NPSC Board looking forward to a great 2013-2014 school year

Nipissing-Parry Sound Catholic District School Board
News Release

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Enhancements in digital learning, French-as-a-second language, environmental education, and mental health support are among the strategies for student success across the Nipissing-Parry Sound Catholic District School Board in this 2013-2014 school year.

Digital Learning

Blended Learning, as part of the Ontario Ministry of Education’s e-Learning strategy, continues to expand across all NPSC schools, reaching nearly 1000 students from K-12 last year. This combined approach to learning helps to foster 21st century skills in students by incorporating online learning technology and tools with traditional classroom methods.

NPSC believes its students are leaders in technology. With its new Bring Your Own Device initiative, NPSC now further engages its students by providing an academic context for them to use the technology they use in their daily lives as part of their classroom learning experience.

NPSC continues to expand the integration of technology in the classroom with interactive whiteboards, iPads and laptops system-wide. All NPSC schools are now wireless.
First Board in District to Offer DELF

NPSC leads the way locally by administering the internationally-recognized French-as-a-second-language competency test, DELF (Diplome d’études en langue française). The test will be offered to all Grade 12 French Immersion students at St. Joseph-Scollard Hall Catholic Secondary school beginning in April 2014. DELFs are diplomas that are valid for life and recognized by academic institutions and governments around the world as an official certification and measure of French-as-a-second language reading, writing, listening, and speaking abilities. In addition to enhancing our students’ own confidence in their abilities in French, NPSC believes DELFs will provide St. Joseph-Scollard Hall French Immersion graduates with further opportunities for employment and post-secondary studies.

NPSC Believes the Outdoors and the Environment are Good for the S.O.L.E.

At the secondary level, more students are enjoying St. Joseph-Scollard Hall’s Outdoor Leadership and Environmental Studies Program (S.O.L.E), taught by Terry Dubroy, as it continues to expand in its second year offered at the school. This year, students will earn four credits at the Grade 11 and 12 levels in Outdoor Physical and Health Education, Environment and Resource Management, Eco Tourism and Interdisciplinary Studies, as they gain leadership, community-building and practical outdoor skills.

Green teams across NPSC’s 12 elementary schools and at St. Joseph-Scollard Hall will continue to introduce environmentally progressive practices and awareness to their school communities. Later this year, all teams will reveal their annual plan for a greener school at the annual NPSC Go Green Student Symposium.

Mental Health Leader Brings Additional Support to Keep Students in School NPSC looks forward to acquiring a full-time mental health leader as part of the board’s mental health strategy and overall safe schools initiative. Supported by funding from the Ministry of Education, this new position will assist teachers and staff in deepening their

Follow us on Twitter! twitter.com/npsc_schools understanding of mental health issues, allowing them to better support students and families, ultimately ensuring the success of all NPSC students.

“At NPSC, we welcome the ongoing implementation of innovative and forward-thinking initiatives that will reshape the learning environment in our Catholic schools,” said Director of Education, Anna Marie Bitonti. “We look forward to the year ahead with great excitement and in close partnership with our parents and the community.”

We’re building another “green” school! The new St. Victor School will feature geo-thermal heating and cooling.
Watch for construction updates and photos coming later this fall to www.npsc.ca!

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