Back to the books!

Near North District School Boards
News Release

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After a busy summer of cleaning, school maintenance and renewal, and staff preparation, approximately 11,000 Near North District School Board students are returning to school. Throughout the summer months teaching staff were involved in the Near North District School Boards Summer Institutes and teams of caretakers cleaned their way through approximately 2 million square feet of instructional facilities to ensure that schools would be gleaming when the students arrived.

The District begins the school year with a focus on strategic planning. The focus will continue on three target areas: student achievement, fiscal management and promoting the exemplary work of the Near North’s teachers and staff. Together as a caring educational community, we will continue to make a significant difference in the lives and achievement of our students.

At the elementary level, we will build upon our gains in numeracy and literacy. Participation in Kindergarten transition programs, such as Welcome to Kindergarten and Let the Learning Begin will be continuing. Our three French programs: Early Immersion, Extended French and Core French continue to grow. We are proud to expand transition programs that help elementary students bridge the gap for the transition into secondary school.

At the secondary level, the Specialist High Skills Major program continues to expand in our District for the 2008-2009 school year. This program sees high school students complete a bundle of classroom courses, workplace experiences and sector certifications to receive a special designation on their diploma. ‘E-Learning’ and ‘distant learning’ will become more prominent this school year.

As school opens, there will be several extended programs in place. Student Success activities such as alternative programs at Almaguin Highlands Secondary School; Chippewa Secondary School and a program located at Parry Sound High School will be continuing. The Board will continue to work with educational and other community partners at several school venues. Our partnerships with Canadore College and Nipissing University allow students from both institutions to access new programs.

The entire Near North District School Board community is committed to the pursuit of Character Education. While literacy, numeracy and subject excellence is critical for student success, civility, the pursuit of the arts and healthy active living are a major part of our curriculum and student life. During the 2008-2009 school year, further expanded opportunities for improved fitness and nutrition to be prevalent in our schools. This will has been included with the continuation of the provincial elementary Daily Physical Activity program.

The Near North District School Board is committed to supporting the needs of each and every student as we work together to educate the students of the Near North Board to their fullest potential. The trustees and 1500 staff of the District welcome everyone back to school and look forward to another successful year of learning during 2008-2009.

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