Northern Secondary School

October 30th

Monday, November 02, 2026 09:17 AM

Dear Northern Families,

An educational week here at Northern. We had our Career Week and there were daily opportunities for students to learn about all types of career pathways. This learning had in class and out of class opportunities. Thank You to the Northern Guidance Department for putting on such a great event!

The SAC Halloween Spirit Day today was fun for everyone that participated. Some great costumes in the building and activities (like pumpkin carving contests) put on by the Student Activity Council. Great job!

Next week we will be welcoming Andy Reti to Northern to speak at our annual Holocaust Assembly on Thursday morning. Andy is a survivor and will share his story with students during an assembly day schedule Thursday. The presentation will include an introduction by students, a brief film about Mr. Reti’s mother, followed by his personal story. The purpose of the assembly is to learn about 20th Century History and reflect on the lessons that history teaches us.

This is a plea to complete school year Start-Up forms if you have not already done so. We have just over 200 students who have not filled in these forms as of today. These are essential for school operations, so please take a moment to complete them!

We also have over 350 students/ families who did not check off the media release option in their Start of Year forms. This means these students are unable to have their images in the yearbook. If you are one of these 350 students please look for a stand-alone email next week giving you the opportunity to revisit this decision. There will also be paper-copies of a yearbook-specific form available from the office for students on this list. Thank You!

From School Council: Please consider a donation to the SLAY THE GOAL - NORTHERN SCHOOL COUNCIL'S FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN - where 100% of your donation directly supports our students and community. Every bit helps! Make Your Gift through your School Cash Online Account Today! Let’s Slay the Goal! https://nsscouncil.com/donate/

The student calendar can be found here: 2026-2027 Northern Community 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:

Monday: Grad Photos begin (see below)

Wednesday: Take Our Kids to Work Day (grade 9’s)- see info below!

Wednesday: Civics Exams

Thursday: Holocaust Assembly (assembly day schedule)

Friday: Term 1 Ends

 

GRADE 9s ONLY Take Our Kids to Work Day is Wednesday November 4, 2026

Take Our Kids to Work Day (TOKTWD) is an experiential learning opportunity for Grade 9 students across Canada offering them the chance to see the world of work firsthand, explore a variety of careers and sectors, and look at what skills are important to thrive in the world of work.

Grade 9 students will have the opportunity to shadow a parent/guardian or another adult approved by their parent/guardian on November 4th. Parents will need to submit an excused absence for students who will be participating in TOKTWD with them.

  • Permission Form We will hand paper copies out in homeform Grade 9 classes in person next week. Please sign and have your child hand the form in to their P1 teacher, thank you! This will excuse them from class.

For students who choose to stay at school on TOKTWD, Grade 9 teachers are encouraged to use this day to explore the Education and Career/Life Planning (or Career Education, Cooperative Education and Other Forms of Experiential Learning) sections of their curriculum to guide lessons that day. Grade 9 teachers will not plan any assessments on November 5, as many students will have approved absences for this day (being absent for TOKTWD will NOT impact your grade in class).

 

United Way:

Attention, all club and association heads! United Way is looking for clubs to take part in this year’s Great Race on Friday, November 27th, in the upper gym at lunch. Club heads will compete in athletic games and activities to raise money for United Way.

The sign-up form is in the club heads Google Classroom, so please fill it out! You will need 4 participating exec members! Spots are limited, so we want you to create a short promotional video on why you want to be in this year's Great Race. We will choose the most spirited and dedicated clubs based on the videos, so have fun with it!

The form now closes on Friday, Nov 6. See you at the Great Race, Northern!

 

Hey Northern! The CN Tower Climb is back! Are you ready to tackle the climb with United Way? If you are interested in a fun day with friends, gaining volunteer hours, raising money for a worldwide organization, and getting an intense workout in, then this is for you! Mark your calendars! The climb will be on Saturday, November 14 at 9:30 am. You can find more information on our Instagram @nssunitedway or on posters around the school. Hope to see you climbers there!

 

Hey Northern families! Do you have items to purge from your basements and closets?

Great news: Starting on Monday, the United Way Thrift Shop will be collecting donations! Students can come to the first floor front foyer at lunch and drop off any clothes, accessories, or books you want to donate.

They can also gain volunteer hours while supporting a great cause by signing up to supervise the donation bins at lunch using the link below.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1UTaFbFAagLKJ5kQYuVQsXAQ_ZBSqXUVdcw6w9bI5UUM/edit?tab=t.0

 

Northern Buddies:

Hey Northern Families!

The Buddies' Annual Toy Drive in collaboration with the Leaside Toy Drive is officially back! We are collecting new, unwrapped toys to support elementary school students and families in our local communities. Our goal this year is to collect 500 toys as a school. With your help, we are confident we can smash our target and make this fantastic cause a success!

How you can contribute:

Parents, Guardians and Caregivers: Please encourage your student to participate, or contribute a toy directly!

Grade 9s: Bring in new, unwrapped toys to your Homeform class (Day 1 Period 1) and compete with your peers to collect as many as you can! The Homeform class with the highest total number of new, unwrapped toys will win a Pizza Party, runner ups will get Timbits!

Grade 10 to 12s: Drop off your donations in the main foyer collection box on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, starting November 4th, between 8:30 and 8:55, and during lunch.

Thank you for being a difference in helping make the holiday season brighter! If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us at Buddies.nss01@gmail.com! Thanks Northern!

 

The Northern Buddy Program is seeking community support for our upcoming initiatives this school year! If you wish to contribute directly to our program, you can make a tax-deductible donation online at https://nssf.ca/support-us/. As a part of our fundraising we will also be running events at the school for Northern students throughout the school year. This coming week students can purchase snack bags in the first floor foyer, on Friday, October 30th during lunch. Your generosity directly empowers our school community. Follow our work and upcoming events on Instagram @northernbuddyprogram or check out our website at https://sites.google.com/view/guidetonorthern to learn more about our program. Thank you for your continued support!!!

 

SAC:

The Northern Merch store is now officially open!

You can now order Northern gear wear through School Cash Online. Whether you are looking for hoodies, T-shirts, or sweatpants, we have a variety of styles and sizes for everyone at very reasonable prices.

Key Details:

How to Order:

  1. Log in to your School Cash Online account.
  2. Select the items and sizes you wish to purchase.
  3. Complete your payment securely online.

If you have any questions, please email: Tammy.Le@tdsb.on.ca

Don't miss out on the chance to show your school spirit. Happy shopping!

 

OSSLT

  1. OSSLT will be taking place beginning November 17 for ALL grade 10 students this semester. This is a change from the past when the OSSLT was linked to a grade 10 English class. All grade 10 students along with previously eligible/unsuccessful grade 11/12 students will be writing. Families of students who are scheduled to write will receive an email with the necessary details. If a student would like to know if they are writing, please have them come to the VP office. More information will follow next week.

 

GRADUATION PHOTOGRAPHY SESSION with Clear Images School Photography- Starting on November 2nd, 2026 (Secure your preferred time slot. Appointments fill quickly.)

It's time to capture your special milestone! A $35 session fee is required at this time, to secure your appointment. This $35 fee includes your photography session, an 11"x14" print of your Graduating Class Composite and secures access to your exclusive Graduation Online Portrait Gallery. During your appointment, the photographer will provide you with access codes, to your exclusive Graduation Online Portrait Gallery for you to view and purchase. These photos will be available to view 10 business days after your school's last graduation appointment has been taken.

Please respect your appointment time and remember to come prepared for your photo session. Collared shirts pair well with the graduation gowns and please bring your smile!

Please click on the following link to book your appointment:

https://square.site/book/LHJBNA79FX5PH/clear-images-photography-toronto-on

Questions? email us at info@clearimages.ca

Our top priority is keeping our Schools, our Communities and our Clear Images Team Safe during the graduation photo process.

 

Special Education


Parent Engagement Sessions – November 2026
Special Education and Inclusion is pleased to offer a number of sessions for parents/caregivers in November. Please find additional information in this flyer. All parent engagement sessions for the 2026-2027school year can be found here.

Special Education and Inclusion Newsletter – November 2026 Edition
The November 2026 edition of the Special Education and Inclusion Newsletter for Parents/Caregivers is now available on the Special Education and Inclusion site. This monthly newsletter includes important updates, tips, and resources to support students with disabilities and special education needs, and indeed all students.

 

Northern Semester 1 Final Exams and Culminating Activities: TENTATIVE

Please note - there are NEW Ministry of Education expectations for exams this year that we are all adapting to together.

Semester 1 final exams take place on:

Monday, January 25 Period 1 Classes (*AND all E-Learning classes have in person exams in the afternoon at Northern)

Tuesday, January 26 Period 2 Classes

Wednesday, January 27 Period 3 Classes

Thursday, January 28 Period 4 Classes

Classroom teachers will share detailed information about Culminating Tasks and/or Final Exams with students directly. We are still finalizing the timing, length of some exams, and room allocations, but the exam DATES above are confirmed and final.

Please find TENTATIVE information about Final Evaluations HERE.

Please find a TENTATIVE version of our Exam Schedule HERE.

  1. review the information posted in the Bulletin about family holidays and absences during exam times. Thank you!

 

Student Success:

Peer Tutoring is now available! We offer tutoring support in all courses. If you would like your child to sign up, please have them see our ACL of Student Success, Mr. Panagakos in the Student Success Room located inside the cafeteria, or scan the QR code that is posted throughout the school. You may also email Loui.Panagakos@tdsb.on.ca if you have any questions.

Drop-In Math Tutoring is available everyday in room 108. Ms. Romeiro and two high achieving math students will be available to support and help students.

 

OSSLT Prep Opportunity:

The English Department is hosting weekly OSSLT prep sessions. Sessions take place every Thursday at lunch in Room 305.

Students are encouraged to drop in for extra support, practice, helpful strategies, and preparation for the OSSLT.

All students preparing to write the OSSLT are welcome!

 

NSS Library Learning Commons: 8:30a.m. - 3:45p.m. daily

  • Located in the basement of the school: accessible from the main foyer only
  • Check out books, graphic novels and manga from our collection
  • Get research assistance from a Teacher-Librarian
  • Access technical support for your TDSB-issued Chromebooks

 

Lost and Found

  • The Library has a collection of lost clothing, accessories, lunch bags, water bottles, and other personal items.
  • We do not keep lost phones, house/car keys, wallets or other sensitive items.
  • November 19 - the Lost and Found will be emptied and remaining items will be donated to a non-profit community organization.

The Library will be CLOSED on Thurs Nov 5 (am only) for students on spare.

The Library will be CLOSED on Friday, Nov 6, 2026 during periods 1, 3 & 4 (no spares, no services)

 

School Council Update (news for parents, by parents):

Upcoming events: Full details available at https://nsscouncil.com/events/

Special Education Coffee, Thursday, November 5th, 7:30 - 8:30 pm. The Granite Brewery and Tied House (245 Eglinton Ave E) -This is an opportunity to share resources and support one another. Please let us know that you are coming by emailing nss.school.council@gmail.com with “Thursday Coffee” in the subject line.

Walking Buddies, Sunday, November 8th, 9:30-10:30 am. Join us for a relaxing one-hour walk through Mt. Pleasant Cemetery. 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: nss.school.council@gmail.com with “Walking buddies” in the subject line.

School Council Meeting, Thursday, November 12th, 6:30-8:00 pm in the Heritage Room or online. Join us and hear the latest news on Northern in the principal's report, updates from our student leaders, committees, and how we’re supporting student success. If you would like to attend virtually, please email us at nss.school.council@gmail.com with the subject line “School Council Meeting Link.”

Ask Adam, every council meeting includes a section in which our principal responds to questions submitted by our caregiver community. Send your questions to nss.school.council@gmail.com with the subject line "Ask Adam"

Count me in - To join the School Council mailing list for news and resources at Northern and beyond for parents, email nss.school.council@gmail.com with the subject line "Count me in".

 

Northern Secondary School Foundation:

The Northern Foundation is proud to support the students of Northern Secondary School, our leaders of tomorrow.

You can donate to the Foundation in many ways.

All contributions go directly to enrich the experience of Northern Students. You can target your donation for a specific club/team/scholarship etc. or you can support them all! With your donation you will receive a charitable tax receipt.

Donate at www.nssf.ca/donate

 

Guidance:

  1. Our NSS Wellness theme for November is Fear VS Danger.

Feeling afraid doesn’t always mean we’re in danger. Sometimes, it means we’re growing, trying something new, or stepping outside our comfort zone! It is important for us to be able to tell the difference between things that ‘are scary’ and things that ‘feel scary’.

 

This week’s gratitude quotation comes from Writer’s Craft student, Jocelyn

“Sometimes the real danger is letting fear overpower your desires.”

  1. Last Day to Request to Drop a Course: November 12, 2026
    1. If eligible, Nov. 12th is the last day a student can request an appointment to drop a course.
  2. Full Disclosure Date: November 19, 2026
    1. The last day for a student to be withdrawn from a course and not have it show up on their transcript.
  3. Semester 2 TDSB e-Learning Day School Registration OPENS: November 24, 2026.
    1. Courses fill up quickly, so do not wait to sign up!! Registration closes February 11, 2026 for courses that still have space.
    2. For more info please check out the TDSB eLearning website here.
  4. Semester 2 TDSB Night School Registration OPENS: December 1, 2026
    1. Registration closes January 29, 2026.
    2. For more information check out the website here.
  5. Scholarships:

Did you miss our Scholarship Presentation? You can find the slideshow here. Please book an appointment with your guidance counsellor if you have any questions!

Some major awards require students to apply for a nomination from Northern. Students can find a scholarship list of different commonly applied for awards and links to apply for school nominations here

  1. NSS Post- Secondary Resources:

I’m in Grade 12, Now What? Slideshow - Slides only

2026-2027 NSS Post-Secondary Application Guide

2026-2027 NSS Scholarship Information Chart

20 Questions to Ask a Post-secondary Representative

Transitions Resource Guide: Accessibility Info for student in Post-Secondary Education

  1. National Portfolio Day – Toronto: Saturday, November 7, 2026

OCAD University 12 – 4pm

For more info check out: Preparing a Portfolio | OCADU

  1. The Guidance Appointment Booking system is open! Students can book an appointment here: http://bit.ly/nssguidance

We look forward to connecting with you!

  1. We encourage all students to ensure they have added themselves to their graded Guidance Google Classroom to stay up to date with all information shared throughout the year.

Grade 9 Google Classroom code: pu7uilj4

Grade 10 Google Classroom code: 3wvfe4kf

Grade 11 Google Classroom code: bedkqks

Grade 12 Google Classroom code: x6sh4ue

 

Have a Spooktacular weekend!

Adam Marshall

Principal

 

HISTORICAL:

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*:

 

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.

Cellphones:

Educators will work with students to determine classroom practices and will ensure expectations are clearly understood.

Students in Grades 7 to 12 must have cell phones/mobile devices powered off or set to silent during instructional time.

Should a student not follow these directives, they will be asked to hand in their cell phone/mobile device. If a student does not hand in their personal mobile device when required, they must be sent to the Principal’s office, as per Ministry direction.

Please learn more about cell phones and mobile device use in Ministry of Education PPM128 and at www.tdsb.on.ca/mobiledeviceuse.

Thank you for your cooperation as we work together to create a successful learning environment at Northern.

 

Student Password Information

Student accounts remained active over the summer and passwords did not expire.

Students in Grades 5-12 can also reset their own passwords directly through https://passwordreset.microsoftonline.com once registered for the Self-Service Password Reset (SSPR). Instructions to register for SSPR are available here.

Students new to the TDSB will have their password set to the Shared Secret Password. This is a combination of the last 4 digits of the student number, followed by 2 digits for the day of birth, and 2 digits for the month of birth, followed by “@Tdsb” (case sensitive and 13 characters in total).

IT Support for TDSB Students & Families

To support parents, caregivers, guardians, and students, please direct them to the School Community IT Support website. Services available included devices, such as Chromebooks, and login assistance with Brightspace, Google Classroom, Microsoft Teams and more. Go to the FAQ section to find details!

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