Good Evening Northern Families,
We have our first day of Quadmester 4 under our belts. Thank you to everyone- students and families- for your hard work, patience, and understanding to get here. Everyone has been pushing themselves to achieve under challenging circumstances. For anyone that engaged in Credit Rescue this week to ensure successful credit accumulation kudos to you. I hope your effort have paid off!
Next Tuesday April 26th (Day 3)is a staff meeting day. The schedule will look as follows:
Morning class (H Block) 8:45am-12:05pm
Afternoon Class (G Block)- 1:35-2:35pm
Some very important messages follow for graduating students. There will be a flurry of messaging coming and we will shift to direct communication (to grade 12’s) as much as possible moving forward. We are targeting the evening of Monday June 28th for a virtual graduation so mark it in your calendars! If you have a grade 12 student in your household please encourage them to read the following items:
Valedictorian Selection:
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 ensure 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 will be reflective of the group’s undergraduate experiences
• to complete the Valedictorian Application Form using your TDSB account, respecting all deadlines.
• to submit the final speech by May 24th, 2021 (at the latest) to Ms. Siegel at dara.siegel@tdsb.on.ca. There are other deadlines in the form- be sure to check these carefully!
Voting will take place starting May 7th (more details to follow).
Grad hoodies are here!
Graduating students, place your order by May 2nd. Direct home shipping is included in the cost. Congrats grads!
2021 Yearbook: Grade 9 Portraits, Grade 12 Grad quotes and Yearbook Survey:
1-Grade 9's who have not submitted a photo- Yearbook wants your photo! Please submit the Grade 9 Portrait form by May 7 at the latest.
If a picture is not submitted we will use a standard fill in icon.
2- Grade 12, Yearbook quotes and baby photos- This year in lieu of grad photos yearbook would like your baby photos. Please submit the Grade 12 yearbook quotes and baby photo form by May 7 at the latest.
3- All Students- It is that time of the year again, please note that next week we will be rolling out our Yearbook Survey during class. Looking forward to your answers!
-Please note these forms will only work when open from a tdsb email Instructions are inside.
If you have any questions about yearbook please contact our Staff Advisor, Leslie Usin Rojas (leslie.usin-rojas@tdbs.on.ca)
Northern Pride Week (April 26-30th):
Next week is pride week at Northern and there will be a few ways that students can participate. On Monday at 3:30, the Gender Sexuality Association (GSA) will be hosting a virtual discussion about cultural movements (particularly pride and civil rights) along with BlackNSS, Feminist Club, and Social Justice
Link https://tdsb-ca.zoom.us/j/92841978593?pwd=aXdVeHJBZzJES0V2UWw0bDdJRU8zZz09
Tuesday is Pink Shirt Day, an anti-bullying day where support is shown by showing up in your pinkest shirts. Despite being at home, students can wear their shirts and participate to the best of their abilities. On Wednesday at 3:30, the GSA will be hosting a discussion with artist, activist and scholar Syrus Marcus Ware
Link: https://tdsb-ca.zoom.us/j/96847192199?pwd=dDBOT0w5QkpnT2xvS1UvWGVPdVV1Zz09
Throughout the week there will be information going up onto the GSA Google Classroom (7kckhgu to join). On Friday, a wide range of LGBTQ+ media will be made available to teachers and students via the GSA classroom answering questions received through an anonymous survey earlier in the year there. Come to the discussion, wear your pink shirt, and watch/listen/read some queer media. It’s a week of joy, we welcome you to participate.
Virtual Community Session: How to Navigate the School System for Black Student Success, K-12
We are partnering with TDSB’s Equity, Anti-Racism and Anti-Oppression Team to host a Virtual Community Session supporting Black Excellence with Dr. Carl James, the Jean Augustine Chair in Education, Community and Diaspora in the Faculty of Education at York University,
The session will focus on how to navigate the school system for Black student success and is scheduled for April 28, 2021, 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm.
Dr. James will walk families through the TDSB data that was highlighted in the report called "Towards Race Equity in Education" from 2017. He will also explore the report recommendations to the systemic barriers Black students and their families experience. Dr. Carl James will share thoughts around Racial Inequity, COVID-19 And The Education Of Black And Other Marginalized Students.
Register to participate in this informative session
All families who attend this event will be receiving a complimentary book to support their child's literacy development shortly after the session.
If you have any questions or need more information, please email ian.wilson@tdsb.on.ca and elizabath.aiello@tdsb.on.ca
From Northern’s Music Council:
Playlists: Searching for some sweet vibes? NSS Music has you covered! Listen to Northern's multi-genre curated playlist, "Knight Tracks," to brighten your day. Playlists are out on Spotify and Apple Music every Monday. Visit our Instagram bio (@nssmusic) for more info.
Speaker Series: Ever wished you could valuable gain insight on what it's like to pursue music or be in the music industry? Check out NSS Music's 2021 Speaker Series! All Northern students are invited to attend, learn and ask questions for the speakers. On April 21st at 4pm, hear the NSS Music Alumni Panel give advice and talk about what it's like to study music in university. Sign up at bit.ly/musicalumni. On June 8th at 4pm, hear from acclaimed baroque violist, violinist and broadcaster for Classical 96.3FM Kathleen Kajioka talk about her experiences and music career. Sign up at bit.ly/kajioka. If you missed one of the past talks, fret not! Re-watch our previous talks on the NSS Music Youtube channel: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL85MeF6wHVHD12xD-dlQ_RNvNCkXopKgx. To stay updated with NSS Music, follow us on Instagram @nssmusic.
Tunescape Auditions: Attention Northern! There is less than a month left to audition for virtual Tunescape! Share your musical talents - whether it's a song you wrote or a classical aria - alongside your peers and be a part of Northern's annual spring concert. All Northern students can audition. Apply by filling out the form bit.ly/tunescape21 before May 3rd. Good luck!
Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) information session:
Informative Presentation on 3 programs at Northern Secondary School. All parents and students welcome to attend. Great opportunity to meet Northern’s Student Success Teacher: April Vibert and Academic Resource Teacher: Jessica Beresford.
Topic: Introduction to the Specialized High Skills Major Program (SHSM), Dual Credit Program and School within a College Program (SWAC)
When: April 26th, 6:30-7:30
Format: Zoom Webinar
Link: https://tdsb-ca.zoom.us/s/96647035347
Canada : +1 647 558 0588 or +1 647 374 4685
Student Success
Peer tutoring is now available for quad 4. Please fill in the Peer Tutor Registration Form. You must complete the form using your TDSB account.
Students will be notified of their tutor by email over the next couple of weeks.
If you have any questions, please direct them to april.vibert@tdsb.on.ca
Parent/Guardian Skilled Trade and Technology Virtual Information Night
The Experiential Learning Department has partnered with Skills Ontario to present a Parent/Guardian Skilled Trade & Technology Information Night. The message below can be shared with the school community.
The Experiential Learning Department has partnered with Skills Ontario to present a Parent/Guardian Skilled Trade & Technology Virtual Information Night happening on Thursday April 29, 2021 from 5:00-6:15pm. Join thought-provoking conversations to remove the stigma behind careers in the skilled trade professions, with a focus on the Motive Power sector.
Through this event you will have the opportunity to:
- * Take a virtual tour with Centennial College Ashtonbee Campus through their labs, and watch a live automotive demo; and
- * Hear about the partnerships and opportunities between the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP), Centennial College and the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC)
While this event is geared towards Parents/Guardians and students in grades 7-12, all are welcome! Please see this flyer for details and registration link, and share with your Parent communities! There is no cost to register. Spaces are limited.
Math Support for Grades 9 and 10:
Northern’s Math Department is pleased to announce the beginning of an after-school virtual Numeracy Program to support grade 9 and 10 math learners! Students will work with members of the NSS Math department to build and strengthen mathematical reasoning and comprehension as well as practice and apply key mathematical processes and concepts required throughout the Grade 9 and 10 math curricula.
The Numeracy Program schedule is as follows:
- Grade 9: Tuesdays (3:30 – 4:30)
- Grade 10: Thursdays (3:30 – 4:30)
All grade 9 and 10 students are welcome and do not have to currently be taking math to register. Interested in registering? The registration form can be found on the Numeracy Program Google Classroom using the class code xwggamt
For any questions or inquiries, please contact Ms. Kendall at stephanie.kendall@tdsb.on.ca
Northern Secondary School Foundation:
Northern Secondary School Foundation
Grateful to the Northern Alumni who have established scholarships to recognize the achievements of Northern students and to show their appreciation for the Northern experience..
The Belyk Award for Excellence in Design. Created by Tom Belyk to honour his family’s 50-year association with Northern.
Gail Robertson Whitworth Award in Family Studies NSS’73 to honour three generations of her family who have graduated from Northern.
Jim Davidson NSS’76 to recognise athletic and academic achievement in the Jim W. Davidson Scholarship
Norman Hayman NSS’45 to recognize participation in Mathematics competitions.
Jason Herriott NSS’87 to honor the inspiration and mentoring of ‘Mr. Z’ in the Robert Zawerbny Scholarship in Design and Illustration.
The Red Knights through the years to honor legendary Coach Clarke Pulford.
Application available at nssf.ca/scholarship. Deadline April 30th 2021.
From Guidance:
- Summer School Registration Update:
Thank you for your patience while the TDSB works through upgrading the Summer School e-reg system. Guidance still DOES NOT have access to approve your requests. Once the system is back online, we will approve requests that meet criteria and reach out to anyone as needed. You will receive a confirmation email from e-reg once this has been completed.
Here is a short overview of all the summer school options:
Summer 2021: Con-Ed Summer School & e-Summer School Program Overview
eLearning Summer School: online – FLEXIBLE school times
Con Ed Summer School – Hybrid – In-school and on-line at SET times during school day
Con Ed Summer School – Fully Remote – online at SET times during school day
Reach out to your Guidance Counsellor for more information.
- Spring Scholarships: Free Money!
The Northern Secondary School Foundation will be accepting scholarship applications from March 12th-April 31st. Learn more here.
Check out the Scholarship Report for some great tips and opportunities.
Check out this document for a list of university entrance scholarships.
- Spring Post-Secondary Information: Grade 12 Guidance Google Classroom Info
Just a reminder to have your child check the Grade 12 Guidance Google Classroom for the “Post Secondary News of the Week” for information about upcoming events at universities and colleges, virtual tours, and OSAP FAQs.
- Graduating? Volunteer Hours and OSSLT Graduation Requirement Updates and Reminders
OSSLT update for 2021 Grads: Graduating students who have not completed the OSSLT will have this graduation requirement waived for June 29, 2021.
Volunteer hour reminders for 2021 Grads: Due May 1, 2021
Community Involvement - 20 Hours Are Required for Graduation! Please submit by May 1, 2021.
2021 graduating students need to submit 20 hours (and 10 of those can be from a paid job). For more info, book an appointment with your guidance counsellor.
School Council:
Graduation Planning Is Underway! - our grad committee will be sending out updates on plans to enhance the graduation experience for the Class of 2021 soon. If you are a graduating parent and have questions, ideas to share, or would like to be part of the committee, email us at nss.school.council@gmail.com. And if you have contacts or experience in the photo and video fields, we'd love your help!
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
Have a great weekend!
Adam
Follow Me @PrincipalNSS