Good Afternoon Northern Families,
Today marks the one year anniversary of flight 752 being brought down in Iran. Our Northern family is thinking of Maya Zibaie today- a vibrant Northern student who was tragically killed that day. The Northern Secondary School Foundation and the School have been working with Maya’s father on appropriate ways to remember her. We will be making some announcements and asking for your help in the coming weeks.
- reminder that the deadline to opt for Virtual Learning Quad 3 is Monday January 11th at noon. bsolutely no requests will be considered after this time. Please fill in the form below to make the request. If you are currently attending class through virtual learning YOU MUST FILL IN THE FORM FOR QUAD 3! We are not making any assumptions you wish to continue virtually. As a bricks and mortar school we assume everyone is coming to the building unless they indicate otherwise FOR EACH QUADMESTER. Quad 3 Virtual Learning Request Form
Course selection season is nearly upon us. Northern will be running information sessions and sharing dates over the next several weeks. You can expect this in the January 22nd bulletin.
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
In the News:
Northern students Nkele Martin and Ethan Shap appeared on Breakfast Television earlier this week about the current pivot to virtual learning. Thank you for representing the school so well- in case you missed it, here is a link to the broadcast: BT Interview
School Council:
1) "ADHD, Anxiety and Depression - A Perfect Storm" - Monday, January 11 at 6:30 pm - the Academic Resource Committee welcomes all parents to a presentation and Q & A session by psychotherapist Jennifer Tiviluk on ADHD and its complex challenges. To request a link to the meeting, email nss.school.council@gmail.com and put "ADHD" in the subject line. Links will be sent out Monday afternoon.
2) School Council Annual Ask - our annual School Council fundraiser has begun and will run until Feb 12. Please consider a contribution to help us support student activities through School Cash Online. See the attached letter for more details.
3) "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!
GAC (Gifted Advisory Committee)
Virtual meeting - Wednesday January 20 at 7:30 p.m.
All parents of gifted students are invited and very welcome, to introduce themselves, connect with other parents, and learn more about the gifted program and Northern. We’re also specifically seeking feedback about your child(ren’s) experience in the gifted program, and any suggestions you have. Please send an email to northerngifted@gmail.com to obtain the meeting link. We hope that you can join us!
“Advanced Placement, Post-Secondary Planning, and Enrichment Information Evening” - Tuesday February 9 at 7:30 p.m.
All Northern students and parents are invited to attend this virtual presentation on: Advanced Placement courses (and whether these might be a good choice for you to request in myBlueprint); thinking ahead to applications and sources of funding for Post-Secondary Education; and Enrichment opportunities while you’re in high school. Please send an email to northerngifted@gmail.com to obtain the meeting link. We hope that you can join us!
“ADHD Highlights: What You Need to Know About ADHD” - Tuesday March 2 at 7:00 p.m.
GAC is excited to invite all parents and students to hear a presentation by Heidi Bernhardt, founder of CADDAC, the Center for ADHD Awareness, Canada.
Her presentation will start by debunking the myths of ADHD and explaining what ADHD actually is. She’ll look at how ADHD impacts an adolescent’s functioning in the home and school environment and the increased risks to kids with ADHD as they move into adolescence.
She’ll also look at what a comprehensive assessment of ADHD looks like and how ADHD is diagnosed and treated. She’ll discuss ways to support adolescents with ADHD at home, and ways to advocate for resources in Ontario schools. Additional links to resources will be provided during the presentation and access given to the Power Point following the presentation. We encourage you to try to attend the live virtual presentation in person, to hear the additional detail and Q & A of Heidi’s very considerable knowledge and experience. Please send an email to northerngifted@gmail.com to obtain the meeting link. We hope that you can join us!
Guidance Updates:
- Applying to Post-Secondary - Ontario Universities and Colleges
Please use our Applying to Post-Secondary Guide to access resources over the winter break.
Ontario Universities (OUAC) Deadline January 15, 2021
Ontario Colleges (OCAS) Deadline February 1, 2021
- 2021-2022 Course Selection Process: Upcoming Dates
January 18 - 21, 2021: Student Course Selection Presentations
January 27, 2021 at 6:30 pm - Course Selection Evening Presentation
February 3, 2021 at 9 am - myBlueprint goes “live” for course selection
February 18, 2021 at 9 am - myBlueprint CLOSES for closure selection
- Quad 3 TDSB eLearning Registration opens January 5, 2021 at 9 am.
For more information on Quad 3 eLearning please click here.
- Semester 2 TDSB Night School Registration opens January 4, 2021 at 10 am.
For more information on Semester 2 Night School please click here.
- Quad 2 Full Disclosure Date: January 18, 2021.
If you (or your student) would like to withdraw from a quad 2 course without it being listed on their transcript, you must contact your Guidance Counselor one week before the January 18, 2021 Full Disclosure date.
Mental Health Counselling Support at Northern Secondary;
- 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.
Historical:
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/
Have a great weekend!
Adam
Follow Me @PrincipalNSS