Good Evening Northern Families,

Another busy week at Northern. Tons of athletics and arts on the go with an OFSAA Bowl game for our Senior football players. Congratulations on a fantastic season to our coaches and players. We also have had the United Way fashion show this week. Opening night was yesterday and from the reviews I am very excited to watch the finale tonight. Tickets can be purchased at the door for $15

We have had families reaching out to let us know they will be out of town for various amounts of time over the next several months. Please remember that family vacations are not considered a legitimate absence. Every effort should be made to avoid scheduling family vacations during school time. Holiday dates are published in the school calendar and on the TDSB website, http://www.tdsb.on.ca. In the event of a missed evaluation due to a family vacation, teachers are not required to provide an alternative form of evaluation. In the case of examinations, no make-up exam or alternative arrangements will be made.

 

Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) Support- All students interested in accessing practice reading and writing activities to support preparation for the OSSLT this school year can access the OSSLT Prep @ Northern Google Classroom. The Google Class Code is ds2eymd and all the materials and activities can be found under Classwork.

A decision to run Synchronous Lunch and Learn has not yet been determined in the event Job Action proceeds. Please check the Google Classroom for any announcements about a synchronous Lunch and Learn in the Stream.

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.

 

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

1. Monday: Modified Day for OSSLT (9-11:40 Period 1, 12:40-3:15 Period 2)
2. Tuesday: Modified Day for OSSLT (9-11:40 Period 3, 12:40-3:15 Period 4)
3. Tuesday: National Day for Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women

 

Music:

WINTERLUDE IS HERE!!! Come join us for the first in person Winterlude of the decade at 7pm next Thursday, December 15th! Tickets are on sale in the main foyer at lunch and on school cash online. We also have a holiday sing along/karaoke in room 227 on Friday, December 9th. Candy canes will be present.

 

 

Coat Drive

 

We have already filled 3 rubbermaid bins! If you have anything to bring you will be helping a student/family in need. We are taking any old or new coats, boots, gloves, hats, and scarves. Please drop them off to Student Success anytime before Dec 15th. Please see the attached poster for more info.

 

Dual Credit Lunch and Learn - December 12th in Student Success at Lunch

 

Did you want to experience a college course while still in high school? You can earn a College Credit and a High School Credit at the same time. The Dual Credit Program is free and can give you a head start to your post secondary pathway.
This session is open to all Gr 11 and 12 students.
We will be providing you with pizza and water, please RSVP here
Max attendees at this event will be 30 people. If RSVP exceeds 30, we will book another session.
Want to learn more? Visit bit.ly/tdsbCollege

Any questions or further inquiries can be directed to april.vibert@tdsb.on.ca

 

Call Out for Students (Grades 6 – 12): To help shape EnVision Conference

 

Are you a Two-Spirit, Indigiqueer, trans, or queer student interested in meeting other 2SLGBTQIAP+ students and staff to help co-plan the EnVision 2023conference for students? The EnVision Conference is an annual gathering of 2SLGBTQIAP+ students and allies/co-conspirators and this year, will be IN PERSON from Tuesday, February 28th to Wednesday, March 01. The focus of this year's conference is 2SLGBTQI+ Indigenous, Black and Racialized Student Joy and Futurity.

We are looking for Black, Indigenous, and Racialized TDSB students and their allies from Grades 6-12 committed to working in solidarity to help shape this year’s EnVision Conference. Please complete this form to apply as part of the Queer Youth Justice Lab. Grades 9-12 participants may be able to receive community service hours for their involvement. Please sign up by Wednesday, December 14th.

For more information, please contact:

· Dani Harris, Instructional Leader, Indigenous Education, Urban Indigenous Education Centre dani.harris@tdsb.on.ca and

· Arthur Burrows, Staff Advisor, TDSB GSA Network arthur.burrows@tdsb.on.ca

 

January 19, 2023 from 7-8:30pm – Academic Accommodations and Post-Secondary

This workshop is for high school students and parents (or other support persons) who have questions or concerns about the transition to university for students with disabilities. This workshop will cover the following:

• Documentation required to access academic accommodations
• The supports and accommodations available through Student Accessibility Services at York
• Transition planning

Last year’s session can be viewed on YouTube: Post-Secondary Transition.

To register, please complete this Registration Form before January 19. Upon submission of the form, you will receive an email containing information about joining the workshop.

February 17, 2023 from 9am to 1pm – ASD Transition Day

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

To register for this session, please fill out the Meeting Registration form.

If you have questions about any of the above programs, please contact projecta@yorku.ca.

 

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!

 

OSSLT: 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)

 

 

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) Draft minutes from Nov 22 Meeting - find out all the latest updates on what is happening at Northern from Principal Marshall and our committees here.

 

2) Walking Buddies - Sat, Dec 10 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) Tech Coaching - watch the recording to learn about all the tools out there, and how technology can support your student's success here.

 

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 2 Remote and In-Person Full Credit Night School & Remote Credit Recovery Night School REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN and will close February 10, 2023 at 10am.

For more information on course listings and dates for TDSB Con Ed Night School click here.

2. eLearning Day School Registration: TBA, December 2022

Please note: TDSB eLearning Day School registration information and dates will be release in December 2022.

For more information on eLearning Day School, click here.

3. Please note: NSS in-person Semester 2 Timetable changes are not being considered unless a student is eligible to drop a course (straight drop), needs to add a course for a post-secondary pre-requisite or if a student fails a course. Not all courses are available.
4. The Canadian Black Scientists Network (CBSN) is hosting a virtual "Careers in Health" panel for middle school, high school, and postsecondary students across Canada on Saturday, December 3^rd from 2pm to 3:30pm EST. This panel will provide students with practical information about different careers in healthcare and health research, and will feature discussions about diverse career trajectories and the tools needed to succeed in these fields. The event is open to all students, in addition to the educators, community members, and family members that support them. Attendees will have a chance to submit questions live using the Q&A function on Zoom.
   Click here to register.
   Click here to view the flyer.
5. Post- Secondary Updates:

1. OUAC (Ontario Universities) applications are due January 12, 2023.
2. OCAS (Ontario Colleges) applications are due February 1, 2023 for equal consideration.
3. Check out our NSS Guide to Applying to Post-Secondary for info about post-secondary application dates, process and links.

6. Please note: the TDSB Volunteer Policy States that an eligible volunteer activity constitutes:

• An event or activity designed to be of benefit to the community.
• A volunteer activity – not for pay or credit.
• An event or activity to support a not-for-profit initiative.

 

For more information please visit the TDSB Community Involvement policy.

7. Students, looking for Volunteer or Youth Employment Opportunities? Check your Student Guidance Google classroom: Gr. 9 code: 4ixv2jl; Gr. 10 code: kmv6fcz; Gr. 11 code: twdxca6; Gr. 12 code: hfg74ws
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​​​​.

Please note: 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