Near North District School Board

NNDSB Trustee Candidates Meet and Greet

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The Parent Advisory Councils for the North Bay Secondary Schools, with the support of the Near North District School Board, have organized a School Board Trustee Candidate Meet and Greet. This event will occur on Thursday, October 18, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. in the West Ferris Secondary School Auditorium located at 60 Marshall Park Drive. The candidates will each have five minutes to address the audience as a whole to outline key issues and their reasons for running. Afterwards there will be an opportunity to speak with the candidates to ask questions of your own. All are welcome and encouraged to attend.

For more information, please contact:

Mairghread Knought
Information/Communications Officer
Near North District School Board
Tel: 705-472-8170 ext. 5010
Email: Mairghread.Knought@nearnorthschools.ca

West Ferris Intermediate Secondary School High Altitude Balloon Launch

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The students in the Grade 11 University Physics Class at West Ferris Intermediate Secondary School in North Bay, Ontario will be launching a weather balloon into Earth’s Stratosphere with a payload of camera-toting mini computers and radio tracking equipment. The launch procedure is weather dependent, and so the exact launch date has not been confirmed. However, it is anticipated that the launch will take place between October 9th and October 31st from the football field at West Ferris Secondary School. Once the launch date is finalized information confirmed the exact launch date and time be issued 72 to 48 hours prior to the event.

The purpose of the mission is to observe and record the journey to near space using in-flight radio transmissions of GPS location, data, video, and images. The balloon is expected to explode at an altitude of just over 30km, at which point a parachute will deploy and the payload will descend back to Earth. The flight is expected to take a total of about 3 hours. Data from the flight will provide experimental results and serve as an anchor activity providing authentic context to course materials.

The students of the Grade 11 University Physics class will track the balloon’s flight path in chase cars, with reception assistance provided by the North Bay Amateur Radio Club. The goal is to retrieve the payload post-flight, along with its cache of data, video and images. This activity is called High Altitude Ballooning (HAB).

For more information, please contact:

Kelly Shulman (VE3KLX)
West Ferris Intermediate Secondary School

P. 705-475-2333
E. kelly.shulman@nearnorthschools.ca

Director of Education Response to Candidate Media Release

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Earlier this week articles were published in local media sources based on a media release issued by a candidate for the Board of Trustees.  The media release contained a number of statements with respect to the current and future employment of the Director of Education with the Near North District School Board.  This information contained below is in response to those articles and is being issued for clarification purposes.

Mr. O’Hagan contacted Ms. Young this summer and requested a meeting to discuss issues and priorities for the Near North District School Board.  However, as Mr. O’Hagan was and is currently a candidate for Trustee, his request for a meeting was declined. During the election campaign period employees of the Board, including the Director of Education, must remain non-partisan in order to ensure the integrity of the election process and our residents democratic rights.  Requests for meetings from other candidates and for information that is not readily and/or publicly available have also been declined.

The Director of Education and Board staff are looking forward to working with all elected Trustees to ensure that the Board remains accountable to students, parents and community partners.  Openness and transparency are at the core of public government and Ms. Young is supportive of all initiatives that uphold these values.

“We have a large number of schools with talented students, excellent teaching staff and leading-edge technology and programming.  Our focus at the administrative level is, and has always been, ensuring that we provide our students with the education, opportunities, resources and supports they need.  Any review of our office and our efforts either externally or internally is, and always, has been welcome.”– Jackie Young

Ms. Young was contacted by media sources for comment on Mr. O’Hagan’s media release but unfortunately could not address the timelines offered in time for publication.

For more information, please contact:

Mairghread Knought
Information/Communication Officer
Near North District School Board
(705) 472-8170, extension 5010
Mairghread.knought@nearnorthschools.ca

September Director’s Message

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On behalf of the Near North District School Board I am pleased to welcome you to the 2018-2019 school year. I hope that you are settling in and adjusting to the school routine. While it is hard to see the end of summer, here at Near North we are excited to once again begin the process of educating our students to their fullest potential. The highlight of my job has always been getting to meet our students and school communities. Each year I am amazed by our students and staff and I cannot wait to be see once again, what they will accomplish this year.

Whether you are a returning student, new to our schools or just starting your journey in Kindergarten, the NNDSB will continue to provide access to high quality education that meets the needs of all our students.

Throughout the year students and parents can access assistance, information and guidance when needed.  All the Boards guidelines and policies are available for students and parents here Administrative Guidelines.  However, we recognize that every student is unique so please do not hesitate to contact us if you require assistance or need further information.  Public Inquiries Administrative Guideline

Thank you for choosing the NNDSB for the educational needs of your children. We are confident that you will be pleased with the dynamic, relevant and engaging learning environment we have created for students. Please check this site and our Facebook page regularly for updates, news and events.

Jackie Young Signature

 

 

Jackie Young,
Director of Education

NNDSB Students Participate Annual Terry Fox Walk/Run Events

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The annual Terry Fox Runs  is days away, and our students are gearing up to raise money for cancer research and help keep Terry Fox’s dream alive.

Terry Fox’s Marathon of Hope might have ended in 1980 but the spark he lit in the hearts and minds of Canadians ignited into a campaign of hope that has lasted more than three decades. Once again this September hundreds of thousands of Terry Fox supporters will participate in their favourite Canadian fall tradition at one of more than 700 Terry Fox Runs from coast to coast to coast to ensure that cancer research continues to forge ahead.

The students and staff at the Near North District School Board appreciate your support with this important initiative.

Terry Fox had a single dream: a world without cancer. Come and join us as we work together in pursuit of this dream. For more information on the Terry Fox Run and Foundation, visit www.terryfox.org

 

Every Child Matters Orange Shirt Day

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Orange Shirt Day

Recognized annually on September 30th

What is Orange Shirt Day?

Orange Shirt Day, which started in 2013, was designed to educate people and promote awareness about the Indian Residential School system and the impact on Indigenous communities. in Canada. We wear orange in affirmation of our commitment to truth and reconciliation.

Indian residential schools operated in Canada between 1831 and 1996 at over 130 sites. The schools were unsafe physically, cognitively, social/emotionally and spiritually. More than 150 000 children were forced to attend the schools. Children suffered ongoing, often severe abuse & neglect and thousands of children died. The schools were a direct cause of loss of language, culture, traditional knowledge and community. The effects continue to echo through our nation.

One Child’s Story

Phyllis was only 6 years old when she was forced to attend residential school in the early 1970’s. The first day at the school was tragic and one she would never forget. Alone and frightened, all her items were taken away, including her best and favourite shiny orange shirt. “The colour orange has always reminded me of that day….how my feelings didn’t matter, how no one cared and how I felt like I was worth nothing. All of us little children were crying and no one cared”.

On September 30th, the same time of year children were taken to Residential schools, we remember and acknowledge this painful legacy. We wear orange to symbolize the journey towards healing, truth and reconciliation, in honour of the children who survived residential schools and those who did not.

Every Child Matters
Moving Towards Reconciliation

Fore more information please visit:

 www.orangeshirtday.org 

Near North District School Board EQAO Results Continue to Follow Provincial Trends

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The Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) has released the results of the grades 3, 6 and 9 Assessments of Reading, Writing and Mathematics as well as the grade 10 Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) that were written by Ontario secondary students during the 2017-2018 school year.    

“As a board we understand the value of the information and insight provided by the EQAO results.  EQAO continues to provide us with useful data which we will explore in its entirety to help inform our planning and practices. This information is carefully analyzed to ensure that we continue to meet the programming and educational needs of our students, while recognizing the individual strengths and challenges of those same students.  I’m very proud of all of our students and teachers and applaud their hard work.” – Jackie Young, Director of Education  

Reading and Writing  

Grades 3 and 6:  While results vary by school, the overall trends showed grades 3 and 6 Reading and Writing achievement in many of our schools are at or approaching the provincial outcomes.  In comparison to the previous year’s results, reading scores demonstrated a slight increase in the number of students meeting or exceeding the Provincial Standard (Levels 3 or 4).  

  • 67% of grade 3 students and 78% of grade 6 students continued to meet the provincial reading standard, representing a slight increase over last year. 
  • 56% of grade 3 students and 72% of grade 6 students have met the expected level in writing.  This represents a decrease of 3% for grade 3 students while grade 6 students achieved a consistent result with 2016-17. 

Grade 10:  The grade 10 Literacy Test is a compulsory standardized test for all secondary school students in Ontario wishing to obtain an Ontario Secondary School Diploma.  The test is based on all of the reading and writing expectations in all subjects up to the end of grade 9.  

  • Of first-time eligible writers of the grade 10 Literacy Test, the Board’s test results decreased by 7% from the previous year (74% to 67%).  Similarly, the province’s results slipped 2% from the previous year (81% to 79%). 

 In response to the decrease, Superintendent of Education, Craig Myles said, “We have developed and implemented a Literacy Strategic Plan in all of our secondary schools.  Further, we will examine and triangulate our data in order to determine where we can implement best practices to improve.”’ 

Mathematics 

Grades 3 and 6:   

Mathematics scores decreased during the 2017-2018 year for grade 3 and 6 students within the Near North District School Board and across Ontario.  

  •  41% of grade 3 students met the standard in 2017-18 compared to 47% in 2016-17, indicating a 6% decrease. 
  • 30% of grade 6 students met the standard in 2017-18 compared to 34% in 2016-17, representing a 4% decrease. 

 Improving mathematics results for both primary and junior divisions continues to be a focus.  The Ministry of Education is taking action to help students across the province gain the mathematical knowledge they need to achieve success.  The Near North District School Board has implemented daily focused mathematics instruction for students in grades 1-8 during protected blocks of time.  Protected time for mathematics will allow for a more sustained period of effective instruction and assessment every day. The Board is committed to implementing the strategies outlined in the Focusing on the Fundamentals of Math: Teacher Guide to improve mathematics learning for all students.   

Grade 9:   

  • 38% of students who wrote the grade 9 applied test met the provincial standard in 2017-18 compared to 48% in 2016-17 and 39% in 2015-16. 
  • 75% of students who wrote the grade 9 academic test met the provincial standard in 2017-18 compared to 75% in 2016-17 and 70% in 2015-16. 

 “We will continue with our efforts on math improvement, which includes the implementation of the province’s mathematics initiative, “Focusing on the Fundamentals of Math”, said Superintendent of Education Craig Myles.  

“As a district, we have placed a focus on number sense and numeration as a foundation for mathematical understanding across the strands and subject areas. The EQAO data will help to inform our board and school teams as we collectively engage in efforts to improve outcomes for every child.  We believe that effective programming responds to the diverse interests, learning preferences and readiness of learners.” said Acting Superintendent of Education Melanie Gray. 

 EQAO results are important, but they are just one among many assessment tools that both schools and boards use to measure and improve upon the quality of student programming and student success.   

 For more information, please contact: 

Grades 3 and 6 Results:

Melanie Gray, Acting Superintendent of Education 
(705) 472-8170; 1-800-278-4922, Ext. 7022
Melanie.Gray@nearnorthschools.ca

 Grades 9 and 10 Results: 

Craig Myles, Superintendent of Education 
(705) 472-8170; 1-800-278-4922, Ext. 5002
Craig.Myles@nearnorthschools.ca

 Learn More 

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