17�Թ���

April 24, 2019

Attention: The Honourable Lisa Thompson, Minister of Education:

On behalf of the 17�Թ��� we are writing to express our disappointment with the proposed changes that form part of Ontario’s new vision of “Education that Works for You”.�� As��provincial education partners, we recognize the government’s commitment to fiscal responsibility. We��also know that Ontario’s education system is recognized globally.�� We want to work collaboratively��to both improve and maintain the high quality of education in this province.

We, as a Board of Trustees, are responsible to our community, students, parents and staff for ensuring the provision of quality education in all of our schools.�� As a Northern board with a mix of urban and rural communities the proposed changes present us with challenges in continuing to meet our mandate “To educate learners to their fullest potential in preparation for life-long learning”.

Specifically, we are concerned about the long and short-term impact of the proposed changes to student achievement and well-being.

Increase in Class Size

The proposed increase in class sizes will result in a reduction of teaching positions, thereby limiting the ability of students to have needed one-on-one interactions with teachers.�� In addition, as a Northern Board with a number of smaller rural schools, meeting the required class size requirements is challenging as the student population is not always available.

One of the significant concerns for our Board is the ability to offer courses and specialized programming with the reduction in staffing.�� With a smaller population base, this combination of increased class size and reduction of staffing positions will significantly limit the number of elective and specialized programming available.�� This will effectively put our students at a disadvantage when compared to their Southern Ontario counterparts.�� In order to ensure that Northern Ontario remains economically viable our future employees and citizens must have access to quality education.

Reduction in Staffing

The required reduction in full-time teaching positions due to increased class sizes and elimination of program specific grants will significantly impact students and organizational function.�� While the loss of teaching positions due to increased class sizes will be eligible for financial assistance through the “Attrition Protection”, there are a significant number of other key positions not protected in this regard, which will also be reduced including school support staff and educational assistants.

These positions are an integral component of our education system and enable the creation of safe and inclusive learning spaces that support our most vulnerable students.�� The 17�Թ��� is proud of the steps we have taken towards creating such an environment.�� However, it will be difficult to continue our work and growth in this area without the knowledge, expertise and commitment of our qualified and trained staff.

As you are aware, recruitment and retention of qualified and talented individuals can be difficult in Northern Ontario due to demographics and population challenges.���� We anticipate that the replacement of key positions with the required skills will be extremely difficult.

Mandatory E-Learning

As a Board we strive to ensure that all of our students have equitable access to required programs and resources.�� In addition, we recognize that our students are individuals with unique needs and challenges that vary across our district.�� Like many of our counterparts, we already offer e-learning courses, but know that in many areas of our school board��students are unable to access reliable internet service and/or transportation to an accessible location.��The e-learning environment is not appropriate for all students and subject matter.

Funding Cuts

Several funding cuts have been announced including the reduction in the secondary programming amount��in the Pupil Foundation Grant, the Cost Adjustment Allocation and the Human Resource Transition��Supplement. ��Reductions in funding result in the loss of employees who��contribute every day to student achievement.

We are pleased to see that the government continues to invite consultation and hope it seriously��considers input from school boards. We ask that you focus on students and the needs and concerns outlined and reconsider the changes to class sizes and funding that will impact both the programs we can offer to��students and the number of employees in our system.�� The proposed staffing and funding changes will require adjustments to programming, portfolios and students’ supports, which will have far-reaching and long-term impact on our students and therefore the economics of our communities.

We look forward to continued dialogue with you regarding this matter.���� Thank you for your time and consideration in reviewing our concerns.

Sincerely,

Jay Aspin
Chairperson, 17�Թ���

Cc.���������� The Honourable Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario
The Honourable Vic Fedeli, Minister of Finance, MPP Nipissing
Norm Miller, MPP Parry Sound-Muskoka
OPSBA
FONOM

The 17�Թ��� will be offering a French Immersion Program in Parry Sound beginning September 1, 2019.�� During the month of February 2019, the NNDSB will be seeking feedback and input from the Parry Sound area communities, including our parents and guardians with respect to the establishment on a French Immersion program at one centrally located school in the Parry Sound area.�� It is anticipated that the confirmation of the location and program registration will begin early in March 2019.In our commitment to meeting the needs of all families, we invite parents and guardians of current and future students to participate in a survey of interest related to French Immersion Programming.

All eligible Students from the Parry Sound area entering first or second year of Kindergarten or Grade 1, including students from the following schools, may register for the proposed French Immersion Program in Parry Sound (transportation will be provided):

• MacTier Public School
• Humphrey Public School
• McDougall Public School
• Nobel Public School
• Parry Sound Public School
• Britt Public School
• Whitestone Lake Central School

The French Immersion Program in ELK, embodies the philosophies of the Early Learning Kindergarten program while infusing the French language. At the NNDSB, 90% of the instruction in ELK and in Grade 1 are done in French. Our educator teams work with the students, at their level, to ensure understanding and development of literacy behaviours that foster proficiency in both French and English languages. Our teams strive to encourage communication in the second language while developing their critical thinking skills in what they notice, hear, and read as well as express themselves in a variety of ways. The development of thinking and speaking in young children provides them with a strong basis for successful learning throughout their lives. The provincial vision for the FSL program, “Students will communicate and interact with growing confidence in French, one of Canada’s official languages, while developing the knowledge, skills, and perspectives they need to participate fully as citizens in Canada and in the world.” (French as a Second Language curriculum)

If you are interested in registering your child or children in the French Immersion Program in the Parry Sound area, click on this ��to complete the survey or go to the board website. If you have questions, please contact Krista Holmes at 705.746.9371 ext 7003 or Krista.Holmes@nearnorthschools.ca

The 2017/2018 Director’s Annual Report was presented to the Board of Trustees at the December 18, 2018 Regular Board Meeting in accordance with the requirements of the Education Act.�� The Education Act, 1990 stipulates that a Director’s Annual Report must be prepared and presented to the Board of Trustees at the first regular meeting in December.

The attached report meets all of the Ministry of Educations requirements with respect to the Annual Report including, but not limited to:

• The Board’s strategic goals and progress made towards those goals.
• Action taken towards the promotion of a positive school climate and prevention of bullying.
• Training and professional development for employees with respect to equity and inclusive education.
• Efforts to actively engage and integrate feedback from students, parents and community partners.

The information contained in the attached report is only a snapshot of all work, programming and accomplishments of the NNDSB over the past year.���� We are fortunate to have such dedicated and competent educators within our schools and Board.

Director’s Annual Report 2017-2018

For more information, please contact:

Mairghread Knought
Information/Communications Officer
17�Թ���
Tel:�� 705-472-8170 ext. 5010
Email: Mairghread.Knought@nearnorthschools.ca

Canada remembers Canada’s�� Hundred Days and the First World War Armistice

In many ways, Canada’s military efforts over the years can be seen as a “road to peace.”�� 2018 marks the centennial of “Canada’s Hundred Days”—the series of impressive battlefield victories by the Canadian Corps over the last three months of the First World War.�� It is also the 100th anniversary of the Armistice that finally brought an end to four years of brutal conflict.

Our service members displayed great courage during the last hundred days of the conflict.�� Thirty men from Canada and Newfoundland earned the Victoria Cross—the highest award for military valour they could receive—during this period.�� This Remembrance Day, bells in Canadian communities from coast to coast to coast will again ring out to mark the 100th anniversary of this important milestone.

This Veterans’ Week, we honour those who served and died as our country has steadily pushed forward on the long and difficult road to peace—a precious yet fragile ideal. How will you remember?
For more information visit

Photo credits (top to bottom): Library and Archives Canada

PA-003286, PA-003022 and PA-040231
© Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, represented by the Minister of Veterans Affairs, 2018.

The following persons have been elected/acclaimed to the Board of Trustees for the 17�Թ���:

Zone 1 (4 Representatives)
Jay Aspin
Donna Breault
Louise Sargent
Bill Steer

Zone 2 (1 Representative)
Greg Barnes

Zone 3 (1 Representative)
Rob Learn

Zone 4 (1 Representative)
John Cochrane

Zone 5 (1 Representative)
Al Bottomley

Nipissing First Nations (1 Representative)
Nichole King

Elected Trustees will officially be sworn in and take office at 5 p.m. on December 4, 2018 during the Inaugural Meeting.�� The Inaugural Meeting is a public meeting and will take place at the Board Office located at 963 Airport Road and will be followed by the Annual Organizational Meeting at 6.p in which the Board will confirm, Board Chair, Vice-Chair and Committee appointments.

The students in the Grade 11/12 Theatre Production Class at Almaguin Highlands Secondary School��(“AHSS”)��will be featured in a docu-drama created as part of Cogeco’s YourTV Remembrance Day programming.�� Marking the 100 years since the Halifax harbour explosion in 1917, AHSS students researched, wrote and performed the play, “Halifax:1917”, last year.

The play was written to commemorate the 1917 disaster that occurred in the Halifax harbour, killing over 1500 people and injuring (and blinding) thousands more.

YourTV’s Jake Forsyth approached AHSS to produce a docu-drama featuring the students of today and their research, and connections to the stories of 100 years ago.����YourTV of North Bay��subsequently��filmed a docu-drama featuring the students and their��teacher Allison Green to be aired November 8th, 2018. Check your local listings for times of airing.

AHSS will hold its’ own screening on November��9th, 2018 at 7 p.m.�� The screen will be��free and open to the public. Students and staff involved in the play and docu-drama will be on hand to share their experience.

For more information, please contact:

Allison Green
Almaguin Highlands Secondary School
Phone: (705)492-9744
Email: allison.green@nearnorthschools.ca

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 17�Թ��� 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