Good Evening Northern Families,
- am sure the majority of students are already enjoying a long weekend break. For anyone that was working on catching up today, or will be on Monday and/ or Tuesday keep going- it will all be worth it! Next week Semester 2 begins on Thursday February 3rd. t will be a day 1. Friday will also be a Day 1. Monday the 7th will be a day 2 and we alternate day 1 and 2 after that. On this day we will be returning to a typical semestered model with 4 classes per day. Please find the updated calendar HERE.
Timetables will be shared with students via email on Monday January 31st or Tuesday February 1st at the latest. TDSB Connects should also have student timetables available next week. Please note that we continue to reschedule some students who are virtual learners into hubs involving other TDSB schools. This has led to a delay in sending out these timetables.
An email will also be sent out on Wednesday with reminders for the first day of semester 2 (timetables/ door entry/ screening/ etc). The board has already communicated the daily schedule structure directly to parents.
Wednesday was Bell Let’s Talk Day. Northern’s own WellNSS group has put together this short VIDEO as a part of the day. Please have a look! Thank you to WellNSS for continuing to highlight staff and student mental health.
If you were a Virtual Student semester 1, or you were an in person learner but forgot to return your books, please return them to exit 1 of the school on Monday January 31st or Tuesday February 1st. We will have bins in the entry to drop books/ library books in. Please put your name neatly inside, or on a sticky note on the cover. We appreciate your ensuring resources are returned to the school.
Please see Trustee Rachel Chernos Lin’s hot off the press NEWSLETTER Trustee Chernos Lin will also be hosting a ward forum and will have Dr. Janine McCready from Michael Garron as a guest for the first hour who will provide the latest data and information on Covid-19 vaccines. The second half will be focussed on a more casual conversation and opportunity for questions with our two Ward 11 superintendents.
Duke of Edinburgh:
Congratulations to Kennedy Hedgcock for earning her Bronze Level Award!
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is a non-competitive, internationally recognized program designed to encourage young people to develop positive skills and lifestyle habits. The Award is about personal challenge and development and is adaptable according to each participant’s interests and abilities. It presents young people a balanced, not-competitive program of voluntary activities which encourages personal discovery and growth, self-reliance, perseverance, responsibility to themselves and service to their community. To learn more about the award, please visit websites provided below.
Website: Duke of Edinburgh Award (DOEA) Canada - https://www.dukeofed.org
Ontario Website: DOE Ontario Division - https://www.dukeofed.org/on
Award Requirements: https://www.dukeofed.org/guidelines-award-structure-and-time-requirements
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!"
A reminder that Credit Rescue continues Monday and Tuesday as per the schedule below.
Credit Rescue Schedule:
|
Time
|
January 31
|
February 1
|
|
9:00am - 10:00am
(1 hr)
|
Department Meetings
|
|
10:00am - 12:00pm
(2 hrs)
|
Course 3 (semester 1)
|
Credit Rescue by Appointment - virtual as required
|
|
12:00pm -
12:45pm
(45 mins)
|
Lunch
|
|
12:45pm - 2:45pm
(2 hrs)
|
Course 4 (semester 1)
|
Credit Rescue by Appointment- virtual as required
|
Credit Rescue is intended for any student with a mark of 50% or lower in a course. Credit Rescue offers students additional opportunities to complete work that has not been completed during the regular classroom time provided. If your child has a mark below 50% in one or more of their courses, you will be receiving a credit rescue invitation from that classroom teacher. You may receive up to four separate invitations from all four teachers.
Additional Support on Credit Rescue Days for grade 9 and 10 Students:
Students failing a class in grade 9 or 10 can receive additional support through the Student Success Program by booking time with Ms. Vibert. This would occur during blocks where they are not scheduled for credit rescue with the classroom teacher. Please email april.vibert@tdsb.on.ca if you would like to take advantage of this opportunity. Limited spaces are available.
Yearbook Name Change and Photo Removal Request Forms:
If any students have a preferred name that they wish to appear in the yearbook, or need their photo removed, please fill out the following google forms to let Yearbook know. The responses will not be shared beyond the yearbook editors and staff advisors who will make the changes. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out to leslie.usin-rojas@tdsb.on.ca or ryan.stainsby@student.tdsb.on.ca.
Name Change Request Form :
https://forms.gle/tffGW6iukYbWAY4N9
Photo Removal Request Link:
https://forms.gle/jX9JxJCCXpv8pcMe9
School Council:
1) Too Much To Remember? Check out our website! Find need-to-know schedule changes, important deadlines, Northern's weekly bulletins, upcoming presentations and other Northern news right on our home page under "Up Next at Northern" and "Ask Adam"! For awesome parent tips, the new semester's schedule and COVID-19 info, visit the newly updated "Inside NSS" section.
2) Course Selection Tips (for parents, by parents) Wishing you had a parent buddy to help you make the most of your students' experience at NSS? Check out our parent tips here!
For more information on any of these matters, please contact us at: nss.school.council@gmail.com or check out our website at nsscouncil.com
3) Draft Minutes for Jan 13 SC Meeting - read the Principal's Update and Q and A as well as committee updates here.
From the ESL Department:
Reminder to all ELL Parents & Guardians:
We are having a Google Meet on Thursday, February 3rd @ 6:00 PM.
Guidance Curriculum Leader, Melanie Stassis and Guidance Counsellor, Leslie Usin-Rojas
will tell you everything you need to know about:
- The Course Selection process
- How to get Volunteer Hours needed for graduation
Students are welcome to join and interpreters will be available if needed.
There will be time for Questions throughout the presentation. Hope to see you there!!
Please email chana.boxer@tdsb.on.ca for more info.
Guidance Updates:
- 2022-2023 Course Selection Information:
NSS Course Selection Evening Presentation:
Recording of Jan 26, 2022 Evening Presentation
Slides ONLY version of Jan 26, 2022 Evening Presentation
NSS Student Grade Specific Course Presentations:
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
Grade 10, 11,12 Course Selection Works Sheet Guides
We STRONGLY recommend you use these guides when considering your course selection. They allow you to see all courses at one time, which can be helpful when narrowing down your choices.
Grade 10 Course Selection Work Sheet Guides
Grade 11 Course Selection Work Sheet Guide
Grade 12 Course Selection Work Sheet Guide
- From the TDSB: CREDIT RECOVERY Night School Registration will CLOSE on Friday February 4, 2022 @ NOON
Credit Recovery is an opportunity for students to recover failed courses so they can earn the credit and move on to a new course.
This night school opportunity will allow students to stay on track with their credit accumulation.
- 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.
MH Choice Boards are available for all members of the TDSB community
- Post- Secondary Updates: OCAS Deadline & OSAP/Financing Info Sessions
Reminder - the deadline to apply for Ontario College programs through www.ontariocolleges.ca is Feb.1, 2022.
Save the Date Northern! OSAP and Financing your Post Secondary Education
Guidance is hosting a live virtual presentation on OSAP and Financing your Post Secondary Education after school on Thursday, Feb. 3 at 4:00. The presentation is organized and presented by Queen's University.
This workshop is split into two sections: the first is designed to help students understand the what the ins and outs of the OSAP program are including, eligibility, how to apply, loans and bursaries, where the money comes from, repayment, interest relief (Repayment Assistance Plan), etc. During the second section you will hear from our Queen's Equity Ambassadors as they provide a general overview and discuss the variety of resources available to help finance your education, and how to access them. They share their experiences with highlighted topics including Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP), scholarships, bursaries, Work Study and other job opportunities.
We will also be hosting a shorter lunchtime presentation, again by representatives from Queen's University, on OSAP on Thursday, February 17 at 11:40.
Links for both presentations will be posted in the Guidance Google Classroom.
Scholarship Spotlight:
Western University National Scholarship – Application Due: February 1st, 2022
Apply here
- Youth Employment Spotlight:
YES.ON.CA has a series of hiring events. Please click here for more information.
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