Near North board celebrates education week

Near North District School Board
News Release

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The week of May 3-7 schools and school boards across the province will recognize Education Week. This annual event is a time for students, teachers and parents to celebrate teaching excellence and student achievement.

The Near North District School Board believes every week is education week. At each monthly Board meeting, time is set aside to recognize and celebrate the achievements of our students both in and out of the classroom.

In honour of this year’s theme “Preparing Our Students for Future Success” the following are some of the presentations to the Board during this school year that “Celebrate Student Success”:

Celebrating Schools on the Move
King George was recognized in 2009 as a ‘School on the Move’. The Schools on the Move initiative celebrates schools that are making significant and sustained progress in student achievement, and connects them with other schools that have similar backgrounds and challenges. The goal is for schools to share effective strategies and learn from one another.

Celebrating Young Artists
Artwork done by Near North District School Board Kindergarten to Gr. 12 students depict messages of good character and demonstrate diversity and uniqueness. The artwork is currently being displayed on the walls of the board office in North Bay.

Celebrating the Environment
The Almaguin Highlands Green Team is a group of action oriented students who want to take care of the planet. The group recycles and composts garbage at the school in addition to encouraging students to reduce and reuse waste. The Green Team is a recipient of the North Bay Mattawa Conservation Authority Environmental Youth Award.

Celebrating Differences
The cross county running team at Almaguin Highlands Secondary School included four students from the Personal Life Management Program. The PLMP students were a great asset and enjoyed being part of the cross country team.

Celebrating Leadership
All seven of the NNDSB’s Secondary Schools participated in a three day Ontario Educational Leadership Centre conference that included 143 students, 14 secondary teachers and a Vice Principal. Students learned about themselves, personal growth and about their leadership capabilities.

Celebrating Character Education
Christopher Vignola, a Widdifield Secondary School student shared with the board his heroic act of bravery towards his neighbour Sharon Hacevar. Ms. Hacevar was not feeling well while out walking and could not make her way through the snow during a storm one day. Christopher picked her up and carried her to a neighbour’s home where they called 911. Ms. Hacevar survived the ordeal thanks to Mr. Vignola’s quick thinking and assistance.

Celebrating the 4 Pillars of Success
Modeling one of the board’s four pillars of success, Excellence in Education and Information Technology, Rod Sinclair and students from W.J. Fricker demonstrated to trustees the many uses of the iPods to help students learn and excel in school.

Celebrating Literacy
Students and their teacher, Mme O’Dell, from Alliance F/I Public School presented a book called “Put Me in a Book”. The book features the students and was written by Robert Munsch and illustrated by Michael Martchenko. The class wrote a letter to Mr. Munsch and invited him to North Bay. Mr. Munsch wrote back with a story that included the names of the students in the class. The class took pictures of what was happening in the story and then sent the book back to Mr. Munsch. The book is now a published work.

Celebrating Olympic Spirit
Chippewa Secondary/Intermediate School Principal Tim Collins introduced two students who had the opportunity to carry the Olympic Torch in North Bay for the 2010 Olympics being held in Vancouver British Columbia. Sean Davis and Nicolas Fung shared with the board the excitement of the Olympic Torch relay.

Celebrating the Arts
Teacher Nicky Brown and the Parry Sound High School Music Department - Jazz Band performed for the board. This group is planning a trip this year to Musicfest and will perform at Disney World in Orlando, Florida.

Celebrating ‘A Day in the Life of a NNDSB Student’
A video showcasing a day in the life of a Near North District School Board student is available at http://www.nearnorthschools.ca/kindergarten.asp. The video highlights students from Kindergarten to Secondary School involved in the fantastic programs the Board has to offer.


The Near North District School Board is proud of the accomplishments of all our students and is pleased to have a team of dedicated professionals preparing our learners for their future successes. Join us as we celebrate Education Week, this and every other week throughout the year!

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