June 2026 Letter to Families

By

Friday, June 5, 2026

Dear Parents and Guardians,

The monthly Letter to Families is intended to keep you apprised of news that affects all students and families of (NNDSB).

2025-2026 school year – that’s a wrap!

It’s hard to believe that this is the last regular monthly letter to families for the 2025-2026 school year. We hope that you and your children had a fantastic school year, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back to class on Tuesday, Sept. 8.

If you missed it, the 2026-2027 school year calendar can be found here.

Congratulations, graduates!

The learning journey has many milestones, including several graduations. Whether you are graduating from kindergarten, Grade 6, Grade 8 or Grade 12, congratulations on your achievement!

If you are graduating to a higher grade in NNDSB, we hope you enjoy the next years of learning. If you’re graduating from an NNDSB secondary school, we wish you all the best in future endeavours. Whether you are heading to work or post-secondary education, we hope the years you spent at NNDSB serve you well, and we offer our sincere congratulations on your achievement of this important milestone.

Supports for students during tests and exams

With the end of the school year quickly approaching, students will be preparing for tests and exams during the month of June.

Here is a link to . It’s a helpful resource from School Mental Health Ontario (SMHO) to support students with preparing for exams.

Final mental health webinar today

School Mental Health Ontario has launched a four-part parent/caregiver webinar series focused on key mental health and substance use health topics identified by parents and caregivers in Ontario. The webinars feature a presentation by leading experts on the topics.

The first three sessions about balanced device use, conversations about vaping, and conversations about body image have already been held. The final session, conversations about anxiety, takes place (June 5) at noon. Here is the for the free webinar.

If you want to watch any of the sessions, they will be uploaded to the .

Indigenous Education Team supported pow wows throughout district

Throughout May, the Near North Indigenous Education Team supported Teaching and Learning Family of Pow wows at Chippewa, Northern, White Woods, Almaguin, West Ferris, Parry Sound and the North Bay Pow Wow at Memorial Gardens.

Miigwech to Sid Bobb, the Aanmitaagzi and to all the drummers and dancers for the meaningful experiences for students filled with drumming, singing, dancing and powerful teachings.

Family resources for cyber-safety and online trends

is committed to providing knowledge, resources and supports for families looking to make informed decisions about their child’s presence in an ever-increasing digital world. From webinars about trending topics to educational resources for all ages, C3P is the best starting point for families looking to keep their child safe online.

is an interactive series designed for 8-10-year-olds and provides them with an opportunity to have some fun exploring what it means to be safe while playing games online.

is a website that provides youth with information about how to manage issues that may arise from sexting incidents, as well as steps youth can take to request images/videos be removed from websites, helpful hints for how to involve a safe adult, and information about self-care and recognizing when things have gone too far.

Use tech safely
The Ontario Physical Health and Education Association (OPHEA) has developed a bank of internet safety resources. Theseare free online resources that provide opportunities for parents/guardians/caregivers to reinforce and deepen the concepts of internet safety. Theinternet safety resourcesinclude a video and an accompanying discussion guide for children in Grades 4 to 8 and can be found.

Technology has become a part of our children’s daily lives and has many benefits. Our children are using technology more frequently to learn in a virtual setting, to gather information about their questions or interests, engage in social media, interact with friends, and stay connected to family. Teaching our children to be good digital citizens means helping them learn the skills to use technology in a safe and responsible manner, engage with others respectfully in a virtual environment, and keep themselves safe when online.

The purpose of theseinternet safety resourcesis to foster a shared responsibility between schools and caregivers, and to educate children about how to stay safe, be responsible and communicate respectfully when online. Knowing what your child is learning about internet etiquette and safety enhances your ability to have open discussions to support their learning and to encourage them to apply their learning in all online situations.

Learning doesn’t need to take a break!

Keep math learning going all summer long! Explore a wide range of engaging and accessible activities designed to make math both fun and meaningful. You’ll find hands-on practice ideas, easy-to-play games, links to interactive online tools, and everyday learning opportunities that families can use at home or on the go.

provides digital math games and unplugged math activities for students in Kindergarten to Grade 6.

All games can be used to teach and reinforce basic math concepts. Each game employs the use of dice and/or a deck of playing cards.

Math fluency games are

engaging activities designed to help students master basic arithmetic quickly and accurately.

Are you moving over the summer?

If you are moving over the summer, and your children will require transportation in September, NNDSB recommends that you contact your current school before the end of the school year to request transportation.

Please complete and submit this form to your current school so transportation changes can be as seamless as possible.

How to keep in touch

In addition to staying informed via the board’s website, families can find NNDSB on and .

Sincerely,

Update from Director of Education: new superintendents announced

By

Monday, May 25, 2026

I am pleased to announce the Senior Team for the 2026-2027 school year, including the appointment of two new superintendents, effective August 2026.

Please join me in congratulating Emily Samuel and Gillian Kajganich on their appointments to the senior leadership team. They succeed Gay Smylie, who retired in December 2025, and Tim Graves, who will retire in September. Tim, Kim, Melanie and Seija will support the new team during the transition.

The new superintendent portfolios are outlined below. Additional details, including the assignment of families of schools, will be shared later this summer.

Melanie Gray

  • Superintendent of Learning (Family of , K–6 Curriculum, Indigenous Education)

Seija Van Haesendonck

  • Superintendent of Business (Finance, Facilities, Transportation)

Kim Pauli

  • Superintendent of Learning (Family of , Special Education, Information Technology)

Emily Samuel

  • Superintendent of Learning (Family of , Human Resources, Safe )

Gillian Kajganich

  • Superintendent of Learning (Secondary Family of , Grades 7–12 Curriculum, Mental Health and Well-Being)

Congratulations to everyone on their new roles.

West Ferris students find fitness and wellness in Pow Wow dance

By

Friday, May 15, 2026

West Ferris students find fitness and wellness in Pow Wow dance

West Ferris Secondary School students met at the intersection of fitness and Indigenous culture at an Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations (OFSAA) Try Day event focused on Pow Wow dance.

The OFSAA Pow Wow Try Day was the creation of NNDSB’s Indigenous Youth Circle (IYC) as a way of bringing the Indigenous and non-Indigenous student population together to further their knowledge, understanding and skills of Pow Wow dancing in a meaningful way.

West Ferris teacher and secondary grad coach Rae-Ann Camirand said the event “was an opportunity to highlight how Pow Wow dance is a form of fitness and personal wellness. Pow Wow and Pow Wow dancing is an important part of Indigenous culture that promotes whole health and well-being; spiritual, emotional, mental and physical.”

The event was made possible through an OFSAA Try Day grant, which provided the funds for the group to bring in Pow Wow dancers from the community to lead three separate workshops throughout the day.

Try Day grants are meant to introducenewfitness concepts, provide tools for measuring individual fitness levels, obtainnew equipmentfor a school workout area, or add anew active sportto a school program.

Indigenous dancers from the local community –Tasheena Sarazin, Ouske Couchie Bob, Albany Benson, Malia Mathias Mizzi, and Niibin Nakogee – led the students through some of the history, meaning and techniques of Pow Wow dance.

During the day-long event, students in multiple Grade 9 and intermediate-level physical education and Indigenous language classes deepened their knowledge, understanding, and skills in Pow Wow. Students learned how Pow Wow dance is a form of personal wellness and fitness and were introduced to various Pow Wow dance styles and their cultural significance.

Some of the intermediate students who participated remarked how they enjoyed the smaller group setting and how they were given the choice of the dance style they wanted to focus on. “It was nice to have the choice between Men’s Grass dancing, Women’s Traditional and Contemporary Fancy dancing,” the students said.

Camirand said that she hopes the students had fun and learned something about the cultural significance of Pow Wow to Indigenous people.

“I hope that Indigenous students had the opportunity to learn more about Pow Wow and dance and its personal meaning for them and their families,” Camirand said. “Hopefully, this series of workshops helped build a more dynamic, rich and inclusive school community that will reach out into the greater community of North Bay.”

Update from Director of Education and Supervisor of

By

May 14, 2026

Important School configuration update in West Nipissing

We are writing to shareimportant informationabout upcoming changes to our school configurations in West Nipissing.

Beginning September 8, White Woods Public School will become the home for Kindergarten to Grade 6 students, and Northern Secondary School will welcome Grades 7 and 8 students,operatingas a Grade 7-12 school.

This change will have a positive impact on students at both White Woods and Northern Secondary. It will allow White Woods to serve its Kindergarten to Grade 6 students more comfortably, improving access toappropriate learningspaces and support services. This replicates the successful model that is in place at most secondary schools in (NNDSB).

Why we are making this change

As many of you are aware, White Woods is currently over capacity. While this growth reflects the strength of the school community, it also places pressure on learning spaces, with two junior classes currently using the library as a classroom.

At the same time, there is available space at Northern Secondary School. While aportionof the building is occupied by ÉcolesecondairepubliqueNipissing Ouest, the NNDSB-occupiedportionhas capacity to serve approximately 630 students and has the space and facilities to successfully accommodate intermediate students. Operating a school that is underutilized is not the most effective use of our resources.Maintainingschool buildings requires significant investment, and as a system, we must use our facilities in a way that is responsible, efficient, and sustainable, while providingappropriateand purpose-built learning spaces for students.

These decisions are made with careful consideration, with the goal of creating balanced enrolment, enhancing learning environments, and ensuring we can continue to support programs for all students over the long term.

Long Term Planning

Looking ahead, our planis for Northern Secondary School to transition to a Kindergarten-Grade 12 school, with White Woods Public School eventually being sold to Conseilscolairepubliquede Nord-Est del’Ontario. The ÉcolesecondairepubliqueNipissing Ouest students will move from Northern Secondary to White Woods. While a final date has not yet been confirmed, we anticipate this transition may occur at the start of the 2027–2028 school year, but this will be confirmed at a later date.

This combined school model has been successfully implemented in other locations and has provided positive experiences for both elementary and secondary students. At Northern Secondary School, prior to moving in the Kindergarten to Grade 6students, renovations will create clearly defined, age‑appropriate spaces, including separate entrances for elementary and secondary students and designated areas to support their daily learning needs.

We understand this news may come as a surprise to some families. Please know that we will continue to communicate as planning progresses and will share updates as more details and timelines are confirmed. We also invite you to attend an Information Night on Wednesday, June 17 from 6 to 7 p.m., to learn more and ask questions.

Our priorityremainsproviding high-quality learning environments where all students can thrive, and we are committed to ensuring these changes support a safe, welcoming, and inclusive experience for every student.

Sincerely,

Jay MacJanet, Director of Education

Rebecca Bell,Supervisor

Learning never takes a vacation at summer school

By

Wednesday, May 13, 2026

Learning never takes a vacation at summer school

Summer is around the corner, and has another great season of summer school opportunities planned.

Whether you are into sports, drama, experiential learning or academics, there is something for all students from Grades 8 to 12!

After last summer’s devastating wind storm, the Canadian Ecology Centre has rebuilt and is once again offering two-week live-in on-site credit courses in a variety of subjects. Grade 9 geography, Grade 10 science and Grade 11 biology run from June 28 to July 10. Grade 12 earth and space science and Grade 12 biology are offered from July 12-24.

Visit the for details, pricing and registration.

Keep your game sharp in the off-season with basketball and volleyball focused phys ed credits at West Ferris Secondary School from June 29 to July 24.

The basketball and volleyball programs offer an individual sport, skills-based credit open to Grades 8-12 students across the North Bay area. Athletes will train daily at West Ferris Secondary School and will gain practical skills and game-play experience throughout this intensive program. There will also be an online portion of the course focusing on healthy and active living.

The basketball program runs from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., and volleyball is 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. daily.

Contact your school’s guidance office for details. For out-of-board students looking to pre-register, please contact Terri.Reidt@nearnorthschools.ca and request the registration paperwork.

Theatre Outreach on Stage (TOROS) is also gearing up for the summer. All parts of the production and shows will be housed at West Ferris Secondary. Students in Grades 8-12 participating in this year’s musical production of Pippin will earn a high school credit. There are many opportunities available for interested students, ranging from performers, stage crew, sound and lighting, to costume, set, and prop crew.

The TOROS information night will be held Tuesday, May 19 at 7 p.m. at West Ferris Secondary School, with auditions and call backs running from May 21 to 22. Rehearsals will start in late May and run throughout the summer. The summer part of the course runs June 29 to Aug. 9, Monday to Thursday evening from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Fridays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Grade 11 and 12 students looking to earn high school and college credit this summer through the Inclusive Leadership Dual Credit Program. This program is designed to help students accelerate their learning, build leadership skills, and gain valuable college experience.

This program is a combination of in-class and hands-on outdoor experiences. Students will spend part of each day outdoors in Canadore College’s extensive trail network and will explore concepts and theories related to the development and delivery of outdoor recreation experiences. The program examines both the adventure and environmental branches of outdoor recreation, as well as various therapeutic uses of the outdoors. Students will develop practical outdoor skills and participate in planning and facilitating outdoor experiences.

The Dual Credit program runs July 13-17 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Contact alysha.young@nearnorthschools.ca to register.

NNDSB elementary schools also offer summer learning programming, which is communicated to families by their individual schools.

Visit the summer school page on our website for more information on these and other summer learning opportunities.

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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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