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Introducing Our New Student and Family Support Office

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We are excited to launch the ɫֱ’s new Student and Family Support Office. A provincial initiative, this service is designed to provide families with a direct way to access support, raise concerns, and find timely solutions.

As always, your first point of contact should be your child’s school. Many questions or concerns can be quickly resolved by connecting with the classroom teacher, principal, or vice-principal.

If additional support is needed, the Student and Family Support Office is here to help. Our team can guide you through next steps, connect you with the right departments, and support more complex situations to ensure your concerns are addressed.

There are three convenient ways to connect with us:

Please visit our Student and Family Support Office webpage to learn more.

Warm regards,
NNDSB Student and Family Support Office

F.J. McElligott art students help to beautify Canadian Ecology Centre

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After the devastating storm that ravaged Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park and the Canadian Ecology Centre (CEC) a year ago, the work of repairing, replanting and revitalizing has steadily progressed. Parts of the park are now open to campers and the Canadian Ecology Centre will once again welcome students this summer.

Art students from F.J. McElligott Secondary School have also lent their skills to the re-beautification of the area by contributing four paintings, which will be displayed in the CEC.

The paintings, which were created by last year’s graduating class, were scheduled to be installed in the CEC on the day after the tragic storm. That event was, of course, put on hold, and finally, after a year of recovery, the art was presented to Canadian Ecology Centre founder and general manager Bill Steer by current Grade 9/10 visual arts students.

F.J. McElligott teacher, Josie Morin said the CEC had proposed this initial project that celebrates the 7 Grandfather Teachings.

“The Grade 12 visual arts class spent time brainstorming how we can honour and acknowledge the 7 Grandfather Teachings in a way that is respectful and meaningful, yet reflects our personal connections within them,” Morin said. “We collaborated with my Grade 11 English: Understanding Contemporary First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Voices class.”

One thing that stood out to students, Morin said, was that all of the teachings truly work together and that none should be excluded or left behind in our journey.

“Students decided that the wolf (humility), the bear (courage), the buffalo (respect), the turtle (truth), the eagle (love), the beaver (wisdom) would be highlighted within their own sphere, with the footprints of the Sabe (Honesty) following behind the landscape within each teaching.”

As part of the visit, students were taken on a tour of what the CEC looks like now, almost a year after the storm. Bill Steer talked to students about the changes to the landscape and provided stories about the journey that the CEC has been on during the last year.

Students were provided with the opportunity to create plein air illustrations of the landscape around them, which they then used as inspiration for a collaborative chalk mural on the closed roads of the park.

Morin said she hopes that students took in the opportunity to create artwork in the moment, with real reference photos in front of them.

“I hope students soaked in the beautiful opportunity to sit by the water and listen to nature around them while they create,” Morin said.

Art student Izzy said, “I had a fabulous day touring and making art. I enjoyed sitting by the water at the bridge to draw the landscape. It was relaxing, and I liked what I created.”

“Bill made the experience engaging,” fellow student Kaleb said. “I appreciate him providing the experience through the Canadian Ecology Centre. I’d give it a 10-star experience getting to create art in nature.”

Reminder: Information Night on West Nipissing ɫֱ Configuration

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This is a reminder about the upcoming public information night being held on Wednesday, June 17 from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the auditorium of Northern Secondary School.

This session will provide information about upcoming changes to the configuration of schools in West Nipissing. Beginning September 8, White Woods Public School will serve Kindergarten to Grade 6 students, and Northern Secondary School will welcome Grades 7 and 8 students, operating as a Grade 7–12 school.

Representatives from both the ɫֱ and Conseil scolaire publique du Nord-Est de l’Ontario will share information and be available to answer questions.

We encourage all families to attend to learn more and ask questions about these changes.

We look forward to seeing you there.

If you are unable to attend, but have a question about the event or plans, you can send your question to info@nearnorthschools.ca with the subject line: Questions about West Nipissing schools with a deadline of noon on Tuesday, June 16.

June 2026 Letter to Families

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Friday, June 5, 2026

Dear Parents and Guardians,

The monthly Letter to Families is intended to keep you apprised of news that affects all students and families of ɫֱ (NNDSB).

2025-2026 school year – that’s a wrap!

It’s hard to believe that this is the last regular monthly letter to families for the 2025-2026 school year. We hope that you and your children had a fantastic school year, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back to class on Tuesday, Sept. 8.

If you missed it, the 2026-2027 school year calendar can be found here.

Congratulations, graduates!

The learning journey has many milestones, including several graduations. Whether you are graduating from kindergarten, Grade 6, Grade 8 or Grade 12, congratulations on your achievement!

If you are graduating to a higher grade in NNDSB, we hope you enjoy the next years of learning. If you’re graduating from an NNDSB secondary school, we wish you all the best in future endeavours. Whether you are heading to work or post-secondary education, we hope the years you spent at NNDSB serve you well, and we offer our sincere congratulations on your achievement of this important milestone.

Supports for students during tests and exams

With the end of the school year quickly approaching, students will be preparing for tests and exams during the month of June.

Here is a link to . It’s a helpful resource from School Mental Health Ontario (SMHO) to support students with preparing for exams.

Final mental health webinar today

School Mental Health Ontario has launched a four-part parent/caregiver webinar series focused on key mental health and substance use health topics identified by parents and caregivers in Ontario. The webinars feature a presentation by leading experts on the topics.

The first three sessions about balanced device use, conversations about vaping, and conversations about body image have already been held. The final session, conversations about anxiety, takes place (June 5) at noon. Here is the for the free webinar.

If you want to watch any of the sessions, they will be uploaded to the .

Indigenous Education Team supported pow wows throughout district

Throughout May, the Near North Indigenous Education Team supported Teaching and Learning Family of ɫֱ Pow wows at Chippewa, Northern, White Woods, Almaguin, West Ferris, Parry Sound and the North Bay Pow Wow at Memorial Gardens.

Miigwech to Sid Bobb, the Aanmitaagzi and to all the drummers and dancers for the meaningful experiences for students filled with drumming, singing, dancing and powerful teachings.

Family resources for cyber-safety and online trends

is committed to providing knowledge, resources and supports for families looking to make informed decisions about their child’s presence in an ever-increasing digital world. From webinars about trending topics to educational resources for all ages, C3P is the best starting point for families looking to keep their child safe online.

is an interactive series designed for 8-10-year-olds and provides them with an opportunity to have some fun exploring what it means to be safe while playing games online.

is a website that provides youth with information about how to manage issues that may arise from sexting incidents, as well as steps youth can take to request images/videos be removed from websites, helpful hints for how to involve a safe adult, and information about self-care and recognizing when things have gone too far.

Use tech safely
The Ontario Physical Health and Education Association (OPHEA) has developed a bank of internet safety resources. Theseare free online resources that provide opportunities for parents/guardians/caregivers to reinforce and deepen the concepts of internet safety. Theinternet safety resourcesinclude a video and an accompanying discussion guide for children in Grades 4 to 8 and can be found.

Technology has become a part of our children’s daily lives and has many benefits. Our children are using technology more frequently to learn in a virtual setting, to gather information about their questions or interests, engage in social media, interact with friends, and stay connected to family. Teaching our children to be good digital citizens means helping them learn the skills to use technology in a safe and responsible manner, engage with others respectfully in a virtual environment, and keep themselves safe when online.

The purpose of theseinternet safety resourcesis to foster a shared responsibility between schools and caregivers, and to educate children about how to stay safe, be responsible and communicate respectfully when online. Knowing what your child is learning about internet etiquette and safety enhances your ability to have open discussions to support their learning and to encourage them to apply their learning in all online situations.

Learning doesn’t need to take a break!

Keep math learning going all summer long! Explore a wide range of engaging and accessible activities designed to make math both fun and meaningful. You’ll find hands-on practice ideas, easy-to-play games, links to interactive online tools, and everyday learning opportunities that families can use at home or on the go.

provides digital math games and unplugged math activities for students in Kindergarten to Grade 6.

All games can be used to teach and reinforce basic math concepts. Each game employs the use of dice and/or a deck of playing cards.

Math fluency games are

engaging activities designed to help students master basic arithmetic quickly and accurately.

Are you moving over the summer?

If you are moving over the summer, and your children will require transportation in September, NNDSB recommends that you contact your current school before the end of the school year to request transportation.

Please complete and submit this form to your current school so transportation changes can be as seamless as possible.

How to keep in touch

In addition to staying informed via the board’s website, families can find NNDSB on and .

Sincerely,

ɫֱ

West Ferris Secondary School student wins Bronze at Canada-Wide Science Fair

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West Ferris Secondary School science phenom Jiya Savsani brought home a bronze medal from her third consecutive entry in the Canada-Wide Science Fair.

For more than 60 years, the Canada-Wide Science Fair has shone a national spotlight on youth innovation in the study of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Savsani’s award-winning projects have focused primarily on renewable energy. Her 2025 project , explored the potential of hybridized Vertical Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT) units to optimize power production on the shorelines of Canadian lakes. Savsani created 13 different variations of hybrid VAWTs with 3D design software SolidWorks and analyzed their effectiveness through Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations.

This year’s Bronze medal-winning project, called is a continuation of her research from a previous science fair project, which focuses on various ways of harvesting energy from solar panels and vertical wind turbines on Canada’s highways.

Savsani showed how vertical-axis wind turbines (VAWTs) placed along highways can be used to harvest wind energy from passing vehicles. Through virtual 3D modelling and physical wind tunnel testing, Savsani explored the optimal placement of wind turbines along roadways to maximize power generation.

In her submission, Savsani stated that in the event of large-scale blackouts like the one experienced in Canada and the U.S. in 2003, “the units can be used as a backup. Additionally, Canada has around 280 remote communities, most of which are not connected to the electrical grid, that could use this additional source. Overall, the concept has a lot of potential and could lead us to a future where we have reliable energy sources and ensure sustainability.”

ɫֱ is proud to support the growth of young innovators like Jiya Savsani, who will help lead the world into a sustainable future. Congratulations Jiya!

Update on the Future Plans for McDougall Public School

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June 2, 2026

We are pleased to provide an update regarding the future of McDougall Public School.

With the opening of the new Parry Sound High School in June 2026 and the start of full school operations on September 8, 2026, the ɫֱ (NNDSB) has started discussions with the Conseil scolaire public du Nord-Est de l’Ontario (CSPNE) regarding the future of the McDougall Public School property.

Details of the agreement are currently being finalized, with the expectation that CSPNE will take possession of the school later this summer, pending necessary approvals required under the Education Act and Regulations. Once the transfer is complete, CSPNE will begin renovations to prepare the building for its new role.

It is anticipated that McDougall Public School will reopen in January 2028 as CSPNE’s new Kindergarten to Grade 12 (K–12) school.

We are very pleased that this facility will continue to serve students and families in our community as a school.

We will continue to keep parents and guardians informed as more information becomes available.

Thank you for your continued support.

Update from Director of Education: new superintendents announced

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Monday, May 25, 2026

I am pleased to announce the Senior Team for the 2026-2027 school year, including the appointment of two new superintendents, effective August 2026.

Please join me in congratulating Emily Samuel and Gillian Kajganich on their appointments to the senior leadership team. They succeed Gay Smylie, who retired in December 2025, and Tim Graves, who will retire in September. Tim, Kim, Melanie and Seija will support the new team during the transition.

The new superintendent portfolios are outlined below. Additional details, including the assignment of families of schools, will be shared later this summer.

Melanie Gray

  • Superintendent of Learning (Family of ɫֱ, K–6 Curriculum, Indigenous Education)

Seija Van Haesendonck

  • Superintendent of Business (Finance, Facilities, Transportation)

Kim Pauli

  • Superintendent of Learning (Family of ɫֱ, Special Education, Information Technology)

Emily Samuel

  • Superintendent of Learning (Family of ɫֱ, Human Resources, Safe ɫֱ)

Gillian Kajganich

  • Superintendent of Learning (Secondary Family of ɫֱ, Grades 7–12 Curriculum, Mental Health and Well-Being)

Congratulations to everyone on their new roles.

West Ferris students find fitness and wellness in Pow Wow dance

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Friday, May 15, 2026

West Ferris students find fitness and wellness in Pow Wow dance

West Ferris Secondary School students met at the intersection of fitness and Indigenous culture at an Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations (OFSAA) Try Day event focused on Pow Wow dance.

The OFSAA Pow Wow Try Day was the creation of NNDSB’s Indigenous Youth Circle (IYC) as a way of bringing the Indigenous and non-Indigenous student population together to further their knowledge, understanding and skills of Pow Wow dancing in a meaningful way.

West Ferris teacher and secondary grad coach Rae-Ann Camirand said the event “was an opportunity to highlight how Pow Wow dance is a form of fitness and personal wellness. Pow Wow and Pow Wow dancing is an important part of Indigenous culture that promotes whole health and well-being; spiritual, emotional, mental and physical.”

The event was made possible through an OFSAA Try Day grant, which provided the funds for the group to bring in Pow Wow dancers from the community to lead three separate workshops throughout the day.

Try Day grants are meant to introducenewfitness concepts, provide tools for measuring individual fitness levels, obtainnew equipmentfor a school workout area, or add anew active sportto a school program.

Indigenous dancers from the local community –Tasheena Sarazin, Ouske Couchie Bob, Albany Benson, Malia Mathias Mizzi, and Niibin Nakogee – led the students through some of the history, meaning and techniques of Pow Wow dance.

During the day-long event, students in multiple Grade 9 and intermediate-level physical education and Indigenous language classes deepened their knowledge, understanding, and skills in Pow Wow. Students learned how Pow Wow dance is a form of personal wellness and fitness and were introduced to various Pow Wow dance styles and their cultural significance.

Some of the intermediate students who participated remarked how they enjoyed the smaller group setting and how they were given the choice of the dance style they wanted to focus on. “It was nice to have the choice between Men’s Grass dancing, Women’s Traditional and Contemporary Fancy dancing,” the students said.

Camirand said that she hopes the students had fun and learned something about the cultural significance of Pow Wow to Indigenous people.

“I hope that Indigenous students had the opportunity to learn more about Pow Wow and dance and its personal meaning for them and their families,” Camirand said. “Hopefully, this series of workshops helped build a more dynamic, rich and inclusive school community that will reach out into the greater community of North Bay.”

Biindigen

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)

Connect With Us

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963 Airport Road, P.O. Box 3110, North Bay, ON P1B 8H1
[P]705-472-8170   [TF]1-800-278-4922   [F] 705-472-9927