Good Evening Northern Families,

It is hard to believe we have arrived at the May long weekend. I hope all our students and their families get some time to decompress and unwind. I have tried to remove some repeated content this week. There is still time for student leadership applications found below- including an addition this week. Next week the Minister of Education is expected to give a clearer indication of what the remainder of the school year will look like. Once the Board has this information we will work to share a TDSB/ Northern plan with you. We know there are many questions you are waiting to hear answers on- communication will be shared as soon as possible.

Please see Trustee Chernos Lin’s latest newsletter HERE .

Next Week’s Schedule:

Student Leadership Opportunities:

Valedictorian Selection- Form Due by 4pm May 22^nd.

The Valedictorian address is a speech that is delivered at Commencement on behalf of the entire graduating class. It is a formal occasion for reflection and shared feeling. In order to assure that this occasion is a positive and memorable experience for all those present, the Valedictorian agrees:

• that as a spokesperson for the entire graduating class, the speaker’s address will not be used for personal comment, but is reflective of the group’s undergraduate experiences;

• to submit the final speech by September 25th, 2020 (at the latest) to Ms. Siegel at dara.siegel@tdsb.on.ca

This year, the Valedictorian vote will take place online. Interested students should complete the following link no later than 4pm May 22^nd. Valedictorian Nomination Form

NEMO

Northern Environmental Organization (NEMO) applications are out now. Please fill out the google form if you would like to be considered for the executive committee next year. Applications are due May 22nd. Students interested can complete the application here: https://forms.gle/cEJQeh3fiFT3Hpcq5

BAA and GAA are accepting applications. Please see links here:

GAA (deadline May 18^th): https://forms.gle/GGW1toovRKXDxmvCA

BAA (deadline May 15^th): click HERE

UnitedNSS - PALS is a new association at Northern this year that is looking for grade 11 & 12 students interested in being a mentor/pal to an incoming ESL student for the 2020/21 school year.

Applications are due by May 18th to Mrs. Poutissou by email Deborah.Poutissou@tdsb.on.ca

More details can be found on the application form, but here is a brief summary of the role:

• Attend all meetings of UnitedNSS

• Pair up with an ESL student in a mentor role

• Participate actively in UnitedNSS

• Wear your UnitedNSS t-shirt when needed
• Uphold a positive, welcoming and inclusive attitude for all students at Northern

All interested students please complete the google form here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeRiBjWsIjs7gNDOt-5ql_mmA_2-idz2kcu_tjDy-H6jNA9ig/viewform?usp=sf_link

OTHER:

From Guidance:

Post-Secondary Information - COVID Updates:

1. OUAC last day students will receive offers: May 27, 2020
2. OUAC last day students must confirm offers: June 1, 2020
3. The online O.S.A.P. Application will be "going live" on May 20, 2020. Please go to www.osap.ca for more information.
4. Virtual Post-Secondary Tours are happening! Go directly to your post-secondary institution's web page to book your tour today!
5. Want up-to-date information about post-secondary changes due to COVID considerations? We have been advised to tell students and families to go directly to the individual Ontario College and/or University website and click on their COVID fact link on the homepage of the post-secondary institution.

Please note: post-secondary institutions will communicate directly with all student who have accepted an offer of placement about fall 2020 teaching platforms and residence information.

Students and Parents can find helpful Scholarship and Awards information on our school website and by clicking the following link:

https://schoolweb.tdsb.on.ca/northernss/Guidance/Post-Secondary

*Bursary Opportunity* - Attention Graduating Students:

From Rob Oliphant (MP for Eglinton West):

Once again, I am pleased to offer a Member of Parliament’s Citizenship Award to an outstanding student who is graduating from Northern Secondary School this year to help recognize the impact they have made in our community. A successful recipient of this award will be a student who has guided or inspired others through strong leadership and enriched the lives of their fellow peers or community members. This student will have demonstrated exemplary citizenship by assisting newcomers to successfully integrate into the community or helping promote active citizenship by helping remove barriers, change attitudes and reinforce principles of tolerance and respect. Having taken an active role in community leadership and helping foster a stronger sense of belonging to all those in our community, this student will be recognized for the positive impact they have made. In recognition of the efforts made by this exemplary student I will be donating a $300 bursary as part of the award.

Qualified applicants should write a one page explanation detailing why they are deserving of this award and include references who may be contacted to verify your leadership role and experience. Please submit this application by 9am on Monday, May 25, 2020 via email to: Jennifer.MacPhee@tdsb.on.ca. All applications will be reviewed by the scholarship committee and only the successful recipient will be contacted. The Citizenship Award will be awarded at Commencement.

Historical:

With regards to assessment and evaluation between now and the end of the school year: there will not be final exams. Classes will continue until June 26^th. Information about culminating evaluations will come from teachers. Any evaluation, including culminatings, will only be considered when determining a final grade if they serve to improve student achievement.

Please visit this section of the TDSB Remote Learning site for some helpful technology resources for families including:

• Accessing Google Classroom - A Guide for Families
• Accessing Brightspace - A Guide for Families
• Student Password & Device Webchat for Families (8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Monday-Friday)

A reminder that if you are having any issues with contacting teachers please see the Northern Website. It has a link to staff contact information and the Distance Education Platform that they are using for teacher led learning during the Covid 19 school closure.

School Council:

Please visit nsscouncil.com or email us at: nss.school.council@gmail.com for information from School Council. It will be important to visit the site for information moving forward until meetings can resume again.

Have a great long weekend,

Adam