Dear Northern Families,
We have had an exciting couple of weeks. The United Way Fashion show was a massive success again last week. Thank You to everyone that came out to support the cause, and to our incredible student and staff participants and sponsors.
Last night I had the opportunity to attend Winterlude. There was a great turnout to listen to some fantastic performances. Put it in your calendar for next year, you won’t regret it! Thank You to our performers and stage crew, and of course Ms. Peng, Mr. Newman, and Mr. Gagne for your hard work providing such great learning and opportunities for students inside and outside the classroom!
Parents and Guardians, interested in taking an adult education course? Looking for a new hobby? Check out the Learn for Life Winter Catalogue!
Not a lot on the official calendar next week, but please do check out the Spirit Week Activities being put on by SAC below!
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:
Wednesday: Late Start @9:55am
Hey Northern! Get excited because next week is our WINTER SPIRIT WEEK!!!
Tuesday December 17th
ACTIVITY: Kwanzaa Cards of encouragement written and collected in front foyer
SPIRIT DAY: Grade Snow Storm (grade colours)
Grade 9: Green
Grade 10: Red
Grade 11: Blue
Grade 12: White
Wednesday December 18th
ACTIVITY: Dreidel Spinning Activity In front Foyer
SPIRIT DAY Wintery Wednesday (fuzzy socks, hats, sweaters)
Thursday December 19th
ACTIVITY: Christmas Ornament DIY in front foyer + Free hot chocolate in the front foyer at lunch
SPIRIT DAY Snow on the Beach Day (wearing clothes you would wear on a tropical vacation)
Friday December 20th
ACTIVITY: Holiday movie playing in the auditorium
SPIRIT DAY: Frosty Friday (pyjama day)
Northern Robotics Club – Guest Speaker
We are thrilled to announce that a senior robotics engineer from Amazon recently visited our school and delivered an inspiring presentation to our robotics club and robotics class students. He shared his expertise, showcased examples of robotics applications at Amazon, and provided invaluable insights for students interested in pursuing careers in this field.
During his visit, he also took the time to tour our team’s equipment setup and competition robots. This experience has been incredibly beneficial for our students, offering them a unique opportunity to connect with industry professionals and gain practical knowledge.
Thank you to everyone who made this visit possible. We look forward to more such enriching experiences in the future!
If you’re interested in viewing photos and videos from the event, you can find them here:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1L0dtRBS04BNR4LZTEsLRjuXAdoRa6dYR?usp=sharing
Northern Trivia Team News:
On Saturday December 7, Northern's trivia team competed in the Toronto Consensus Late Fall Trivia Tournament. By defeating UCC in the semi finals and UTS in the finals, the senior team won their division! Congrats to team members Sean Gao, David Lawetz, Aidan Hoffner and Blayze Gilady. In addition, the junior team, also defeating UCC and UTS along the way, won their division! Congrats to team members Gavin Harper, Dhru Kathuria, Justin Batistil and Olivia Gorja. An amazing result for Northern.
***Attention*** Staff Advisors, Club Heads and Senators:
Just a reminder that clubs and associations are required to spend their allocated funding by the end of January. Please submit receipts right away to Ms. Fortin in Reception in the first floor foyer in order to be reimbursed. All money that has not been appropriately spent (for which we have not received a submitted receipt on time) will be removed from your account at the beginning of Semester 2 and re-allocated to associations/clubs in need. Please reach out to katherine.mcintyre@student.tdsb.on.ca with any questions!
Northern Math Contests
Registration is open for the following math contests, running in 2025.
- Canadian National Math League (#4, 5, 6)
Open for registration, various dates for deadlines.
- Pascal, Cayley, and Fermat Contests
University of Waterloo
Deadline: Thursday, January 23
- Fryer, Galois, and Hypatia Contests
University of Waterloo
Deadline: Thursday, February 27
- Euclid Contest
University of Waterloo
Deadline: Thursday, February 27
Our Google Classroom has access to the registration forms and links. Our classroom code is x56enxz
Student Activity Council (SAC) Updates:
SAC Candy Cane Grams
Student Council is running its very first candy gram distribution! From Monday December 9th through Monday December 16th, members of student council will be selling candy cane grams in the first floor foyer at lunch. The candy canes will cost $2 for one and $5 for three. Students can purchase as many as they’d like and send them to their friends (anonymously or with a name attached, whatever their preference is) with a short note to show their appreciation of them for the holidays!
SAC Merchandise Orders Update
We hope that all ordered items will arrive before the holidays! We will let students know when purchased items are here and where/when they can be picked up. Thank you for your patience.
Door Decorating Competition
Attention all class reps and homeform teachers, Northern's annual door decorating has arrived! The prompt for this year is "Do you want to build a snowman?" . Classes can begin to decorate their doors using an interpreted version of the theme on Monday December 9th. The SAC exec will be judging the doors on December 19th. Have fun decorating!
CareNSS:
Care NSS is a new club at Northern this year, with the objectives being to create care packages for children in hospitals, and they are running a fundraiser this winter by selling Krispy Kreme Donuts! Stop by the front foyer during lunch all of next week to purchase a box of a dozen donuts for $15! Students and staff will be able to pick up their donuts on January 14, which is the perfect time to celebrate the end of the semester with friends and family! Thank you so much Northern for helping us spread kindness with those in need!! Please email stella.mccartney@student.tdsb.on.ca with any questions!
FemNSS
Dear Northern students and families, on Tuesday December 17th FemNSS will be running a bake sale to raise money for the North York Women’s Shelter (NYWS). We will have cookies, cupcakes, brownies and more! Cash only.
NYWS is a local shelter self described as a “holistic and intersectional feminist approach to anti-violence and pushing back against gender based violence.” (Read more here: https://nyws.ca).
Currently, Canadian Women’s Shelters are in crisis due to underfunding. There aren’t enough beds to support the demand and approximately 699 women and 236 children are turned away from domestic violence shelters daily.
Please consider donating if you are able!
GAA Fundraiser:
This holiday season, the Girls Athletic Association (GAA) is holding a raffle for a Toronto Maple Leafs jersey SIGNED by all of your favourites including Matthews, Marner, Tavares, Nylander and EVERY OTHER PLAYER on the 24/25 roster!! Have a look HERE . The raffle will be open on December 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 16 and 17 at lunch, and drawn on Wednesday, December 18.We take Apple Pay, cash and card, and the price will be $10 for 1 entry and $25 for 3. The money raised will go towards the GAA’s goal of making sports accessible to all girls at Northern. More specifically, in the Northern athletics program, a wide variety of away tournaments are offered for our teams. These tournaments are a great experience to grow as a player, and bond with your classmates, but they come at a price. The money funded will be set aside, and our goal is to partner with Student Success to support student-athletes who could benefit from these trips but may not feel comfortable directly asking their coaches for assistance. Good luck, and we hope to see you/your child enter.
Buddies Toy Drive:
!!! WE NEED YOUR HELP !!!
The Buddies are running a holiday toy drive and we need your support Northern! This year, we are partnering with Leaside Toy Drive, a volunteer based initiative that collects toys and funds for organizations that support children with special needs as well as struggling families this holiday season. Leaside toy drive has a goal of 6000 toys and we need YOU to donate. This is a fantastic cause and we’d love your help to make it a success!
!!! How You Can Help:
- Grade 9 students: Each homeform class should have a special drop-off bag or bin for collecting toy donations. The homeform class that brings in the most toys by December 13th will win a pizza party!
- Grade 10-12 students: A drop-off box will be available in the first floor foyer at lunch until December 13th. Donations can also be left in the drop-off box in the guidance office anytime until December 13th.
If you have any questions or want to learn more about the cause, feel free to email buddies.nss01@gmail.com
Thank you for helping us spread joy to children in need this holiday season!
Northern Talent Show:
Calling all talents! For the first year ever, Northern is having its very own talent show!!
Applications are now open to be on the executive board for this new and exciting project. More info will be sent when auditions for performers will be held!
Google form for exec applications: https://forms.gle/V4TBeD6hGsrPU1v59
YOUNG REPORTERS FOR THE ENVIRONMENT - contest opportunity
Are you interested in environmental journalism? Do you enjoy writing, photography or videography? If so then the Young Reporters for the Environment (YRE) competition is for you! The YRE is an opportunity to showcase your creative skills all while spreading messages about climate change and other environmental issues. The winners of the contest have a chance to receive international recognition! All articles are due March 28, 2025!
All Northern students that submit to the YRE will be added to a Northern raffle to win a FREE NEMO water bottle and tote bag! If you do submit an article, please email blake.parkinson@student.tdsb.on.ca to be added to the raffle.
To learn more about the contest check out this link… https://ecoschools.ca/yre/students/. You can also check out the YRE handbook for tips and tricks… https://drive.google.com/file/d/10Ra3bRmuU-Dhj3mVTgOYZpYiPt94yw3P/view
If you have any questions please email blake.parkinson@student.tdsb.on.ca.
Library:
1) LOST and FOUND
This is a reminder to visit the Library’s Lost and Found bins to find your coats, hats, gloves, water bottles, lunch bags and binders. The last day to look in the Lost and Found will be Tuesday, December 17th, 2024. Lost items will be donated to a Toronto not-for-profit organization.
2) RETURN or RENEW your Library Books and bring back your Day Use Chromebooks
All students with overdue Library materials will be getting an email reminding them to return or renew them. Books can be returned to the Drop Box outside the Library. Chromebooks and chargers borrowed for the day need to be returned to the Circulation Desk.
3) New batches of Chromebooks (aka 1:1 Device Program) for all grades:
If you have ordered a Chromebook, check your school email to find out if it has arrived. We are sending out emails and inviting students to pick up their Chromebooks in the Library when they arrive.
Special Education:
Special Education and Inclusion is pleased to offer a number of learning sessions for staff and parents/guardians/caregivers for the month of December. Please see this flyer.
Exams and Culminating Activities:
Final exams run from January 22-27, 2025. The moratorium period begins on Thursday January 16th. There will be no excursions or athletic events during this period.
Students who require computer exam accommodations received an email to their TDSB student email with a google form.
You can find information about the culminating activities and final exams for each course here (organized by grade) here: NSS Culminating and Final Exam Information Sem 1 2024-2025
You can find a detailed exam schedule here: NSS Exam Schedule - Semester 1 2024-25
The schedule follows this format:
Students will follow their Day 1 schedule as follows for exams:
Wednesday, January 22 - Period 1 Exam
Thursday, January 23 - Period 2 Exam
Friday, January 24 - Period 3 Exam
Monday, January 27 - Period 4 Exam
ALL exams will begin at 10:00 am. Exam duration will vary by subject/year. Looking ahead, students should make sure they eat a good breakfast as they will eat a “late” lunch on these days once exams are over (late relative to our usual 11:40 am lunchtime).
Please take some time to look through our Exam ReadiNSS site for information and resources. More information will be added as exams approach – including some in person exam preparation sessions provided by our student services and special education departments.
CULMINATING TASKS AND EXAMS
Culminating activities and examinations carry the same importance and the same attendance requirement. Thus, attendance during culminating activities is mandatory. Some courses have culminating activities that take place over several days. Thus, attendance during culminating activities/summative evaluations is mandatory. A culminating activity is the final evaluation in each course which is worth 30% of the final mark. “This evaluation will be based on evidence from one or a combination of the following: an examination, a performance, an essay and/or another method of evaluation suitable to the course content” (p.41-Growing Success). Students who miss culminating activities or summative evaluations will be given a mark of zero for the portion missed with no opportunity to make up the missed work unless there is an extenuating and documented circumstance, such as a medical situation, court date, funeral etc. It is absolutely crucial that students do not miss any time during the end of a semester. Under Ministry of Education and TDSB regulations, there can be no accommodations made for students who miss the 30% culminating activities and summative evaluations at the end of a semester for personal reasons such as vacation or work. Students and parents should be aware that scheduled vacations at this time can significantly impact student achievement. With the exception of a medical emergency, all summative tests and assignments that are missed as a result of these absences will be assigned a mark of zero.
Winter Well-Being Guide 2024-2025
The Winter Well-Being Guide 2024-2025 is now available. The Guide is prepared by the Mental Health and Well-Being Committee, In collaboration with the Mental Health Leads and the System Leader for Mental Health and PSS. The Winter Well-Being Guide 2024-2025 offers updated, culturally relevant, and responsive resources to support students and parents/caregivers/guardians in fostering mental and physical wellness during the winter months. It also includes specific supports tailored for students with disabilities and complex needs.
Black Student Summer Leadership Program
The Black Student Summer Leadership Program (BSSLP) offers Black high school students a transformative, paid opportunity to gain hands-on experience, develop professional skills, engage in Youth Participatory Action Research, and expand their networks in a variety of fields. Students are paired with mentors and organizations that match their passions, fostering growth in a supportive environment. (See flyer)
Program Features:
- Mentorship & Training: Receive guidance from experienced professionals and gain skills for future careers.
- Career Pathways: Explore industries where Black individuals are underrepresented, including arts, communications, tech, public health, skilled trades, and more.
- Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR): Build critical thinking and advocacy skills while addressing issues affecting your community and school.
- Career Development: Grow professional networks and develop transferable skills to set you up for success.
The BSSLP empowers students to build the skills and confidence needed for future academic and career success while making a positive impact in their communities.
Key Details:
· Eligibility: Black students in Grades 10-12, 16 years old by July 1, 2025
· Information session on December 10, 2024 - Click here to register https://bit.ly/BSSLPIS
· Application opens: December 13, 2024
· Application closes: January 10, 2025
· TDSB students can apply here - https://bit.ly/BSSLP2025
· Click here to view flyer
Don’t miss this exciting opportunity. Apply today and take the first step toward your future!
School Council:
1. Thank a Teacher As the calendar year draws to a close, we encourage all Northern students and families to think about Northern staff who have made a difference to them this school year and consider sending a note of thanks. Who has really made an impact for you?
2. Feedback Please! Each year we develop a School Statement of Needs that would be used to guide the selection of a new principal, should that become necessary. Please review our draft at https://nsscouncil.com/school-council/# If we have left out anything, please send your suggestions to nss.school.council@gmail.com We will be accepting comments until December 13th.
4. Understanding and Managing Teen Anxiety – A Virtual Workshop for Parents - January 16th, 2025 7:00-8:00pm. Leaside High School Council has once again extended an invitation to Northern Families for the second part of their series on Teen Mental Health - Understanding and Managing Teen Anxiety. This workshop is designed to help parents understand the factors that contribute to, sustain, and worsen anxiety, while equipping them with effective strategies to reduce it. Together, we’ll explore different forms and expressions of anxiety, provide practical parenting techniques to loosen anxiety’s grip on your teens and boost their confidence, and we will address your questions about managing anxiety and strong emotions—both in your teens and yourselves. We are very fortunate to have Drs. Michele Foster & Nina Mafrici, clinical psychologists and the co-directors of Toronto Psychology & Wellness Group (TPWG), lead this workshop. Click here to RSVP and to receive the meeting link.
Northern Secondary School Foundation: Giving Tuesday Dec 3rd 2024
Season’s Greetings from the Northern Secondary School Foundation. May your holiday season bring many moments of peace and joy!
Your support has enabled us to
- Honour outstanding student achievement in our scholarship program
- Help fund new student initiatives in Robotics
- Recognize excellence in teaching and learning
- It’s not too late to make a charitable tax donation to the Foundation and receive a tax receipt. To donate go to www.nssf.ca/donate and help us continue our work in 2025.
For more information contact us at info@nssf.ca
Connect with us on insta @northernssfoundation.
Guidance Updates:
- December’s Wellness Theme is “Acts of Kindness”
- Acts of Kindness Quote of the Week: -"Kindness is a universal currency, spend it all." NSS Writer’s Craft students Amelia Shlagbaum, Ellie Osmond, Petra Gallant, Luka Hodgson, & Noa Levy
- Save The Date: It is ALMOST that time of year again, time to start thinking about course selection. Course selection for the 2025-2026 school year will begin in February 2025.
- Semester 2 Night School Registration:
Registration opens December 3rd, 2024 at 10:00 AM.
Registration closes on January 31st, 2025 at 10:00 AM.
Space is limited. Courses are only offered remotely in a synchronous (live) format on Google Meet or Microsoft Teams.
Registration and course offerings can be found here: Night School Website
Full Credit Night School/Remedial Night School:
Full credit courses run twice per week, on Mondays/Wednesdays or Tuesday/Thursdays from 6:00-9:00 PM.
Remedial math courses are also being offered for students who were unsuccessful in earning their math credit. Remedial classes are 1.5 hours, twice per week, and can be found under ‘full credit’ registration.
Credit Recovery:
Credit recovery courses are offered for students that have been unsuccessful in earning a credit within the last two (2) years. Credit recovery courses are delivered synchronously (live) online once per week from 6:00-9:00 PM.
Please reach out to your guidance counsellor have any questions or concerns.
- Semester 2 TDSB e-Learning Course Registration OPENED 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.
- 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!
- IMPORTANT Volunteering Information:
PLEASE NOTE: Events and activities supporting a not-for-profit initiative/organization are approved. If you are unsure if your activities supports a not-for-profit program, please see your Guidance counsellor for approval of the volunteering initiative. For more information about the TDSB’s policy on Volunteering, click here. Students: for volunteering information and opportunities, please visit your Guidance Google classroom or www.volunteertoronto.ca. You can find the TDSB Community Involvement form here.
- Online Graduation Requirement – Information and Opt-Out Form.
Looking for information about the Ontario Ministry Online Learning graduation requirement? Please click here. Overview Info: Students may withdraw/opt out of this new requirement and graduate with an OSSD if you have decided now to withdraw from the graduation requirement, please complete the TDSB Opt Out/Withdrawal Form and return it to your Guidance Counsellor.
- Mental Wellness Resource Document
If you are experiencing an emergency, please call 911.
Have a great weekend!
Adam Marshall
Principal
Follow me @PrincipalNSS