Dear Northern Families,
We have had a busy week with our Holocaust Education Week Assembly- thank you to everyone involved in making it a success. Staff have been busy getting achievement data prepared for students to receive midterm marks next Tuesday.
A big shout out to Ms. Barbara Smith and her gardening team. The final pick took place last weekend and the final tally is over 330 pounds of produce being donated to North York Harvest Food Bank. Thank You!
Our Literacy Leaders have been busy with OSSLT Preparations. If you are currently enrolled in a Grade 10 English class, or if you have not successfully completed your OSSLT, you will be writing the OSSLT during the week of November 18th. Parents and students can sign up for the Northern SS OSSLT 2024/25 PREP Google Classroom: b5umys4 to receive updates and find helpful resources. OSSLT extra help lunchtime sessions will take place during the week of November 11th. See the Google Classroom or speak to your English teacher for more details.
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: Remembrance Day Assembly Schedule
Tuesday: Midterm Report Distribution
Wednesday: Waterloo Canadian Intermediate and Senior Math Contests
Thursday: PALs Cultural Fair in foyer
Friday: PD Day- No School
Remembrance Day Assembly – November 11, Period 1
Our Remembrance Day assembly will take place on Monday, November 11, during first period (block A). This assembly will feature contributions by our clubs and associations, as well as music, drama, and dance performances.
Poppies are available from home form teachers, as well as in the Vice Principal’s office.
Northern Math Contest Reminders:
CNML #2 - Tuesday November 12th
If students are interested in participating in the CNML #2 competition, registration deadline is today (Friday November 8th). Please see the math contest google classroom (code: x56enxz) for registration instructions.
CSIMC - Wednesday November 13th
For students who have registered for the CSIMC, we will be writing on Wednesday morning in the cafeteria.
IEP Distribution
Printed IEP’s for students with Special Education needs are ready for pick up in the VP office. Unfortunately, owing to technical issues in the transition to a new IEP management system, IEP’s will not be able to be emailed to parents en masse this year. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your child’s IEP, please reach out to the appropriate Curriculum Leader/Assistant Curriculum Leader for support. Please keep a copy of the IEP for your records and return only the signature page to the appropriate staff member below or to the VP office.
Academic Resource and LD – Amanda.Kearney@tdsb.on.ca
Gifted – John.Moyer@tdsb.on.ca (currently on leave – please reach out to alpha VP)
Deaf and Hard of Hearing – Heather.Kessler@tdsb.on.ca
Northern Alumni STEM Panel
Hey Northern!
We are so excited to announce the return of Northern’s STEM Alumni Panel for the 2024/2025 school year! This moderated panel discussion will take place in May 2025 and will feature various Northern alumni representing diverse fields within STEM.
Interested in joining the Planning Committee? We are currently accepting applications for executive leadership positions. This is a fantastic opportunity to gain leadership experience and become involved in organizing the event. If you are interested in leading one of the following teams, please complete this application form. The deadline to apply is Tuesday, November 19 at 11:59pm. If there are more applicants than expected, we may reach out to arrange interviews.
Available Executive Positions:
1. Head of Advertising and Outreach
2. Head of Panelist Communication and Outreach
3. Lead Liaison
4. Head of Logistics
Detailed descriptions of each role’s responsibilities can be found here.
Not applying for an executive role? Don’t worry! You can still apply to become a general member of the Planning Committee or volunteer with us on the event day. Stay tuned for more information regarding these opportunities in the coming weeks.
If you have any questions about the application process or the event itself, please feel free to reach out to ashley.dong@student.tdsb.on.ca.
We look forward to seeing your applications! Jonathan Isaac
REPORT CARDS
- Report cards will be sent to families digitally before the end of the school day on Tuesday, November 12.
OSSLT
- A reminder that the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) will be taking place from November 18 to 22.
- An Information Session and Practice Test are scheduled for grade 10 English, ESLD/E, & previously eligible/unsuccessful students.
- OSSLT Prep Sessions will also be taking place at lunch during the week of Monday, November 11.
- Sign up for the Northern SS OSSLT 2024/25 PREP Google Classroom - code: b5umys4 to receive information about the lunch sessions and access to helpful resources.
- If you have questions, please speak to your English/ESL teacher. If you don’t have an English/ESL teacher this semester, speak to Ms. Mori in the library.
November 18 & 19 - First-Time Eligible Writers
Period 1 - 9:00 to 10:50 (extended period 1)
Period 2 - 10:55 to 11:40
Lunch - 11:40 to 12:40
Period 3 - 12:40 to 2:30 (extended period 3)
Period 4 - 2:35 to 3:15
November 20 - Previously Eligible Writers
Late Start Schedule
November 21 & 22 - First-Time Eligible Writers
Period 1 - 9:00 to 10:50 (extended period 1)
Period 2 - 10:55 to 11:40
Lunch - 11:40 to 12:40
Period 3 - 12:40 to 2:30 (extended period 3)
Period 4 - 2:35 to 3:15
Library:
1) Upcoming Library Closures:
- November 20th: OSSLT - Circulation Desk Closed: 9:00-11:40am, 12:40-3:15pm
2) Chromebook (1:1 Device) Distribution
- All Grade 9 homeforms have come to the Library to pick up their 1:1 Devices (Chromebooks). If you think your Grade 9 student missed theirs: ask them to check their email.
- Students who missed the pick-up with their homeform class have received an email from the Teacher-Librarian, Juli Mori, indicating that they have a device to pick-up in the Library during drop-in times.
- Chromebooks for Grade 10, 11 and 12 students have not yet arrived at the school. Students will be notified by email when they are ready for pick-up.
- Students who did not OPT IN to the 1:1 Device Program should send a request for an OPT IN form to: danielle.trotto@tdsb.on.ca
Graduation Photos
Attention Graduates!! Graduation photos started today. Please book an appointment online following the link and steps below:
https://booking.edgeimaging.ca/portal/book/NEH
Click “Classic Sitting”
Choose date and time of your liking, click “confirm and pay now”
Enter student, contact and billing information and “click confirm and pay”
**Props will be provided, but you are welcome to bring your own to personalize your session- a small item that shows off your personality or interests!
**Please come prepared in a white collared shirt or blouse and tie.
**A black graduation gown, sash and graduation cap will be available
**Your confirmation email will confirm the location of your session will take place
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:
1. We Are Getting Close to Our Goal! 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. Every gift makes a difference! Click here to login to School Cash Online. If you’d like to make a donation and receive a tax receipt, you can contribute through School Cash Online - TDSB Donation. Please note when tax receipts are issued there are significant restrictions on how funds can be spent which limits Council’s ability to respond to student clubs’ requests for support.
2. Events Survey- School council would love your input as we plan social and educational events for this school year. Please complete this survey.
3. Walking Buddies - Saturday, November 9th at 9:30 am. 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.
4. Free Lunch and Learn about Anxiety - Wednesday, November 13th at 12 pm (virtual). Common Compass, is a charitable organisation that works with school boards to deliver evidence-based workshops and training for students, staff and caregivers. They are offering a free condensed webinar about anxiety in children and teens on Wednesday, November 13th at noon. Register here if interested.
5. Feeling Down? Depression in Children and Youth - Thursday, November 14th at 7 pm (virtual). Leaside High School Council invites the Northern community to attend this virtual talk by registered social worker Gina Little. This presentation will equip adults with critical knowledge about depression in young people, covering key topics such as current research and data on prevalence and risk factors, recognizing the signs and symptoms for early identification, and effective strategies for responding to youth in distress. Ideal for parents, educators, and community members, this session aims to enhance understanding and support for youth mental health. We look forward to seeing you there! Click here to register.
Guidance Updates:
- WellNSS Fear VS Danger Quote of the Week: "Don’t let fear paralyze you, lest danger actually does." -Joseph Wu (NSS Student)
- Full Disclosure date is November 19. 2024.
- Semester 2 e-Learning Course Registration OPENS November 12, 2024 at 10:00a.m.
Check out semester 2 e-Learning Day School course offerings on the e-Learning Day School website Registration opens to students on November 12, 2024 at 10 a.m. through the e-REG system.
- 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:
Seeking Scholarships has released their November Scholarship Report which has upcoming scholarship dates listed for students applying to post-secondary programs. It also has some great tips this month for applying to scholarships and funding post-secondary education.
Northern students, teachers, and families can access from this link using the password, scholar678: https://seekingscholarships.com/the-scholarship-report-2/
Please note: This resource is copyrighted and only available to Northern families - please do not share outside of the Northern community.
Northern-specific scholarship information and deadlines (along with other common awards that students apply to can be found here): https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-ZrEGhtrhY8rH4WW3NLC-p5QE-2hStUszLZTn34h8_o/edit
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!
- Mental Wellness Resource Document
If you are experiencing an emergency, please call 911.
Have a great weekend!
Adam Marshall
Principal
Follow me @PrincipalNSS