17�Թ��� (NNDSB) has proudly introduced the onset of a new multi-year strategic plan to set the stage for the next five years.

Together with the executive team, trustees have spent the last several months reviewing reports, and analyzing data from the Board’s sizeable geographic area to ensure the strategic plan provides the leadership and transparency the communities have come to count on from NNDSB. During this process, the Board took the opportunity to recast the mission, vision, and values to align with the future directions of NNDSB. The Board is committed to ensuring the plan is a living document that emerges as goals are reached and new goals emerge.

“I would like to commend the Multi-Year Strategic Planning Committee for the dedication they have shown. On behalf of the Board of Trustees, we are proud of this work,” remarked Chair Jay Aspin, “and we appreciate the patience of the public as we take the time to get this right”.

The plan can be distilled into four strategic priorities, which will help ensure NNDSB makes steady progress toward established outcomes and enable the Board to maintain and improve student experience and performance.

“We thank everyone who participated in the strategic planning process, whether in-person, online, completing our survey, or by submitting comments. We have listened to the feedback and considered it carefully” stated Director of Education Craig Myles.

The focus will shift to further refine these strategic priorities and objectives in order to develop a more detailed five-year timeline. The plan spans a five-year term from 2021- 2026, and is expected to be approved at the June Board meeting with an anticipated implementation date for the September 2021 school year.

The Board looks forward to further engagement across our communities in the near future to further obtain input and acquaint the public with the plan.

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17�Թ��� is an English-language public school board serving the North Bay – Parry Sound – Nipissing area. The Board consists of approximately 10,000 students in 27 elementary schools, seven secondary/senior schools and various alternative learning centres. For more information, please visit nearnorthschools.ca and follow 17�Թ��� on social media.

Bechthold also gave students the opportunity to virtually explore an Avro Lancaster Bomber, which was manufactured in Canada and played a large role for the Allies in World War II.

Learning opportunities were not limited to aerial conflict. Students also learned about Canada’s role in manufacturing, the value of the role women played in the manufacturing industry during wartime, and Canada’s wartime contributions to the Allied forces.

Bechthold took to after the presentation and described the class as “attentive… with great questions.”�� He also acknowledged Valour Canada and the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum for assisting with the presentation.

“We are very pleased to see this learning taking place in our schools,” said Board Chair Jay Aspin. “We want to acknowledge and appreciate the sacrifices of those who fought and those who are still fighting, while educating the next generation.”

“Remembrance Day is a time of reflection,” added Director of Education Craig Myles.�� “By learning about the past, we empower our youth to be the change-makers of the future.”

The decision ensures compliance with the Province of Ontario’s reopening regulations.

This decision only affects OFSAA sports, and does not impact interschool sports or intramurals.�� These types of events will continue to be assessed by school boards and school athletic associations in consultation with local health units.

More information is available here:

The Ontario Physical and Health Education Association is currently preparing safety considerations for school sports.

OFSAA established a Return To Sports working group in May and continues to monitor the situation as it evolves.

The Safe and Accepting 17�Թ��� branch of 17�Թ��� is pleased to be teaming up with the Canadian Centre for Child Protection (C3P) to provide resources for parents and students during the annual Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week.

On Wednesday, November 18, 2020 from 6:30-7:30pm, parents are invited to attend a Zoom presentation that will speak directly to the emerging risks and trends seen through the C3P’s operation of Canada’s tipline to report online sexual exploitation of children – Cybertip.ca. These trends include things such as an 81% increase in reports regarding online child abuse and exploitation since the onset of COVID-19, content children and youth are exposed to online, contact with others online, and the public nature of the internet including the creation and sharing of material, and the loss of control of that material.

In a time when children are online more than ever before, it is crucial that parents talk to their kids about online safety. Through developmentally appropriate methods for both children (ages 8-12) and youth (ages 13-17), parents will learn how to help their kids understand what to do when they see harmful content, and how to ‘flip’ conversations so that kids feel supported, not scrutinized. Parents can learn how to talk to their kids about these difficult topics with confidence. To register, simply email safe.schools@nearnorthschools.ca; the Zoom link and password will be provided to registrants the week of November 16, 2020.

During Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week (November 16-20, 2020) students and teachers will begin to explore other resources provided by the Canadian Centre for Child Protection. Through a generous donation provided by the Kenora Sexual Assault Centre, all NNDSB students will be receiving booklets published by C3P regarding safety habits, healthy vs. unhealthy relationships, how to set boundaries, getting out of uncomfortable situations, and seeking help from a safe adult. Also thanks to C3P, elementary and secondary teachers will gain free access to online resources, lesson plans and videos that provide researched, evidence-based tools that they can use to build the confidence and competence that our students need to navigate the virtual world safely.

Poster (JPG)

Poster (PDF)

17�Թ��� is an English-language public school board serving the North Bay – Parry Sound – Nipissing area.�� The Board consists of approximately 10,000 students in 27 elementary schools, seven secondary/senior schools and various alternative learning centres.�� For more information, please visit nearnorthschools.ca and follow 17�Թ��� on social media.

In the morning, elementary students listened intently as Switzer read his book Students had the opportunity to ask questions afterward. The book, (a 2018 NNDSB project) which was authored by Switzer and illustrated by Jack Smallboy, features Phoenix and Migizi (the Ojibwe word for eagle) Eagle, and tells the story about how a treaty is a promise.

Further, it demonstrates how students can apply treaty learning to their lives. Additionally, Switzer used the book to explain that we are all treaty people.

In the afternoon, Switzer presented to secondary students about treaties followed by an opportunity to ask questions. Students asked questions about the significance of the wampum belt and how Switzer related treaties to current issues such as fisheries on the East Coast.

Students continue to learn through classroom and experiential learning opportunities about Indigenous teachings, and the relationship between Indigenous People and Canada.

Powassan, ON – Students at Mapleridge Public School in Powassan are hitting the ground running this school year.

Inspired by the fortieth anniversary of Terry Fox’s Marathon of Hope, Grade 7/8 Teacher Patti Phillips introduced a “40 for 40” challenge to her students. The challenge entailed running 40 minutes a day for the 40th anniversary of Fox’s journey. Phillips kept her students engaged by making them aware of the milestones they had already reached and the ones they were close to achieving. “That was all they needed,” stated Phillips. “By Friday night, we had collectively run 591 kilometres.” That distance is further than Powassan to Montreal. One student in the class beat their personal goal of running more than 100 kilometres over the five-day period.

At the suggestion of Wesley Buell, a student in the running group, the class signed up for the virtual Toronto Waterfront Marathon, a 42 km race. The class completed the race and will be receiving a shirt and medal to display.

The learning taking place isn’t limited to physical education and keeping fit. Students are learning about numeracy by determining how many kilometres they need to run in the remaining school days in order to meet their fundraising target and budgeting a hypothetical trip to a location on their journey. Students are also learning about the history, culture, and attractions of various locations as they virtually pass through them.

Students are also enhancing their involvement in the community, learning to identify needs and bringing attention to them alongside their run. “Great things are happening at Mapleridge,” added Principal Alison Clarke.

The class is currently challenging themselves to run across Canada, tracking their route and where Terry Fox ran. In the future, the class hopes to keep running for a reason. In November, the class is running and posting online to bring awareness and donations for the Powassan Legion and its poppy campaign.

You can join the conversation on Twitter by using the hashtags #POTOWNToYoTown, #ReasonToRun and #LetsRunAcrossCanada. You can follow Mapleridge Public School on Twitter at @MapleridgeNNDSB.

Parry Sound, ON – Working towards reconciliation is everyone’s responsibility. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action document says, “. . . Reconciliation is about establishing and maintaining a mutually respectful relationship between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples in this country. In order for that to happen, there has to be awareness of the past, an acknowledgement of the harm that has been inflicted, atonement for the causes, and action to change behaviour.”

Staff and students at Parry Sound High School (PSHS) in the 17�Թ��� (NNDSB) are doing their part to create awareness. Last week, PSHS students took to the track to participate and learn at a Walk for Wenjack. In Parry Sound alone, students logged over 250 kilometres for the initiative.

Chanie Wenjack was a 12-year-old Ojibwe child who died of hunger and exposure in 1966 when he ran away from a residential school in Kenora. The school was 600 kilometres from his community. His story became more widely known through the advocacy work of late Tragically Hip Vocalist Gord Downie.

PSHS is a Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack Fund Legacy School.�� According to the ; “The Legacy 17�Թ��� program is a free national initiative to engage, empower and connect students and educators to further reconciliation through awareness, education and action.”

NNDSB also has legacy schools in MacTier, Mattawa and North Bay. Chippewa Secondary School and West Ferris Secondary School also completed walks.

“We are proud to see our staff and students engaging in acts of reconciliation,” said Board Chair Jay Aspin. “Honouring the memory of Chanie Wenjack is an important step on our journey. We must continue to work together with our Indigenous partners to ensure we are moving forward in a positive way.”

“Events such as this help us to reflect on the past and work towards a better future,” said Director of Education Craig Myles. “I’m very happy to see our staff and students engaging in active learning about reconciliation. Continued dedication to this cause will help create a better, more equitable community, and a better future for all Canadians.”

**Update – There is a second confirmed case at Chippewa Secondary School.�� At this time, the Health Unit is not declaring an outbreak as the cases appear unrelated.�� For an active list of cases in NNDSB schools, please visit the resources page.**

Dear Parents and Guardians,

17�Թ��� has been informed that a member of the school community at Chippewa Secondary School has tested positive for COVID-19.

The North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit is currently conducting an investigation.�� NNDSB is working closely with the Health Unit to provide information about staff and students for contact tracing (e.g. attendance records, class lists, contact information for parents, etc…).�� Please note that the School Board and the Health Unit are prohibited from sharing any details with the public that may identify individuals in accordance with the Personal Health Information Protection Act.

The health unit is currently in the process of contacting close contacts of the case to provide further direction on isolation and testing requirements.�� A close contact is anyone who was in the cases cohort, attending extracurricular activities, childcare, or rode on the bus with the case.�� Close contacts will be required to self-isolate for a period of 14-days from the last exposure to the positive case.

All students and staff who are not directly contacted by the health unit have been determined to have had a low-risk exposure to the case of COVID-19.�� A low-risk exposure includes transient interactions such as walking by a person with COVID-19, or briefly being in the same room with a person who has COVID-19.�� In these situations, the likelihood of transmission of COVID-19 is very low; however self-monitoring for symptoms is recommended.�� Self-isolation and testing is not recommended for low-risk exposures. ��In consultation with the health unit the decision has been made to keep the school open, as the risk of transmission of COVID-19 to staff and students is very low at this time.�� Custodial staff will be conducting enhanced cleaning of the school and ensure that all staff and student areas have been thoroughly disinfected

It is important that you monitor for symptoms of COVID-19.�� The main symptoms of COVID-19 include: fever, cough, loss of taste and smell, or shortness of breath; however, COVID-19 can present with other symptoms such as those similar to a common cold or common stomach illness. A full list of symptoms is available on the , and the can be used to help determine if symptoms are consistent with COVID-19.

If symptoms of COVID-19 are present, it is important to immediately self-isolate and seek out a COVID-19 assessment and testing centre.�� When calling for an appointment at your local , please inform the staff that there has been an exposure to a confirmed COVID-19 case and COVID-19 symptoms are present.�� ��If severe symptoms are present, such as difficulty breathing, please call 911 or attend the emergency department for immediate attention.

If you have any questions or concerns please contact the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit at 1-800-563-2808.

Thank you,

17�Թ���

North Bay, ON. – On October 13, 2020, 17�Թ��� trustees and staff members met for the second board meeting of the 2020-21 school year.

One of the items on the agenda was the consolidation of North Bay secondary schools.�� The Board will now work towards completing Phase Two of this project.

“We are excited about all of the additional programming that is being made available to our students,” said Board Chair Jay Aspin.�� “From Arts Nipissing to Near North Sports, multiple programs are now available for more students to take advantage of.”

“Everything we do is with the education and well-being of our students in mind,” said Director of Education Craig Myles.�� “We believe these supports and programs will empower our students to pursue their interests and find meaningful employment once they complete their studies.”

Phase One of the consolidation included the reallocation of resources, both in the form of staff and materials.�� “It is important to us to be fiscally responsible during this process,” added Aspin.�� “We have excellent resources that we are proud to share between the two North Bay secondary schools.”

Phase Two will continue to enhance the learning opportunities for students attending the schools involved in the consolidation.�� This will include over $900,000 in renovations to the two high schools and over $200,000 in programming enhancements.�� This project is expected to be completed by September 2021.

Information about 17�Թ���:

17�Թ��� is an English-language public school board serving the North Bay – Parry Sound – Nipissing area.�� The Board consists of approximately 10,000 students in 27 elementary schools, seven secondary/senior schools and various alternative learning centres.�� For more information, please visit nearnorthschools.ca and follow 17�Թ��� on social media.

Due to a facility malfunction relating to heat and hot water, tonight’s Committee of the Whole and Board Meetings will be held on Zoom, without an option to attend in-person.

Dial-in information is below:

Join Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID: 921 2547 1060

855 703 8985 Canada Toll-free

Meeting ID: 921 2547 1060

17�Թ��� (NNDSB) is proud to announce the upcoming introduction of The Skills Catalyst Project, an interactive, online learning platform for secondary students.�� The Skills Catalyst Project is funded by the Government of Ontario.�� The Government awarded NNDSB a $96,220 grant to develop this platform in collaboration with community partners.�� The Skills Catalyst Project is the first of its kind in NNDSB community.�� After completing a rigorous application process that began in January, NNDSB is excited to reveal the platform and engage in the experiential aspects with students.

The Skills Catalyst Project��

������September 30, the same time of year children were taken to residential schools, we remember and acknowledge this 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.

In Education, we are called to actively engage in responding to the��Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action # 62 and 63:

At the 17�Թ���, we are committed to creating safe and positive spaces that respect and celebrate diversity for all our students.

The 17�Թ��� conducted its first a Student Census survey “This is Me” in the 2018/2019 school year for all students kindergarten to grade 12. The survey was conducted during the month of May 2019. Parents/Guardians of students in kindergarten to grade 6 were asked to complete the survey on their child’s behalf. Students in grade 7-12 were asked to complete the survey online while at school.

This is us: 2018/2019 Census survey results

The 17�Թ��� is committed to equity and inclusion and the
elimination of discrimination and racism in education.

We acknowledge that systemic racism, bias and discrimination exists in Ontario and is
experienced by students, families and staff in Black, Indigenous and racialized
communities. We are committed to working with our communities to listen for
understanding about their lived experiences and the harm caused by racism. We will
work hard to identify and eliminate barriers created by bias and systemic racism.

NNDSB anti-racism statement