Dear Northern Families,
Happy Friday. We have had a productive day so far with staff engaged in all sorts of professional learning and school improvement work. With it being a long weekend, I want to wish everyone a relaxing long weekend with friends and family – and a great opportunity to watch some Olympics!
- want to acknowledge that Northern is has Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in British Columbia in our thoughts this week. A very difficult tragedy to comprehend.
Student Nutrition Program - Cobs Bread Yonge & Davisville @ 1969 Yonge St - From Feb 7 - March 8 2026, Cobs Bread is running a fundraiser for Northern to help support Northern’s School Nutrition Program. 3 ways to support. Check out the flyer here: Doughnation!
Line 5 is Finally Open!
The TTC has asked me to share some communication regarding conduct and payment on the system. Please note that fines can be occurred for any of the following:
TTC Safety & Delay Awareness for Students- The TTC continues to experience service delays, with the most common cause being patron‑related incidents such as disorderly behavior and track intrusions. These types of incidents create the most significant lost time across the subway system and can shut down stations or entire lines for long periods.
TTC Fare Tips:
- Youths ages 16-19: Must carry high school Photo ID, a driver’s license, or Ontario Photo Card when travelling on the TTC.
- Using a Presto card is the best option for paying fares. You can get a free card through the Presto App or pay $4 at the nearest Presto Fare Vending Machine for a physical card. If you make a round trip within 2 hours, it will only count as 1 fare when using a payment card.
Students are reminded to:
- Say NO to tail-gating
- Do not charge the Presto fare gates. One student at a time.
- Stay behind the yellow line and avoid any horseplay on platforms.
- Never step near the tracks - even brief track intrusions trigger full safety shutdowns.
- Keep doors clear and avoid holding or blocking them, as this causes system-wide delays.
- Follow TTC staff directions and listen for announcements during disruptions.
By being alert and respectful while travelling, students help keep the TTC safe and moving smoothly for everyone.
The student calendar can be found here: 2025-2026 Northern School Calendar . Any additions made will be highlighted for a two week period throughout the year. Also see the creed and holy day calendar for your reference (non-board calendar).
The student handbook can be found here: Student Handbook
Things to Know for Next Week:
Monday: Family Day- School Closed
Tuesday: Pay It Forward- Period 3 in Library
Wednesday: Late Start PLC
Wednesday: OSAP and Financing Post-Secondary @ Lunch (details below)
Wednesday: STEM Alumni Panel @5-9pm
Thursday: ESL Potluck from 6-8pm (details below)
From the ESL Department:
We are excited to invite you to our MLL/DHH Parent/Guardian Options Potluck on Thursday, February 19th, 6:00 - 8:00 PM in the Staff Lounge.
Please join us for an information session about course selection, graduation requirements and more! Bring a small amount of food (appetizer, main dish or desert) to add to our potluck if you wish. MLL & DHH Parents/Guardians and their students are invited and encouraged to come for this informative and helpful event.
We hope to see you there!
Please RSVP through this Options Potluck Google Form or email [email protected]
STEM Alumni Panel - Wednesday Feb 18th
The NSS Science Department is excited for our upcoming STEM Alumni Panel on Wednesday Feb 18th. It will take place at Northern starting at 5:30pm. Check out the event poster here and the schedule for the evening.
We have lined up some amazing panelists (click here to meet the panelists) who will be divided into 3 different rooms; Exploring pathways in Biological and Chemical Sciences, Medicine and Health, and Math, Engineering and Physics.
If you plan to come to the event please sign up using this Google Form. This event is open to the entire NSS community. It promises to be a great event, we look forward to seeing you there on Wednesday!
Mainstage:
Dear Northern families,
🩷 Omigod You Guys! 🩷 We are reaching out to you for help for the Legally Blonde Musical at Northern SS! Putting together a show is no small feat, neither is bringing back the musical spirit from many years ago. To make our production a smash hit, we would like your help with the following:
- Sponsorships: Your generosity will be recognized with an ad in our programme that will be distributed to the audience on the show nights.
- Donations: Providing supplies for our sets, costumes, props, hairstyling, makeup, or even printing the programme. Currently, we are looking for salon chairs and salon equipment that you can lend us or donate for the rehearsals and show nights in April.
Please note that performances are April 29th and 30th in the auditorium.
If you have any questions or can help us with donations or the services mentioned above, feel free to contact one of the staff supervisors Trevor Wang at [email protected].
Thank you!
The Legally Blonde Musical team & The Drama Council
Math Homework Help
Is your child having trouble in math?
Please encourage them to attend the Math HW Club.
There is free drop-in extra help with peer tutors and a math teacher every day at lunch in room 108.
EQAO Literacy Session for Families: Focus on Writing:
Join us for a free live webinar about how EQAO assesses students’ writing skills at key stages of their education. EQAO staff will discuss writing prompts and questions from the reading component of the primary- and junior-division assessments and from the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test. Participants will hear how these prompts and questions help assess the skills students are learning in class. Staff will also highlight valuable insights and resources that can help parents and guardians support their child’s learning.
Dates: Feb. 3, Feb. 10, Mar. 25
https://eqao.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_F3XF343SQve5ZGR6fEfLoA#/registration
Yearbook:
Grade Surveys: Do you want to have your voice heard in the Yearbook? Submit our grade surveys by Friday, February 20th: https://forms.gle/ikvHzv9GoEAQNCq47
Grad Quotes: Submissions are officially open! Submit a quote that you would like displayed next to your grad photo by Friday, March 13th: https://forms.gle/vx4KPHXzWrGMETBk6
Name Change Request: To any students who believe the name that may appear in the yearbook under their student portrait is not their preferred name, please fill out this name change request form by Friday, February 20th: https://forms.gle/VdUF3rCPb61nL7zRA
Setting Up a PIN for Reporting Student Absences
Setting up a PIN would ensure that your child’s absences are reported accurately. Families are strongly encouraged to set up a Personal Identification Number (PIN) by following these instructions. Download the SchoolMessenger App from the Google Play or Apple App Store or via the website: go.schoolmessenger.ca. When registering, be sure to use your email account linked to our Student Information System.
Library Learning Commons
LIBRARY CLOSURE: Wednesday, February 18 - Periods 1, 2, 3 & 4
for the annual Canada Computing Competition
→ circulation desk open: Printing and borrowing available
→ no spares, no classes
Northern Food Program:
If you would like to donate to our Snack/Lunch Program:
To donate please use the link below:
https://tfss.ca/donate/schoolsites-snp/
Select Northern Secondary School so your donation helps the students here at Northern!
If you have any questions, please email [email protected]
School Council:
Want to find parent tips, supports for you and your student, and the latest events for parents at Northern and beyond? Come visit our updated and easy-to-use School Council website! Made for parents, by parents. nsscouncil.com
Upcoming Events:
Walking Buddies - Saturday February 14th 2026 at 9:30 am. Join us for a relaxing one-hour walk through Mt. Pleasant Cemetery – every second weekend at 9:30am. Meet at the Funeral Centre parking lot (Dogs welcome) to get your steps in, strengthen your connection to the Northern SS Community, and enjoy the autumn weather. Please let us know that you are coming by emailing us at: [email protected] with “Walking buddies” in the subject line. Upcoming dates:
Sunday, March 01
Saturday March 14
Grade 9 Parents and Caregivers Social (all welcome) - Saturday February 21 2026. Who doesn’t enjoy a good coffee connect. Meet other parents and carers in the community supporting our students success at Northern. Join us at Daphne’s Antioch Café (620 Mt. Pleasant Rd) at 9 am.
Northern Caring and Safe Committee - Next and last meeting May 13th. This past week’s meeting discussed vaping and washrooms along with a review of a draft survey regarding lockdown procedures and readiness. Further details will be communicated by the Caring and Safe Committee.
To join our mailing list please complete this form.
To receive news "for parents, by parents," email: [email protected] with the subject line “Count me in.”
Follow us on Instagram: @nss_council. If you have ideas, questions, or would like to get involved in the work of the School Council, email us at [email protected]. We would love to hear from you!
Reporting Student Absences:
Option 1:
Option 2:
- Call the automated attendance system: 1-833-250-2290.
- Use your phone number linked to our Student Information System.
Option 3:
- Call the main office line: 416-393-0270.
Option 4*:
- Email the Office Assistant associated with your child’s last name:
- *Please note that option 4 may not prevent a call from the automated SafeArrivals phone system.
Setting Up a PIN for Reporting Student Absences
Setting up a PIN would ensure that your child’s absences are reported accurately. Families are strongly encouraged to set up a Personal Identification Number (PIN) by following these instructions. Download the SchoolMessenger App from the Google Play or Apple App Store or via the website: go.schoolmessenger.ca. When registering, be sure to use your email account linked to our Student Information System.
Guidance:
- Course Selection Upcoming Dates:
Tues. Feb 17 – Wed Feb 25, 2026 –Students complete course selection in myBlueprint.ca/tdsb & meet with their guidance counsellor as needed
Wed. Feb 25, 2026 – myBlueprint.ca/tdsb Course Selection DUE, including the parent approval
- Financing Post-Secondary & OSAP Workshop: Wed. Feb.18, 2026 at lunch in rm 111.
Come to room 111 at the start of lunch to learn more about how OSAP works and tips for planning your finances for post secondary.
- NSS Mental Wellness Theme: February’s Wellness theme is “Setting Intentions”!
The WHY of it: once we connect to our intentions and what’s important to us, we are able to align our behaviours with what we naturally value.
- The Government of Ontario has launched My Career Journey, a new digital portal designed to help students navigate postsecondary options and career pathways with confidence.
What students can do with this tool:
Get a Personalized Resource Guide: By completing a quick survey, students receive a custom list of education and career resources sent directly to their inbox.
Explore Postsecondary Institutions: An interactive map of every university, college, and Indigenous Institute in Ontario.
Identify In-Demand Careers: Regional maps and data highlighting where the jobs are by industry and sector.
Access Labour Market Insights: Detailed profiles including median salaries, required training, and current job posting trends.
- Summer Mentorship Program
Gives high school students in grades 10-11, who self-identify as Indigenous or Black, a chance to explore health sciences at U of T over four weeks in July. Upon completion participants receive a stipend of $1600.
MORE INFO HERE
- Reach Ahead to Kinesiology
FREE March Break program for Black and Indigenous youth that offers hands-on workshops, interactive activities, meaningful connections with professors and staff, and opportunities to receive mentorship from currently enrolled Black, Indigenous and other racialized students.
CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE
- 2025-2026 Scholarship Update: Northern has subscribed to the Seeking Scholarships Report, which has fantastic information and resources for students on available scholarships, financial aid, and application tips. Northern students and families can access the December Newsletter update which is now posted on the website.
For access to The Scholarship Report Library, please follow the instructions below:
Login here. Click on the LOGIN tab.
Password: SEPTSCHOLAR25
Click 'Dashboard' and then click on the TSR Newsletters
This resource is copyrighted and should not be shared outside the NSS Community.
- It's time for Grade 12 students to begin planning out which scholarships they would like to apply for!
Many major university scholarships have deadlines in Semester 1 or early Semester 2, and some require a Northern nomination. The following link is a general list of scholarships, including ones that require an NSS nomination: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ELN7YYaXVtQSYNHeL2n5t_yF8wTzO5WlVJUgyii1MM8/edit?usp=sharing
A webinar from Seeking Scholarships for Grade 12 Students, Funding Postsecondary Education (40:34), has been posted. There is also a Handout providing links to resources mentioned in the workshop.
To access the webinar, login to The Scholarship Report Library as usual: Click here. Password: SEPTSCHOLAR25. When you're in the Library, click on the Webinars category and enter this Password to view the webinars: FUNDING2526
- The NSS Thrive Guide is a tool created and shared with classes to help students think about how they are participating in high school WITH INTENTION. Any questions, please speak to your guidance counsellor!
- Student Services Google Classrooms: Want info updated info about scholarships, volunteer opportunities, post-secondary visits, etc.? Students, please ensure you are registered in your grade’s Student Services Google Classroom. This is where we share all our important information throughout the year.
- Grade 9 Google Classroom code: 3wvfe4kf
- Grade 10 Google Classroom code: bedkqks
- Grade 11 Google Classroom code: x6sh4ue
- Grade 12 Google Classroom code: 4ixv2jl
Booking a Guidance Appointment: Students can BOOK directly and/or REQUEST an appointment with their Guidance Counsellor or our Student Success teachers through our GuidanceInterview platform.
Link: https://guidanceinterview.com/s/nss
Username: Student Number
Password: YYYY-MM-DD (date of birth)
2025-2026 Guidance Counsellors by Last Name Alpha:
[email protected], X20046, Alpha Last Names: A, E, F, I, P
[email protected], X 20041, Alpha Last Names: B, C
[email protected], X 20042, Alpha Last Names: D, G, J, T, Z
[email protected], X 20045, Alpha Last Names: H, K, L
[email protected], X 20043, Alpha Last Names: M, N, O, Q, R
[email protected], X 20044, Alpha Last Names: S, U, V, W, X, Y
Mental Wellness Resource Document
If you are experiencing an emergency, please call 911.
Have a great long-weekend!
Adam Marshall- Principal