Good Evening Northern Families,

An interesting week to say the least. Monday we were preparing for a transition to online learning and giving out devices, Tuesday we were collecting them back in and returning to school. Thank goodness because there was a lot to be done- like winning two City Championships in football! Way to go Red Knights. (and thank you to all our fans who made the trip to Varsity Stadium- the teams made sure there was some drama on the scoreboard right until the end for us). We are also City Champions (for the first time I think) in Ultimate Frisbee! Always amazing to hear how our students are representing the school so well, and about the ongoing commitment of our staff to these endeavours. Thank You from the whole Northern family! We also had Remembrance Day events held today (we opted for a virtual model this year)- thank you to everyone involved. What a great week to be a part of Northern.

Please see the TDSB psychology department’s most recent issue of HEARTS AND MINDS .

The 2022-2023 school marks a return to in-person examinations at Northern. We know that this is a source of stress and anxiety for many students. While teachers have been preparing students all fall for January exams (where applicable, there is not an exam for every class) we are going to put some addition pieces in place to support students. One such measure is a 4 day block in late November where we will have an evaluation (eg. Test) each day. This is designed to mimic the experience of an exam cycle, minus the heavy weighting of exams. We do not throw students together for an athletic or musical performance without practice- this should be viewed the same way. Practicing for exams. Each test/ evaluation will be designed to last 45-50 minutes to allow for additional time as required for students with time accommodations. The schedule is as follows:

Period 1 Test/ Evaluation	Thursday November 24
Period 2 Test/ Evaluation	Friday November 25
Period 3 Test/ Evaluation	Monday November 28
Period 4 Test/ Evaluation	Tuesday November 29

Teachers will be sharing tips on how to prepare for these tests (and eventually exams) so that students can practice the process and figure out what way of studying works best for them. The tests are not IN ADDITION to the rest of the course, nor are they mid-terms. They are tests that are being put in a block of time intentionally, that would have been written anyways for courses with exams.

 

Here are the “Three Things You Need to Know about Northern Next Week”:

1. Wednesday: ARC Meeting at 7pm (details below)
2. Thursday: Report Cards
3. Friday: PD Day (no school)

 

DECA News:

DECA is a business competition that instills professionalism and prepares youth to respond to authentic business cases and market demands. 26 of our DECA members have qualified for DECA provincials in February.

 

The United Way Fashion Show is back!

Music Legends United Way Fashion show will be on Thursday Dec 1^st and Friday December 2^nd, 2022. Each night a spectacular dance, model and fashion show starts at 7pm. Buy a ticket to watch your friends dance, model, and show off their designing skills. This is not an event you want to miss! Tickets will be sold in the first floor foyer every day at lunch for $15, or on school cash online.

 

TUTORING!!!! Please remember that Monday- Thursday from 3:30-4:30pm we are offering tutoring opportunities in rooms 111, 119, and on certain evenings 120. Take advantage of the opportunity if you are struggling to get additional support from Northern Teachers!

 

Grad Photos

Attention Graduates!! Graduation photos will take place starting Monday, November 14th. 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”

**Props will be provided, but you are welcome to bring your own to personalize your session. 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

**Your confirmation email will confirm the location of your session will take place

On the date and time of your photo – please report to the Heritage Room (Room 114)

 

Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT)

All students are required to meet the Literacy Graduation Requirement through the OSSLT. This semester all students who are currently enrolled in Grade 10 English will be writing the OSSLT either on Monday December 5^th or Tuesday December 6^th. Their English teachers will be supporting their preparation for this within their classes. For additional information about the OSSLT and opportunity to do a Practice Test can be done by accessing www.eqao.com . In addition, the What is assessed by the OSSLT - Google Docs will provide an overview of the OSSLT format, types of reading and writing tasks that are required. Students in grade 10 who would like additional preparation support are invited to attend Lunch and Learn Sessions in the Library every Tuesday & Thursday beginning on November 10, 2022 OSSLT Lunch & Learn Calendar - Google Docs We will offer light refreshments during these Lunch and Learn Sessions . Should you have any questions or concerns please contact Vice-Principal Tiffany Peel (tiffany.peel@tdsb.on.ca)

Previously Eligible students in Grade 11 & 12

Students in Grade 11 & 12 who need to write the OSSLT (Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test) will do so on Tuesday December 6, 2022 from 9:00 – 11:40 am and their Location(s) will be posted outside guidance two weeks prior to the date. Communication to these students and their families outlining the supports and preparation has been delivered. For additional information about the OSSLT and opportunity to do a Practice Test can be done by accessing www.eqao.com . In addition, the What is assessed by the OSSLT - Google Docs will provide an overview of the OSSLT format, types of reading and writing tasks that are required. . In addition, we will be providing Lunch and Learn Sessions is the library every Tuesday & Thursday beginning on November 10, 2022 OSSLT Lunch & Learn Calendar - Google Docs. We will offer light refreshments during these Lunch and Learn Sessions. Should you have any questions or concerns please contact Vice-Principal Tiffany Peel (tiffany.peel@tdsb.on.ca)

 

Special Schedule to Support the OSSLT:

The OSSLT will be delivered over 2 days and to support the time required we will be modifying the Calendar Dates following a Day 1 Schedule. We will have classes double in length for these two days to make it work.

Monday December 5, 2022

Period & Time

1 9:00 - 11:40

Lunch 11:40 - 12:40

2 12:40 - 3:15

 

Tuesday December 6, 2022

Period & Time

3 9:00 - 11:40

Lunch 11:40 - 12:40

4 12:40 - 3:15

 

Special Education Information Session:

Special Education and Inclusion is offering dedicated engagement sessions to parents/guardians/caregivers of TDSB students to learn about Special Education and Inclusion processes through an equity lens.

For Session #1, the Special Education and Inclusion team will be discussing Individual Learning Plan (ILP), In-School Support Team (IST), School Support Team (SST), Individual Education Plan (IEP), and Identification, Placement and Review Committee (IPRC) processes. The presentation will take place on Tuesday, November 22, 2022 from

7:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Additional information including a link to the Zoom presentation can be found here:

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1AqpyCWLatC6IaO38ymSeH2f5Vjx8V4Vk/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=102386464265606144113&rtpof=true&sd=true

 

Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Centre - 2023 Speaker’s Idol public speaking competition

Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Centre is pleased to announce entries are open for its 2023 Speaker’s Idol public speaking competition. Please refer to the attachment for details

 

 

Social Club for ASD Students:

 

SSocial Club

(Spectrum Social Club)

 

If you are on the Spectrum and looking for friends - then we are looking for you!!!

 

 

 

 

 

After School Tutoring Schedule:

 

	Teacher(s)	Room Number	Available Supports
Monday	Ms. Molloy	119	Math/Numeracy
	Mr. Lombardi	111	Literacy/English
Tuesday	Ms. Filinski	119	Math/Numeracy
	Mr. Baird	119	Math/Numeracy and Science
Wednesday	Ms. Kendall	111	Literacy/English and Junior Math (grade 9 & 10)
	Ms. Cipollone	120	Executive Functioning (ex. organization, time management, task initiation/completion) and Literacy/English
	Ms. Teng	119	Math/Numeracy
Thursday	Mr. Lombardi	111	Literacy/English
	Mr. Baird	119	Math/Numeracy and Science

 

 

WellNSS:

Hey Northern! WellNSS is back and ready for the year! As Northern’s mental health association, we discuss all things mental health and mental illness. WellNSS’ main priority is to spread awareness and foster a community where discussing mental health is encouraged, to offer resources and strategies to promote mental health and reduce the stigma around it. You can keep up with all of our events and activities by following our Instagram @northernwellnss. If you are interested in getting involved as a general member or volunteering during events please join our google classroom! Our new google classroom code for the 2022-23 school year is 3qo5khn. Everyone is welcome!

 

School Council Update:

1) This is the last day to contribute! In lieu of ongoing fundraising, we request voluntary contributions once in the fall for all our initiatives to support students throughout the year (clubs, athletics, wellness, conferences, workshops, advocacy, subsidies and much more). Check out the attached "Voluntary Contribution Campaign " document and click the link to make your contribution through School Cash Online. Our campaign ends TODAY, November 11th. Don't miss your chance. Every gift makes a difference.

2) Walking Buddies - Saturday, Nov 12 at 9:30-10:30 am - join other Northern parents to walk and talk about parenting, school, and life. Meet at the Funeral Center parking lot, east of the Mt Pleasant entrance to the Mt Pleasant Cemetery. For more details, email nss.school.council@gmail.com.

3) Mindful Parenting and Emotional Wellness Conference - Nov 10-14 - attend this free virtual conference by Happily Family to hear experts talk about raising motivated, resilient kids in an anxious world. Click here for registration and speaker schedules.

4) About Parenting - Wednesday, Nov 16 at 7 pm - looking to explore new ideas and enjoy some community? Join other Northern parents for a virtual parent chat to share parenting experiences, books, and resources. Hosted by the Academic Resource Committee. Email nss.school.council@gmail.com with "Parenting" in the subject line for a Zoom link.

5) School Council Meeting - Our next School Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday November 22nd at 6:30 pm on Zoom.

To obtain a link please send an e-mail to Chandra.Ramdhani@tdsb.on.ca with "School Council Meeting link" in the subject line. The link will be sent out the afternoon of November 22. If you have any questions for the Principal's Update, please send them to nss.school.council@gmail.com.

6) School and Stress - Recording available - Classes, assignments, exams, friendships…. How can you identify when stress is becoming too much, and reduce stress from school? For this recording and many others for ideas and learning supports, visit nsscouncil.com!

 

Northern Secondary School Foundation:

Follow us on Instagram @northernssfoundation to learn more about how Northern alumni are changing the world of science, philanthropy, the arts and technology and working to make the world a better place.

Read about all our Northern scholarships and awards on our website at www.nssf.ca/scholarships

For more information about the Foundation, contact us at info@nssf.ca

 

Guidance Updates:

1. Semester 1: Last day to Request a course drop: November 16, 2022

Semester 1: Marks Maintain Date/Full Disclosure Date: November 25, 2022

183318153. note, the last day to request to drop a semester 1 course is Wed, Nov 16, 2022.

See your Guidance Counsellor for more information.

2. OUAC PIN letters can be picked up from your guidance counsellor before school, at lunch and after school in the Guidance office.
3. Post-Secondary Lunch Events: Click here for upcoming LUNCH events.
4. Careers Week: Save the Date! Week of Nov 21^st

More info to come! Look out for lunchtime workshops which will include:

1. Resume Writing/Building Workshop
2. Interview Skills Workshop
3. Job Search Workshop
4. Worker’s Rights Workshop

 

5. Each Monday in November the Ontario Colleges will again be working together to provide virtual information sessions. This would be a great opportunity for students to catch all the colleges they may have missed on the road this Fall.
   Or click here to register: https://www.ontariocolleges.ca/en/colleges/college-mondays

Each Monday the sessions begin at 5:00pm, there will be four panels of colleges running simultaneously, each group will give overviews/updates for each college then allow a healthy amount of time for Q&A.

6. Students, looking for Volunteer or Youth Employment Opportunities?

Check your Student Guidance Google classroom.

7. Check out our NSS Guide to Applying to Post-Secondary for info about post-secondary application dates, process and links.
8. Looking for Scholarship Application Support?

Seeking Scholarships has published their November scholarship report, which contains information and tips about funding post-secondary, along with an updated list of scholarships and deadlines. Northern students and parents can access this resource here: https://seekingscholarships.com/the-scholarship-report-2/ using the password scholar1​​​​.

This resource is copyrighted and only available to Northern families - please do not share outside of the Northern community.

 

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 or drop by his office at Room 312A.

 

Have a great weekend,

Adam Marshall

Principal

Follow me @PrincipalNSS