As the 2026-2027 school year begins, the Ontario Ministry of Education has asked school boards to share a back-to-school message from Minister of Education Paul Calandra with students and families across the province.

Please read the Minister’s letter below.

The 17³Ô¹ÏÍø is pleased to welcome students, families and staff to a new school year filled with learning, connection and opportunity!

As students return to classrooms across our communities, we are excited to continue working together to create safe, caring and inclusive learning environments where every student feels a strong sense of belonging. The start of the school year is a time of new beginnings, and we look forward to supporting students as they learn, grow, build friendships, discover new interests and reach new goals.

At NNDSB, we are committed to supporting the academic and social achievement of all students. We know that student success is strengthened through strong relationships among students, families, staff and schools. By listening, staying connected and making sure families have the information they need, we can continue working together to support and encourage every learner throughout the year ahead.

To our students: welcome back. We are so glad to see you and look forward to all that you will accomplish this year.

To our families: thank you for your continued partnership and trust. Your support plays an important role in helping students thrive.

On behalf of the 17³Ô¹ÏÍø, I wish all students, families and staff a positive, successful and rewarding school year.

Sincerely,

Jay MacJanet
CEO/CEDO
17³Ô¹ÏÍø

Dear NNDSB Community,

As we get ready to welcome students back to our schools, I wanted to take a moment to share a simple message about something that plays an important role in student success: being at school regularly.

When students are at school, they’re not just learning math, science or reading. They’re building friendships, discovering new interests, participating in activities and becoming part of their school community. Every school day brings new opportunities to learn, grow and connect.

At the same time, we know that getting to school every day isn’t always easy. Families can face challenges that affect attendance, and when that happens, we want you to know that you’re not alone. Our schools are here to help, and we encourage families to reach out if they need support.

To our students: we want you here. Get involved. Try something new. Join a club, a team, a group or an activity that interests you. Ask questions, make connections and take advantage of the opportunities around you. You don’t need to be the best at something to participate. Sometimes the hardest part is simply showing up, and that’s often where great things begin.

To our parents and caregivers: thank you for the important role you play in supporting attendance and engagement. Take time to talk with your child about their school experience, celebrate their successes and check in when things seem difficult. If attendance becomes a challenge, please connect with your child’s school. We’re here to work with you.

And to our educators and staff: thank you for the relationships you build with students every day. The welcoming classrooms, encouragement and support you provide help students feel connected, valued and included. Those relationships can make all the difference.

There’s always something exciting about the start of a new school year. New opportunities, new experiences and a chance for a fresh start. We can’t wait to see our schools filled with the energy, curiosity and excitement that students bring each day.

I hope everyone enjoys a safe and relaxing Labour Day weekend. We can’t wait to welcome students, families and staff back to our schools on Tuesday, September 8.

Jay MacJanet
CEO / CEDO
17³Ô¹ÏÍø

Many local organizations, sports groups, and residents have been looking forward to accessing the new Parry Sound High School and Francis Pegahmagabow Elementary School.

The new schools were designed to be more than places of learning. They were built to support recreation, programs, events, and activities that bring people together and strengthen connections across the region.

While students and staff will have access to the schools as planned, a temporary delay is needed before the facilities can be opened for public use.

Finishing touches will continue outside of school hours over the coming months. To ensure the contractors have access, the facility will not be available for bookings until further notice.

The delay affects rentals and bookings for recreational programs, sports activities, meetings, events, and other uses.

Organizations that have already submitted community use requests are being contacted directly. We have also shared this information with local municipalities so they are aware that groups may be looking for alternative locations while work on the site continues.

We know many groups have been eager to make use of these new facilities, and we appreciate their patience and understanding.

Access for programs, activities, and events will be considered once the site work has progressed to a stage that allows for safe and practical use. At this time, bookings are expected to remain unavailable through the fall, with a review planned for January 2027. Updates will continue to be shared on the NNDSB website as more information becomes available.

Community use is an important part of how our schools serve local families and organizations, and we look forward to welcoming groups, teams, and residents through the doors in the months ahead. Until then, we thank the community for its support as this important project moves through its final stages.

September 2, 2026

Dear Parents/Guardians,

At the 17³Ô¹ÏÍø, we are committed to providing learning experiences that support student achievement, well-being, and long-term success. As part of this commitment, we are taking steps to ensure that technology is used purposefully and in balance with other effective instructional practices.

While technology remains an important tool in our classrooms, research shows that students benefit Ìýfrom a variety of learning experiences, including direct instruction, discussion, collaboration, hands-on activities, reading from printed materials and writing by hand. These approaches help strengthen critical thinking, communication skills, comprehension, memory retention and overall engagement in learning.

Beginning this school year, schools will continue to provide access to digital tools when they enhance learning, support accessibility needs, or enable learning experiences that could not otherwise occur. At the same time, educators will place greater emphasis on instructional strategies that do not require continuous individual device use.

Students can expect to experience:

• More opportunities for discussion, collaboration, and hands-on learning.
• Increased use of paper-and-pencil activities, including notetaking, writing, and mathematical problem solving.
• More reading from printed materials when deep comprehension and sustained attention are important.
• Purposeful use of technology when it clearly supports learning outcomes or accessibility needs.
• A healthy balance of digital and non-digital learning experiences throughout the school day.

To help support student well-being and engagement, NNDSB has established age-appropriate guidelines for routine 1:1 student device use during the school day:

• Kindergarten (JK/SK): No routine individual screen time
• Grades 1-3: Up to 30 minutes per day.
• Grades 4-8: Up to 60 minutes per day, with individual sessions generally limited to 30 minutes.
• Grades 9-12: Up to 60 minutes per day, with individual sessions generally limited to 30 minutes, recognizing that some courses and specialized programs may occasionally require additional time.

These guidelines are intended to support healthy, engaging and effective learning environments while ensuring students continue to develop important digital skills. Technology will remain available in our schools and will continue to be used when it adds value to the learning experience.

Thank you for your continued partnership in supporting your child’s learning and well-being.

As we prepare for another exciting school year, the 17³Ô¹ÏÍø is encouraging families who have not already done so to set up their School Cash Online account and get ready for September. is NNDSB’s secure online payment system, providing parents and guardians with convenient 24/7 access to pay for school-related items and activities from anywhere, at any time. Families can use the platform to manage payments for field trips, extracurricular activities, fundraisers, school programs, yearbooks, and other school-related purchases.

Using School Cash Online helps simplify the payment process for families while reducing the need for students to bring cash to school. Parents and guardians can securely make payments online, receive email notifications about upcoming events and available items, access electronic receipts, and review their payment history in one convenient location. The platform offers a safe and easy-to-use way to stay organized and manage school-related expenses throughout the year.

School Cash Online is accessible through the NNDSB Parent Portal. Registration takes less than five minutes, and parents will need their child’s Ontario Education Number (OEN), which can be found on report cards or obtained from the school office. Taking a few minutes to set up your account before the start of the school year can help make September a little smoother and ensure you don’t miss important payment deadlines or school opportunities.

With the first day of school just around the corner, now is a good time to make sure your child’s transportation information is up to date.

Whether your child has been riding the bus for years or this is their first time, a few minutes of preparation now can help make for a smoother start to September.

Who manages student transportation?Ìý

Student transportation for the 17³Ô¹ÏÍø is coordinated by (NPSSTS).Ìý

NPSSTS plans and manages bus routes, determines transportation eligibility, and provides transportation updates and notifications to families.

Has anything changed since last year?

Transportation arrangements can be affected by changes in your family’s circumstances.

Please contact your child’s school as soon as possible if:

• You have moved to a new address
• Your child is attending a different school
• Your before or after school care arrangements have changed

Updating this information before the start of the school year helps ensure your child’s transportation details are accurate and ready for September.

Not sure if your child is eligible for transportation?

Transportation eligibility is determined by several factors, including a student’s home address, school, grade level, and applicable walking distance requirements.

Eligibility can change as students get older and move through different grades, or when family circumstances change.

If you’re unsure whether your child qualifies for transportation, visit the for more information about eligibility and walking distance requirements.

If your child takes the bus, register for BusPlanner Web

BusPlanner Web is an online portal used by NPSSTS to provide families with their child’s transportation information.

If you haven’t already registered, we encourage you to set up your account before the first day of school.

Once you’re registered, you can:

• View your child’s bus stop information
• Review route details
• Receive transportation notifications
• Stay informed about delays and cancellations
• Get updates about route changes

New to BusPlanner Web? Follow the instructions to create your account and subscribe to notifications. Visit the and look for BusPlanner Web Instructions at the bottom of the page

New to the school bus? Information for Kindergarten families

For many Kindergarten students, riding the school bus is an exciting first step in their school journey. A little preparation can help make the transition to school a positive and successful experience.

Before the first day of school, take a few minutes to:

• Confirm your child’s transportation eligibility and stop information
• Make sure emergency contact information is up to date
• Review pick-up and drop-off procedures with your child
• Register for transportation notifications through BusPlanner Web
• Arrive at the bus stop a few minutes before the scheduled pick-up time
• Talk with your child about what to expect during their bus ride
• Review basic school bus safety expectations together

NPSSTS also provides designed to help students become confident and safe riders.

Need More Information?

For information about transportation eligibility, walking distances, BusPlanner Web registration, transportation requests, and student safety resources, visit .

If you have questions about your child’s transportation, your school is the best place to start. School staff can help direct your inquiry and connect you with the appropriate transportation resources.

Taking a few minutes now to make sure your information is up to date and register for BusPlanner Web can help you feel prepared and connected as the new school year gets underway.