Good Evening Northern Families,
The staff meeting originally scheduled for next Tuesday has been moved to Friday December 18th. This means that Friday’s Schedule is:
Period 1- 8:45am - 12:05pm
Period 2- 1:35pm - 2:35pm
For students taking Civics or Careers currently: Quad 2/Term 1 ends on Friday, December 18th 2020. If you have a student in a Civics or Careers course, this will be the last date of the course. Report cards, for these courses only, will be issued in the New Year.
As well, students enrolled in the civics or careers courses in Term One will be receiving a mark update by Monday, December 14th at 9:00 am. If your child is at risk of not receiving the credit, you will be contacted by the teacher no later than Monday, December 14th at 9:00am.
For all other students you will receive a mark update from your teachers between January 5th and 8th.
I do not have an update on any potential changes from Virtual Learning to Face-to-Face learning and vice-versa. This will be shared as soon as it becomes available.
Trustee Chernos Lin’s newsletter can be found HERE. This includes important information about her Ward Forum on Monday December 14th.
Information about Course Selection for next year including dates, Course Fair, processes and procedures will be shared in the upcoming (December 18th) bulletin.
Thank You to the United Way GetUp committee and participants. Northern was able to raise over $18000 for the United Way including over $2000 in sponsorship by KPMG. What a great impact on community wellness during this challenging time!
A reminder that the provincial government announced more funding Monday for students up to 12 years of age ($200 per child) and $250 per student up to the age of 21 years with special needs who is attending school. Students can be attending in person or virtually. For more information visit https://www.ontario.ca/page/get-support-learners
Northern’s staff are always working on student success in the form of credit accumulation. As we head towards the final January push for Quadmester 2, here are some reminders about where support can be found at the school beyond the classroom teacher:
Guidance:
There are two ways a student can book a non-urgent phone appointment:
PRO TIP: book during your a-synchronous morning time
1. Request a phone appointment at: http://bit.ly/nssguidance
2. Directly book a phone appointment (space permitting): http://bit.ly/nssguidance
Request or Book an appointment online at: http://bit.ly/nssguidance
To sign in to the online appointment system:
1. Enter your Student Number.
2. Enter your Date of Birth (YYYY-MM-DD) in the Password box.
3. Click “Sign in” User name: Student Number Password: Date of Birth (YYYY-MM-DD)
Need Help? See How-To instructions
*Sign-in for the First Time – How-to
*Requesting an Appointment – How-to
*Checking Appointment Times – How-To
*Changing Your Password – How-to
*Adding an Email and Cellphone Number: How-to
Please note Guidance Counsellor 2020-2021 assignments:
Melanie Stassis – A, S, U-Z - melanie.stassis@tdsb.on.ca
Leslie Usin-Rojas – B-E, I, T - leslie.usin-rojas@tdsb.on.ca
Jennifer MacPhee – F-H, K, L - jennifer.macphee@tdsb.on.ca
Andrew Primmer – J, M-R -andrew.primmer@tdsb.on.ca
April Vibert - Student Success - april.virbet@tdsb.on.ca
If you urgently need to speak to your counsellor send an email or call the Guidance office at 416-393-0284 X 20040. If you have an emergency, call 911.
Resource Support for all students with an IEP/ILP **VERY IMPORTANT**
GIFTED STUDENTS:
Monique Cipollone will be offering VIRTUAL office hours between 1:10 - 2 PM via appointment through the following link: https://nss-guidance.parentinterview.com/
Parents/Guardians - please feel free to email your questions or concerns to Monique.Cipollone@tdsb.on.ca
ACADEMIC RESOURCE CENTRE (LD) STUDENTS:
The Academic Resource Centre will be available VIRTUALLY, everyday, by appointment through the following link:
https://nss-guidance.parentinterview.com/
Ensure they book with: MS JESSICA BERESFORD
3 Staff members will be available from 1:10-2pm, daily to offer the following supports:
- Course work
- Brightspace and Google Classroom Navigation Support
- Organization Supports
- Homework Check ins
- Self Advocacy Development
DHH STUDENTS:
Eric Larocque will be offering Virtual office hours between 1:10 - 2:00 PM via appointment through the email: eric.larocque@tdsb.on.ca
Sign Language Facilitators and Educational Assistants will be available from 1:30-2pm, daily to offer the following supports. Please contact Eric Larocque.
STUDENT SUCCESS- for students without an IEP:
Student success supports that are offered at Northern can be found here: bit.ly/studentsuccessnss
How does Student Success help our students?
- Offering academic support in order to improve outcomes related to achievement and graduation.
- Benefit from programming that can help support the overall students’ needs (peer tutoring, student nutrition program, SHSM, etc).
- Support on matters they may have previously faced alone
April Vibert, ACL of Student Success, offers virtual appointments from 9am-2pm Monday-Friday.
Please book your appointment with April Vibert through the following link:
https://nss-guidance.parentinterview.com/
United Way Fashion Show:
Fashion Show 2020: A Far Off Land has started virtual model auditions! To get access to all audition-related information, join the Google Classroom from your tdsb account with the code “syjofut”. Students are to submit a tape of their model walk no later than next Friday, December 18. No experience necessary!
Please note that while auditions are starting, this does not guarantee a show. Depending on how COVID-19 progresses in the spring, we will reevaluate and plan for the best show possible given these circumstances with safety as a priority.
Northern Secondary School Foundation News:
The Foundation is pleased to announce a new award to recognize one of Northern’s outstanding teachers.
The Robert Zawerbny Memorial Award in Design and Illustration has been generously funded by Jason Herriott NSS’ 87, a former student of Mr. Zawerbny, in appreciation of the profound impact Bob had on his life and career.
The award of $5000 will be given annually to an outstanding graduating student in Design and Illustration whose superior skills and outstanding portfolio has inspired other student to strive for excellence.
Robert Zawerbny , or Mr. Z as he was affectionally known, was an icon at Northern. He not only taught at Northern for over 35 years but studied at Northern under renowned artists and educators Ethel Currie, Percy Gardner and John Bennett. With his talent and boundless enthusiasm, Bob influenced a generation of young artists who enjoy successful careers in the arts in Toronto and around the world. Several have achieved international fame as illustrators and concept artists winning Academy Awards and an Emmy.
School Council:
"News for parents, by parents" - sign up for our email list for updates and news written for parents by the parents at School Council. Send an email to nss.school.council@gmail.com with "Count me in" in the subject line. And check out our website for notes from meetings and presentations, resources, and upcoming events!
Mental Health Counselling Support at Northern Secondary; FLYER
- Community Services provides a registered psychotherapist , Dale Callender, on-site, full time at Northern, to work in partnership with the existing school support services. The service uses an early intervention model and supports students by allowing them easy and immediate access to mental health and counselling services provided through the In-School service. Dale Callender works in collaboration with TDSB staff in order to customize a program to enhance the mental health services and supports that are available to students on-site at the school. This program allows Northern priority access to Lumenus’ mental health service program, and offers students a seamless referral process to other community programs as dictated by their individual needs. Dale Callender is available currently via virtual sessions and/or phone calls to provide psychotherapy counselling support to students, parents/caregivers. If you would like to consult and /or set up a time to talk with Dale, you can contact him via his email at dalecallender@lumenus.ca or 416-489-9586.
Have a great weekend!
Adam
Follow Me @PrincipalNSS