NNDSB BOARD HIGHLIGHTS – MARCH 2024 MEETING
The following are the highlights of the Near North District School Board (NNDSB) meeting of Tuesday, March 19, 2024.
Trustee proposes Living Consciously course
The Board approved a motion from Trustee Bill Steer to request that the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association (OPSBA) petition the Ministry of Education to create and develop a mandatory secondary school course that addresses Living Consciously (the course’s draft working title).
Trustee Steer’s notice of motion at committee of the whole notes the relevance of the course’s title; “Consciously suggests there is intention, through education, experiences and awareness, to initiate change. Living is what humankind does within a climate of kindness, trust and happiness.”
The motion says there are four areas to be addressed: equity, inclusion and diversity (social norms); food security and nutrition; wellness (active lifestyle choices and mental health) and climate change (mitigation and living with); in accordance with OPSBA’s mission, vision and values.
Director’s Update shares system successes
The report to the Board from Director of Education Craig Myles included recognition of Indigenous Student Trustee Albany Benson for her work on the necessities drive for northern First Nations. Under her leadership, schools across the district worked with community partners to collect necessities to be shipped north.
The Director’s update always includes examples that illustrate commitment to pillars of the multi-year strategic plan.
This month, excellence in innovation was illustrated by news that West Ferris Secondary School has launched a podcast, The Trojan Voice, led by teacher candidate b Wrauley and media arts teacher Robin Bartlett. Students are learning about podcast production while sharing their experiences with listeners. To illustrate the pillar of excellence in teaching and learning, Myles referred to NNDSB’s 2023-2024 math achievement action plan. The plan demonstrates the board’s commitment to provincial priorities while recognizing the unique needs of our communities to ensure a continued focus on high achievement in mathematics. Myles also shared that the Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) is hosting webinars for
families to learn about primary and junior assessments of reading, writing and mathematics. The Director’s update also congratulated teacher Cody Lacelle at F.J. McElligott, under whose guidance the school was able to have a women’s hockey team for the first time in 50 years.
Under the pillar of excellence in relationships, Director Myles reported on two projects being worked on by staff at the library services and student support centre. Staff are helping many community partners with the Joy of Reading celebration taking place April 13 at Emsdale Community Centre. The staff have also partnered on Community Oriented Outdoor Literacy to create two outdoor story hikes that promote literacy and a healthy lifestyle. The groups are currently deciding on the next story to showcase on the hike, which should be available to the public in the spring.
The Director’s update also referenced the staffing shortages facing schools across the province. Myles noted principals face challenges in staffing in teaching and non-teaching roles. The lack of supply personnel has a direct impact on student achievement, safety and well-being. Myles acknowledged the work of “incredible staff” who persist in the face of challenging staff shortages.
OPSBA report highlights provincial issues
Trustee Steer, NNDSB’s rep on the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association (OPSBA) presented a report to the Board about OPSBA efforts that highlight several provincial issues.
He reported that negotiations continue through central bargaining and that many boards are reporting deficit budgets, with transportation being a financial challenge. The report also outlined a continuous professional leaning plan for trustees, and that discussions are taking place on the relationship between municipalities and school boards.
Trustee Steer also reported that the Canadian School Boards’ Association is trying to get a national school food policy request into the next federal budget.
Indigenous Student Trustee Benson provides update
Indigenous Student Trustee Albany Benson provided the Board with an update of activities and achievements of the Indigenous Youth Circle (IYC).
She reported that Northern Secondary School is consistently having drumming lessons and students are looking forward to ribbon shirt/skirt workshops, and wampum bracelet workshops. Students in Grades 11 and 12 also had an employment training program, and attended an Indigenous mentorship program at Nipissing University, visited the Witness Blanket at Canadore College and represented their school at the recent North Bay powwow.
Students at Chippewa will be having a moccasin workshop and a dream catcher workshop for Grades 7 and 8 students. Drumming lessons continue at Chippewa, and OKIMAKAN is starting to plan dancing workshops and planning for the Robinson Huron Treaty flag campaign.
Parry Sound High School is continuing to teach drumming, is selling Oshki Shkode merchandise and will visit the Witness Blanket in coming weeks.
IYC has been asked to review a draft addressing discrimination document and provide input.
Indigenous Student Trustee Benson also told trustees about the recent necessities drive for Northern communities. Recognizing the high cost of essentials in the North, administration, staff and each school community came together to fundraise or donate items through the first two weeks of February. At Northern, money was raised and bags of clothing were gathered. Chippewa raised more than $700 and purchased necessary items, and an anonymous donation of feminine hygiene products was made. West Ferris partnered with the Indigenous Friendship Centre and had a successful baby drive, collecting more than 1,000 diapers. Students at F.J. McElligott, Almaguin and Parry Sound also fundraised and donated items. In total, almost a room full of items was donated. Baby formula and some of the diapers were distributed by the OPP via the ice road to Fort Albany, and the rest of the items were brought to Cochrane to be taken to Moosonee.
Student Trustee Chen updates Board
Student Trustee Dora Chen provided the Board with an update of secondary school activities and achievements.
Her report to the Board included information on school spirit days, team-bonding activities and a winter carnival.
Events for NNDSB students include March Break trips to Ottawa, Italy, the U.K. and Paris, a regional music competition for Chippewa’s senior band and guitar ensemble (the band received a silver plus award and an invitation to play at nationals in May), plays were performed at West Ferris and Chippewa, and West Ferris and Parry Sound High Schools are preparing for upcoming arts fests.
Chippewa hosted a Shoot for Change event with students and teachers playing basketball against each other to raise money for Nipissing University’s Black Student Funded Scholarships. Student leaders have also started planning the second Jack Lyons Memorial Hockey Exhibition, which will raise money for One Kids Place.
Almaguin Highlands Secondary School raised awareness of bullying on Pink Shirt Day and ran a teacher versus student volleyball game.
Several NNDSB schools participated (or will be) in NOSSA championships and Chippewa’s boys varsity hockey and boys curling teams will be going to OFSSA this month.
Student Senate has begun selections for Senators for the 2024-2025 school year.
Student Senate is creating initiatives for the upcoming Sikh and Asian heritage months, with a goal of helping all students learn about new cultures, traditions and ideas.
Student Senate ran a board-wide spirit day that was a huge success. Almaguin Highlands won the Heart of Gold spirit trophy.
Report outlines math achievement action plan
A report to the Board outlined NNDSB’s math achievement action plan, in response to the requirement that all publicly funded school boards were required to adopt provincial student achievement priorities and metrics to help students improve EQAO scores in reading, writing and math.
Board math leads were required to determine specific board and school priorities and then develop, implement and monitor a math achievement action plan that includes meaningful key performance indicators, and to report three times a year (Nov. 15, March 28 and July 15).
The report notes that on-going professional learning for educators, math facilitators and principals has been a key priority across the district. The math lead and coordinator visited all 19 priority schools with a specific focus on Grade 3 and 6 classroom visits. Student progress has been monitored through monthly assessments and data has informed educator learning sessions.
Additional supports include a Math for Families page on the NNDSB website, school-based family math nights and an NNDSB virtual family math night taking place in the coming months.
Mid-year MYSP report provided to Trustees
The MYSP 2023-2024 mid-year report was included in the agenda package for Trustees.
The report notes that the data is but a small part of the significant progress NNDSB has made toward the realization of MYSP priorities.
Below are some highlights in each of the four strategic priorities:
Excellence in teaching and learning: provincially-recognized NNDSB summer learning programs that deliver continual learning and gap closing to ensure smoother transitions to the new school year; before and after school tutoring programs; implementation of strategies for students with challenging behaviours to accommodate their needs and allow them to realize their full potential; educators increased their understanding and use of literacy and math diagnostics and literacy screeners to better support student strengths and needs.
Excellence in innovation: NNDSB has been asked to share nationally about the living classroom environment and vocational training programs; Hockey Skills Canada program expanded; custodial services training program in collaboration with community partners; Seven Stones School in collaboration with the North Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre; Forest School training for educators, robotic and coding opportunity expansion.
Excellence in relationships: continue fulfilling community need for personal support workers (PSW) in partnership with long-term care facilities; partnership with North Bay Battalion in anti-bullying and character education; partnering with Canadore College to increase placements for early childhood education; partnering with Nipissing University in tutoring initiative.
Excellence in communication: parent web accounts support parents and guardians with increased engagement in their child’s learning; monthly letter to families; monthly newsletter for staff; website posting of reports like the MYSP reports and Director’s Annual Report.
Ombudsman provides three recommendations
Trustees received a report with three recommendations from the Ombudsman of Ontario, Paul Dubé, regarding in-camera (closed) meetings held by the Parry Sound Build Committee.
The report concluded with three recommendations from the ombudsman. NNDSB has affirmed with the ombudsman that it is committed to implementing the recommendations
The report outlines that the committee’s errors resulted from the Ministry of Education direction to not discuss items publicly due to its strict communications embargoes.
The investigation resulted in a much-needed update to Ministry of Education communication protocol for capital projects. Communication embargoes that otherwise may be in place will not apply to school board meeting discussions. This means that school boards will no longer be in the difficult position of potentially having to choose between complying with the Ministry’s embargo and the Education Act’s open meeting requirements.
