Good Evening Northern Families,
A fantastic week! A week ago this evening Northern’s graduating class held their prom/ formal at the Acadian Court. Students looked fabulous while dining and dancing through the evening. All week this week Northern’s GSA worked hard promoting Pride Week with a number of events. Monday we ran our first in-person election assemblies in 3 years. Thank You to all our candidates- elected members of the Student Activity (SAC) are found below. Tuesday we welcomed future Red Knights and their families to the school. Our Northern Buddies and other student leaders were fantastic representatives of the school- thank you. Wednesday we held our first in-person Northern Lights art evening in 3 years. A lovely turnout with fantastic artwork on display. Visitors even got to try out the pottery wheels and some life drawing! Also, throughout the week student-athletes were busy (and are still busy) competing at OFSAA events. Don’t miss out- the fun continues this week with the Athletic Banquet and Tunescape!
A reminder that vacations are not considered a legitimate absence. Every effort should be made to avoid scheduling family vacations during school time. Holiday dates are HERE. In the event of a missed evaluation due to a family vacation, teachers are not required to provide an alternative form of evaluation.
Daily Announcements: A reminder that you can find daily announcements by scanning the QR Code shared last week or visiting the school website HERE and scrolling down to NSS Air – Daily Announcements.
Next Week:
Athletic Banquet: June 7th
Tunescape: June 9
Upcoming Events:
Last Day to submit term work (as opposed to culminatings): June 15
Student Achievement Update in class: June 17
United Way Fashion Show: June 16 and 17
Last Day of Classes: June 23
Credit Rescue Days: June 24, 27, 28
Conversation Starters: (follow-up and a new starter)
Follow Up: I saw this phrase for the first time while doing some reading this week: Silence is Violence. I know this is similar to the very first Conversation Starter I sent out, but I think it is a phrase we should all become familiar with. Violence is a strong word- why is language like this chosen for this phrase? What is the point it tries to make? What is the IMPACT of violence? What is the impact of a classmate/ colleague/ friend/ stranger being silent when they see injustice? Is the impact any different than violence?
Some thoughts: The phrase speaks for itself. Silence is Violence. To Permit is to Promote. We either speak up and/ or take action or we silently ignore the issues around us. Don’t miss the opportunity to speak up and make this a better school/ society for everyone. Silence is deafening and sends a message that you are OK with injustice.
This Week’s Conversation Starter: It is the end of the TDSB’s Pride Week. Why is Pride Week important? Did you take some time to reflect on the significance of the week? How can you work to become an Ally between now and next year’s Pride Week? Think concrete actions….
2022-2023 NSS Student Council Executive results;
Thank you for all the candidates who decided to run this year.
The results are in;
President Elect Darya Heydary
Vice President Elect Brandon Fowler
Internal Social Director Elect Retaj Alodat
Secretary Elect Anna Ryde
Treasurer Elect Yuval Yampolksy
Grade 12 Senator Elect Ben Hopkins
Northern Pride Week:
Northern celebrated the beginning of Pride with a week of festivities and education. After days of fundraising, Northern's GSA raised $800 for the charity Rainbow Railroad (https://www.rainbowrailroad.org/about) . Thank you to all of the Northern community for your support for the 2SLGTBQ+ community here and abroad.
Music: (last chance)
Do you want to further connect with the Northern music community and take on a leadership role? Does organizing, crafting and executing engaging events excite you? Then apply to be a part of Music Council 2022-23! Executive and general member positions are open to all students. To apply, fill out the form bit.ly/nssmusic by tonight, Friday, June 3rd at 11:59 pm. Good luck!
On another note... Tunescape is officially here! Join us this Thursday, June 9th at 7 PM in the auditorium to listen to a wide variety of performances from Northern's music ensembles. From jazz bands to vocals and chamber ensembles, Northern's annual spring concert is one not to be missed. Tickets will be sold starting on Monday, May 30th at lunch in the front foyer for $5 for all students, $8 for adults and $10 at the door. Let's turn up the music Northern! See you there!
ASD After School Skills Development Leisure Program - Summer 2022 Session
We are pleased to inform you that there will be a Summer session of the ASD Skills Development Leisure Program which will run from July 5 - July 15, 2022. The program is available to students going into Grades 4-10 who have been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The goal of the program is for participants to develop social skills, self-regulation strategies and skills on how to best prepare to transition to a new grade, class, and/or school.
Please see this letter, which includes the link for registration to the families of the students going into Grades 4-10 with ASD.
The registration period will remain open until Friday, June 17, 2022.
If you have any questions please email SpecialEd@tdsb.on.ca .
Family and Caregiver Early Literacy Guide
The Family and Caregiver Guide has been developed to outline this vision of early reading in the TDSB in partnership with families and communities. This Guide is led by our vision of families and it provides an overview of the foundational early reading skills and essential instructional approaches. Suggestions of strategies for families and caregivers are shared that extend, respond and honour children’s competencies in early literacy behaviours.
A Reminder for Graduating Students:
Our graduation ceremony will take place on Wednesday, June 29th at 1:00 p.m. Our ceremony usually lasts approximately 2.5 - 3 hours. The ceremony will be held at the University of Toronto’s Convocation Hall located at 31 King’s Circle College, Toronto.
This year our Graduation Package Fee is $30 per student and includes tickets for you PLUS two (2) guests and gown purchase.
Grad fees can be paid using SCHOOL CASH ONLINE until Friday June 3th. Please print/ keep your confirmation/receipt as proof of payment.
If you have questions about the form, please email Chandra.Ramdhani@tdsb.on.ca
It is essential that you complete the Graduation Questionnaire ASAP. If you do not fill this in we will not be ordering a gown for you at commencement.
United Way:
Hey Northern! Are you interested in being on the United Way Committee next year? It is a great way to get involved, improve leadership skills, partner with an amazing organization, and gain more real-life experience! Please fill out the attached form to either reapply by clicking on the “Re-application Form,” if you were on the committee this year or fill out the “New Committee Application Form,” if you are a new applicant! Applications are due by June 4! If you have any questions about applying, you can email the new co-chairs for this year Claire Martin and Erynn Levy at claire.martin2@student.tdsb.on.ca and erynn.levy@student.tdsb.on.ca! We can’t wait for your applications, Northern!
New Committee Application Form:
https://forms.gle/LWwcLZFKnfnJLKV4A
Reapplication Form: https://forms.gle/Xgofbs6ymcR5L2ou7
United Way Fashion Show- It’s Back!
Exciting news as the United Way Fashion Show at Northern will be occurring on Thurs June 16th and Friday June 17th at 7pm each night in the auditorium. Tickets will be on sale at Northern beginning at lunch on Monday May 23rd, 2022. The NSS United Way Fashion show is community fundraising event showcasing student design, dance and visual entertainment.
To purchase tickets and or make a cash donation (tax receipts are not provided), please go to your cash online account and look for;
June 16th, 2022 United Way Fashion Show
June 17th, 2022 United Way Fashion Show
2022 United Way Fashion Show Contribution campaign
Northern’s United Way Fashion Show Fundraising Team is excited to announce that fundraising for the fashion show is underway! At this time, we are looking for items for our silent auction which will take place the nights of the shows. If any Northern parents/guardians or their businesses have any items to donate to the auction, our team would really appreciate more donations to maximize our funds raised for United Way in our show this year! If donating to our silent auction is of interest to you, please fill out the form below. If you have any further questions please feel free to reach out to rachel.goldschleger@student.tdsb.on.ca.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1H8sUwUrDQoeFGv1J1LG_d8flaV1Ie8tgVU-a_qyIX0k/edit?ts=62607ddf
Grade 9 EQAO (math) Information:
Fri. June 10: Practice Day
Wed. June 15: Book 1
Thur., June 16: Book 2
Teachers will be providing additional information to their classes.
N.S.S. Cooperative Education Partners Wanted
Cooperative Education at Northern is made possible each year through the continuing support of placement supervisors, local businesses and employers. Strong community partnerships are essential in providing our students with the rich, relevant work experiences a good placement can provide.
As a Cooperative Education Partner, you can play a valuable role in helping a Northern student develop skills, knowledge and work habits they will remember and refer to throughout their lives. As well, these partnerships are mutually beneficial as our students will bring new ideas, fresh perspectives, enthusiasm, and additional support to your workplace.
We have a number of Northern students looking for Co-op placements in a variety of fields starting in mid-September, 2022/23. If you are interested in becoming a placement supervisor for one of our students or know of a local business opportunity, please email john.giles@tdsb.on.ca or linda.duffy@tdsb.on.ca to learn about how you can become a Northern Cooperative Education Partner.
Guidance:
- Continuing Education Summer School: Registration Closing Dates
In Person Full Credit: Registration Closes: Fri, June 10, 2022 at 11:00 a.m.
Remote Full Credit: Registration Closes: Friday, June 10, 2022 at 11:00 a.m.
Credit Recovery SS: Registration closes Friday, June 30, 2022 at 11:00 a.m.
eLearning Summer School: Registration Closing Dates
July eLearning courses: Friday, June 10, 2022 at 11:00 a.m.
August eLearning courses: Thursday, July 8, 2022 at 11:00 a.m.
Differences between ConEd and ESummer Programming: Comparison Chart
- “Mandatory” Online Learning Requirement Reminder
- Please complete the “Permission Click Form” shared with you in the email the TDSB has sent you recently.
- DO NOT submit a paper copy to the school.
- Students may withdraw/opt out of this new requirement and graduate with an OSSD.
- “Opting out” WILL NOT affect a student’s eligibility to take TDSB eLearning courses throughout high school and opting out does not have any consequences from the school level.
- Students can ‘opt back in’ at a later date if they decide to do so, so there are no consequences to opting out now.
Please visit the online learning graduation requirement web page for more information.
- Volunteer, Jobs & Programs - Lots and lots of opportunities being posted everyday! We are sharing summer opportunities for students in our Guidance Google classrooms.
Gr 9: kmv6fcz, Gr10: twdxca6, Gr 11: hfg74ws, Gr 12: u565fkg
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