Good Afternoon Northern Families,

It is the last week before the break! It is a regular week schedule.

Please see the TDSB’s statement on the conflict in Ukraine HERE.

A reminder to all students that masks remain mandatory in schools at this time. Ensure your March Break is not disrupted by COVID- wear your mask!

A reminder that Northern is your space. As such please clean up after yourself by putting lunch waste in the proper garbage/ recycling container. Caretakers work hard to maintain the building- please do your part!

OSSLT: Grade 10 and 11 students will be writing the OSSLT starting in late April. In order to accommodate the requirements of the test (it is all online this year) we are going to have 8 modified schedule days as follows:

MODIFIED OSSLT DAY SCHEDULE
	OSSLT Day A/C (April 19, 26, May 4, 11)	OSSLT Day B/D (April 21, 28, May 5, 12)
9:00-10:15	Block A	Block B
10:20-11:35	Block A	Block B
11:35-12:15	LUNCH
12:15-1:35	Block C	Block D
1:35-2:55	Block C	Block D

 

Students writing the test will do so over two days. Details for students required to write the OSSLT will be shared directly at a later date. This information is being shared with ALL students because the entire school will follow the modified day schedule to accommodate the test.

Mark Updates: Students will receive a mark update during the week of March 25^th. This will be done via email. This is an early update to give students and families an opportunity to make improvements PRIOR TO credit rescue/ report card days, and inform parents/ guardians on whether or not an interview with a teacher is necessary.

Parent/Guardian- Teacher Interviews: will be held on April 7^th as follows:

Period 1: 9-9:45am
Period 2: 9:50-10:35am
Period 3: 10:40-11:25am
Period 4: 11:30am-12:15pm (students dismissed)
Parent/Guardian - Teacher Interviews Afternoon Session - 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Parent/Guardian - Teacher Interviews Evening Session - 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

*Sign-Up information will be included in the March 25^th Bulletin*

 

April 8^th will be a late (10am) start.

 

Credit Rescue Days: There are TWO mid-semester Credit Rescue Days. The first is on April 11^th (Day 2 schedule) and the second on April 20^th (Day 1 Schedule).

Mid-Term Report Cards: Issued electronically on April 29^th

 

Northern Secondary School Foundation

 

Accepting Applications for Scholarships and Awards March 14-April 30, 2022

Attention Parents/Guardians of Graduating Students

The Foundation is pleased to offer many Scholarships and Awards to graduating students. We are grateful to former teachers, parents and alumni who fund these awards.

Applications will . be accepted starting on April 14^th.

Go to nssf.ca/scholarships for a complete list of the awards and application forms.

Students apply on line.

326149. scholarships and awards recognize academic achievement in math, science, social science, business, family studies, music, art and design.. Others recognize leadership in community service, environmental and humanitarian initiatives, participation in athletic and extracurricular activities, and perseverance in face of adversity.

Award winners are selected by the Scholarship Committee of Northern Secondary School. If you have any questions about the awards or the process, contact info nssf@nssf.ca and we will get back to you

 

 

Grade Photos/ Retakes:

 

Graduation photos and retakes will take place starting March 7^th in the Heritage Room (114). 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!

 

 

TDSB Professional Support Services honour the third anniversary of Black Mental Health Day on March 7, 2022, initially recognized by the City of Toronto, Taibu Community Health Center, CAFCAN and Strides Toronto in 2020. At TDSB we recognize the impact Anti-Black racism continues to have on the mental health and well being of individuals, students and families everyday.

Members of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Committee at the TDSB, along with our Colleagues in Professional Support Services, wish to acknowledge the importance of Black Mental Health Day on March 7^th and that this year, we are honouring Black Mental Health week.

Seeking support from professionals that identify with the Black Diasporic communities, is central in supporting Black Mental Health and Wellbeing. In this link you will find resources, activities and seminars that critically discuss, support and honour the importance Black Mental Health and Well Being.

 

Grade 9 and 10 After School Numeracy Program

Northern’s Math Department is pleased to announce the return of our after-school 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.

	Grade 9 Numeracy	Grade 9 Numeracy
When	Wednesdays 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.	Wednesdays 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Where	Room 122 (in-person)	Room 113 (in-person)
Teacher	Mr. Mehrjoo	Ms. Kendall

 

All grade 9 and 10 students are welcome and do not have to currently be taking math to register. Interested in joining? Just show up on Wednesdays and we’ll register you in person.

For any questions or inquiries, please contact Ms. Kendall at stephanie.kendall@tdsb.on.ca or Mr. Mehrjoo at arman.mehrjoo@tdsb.on.ca

 

Math Department:

2022 Fryer, Galois, and Hypatia Math Contests hosted by uWaterloo

The NSS Math Department is excited to be running the 2022 Fryer (gr. 9), Galois (gr. 10), and Hypatia (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: Tues. April 12

Registration due: Fri. March 18

Registration fee: $11 (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

 

School Council:

When Learning Is Hard, What Do You Do? - ARC presentation by Susan Schenk and Dr. Todd Cunningham - links for the recording and slides (that include links to outside resources) from Tuesday's presentation are both posted here on the homepage under "In Case You Missed It".

Draft Minutes for Feb 23 School Council Meeting - read the Principal's Update and Q and A as well as committee updates here.

 

GAC (Gifted Advisory Committee) virtual meeting - Wed. March 9, at 7:00 p.m.
All parents of gifted students are invited to join us to meet and connect with other parents, and to hear updates about Northern gifted courses, and what’s happening in the gifted program at Northern and beyond. We’ll cover Northern’s gifted courses, grade 9 and 10 rotations, enrollment pathways, SEPRCs, the gifted certificate, and other GAC and gifted-related topics.

Come to learn, ask and answer questions, and be sociable and connect with other parents from the comfort of your favourite couch and bunny slippers!

Please send an email to northerngifted@gmail.com to obtain the meeting link. We hope that you can join us!

 

Reminder: Toronto Public Health has updated their COVID-19 screening tool for children, students and adults for immediate use. Notably, this is now a single, universal screening tool for all ages – students and staff. There is also a significant change for people who have had a confirmed COVID-19 infection within the past 90 days and not needing to self-isolate if, for example, someone in the home has symptoms. And, the travel section refers directly to the federal travel pages as changes continue to be made. Here is a link to the updated paper health pass and links to the TDSB Health Screening App and online web portal https://tdsb.service-now.com/tswp.

 

 

 

2022 Euclid Math Contest hosted by uWaterloo

The NSS Math Department is excited to be running the 2022 Euclid Math Contest hosted by the University of Waterloo Centre for Education in Mathematics and Computing. The Euclid Contest is designed with grade 12 students in mind, but open to students in grades 9-11 who are looking for a challenge.

Contest date: Tues. April 5

Registration due: Mon. Mar. 7

Registration fee: $17 (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:

 

1. Volunteer Opportunities: Be sure to check your Guidance Google classroom for listed opportunities!
2. Graduating Students: Be sure to check out the updated Scholarship report in the grade 12 Guidance Google classroom (u565fkg).
3. TDSB Let’s Connect About Mental Health and Well Being webinar on March 10^th, from 7-830 pm spotlighting Parent/Caregiver/Guardian Voice. The flyer here.

Key note speaker is Heidi Bornstein and special facilitator in one of our 6 Themed Break Out rooms, is Dr. Gajaria from CAMH.

The Breakout Rooms are:

• Coping in 3^rd year of Pandemic
• Social media & technology safety
• Understanding and Addictions Disorder as a result of the Pandemic
• Coping with Child/Children with Complex Needs during the Pandemic
• How to Reach out to Access Professional Support Staff
• Staff to Demonstrate TDSB Mental Health Tool Kits

4. STEM Followship

In collaboration with RBC Future Launch and LinkedIn Learning, STEM Fellowship has launched the Digital Citizenship Graduation Award (DCGA). These unprecedented times have been tough on Canada's youth and have punctuated the importance of developing and utilizing digital skills in the modern world. STEM Fellowship is working towards a mission to foster youth to take an active digital citizenship position within their communities by utilizing their digital skills to create positive long-term societal impact. The DCGA recognizes graduating Canadian secondary school and CÉGEP students who have exemplified these values through a digital project, participation in a relevant digital activity, or creation of a digital tool.
Student Eligibility:
1. Graduating secondary school or CÉGEP in Canada in 2022.
2. Demonstrated outstanding leadership, innovation, and commitment within the digital space.
3. Exemplified values of a productive digital citizen through participation in a relevant activity or development of a relevant project or tool.
Award:
1. DCGA certificate, DCGA digital badge of recognition and placement in STEM Fellowship's Digital Leader Showcase.
2. Full access LinkedIn Learning Licence.
3. Access to Stem Fellowships Cisco Networking Academy (NetaCad) providing industry standard courses on various digital concepts
4. Opportunity to connect with STEM Fellowship's vast network of partnering organizations (including incubators and industry professionals) to support their career and academic journey.

5. Ontario Science Centre School Student Applications Open for 2022-2023

The Ontario Science Centre Science School is now accepting online applications for the 2022-23 school year. The deadline is March 28, 2022, at 11:59 p.m. EST.

For more information about the program click here or go directly to the application form. For more information, please contact the Ontario Science Centre.

 

Guidance Counsellor assignments:
Melanie Stassis – A, S, U-Z – melanie.stassis@tdsb.on.ca
Leslie Usin-Rojas – B-E, T – leslie.usin-rojas@tdsb.on.ca
Jennifer MacPhee – F-H, K, L - Jennifer.macphee@tdsb.on.ca
Andrew Primmer – I, J, M-R – Andrew.primmer@tdsb.on.ca

 

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.

 

Have a great weekend!

Adam

Follow me @PrincipalNSS