Dear Northern Families,
It was great to see so many of you out for Parent/ Guardian-Teacher interviews this week. We appreciate the support you show us and you child(ren)!
Trustee Laskin will be hosting a Joint Ward 8 and Ward 11 Forum on Monday October 28, 2024, from 6:30pm to 8:00pm at Davisville Junior Public School.
Meet and Greet onMonday October 28, 2024
6:30pm to 8:00pm at Davisville Junior Public school
This is a great opportunity to connect with me and our shared Family of School Superintendents to hear issues, ask questions, share feedback, engage in discussion with other school community members.
How to RSVP for the Ward Forum Register Online (https://forms.gle/74dLeEmX7TbxV18s8)
Pleas see the attached flyer for more information.
Careers and SHSM week is on our school calendar from November 18- November 22nd. Unfortunately, this week will need to be moved to February 2025. Please look out for more information on this fantastic event in the new year. Thank you!
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:
Tuesday: School Council Meeting @6:30pm
Tuesday: SAC Spirit Day
Wednesday: Late Start @9:55am
Wednesday: NSS Post Secondary Fair @ Northern SS: 6pm – 8pm
Thursday: ELL-DHH Parent/ Guardian Potluck Dinner
The NSS Spirit Wear Store is OPEN online!
You are invited to place your orders for NSS hoodies, t-shirts, sweatshirts and pants here:
https://northern-secondary-school-winter-sac-storefall24.itemorder.com/
Samples will be available to try on in the front lobby.
There are a wide range of items at many different price points!
Orders will be delivered to NSS for student pick up.
The last day to place orders is Monday, Nov 4th 2024.
Thank you for showing NSS school Spirit!!
If you have any questions about this, please email Kristen.Beach@tdsb.on.ca
Take Our Kids to Work Day (TOKTWD)
Take Our Kids to Work Day (TOKTWD) is taking place on Wednesday, November 6, 2024. TOKTWD is an experiential learning opportunity for Grade 9 students across Canada offering them the chance to see the world of work firsthand, explore a variety of careers and sectors, and look at what skills are important to thrive in the world of work.
Grade 9 students will have the opportunity to shadow a parent/guardian or another adult approved by their parent/guardian on November 6. Next week, all grade 9 students will receive a paper copy of this Take Our Kids to Work Day Parent/Guardian Consent Form that should be returned to the period 1 teacher. Students who are not participating may attend school where they will be offered programming from Students Commission of Canada about careers and the workplace.
A reminder will be sent in a separate email to all grade 9 students.
From the ESL & DHH Departments:
ELL/DHH Parent/Guardian Welcome Potluck
Our ESL & DHH departments are hosting a potluck event on Thursday, October 24th, 6:00 - 8:00 PM in the Staff Lounge.
Please join us for an evening of learning (about school and community resources), connecting (talk with other parents who are newcomers and/or part of the deaf and hard of hearing community, staff, special guests), and enjoying!
Bring a small amount of food (appetizer, main dish or desert) to add to our potluck table if you wish. DHH & ELL Parents/Guardians and their students are invited to come to this informative and fun community event. We hope to see you there!
Please complete this google form: RSVP for ELL/DHH Parent/Guardian Welcome Potluck or email chana.boxer@tdsb.on.ca & heather.kessler@tdsb.on.ca
Academic Accommodations and University – virtual workshop
All high school students and parents (or other support persons) who have questions or concerns about the transition to university for students with disabilities are invited to attend this session. This workshop is for you, your family and support team to ask questions about the transition to university.
You will learn about:
- Documentation required to access academic accommodations.
- The supports and accommodations available through Student Accessibility Services at York.
- Transition planning.
This workshop will take place from 7 to 8p.m. on the dates listed below.
To participate, register before the workshop begins.
Service Providers Workshop – virtual workshop
Intended for high school service providers (such as teachers and guidance counsellors) and clinicians who work with students preparing to move on to university. The focus of this workshop is the transition to university for students with disabilities.
Topics of discussion include:
- Academic accommodations at post-secondary
- Medical/psychological documentation needed to access academic accommodations
- Registration with our office
- Overview of supports and services available through our office
- Disability related financial information such as the Bursary for Students with Disabilities
This workshop will take place via Zoom on Thursday, December 5, 2024 from 9am to noon. To register visit Student Accessibility Services Transitioning to University.
Strengthening Transitions to Post-Secondary for Autistic Students and their Families – in person on York University Keele Campus
This informational day is designed for grade 10, 11, and 12 students who are Autistic and planning to attend post-secondary, as well as their families. High school educators and support staff are also cordially invited.
Join us to explore key insights! You'll delve into:
- The transition realities facing students and their families
- How to access support
- Strategies for academic success
- Insights into student life at the university shared by current York students
- Methods to nurture and strengthen independence
This workshop will take place in person at the York University Keele Campus on Thursday, February 20, 2024 from 9am to 1pm. To register visit Student Accessibility Services Transitioning to University.
If you have questions about any of the above programs, please contact projecta@yorku.ca.
Webinar Wednesdays
The Centre of Excellence for Black Student Achievement is hosting its first session of the Webinar Wednesdays series for the 2024-2025 school year. We invite parents and caregivers of Black children to join in the conversation as we discuss the Cell Phone/Mobile Device Use in Schools Policy at the TDSB. Claudine Tyrell, Principal of Humberside Collegiate Institute, and member of TDSB’s cellphone guidelines working group, will be joining us alongside Graduation Coaches for Black Students and K-12 Learning Coaches.
In this session, participants will learn:
- What this new policy means for students
- Impact on learning and accommodations
- Tips for parents, caregivers and students
Date: October 30, 2024
Time: 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Location: Virtual
Registration link: https://bit.ly/3MY7Gka. Registration closes October 28, 2024
Online Interpreter Training
We are excited to once again offer the Online Interpreter Training program. We will be offering the opportunity to 85 TDSB parents/caregivers to receive online interpreter training in TDSB's most requested languages!
Are you a parent/caregiver with a child registered in the TDSB who:
- has full proficiency in English and another language (i.e., Pashto, Farsi, Roma, Ukrainian);
- is interested in being trained as an interpreter to work with the TDSB;
- is comfortable with virtual/online learning;
- has access to a computer, and the internet and has, at minimum, intermediate computer fluency;
- has a recording device, headphones, and dictionaries (hard copy and/or online).
TDSB is the largest school board in Canada and one of the most diverse. 23% of our students were born outside of Canada and there are over 120 languages spoken by TDSB students and their parents/caregivers. Research also identifies communication between the home and the school as essential to student success. Ensuring equitable engagement opportunities for our multi-lingual parents/caregivers, while maximizing their language assets, will enable the TDSB to improve communication between parents/caregivers and the school/Board.
Please join us on October 21, 2024 at 6:30 p.m. See attached for more details. Share widely with your school community.
Virtual Drop In Hours for Parents, Caregivers & Guardians
PLEASE SHARE WITH YOUR SCHOOL COMMUNITIES-2024-2025 Virtual Drop-In Hours for Parents, Caregivers and Guardians
TDSB Mental Health and Wellbeing-Professional Support Services (PSS) Staff is excited to introduce our Virtual Drop-In Hours for the 2024/25 school year, open to staff, parents, guardians, and caregivers. In alignment with TDSB’s Multi-Year Strategic Plan (MYSP) and our commitment to fostering belonging and inclusive learning environments that prioritize mental health and well-being, we will be offering focused, themed educational presentations designed to provide pathways to care for students' mental health and well-being.
The PSS team will host four virtual drop-in sessions, each providing up-to-date information and practical resources for youth, parents, guardians, and caregivers. These sessions are aimed at equipping our community with the knowledge and tools necessary to support the well-being of our students both at home and in school. Please share with your school communities!
Please see the attached flyer with details.
The dates and themes are below and all sessions are virtual from 7pm-8pm:
1) January 15th, 2025: What is Mental Health: Facilitated by parents from the Mental Health and Well Being Parent Partnership Committee
2) March 19th, 2025: Access to TDSB Professional Support Staff for Students
3) May 21st, 2025: TDSB Summer Well Being Guide: Pathways to summer planning for your child(ren)
We look forward to your participation as we work together to ensure a caring and supportive environment for all students.
SEAC Town Hall on November 4, 2024, for Parents/Guardians/Caregivers of Students with Disabilities/Special Education Needs
TDSB SEAC is hosting a Town Hall. This is an opportunity for families who have a child with a disability/special education needs to share their experiences at school.
Date: November 4, 2024
Location: Virtual or In-person
TDSB Board Office, 5050 Yonge St., North York
Time: 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
If possible, administrators are asked to share this flyer with families.
SEAC Town Hall - November 4 2024.pdf
Library Learning Commons:
Looking for a way to connect with local ravines, while also celebrating great Toronto authors and books?
The Humber River Pals are hosting a ravine clean up and special literary event with guest Zalika Reid-Benta, "acclaimed author of River Mumma, an urban fantasy set right here in Toronto! River Mumma follows Alicia on a magical quest through the city, guided by the Jamaican water goddess, River Mumma. Cruickshank Park, a key location in the story, is the perfect setting to explore both the book and the landscape that inspired it."
Saturday, October 19th: 11am - Use this Eventbrite link to register for free tickets.
Feeling inspired to read River Mumma or Reid-Benta's Frying Plantain? Pick up a copy at the NSS Library, or at your local Toronto Public Library branch.
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
School Council:
- . We Need Your Help! Our Fall Annual Ask is now underway to collect funds for School Council. We support student clubs, teams, and student initiatives - as well as provide events for parents on mental health, educational needs, and more. Please give whatever you can - every gift makes a difference! Click here to login to School Cash Online to donate
- School Council meeting - Tuesday, October 22nd at 6:30 pm. School Council meets in the Northern Secondary School Library. We are looking forward to seeing you in person or on the screen - the meeting will be hybrid. If you would like to attend virtually, please email us at nss.school.council@gmail.com with the subject line "School Council Meeting Link." The link will be sent by 5 pm the day of the meeting. Interested attendees are welcome to meet at the Granite Brewery after the meeting for an informal social opportunity.
- . Ask Adam The Principal's update is an important part of every school council meeting. If you have a question about something that is happening at Northern, please submit your question to nss.school.council@gmail.com with "Ask Adam" in the subject line.
Guidance Updates:
October’s Wellness Theme: Gratitude
- WellNSS Gratitude Quote of the Week: “The root of joy is gratefulness.” David Steindl-Rast
- NSS Post-Secondary Fair: Wednesday, October 23, 2024 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!
- Deadline to Withdraw from a Course is November 5, 2024. You must book an appointment with your Guidance counsellor to see if you are eligible. Full Disclosure date is November 19. 2024.
- 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.
- Guidance Counselors visited gr 12 home form classrooms to deliver our “You’re in Grade 12, Now What? Grad Requirements & Post-Secondary Info presentation”. Please find the slideshow here.
- 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!
- Mental Wellness Resource Document
If you are experiencing an emergency, please call 911.
Have a great weekend!
Adam Marshall
Principal
Follow me @PrincipalNSS