Dear Northern Families,

If you are a future Northern student/ parent/ guardian this will be the first of our weekly bulletins you will receive. While you still have several months before arriving, this bulletin will give you a bit of a taste of what lies ahead.

To everyone celebrating, Eid Adha Mubarak!

We had an amazing SAC (Student Activity Council) Carnival Tuesday at lunch. Student groups made many contributions through food stations, club activity stations, and more. Thank You to all the staff and students that helped make it happen, and for everyone that came out to enjoy the festivities!

On Wednesday evening our Buddies and other student leaders welcomed our incoming grade 9’s to the school. We had a great turnout and energy at the event! Thank You to Ms. Stassis and Ms. Vibert for making the evening such a success.

Last week’s grade 12 prom was another amazing night. 500 students and their guests were fantastic party-goers. The prom committee and Ms. Beach deserve endless kudos for putting on such an amazing event.

Exams are less than 2 weeks away. Students you should be spending serious time preparing for your culminating activities INCLUDING exams this weekend. Don’t leave review too late!

As the school year comes to a close, families may feel a mix of excitement and the need for extra support. The TDSB Summer 2025 Well-Being Guide is here to help, offering culturally responsive and identity-affirming resources to support the mental well-being of both students and families throughout the summer.

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: Athletic Banquet

Wednesday: 70% coursework returned to students

Thursday: Moratorium Begins

 

Tennis

After 3 competitive days at OFSAA Tennis - Congratulations to Sebastian B. and Stephanie S. who won silver in Open Mixed Doubles. Also, congratulations to Nolan C. for making it to semis in Boys Singles. What a wonderful season Tennis has had this year.

 

OSSLT Spring Results

• Spring OSSLT results are in and Individual Student Reports will be available for pick up next week.
• Students are asked to come to the auditorium at lunch on Monday, Thursday, or Friday to pick up their results.

 

Graduating Students – TDSB 1:1 Device Collection:

All Grade 12 students participating in the Student Device Program are expected to return their Chromebook prior to June 30 to the administrative offices at Northern. Grade 12 students taking a TDSB-provided summer course will be able to retain their device. Students taking a summer course will be required to complete an agreement that includes returning the device in good working order to their home school prior to September 1, 2025. The agreement will be shared digitally with Grade 12 students registered for a TDSB summer course in mid-June and this data provided to schools.

 

What is Smishing?

Smishing or "SMS Phishing" is a cyberattack in which scammers use text messages (SMS) to trick individuals into disclosing personal information, such as passwords, contact information, SIN number, credit card details, or asking you to click on a link. These messages often seem legitimate, making them hard to spot.

How to Identify Smishing Attempts:

1. Unexpected Messages: All the Smishing attacks are delivered from unsolicited texts, especially those claiming to be from banks, delivery services, or government bodies. These messages often come from unfamiliar area codes, making them easier to spot.

2. Urgent Language: Smishing messages often create a sense of urgency, whether to tell you that there is an outstanding fee, hacked bank account, or any information that is used to trick you. Scammers use urgency as a tactic to make individuals act fast without thinking.

3. Suspicious Links: Avoid clicking on links in text messages unless you are certain they are legitimate. Before clicking anything or responding it is always a good practice to go to the application itself or “Googling” the website yourself, never solely trust a text message.

4. Requests for Personal Information: Legitimate organizations will never ask for sensitive information via text.

What Can You Do to Avoid Smishing?

1. Smishing Awareness: Stay up to date about the latest Smishing tactics, Delete and Report Junk any Smishing attempt and educate others.

2. Verify Before Acting: Always verify the authenticity of a message by contacting the organization directly from a trusted method.

3. Use Latest Software Updates: Ensure your mobile device’s software is up to date. This helps detect and block malicious messages.

4. Be cautious with what you share on Social Media: Ensure that you are disclosing minimal information about yourself in social media, this mitigates what the scammers could use to trick you.

You can protect yourself, friends, and family about these Smishing attacks by being Please take a moment to watch this helpful short video using the link below:

Smishing Defense: 3 Tips

Following these best practices will help minimize potential risks and allow you to stay productive and cyber safe.

 

 

Library Learning Commons:

1. Upcoming Library closures:

DABR Class Presentations Thursday, June 12 - Period 3

→ no spares, no classes; circulation desk open, Printing available.

EQAO Math Practice: Friday, June 13 - Periods 1, 2, 3 & 4

→ no spares, no classes; circulation desk open: Printing and borrowing available.

EQAO Math Assessments: Monday June 16 and Tuesday June 17 - Periods 1, 2, 3 & 4

→ circulation desk closed; NO printing, NO borrowing, NO Chromebook loans

→ Library circulation desk open: 8:30-8:50; 12:00-12:30

2. Final date* to return school Library books: June 16, 2025.

→ put overdue books into the BOOK RETURN slot outside the Library doors

*If you need to keep the book to complete an assignment, please talk to a Teacher-Librarian.

3. Get ready for Summer Reading!

• TDSB Virtual Library: find eBooks, Audiobooks, enhanced eBooks throughout the summer
• Looking for great reads? Take a look at 2025’s The List, from the Toronto Public Library. This is a year-round resource that offers book recommendations curated by TPL youth librarians and includes youth reviews.

 

Special Education:

Transition Tuesdays – Free Online Workshop

Who: New university students and their families
What: A one-hour session covering:

• What to expect in first year
• Tips for academic success
• How to connect with Student Accessibility Services (SAS)

When:

• June 10, 2025 | 5:30–6:30 p.m.
• July 8, 2025 | 5:30–6:30 p.m.
• August 12, 2025 | 5:30–6:30 p.m.

Why attend? Get your questions answered and feel confident starting university.

Register today and take the first step toward a strong university transition!

• Transition Tuesday: June 10, 2025 from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
• Transition Tuesday: July 8, 2025 from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
• Transition Tuesday: August 12, 2025 from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.

Project ADVANCE – In-Person Workshop at York University, Keele Campus

When: August 18–22, 2025
Who: Students registered with Student Accessibility Services at any of the York University campuses
What: A week of workshops to help you:

• Learn strategies for academic success
• Explore York’s campus and services
• Build self-advocacy and wellness skills
• Try out assistive technology and eClass

Bonus: Participants receive a certificate of completion.

To participate: complete the Project ADVANCE Application Form

Apply by: August 11, 2025

Not registered with SAS yet? Visit our New to Our Office page to get started.

For more information about these workshops or other workshops hosted by Student Accessibility Services at York University please visit our Transitioning to University page.

 

 

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.

 

Northern Secondary School Foundation:

We had a record number of applications for our Scholarships and Awards this year.

So impressed with the calibre of applications and the reference letters.

Successful recipients will be notified by email as soon as candidates are selected. Please read the instructions carefully as to how to access your certificate and the funds.

Funds will be e-transferred to the bank account of successful recipients following Commencement on June 26th, 2025.

 

School Council:

Walking Buddies - Sunday, June 7th 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

External Free Resources for Families

Youth ADHD Peer-facilitated Support Group: Age 16-24 - 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.

 

Guidance Updates:

1. June’s Wellness Theme is “Rest and Rejuvenation”

Student are encouraged to check out the NSS Exam Readiness site for tips on Stress Management and Wellness.

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:

e-Summer Information here

• Asynchronous, online e-learning (most flexible option)
• July and August courses available
• Grade 11 and 12 courses
• July e-Learning registration is closed.
• August e-Summer Key Dates – Registration closes July 4, 2025.

Coned Information here

• 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