Good Evening Northern Families,

 

Just a couple of days left and we are half-way through this challenging school year. Pretty incredible to think of all the adversity you have overcome to arrive here- that goes for everyone- parents, teachers, students. Well Done! It’s a heavy bulletin this week, so let’s get right to it:

 

Quad 2 Final Report Cards, Alternative Report Cards and Semester 1 Final Report Cards will be delivered electronically by SIS starting the week of February 15th. Password protected files will be sent to the parent/guardian email address on file in Trillium as well as to students using the TDSB student email.

Timetable distribution: All Quad 3 / Semester 2 timetables will be distributed electronically to parents with an email address on file in Trillium and students’ TDSB email addresses. IT Services will send student timetables via SchoolMessenger beginning February 2, 2021.

Maya Zibaie Academic Award: I will be including this for several more weeks. For more information, please click this link: nssf.ca/donate/maya Thank You.

Next Week’s Schedule: A reminder that Wednesday and Thursday next week are credit rescue days. These are still attendance taking days, so please “check-in” with the appropriate class as per the schedule below. If you find yourself in a failing position your scheduled credit rescue time is here as well:

Credit Rescue Day #1: (February 3rd)

1000. Course 1 (Days 1 and 2) Check-in/Attendance
1000. Course 1 (Days 1 and 2) Credit Rescue
1000. Wellness Break

10:45-11:00a.m Course 2 (Days 3 and 4) Check-in/Attendance

1000. Course 2 (Days 3 and 4) Credit Rescue

 

Credit Rescue Day #2: (February 4th)

1000. Course 2 (Days 3 and 4) Check-in/Attendance
1000. Course 2 (Days 3 and 4) Credit Rescue
1000. Wellness Break

10:45-11:00a.m Course 1 (Days 1 and 2) Check-in/Attendance

1000. Course 1 (Days 1 and 2) Credit Rescue

 

Friday February 5^th: PD Day

Monday February 8^th: Quad 3 begins

 

Yearbook Info:

There is an option to purchase a yearbook for $35.00 this year.

If you are a face-to-face learner and have an account with school cash online you should have received a direct link to purchase a yearbook.

If you are attending the Virtual School you will need to access school cash online here: https://tdsb.schoolcashonline.com/Fee/Details/92603/153/False/True

If you require any assistance setting up an account please click HERE for a step-by-step guide.

 

Northern Music- Winterlude!

 

Attention Northern students, staff, friends and family! You are invited to WINTERLUDE 2021! At Northern's first-ever virtual concert, come out for a night of fabulous music. Winterlude 2021 offers a diverse lineup of ensembles and genres, where you can listen to current music students' hard work, passionate solos, disco, Rachmaninoff and more.

 

Winterlude is free of charge and will premiere on Youtube! Click the link in our Instagram bio (@nssmusic) to be directed to the concert. Alternatively, sign up (at bit.ly/2Mtopji) to receive the link via email. Hope to see you there!

Image: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Pq2qmF5D8oUX9pakfmOzKr2X50soWIn_/view?usp=sharing

2021 Pascal, Cayley, and Fermat Math Contests hosted by uWaterloo

The NSS Math Department is excited to be running the 2021 Pascal (gr. 9), Cayley (gr. 10), and Fermat (gr. 11) Math Contests hosted by the University of Waterloo Centre for Education in Mathematics and Computing. These contests are open to all students in Grades 9-11. The contests will be held online on Tuesday, February 23rd.

Interested in testing out your mathematical problem-solving ability? Sign up by Thursday, February 4 by 3:00 p.m. using this form! [Note: Signing up is confirmation that the student is writing the contest, and they will be required to pay the $5 contest fee using the School Cash Online system.]

Want to stay up-to-date on this year's Math Contests? Join the 2020-2021 Math Contest Google Classroom using class code: j5mmrwq

Please direct any contest questions to stephanie.kendall@tdsb.on.ca

 

Student Activity Council:

Northern's SAC has been working to bring new life to our online presence. At northernsac.ca, students and parents can find information about schedules, clubs, mental health resources, COVID-19 protocols, and much more. As time goes on, the SAC Exec will continue to work with the Webmaster to improve website accessibility and the information available. Be sure to check it out!

 

The SAC is also proud to announce that we are opening its doors to applicants for the Constitution Reform Committee: the body responsible for reviewing (and sometimes changing) how student council, clubs, and the budget operate.
All are welcome to apply, especially those with a passion for implementing change for the good of others. An excellent opportunity for students to learn about policymaking and working with a team.
Applications close on February 9th.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeZMAzCqDNrqngwYYMhelul-BH6sNyyqUIkO9UPjgxCNshm6w/viewform

Guidance:

NSS 2021-2022 Course Selection Information and Links:

 

1. NSS Course Selection Dates:

 

1. 1. myBlueprint OPENS: February 3, 2021 @ 9am (for Virtual Students myBlueprint may not open until Feb 8^th)
   2. myBlueprint CLOSES February 18, 2021 @ 9am (for all students)
   3. Course Verification Process: February 19, 2021 @ 4pm. Closes Feb 23, 2021 @ 4pm.

Course verification will be paperless, through a google form that will be emailed to all students and families February 19, 2021. Instructions will be included in the February 19^th email.

 

2. Course Fair Google Site – Where students and families can find lots and lots of information about NSS courses and access department info and contacts.

 

3. Course Selection LIVE Student Drop-In Zoom Sessions: 12:30 – 1:30 pm – Feb 4, Feb 9, Feb 10, Feb 16

 

Topic: Course Selection Drop-In

Time: Feb 4, Feb 9, Feb 10, Feb 16, 2021 @ 12:30 – 1:30 pm

 

Join Zoom Meeting

https://tdsb-ca.zoom.us/j/99367947870

 

Meeting ID: 993 6794 7870

 

4. NSS Course Selection Presentation RECORDING:

Missed our Course Selection presentation? Access the recording here: https://youtu.be/kRZbPJ1oWMw

Slides ONLY: Jan 27^th Evening Presentation Grs 9 - 12

 

5. NSS Grade-specific Course Selection Slides ONLY Presentations:

These are slides from our grade-specific and evening course selection presentations.

Grade 9 to 10, Grade 10 to 11, Grade 11 to 12, Grade 12 & Beyond

 

 

6. Guidance Google Classrooms – where everything Course Selection is posted.

Grade 9 GC: c7wbn3w, Gr 10 GC: xt4sp7k , Gr 11 C: jhazx2s, Gr12 GC: gthmiui

 

7. We want to talk with you! Book an individual Guidance Appointment:

http://bit.ly/nssguidance & Book an Appointment – Help & How To

 

Achievement:

 

As with Quad 1, teachers will provide a mark, one comment and learning skills for the final Quad 2 report card. February 3^rd and 4^th, Credit Rescue days, subject-specific teachers will provide on-line synchronous activities to students who are in a failing position that will allow for students to demonstrate achievement of unmet overall expectations towards the goal of earning their credit. Every student and family/guardian will receive communication of a final mark before Friday, February 5^th. Quad 2 report cards (including Quad 2/Term 1 Civics and Careers report cards) will be sent electronically starting the week of February 15^th.

 

GAC (Gifted Advisory Committee)

GAC presents “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!

 

GAC presents: “ADHD Highlights: What You Need to Know About ADHD” - Tuesday March 2 at 7:00 p.m.

GAC is excited to invite all parents, students, and educators 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!

Mental Health Counselling Support at Northern Secondary;

50. 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.vibert@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