It is the first public comment on the future of intermediate/secondary schools in North Bay since last fall.
The Near North District School Board (NNDSB) has released its “transition programming framework,” and says there is much left to be decided.
In September, the board trustees approved the consolidation of Chippewa, West Ferris and Widdifeld into two schools. It has been determined that the schools that will remain at the south (currently West Ferris) and north (currently Chippewa) sites will be renamed and rebranded. Widdifield is slated to close in September 2019.
Staff from all three schools are having continuing discussions on how best to use the contraction of schools to enhance student programming options. The NNDSB says that much planning for the transition remains.
The following programs will be fully implemented in September 2019:
South Site:
- Arts Nipissing Program / S.T.E.A.M. Program (Grades 9-12)
- French Immersion Program (Grades 7-12 zoned for Sunset Park)
- Extended French Program (All North Bay area Grades 7-12)
- English Program (Grades 7-12 zoned for West Ferris)
North Site:
- International Baccalaureate Program (Grades 9-12)
- French Immersion Program (Grades 7-12 zoned for Alliance)
- English Program (Grades 7-12 zoned for Widdifield and Chippewa)
- W.J. Fricker English Program (Grades 7-8)
Parents of students who attend the Board’s Extended French program and the Sunset Park French Immersion program will receive an invitation to attend an information meeting in the coming weeks (Chippewa, Sunset Park and W.J. Fricker).
