Dear Northern Families,
We have enjoyed a week of summer weather which at times can be uncomfortable (heat in the building) but students and staff have been handling it well. Thank you to everyone that attended our Caring and Safe Schools meeting and School Council meeting this past week. Speaking of school council, if you are interested in running for council please click HERE . Nominations are open until October 3rd, and you are able to self-nominate. More details are below under “School Council”.
We are just over a week from Orange Shirt Day. Have look for an appropriate orange shirt in your household to wear on Monday September 30th!
We are noticing an increase in the number of uber eats type deliveries at the school. Please note that deliveries during class time will be interrupted by staff. If you order food during lunch you will need to meet the delivery OUTSIDE ON THE SIDEWALK and not on school property. It is important to be present during class time.
A reminder about cellphones/ personal mobile devices needing to be out of sight and silenced during instructional time at the TDSB starting this fall: In line with the Ministry of Education’s PPM 128, students are responsible for their personal mobile devices, including how they are used and any consequences resulting from misuse. TDSB schools and staff are not responsible or liable for any damage or loss that may occur to devices that are placed in storage due to a violation of school policy.
On September 26th we will hold Curriculum Night from 6:00-8:00pm. This is an opportunity to meet staff, learn about resources at the school, and of course hear a little about the curriculum your student is working on this semester. Please note, this is NOT Parent/ Guardian-Teacher interview night. That occurs on October 17th. Please do not plan on connecting with your child’s teachers about individual progress during Curriculum Night! A schedule of the evening is below. Please walk, take transit, or leave plenty of time to find parking for this event.
Start of year Forms – Please make sure you take the time this weekend to complete these! These forms are essential for our operations and delays impact all students at the school in our planning efforts.
School Absences: Family vacations are not considered a legitimate absence. Every effort should be made to avoid scheduling family vacations during school time. Holiday dates are published in the agenda book and on the TDSB website, http://www.tdsb.on.ca. In the event of a missed evaluation due to a family vacation, teachers are not required to provide an alternative form of evaluation. In the case of examinations, no make-up exam or alternative arrangements will be made.
The student calendar can be found here: 2024-25 School Calendar. Any additions made will be highlighted for a two week period throughout the year.
The student handbook can be found here: Student Handbook
Things to Know for Next Week:
Monday: International Day of Sign Languages
Tuesday: SAC Spirit Day
Wednesday: Late Start @9:55am
Thursday: Curriculum Night 6-8pm (see details below)
Friday: Late Start @9:55am
Curriculum Night:
5:30 to 6:00 Parents Arrive – Buddies distribute timetables and answer parent questions
6:00 to 6:20 Message in Auditorium for Parents/Guardians.
6:20 to 6:30 Transition to period 1 presentations
6:30 to 6:45 Period 1 (We will follow a Day 1, timetable)
6:50 to 7:05 Period 2
7:10 to 7:25 Period 3
7:30 to 7:45 Period 4
8 PM Announcement to clear the building.
Robotics Club – Community Outreach
The Northern Robotics Team, known as the Knight Owls, visited the Toronto Council Fire Native Cultural Centre this Wednesday to introduce the broader community to robotics and other STEM concepts. The Knight Owls delivered a presentation and robot demonstration, showcasing their competition robot from the 2024 robotics season and introducing the youth to the exciting world of the FIRST Robotics Competition.
Following the presentation, the Knight Owls led a workshop in the Centre, covering various STEM concepts and guiding the youth in creating robots using VEX-IQ. The workshop culminated in a fun-filled robotics game, allowing everyone to actively participate. It was a wonderful robotic experience for the Council Fire’s youth.
If you’re interested in viewing photos from the event, you can find them here:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Q6Ee4ssNTAn8j1QWSAtJ2H-xBSdVyftx?usp=sharing
For more information about the Northern Robotics Team, visit their official website at:
https://knightowls.ca
School Photos and Student ID
October 7th is the Photo Re-take day. Students that were unable to have their photo taken at the start of school will be invited to the auditorium via alpha call down to have their photo taken. School picture packages and student ID’s have been distributed via period 1 teachers. If your child did not receive their package, please have them see the alpha secretary in the VP office and we will track it down or request a new package. If you missed your picture and are getting re-takes done, your package and ID will be sent to the school at a future date.
Attention Grade 10 Black Identifying STEM Students
The admissions cycle for the Leadership by Design program, Cohort 2024, is now open. We invite applications. Ideally, we would like applications by September 23, 2024.
For information about fall 2024 admissions, and to access the online application form, please visit our website at:
LEADERSHIP BY DESIGN LBD – Leadership (llileaders.com)
About the Program:
For the past eight years we have provided leadership-development to Black students from your schools. We complement the programming of high schools by providing promising Black youth with a supportive and encouraging community comprising Grades 10, 11 and 12 Black students who are committed to academic achievement, advancing their career aspirations, and developing leadership skills. In other words, we provide a wide array of opportunities which amplify a student’s talents and optimize ambitions. We do all this outside of school hours, and in close collaboration with parents. Our program is Leadership by Design and we are now accepting applications from academically promising Black youth who are currently in Grade 10.
Fashion Show (a great Northern tradition!):
Fashion show is a great way to get involved at Northern, receive community service hours, and show your school spirit. Fashion show has many positions from dancing, modelling, fashion, design and more! Committee and choreographer forms are out now, and can be found around the school via QR code. Click HERE to link to the QR Code. More information and positions will be out shortly.
Does Your Child Have an IEP?
IEP Consultation Letters
Every year, schools have the responsibility to update Individual Education Plans (IEPs) in the first 30 days of the school year, and getting parent/guardian feedback is a very important part of the process.
If you have a student with an IEP at Northern this year, you will have received an email with a blank Parent/Guardian Consultation Form. If you did not receive a form and your child/student has a TDSB IEP, please contact the appropriate support teacher below:
These can be filled out digitally or printed and returned to school via the following contacts.
• Amanda Kearney - General Special Education (room 112), email: amanda.kearney@tdsb.on.ca
• John Moyer – Gifted (room 118), email: john.moyer@tdsb.on.ca
• Heather Kessler - Deaf and Hard of Hearing (room 338), email: heather.kessler@tdsb.on.ca
What feedback is important? Any parent/guardian perspective on how your student is doing is valuable, and especially noting challenges they are facing that the school can support. If there has been a recent assessment, please note this so that staff can reach out to consult.
Having trouble accessing the form? Please contact the special education teachers directly via email, and they can help you access/deliver your form.
If your child had an IEP with a board other than the TDSB - Please reach out to the respective guidance counsellor to notify them and to provide supporting documentation. Guidance counsellors will explain the TDSB’s process for the establishment of an IEP.
Parent/Guardian Special Education Support:
TDSB Special Education and Inclusion
Guide to Special Education and Inclusion for Parents/Caregivers/Guardians
Student Accident Insurance Reminder
The Toronto District School Board does not provide accident insurance coverage for student injuries that occur on school premises or during school sponsored activities.
Parents/ guardians are responsible for deciding whether or not to purchase student accident insurance. The insurance program options range from $17 to $33 per year.
Letter: TDSB Student Accident Insurance Letter
Flyer: Student Accident Plan Flyer
Website: Student Accident Plan
Should further information about the above including the policy or purchasing details, please visit www.studyinsuredstudentaccident.com or call 1-833-560-0527 (toll-free) or 416-916-1588 (local).
September 23: International Day of Sign Languages
September 23 marks the annual celebration of the International Day of Sign Languages. This day is a unique opportunity to support and protect the linguistic identity and cultural diversity of the Deaf community and sign language users. Declared in 2018, September 23 commemorates the launch of the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) in 1951 in Rome, Italy. The WFD represents deaf associations from 133 countries, advocating for the rights of approximately 70 million Deaf individuals worldwide and aiming to preserve sign languages and Deaf culture.
Sign language is a visual language expressed through physical movements, including hand cues and facial expressions. Fully fledged and structurally distinct from spoken languages, over 300 unique sign languages exist, varying by dialects, accents, and movements. While there is no universal sign language, several internationally recognized signs are used in formal meetings and informally during travel or socializing.
The WFD is pleased to announce that its 20th General Assembly has approved the Deaf flag, a powerful symbol for Deaf communities around the world. The flag features several colors:
• Turquoise Blue represents the Deaf community, sign language, pride, and unity.
• Yellow symbolizes light, an enlightened spirit, life, and "thriving in unison."
• Dark Blue represents the earth, humanity, and living in harmony with the planet. It is also the color of the WFD; our logo is blue, we wear blue ribbons to support Deaf individuals, and blue is recognized globally as representing Deaf people. On the International Day of Sign Languages, we celebrate by shining blue lights.
Together, these colors represent the awareness of humanity's inherent diversity—of peoples and languages on Earth. This flag signifies that we are here, we belong, and we are part of humanity. Deaf individuals contribute to the rich diversity that enhances our global community.
Student Success Updates
Peer Tutoring- Peer tutoring is now available in all compulsory classes for all grades! To be matched with a tutor, please fill out this form.
Northern's Student Nutrition Program- Each week Student and Parent Volunteers prepare FREE lunch for students on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays starting September 24th. If you would like to receive FREE lunch every week please sign up here.
If you are a parent looking to volunteer, please email april.vibert@tdsb.on.ca
Math Competitions:
The NSS Math Department is excited to offer a variety of math competitions, again, for the 2024-2025 school year.
Signups are currently open for the following contests:
Canadian Lynx Math Competition - Register by Thursday Sept 18.
Canada National Math League Contest #1, 2 and 3
Canadian Open Math Competition - Register by Thursday Oct 10
Canadian Intermediate/Senior Math Contests - Register by Thursday Oct 10
Students can sign up by completing the registration forms on the 2024-2025 NSS Math Contest Google Classroom using class code: x56enxz
Please direct any contest questions to steven.ong@tdsb.on.ca
2024-2025 Virtual Parents and Caregivers as Partners Conference (PCasP)
Save the date for the 2024-2025 Virtual Parents and Caregivers as Partners Conference (PCasP) taking place on Saturday, November 16, 2024! This year’s theme is: "Journey to Joy, Wellness, and Wholeness."
Join us to explore Equity and Truth and Reconciliation, to break down barriers, and to build inclusive communities. Learn from experts and discover how every student, parent/guardian/caregiver can experience joy, wellness, and wholeness in education. Registration details will follow soon.
We are inviting you to submit proposals for virtual workshops, micro-sessions, and panel presentations. The PCasP will run from 10:00 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. We are welcoming submissions from school districts, universities, schools, School Councils, administrators, educators, community organizations, researchers, and parents/guardians/caregivers.
To apply as a presenter, please complete the application form no later than, October 1, 2024. Please share with your friends, family and colleagues.
Wishing you a safe and wonderful summer filled with joy and time spent with your loved ones.
Thank you,
2024 Parents/Caregivers as Partner Planning Committee
School Council:
1. Join the list! School Council sends emails with news from within and beyond Northern to help you support your student's academic success. If you would like to be included on our mailing list to receive news "for parents, by parents", please send an email to nss.school.council@gmail.com with the subject line, “Count me in”.
2. Meet the parents! Mingle with other parents and Council members to ask questions about Northern and learn how you can get involved at our School Council Social on Thursday, Sept 26 from 7:30-9:30 pm at the Granite Brewery (245 Eglinton Avenue E at Mount Pleasant, free parking below pub). Appetizers provided; drinks are cash and carry.
3. We want parents! - School Council Elections Our elections of the 24-25 Council is October 8th. All parents are welcome to join. Click here to learn more about what we do and how to submit your name for the ballot by October 3rd.
4. Check us out! Our website is your virtual "parent buddy" to help you Navigate Northern. Visit nsscouncil.com for the latest ways to connect, get involved, and see what Council is doing for you and your student! You may find our New to Northern slides helpful to orient yourself and have essential info all in one place!
5. Gifted Social - Wednesday, September 25th at 6:30pm. Join the Gifted Advisory Committee at the Granite Brewery at 6:30 on September 25th for an informal meet and greet! We welcome new and returning families.
6. Walking Buddies - Sunday, September 29th at 9:30am. Join other Northern parents for some fresh air, exercise, and conversation about school, kids, and life! If you are interested in joining us, please send a message with “Walking buddies” in the subject line.
7. Gifted mailing list. If your student is in Northern’s gifted program, please feel free to join the Gifted Advisory Committee mailing list.
Northern Secondary School Foundation:
Thank you Principal Marshall for hosting the 25th Anniversary Reunion of the Class of 1999 at Northern on Saturday September 14th. The event was organized by Jonas Bell Pasht, SAC President and Valedictorian NSS’99. More than 150 alumni came from all over North America...Vancouver, Calgary LA , Chicago and New York to stroll the halls, reconnect with friends and revisit classrooms sometimes welcomed by their teacher of the day! The lockers told the story that many cherished North traditions continue. To find our more about the Foundation, visit nssf.ca .
Guidance Updates:
WellNSS Quote of the Week: “Self-care is giving the world the best of you, instead of what is left of you.” Katie Reed
1. Post-Secondary Lunchtime Visit Calendar
Guidance has booked individual schools to give a lunch time presentation for our students. Please check out the Post-Secondary Lunch time visit calendar here.
2. SAVE THE DATE: NSS Post-Secondary Fair: Wednesday, October 23/24, 6 – 8pm
Please save the date for our NSS Post-Secondary Evening Presentation and Fair. With over 40 schools in attendance, you are sure to find excellent info about post-secondary opportunities!
3. TDSB Semester 1 Night School (Con Ed) registration is OPEN.
You can find course offerings here.
You can find registration information here.
Courses with low enrollment closed Friday, September 20, 2024 at 10am.
Registration closes Friday, September 27, 2024 at 10 am.
4. Saturday International Languages Program Registration is OPEN.
You can find information here.
5. 2024 – 2025 Scholarship Updates:
A general list of scholarships has been shared with Grade 11 & 12 students, and can be found here. This list includes major scholarship awards that require a nomination from Northern (highlighted in yellow). Now is a great time for Grade 12 students to take a look and plan out which awards they may want to apply for!
Seeking Scholarships has published their September Scholarship report, which contains information and tips about funding post-secondary, along with an updated list of scholarships and deadlines.
Northern students and parents can access this resource here: https://seekingscholarships.com/the-scholarship-report-2/ using the password scholar678.
This resource is copyrighted and our use is limited to Northern students and families - please do not share outside of the Northern community.
Keep an eye out for those early scholarship deadlines!
6. 2024-2025 Guidance Counsellors by Last Name Alpha:
Kristen Beach, Kristen.Beach@tdsb.on.ca, X 20042, Alpha: A, F, P
Jenny Sohn, Jenny.Sohn@tdsb.on.ca, X 20041, Alpha: B, C, E, I
Deborah Poutissou, Deborah.Poutissou@tdsb.on.ca, X 20046, Alpha: D, G, J, T, Z
Jennifer MacPhee, Jennifer.MacPhee@tdsb.on.ca, X 20045, Alpha: H, K, L
Sean Magee-Saxton, Sean.Magee-Saxton@tdsb.on.ca, X 20043, Alpha: M, N, O, Q,R
Melanie Stassis, C.L., Melanie.Stassis@tdsb.on.ca, X 20044, Alpha: S, U, V, W, X, Y
7. Booking a Guidance Appointment:
The Guidance appointment system will open on Monday, Sept 9, 2024.
To book an appointment: http://bit.ly/nssguidance
8. Student Guidance Google Classrooms:
Students, please ensure you are registered in your grade’s Guidance Google Classroom. This is where we share all our important information throughout the year.
Sign-up for your Guidance Google Classroom:
Grade 9 Google Classroom code: bedkqks
Grade 10 Google Classroom code: x6sh4ue
Grade 11 Google Classroom code: 4ixv2jl
Grade 12 Google Classroom code: kmv6fcz
9. Mental Wellness Resource Document
If you are experiencing an emergency, please call 911.
Have a great weekend,
Adam Marshall
Principal
Follow me @PrincipalNSS