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News and Announcements

West Ferris to Host Apple Distinguished 17Թ Site Visit

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The Near North DistrictSchool Boardis excitedto announcethaton Thursday, June 7th, 2018 the West Ferris Intermediate and Secondary School STEAM program will be hosting staff from District School Board Ontario North East as part of a scheduled Apple Distinguished 17Թ site visit. The Director of Education and representatives for the Board of Trustees will be in attendance at 8:45 a.m. on June 7th,2018 to greet our distinguished guests.

The site visit will focus on showcasing student activities and highlighting how STEAM teachers have been successful creating engaging cross-curricular projects.This visit will mark the beginning of an ongoing collaboration between the 17Թ STEAM programand bothteachers and administrators from District School Board Ontario North East,as they work towards creating a STEAM program of their own.

Apple Distinguished 17Թ are centres of leadership and academic excellence that demonstrates APPLES’ vision for learning withtechnology andareconsidered byAPPLE to be some of the most innovative schools in the world.West Ferris Intermediate and Secondary School has been designated as an Apple Distinguished Schooldue tostaffs’continued encouragement ofstudents tobe innovative and enthusiastic, while providingopportunities to explore cross-curricular relationships between math, science and technology.

For more information, please contact:

Andy Gagné
HBKin., MEd.
Principal
West Ferris Intermediate/Secondary School
P:7054752333 x 8561
:Andy.Gagne@nearnorthschools.ca

Near North Students Challenge the DELF

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Once again students from across the 17Թ challenged the DELF (Diplôme d’étude de langue française), a French as a Second Language proficiency test. Students from 4 High 17Թ presented themselves to be tested and receive a world recognized accreditation of their abilities in speaking French.

The DELF is a formal testing tool for second language learners. Assessors must be trained beyond the Ontario curriculum, to assess students at an international level. The DELF test was created in France and accessed by students all over the world. Students who attain a level of proficiency can use that designation and certificate for post-secondary education applications (in French first and second language courses) as well as for employment.

In order to receive the DELF credentials, students must successfully complete an interview, listening, reading, and writing exercises with a minimum proficiency of 50%. NNDSB students were successful in attaining the level they challenged. This is the NNDSB’s second year in the pilot project with an increase in the number of students participating. Congratulations to all participating students for their hard work.

For more information, please contact:

Greg Deschamps
Program Coordinator/Conseiller pédagogique, K-12
17Թ
P: 705.472.8170 x 5039
E: Greg.Deschamps@nearnorthschools.ca

Chippewa Receives $28,000 in Funding from CWB Welding Foundation

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May 22, 2018 – The 17Թ is pleased to announce that after a lengthy application process, Chippewa Intermediate and Secondary School has been selected by the CWB Welding Foundation as the recipient of the Secondary School Equipment and Project Support program.

The CWB Secondary School Equipment and Project Support program is dedicated to the development of Canadian secondary school welding programs. Through this program, Chippewa received $28 000 in funding to refurbish and upgrade the school’s welding facilities.

For more information regarding the CWB Foundation, please visit their website: .

To celebrate and express appreciation to CWB Welding Foundation for this significant contribution, Chippewa Intermediate and Secondary School will be hosting a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Friday, May 25th, 2018, at 10:30am. This event will also officially launch Chippewa’s welding program.

There will beequipment demonstrations, light refreshments, and a CWB Welding Foundation representative will be available to answer anyquestions.Those interested in attending are asked to contact Chippewa, at (705) 475-2341.

For more information, please contact:

Mairghread Knought
Information/Communication Officer
17Թ
(705) 472-8170, extension 5010
Mairghread.Knought@nearnorthschools.ca

NSS Student Wins Javelin Title at OFSAA

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Northern Secondary School’s Brent Couchie went the distance, winning the 2018 OFSAA Midget Boys Javelin title on June 8, 2018 at the Toronto Track and Field Centre at York University. With a field of over 20 athletes from across the province the 15-year-old from Nipissing First Nation threw his personal best of the year with an impressive 44.94-meter throw.

With strength and finesse from an athletic and artistic background, Couchie picked up the art of Javelin throwing naturally. He spends his winters on the ice playing defense in hockey and is a head grass dancer who travels to pow-wows across the country. He began his throwing career this year and has added almost 10 meters to his throw since the NDA finals in May.

Northern Secondary School is not new to developing high level javelin throwers. Last year, Timothy Hatton won the OFSAA Senior Boys Javelin Throw with a mark of 56.56 meters. Hatton’s mother Catherine is currently the head coach of the track and field team and is a teacher at Northern.

Fore more information please contact:

Kaitlyn Fitzpatrick, B.Sc., OCT, NCCP
Occasional Teacher, P/J/I/S
Trojans Coach
Kaitlyn.Fitzpatrick@Nearnorthschools.ca

Highlanders on Top at OFSAA

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Almaguin Highlands Secondary School Students had a great weekend at OFSAA beating previous personal bests.

Aidan Anger finished 4th in the Senior Boys Pole vault amongst a very tight field of over 20 athletes from across the province. Anger, from Burks Falls, beat his own personal and school record in the highly technical vault event with a final jump of 4.30 meters. He has come a long way since his OFSAA performance last year where he placed fifth with a result of 3.95 meters.

The charismatic senior student graduates this year and has an exciting athletic and academic career ahead of him. This summer, he will be competing at the Junior/Senior nationals in Ottawa. He will then be attending the University of Guelph in the fall, where he plans to study Business Marketing and Management. He continues to compete in the Pole Vault event as a member of the university’s varsity squad.

Clarista Ardiel, a multi sport athlete who runs multiple distances, was 3rd in the Girls 100-meter Intellectual final on Friday with a time of 14.99 seconds. On Saturday, she dominated in the 800 finished ten seconds ahead of the second-best competitor with a time of 2.55.12 minutes.

Hudson Booth, also a multi sport athlete, was 2nd for the Boys 100-meter Ambulatory Race race with a time of 13.51 seconds. He finished fourth in Saturday’s 800-meter Ambulatory run with a time of 2.29.95 minutes and competed in the Shot-Put event. Hudson is in his final year of high school and will be competing at the Cerebral Palsy World Track and Field Games in Spain this summer.

Long time coach and teacher Bob Hildebrandt, along with other Almaguin coaches, have been very successful this year, sending multiple athletes to OFSAA for Track and Field despite being a small rural school. The coaches also been instrumental in developing Almaguin’s special Olympic athletes who also competed at OFSAA this weekend.

For more information please contact:

Kaitlyn Fitzpatrick, B.Sc., OCT, NCCP
Occasional Teacher, P/J/I/S
Trojans Coach
Kaitlyn.Fitzpatrick@Nearnorthschools.ca

Widdifield Arts Teacher Accepted into Art21 Education Program

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May 23, 2018 – The 17Թ is pleased to announce that Widdifield Secondary School Visual Arts Teacher Samara Paleczny has been accepted into the Art21 Educators Program.

Art21 is a PBS series featuring contemporary artists which provides successful applicants with a year-long professional learning opportunity resulting in six graduate credits from the Massachusetts College of Art and Design. The program is open to teachers in the U.S., Canada and Mexico and involves a lengthy application progress. Samara Paleczny is one of only two Canadians accepted in the program for 2018-2019.

The Art21 Educators Summer Institute will take place from July 6–11, 2018 at the New York Public Library and will focus on the educator as researcher. Teachers will be provided with the opportunity to challenge themselves, take productive risks, and engage with Art21 artists to learn more about utilizing contemporary art to teach about big ideas and the important questions facing us today. Teachers in attendance—both the new cohort and program alumni—will be able to utilize both the librarians’ knowledge and the library’s vast collection to explore critical research questions that will impact their classroom teaching during the 2018–2019 school year.

In order to qualify for the program Samara Paleczny was required to submit unit plans, lesson plans, a video application, and examples of how the Art:21 Program is referenced in her classroom.

“The 17Թ is extremely proud of Samara Paleczny and this significant achievement. This achievement showcases the superior quality of our teachers and their continuing dedication to ensuring that our students are provided with the highest quality of education.”
Jackie Young, Director of Education, 17Թ.

For more information, please contact:
Mairghread Knought
Information/Communication Officer
17Թ
P. (705) 472-8170, extension 5010
E. Mairghread.Knought@nearnorthschools.ca

NNDSB Education Day Forum for Provincial Election Candidates

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May 16, 2018 – The 17Թ will be hosting an all candidates forum with a focus on educational matters in recognition of Education Day. The Ontario Public School Boards’ Association has declared May 23, 2018 as Education Day, in recognition of the important role educational matters will play in the upcoming Provincial Election.

The 17Թ Education Day Forum is scheduled for Thursday, May 24, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. at West Ferris Secondary School.

Student, parents, educators and all members of the community are encouraged to attend. The Education Day Forum is a great opportunity to learn where our local candidates stand on educational issues. The future growth of the province depends on the continued provision of high quality publicly-funded education.

Education Day Forum Agenda

Education Day Forum 2018 Rules of Procedure

Education Day Forum Questions for Candidates

For more information, please contact:

Mairghread Knought
Information/Communication Officer
17Թ
(705) 472-8170, extension 5010
Mairghread.Knought@nearnorthschools.ca

Chippewa Band Performs at Atlantic Music Fest

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May 14, 2018 - The Chippewa Intermediate Secondary School Band recently traveled to perform at the Atlantic Music Festival in London, Ontario, hosted by Western University. Band members participated in instrument-specific workshops taught by renowned musicians, had the opportunity to perform, and received a silver star rating.

In addition, the band was able to experience a live jazz performance at Humber College. The show was put on by the College’s band, “The Yellowjacket Project”, which consisted of recent Chippewa graduate, John Kervin, on the piano and band leader Shirantha Beddage, a talented professor at Humber and a Chippewa Alumnist (1997).

Chippewa’s Junior and Senior bands have had a successful year, in which they competed in multiple events such as the Northern Ontario Music festival. Highlights of the years’ achievements include:

  • Obtaining a spot to perform at Music Fest Canada, which Chippewa has been invited to for over 20 years.
  • Receipt of a Gold Rating for both bands at the local Kiwanis Music Festival.
  • The Senior group scored the highest ranking in the Secondary Band category.

The Junior and Senior Band, consisting of over 60 students, will conclude this fantastic year with their Spring Concert on Wednesday, May 30th at 7 pm in the Chippewa Theatre.

For more information, please contact:
Marla Sunstrum, Chippewa Secondary SchoolMusic Department
Phone:705-475-2341 ext. 8532, Email:marla.sunstrum@nearnorthschools.ca

E.W. Norman Exceeds Jump Rope for Heart Goal

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May 14, 2018 - A big congratulations to the students of E. W. Norman Public School who raised over $3000 in pledges for their annual Jump Rope for Heart event. Students and Teachers had identified an initial fundraising goal of $600, which they substantially exceed through hard work and the support of our community!

The Jump Rope for Heart Event occurred Friday, May 11, 2018 with all funds going to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

For more information, please contact:

Jodie Nychuk, Principal
E. W. Norman Public School
Phone: 705-472-5534 Ext. 8009
-Ѳ:Jodie.Nychuk@nearnorthschools.ca

Chippewa Students Get Innovative

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students working hard on posters and presenting their workMay 7, 2018 – On Monday, April 30th, grade 10 Chippewa Secondary career studies students participated in a day-long workshop that focused on the global competencies of innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship (ICE).

The ICE challenge is a concept that was originally generated in the Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) program, but Ontario's Ministry of Education is working with teachers across the province to modernize the curriculum. ICE is a component that has been proposed as part of a new curricular push towards integrating 21st century global competencies into career studies.

Throughout the day, students had an opportunity to develop application prototypes, hear a keynote presentation from local entrepreneurs and participate in a Shark Tank type panel that served to provide feedback for student-generated prototypes.

The efforts from the students who participated will be documented and shared with Ministry staffers to help guide the design of new curriculum. Near North was one of the only boards participating in the pilot project that tested the new curriculum using an ICE Challenge outside of school.

Students, teachers and entrepreneurs contributed to the overall success of the event assisted by the North Bay Chamber of Commerce for finding local entrepreneurs to inspire students.

For more information, please contact:

Greg Deschamps, Program Coordinator E. Greg.Deschamps@nearnorthschools.ca P. (705) 472-7015, extension 5039

students working hard on posters and presenting their work

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)

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17Թ
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