September. This project is an exciting investment in the future of the region, and I look forward to seeing students walk through its doors in the fall. 

It is truly a privilege to serve the communities of the Near North. I take this responsibility seriously and remain committed to listening, learning, and leading in ways that strengthen trust and improve outcomes for students. 

I would also like to once again extend an invitation to School Council meetings. I deeply value the opportunity to connect directly with families. Please feel free to invite me through your school principal. I have already had the pleasure of attending meetings at Parry Sound High School and Land of Lakes Public School, and I look forward to visiting many more school communities in the months ahead. 

Thank you for your continued partnership, your resilience, and your trust. Together, we will continue to create learning environments where every student feels supported, challenged, and valued. 

With appreciation, 

Jay MacJanet 

Director of Education 

February 2026 – Letter to Families

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Friday, Feb. 6, 2026

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).

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EQAO Math Session for Parents/Guardians of Grade 9 Students

Join us for a free webinar about how EQAO assesses Grade 9 students’ mathematics learning. EQAO staff will discuss mathematics questions from the Grade 9 assessment of mathematics. Participants will hear how these questions help assess the skills students are learning in class. Staff will also highlight valuable insights and resources that can help parents and guardians support their child’s learning.

This session takes place Feb. 12 at 12 p.m. Register here.

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The Parent Involvement Committee (PIC) holds its next meeting on Thursday, Feb. 19 from 5 to 6:30 p.m.

All parents and guardians are encouraged to attend, although only PIC members may vote. The meeting has a set agenda, which will be followed.

Here is the link to the meeting. If joining by phone, the Meeting ID is 266 594 468 433 89 and the Passcode is BV3fK7s3.

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The Ontario curriculum supports financial literacy across the grades. Financial literacy is more than just knowing about money and financial matters and having the skills to work with this knowledge. Students develop the confidence to successfully apply the necessary knowledge, concepts, and skills in a range of relevant real-life contexts and for a range of purposes.

Students also develop the ability to make informed decisions as consumers and citizens. The NNDSB Financial Literacy Guide outlines what students will learn about at school as they move through the grades and provides some ideas for at-home learning and building an understanding of Financial Literacy.

You can access the guide on our Math For Families webpage.

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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

Alliance Public School buddy program matches littles, bigs and elders

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Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026

A buddy program at Alliance Public School pairs Grade 1 and Grade 6 students from the school, who then visit nearby Barclay House to spend time every month with elders at the retirement residence.

The program began last year, and Grade 1 teacher Kristina Giesler has been going every month. “When we arrive, the children sit at a table with their buddies (a Grade 6 student), and each table has a few open seats for the elders to join. The elders sit at whichever table they like,” says Giesler.

She says that some elders join every month, others join periodically. The group has done crafts, performed and played games. “No matter what the activity, the littles, bigs and elders alike all have a wonderful time,” she adds.

"Intergenerational activities can be beneficial to both groups,” says Giesler. “They can help build confidence, challenge assumptions and prejudices and help tackle social isolation and loneliness in both groups."

Natalie Zwolak, retirement living consultant at Barclay House, says there are benefits for the residents, too. “Some benefits for our seniors with this program are increased happiness, sense of purpose, mental stimulation, social engagement, opportunities to teach, and a boost in creativity.”

Grade 1 student Chloe likes doing crafts with elder buddies. “I like it when they talk to us,” says her classmate, Amelia. Owen says, “I like that we always do something fun with them.”

The students look forward to seeing their elder buddies and doing activities with them. “They learn respect and kindness and love hearing the stories from our elder buddies as they talk about their experiences,” says Giesler. “Likewise, the elders liven up when they see the children walk in. And love hearing the things the little ones come up with.”

The activities have also tied in with community outreach, says Zwokak. The buddies have created bandanas to donate to the Humane Society and made cards for Nurses Month.

Older man playing game with student
Older woman playing game with children.
Older man laughing as he plays games with student.
Older man and boy play game.
Older woman surrounded by children, all playing a game.

Meet Sir-Lynx-a-Lot, Woodland Public School’s mascot and wellness buddy

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Four students with stuffed lynx.

At Woodland Public School, Sir-Lynx-a-Lot visits classrooms with fun activities, kindness cubes, and calming breathing exercises to promote well-being and school spirit.

During a recent visit to our Grade 6 class, students enthusiastically researched lynx facts, created a PowerPoint, and added to our travelling gratitude chain, soon to be on display! Woodland Public is buzzing with unstoppable school spirit!

 

Don’t click link on email appearing to be from NNDSB staff member

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Friday, Jan. 30, 2026

You may have received an email this afternoon, in French, appearing to be from a staff member of Near North District School Board. If the subject line contains vous a envoyé le document « Ferris Glen & Sunset Park dossier et pièces justificatives, DO NOT CLICK THE LINK IN THE EMAIL!

The link contains an embedded virus that can infect your computer.

Delete the email.

The board will provide more information when we can.

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