West Ferris Intermediate Secondary School High Altitude Balloon Launch

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The students in the Grade 11 University Physics Class at West Ferris Intermediate Secondary School in North Bay, Ontario will be launching a weather balloon into Earth’s Stratosphere with a payload of camera-toting mini computers and radio tracking equipment. The launch procedure is weather dependent, and so the exact launch date has not been confirmed. However, it is anticipated that the launch will take place between October 9th and October 31st from the football field at West Ferris Secondary School. Once the launch date is finalized information confirmed the exact launch date and time be issued 72 to 48 hours prior to the event.

The purpose of the mission is to observe and record the journey to near space using in-flight radio transmissions of GPS location, data, video, and images. The balloon is expected to explode at an altitude of just over 30km, at which point a parachute will deploy and the payload will descend back to Earth. The flight is expected to take a total of about 3 hours. Data from the flight will provide experimental results and serve as an anchor activity providing authentic context to course materials.

The students of the Grade 11 University Physics class will track the balloon’s flight path in chase cars, with reception assistance provided by the North Bay Amateur Radio Club. The goal is to retrieve the payload post-flight, along with its cache of data, video and images. This activity is called High Altitude Ballooning (HAB).

For more information, please contact:

Kelly Shulman (VE3KLX)
West Ferris Intermediate Secondary School

P. 705-475-2333
E. kelly.shulman@nearnorthschools.ca

Director of Education Response to Candidate Media Release

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Earlier this week articles were published in local media sources based on a media releaseissued bya candidate for the Board of Trustees. The media release contained a number of statements with respect to the current and future employment of the Director of Education with the . This information contained below is in response to those articles and is being issued for clarification purposes.

Mr. O’Hagan contacted Ms. Young this summer and requested a meeting to discuss issues and priorities for the . However, as Mr. O’Hagan was and is currently a candidate for Trustee, his request for a meeting was declined. During the election campaign period employees of the Board, including the Director of Education, must remain non-partisan in order to ensure the integrity of the election process and our residents democratic rights. Requests for meetings from other candidates and for information that is not readily and/or publicly available have also been declined.

The Director of Education and Board staff are looking forward to working with all elected Trustees to ensure that the Board remains accountable to students, parents and community partners. Openness and transparency are at the core of public government and Ms. Young is supportive of all initiatives that uphold these values.

“We have a large number of schools with talented students, excellent teaching staff and leading-edge technology and programming. Our focus at the administrative level is, and has always been, ensuring that we provide our students with the education, opportunities, resources and supports they need. Any review of our office and our efforts either externally or internally is, and always, has been welcome.”– Jackie Young

Ms. Young was contacted by media sources for comment on Mr. O’Hagan’s media release but unfortunately could not address the timelines offered in time for publication.

For more information, please contact:

Mairghread Knought
Information/Communication Officer

(705) 472-8170, extension 5010
Mairghread.knought@nearnorthschools.ca

EQAO Results Continue to Follow Provincial Trends

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The Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) has released the results of the grades 3, 6 and 9 Assessments of Reading, Writing and Mathematics as well as the grade 10 Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT)that were written by Ontario secondary students during the 2017-2018 school year.

“As a board we understand the value of the information and insight provided by the EQAO results. EQAO continues to provide us with useful data which we will explore in its entirety to help inform our planning and practices. This information is carefully analyzed to ensure that we continue to meet the programming and educational needs of our students, while recognizing the individual strengths and challenges of those same students. I’m very proud of all of our students and teachers and applaud their hard work.” – Jackie Young, Director of Education

Reading and Writing

Grades 3 and 6:While results vary by school,the overall trends showed grades 3 and 6 Reading and Writing achievement in many of our schools are at or approaching the provincial outcomes.In comparison to the previous year’s results, reading scores demonstrated a slight increase in the number of students meeting or exceeding the Provincial Standard (Levels 3 or 4).

  • 67% of grade 3 students and 78% of grade 6 students continued to meet the provincial reading standard, representing a slight increase over last year.
  • 56% of grade 3 students and 72% of grade 6 students have met the expected level in writing. This represents a decrease of 3% for grade 3 students while grade 6 students achieved a consistent result with 2016-17.

Grade 10:The grade 10 Literacy Test is a compulsory standardized test for all secondary school students in Ontario wishing to obtain an Ontario Secondary School Diploma. The test is based onall ofthe reading and writing expectations in all subjects up to the end of grade 9.

  • Of first-time eligible writers of the grade 10 Literacy Test, the Board’s test results decreased by 7% from the previous year (74% to 67%). Similarly, the province’s results slipped 2% from the previous year (81% to 79%).

In response to the decrease, Superintendent of Education, Craig Myles said, “We have developed and implemented a Literacy Strategic Plan in all of our secondary schools. Further, we will examine and triangulate our datain order todetermine where we can implement best practices to improve.”’

Mathematics

Grades3 and 6:

Mathematics scores decreased during the 2017-2018 year for grade 3 and 6 studentswithin the and across Ontario.

  • 41% of grade 3 students met the standard in 2017-18 compared to 47% in 2016-17, indicating a 6% decrease.
  • 30% of grade 6 students met the standard in 2017-18 compared to 34% in 2016-17, representing a 4% decrease.

Improvingmathematics resultsfor both primary and junior divisionscontinues to be a focus. The Ministry of Education istaking actionto help students across the province gain the mathematical knowledgethey need to achieve success.The has implementeddaily focused mathematics instruction for studentsin grades1-8during protected blocks of time.Protected time for mathematics will allow for a more sustained period of effective instruction and assessment every day. TheBoardis committed to implementing the strategies outlined in theFocusing on the Fundamentals of Math: Teacher Guideto improve mathematics learning for all students.

Grade 9:

  • 38% of students who wrote the grade 9 applied test met the provincial standard in 2017-18 compared to 48% in 2016-17 and 39% in 2015-16.
  • 75% of students who wrote the grade 9 academic test met the provincial standard in 2017-18 compared to 75% in 2016-17 and 70% in 2015-16.

“We will continue with our efforts on math improvement, which includes the implementation of the province’s mathematics initiative, “Focusing on the Fundamentals of Math”, said Superintendent of Education Craig Myles.

“As a district, we have placed a focus on number sense and numeration as a foundation for mathematical understanding across the strands and subject areas.The EQAO data will help to inform our board and school teams as we collectively engage in efforts to improve outcomes for every child. We believe that effective programming responds to the diverse interests, learning preferences and readiness of learners.” said Acting Superintendent of Education Melanie Gray.

EQAO results are important, but they are just one among many assessment tools that both schools and boards use to measure and improve upon the quality of student programming and student success.

For more information, please contact:

Grades 3 and 6 Results:

Melanie Gray, Acting Superintendent of Education
(705) 472-8170; 1-800-278-4922, Ext. 7022
Melanie.Gray@nearnorthschools.ca

Grades 9 and10Results:

Craig Myles, Superintendent of Education
(705) 472-8170; 1-800-278-4922, Ext. 5002
Craig.Myles@nearnorthschools.ca

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Update on Parry Sound JK-12 Project

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September 18, 2018– Please note that the has not made any further changes after the Board motion adopted in October 2013 to proceed with the construction of a JK-12 school on the existing Parry Sound High School site. A business case to was submitted to the Ministry of Education under the school consolidation capital program. In March 2015 the Ministry of Education approved the business case that was submitted for a JK-12 consolidation and fundingeligibilitywas confirmed. The Board continues to work with affected stakeholders, community partners and various levels of government to ensure that the project proceeds in accordance with all legal and legislative requirements.

As with all projects of this nature it is imperative that the Board review allnew developmentsand changes in circumstances as they arise. If a review of any such information results in a change it would be confirmed by way of Board motion and shared with affected parties and stakeholders through the approved communication process. The NNDSB is committed to moving forward with this project in a fiscally responsible manner that meets the needs of the students, parents and thecommunity.

For more information, please contact:

MairghreadKnought
Information/Communication Officer

(705) 472-8170, extension 5010
Mairghread.Knought@nearnorthschools.ca

W.J. Fricker Project Proceeding

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September 18, 2018– Please note that at this time the has not made any changes with respect to the previously approved Board motion to proceed with the construction of a new elementaryschool onthe W. J. Fricker site. An application to proceed with the construction of a new elementary school was submitted to the Ministry of Education in accordance with the required “Capital Construction Approval Process”. The Ministry has approved the scope of the project based upon programming and space requirements submitted by staff. The Board is currently preparing Request for Proposal documentation requiredin order tosecure an architect to proceed with design and construction drawings.

As with all projects of this nature it is imperative that the board review all developments and changesin circumstances as they arise. If a review of any such information results in a change it would be confirmed by way ofBoard motion and shared with affected parties and stakeholders through the approved communication process. The NNDSBis committed to moving forward with this project in a fiscally responsible manner that meets the needs of the students, parents and the community.

For more information, please contact:

MairghreadKnought
Information/Communication Officer

(705) 472-8170, extension 5010
Mairghread.Knought@nearnorthschools.ca

Timeframe for Closure of Widdifield Secondary School Changed

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September 10, 2018 – The has confirmed that the proposed timeframe for the closure of Widdifield Secondary School and relocation of those students to Chippewa Secondary School and West Ferris Secondary School will be delayed. It is anticipated that the closure will be delayed by a minimum of one year.

The timeframe for proceeding with the closure is contingent upon the timelines and requirements established by the Ministry with respect to funding opportunities. While the NNDSB had intended to apply for funding to have the closure and transitions completed by September 2019, funding and requirements have not been confirmed by the provincial government as of yet. As such, the closure and relocation of students will not proceed as originally scheduled.

While the Board still intends to proceed with the closure of Widdifield, our focus remains on the students and ensuring that the appropriate facilities and resources are in place to ensure programming requirements can be met.

For more information, please contact:

Mairghread Knought
Information/Communication Officer

P. (705) 472-8170, extension 5010
E. Mairghread.Knought@nearnorthschools.ca

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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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