Subject: Playground Update for the Start of the School Year

Dear Parents/Guardians,

As a follow up to the message shared last week, we would like to provide an update on the status of the playground at the new school.

We have received confirmation that the playground equipment for Francis Pegahmagabow Elementary School is scheduled to be delivered on September 21. The supplier has advised that this delivery date cannot be moved. Once the equipment arrives, installation is expected to take approximately one week.

While the playground will not be available when students return to school on September 8, students will continue to have access to outdoor play spaces. A temporary fenced-in play area will be located at the front of the school and will be available for student use. The track will also be available for outdoor activities.

We wanted to share this information with families as soon as possible so that everyone is aware of the latest timeline and knows what to expect at the start of the school year.

We look forward to welcoming students back in September and to the completion of the playground.

Sincerely,

Jay MacJanet, CEO

Rebecca Bell, Supervisor

PARRY SOUND, ON (August 17, 2026) – The Near North District School Board (Ï㽶ֱ²¥) is honoured to announce that the official name of the new Parry Sound K-6 school will be Francis Pegahmagabow Elementary School.

The school is named in recognition of Francis Pegahmagabow, a highly decorated Anishinaabe soldier of the First World War, Chief of Wasauksing First Nation, community leader, and advocate for Indigenous rights. His life was defined by courage, resilience, service, and a deep commitment to his people and community. His legacy continues to inspire generations across the Parry Sound area and beyond.

The naming honours the life and legacy of Francis Pegahmagabow and recognizes the enduring contributions of Indigenous Peoples to the Parry Sound region. It also provides an opportunity for students, staff, and families to learn about and celebrate the strength, leadership, and cultural heritage of the Anishinaabe people.

“Francis Pegahmagabow remains an important and respected figure within Wasauksing First Nation and beyond,” said Chief Shane Tabobondung of Wasauksing First Nation. “We are grateful to the Pegahmagabow family for their blessing and permission to share his name with this new school. His story will continue to inspire future generations of students.”

Francis Pegahmagabow Elementary School will welcome students from Kindergarten to Grade 6 into a modern, inclusive learning environment. Designed to support the needs of young learners, the school will offer learning spaces that encourage curiosity, collaboration, creativity, and student success.

“Naming our new school Francis Pegahmagabow Elementary School is a meaningful way to honour an extraordinary Anishinaabe leader whose legacy continues to inspire us today,” said Jay MacJanet, Director of Education for Ï㽶ֱ²¥. “As a place of learning, the school will provide opportunities for students to learn about his life, leadership, and contributions while reflecting on the values of courage, perseverance, service, and respect for community that he embodied. We are grateful for the guidance and partnership of Wasauksing First Nation as we celebrate this important milestone.”

“The opening of this new elementary school is an important milestone for students, families and the Parry Sound community,” said Paul Calandra, Minister of Education. “Naming the school in honour of Francis Pegahmagabow recognizes the remarkable legacy of an Anishinaabe leader and decorated veteran. It will also give students the opportunity to learn about Indigenous history and the lasting contributions of First Nations to Ontario and Canada.”

A ceremony will take place later this fall to celebrate the school’s name and the enduring legacy of Francis Pegahmagabow.

Media Contact

Communications@nearnorthschools.ca

Sincerely,

Jay MacJanet
Chief Executive Officer

Rebecca Bell
Supervisor

Update on the new Parry Sound JK-12 School

We are pleased to provide an update on the ongoing progress of the new Parry Sound JK-12 School.

Most importantly, we remain on schedule to welcome students to both the elementary and secondary schools on September 8. All interior learning and working spaces are nearing completion, with only minor finishing touches remaining. Students and staff will be welcomed into a safe, modern, first-class facility designed to serve our community for many years to come.

While significant progress has been made, construction on some exterior elements of the project, including portions of the parking area, athletic track, and playground, will continue throughout the school year.

Progress Update

The demolition of the old school will be completed shortly. Blasting is expected to be completed by the first day of school. Work on sidewalks, curbs, and asphalt will continue until the onset of winter weather.

The kindergarten classrooms are complete, with washrooms and cubbies fully installed.

The elementary library is nearing completion and will be ready for students to enjoy on the first day of school.

The elementary office is under construction and will be completed before students arrive. All childcare spaces are complete. Security cameras are being finalized in key areas throughout the school.

The base layer of the athletic track has been installed and will provide a safe surface for student use beginning in September. During construction, unforeseen issues with the storm drainage system were identified. Addressing these drainage concerns is essential to ensure water is properly managed beneath and around the track. Without these corrections, the track surface could shift, settle, or warp over time, significantly reducing its lifespan and increasing future maintenance requirements. To ensure the track is completed to the highest standard and remains a long-lasting asset for the community, the final rubberized running surface will be installed in Spring 2027.

The grass field located inside the track will be installed later this month. To allow the sod to establish properly, the area will be fenced off during the first few weeks of September before opening for student use.

The parking lot entrance off Joseph Street will be complete to start the school year, as well as the parking areas around the childcare centre and the main entrance (the “light bulb” area). Accessible parking spaces will also be available.

Demolition of the former school site revealed significantly more bedrock requiring blasting than originally anticipated, which has affected the timeline for completion of the parking areas located alongside Joseph Street and Isabella Street. The parking lots and roadways will be substantially complete by mid to late October (barring weather delays), with final work scheduled for Spring 2027. Temporary parking and roadways will be in place where possible to start the school year to facilitate traffic flow and parking until substantial completion.

Staff from the Nipissing-Parry Sound Student Transportation Services consortium have reviewed both the temporary bus loop that will be in place to begin the school year, and the long-term traffic plan to be implemented when all site works are complete. The parties continue to work together to ensure that all necessary safety measures will be in place to start the school year, and students, staff and families can expect additional information from the school administrators before the school year begins regarding parent drop-off and pick-up areas, staff and student parking, and planned traffic flow.

There will be an update on the elementary play area, including the play structure and hard-surface play areas, in the next week or two. The grassed portions of the play area are expected to be completed in Spring 2027.

Unfortunately, as construction has progressed, the project team has encountered unforeseen challenges related to site conditions, previous deficiencies, and natural impediments beyond our control. Despite these obstacles, crews have worked diligently to keep the project moving forward while ensuring that quality and safety remain the highest priorities.

While some exterior work will continue, we are proud that students and staff will begin the school year in a beautiful, bright environment that is safe, accessible, and built to a high standard. The additional time required for some elements of the project will help ensure the school and grounds are completed properly and will serve staff, students, families, and the broader community well for decades to come.

We sincerely appreciate your patience, understanding, and support throughout this process. We ask that you continue to bear with us as crews complete the remaining work over the coming months. We will continue to provide updates as information becomes available.

We look forward to welcoming students and staff and beginning an exciting new chapter for education in Parry Sound.

Sincerely,

Jay MacJanet
Chief Executive Officer

Rebecca Bell
Supervisor

The Near North District School Board is pleased to announce that the 2026–2027 budget has been approved, reflecting our continued commitment to student learning and responsible financial stewardship.

The approved budget supports the Board’s strategic priorities while maintaining fiscal responsibility, ensuring that resources are directed where they are needed most to benefit our students, schools, and communities.

View the 2026–2027 Budget: Ï㽶ֱ²¥ 2026-2027 Approved Budget Report