Dear Northern Families,
This is a key weekend for conversations about course selection for next year. For most it will afford some extra time for chats about planning for the future whereas a typical weekend is simply too busy. I encourage you to speak with your child(ren) about their selections over the weekend so that they are ready to input choices ahead of our February 28 deadline.
We have had an exciting week in athletics- City Championships for our Boys swim team and Snowboarding team. More to come as information arrives to me! A big congratulations to Jillian Deeks who has qualified for the Canada Winter Games for alpine skiing- an amazing accomplishment and opportunity.
We also have exciting news from DECA- Congratulations to: Sarah Gupta, Ben Alhadeff, James Begin and Kejdi Dalti for winning medals at the DECA Provincial Finals this past week.
This is our last week with Dale in the building at Northern. Dale has played an integral part in Northern’s Mental Health support network for over 24 years. I want to personally thank Dale for everything he has contributed to Northern- through his job and through his tireless efforts supporting Northern’s co-curricular programming. Dale has been the quiet backbone of many parts of the school during his tenure here. He will be missed. Make sure you take time to say hi to Dale this week if you have a moment….
5 Things to Know About Northern Next Week:
- Monday: Family Day- No School.
- Tuesday: 4 p.m. Caring & Safe Schools Meeting
- Wednesday: Late Start Staff Meeting (9:55am)
- Wednesday: Pascal (Gr9), Cayley (Gr10), Fermat (Gr11) Math Contests
- Thursday: 6:30pm School Council Meeting
The Canadian and World Studies Department - Fundraiser for Earthquake Victims in Turkey & Syria
On February 5th two earthquakes hit Turkey and Syria. As a result thousands have died or been displaced by the catastrophic event. Northern CWS student's will be running a fundraiser from February 21-23 to support earthquake victims. All donations will be given to the Red Cross.
On Tuesday, February 21 students will be visiting period 1 home forms to raise awareness and collect cash donations. Visits will be brief and should take place at the beginning of the period. On February 22 and 23 a table will be set up in the first floor foyer at lunch to collect cash donations. Thank you in advance for your support.
2023 Euclid Math Contest hosted by uWaterloo
The NSS Math Department is excited to be running the 2023 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 4
Registration due: Fri. March 3
Registration fee: $19 (once registration closes)
Interested in testing out your mathematical problem-solving ability? Sign up by completing the registration form on the 2022-2023 Math Contest Google Classroom using class code: cyoa3rl
Please direct any contest questions to stephanie.kendall@tdsb.on.ca
Save the Date Northern!
Guidance is hosting a live presentation on OSAP and Financing your Post Secondary Education at lunch on Wednesday, March 29 at noon. It's a late start day so the presentation will start at the beginning of lunch and it's a 30-45 minute presentation. The presentation will be given by Robyn Papoff, George Brown College.
This 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.
PAY IT FORWARD Panel Event
Northern's gifted grads are returning for a panel discussion on what to expect after high school and how to prepare for post secondary school. This informative event will be on Wednesday, February, 22nd during period 3 in the library. For more information and to RSVP, drop by the gifted office or email sherry.smither@tdsb.on.ca
All students are welcome!
Lumenus Services:
Please see a message from Lumenus HERE about their ongoing commitment to supporting students at Northern.
TDSB Student Elections 2023-24
The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) is now accepting applications for Student Senate and Student Trustee positions for the 2023-2024 school year.
Student Senate and Student Trustees represent the voice of approximately 247,000 students in the Toronto District School Board. They work closely together to empower and promote student voice and engagement across the district.
Key Dates
- February 21, 2023 – Application Deadline Apply here
- April 24 to 28, 2023 – Campaigning Period
- April 27 to 28, 2023 – Voting Period
For more information about the roles and responsibilities of the different positions, and the application and elections process, visit our website.
Student Success
Peer Tutoring for Semester 2 is now available! If you would like to be matched with a tutor, please fill out the form here.
Please complete the form for each class you require support.
TDSB Special Education and Inclusion Presents:
Parent/Guardian/Caregiver Session #2
Tuesday, February 28, 2023 from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM: LC1
Learn about Special Education and Inclusion
If you require a language interpreter, please send in your request by Mon., Feb. 20th to SpecialEd@tdsb.on.ca.
HOSA - Fall Leadership Conference 2022
If you are interested in participating in health science competitions at HOSA’s Spring Leadership Conference (SLC) taking place on May 17 and 18, 2023, in Downtown Toronto, join Northern’s HOSA Club. The last day to register, pay, and change your event/teammate information is March 17 at 11:59 pm. The top three competitors/teams from each event will be offered the opportunity to compete at the International Leadership Conference taking place June 21-24 2023 in Dallas, TX
Our google classroom code is CQBHZXH -- join to receive updates and information. Everyone is welcome!
To learn more about HOSA Canada: https://hosacanada.org/
To learn more about HOSA’s International Leadership conference: https://hosa.org/ilc/
School Council News :
1) School Council Meeting - Thursday February 23 at 6:30 pm on Zoom - hear updates from the Principal and Committees. Please note that our guests, Superintendent Ron Felsen and Chairman Rachel Chernos-Lin have rescheduled their visit with us to April 4th. 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 February 23. If you have any questions for the Principal's Update, please send them to nss.school.council@gmail.com.
2) Teens and Relationships - Wednesday, February 22 at 7 pm - Is your teen having difficulty keeping relationships? are they unhealthy? have they experienced rejection? Join psychologist, Elizabeth McEwen, on this live call for students and parents. Email nss.school.council@gmail.com for a link.
3) University Admissions: What Every Parent Should Know - Monday, February 27, 7-8 pm - Join Teo Salgado, an independent educational consultant to learn more about this crucial point in your child’s educational journey. He will provide an overview of the university admissions process and discuss factors to consider in choosing universities. He will review the various elements of admission applications and reveal how your student can prepare a winning application. He will also cover the many ways you can finance post-secondary education, including scholarships and grants. Click here to join.
5) How to Manage Another's Anxiety - Tuesday, February 28 at 7 pm - Discuss ways to help your child manage their anxiety and stress in healthy ways. Learn to create safety in communication with your kids through empathy and attunement, so they will come to you when they need your guidance. Presented by Pine River's Center for Family Initiatives. Register here.
Guidance Updates:
- NSS 2023-2024 Course Selection Events and Information!
- Students will complete their course selection for the 2023-2024 year through www.myblueprint.ca/tdsb. All students have an account and access to this course selection tool.
- Check out our 2023-2024 Course Selection Google Site
Where you can find:
Department specific info
- Course selection worksheets
- Course Selection slide presentations
- myBlueprint CLOSES for course selection February 28, 2023 @ 4pm.
- Please note, myBlueprint is not first come first serve.
- Not submitting course selection before Feb 28th can delay your course selection process.
- BLACK MENTAL HEALTH - WEDNESDAY TALK SERIES
The Professional Support Services Mental Health and Well Being Committee have organized a Talk Series on Wednesdays beginning February 8th, 2023.
The Talk Series will center the importance of understanding and discussing Black mental health and well being. We hope these discussions build capacity in understanding Black mental health, the impact of racialized trauma and connections to culturally responsive and identity affirming supports in the community.
Find flyers and the zoom links for each of these Wednesday sessions throughout February and early March here:
Black Mental Health-Wednesday Talk Series - Google Slides
- Opting-Out of the e-Learning Graduation Requirement
Students may withdraw from the online e-Learning requirement. A parent/caregiver/guardian or student (18 years of age or older or 16 or 17 years of age and withdrawn from parental control) may withdraw by submitting the TDSB Opt Out/Withdrawal Form to their school. No explanation or reason is needed to opt out/withdraw.
If you are not ready to make a decision with regard to participating in e-Learning, there will be future opportunities to participate in e-Learning courses or withdraw from the graduation requirement. A final decision is not required at this time.
If you have decided now to withdraw from the graduation requirement, please complete the TDSB Opt Out/Withdrawal Form.
- Post- Secondary Updates:
- Individual colleges and universities are booking presentations with NSS. Be sure to check out the Post-Secondary calendar in the Grade 12 Guidance Google Classroom for dates and times.
- OUAC Updates can be found here.
- Check out our NSS Guide to Applying to Post-Secondary for info about post-secondary application dates, process and links.
- Upcoming Scholarship Deadline: March 1, 2023
The Lieutenant Governor's Award for Student Volunteers
Will be awarded to one graduating student from Northern who has demonstrated outstanding community service. Students must submit their volunteer experience, along with a letter of reference, to be considered for application.
Ontario Volunteer Service Award
Northern can nominate a student who has shown dedication to volunteering at Northern Secondary School. Students must submit their volunteer experience, along with a letter of reference, to be considered for application.
- Looking for Scholarship Application Support?
Seeking Scholarships has released their February Scholarship Report which has new and upcoming scholarship dates listed, as well as tips to support a strong application.
Northern students, teachers, and families can access from this link using the password, scholar1: https://seekingscholarships.com/the-scholarship-report-2/?mc_cid=0a7a52e07f&mc_eid=a90fd997dd
Please note: This resource is copyrighted and only available to Northern families - please do not share outside of the Northern community.
The Northern Secondary School Foundation will be opening scholarships for application soon. Graduating students can choose up to three scholarships to apply for. Grade 12s can start exploring available awards here: https://nssf.ca/scholarships/
- 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.
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
Have a great long weekend!
Adam Marshall
Principal
Follow me @PrincipalNSS