April 1, 2021
To our Parents and Community Partners,
This year has affected the lives of people around the globe. Our points of reference changed overnight. We were forced to modify instantly our habits and discover a new norm for work, school, and living. Through this collective experience, we’re all discovering new strength.
We would like to acknowledge the fortitude of our Near North District school board team. Each member works tirelessly, aligning their collective energy and skills to meet the needs of our student and partners. They do whatever it takes to get the job done.
As we plan for the 2021/22 school year, we do so faced with many unknowns. What we do know is that the mental wellness of your children will be paramount and it will be “all hands on deck” at the Near North District School Board to support every student in closing any gaps of the past year due to COVID disruptions in learning. We will continue to support you and your children to engage in learning with us where social, emotional, physical and cognitive aspects are nurtured. We are currently planning for the return to school. This planning will include a plan for in class as well as virtual learning should COVID restrictions require it, but we are hopeful that we will be able to return to the physical properties. 㽶ֱ will communicate more thoroughly about the return to school in 2021/22 in the near future.
To our families and partners, we know how extraordinary these times are for you. We believe solidarity will help us get through this together. Despite the evolving situation and regular shifts in the way we all live and do business, the Near North Team has confidently adapted, always keeping our community’s wellbeing in mind. Our number one priority is to continue to provide excellence in achievement and wellbeing for all.
Our firm commitment to our families and community partners remains. We are extremely honoured to serve and partner with you.
Jay Aspin Craig Myles
Chair of the Board Director of Education
Students at North Bay’s Sunset Park Public School hosted special dignitaries for a lesson in social studies.
“It was really nice that Minister Lecce touched upon some things that we are going to learn about in the rest of our unit on Canada and the global community,” she said, Mme. Pearson added that having Minister Lecce ask the students thought-provoking questions will help students make a connection later on in the unit. “It will be really neat because I’ll be able to pull those into the lesson and say ‘Do you remember when Minister Lecce was talking about this? Well, we’re going to explore that in further detail now.’”
Congratulations to the four 㽶ֱ students who were recognized yesterday as Students Who Make a Difference during the North Bay and District Multicultural Centre’s International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination event.
Culinary arts students at Parry Sound High School had some special guests join them recently. Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education, and Norm Miller, MPP for Parry Sound-Muskoka dropped in for a virtual lunch-hour tour on March 16 to explore the school’s renowned Specialized High Skills Major (SHSM) tourism and hospitality program and state-of-the-art industrial kitchen.
“It was a real pleasure to virtually tour Mr. Cousin’s Culinary Program at Parry Sound High School with the Minister Lecce and board members of Near North Public School Board,” said MPP Norm Miller. “The knowledge and skill the student’s displayed were truly impressive. When I was hiring in hospitality, I would have loved to have had access to young people with this training. These skills will serve them very well whatever path they choose to pursue.”
SHSM supports students in planning for a career in the skilled trades. The hospitality and tourism program allows students to build a foundation of sector-focused knowledge and skills before graduating and entering apprenticeship training, college, university, or an entry-level position in the workplace.
