Greetings Northern Families,
One more week to go and we can all catch out collective breath. A reminder to students if you are using your locker please ensure food/ perishables are removed by the end of the week!
Next week we will be distributing the 5 rapid test kits to students that you have likely heard about in the media. While a paper copy of this message will be given to students along with the tests I am including it here in case the paper doesn’t make it home: Rapid Testing Information.
Thank You to everyone that has made a payment for the Student Activity Fee. We do rely on this support to run the wide variety of Arts, Athletics, and other co-curriculars at Northern. TO make payment please visit: https://tdsb.schoolcashonline.com/ This will cover printing costs for students (library), the yearbook, and subsidize student arts/ athletics/ clubs outside of the classroom. The link will remain open so please help support Northern’s Extra-Curriculars!
2020-2021 Yearbooks are still available! Interested? Please click here to purchase.
Sick Kids is our partner for PCR testing (they collect tests from us daily). If you have submitted, or submit tests in the future please take note of this message from them: Due to the current surge in COVID-19 testing recommendations and volumes coming through at SickKids, there may be a delay in test resulting through the provincial website. We apologize and thank you for your patience and understanding.
Next Wednesday is a 10am start- staff meeting.
The United Way Silent Auction ends tonight at 9pm. Need to do some holiday shopping? Have a look! NSS United Way Silent Auction
Winterlude is Back!
Whether it's performing a song you wrote, singing a cover of Billie Eilish or playing a melodica solo, share your musical talent alongside your peers and audition for Winterlude! Northern's annual winter concert will be held virtually this year. Apply by filling out the form bit.ly/winterlude22 before January 7th. For more info, follow @nssmusic on Instagram. Let's turn up the music, Northern! See details HERE. (WINTERLUDE)
Northern Debate Team:
This past weekend two teams from Northern Debate competed in the OSDU Toronto Regional debate tournament. After four grueling rounds of diatribes, discourse and debate, our teams finished in a respectable 17th and 18th position out of 30 teams. Congratulations to our two teams on an excellent performance in light of some very challenging propositions and opponents.
Graduation Photos:
Grad Photos and retakes will take place starting January 10th. Please book an appointment online following the link and steps below:
https://booking.edgeimaging.ca/portal/book/NEH
Click “Classic Sitting” or “Yearbook Only Sitting”
Choose date and time of your liking, click “confirm and pay now”
Enter student, contact and billing information and “click confirm and pay”
**Please note, due to Covid- no props that are held will be provided. We highly suggest students bring their own to make the session more personalized. Props could include- fake flowers, a rolled-up paper and ribbon as a scroll, an old school photo, a hard cover book, a small item that shows of your personality or interests.
**Please come prepared in a white collared shirt or blouse and tie.
**A black graduation gown, sash and graduation cap will be available for each student to use. We are following all health and safety guidelines set out by the TDSB and TPH.
**Your confirmation email will confirm the location of your session will take place
We look forward to seeing you there!
School Council:
Did you miss our ARC presentation? Recording and slides are now available for the December 7 ARC presentation, "Is Your Student Struggling with Math?" Click here for seasoned advice, tips, and strategies for you and your student from our Northern teachers!
A reminder that our Thank-a-teacher campaign is still running. Let your favourite Northern SS teacher, coach, or staff member know how much you appreciate their time and dedication. We encourage parents to write a quick email to teachers, staff, or administration to recognize the efforts and energy they put forth every day
Scent Awareness:
Many experience headaches, nausea, and other symptoms when exposed to fragrances/ scents.
What can you do to help?
• Be considerate of those who are sensitive to fragrance chemicals. Avoid using scented products and use scent-free alternatives, instead.
• If you do use scented products, use them sparingly. A general guideline for scented products is that the scent should not be detectable more than an arm's length away from you. Do not apply scented products in a public area.
• Avoid using products (e.g. air fresheners or potpourris) that give off chemical based scents in your work area.
• Avoid using laundry products or cleaning agents that are scented. Air out dry cleaned clothing before wearing.
Guidance Updates:
Reminder to students: There is much more to explore in our Guidance Google classrooms!
Gr. 9 code: kmv6fcz; Gr. 10 code: twdxca6; Gr. 11 code: hfg74ws; Gr. 12 code: u565fkg
- PLEASE NOTE: TDSB e-reg system is not working at full capacity. Guidance will have access to approve registration requests Dec 13, 2021.
Semester 2 e-Learning Day School is OPEN.
For more information book an appointment with your Guidance Counsellor and/or click here.
Semester 2 Night School registration is OPEN.
For more information book an appointment with your Guidance Counsellor and/or click here.
- Marks Maintain Date/Full Disclosure date is December 15, 2021.
- Friendly, Gentle "Nudge" from your Guidance counsellors -
Graduating students: Now that we've all met and chatted about your plans for graduation and post-secondary...get those applications to OUAC and OCAS done and sent!!! Don't delay! Even though the deadlines aren't until January 13 (OUAC) and February 1(OCAS), we highly recommend you complete your application and send it as soon as possible!
- A Message from your Northern wellNSS team:
WellNSS is an association at Northern whose main priority is to spread awareness about mental health and mental illness. Our goal is to foster a community where discussing mental health is encouraged, to offer resources and strategies to promote mental health, and to reduce the stigma around it. We have planned future events in the following months that focus on reducing stress, helping students change how they see themselves and their mental health, and bringing people together.
Every Wednesday, WellNSS posts on their Instagram @northernwellnss. We are calling this social media initiative WellNSS Wednesdays! Our weekly social media posts focus on providing mental health resources in and outside school, posting tips for mindfulness, and overall helping educate Northern students about mental health to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental illness. We are also planning some in-person events for 2022, whenever it is safe to do so! For more information or to join wellnss please contact us via IG @northernwellnss
- Mental Wellness Spotlight: Canadian Mental Health Association Toronto
Click here to access a fulsome reference of mental health resources in Toronto, gathered by the Canadian Mental Health Association: Toronto (CMHA)
- Youth Employment Spotlight:
The City of Toronto is hiring for Part-time Aquatics Personnel for the Recreations Department. Students may send their resumes to resume@tces.on.ca and TCES can quickly assess and forward their resumes directly to the City HR. For more info visit Toronto.ca/recjobs
- Volunteer Spotlight:
Volunteer Toronto is hosting a series of workshops to help with volunteering. On January 11th, 7:00-8:00pm they will be hosting a resume building workshop. Click here to register.
- Scholarship Spotlight:
January 14th – STEAM Awards - $25000
https://steamhorizonawards.ca/
January 18th - Schulich Leader Scholarships
https://www.schulichleaders.com/apply?section=student
- The Scholarship Report
The November-January Edition can be found here.
Find tips on writing scholarship essays and learn about scholarship opportunities.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UvMtP2QY90c7wX4bNdfx0RVw75Mt65DC/view?usp=sharing
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