Dear Northern Families,
What a week it has been. An amazing Robotics send off on Monday night- thank you to those that attended. Rugby tournament hosted at Northern Tuesday. An incredible Talent Show Wednesday night- again thank you to those that came out. You should add that to your calendar for next year! Deaf and Hard of Hearing Communications Contest Thursday night- congratulations to all of Northern’s participants and winners! Lastly, we hosted Alumnus Claire Cameron last night for a book talk. It was incredible. Thank you to School Council for setting it up and NSSF for your support. An amazing event- highly recommend “How to Survive a Bear Attack” (winner of the 2025 Governor General’s Award!) for some summer reading.
Mid-Term Reports are on their way this afternoon/ evening.
A reminder that the SAC Store closes tonight at 11:59pm if you are looking for a last-minute order.

Chromebook REMINDERS
Students: You are expected to take care of your TDSB-assigned Chromebook and plan to use it effectively in classes. Ask yourself:
• Where is the Chromebook? Do you have the charger? Where is it plugged in every night?
• How do you remember to charge the device every evening? Set a reminder for yourself if you often forget.
• Do you remember to bring it to school when you need it? Can you set a reminder alarm?

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:
Wednesday: Late Start @9:55am
Wednesday: Administrative Professionals (office staff) Day!
Wednesday: Go Green Spirit Day (see SAC section below)
Friday: Full Disclosure

SAC:
Are you a Northern student who wants your voice heard in planning this year’s Carnival? If so, join us this Tuesday at lunch in the library for the first SAC x BlackNSS Carnival Committee meeting!

Additionally, this Wednesday in celebration of Earth Day, SAC will be hosting a “Go Green” Spirit Day. Students are encouraged to wear green in support of the environment and our planet. SAC will also be selling cheese and pepperoni pizza in the first-floor foyer to help raise funds for Carnival. Pizza will be available at 2 slices for $5, with both cash and tap accepted.

STEM Racing (CO₂ Car) Canada 2026 National Championship
Congratulations to our school’s STEM Racing teams, Knight Shift and Crimson Swords, for their outstanding achievements at the National Championship event in North Bay last week.
The teams earned multiple awards, including Best Engineering Portfolio, Enterprise, Empowering Women Award, and Pit Display.
Crimson Swords also secured 3rd Overall, a remarkable accomplishment that highlights their dedication, creativity, and engineering excellence.

HEY GRADUATES!!
Prom is quickly approaching, and we can't wait to see you all there! To ensure a spot at prom, please make sure to buy your ticket through SchoolCashOnline as soon as possible! It will close on MAY 13th at 11:59 PM. In order to attend prom, you must also fill out the Code of Conduct form and a Guest Form if you are bringing one. Guest forms can be found in the Guidance Office. All Code of Conduct forms are due on MAY 15th! However, the sooner you purchase your ticket and fill out the Code of Conduct form, the sooner you can request your seating and pick up your physical ticket!! More information on seating requests and physical ticket pickup will be released soon.

Mainstage:
School Cash Online is open for tickets for both days - April 29th and 30th
When: April 29 and 30 @ 6:30pm
Where: Northern Secondary School Auditorium
Adult tickets: $15
Student tickets: $10
Run-time: 2.5 hours
🩷 Omigod You Guys! 🩷 Legally Blonde Musical will take centre stage in late April! We would like to personally invite you and your family to attend our show nights on Wednesday April 29th and Thursday 30th.
The ticket links are now available on school cash online. In case you can't navigate the portable, below are the individual links for each show, and feel free to share them with anyone interested.
April 29 https://tdsb.schoolcashonline.com/Fee/Details/424021/153/False/True
April 30 https://tdsb.schoolcashonline.com/Fee/Details/424066/153/False/True

Model UN
Northern’s Model UN is excited to announce that we will be hosting our own Model UN conference on May 9th at the school from 9:00 to 6:00. Northern students can enquire about attending by emailing [email protected]
This conference is open to students from any school and students from schools outside Northern can sign up with the registration forms on our website: https://sites.google.com/d/1KytDU2XVaotbT8ybWQOtfnHzGCEzfvU1/p/1SK0zN4L1QHW-PpHE9u9RRKJfTUroYU2d/edit?pli=1
You can also find any information about the conference on this site. If you have any questions you can reach out to any one of our staff (emails on website under secretariat) or to our Instagram @nssmun

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

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.

Grad Photos offsite last-chance photos!
I wanted to share the details about our annual Toronto Weekend Graduation Photo Studio. It is scheduled to take place on April 18th and 19th. If you have any grade 12 students that require an alternative option for graduation photos or require a retake, please share this information.
We will begin designing the graduation composites the follow week once the images from this event are processed.
Edge Imaging will be holding a weekend Toronto Graduation Photo Studio. It will take place on April 18 and 19th.
Address:
36 Scarsdale Rd
North York, ON
M3B 2R7
If a student requires a photo session, has missed the opportunity at the school or requires a retake, please book an appointment using the link below:
https://edgeimaging.ca/en/graduation-photography-studios/
Choose Toronto
Acknowledge the Studio Disclaimer
Choose Senior Grade (Grade 12)
Choose date and time
Follow prompts to confirm appointment

Social Media & Safety: A Parents’ Roadmap
An engaging evening for parents and caregivers 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. To Register for the event, please click here: Registration Link
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.
For any further questions, please contact [email protected].

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, June 22 at 10 am Period 4 Classes
Classroom teachers will share detailed information about Culminating Activates and Final Exams with students.
Please find FINAL information about culminating activities here: NSS Culminating and Final Exam Information Sem 2 JUNE 2025-2026
Please find a FINAL version of our exam schedule here: NSS Exam Schedule - Semester 2 JUNE 2025-26

EARLY EXAM REQUESTS: A reminder that special scheduling requests 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 (scheduling changes) 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.

Library Learning Commons
End of Library Daily Chromebook Loan program: Monday April 20
- students with outstanding Chromebooks on loan are expected to return them daily (ie. as soon as possible if they are currently outstanding)
What can students do if they need a Chromebook?
Come to the Library for assistance if you have lost your TDSB 1:1 Device Chromebook
Report to the Principal’s Office IF:
• you are in grade 9 and did not bring your 1:1 Device Chromebook from your grade 8 TDSB school
• you’ve never been offered a 1:1 Device TDSB Chromebook or SEA claim computer
• you returned a 1:1 Device Chromebook because you didn’t want it and now need one for school
IF your Chromebook is broken, you will not be issued a new device. The opportunity for TDSB-funded repairs to 1:1 Devices has closed (deadline was April 17). If your issue is that the device does not *power up* or you cannot login, please consult with a Teacher-Librarian.
Giant Indigenous Floor Map: April 23 to May 5
NSS Library Learning Commons is going to be hosting Canadian Geographic's Indigenous Peoples Atlas Giant Floor Map. Grade 9 Geography and grade 11 First Nations, Metis and Inuit Voices classes will be using the map to explore Indigenous languages and territories, treaties, and place-based story telling in Canada.
During this time students on spare will be asked to use the North Lab, as the Quiet Study Area will be unavailable. Library services (book circulation, Chromebook access, research support) will continue as normal.

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.

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:
Find the latest "news for parents, by parents" - including valuable resources and opportunities to connect at: nsscouncil.com
Our Annual Giving Campaign has been a great success. Thanks to our generous community partners we still have funds available to support club activities at our high school. If your club or team is planning an event, project, competition, or other initiatives 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
Upcoming Social Events
Walking Buddies on Weekends: Join us for a relaxing one-hour walk through Mt. Pleasant Cemetery – every second weekend at 9:30am. Meet at the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery’s Funeral Centre parking lot. Dogs welcome. Please let us know that you are coming by emailing us at: [email protected] with “Walking buddies” in the subject line. Dates below.
April 25 – Walking Buddies - 9:30am
May 10- Walking Buddies
Parents coffee: Daphne’s Antioch café. Expand your connection with other parents to share and learn more from other 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. Dates below.
April 19 – Grade 11 Parents coffee – 11am Daphne’s
May 3 – Grade 12 parents – 2pm Daphne’s
May 9 – Grade 9 Parents coffee – 9am Daphne’s
June 6 – Final Post-secondary coffee – 9.30am Kanat’s condo (RSVP with Post-secondary School Coffee” in Subject to: [email protected]
Northern Secondary School Council Last Meeting: Wednesday May 27th 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 Adam (Principal) along with a Q&A, and time for parents to share ideas or concerns. Meetings are hybrid in format. Virtual links can be requested at: [email protected] and emailed by 5pm on the day of the meeting. Join us for our last Council meeting of the school year - all are welcome. Please also consider joining the Council next year!
Knight Owls Robotics: Supporters and Sponsors
Tornado, their new robot for this season, was showcased earlier this week at Northern. The students gave an impressive presentation that showcased their strong grasp of design, build, and programming while fielding numerous questions from an appreciative crowd. And they have been selected to compete at the Provincials. Well done Knight owls!! Details below.
• April 16–19 (Thu–Sun): FIRST Ontario Provincial Championship @ Niagara Falls Convention Centre
Livestreams = FRC channel: https://www.youtube.com/@FIRSTRoboticsCompetition/streams
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
We are grateful for the generosity of our alumni, former staff and parents who have established the following awards for Northern graduates and undergrads.
• The Grandson XX Creative Writing Award in Creative Writing in Grades 11 and 12.
Established by Jordan Benjamin NSS ’11 a singer songwriter known professionally as Grandson XX, Jordan believes his writing was fostered and encouraged by teachers at Northern. He hopes this award will encourage other students to follow their dreams and WRITE.
• The John Jossifakis Technical Theatre Award.
Established by John Jossifakis NSS ’98 currently working in Dubai. John started his journey in Technical Theatre as a member of Northern Stage Crew. He now organizes spectacular events around the work including the Olympics. This award is for a student who plans to enter the technical side of Theater, Radio Television Arts or Events Production following an apprenticeship, college or university program.
• The McKelvey Family Award in Canadian and World Studies
This scholarship was created by the McKelvey family to recognize the outstanding achievement of a graduating student in economics, law or human geography. The family enjoyed a long association with Northern through their children Alex and the late Michelle McKelvey and their mother Merilyn who was a member of the teaching staff for 16 years.
Scholarship/Awards Applications -Go to nssf.ca/scholarships and complete an application. Deadline is May 3, 2026, For more information, contact us at [email protected]

Guidance:
1. Full Disclosure Date: April 24, 2026:
Courses dropped after this date will appear on a student’s transcript.
2. 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
3. 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
4. Please note below that the following compulsory courses WILL NOT be offered through central TDSB e-Learning Day School next year, 2026 - 2027:
a. ENG4UE - gr 12 English
b. HSP3UE - gr 11 Intro to Anthro, Psych & Sociology
c. MCV4UE - gr 12 Calculus
d. MHF4UE - gr 12 Ad. Functions
e. NBE3CE - gr 11 college English
f. NBE3UE - gr 11 university English
g. SCH3UE - gr 11 university Chemistry
h. SCH4UE - gr 12 university Chemistry
i. SBI4UE - gr 12 university Biology
j. SPH3UE - gr 11 university Physics
k. SPH4UE - gr 12 university Physics
5. The Ontario Colleges Degree Panel is coming to Northern on the afternoon of Thursday, May 7. Representatives from George Brown, Humber, Centennial, Georgian, Seneca, and Sheridan and their Applied Degree programs will share information and answer questions.
Students will learn about:
How to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in a hands-on College setting.
How going to College to earn a Degree can give them a focused education and job opportunities they didn’t know existed (the benefits of an applied Bachelor’s Degree Program).
Joint College-University programs and transfer/bridging to university programs options.
6. Do you identify as indigenous (status, non-status, Metis, Inuit)? The Lee Awards provide recognition and financial support for Indigenous students in Grade 9 to 12 living in the GTA.
https://www.mbdc.ca/lee-awards/
Applications are now open for 2026. If you need any support with your application, please check in with your guidance counsellor. Applications are due May 22nd at 5 PM.
7. The African Heritage Month Planning Volunteer Committee and TDSB are committed to encouraging and supporting students of African heritage to further their post-secondary education.
We are proud to offer three Know Your Worth Scholarships to Black TDSB students once again this year.
Each award is worth $1500 and there are awards for creativity, leadership, and academics.
Please see here for eligibility, criteria, and submission information about the three Know Your Worth Scholarships below:
Know Your Worth Kuumba Creative Award – Deadline is April 10 at 7 p.m.
Know Your Worth Umoja Leadership Award – Deadline is April 24 at 7 p.m.
Know Your Worth Kujichagulia Academic Award – Deadline is May 8 at 7 p.m.
8. 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!
9. 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/
10. 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 Newsletter
This resource is copyrighted and should not be shared outside the NSS Community.
8. 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 17, 2026.
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.

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
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.


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.