Greetings Northern Families,
Another pivot coming on Monday. Thank You everyone for your resilience in adapting to change.
I am still grappling with some information that I will share later this weekend. I also suspect there will be more information coming over the next 48 hours I need to share with you. Bottom line; we are back to in person learning on Monday and look forward to seeing students in the building. There are going to be challenges with self-isolation periods for staff and students. Our hope is to remain operational throughout this most recent wave of COVID cases. This means having enough staff present to operate all our classes. If we all do our part and follow Public Health guidance we should be able to manage. With that in mind, much of what I have in the bulletin today is highlighted content from what you have received directly from the board over the past couple of days. I ask that students and their families review the content of this message and links embedded carefully.
It is essential that all students complete the TDSB Health Pass or Health Screening App daily. This process has been in place all year. We will be checking carefully on Monday. Note that student names and the date appear on the QR code once screening is complete- you need to complete your own screening every day!
Please take a moment to read this COVID for Schools message from TPH. It is very helpful in understanding how decisions are made at home regarding COVID. You can also refer to the screening tool as a source of decision making/ screening each day.
When students arrive Monday:
Go to your usual entry door by floor (exit 1, 3, or 12).
Line up single-file and socially distanced ready to show your QR code. If you do not have the QR code or the paper copy expect delays as we will have to enter data manually.
Students are required to wear non-medical face covers/ masks indoors. Students may wear their own masks/ face coverings. We will continue to have masks available at entry doors.
Masks are required in physical education classes AT ALL TIMES until further notice.
Extra-Curriculars: ALL face-to-face extra curriculars are on hold until Semester 2. Virtual activities may continue with staff sponsors virtually present.
Lunch: I encourage everyone to eat outside or at home wherever possible. If you must eat in the school socially distance yourself (2 metres minimum) from others when you remove your mask to eat. You MUST be sitting while you have lunch (stationary). Once you finish eating and your mask is back on you are able to socialize in closer proximity to friends. This is going to take DISCIPLINE from everyone. Please do your part!
Bussing: While bussing will continue as normal, please note that service disruptions are likely as a result of the impact of COVID-19 on bus operator staffing. We will try to give families as much notice as possible should we learn of a delay or cancellation.
COVID-19 Testing: Rapid tests will arrive at Secondary Schools for staff next week. Tests will be provided to secondary students when additional supplies are provided by the Ministry later in the week. Staff and students are encouraged to use them at home when symptomatic.
COVID-19 Case Reporting: At the TDSB, when schools become aware of a PCR or Rapid Antigen Test confirmed case of COVID-19, directly impacted classes will continue to be informed. As the Ministry of Education has stated that classes will no longer be dismissed as a result of a case of COVID-19, that guidance will no longer be provided by the school. Instead, parents/guardians and/or students will review the daily COVID-19 screening tool to determine if they are permitted to return to school.
- Term Remote Learning (until end of semester 1): We know that some families and students will choose not to return to in-person learning for a period of time for a variety of reasons. During this transitional time, it is incredibly important for students to remain connected to their school, classroom and teacher. Educators will continue to update virtual learning platforms. For secondary students, simultaneous (live) learning may be an option as many classes were already being delivered to both in-person and virtual students at the same time. Please check your teacher’s Brightspace Platform for further information.
- Assessment and Evaluation Update: For secondary students, final marks will not be negatively affected by the final evaluations (final performance tasks, interviews, etc.). Marks will reflect work done up until December 17, 2021. Teachers will continue to assign learning tasks and culminating activities and provide feedback; however, this work will only be taken into consideration for Semester 1 final marks if it improves the student’s mark. This means that a student’s mark will not drop as a result of end of semester evaluations. Credit Rescue Days for Semester 1 remain as scheduled for January 28, 31 and February 1, 2022. **we know that this information will be received differently. We are prioritizing equity and mental health with this decision. Learning continues to be our focus. Stay engaged and work to improve your academic achievement right up until the semester ends.**
Semester 2: We are all eager for an update on Semester 2. More details will be shared as soon as they are available.
Next week is Week 2:
Wednesday is a Late Start (10am).
Grade 8 Night:
Thank You to April Vibert in Student Success and Melanie Stassis for co-ordinating an amazing Grade 8 Night. Contributions were also made by Department Heads and Student leaders. You all did an amazing job promoting the school!
Music/ Winterlude:
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. The submission deadline has been extended to February 6th at 11:59 PM. Submit your audition using the form bit.ly/winterlude2022. For more info, follow @nssmusic on Instagram. Let's turn up the music, Northern!"
Math Contest:
2022 Pascal, Cayley, and Fermat Math Contests hosted by uWaterloo
The NSS Math Department is excited to be running the 2022 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.
Contest date: Wed. Feb. 23
Registration due: Fri. Feb. 4
Registration fee: $6 (once registration closes)
Interested in testing out your mathematical problem-solving ability? Sign up by completing the registration form on the 2021-2022 Math Contest Google Classroom using class code: cyoa3rl
Please direct any contest questions to stephanie.kendall@tdsb.on.ca
Guidance:
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
- 2022-2023 Course Selection Information:
NSS Course Selection Evening Presentation:
Wednesday, January 26, 2022 from 6:30 – 7:30.
All are welcome! Click here to join
NSS Student Grade Specific Course Presentations:
Thank you to all staff and students who joined us at our student presentations this week. For access to the grade specific slides, see below:
SLIDES ONLY: Grade 9 to 10; Grade 10 to 11; Grade 11 to 12; Gr. 12&Beyond
NSS Course Selection Process Dates:
- Grade Specific Student Presentations: January 12, 2022
- Research/discussion/meetings: January – Feb 22, 2022
- myBlueprint OPENS for course selection: February 3, 2022 @ 9am
- myBlueprint CLOSES for course selection: February 23, 2022 @ 4pm
- myBlueprint Parent/Guardian APPROVAL DUE: February 23, 2022 @ 4pm
COOP 2022-2023 Student Information Session:
Thank you to students who attended the 2022-2023 COOP information session.
Please find more info here.
- PLAR: Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition: January 17, 2022 – 6:30 – 8:30pm
Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) is the formal evaluation and credit-granting process whereby students may obtain credits for prior learning. Prior learning includes the knowledge and skills that students have acquired, in both formal and informal ways, outside secondary school. Students may have their knowledge and skills evaluated against the expectations outlined in provincial curriculum policy documents in order to earn credits towards the secondary school diploma.
- WINTER 2021-2022 WELL-BEING GUIDE FOR STUDENTS, CAREGIVERS AND FAMILIES
shared from Shameen Sandhu
The TDSB Winter 2021-22 Well-Being Guide has many resources for students and caregivers. The English version can be found here. This guide has been translated into 18 languages and we hope it can reach many students and caregivers. The translations for the 18 languages can be accessed here.
- From the TDSB ConEd Night School/Credit Recovery Night School Department
- TDSB Night School Registration Closes for semester 2 on Friday January 28, 2022 at 11:00 a.m.
- Courses Cancellations: will be announced and on our website January 21, 2022.
- Students who have their course cancelled (they will be notified yemail) will have until January 28, 2022 to enrol in another course.
- Volunteer Spotlight:
On January 27, 5:30-6:30 they will be hosting their general Volunteering During Covid 19 information session. Click here to register
- Scholarship Spotlight:
January 18th - Schulich Leader Scholarships
Apply Here
Feb. 1st - Western University National Scholarship
Apply Here
From the Special Education Department (through York University):
Academic Accommodations and Post-Secondary – January 19, 2022
Student Accessibility Services is hosting a workshop about academic accommodations and the transition to post-secondary for students with disabilities. All high school students and parents (or other support persons) who have questions or concerns about the transition to university for students with disabilities are invited to attend this session.
Topics to be discussed include:
- Documentation required to access academic accommodations
- The supports and accommodations available through Student Accessibility Services at York
- Transition planning
Registration
This workshop will take place via Zoom on Wednesday, January 19th from 7-8:30pm. The session will be recorded.
Please register online before January 19. Complete this Registration Form. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the session on January 19th.
- Transition Day – February 17, 2022
This is an information day for students on the Autism Spectrum or those with a Non-Verbal Learning Disability (NVLD) and their families. It is intended for students who are in grades 10, 11 or 12 and are planning to attend a post-secondary institution (university or college). High school service providers, such as teachers, are welcome to attend.
Topics to be discussed include: Transition realities for students and their families. Accessing support systems at university/college. Strategies for academic success. Social life at university/college. Nurturing independence.
This workshop will take place virtually, via Zoom, on Friday, February 17, 2022 from 9am to 1pm. Participants will be sent additional information about how to join the workshop as part of registration.
To register, please complete this ASD Transition Day Registration Form. Registration will close once we reach the maximum number of participants.
Lumenus Community Services:
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.
Thank You, and have a great weekend,
Adam
Follow me @PrincipalNSS