We look forward to welcoming our students back to school.

During these unprecedented times and the significant shifts away from our normal routines, many people have expressed concerns about the impact on students’ academic journeys. We want to encourage parents, educators, and students in the 17�Թ��� family to remember the big picture. This is a time to focus on and be grateful for our family’s safety, health, and well-being and a time for us at the NNDSB to do the best we can to support your children in returning to a safe and welcoming environment. We will embark upon this journey together.

Director chair message to parents 

On August 11^th 17�Թ��� released a summary document to support parents and staff.  Adjustments were made to reflect the latest in Ministry directives. Friday marked the communication of the full plan.

To access (through the NNDSB website) please follow this link: /blog/launch-of-nndsb-back-to-school-guideline/23494/

The information contained within this Guidance Document falls within the Ministry of Education’s current parameters and meets both provincial and local health authorities’ regulations.  It is critical to note that information and directives are fluid and in a state of frequent change. The material on the website document will be updated once received to reflect the most recent Ministry directives and public health recommendations. Please continue to review our website for refinements.

Student safety and well-being are the number one priority as we return to school. Information on health regulations and self-screening are available in the document.

In the coming days, the Near North Board will follow this document with information regarding a staggered entry for students to begin school which supports the necessary health and safety processes and protocols required. Transportation information will follow shortly as well.

We look forward to welcoming our students back to school.

Contact:

Maureen Egan
Exec Assistant to the Director of Education​
17�Թ���​

Tel: (705) 472-8170 Ext: 5028

We would like to acknowledge and thank you for your patience, flexibility and understanding as we have planned for school re-opening in a year like no other.  We are confident in the status of our preparations and look forward to school startup and engaging with students and  facilitating their learning once again.  With this in mind, we would like to highlight a few critical areas for our students and their families.

COVID-19 School reopening 

As previously stated, when we released the return to school plan, we continue to review and update our school re-opening models in partnership and with guidance, from the Ministry of Education and local and provincial health authorities from the lens of enhancing the safety of our students, staff, and school communities.

 Change to In School Learning

Keeping student and staff safety in mind, the ministry has suggested further reduction of in contacts at school. As a result, we have revised the model to the recommended Octomester Model for secondary schools.

�ճ����Octomester Model is most significantly characterized by the fact that students will take one course at a time for approximately 20 days of full-day instruction. For example, the first octomester would run from September 9th – October 9th for a total of 24 days.

There are many positives for our students with this model, including and most prominently, the increased safety for our students as they remain with one cohort of students each day, for the duration of the course.  This change has been made to allow us to support our students, in NNDSB secondary schools, in adhering to the directive of a maximum of 100 student daily contacts. For questions related to this, or any other questions regarding the start of the school year, please contact your school principal.

At-Home Learning  

​If you have already registered your child(ren) for At-Home Learning, additional information will be shared with you in the coming days.  At this time, a waitlist has been created for additional registrations for At-Home Learning and placement will depend on staffing and programming considerations.

The safety of staff and students is of the utmost importance. We remain vigilant in planning with this in mind.

For information from the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit regarding COVID-19 and School Reopening – Public Health Information for Families, .

Click here to download Transportation Plan

As we approach the new school year, we are working hard with the Ministry of Education and the Local Health Units to adequately prepare for the safe reopening of our schools. Building a safe, effective learning experience with new parameters for our students who come with diverse learning needs and identities is a key priority. Given the complex nature of the planning required and the focus on keeping students safe, we are planning a staggered start for our schools this year.

As health guidelines and information continue to be shared with schools, we are staggering the first day of school for students to give our staff time to familiarize themselves with new policies and ensure proper implementation to avoid making mistakes once students return. This means that different grades will return to school on different days (see chart below). A staggered response is essential for students to have the space and flexibility to practice their new routines and familiarize themselves with how to safely move around the school without every other student doing so simultaneously.
We understand that there are urgent requests for normalcy and a simple return to the old status quo. However, to ensure our community is as prepared and confident as possible, we ask for patience and support during this year’s reopening. We are all eager to see our students back in the classroom and reconnect with their friends and peers, but we must take extra steps to prioritize everyone’s health and well-being.

Staggered Entry Start Schedule

COVID-19 return to school safely 

Dear Parents/Guardians:

As we awaited the Ministry of Education announcement outlining the provincial plans to return students to school, the 17�Թ��� maintained vigilance in creating plans that would align with Ministry and more importantly with our vision of student achievement and success for your children. We thank you for your patience as all schoolboards across the province align their plans to the shifting landscape of Covid-19. We thank you also for your responses to enrollment surveys that helped us to keep your needs in mind as we navigated the ministry directives.

The July 30 Ministry of Education (MOE) announcement has designated the NNDSB as a board that will engage in the full reopening of all publicly funded secondary and elementary schools five days a week all day. The NNDSB has developed plans that meet the requirements as set out by the ministry reopening plan that must now be revised with the most recent announcement to ensure that we are doing our utmost to provide the best of learning while providing a safe and healthy school environment for students, teachers and staff, and safeguarding our community.

Please know that we will leave no stone unturned as we ensure that these plans meet the recently announced expectations of the ministry and more importantly the safe return of students and staff to our schools. You will be informed the moment the plan is solidified.

In the mean-time you will be receiving an information sheet via school messenger, providing answers to the key questions that you may have. This information will also be posted on the NNDSB website at www.nearnorthschools.ca.

Please understand that in order to keep your children safe and secure and to ensure their success and well-being we must stay current with emerging information. Rest assured we have a thorough and extensive plan prepared that is constantly updated based on the latest Ministry, Provincial Government and local and Provincial Health Authority updates.

We are ready to support your children’s success. We look forward to seeing you and your children in September.

Dear Parents/Guardians,

On July 30, 2020 the Ministry of Education (MOE) unveiled their plans to return students to school safely in September. The NNDSB is identified as a non-designated school board. Therefore, with guidance from public health officials the MOE outlined the following guidelines:

• The full reopening of all publicly funded secondary and elementary schools five days a week;
• Ensuring families have a choice for in-class or online learning, and the latitude to change that decision throughout the year, and;

• Providing a safe and healthy school environment for students, teachers and staff, and safeguarding the broader communities in which they live.

The NNDSB continues to work diligently to develop our plans for the safest and most effective return for students and staff.  This includes consultation with our local health unit, the Ministry of Education, our community stakeholders and parents/guardians.  The intent of our reopening plan is to remain vigilant to ensure safety while endeavouring to support all students and families with learning opportunities that best suit each circumstance.

A survey was sent through email last week to request information of families regarding their child/children’s return to school preferences.  The purpose of the survey is to gather initial data regarding students’ return to school and transportation requirements.  At this time, the information will be used for board level planning purposes.  The NNDSB is committed to supporting the learning needs of all students’ and families with a safe re-opening.  If you did not receive an email please follow the link below to access the survey.

The NNDSB will continue to update our website with the most up-to-date information.  Please continue to monitor our website at .  For more specific information regarding your child/children’s return to school please contact your school principal.

I hope you and your families are continuing to stay healthy and strong as the province continues to fight against the COVID-19 virus.

It has been just over four months since I first wrote to you after the government’s decision to close schools and protect the lives of students, families, and the communities where they live and work.  A lot has changed in these past four months.  However, the one constant is the united effort of parents, students, and families to keep our communities and province safe.

…

Please click here for full message to parents from the Honourable Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education

For those that were able to attend, we wish to once again thank you for taking the time to meet with the Joint School Council at their meeting recently held at West Ferris Secondary School. A reminder that the next Joint School Council meeting is scheduled at Chippewa Monday, March 2, 2020 at 6:30 pm (in the school library).  This meeting is open to all community members should you wish to attend.

The course selection process at each of the three high schools involved in the 3-2 Consolidation is almost completed.  In addition, school leaders have met with students at our intermediate feeder schools of Fricker, Phelps, and M.T. Davidson to ensure that they are aware of the educational opportunities available in our system. While the process began in early December and is almost complete, it is important to note that it is a fluid process that will continue until the beginning of the new school year in September 2020.

Further to the above programming progress, the NNDSB Board of Trustees have allocated funds to begin renovations to classrooms and facilities necessary to accommodate the programming and enrollment changes for September 2020.

Moving forward staff will be focusing on the following:

• Preparing transition activities for students as they move from their current schools into either Chippewa or West Ferris.
• Ensuring that students with special education needs remain a priority.
• Timetabling schools based on student course selection.
• Staffing based on student needs and school program selection.

The success of our students through the delivery of equitable and inclusive high-quality education remains a priority. The innovative programs being offered at Chippewa and West Ferris are a key component of this mandate and we welcome any questions or concerns that you may have in terms of meeting the needs of our students.   Please continue to contact your school with anything that may assist you as we work through this process.   It is imperative that this initiative maintains a student-based focus. Ongoing feedback and communication is a key component of this.

We will provide further information as we move through this transition period.  Thank you for your continued support.

Craig Myles
Director of Education

Orange Shirt Day is an opportunity for schools and communities to come together in the spirit of reconciliation and hope for generations of children to come. As part of the new mandatory curriculum that includes the teaching and learning of Residential 17�Թ���, we are encouraging schools to support and participate in this National campaign.

Orange Shirt Day is a legacy of the St. Joseph Mission (SJM) residential school commemoration event held in Williams Lake, BC. It grew out of Phyllis’ story of having her new orange shirt taken away on her first day of school at the Mission, and it has become an opportunity to keep the discussion on all aspects of residential schools happening annually.
For more information: 

Welcome to Kindergarten Dates for 2019

Please click on the link below for a list of the Welcome to Kindergarten Dates and Times throughout the district:

Welcome to Kindergarten 2019 Dates

Indigenous Trustee Ashley St. Pierre will represent seven First Nations within the NNDSB catchment area. She is passionate about advocacy for First Nations Peoples and communities. She is an education counsellor for Moose Deer Point First Nation and looks forward to being an advocate for First Nations students, families and teachers. Indigenous Trustee St. Pierre believes in the power of public education to improve the lives of students, make the community stronger and the future brighter. She believes everyone is entitled to a safe, welcoming environment and will work to bring equality for all the First Nation students and communities she serves. Indigenous Trustee St. Pierre has extensive community service and education experience and says special education holds a special place in her heart. She enjoys spending time with her family and being outdoors, and her hobbies include cooking, reading and beading.

Trustee Shane Hall says he was motivated to run for trustee because he wants to ensure that quality education and schools are available for children in local communities, and that good schools encourage families to grow and live in small communities. His volunteer experience includes having been a volunteer firefighter and he is involved as a coach and member of the executive of a minor hockey organization. Trustee Hall is passionate about keeping small schools open, outdoor education and tech programs. On the business side of education, he is interested in staff satisfaction, board assets and use, and funds allocation. Trustee Hall is married to an elementary school teacher, and they have two sons. In his spare time, Trustee Hall enjoys sports and the outdoors.

My priorities align with the 17�Թ���’s Vision, Mission, and Values. Through creating an inclusive culture with equitable programming, building diverse pathways, and supporting community partnerships, we can ensure student achievement and well-being.

I believe all schools are vital to their communities. With technology and partners who understand the value of funding our rural northern facilities, we can deliver all students a valuable educational experience that will help them achieve their goals and will attract new residents. No student or family should be faced with the decision to move to a larger community to obtain board run programming or ensure a fulsome elementary school experience.

I have been involved with many community projects including the revitalization of two community parks, creations of three community gardens, building 55 new affordable homes, and partnering with local service providers to enhance program offerings. I have been fortunate to be involved in NNDSB schools as a coach and parent volunteer including serving as the Chair of Victory Public School Parent Council, Chair of McDougall Public School Parent Council, member of the Parry Sound Public School building committee, and Parent Involvement Committee member. My daughter attends Parry Sound High School where I am currently a member of the parent council. My son is now enrolled in his first year of a Bachelor of Arts in Music at the University of Guelph after having been involved in Parry Sound High School’s band and music classes.

I grew up in North Bay and was very fortunate to participate in the programming available to North Bay students, including theatre performance and football. I was also a student representative and travelled to other communities to attend leadership camps including one hosted at Widdifield Secondary School. I began volunteering in schools again when my wife started teaching over twenty years ago. In my professional life I have worked in the telecom industry and two financial institutions as a financial advisor and commercial banker before beginning my current role in non-profit housing where I work for Georgian Bay Native Non-Profit Homes, Parry Sound Non Profit Housing Corporation, and Parry Sound Affordable Housing Development Corporation.

I welcome all community members to connect with me, and I thank you for the opportunity to serve.

Trustee Jeanie Fuscaldo wants to contribute to an education system that represents all voices within the communities served by NNDSB. She acknowledges that collective strengths and struggles propel organizations to work towards solutions. Trustee Fuscaldo served on two parent councils, has been a family advocate and tutor for dyslexic learners for the past seven years and has collaborated with advocacy organizations across Canada to improve education systems for all learners. She believes that children come first, and she is passionate about independent literacies, Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths (STEAM) and the trades. Trustee Fuscaldo enjoys writing and is an avid reader who strives to learn something new each day.

Trustee Phillips wants to see a school system that works with families to support diverse and unique learners in every classroom. She strongly believes in the public school system’s mandate to provide a supportive and engaging education for all children. Trustee Phillips has extensive community service experience working with newcomers. She is also a Board member of HANDS the family help network. She is passionate about challenging behaviours and non-punitive approaches to discipline, and inclusion, diversity and equity. As the Manager at KIND Forest School she works everyday with children ages 4 to 10 in a small nature-based independent school. Trustee Phillips and her family moved to North Bay in 2014. She is completing a Master’s in Education at Nipissing University and loves to sing with the Near North Voices Choir.

Trustee Bill Steer believes that to assume a leadership position such as a school Board trustee, a high-quality system needs to be promoted; a system that focuses on improving every student’s success and well-being. He values equity, diversity and inclusion, Truth and Reconciliation, student voice, quality and innovation, environmental stewardship, good governance, accountability, collaboration and integrity. He values the Multi-Year Strategic Plan for its consideration of all stakeholders in the board’s goal of student achievement and well-being. Trustee Steer is a former NNDSB teacher at both elementary and secondary levels, teaches part-time at Nipissing University and is the founder and head of school/general manager of the Canadian Ecology Centre. He is the father of a grown daughter who is a product of NNDSB, and in his spare time, he writes as Back Roads Bill for CBC and Village Media.

Louise Sargent was born and raised in North Bay. This is her third consecutive term as a 17�Թ��� Trustee after retiring from teaching locally for 33 years. She believes accessibility, listening, working hard, and using her educational knowledge and experiences are key to continuing to be an informed representative for students in the decision-making process at the trustee level. Louise continues her committee involvement in the Equity Advisory Circle, First Nation Advisory Committee, Special Education Advisory Committee and the W.J. Fricker Building Committee.

As a parent of three school-age children, Trustee Bertram ran for office to help shape the direction of public education, which she believes is a vital component to societal development. She has an extensive record of service to her community (Field) and as a member of Northern Secondary School’s advisory committee. Trustee Bertram understands that diverse and inclusive learning environments that promote achievement and well-being need to be valued, and all members of the educational community should contribute to creating that environment. She is passionate about diversity, inclusion, respect, student well-being, Indigenous truth & reconciliation, and parent/community involvement. Trustee Bertram is a musician and writer. She and her partner own and run a campground at which they hold special events that focus on sustainability and arts.

Agenda Package
Annual Director’s Report (Draft)

Agenda

*Due to weather conditions, this meeting has been cancelled and has been rescheduled to November 29, 2018.

Agenda Package

• October 23: 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.,
• November 20: 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.,
• November 26: 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. (French),
• November 29: 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Please register at the link below

For more information on the government’s consultation:

Agenda Package

Agenda Package

Private

Private

Agenda Package

Agenda Package

Agenda Package

Agenda Package