Almaguin secondary School in South River. Photo by Jeff Turl.
In less than two weeks, approximately 10,000 elementary, secondary and adult students will head back to class at the Near North District School Board.
Students are back in school on Tuesday, September 8.
“You can feel the excitement ramping up," said Jackie Young, Director of Educationin a news release. "I continue to be inspired by the positive messages I have received this summer from staff and trustees, which is echoed by what I am hearing in the community from our parents and educational partners.We are in for another very successful year.”
Staff are busy unpacking boxes and setting up new classrooms at Parry Sound Public School. The school is a state-of-the-art facility.
In addition, construction of the new elementary school at the Pinewood Public School site in North Bay, slated to open in September of 2016, is well-underway.
Over the past few months, plant staff have overseen several major projects to existing school facilities.
A parking lot expansion and Full Day Learning Kindergarten renovations took place at Alliance French Immersion Public School, in response to significant enrolment growth. Classrooms have been upgraded at Parry Sound High School to accommodate incoming Grade 7 and 8 students from William Beatty and Victory public schools, which closed in June. Barrier-free washrooms and an elevator have been installed at West Ferris Intermediate and Secondary School to make the school even more accessible.
The Nipissing-Parry Sound Student Transportation Services has also been busy. There has been a lot of re-routing work to do as a result of multiple road construction projects across the districts of Nipissing and Parry Sound.
Much work has gone into the planning and execution of the First Rider Program which provides young students with the tools necessary to ride the bus safely. Parents are able to check their child's transportation eligibility and school bus route details online at www.npssts.ca.
Trustees and administrative staff have been busy working on a review of the Board’s vision and mission. This work, which will become a framework for a multi-year strategic plan, will continue into the 2015-2016 school year along with developing the Board’s Capital Plan.
“As Trustees, we are committed to improving the way the Near North District School Board operates. We have a lot of work ahead of us but we are focused and excited to bring a new strategic plan to our communities for feedback,” said Chair David Thompson.
