Dear Northern Families,

There are 13 school days left until you receive your 70% coursework back on Wednesday June 11. This means you need to get work in ASAP so that teachers can grade and return it by this date. Exams are just a week later, starting June 18^th.

Please do manage your time well and prioritize your studies for this final push of the school year!

 

The student calendar can be found here: 2024-2025 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: Spring Athletic Assembly (Period 1 by invitation)

Wednesday: Late Start @9:55

Thursday: Northern Lights Arts and Tech Show 6-8:30pm (details below)

Friday: Prom!

 

Northern Lights Arts & Tech Interactive Exhibition

Come and join us on Thursday, May 29th for our annual Arts & Tech Interactive Exhibition! Throughout the school there will be performances, art exhibits, tech demonstrations and workshops. Doors open at 6:00 and the show runs from 6:30-8:30. Entry is by voluntary contribution. Please see this Poster

 

Spring Athletic Assembly

If you played a sport at Northern this year in the fall, winter or spring you are welcome to attend the Spring Athletic Assembly on Tuesday May 27 during period 1 in the auditorium. You will need to pick up an admission ticket from the South or North gym on Monday all day or Tuesday morning before class in order to attend!

 

Tennis

Congratulations to the following Tennis players who won medals at Tennis City Championships -Nolan C. won gold in High School Boys Singles, Sebastian B. and Stephanie S. won silver in Open Mixed Doubles. Good luck to our medalists as they compete at OFSAA on June 2nd-4th

 

SAC Carnival:

577. have moved the SAC Carnival to Tuesday June 3^rd on account of the unseasonable weather today. It will take place on the back field during an EXTENDED LUNCH, so be sure to check it out!! will have everything from a teacher dunk tank to face paint, and more! Please remember to bring your student ID to get in! Also, don’t forget to bring sunscreen, water, and money for all the delicious food! All Carnival games and SAC snacks are FREE, and you can buy meals from clubs like GreekNSS and BlackNSS. We are looking forward to a safe and fun event for all!

 

BAA intramural Spike Ball:

Starts on Monday - May 26^th at lunch on the back field. For those teams that signed up check out the playing days bracket on display in the first floor foyer. See you there.

 

Roadmap to Digital Safety:

Great information, learning and tips about digital safety as well as food and giveaways! Parents/families/caregivers and guardians can register in the attached flyer . The link to register is also here Social Media and Safety: A Parents' Roadmap as well as details about the event below:

Aligned with TDSB’s policies on responsible technology use, including social media and cellphone guidelines, this event aims to equip parents/caregivers/guardians with strategies to navigate their children's digital engagement. We encourage you to share this opportunity with your school communities, ensuring families have the tools to support safe and balanced technology use (see PPM 128 & TDSB resources on Addressing Inappropriate Social Media).

For an engaging Social Media Safety Night for Parents on May 26^th, from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM at Westview Centennial S.S. located at 755 Oakdale Road, Toronto. Toronto Police Services (Child Exploitation Unit) as well as TDSB partners will be presenting. TDSB Professional Support Services staff including community partners such as Youth Outreach Workers (YOW’s) will also be present.

This evening will include:

1. Practical strategies for navigating social media risks
2. Open discussion on online safety
3. Take-home resources and giveaways
4. Food and childcare

 

Model UN Executive Applications:

The application deadline is Friday, May 24th at 11:59 PM, and interviews will begin the week of May 27th. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1mUIC1703RizymRccZpQp14gzsuzxd0F9TBuYGRv3v24/edit

 

 

Library Learning Commons:

LIBRARY Closed for Ethics Bowl - Tuesday, May 27 → no spares; circulation desk open: Printing and borrowing available.

Return your Overdue Chromebooks, USB chargers and Library Books!

• It’s time to start hunting for those overdue items from the Northern Secondary School Library.
• Students who have overdue Library technology and/or books have received an email notification with a list of what is overdue.
• If the Library door is closed, books can be left in the DROP BOX outside.

All Library tech and book loans are due before the end of semester on June 12th, 2025.

 

Upcoming Parent/Guardian/Caregiver Engagement Session: Strategies and resources to support students with ADHD

Special Education and Inclusion will host a session to explore strategies and resources to support students diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

Date: Wednesday, May 28, 2025
Time: 10:00 am - 11:30 am

Date: Thursday, May 29, 2025
Time: 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

Please see this flyer for more information.

 

Final Exams

Final exams run from June 18-23, 2025. The moratorium period begins on Thursday June 12. There will be no excursions or athletic events during this period.

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 2 2025.

You can find a detailed exam schedule here: NSS Exam Schedule - Semester 2 2024-25

The schedule follows this format:

Students will follow their Day 1 schedule as follows for exams:

Wednesday, June 18 - Period 1 Exam

Thursday, June 19 - Period 2 Exam

Friday, June 20 - Period 3 Exam

Monday, June 23 - 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.

 

School Council:

Walking Buddies - Saturday, May 24th 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.

Help Wanted: The Student Nutrition Program is looking for three new Parent Volunteers for the 2025/2026 school year. This program offers free healthy lunches to registered students throughout the school year. The time commitment is 10:30-12:30 one or more days a week to prepare and serve food to students. A vulnerable sector police check is required, which is why the process starts well in advance of the next school year. If you are interested, please email april.vibert@tdsb.on.ca

Youth ADHD Peer-facilitated Support Group: Age 16-24 - May 28 and June 25, 2025 at 8:00 pm. CADDAC is excited to offer virtual support groups led by CADDAC-trained peer facilitators. Each session will offer a brief educational component to help relate a chosen topic to ADHD (i.e.. Procrastination; sleep; advocacy; etc.) Based on the topic and information shared, participants are then invited to discuss how this relates to them, share strategies and to offer support to peers with similar lived experience. Our wonderful team of facilitators is there to provide a safe and inclusive space for you to listen, share, and feel validated. Registration is required.

 

Northern Secondary School Foundation:

New Grade 12 Awards: Business: The Donald Little Memorial Award in Business

We have recently received funding to provide an Award for a student in each of the Grade 12 Business courses- Accounting, International Business, Business Leadership, Sports and Entertainment Marketing and Financial Services.

Criteria:Demonstrated academic achievement, and financial need.

Apply at nssf.ca/scholarship from May 26-June 2, 2025

For more information contact info@nssf.ca

 

City of Toronto Information on Lyme Disease

Over the last several years, we have information about Blacklegged Ticks and the spread of Lyme Disease. According to the Lyme Disease – City of Toronto: “The risk of contracting Lyme disease in Toronto, is considered to be low but has been increasing. The risk of Lyme disease can be decreased by preventing tick bites, early detection and removal of ticks.”

Ticks are typically found in grassy, brushy, or wooded areas, and can also be found on animals. They are often found in areas with trees, shrubs, grass, woodpiles, and piles of leaves. Common locations include yards, lawns, and areas where forests or wooded areas meet lawns or gardens. This includes school yards.

Please find information on how to prevent tick bites and Lyme disease below. This information can be shared with your school community.

• Wear light-coloured clothing so ticks are easy to see
• Cover up by wearing closed footwear and tucking pants into socks
• Use a repellent that contains DEET or Icaridin and follow the manufacturer’s directions
• Perform full-body checks on yourself, children, and pets
• When you get home, put your clothes in the dryer on high heat for at least 10 minutes before washing them
• Find out how Lyme disease is identified and treated
• Find out how to reduce ticks around your home

 

Guidance Updates:

1. May’s Wellness Theme is “How to Help: Bethere.org

Just talking about mental health isn’t enough. We need the knowledge, skills and confidence to step up and be there for one another. Please check out: Bethere.org!

Bethere.org has 5 Golden Rules:

Rule #3: Hear Them Out - Learn to be a good listener and balance the conversation

Rule #2: Show You Care – How to build trust and support someone. Rule #1: Say What you See – How to break the ice and start the conversation.

2. OSAP Applications are now OPEN for the 2025-2026 school year: www.osap.on.ca for more information.

Recently, the Guidance Department held a lunch presentation on How to Pay for Post-Secondary, here's the slide deck from that presentation. You will find the following topics within:

• OSAP: when to apply, how it works, what you need etc.
• Student Loans: how to bridge the gap if OSAP is not enough
• The difference between OSAP and Student Loans

Feel free to come to the Guidance Office if you have any questions!

3. TDSB Summer School Options:
   1. Registration for 2025 e-Summer School Program will OPEN on Tuesday, April 15 at 10:00 AM for TDSB students.
   2. Registration for 2025 ConEd Summer programs will OPEN April 22, 2025 at 10:00 a.m.
   3. Continuing Education (ConEd) and e-Summer are two separate departments. e-Summer Information here

• Registration for 2025 e-Summer School Program will tentatively OPEN on Tuesday, April 15 at 10:00 AM for TDSB students.
• asynchronous online e-learning
• July and August courses available
• Grade 11 and 12 courses
• July e-Learning Key Dates: July e-Learning registration closes June 3, 2025
• August e-Summer Key Dates – Registration closes July 4, 2025.

ConEd Information here

• Registration for 2025 ConEd Summer programs will OPEN April 22, 2025 at 10:00 a.m.
• Full Credit Course Registration will CLOSE June 17, 2025 at 10:00 a.m.
• TDSB Credit Recovery will CLOSE June 27, 2025.
• ConEd Summer School classes will be held from July 2 to July 25, 2025 - Monday to Friday, from 8:45 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.
• These classes are available only in July.
• ConEd Remote Learning: All Grade 9 and 10 credit courses will be delivered through synchronous online learning.
• ConEd In-Person Learning: All Grade 9 to 12 credit courses, students will attend face-to-face classes with a teacher.
• Summer School In Person Sites/Locations

4. Seeking Scholarships has released their April Scholarship Report which has upcoming scholarship dates listed for students applying to post-secondary programs in all areas, and there are tons of helpful resources around applying to OSAP as well.

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

5. IMPORTANT Volunteering Information:

NSS Volunteer & Community Involvement Policy:

Guidance has been working with Admin to finalise the NSS Volunteer & Community Involvement Policy.

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.

6. 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.

7. Mental Wellness Resource Document

If you are experiencing an emergency, please call 911.

 

Have a great weekend!

Adam Marshall

Principal

Follow me @PrincipalNSS