Contact North | Contact Nord’s Northwestern Ontario Online Learning Centres – Atikokan,
Fort Frances, Ignace, Big Grassy First Nation and Rainy River – Reopen for On-Site Student
Support Services.

Thunder Bay, ON – Contact North I Contact Nord’s Atikokan, Big Grassy First Nation, Fort Frances,
Ignace and Rainy River online learning centres have reopened and local staff is providing on-site
student support services, including:


• Information about available online programs and courses
• Assistance with registration in the online program or course of choice of the student and information on financial help
• Free use of computer workstations and high-speed Internet access to complete your online courses
• Free use of web conferencing and videoconferencing distance learning platforms to connect to and participate in your online programs and courses
• Supervision of written and online exams and tests

“Local access to education and training in communities across Northwestern Ontario is key to
helping local residents get the skills they need to get a job and support Ontario’s economic
recovery,” stated the Honourable Greg Rickford, Minister of Energy, Northern Development and
Mines; Minister of Indigenous Affairs. “I am very pleased to see the reopening of these 5 Contact
North | Contact Nord online learning centres to support online learning for students across the
Northwest.

“We value the partnership with Contact North to help support students across the northwest as
they navigate online studies,” stated Brendan Hyatt, Director of Education, The Northwest Catholic
District School Board.

As per the local public health guidelines for each location, masks must be worn while on-site at
each online learning centre.

“Contact North | Contact Nord’s top priority is the health and safety of students and staff using the
online learning centres” stated Tina Reed, Director, Recruitment & Partnerships, for the Northwest
region. “All necessary precautions were taken, including a deep cleaning of the locations,
availability of hand sanitizer for students, and re-organization of the space to provide for physical
distancing. Key touch points in the locations will be sanitized 4 times daily to provide a safe and
healthy environment for staff and students.”

Online Learning Recruitment Officers Tracy Jackson and Jennifer Derouin look forward to supporting
students at the Atikokan, Big Grassy First Nation, Fort Frances, Ignace and Rainy River online
learning centres.

Contact North | Contact Nord staff continue to be available to support students virtually if they do
not wish to visit the online learning centre in-person, and can provide online study options,
information about available financial aid options and assistance with registration via phone, e-mail,
Zoom and Facebook Messenger.

The online learning centres are part of 116 Contact North | Contact Nord locations across Ontario
that are gradually reopening to provide on-site services to students.
For further information about the on-site services available, contact the Student Information Hotline
at 1-877-999-9179.