Greetings Northern Families,

Next week is a “Week 2” so you have your Day 2 or class C and D courses next week.

8808727. have been many questions about extra-curriculars, especially sports this week. We know there was an announcement made Monday by the board about gradually opening up extra-curriculars. For athletic programming we are working a quickly as we can to put programming in place. It is important to note that we DO NOT know exactly what this will look like yet. We need to know if there will be leagues/ games to play, meets to take part in etc. If this happens it gives us some structure to build on. If there are NOT going to be leagues/ games we will be working on an intramural structure at Northern. We want to assure you there will be extra-curricular athletics, but ask for your patience while schools and coaches around the board figure out how this is going to work.

Other extra-curriculars are able to operate virtually for now, and we will be looking at the rules around face-to-face meetings of groups. There are COVID tracking/ restrictions we have to be mindful of and want to be crystal clear on these rules so students can make choices they are happy with (there will be limits on the number of face-to-face activities students can be involved in).

 

Truth and Reconciliation Week: Bring a Toonie!

Next week marks Truth and Reconciliation week across Canada. In preparation for this, NSS has been collaborating with a grade 6 class at Kensington Community School to create custom #Everychildmatters buttons. The buttons have been designed by Northern’s own Ayla Boshkaykin!

Buddies will be selling the buttons for $2 each during Truth and Reconciliation Week at entry doors in the morning and in the lobby at lunch. To see more details visit here: https://schoolweb.tdsb.on.ca/northernss/

We All proceeds will be donated to https://www.councilfire.ca/index.html on behalf of the NSS and Kensington Community School students and staff.

 

Grade 9 One to One Device Program.

Parent/Guardians of Grade Nine students à we will be distributing devices on Monday Sept. 27^th to Wednesday Sept. 29^th via the afternoon classes. If you have not yet filled in the Permission Click form to opt in then we cannot distribute a device. If you need the form re-sent, please email your learner’s Vice Principal to request it be resent.

 

Next week is a “Week 2” so you have your Day 2 or class C and D courses next week.

 

Next Wednesday is a late start Staff Meeting day. As a reminder the schedule on late start days is as follows:

Schedules on these PD/ PLC days are as follows:

Late Start Schedule for Staff Meetings / PLCs
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.	Course 1/3
12:00 p.m. – 12:45 p.m.	LUNCH
12:45 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.	Course 2/4

 

Student Leadership Opportunities:

NSS SAC Class Rep elections – to take place the week of October 4^th.

The week of October 4^th in period A classes, students will go through elections where they choose one classmate to represent their class in our student council. This is a great opportunity for students to step into a leadership role at Northern and have a voice in the school!

Senate Applications!

Want to be a senator in Northern's student council? Now's your chance! Appointed senator applications are out now! These positions include TDSB SuperCouncil Senators, NSS Foundation Senator, PTA Senator, Webmaster Senator, Social Media Senator, and Safe Schools Senator. Descriptions of each position can be found on the SAC website in the school constitution or hard copies can be found outside of Dale's office on the third floor. Applications will be posted on the Sac instagram link tree, as well as here in PDF form. All applications can be sent to the sac email, northern.sac2021@gmail.com. Make sure to apply by Friday, October 8!

 

Football:

Any one that may be interested in participating in a Jr/Sr Football team this year please come to an information meeting on Monday Sept 27^th at 3pm on the back field.

 

 

 

2021-2022 Math Contests

The 2021-2022 Math Contest season is just around the corner! Interested in testing out your mathematical problem-solving ability? Registration for the following contests is now open on our 2021-2022 Math Contest Google Classroom, using the code cyoa3rl

~Canadian Open Mathematics Challenge~

The Canadian Open Mathematics Challenge (COMC) is Canada's premier national mathematics competition open to any student with an interest in and grasp of high school math. The purpose of the COMC is to encourage students to explore, discover, and learn more about mathematics and problem solving.

Who: Grades 9-12 students

When: Thurs. Oct. 28

Where: Northern S.S.

Registration fee: $26

Interested in competing? Please submit the COMC Registration Form on our Math Contest Google Classroom by Friday, October 8^th.

 

~Canadian National Math League Contest #1~

The CNML hosts a series of six contests over the course of the school year, open to all students in grades 9-12. Registration for the Oct. 12^th CNML #1 Contest is now open to all students, with no registration fee! Interested in competing? Sign up by Monday, October 11^th on our Math Contests Google Classroom.

 

Be sure to join the Math Contest Google Classroom using class code cyoa3rl for important information, updates, registration forms, and contest results for this year's round of contests!

 

Northern Secondary School Foundation

 

Welcome to New Parents and Guardians.

 

The Northern Foundation is a charitable organization started in 1999 by parents, alumni and staff to generate funds for scholarships and grants. It is managed by a Board of Directors. We are pleased to distribute 35 Scholarships annually at Commencement and the Awards Assembly.

If you would like further information about NSSF, consult our website at nssf.ca or at info@nssf.ca.

 

 

Credit Recovery Night School

 

Continuing Education will be offering Remote Credit Recovery Night School again this semester for TDSB students looking to earn credits to support their pathway plans.

The program will run Tuesday and Thursday evening from 6:30pm-9:30pm.

Here is the list of course offerings:

https://www.tdsb.on.ca/Portals/0/HighSchool/docs/Remote-Credit-Recovery-Courses.pdf

Here is the link to register:

https://www.tdsb.on.ca/High-School/Going-to-High-School/Night-School-and-Summer-School/Night-School/Remote-Night-School-Credit-Recovery-Program-TDSB-Students-Only

Special Education - IEP Consultation Forms

Recently special education students 16 years and older and their parents/guardians received an IEP Consultation Form. An IEP is a written plan that describes the strengths and needs of individual students and summarizes their learning expectations for the school year. Parents/guardians and students can play an important role in the development of the IEP by completing the IEP Consultation Form and returning it to the appropriate special education teacher.

For students with a giftedness exceptionality please email the completed form to Monique.Cipollone@tdsb.on.ca

For students associated with the DHH department please email the completed form to Eric.Larocque@tdsb.on.ca

For all other special education students please email the completed form to Amanda.Kearney@tdsb.on.ca

 

Fall offerings of Continuing Education

Continuing Education courses and programs at the Toronto District School Board. The programs are:

· Remote Night School – Secondary Credit

· Remote Night School – Credit Recovery

· Remote Saturday International Language Credit Program

· Remote Elementary International Languages and African Heritage Programs

· Fall General Interest Courses: “Learn4Life”

· Remote Adult ESL

· International Adult Students programming

 

 

Post-Secondary Information Session for Grade 12 Families

The TDSB invites families of Grade 12 students to attend an upcoming Post-Secondary Information Session on Wednesday, October 6, 2021. This session is aimed at helping parents/guardians and students better understand the post-secondary admissions process during COVID-19. This event is meant to support the post-secondary initiatives that schools are coordinating for their students locally. Grade 12 students and families will be encouraged to direct any questions about post-secondary planning to their school Guidance Counsellors.

Following a brief overview of the post-secondary application process, participants will have the opportunity to hear from a number of GTA post-secondary institutions regarding their admissions process and how their institutions are addressing teaching and learning during the pandemic. Presenters include:

• OYAP
• OCAS
• Centennial College
• Seneca College
• George Brown College
• Humber College
• University of Toronto
• Ryerson University
• York University

 

This Post-Secondary Information Session will take place on Wednesday, October 6th from 7 to 8:15 p.m. via Zoom. Click here to join the Information Session on Wednesday evening.

Families can request interpretation services for this event in advance, by completing this online form.

The following updates are important for potential graduates:

• The literacy requirement has been waived for 2021-2022 graduates this year.
• Community involvement hours have been reduced from 40 to 20 hours for graduates this year. Students are encouraged to participate in virtual community involvement opportunities (Ontario Volunteer Centre Network or Volunteer Toronto.)

Schools are asked to share this information with their Grade 12 students and families. Secondary Guidance Counsellors will also receive this information, to support students in the post-secondary transition process.

If you have any questions, please contact Renée N. Rawlins, Coordinator - Guidance, Career Development and Student Well-Being or Lisa Edwards Centrally Assigned Principal - Academic Pathways, Athletics, Guidance, UPHS and Wellness. Students with questions about post-secondary transitions should direct their questions to their school Guidance Counsellor.

 

TDSB Recognizes Orange Shirt Day on September 30, 2021

In 1973, 6 year-old Phyllis Webstad was excited to wear her new orange shirt to her first day of school. Phyllis says of the shirt, "it was so bright and exciting—just like it felt to be going to school!" When she arrived at St. Joseph Mission Residential School, her shirt was taken and never given back. For Phyllis, "the color orange has always reminded me of that and how my feelings didn't matter, how no one cared and how I felt like I was worth nothing. All of us little children were crying and no one cared."

 

Established in 2013, Orange Shirt Day recognizes the legacy of the Residential Schools System for First Nations, Métis and Inuit families and communities. By wearing orange, we acknowledge the truths of Residential Schools in Canada, we honour Survivors, and we remember the thousands of children murdered by these schools, many of them buried in unmarked graves.

On Thursday, September 30, 2021 wear orange to participate in Orange Shirt Day. Follow @UIEC_tdsb and @tdsb on Twitter to see how students and staff from across the Toronto District School Board recognized Orange Shirt Day. To learn more about Phyllis’ story and Orange Shirt Day visit www.orangeshirtday.org. See the Orange Shirt Day 2021 poster.

 

Guidance Updates:

1. Semester 1 Remote Night School, Saturday Credit Program, Credit Recovery Night School Updates:

Semester 1: Remote Night School

• Registration closes October 1, 2021 at 11 am
• For information go to the TDSB Remote Night School site, which links to the Saturday Credit site, and the Remote Night School Credit Recovery site

 

2. OCVF: Ontario College Virtual Fair

The Ontario College Fair is not running this year. Ontario Colleges will host individual presentations. Check out this site for more info for direct contact with colleges or see NSS’s Guidance Google classrooms for information.

3. OUF: Ontario Universities Fair

Ontario's universities are excited to host the Ontario Universities' Fairs (OUFs) this fall. The OUFs will consist of 2 virtual events:

• Saturday, September 25, 12-2 pm (ET)
• Tuesday, October 26, 5-7 pm (ET)

All Ontario universities will participate in these free events and anyone may attend - pre-registration is not required.

Each event will be divided up into four 30-minute sessions, where students can learn about the universities of their choice and ask questions. Some universities will offer presentations in French. These events are a great opportunity to get answers about programs, admission requirements, student life and much more.

Don’t forget to check out on our google classroom when each university will be visiting NSS.

4. TDSB 2021/2022 Graduation Requirements Update:

Community Hours: Typically, secondary school students are required to earn 40 hours of community involvement activities as part of the requirements for earning an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD).In 2021-22, the required number of hours for community involvement activities will be reduced from 40 to a minimum of 20 hours for graduating students. This is consistent with changes made in the 2020-21 school year.

Please see your Guidance Counsellor or the Guidance Google classroom for more information.

OSSLT: Ontario Literacy Test: Students graduating in the 2021-22 school year are exempted from the literacy graduation requirement.

The literacy graduation requirement will be restored for students graduating in the 2022-23 school year. Students in Grades 10 and 11 and non-graduating students, including those who are learning remotely, are required to work towards the literacy graduation requirement, through participating in the OSSLT, adjudication, or the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Course (OSSLC).

Please see your Guidance Counsellor or the Guidance Google classroom for more information.

5. Graded Guidance Google Classroom Links:

Guidance will be using these graded google classrooms to disseminate LOTS of information! Please be sure you are signed up for your correct grade!

 

Grade 9 Google Classroom link: kmv6fcz

Grade 10 Google Classroom link: twdxca6

Grade 11 Google Classroom link: hfg74ws

Grade 12 Google Classroom link: u565fkg

 

Student Success Updates

The new Student Success room is located in the classroom next to the cafeteria. Please encourage your child to visit the space and meet Ms. Vibert.

For all Student Success updates, please visit the Student Success website

Accessing Academic Support (Gr 9s and 10s)

Students can access academic support from Ms. Vibert in the Student Success room during class time, only at the request of their classroom teacher.

For support during lunch or after school, all students can come see Ms. Vibert in the Student Success room (located next to the cafeteria).

Peer Tutoring

Sign up is now available. Please have your child sign up using this form. Students will be notified by email when they are assigned a tutor.

Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM)

Registration is ongoing for all three of our programs: Design, Engineering and Manufacturing (DEM), Arts & Culture, Health & Wellness. Please see information on each program here

Application form can be found here

Nutrition Program

Grab n Go lunch will be available in the Student Success room on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays for those in need of access to healthy food. To sign up, please have your child see Ms. Vibert in the Student Success Room.
Any questions regarding student success can be directed to april.vibert@tdsb.on.ca

School Council Update:

 

1) Grade 9 Parent Chat - we will be hosting a one-hour Zoom meeting on Thursday, September 30 at 7:00 pm to welcome incoming parents and get them familiarized with how Northern works. This will be an orientation “for parents, by parents” and an opportunity to meet other parents. We have a very diverse student body and a school with varied, rich offerings. Let us help you navigate your choices and make the most of your years here! Email nss.school.council@gmail.com for a meeting link with "Parent Chat" in the subject line. Links will be sent out by 4 pm on September 30.

 

2) Election for School Council 21-22 - elections for School Council will be held Thursday, October 14 at 6:30 pm. All parents and guardians of Northern students are welcome to run; no prior experience needed. Details of the process will follow in next week's bulletin.

 

3) We’d love your help! In lieu of ongoing fundraising, we request voluntary contributions once in the fall for all our initiatives to support students throughout the year (clubs, athletics, wellness, conferences, workshops, advocacy, subsidies and much more). Click here for more details and the link to make your contribution through School Cash Online. Every gift makes a difference!

 

4) Join the list! School Council sends emails with news from within and beyond Northern to help you support your student's academic success. If you would like to be included on our mailing list to receive news "for parents, by parents", please send an email to nss.school.council@gmail.com with the subject line, “Count me in”.

 

For more information on any of these matters, please contact us at: nss.school.council@gmail.com

 

 

 

GAC (Gifted Advisory Committee) virtual meeting - Tuesday, October 5 at 7:00 p.m.
All parents of gifted students are welcome, to connect with other parents and to learn more about the gifted program and Northern. Please send an email to northerngifted@gmail.com to obtain the meeting link.

 

Lumenus 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 supports to enhance the mental health services that they may need and wish to access. 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. If anyone 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. Please see attached information on the service provided at Northern.

 

Thank You, and have a great weekend,

Adam

Follow me @PrincipalNSS