Dear Northern Families,
Thank You to all who visited yesterday for Parent/Guardian – Teacher Interviews. It is always nice to connect with the support teams from home.
Student Accident Insurance - The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) does not provide accident insurance coverage for student injuries that occur on school premises or during school sponsored activities. Parents/ guardians are responsible for deciding whether or not to purchase student accident insurance.
Here is some information about accident insurance:
Letter: TDSB Student Accident Insurance Letter
Flyer: Student Accident Plan Flyer
Website: Student Accident Plan

ALERT! TIME SENSITIVE!!! Do you have a broken TDSB Chromebook*? ACTION REQUIRED!!
Bring it to the Library ASAP before April 2nd to send it in for repairs. See Juli or KJ for help with submitting your device when you visit. The TDSB IT department will determine if the device is repairable.
* The Chromebook must have a blue label with “TDSB 1:1 Student Device Program” on the bottom in order to be eligible. (This does not apply to SEA claim computers. If SEA Claim student devices are broken, please take them to Ms. Yakubu in Special Education ARC Room 112).

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 to Tuesday: OSSLT
Tuesday: Euclid Math Contest
Wednesday: Fryer, Galois, Hyptia Math Contests
Friday: School Closed (school also closed the following Monday- 4 day weekend)

Northern Buddy Program Applications - Now Open!
The Northern Buddy Program is a leadership program dedicated to creating a welcoming and inclusive community for all Northern students. This program is an amazing way to make a positive impact in our school and develop strong leadership skills. Applications for Buddies are officially open this week, and close Tuesday, March 31st. We are looking for a diverse team of dedicated individuals who bring different strengths and experiences to support our mission. The application form can be found here, on our Instagram @northernbuddyprogram, as well as through QR Codes posted around the school. Additionally, FAQs about the Buddies Program and application process can be found on our Buddies’ Guide to Northern Website. We can’t wait to see everyone’s submissions!

SAC
HEY NORTHERN!! The Spring SAC Store is officially open! This is your last chance this year to grab limited-edition Northern merch. Be sure to purchase through SchoolCashOnline before APRIL 17 at 11:59 PM! Happy shopping!
Graduating students Prom 2026 is fast approaching. Stay tune for more information to roll out next week. A reminder:
Northern Secondary School Prom 2026
Friday, May 29th, 2026, 6-11 pm
Parkview Manor
School cash online opens April 1st.

One Love Conference:
On March 24, 7 student delegates from Northern SS attended the TDSB youth conference One Love Midtown, held at John Polanyi C.I. :
Sienna B, Amira B, Sara G, Inaya P, Zielle R, Tiana R, Savannah R
As part of the program, BlackNSS co- presidents Amira B and Savannah R, with the assistance of Sienna B, facilitated a mindfulness workshop.

From Yearbook
Hey Grads! Yearbook Superlative voting is officially OPEN! Don't miss the chance to help decide who will win this year's titles. Submit your votes here: https://forms.gle/1X9uj5gLaF52xuu47
Also, a quick reminder that Grad Quotes are still being accepted. Submit yours today: https://forms.gle/RR8XKLWUCNZa3mhb7
Both forms are due on Friday, April 3rd!

Artwork of the Month:
All staff and students are invited to vote for March’s Artwork of the Month. Open the slide linked here to see the nominees and make your voice heard!

Additional EQAO Math Resources
Please see these archived EQAO questions to share with families in Grade 3, Grade 6, and Grade 9. These links are being shared with teachers through today's tdsbNOW. We are also sharing:
• Weekly questions for Grade 3, Grade 6, and Grade 9
• Answer key for Grade 3, Grade 6, and Grade 9
• Past weekly questions for Grade 3, Grade 6, and Grade 9 that students can still attempt (the SUBMIT YOUR ANSWER link is at the bottom)
Families can view and work through the questions at their own pace, or this package can be printed at the school for families. The answer key is at the end, and students can access support from their teachers or through online tutoring support (for grades 4 to 12) with teachers at TVO Learn Mathify.

Minister’s Certificate of Recognition for Community Involvement
As previously communicated, graduating students who go beyond 40 hours of volunteer work are eligible for the Minister’s Certificate of Recognition for Community Involvement. This new certificate comes in Bronze (50-99), Silver (100-199) and Gold (200+hrs).
Graduating students will have a submission deadline of April 17 to ensure that their certificate will be available for a June commencement. All hours must be recorded in PowerSchool as they are submitted to OnSIS. Hours submitted after April 17 will continue to be accepted; however, those beyond the 40-hour requirement may not lead to a certificate being available at commencement.

Autism Spectrum Disorder Summer Skills Development Program 2026
The TDSB is pleased to offer a specialized summer learning opportunity for students with autism entering grades 4 to 10 in September (currently in grades 3 to 9). The program will run half-days from July 6 to July 30. There will be online and limited in-person classes.
If you are interested please fill out this form by April 17. Spaces in the program are limited, and enrollment is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Library Learning Commons
Library CLOSED for Literacy Test: Wednesday, April 1
9:45am - to 3:15pm
→ circulation desk CLOSED: no Chromebook loans or borrowing available
→ no printing
→ no classes; no spares

EQAO Practice Questions for Grade 9
If your student is taking math this semester, your child will be writing the EQAO assessment in June. Teachers are preparing students in class, and there are some resources provided below for students to try at home.
• Weekly questions for Grade 9
• Answer key for Grade 9
• Past weekly questions for Grade 9 that students can still attempt (the SUBMIT YOUR ANSWER link is at the bottom)
Families can view and work through the questions at their own pace, or this package can be printed at the school for families. The answer key is at the end, and students can access support from their teachers or through online tutoring support (for grades 4 to 12) with teachers at TVO Learn Mathify.

OSSLT
Our grade 10 students taking English this semester have finished Part A of the OSSLT. Part B will be taking place on March 30 and 31. Good luck to our grade 10s!

Northern Semester 2 Final Exams and Culminating Activities
Semester 2 final exams take place on:
Wednesday, June 17 at 10 am Period 1 Classes
Thursday, June 18 at 10 am Period 2 Classes
Friday, June 19 at 10 am Period 3 Classes
Monday, January 22 at 10 am Period 4 Classes
Classroom teachers will share detailed information about Culminating Activates and Final Exams with students.
Please find DRAFT information about culminating activities here: NSS Culminating and Final Exam Information Sem 2 JUNE 2025-2026
Please find a DRAFT version of our exam schedule here: NSS Exam Schedule - Semester 2 JUNE 2025-26
This information will be accurate and final by April 3, 2026.

EARLY EXAM ACCOMMODATIONS: A reminder that accommodations cannot be made for exams. The relevant TDSB policy can be found here:
Under Ministry of Education and TDSB regulations, there can be no accommodations made for students who miss the 30% culminating activities at the end of a semester for personal reasons such as vacation, camp or work. Students and parents should be aware that scheduled vacations/trips at this time can significantly impact student achievement. Students who miss culminating activities will be given a mark of zero for the portion missed with no opportunity to make up for the missed work unless there is an extenuating and documented circumstance, such as a medical situation, court date, funeral, etc.

Social Media & Safety: A Parent's Roadmap - March 30
Parents and caregivers are invited to this evening event to better understand the digital world young people are navigating every day. We will talk openly about online exploitation, sextortion and AI, and harmful digital behaviours, while keeping the focus on practical, realistic ways to support children’s safety and well-being online. This session is about building confidence, not fear. You will leave with clear strategies, conversation starters, and tools to help your child make safer choices, set healthy boundaries, and know when and how to ask for help.
• March 30th from 6 to 8 p.m.
• Taylor Creek P.S. (644 Warden Ave., Scarborough)
• Register here through the Google Form
Food will be served, childcare is available, and community partners will be present. We hope you will join us for an evening of learning, connection, and shared care. Questions? Contact [email protected].

Yearbook:
From Yearbook- Hey Grade 12s! Yearbook Grad Quote submissions are OPEN NOW! Please submit here as soon as possible: https://forms.gle/gju2xisKrxjgGX9d9

NEW PARK DESIGN - Community Consultation
There is a new park coming to 20 Castlefield Ave. (about 15-minute walk from your school)! We have just shared the proposed park design in a newly launched online survey. This is the final piece of community engagement that we will be doing for the park design. The project team has developed a proposed design for the new park, based on what we heard during previous community engagement. In this final phase of engagement, community members can review this proposed design and provide feedback, which will then be used to refine the final design. Visit toronto.ca/20Castlefield to take the online survey by Thursday, April 2, 2026 at 11:45 p.m.

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.

Building Math Confidence in Our Class
We are excited to share that students in grade 9 are participating in weekly EQAO Math practice to strengthen problem-solving skills and build confidence. Here are some links for Math support at home:
• EQAO Questions and Supports on the TDSB website
• TDSB Mathematics for Families & Caregivers page
• Free Math Help Available at TVO Mathify, a free online tutoring service for grades 4 to 12

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

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:
Looking for ways to meet other parents or find the latest information at Northern? Click here to Get Connected on the School Council website.
The Annual Giving Campaign has been a great success. Thanks to our generous parents we have funds still available to support club activities at our high school. If your club is planning an event, project, competition, or other initiative and could benefit from financial support, we encourage you to submit a funding request through our website. All requests will be reviewed, and funds will be distributed based on need and available resources.
Funding Request Form
Student Nutrition Program - Cobs Bread Yonge & Davisville - Well Done!! $1200 was raised. Cobs Bread completed a fundraiser for Northern to help support Northern’s School Nutrition Program. Thanks to all those that were able to contribute. This will make a difference.
Post-secondary parent coffee - Saturday, March 28th at 9:30 am - A great opportunity to connect with other parents, share, and learn more about setting our kids up for the next stage in their journey. RSVP to: [email protected] with Post-Secondary Parent Coffee in the subject line, and we will send you the location.
Walking Buddies - Sunday March 29th 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.
Grade 9 Parents and Caregivers Social (all welcome) - Saturday April 11 2026. 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.
Parent Feedback Opportunity - are you the parent or guardian of a student with disabilities or special education needs in the TDSB? Share your experiences and recommendations with the Special Education Advisory Committee on April 13. Submissions are due April 2nd. Learn more here.
School Council Meeting: Tuesday April 14th 6:30 - 8:00 Heritage Room (Rm 114): All parents and caregivers of Northern students are invited to attend. Each meeting features updates from chairs and committees, the latest school news from the principal, a Q&A with Adam, and time for parents to share ideas or concerns. Meetings are hybrid in format. Virtual links can be requested at [email protected] and they will be emailed by 5pm on the day of the meeting.
In Conversation with Claire Cameron: April 16th: Join us for a conversation with Claire Cameron, winner of the Governor General’s Award 2025 for non-fiction and Northern Alumni (’91) . How to Survive a Bear Attack: A Memoir. This fundraising event is pay-what-you-can to support the work of School Council. Parents, Caregivers, Staff, Students, Alumni and Friends of Northern are all invited. 6:30pm – Doors open and registration, 7:00pm – Event start, 8:30pm – Event conclusion, Add to calendar
Grade 11 parents coffee: Sunday April 19, 11am, Daphne’s Antioch café. Yes. Grade 11. There has been interest in expanding our connection with other parents to share and learn more about other Grade 11 families and setting our kids up for the next stage in their journey. Please join us at 620 Mount Pleasant Road at Daphne's Antioch cafe.
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!

Northern Secondary School Foundation Accepting Applications for Scholarships and Awards March 13-May 3, 2026
Parents/Guardians: Please encourage your graduates to apply for Northern
Northern Alumni have established scholarships to recognize the achievements of Northern students and to show appreciation for their Northern experience..
The Belyk Award for Excellence in Design. Created by Tom Belyk to honour his family’s 50-year association with Northern
Jim Davidson NSS ’76 to recognise leadership in athletic and academic achievement in the Jim W. Davidson Scholarship.
Norman Hayman NSS ‘45 to recognize achievement in math and participation in National Mathematics’ competitions..
The Red Knights through the years to honour legendary teacher and coach with the Clarke Pulford Memorial Award.
Go to nssf.ca/scholarship to learn more about the awards and to submit an application.
Deadline: May 3nd , 2026. For more information contact [email protected]

Guidance:
1. SAVE THE DATE: Northern's Annual Volunteer and Employment Fair
Looking for a summer job? Want to get your 40 hours of mandatory Community Involvement completed?
Join us on Friday April 10th, at lunch (11:40 am - 12:40 pm) on the first floor front foyer to connect with organisations to get it done! Ask questions, gather information, and sign up for opportunities to gain independence and support our community!
2. Minister’s Certificate of Recognition for Community Involvement:
Graduating students who go beyond 40 hours of volunteer work are eligible for the Minister’s Certificate of Recognition for Community Involvement. This new certificate comes in Bronze (50-99 hrs), Silver (100-199 hrs) and Gold (200+hrs).
Due date to submit hours for consideration is Friday April 17th, 2026.
3. TDSB e-Learning registration OPENS April 21, 2026 at 10 am
• Do not wait to sign up as classes fill early!
• Asynchronous learning
• July & August sessions available
• Full credit courses only
• Grade 11 & 12 courses only
• Click here for more information TDSB e-Summer courses
4. TDSB Con Ed Summer School registration OPENS April 28, 2026
• Registration closes June 12, 2026 at 10am
• Synchronous learning – in-person & remote
• July Sessions ONLY
• Full credit, Credit Recovery and remedial Math course available
• Grade 9 – 12 courses available
• Click here for more information about TDSB ConEd Summer School
5. NSS Mental Wellness Theme: April’s Wellness theme is “Mindfulness: Breath & Present Moment Focus
6. We are excited to announce that the Corsage Project will once again be running for 2026!
Created in 1999, we work in partnership with the Children's Aid Foundation of Canada to provide free formal wear and accessories to female-identifying high school students unable to purchase their own prom attire. The Corsage Project accepts students referred by their schools or through social service agencies. These students will be formally invited to attend our ‘Boutique Ball’ on Saturday, May 2nd, 2026 at Rosedale School of the Arts. For further information on the Corsage Project, please visit www.corsageproject.ca. To apply, please meet with your Guidance Counsellor well before the deadline of April 17th, 2026.
7. UPDATED Scholarship Info: Scholarships requiring a Northern nomination can be found here. One upcoming award is the Schulich Builders award, which provides up to $40,000 for students interested in studying an eligible skilled trade in college. Applications are due April 1st!
8. Northern Secondary School Foundation Scholarships will be opening for application on March 13, and will close on May 3rd. You can take a look at available awards here to start thinking about your application: https://nssf.ca/scholarships/
9. The Seeking Scholarships Report continues to update resources for students on available scholarships, financial aid, and application tips. Northern students and families can access the most recent updates in the Library.
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.
10. 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
11. 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!
12. 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
13. 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)
14. 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

15. Mental Wellness Resource Document
If you are experiencing an emergency, please call 911.

Have a great weekend!
Adam Marshall- Principal


HISTORICAL:
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.

Reporting Student Absences:
Option 1:
• Download the SchoolMessenger App from the Google Play or Apple App Store or via the website: go.schoolmessenger.ca
• Register by using your email account linked to our Student Information System.
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:
o [email protected] (Last Names A to G)
o [email protected] (Last Names H to O)
o [email protected] (Last Names P to Z)
• *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.