Dear Northern Families,
It’s April already! Hard to believe. As we near the midway point of the semester, and with interview and mark updates as feedback, I encourage students to update their SMART goals for the rest of the year. Stay focused on your academics and challenge yourself to get involved in extra-curriculars and ways to support your community.
5 Things to Know About Northern Next Week:
- Tuesday: School Council Meeting @6:30pm. Details below.
- Tuesday: Euclid (Gr12) Math Contest
- Wednesday: Fryer (Gr9), Galois (Gr10), Hypatia (Gr11) Math Contests
- Thursday: Passover Begins
- Friday: School Closed- Good Friday
Northern Robotics Club
The Northern Robotics team 8884 known as the Knight Owls competed in their FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) in London, Ontario during March Break and made it to the semi-finals.
https://youtu.be/qP2I70R8ujw
The team will compete in the second district event this Saturday and Sunday at McMaster University.
- If you are interested in supporting/funding our team, you can donate through our website. We process all donations with the help of the Northern Secondary School Foundation (NSSF). https://knightowls.ca/donate
Thank you for your support for this valuable learning experience.
MUSIC:
NSS MUSIC MERCH IS HERE! Bucket hats and hoodies in red and blue! Fill out the form at bit.ly/musicmerch2023 to order. All orders must be in by Monday April 17. The link and all details can be found on our Instagram @nssmusic
Missed Your Grad Photos?
The studio will be held over April 15 and 16th. An appointment will have to be made in advance.
Here is the link:
https://edgeimaging.ca/en/graduation-photography-studios/
choose- Toronto (Grade 12 Grads)
Follow the prompts to book your time
Student Success Updates
Peer Tutoring
Peer Tutoring for Semester 2 is still available! If your student would like to be matched with a tutor, please make sure your student completes the form here.
FREE Prom Attire (New and/or Pre-Loved)
Are you a student who would benefit from receiving a FREE prom outfit? If so, take a look at the options below:
New Circles Community Services is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting vulnerable families and individuals in Toronto. GLOW Up for Prom Event 2023 is here to help you find that perfect fit!
The Corsage Project is a non-profit organization that provides free formal wear and accessories to high school students unable to purchase their own prom or graduation attire, as well as, providing scholarship opportunities for those in need.
Both organizations allow you to pick your own outfit and accessories free of cost.
If you are interested in finding out more about these opportunities, please complete this form before Tuesday, April 4th, 2023
TDSB Virtual Community Fair - April 17 and April 24
Please see this LINK for more information for parents/ caregivers of children, youth and young adults with special or complex needs.
FOR PARENTS/CAREGIVERS OF CHILDREN,
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 Wednesday April 19, 2023 or Thursday April 20, 2023. 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. Additional practice material can be found on the Northern OSSLT Prep Google Classroom – the code is ds2eymd . 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 Monday April 24, 2023 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. Additional practice material can be found on the Northern OSSLT Prep Google Classroom – the code is ds2eymd. 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.
Wednesday April 19, 2023
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Period & Time
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1
9:00 - 11:40
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Lunch
11:40 - 12:40
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2
12:40 - 3:15
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Thursday April 20, 2023
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Period & Time
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3
9:00 - 11:40
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|
Lunch
11:40 - 12:40
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4
12:40 - 3:15
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Graduates:
Hello class of 2023! Want to get your grad quotes in? Fill in the form below by April 1, 11:59pm. You can edit your response until then. Happy writing!
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdJEZvps8MgEsHgHN_JlON6oh1Q2RiB8-Vyw8BikW78jWYAuw/viewform
Music:
"Sounds of Spring" is here! Northern's second outdoor barbeque and concert will be on Thursday May 4th! Anyone is welcome to perform, no matter whether you're a solo singer or in a group. Signup to perform at bit.ly/soundsofspringsignup. Tickets will go on sale closer to the date. Follow @nssmusic on instagram to stay up to date with all the music news at Northern.
Northern Secondary School Foundation:
Parents and guardians are asked to share this information with their child(ren).
Northern Secondary School Foundation Award of Recognition.
These awards are presented annually at Commencement or the Awards Assembly to one student in grades 9, 10, 11 and 12.
Are you someone whose work in the community reflect positively on the reputation of Northern Secondary School.
Do you volunteer with a community organization, write for the local press, perform with the musical or theatre group, support humanitarian or environmental issues?
If so, then….Tell us your story in an application on nssf.ca/scholarship.
Nominations can be made by the student, a classmate, or a teacher You may also self-nominate.
Applications accepted until May 1st, 2023 at scholarship@nssc.ca
Contact info@nssf.ca for more information.
Excellence Awards 2023 to Celebrate Staff Dedication
Every year, the TDSB Excellence Awards help shine a light on the stories of extraordinary staff commitment, and we are delighted to announce that nominations for the Excellence Awards 2023 will open today, February 27, 2023.
Last year, the Excellence Awards were modified to align with our shared system priorities and help highlight TDSB staff’s efforts to foster joy, engagement and belonging in our schools, workplaces, and communities as a foundation for academic achievement, student success and service excellence.
We want to know about the TDSB colleagues you know who are inspiring students, innovating the curriculum, championing digital transformation, creating inclusive schools and workplaces, and working behind the scenes to support events, operations, initiatives, learning, and wellness in so many different ways.
We welcome nominations from anyone – staff, students, parents/caregivers, or community members – so we encourage you to submit nominations and to encourage your colleagues to submit nominations between February 27 and April 6, 2023.
School Council News :
School Council Meeting - Tuesday April 4th at 6:30 pm on Zoom - hear updates from the Principal and Committees, as well as guests. We are excited to welcome Superintendent Roni Felsen and TDSB Chair Rachel Chernos-Lin who will present shortly after opening remarks to give us an update on all things TDSB. 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 April 4th. If you have any questions for the Principal's Update, please send them to nss.school.council@gmail.com.
Gifted Advisory Committee Re-Launch- Families of gifted students at Northern are invited to complete a short survey to provide input into upcoming activities of the Gifted Advisory Committee. The survey includes the following:
- An opportunity to sign up for the new email list,
- Information about a summer enrichment opportunities event,
- Information about a planning for university event,
- An opportunity to share your experience in the gifted program so far, and
- An opportunity to make suggestions for issues that you would like the gifted advisory committee to address moving forward.
Student Success
NSS Peer Tutoring
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.
Guidance Updates:
- Students! Please remember that Guidance books direct appointments with students using our guidanceInterview system which sends you an email to confirm you have had an appointment booked.
A friendly reminder to show this appointment email to your teacher at the start of your class.
- Please note the Last Day to Request to Drop a Course (semester 2): Wednesday, April 26, 2023. Any grade 11 or 12 eligible students need to book a Guidance appointment to start the drop process by Wednesday, April 26, 2023.
Full Disclosure: May 2, 2023.
- Thinking about taking a course at TDSB Summer School?
TDSB Summer e-Learning – Registration OPENS April 4, 2023 @ 10am
Check out this link for more info about TDSB Summer e-Learn.
TDSB Con-Ed In-person & Remote Summer School: Registration Opens April 18, 2023 at 10am and Closes June 10, 2023 at 4pm
Check out this link for more info about TDSB Con-Ed Summer
- Summer COOP Opportunities:
Summer Co-op applications are now available!!
Please book an appointment with your guidance counsellor to submit your application: https://guidanceinterview.com/s/nss
- Online Tutoring Opportunities
The TDSB continues to support students with unfinished learning through the Ministry’s funding for Tutoring programs. Tutoring may be accessed in schools, communities, and online.
All tutoring services are voluntary. There is no obligation for any student to participate in tutoring.
TDSB students have free, unlimited online tutoring available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through Paper and Brainfuse. The TDSB is not operating online tutoring services. This means that TDSB staff will not be present during tutoring sessions.
Parents/Guardians/Caregivers and/or Students (18 years or older) who wish to participate in one of these free online tutoring services should contact the company directly to learn more about their services and the registration process.
Information has been distributed to students and parents/caregivers/guardians about tutoring. As well, information about Tutoring @ the TDSB is available on the public website: https://www.tdsb.on.ca/School-Year-2022-2023/Tutoring.
- Help Ahead is an organization to help connect people to Mental Health resources. https://helpahead.ca/ Not sure where to turn? It’s okay, we’re here to help you. Help Ahead is the centralized phone line to access child, youth and family mental health and well-being resources.
- The TDSB Ukrainian Welcome Fair is taking place 11:00AM-2:00PM, Saturday, April 15, at Western Technical-Commercial School, 125 Evelyn Crescent. All TDSB Ukrainian secondary students and families are welcome.
Please complete the registration form by April 1st 2023.
- 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.
- SCHULICH BUILDERS SCHOLARSHIPS
Schulich Builders are scholarships for students enrolling in an eligible, full-time skilled trades program at a participating college in Ontario. Ten colleges award a total of 100 scholarships annually. Each college will award ten scholarships: Five for one-year certificate programs, Five for two-year diploma programs
Valued at $40,000 ($20,000 per academic year), these scholarships support the costs of tuition, tools and living expenses.
Northern Application is due April 1, 2023. Please apply here.
- 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 weekend!
Adam Marshall
Principal
Follow me @PrincipalNSS
