Dear Northern Families,

Please see this month’s issue of Hearts and Minds from the board’s psychology department.

Congratulations to Nolan Chow, Theo Buck, Darren Quach and Sebastian Bartram for winning gold medals at the South Region Tennis Finals yesterday. Good luck to the guys on Monday at the City Finals!

Lots of other great results happening for our students inside and outside the classroom. More playoff action and shows coming next week!

Please ask your student if they have completed the Student Census Survey for the TDSB. We currently have about a 35% completion rate and want to make sure Northern voices are represented in the board data. Please encourage your student to look in their TDSB email for a message about the survey and ask them to complete it. Thank You!

Semester 2 Final Exams: Please find HERE the Semester 2 Final Exam Schedule (updated). You will note the adjustments from the TDSB’s original exam schedule in order to accommodate the necessary shift of commencement to June 27^th (at 1pm). More details like room numbers for exams will be shared as we get closer to June.

4 Things to Know About Northern Next Week:

1. Tuesday: Spring Athletic Assembly (Pd. 2)
2. Wednesday: Late Start @9:55am
3. Thursday: Northern Lights Show 6:30-8:30pm (more info below)
4. Friday: SAC Carnival – schedule immediately below:

P1 9 – 10:15

P2 10:20 - 11:30

L 11:30 - 12:50

P3 12:50 – 2:00

P4 2:05 - 3:15

 

Arts and Tech Night:

Save the Date! Don't miss our first combined Arts and Tech interactive exhibition on Thursday, June 1st from 6:30 - 8:30! Doors will open at 6:00. There will be performances, exhibits and workshops in Visual Arts, Ceramics, Drama, Music, Dance, Film, Photography, Architecture, Fashion and Robotics. Please see our attached poster! NL Show 2023

 

Student Success:

Tour – Toyota Manufacturing Plant and Humber College Barrett Centre for Technology Innovation:

On May 25th the Robotics class and Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) students took a tour of the Humber College's Electromechanical Engineering Technology facility and the Toyota Manufacturing Plant in Cambridge, ON. At Humber, students were able to see the Kuka robot projects developed by engineering students. We had hands-on experience programming some robots and working with automation software (MecLab). In the afternoon, we took a tour of the Toyota Manufacturing Plant (photography prohibited). Here students took a tram through the facilities to see the assembly lines in action and ask questions directly to the staff of Toyota. It was a fun day of experiential learning! To see photos from the day, please click here:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1gDS799ovL31tdZOON228J08aZ42qzJA0?usp=sharing

 

Applications to become a Peer Tutor at Northern!

Students interested in becoming a peer tutor for the 2023-2024 school year should fill in the application form. The application form will be open from May 25th-May 31st. Becoming a peer tutor provides opportunities to take initiative, make new friends, give back to the Northern community, and earn volunteer hours by helping your peers in their academic journeys!

 

Industry 4.0 Competition:
Five Northern students, from Tech Design and other disciplines, participated in the Industry 4.0 Competition; a data-driven engineering competition sponsored by the University of Waterloo. Contestants were given a scenario that challenged them to optimize a production line. Alex Albrecht, Aidan Lam, Alfonso Sina, Kiyan Jamal and Lawrence Ding, utilized their data analytics and creative abilities to establish an optimized 3D model using a solid modelling software Fusion 360. Their impressive work captivated the judges and earned this team a well-deserved fourth place in the competition.
https://www.i4competition.ca/

 

Healing Engagement Series:

Navigating the System: Mental Health and Wellness for Black Parents/Caregivers

Join us for the first session of our Healing Centred Engagement Series hosted by Social Workers from the Centre of Excellence for Black Student Achievement. This session will feature a panel conversation with Black professionals and Black-serving organizations on supporting the mental health and well-being of Black students and their families.

In this session Black parents/caregivers will:

• Explore the impact of systemic anti-Black racism on mental health;
• Build tools for nurturing joy and wellness;
• Learn strategies on how to support a child’s well-being;
• Engage in knowledge sharing of Black-affirming mental health programs and services.

Audience: TDSB Parents, Caregivers

Date: June 1, 2023

Time: 6 – 7:30 p.m.

Register here

 

School Council:

1) Walking Buddies - Saturday, May 27 - 9:30-10:30 am - join other Northern parents to walk and talk about parenting, school, and life. Email nss.school.council@gmail.com for more details.

2) The Impact of Trauma & Implementing Trauma-informed Practices - May 30 - 7-8 pm The impact of trauma on learning can be significant and long lasting. Learn how you can confidently and meaningfully support your trauma-impacted students and foster trauma-informed practice. Drawing from his personal and professional experiences with trauma, mental health, and school culture, Tom Hierck provides real insight into what you can do now to help learners build resilience, cope with adverse situations, and achieve at high levels. Presented by the Pine River Institute's Center for Family Initiatives. Register here.

3) Know Your Strengths - May 31 - 7:00 - Live Youth and Parent Call - When a teen is in a setting that focuses on their weaknesses more than their strengths, they can feel like they do not have any strengths. During this live, interactive call, learn about the importance of strengths and how to get to know what they are! Hosted by Shift Your Thinking. Email nss.school.council@gmail.com for more information and a link. ​

Class of 2023:

Commencement:

The 2023 Northern graduation ceremony will take place on Tuesday, June 27^th at 1:00 p.m. Our ceremony usually lasts approximately 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 beginning until Friday June 9^th. Please print/ keep your confirmation/receipt as proof of payment.

Please refer to the email sent to students and their families that are in a graduating position for more details.

 

Northern Secondary School Foundation:

Help Wanted!

The Northern Secondary School Foundation has opening on our Board of Directors.

Join alumni, parents and former staff to enrich teaching and learning, recognize student achievement and support student led initiatives.

Contact info@nssf.ca to express interest and for more information

www.nssf.ca to learn more about us.

 

Guidance Updates:

1. Thinking about taking a course at TDSB Summer School?

Want to know the difference between ConEd. Summer and e-Summer school?

Check out this chart that compares ConEd and e-Summer School.

TDSB Summer e-Learning – Registration is OPEN

Check out this link for more info about TDSB Summer e-Learn.

July e-Learn registration CLOSES June 9, 2023 at 4pm

August e-Learn registration CLOSES July 6, 2023 at 4pm

TDSB Con-Ed In-person & Remote Summer School: Registration is OPEN and Closes June 10, 2023 at 4pm

Check out this link for more info about TDSB Con-Ed Summer

TDSB Con Ed Remote Credit Recovery (for students who earn 1-49%) click here

2. Haven’t received an OUAC offer? Use the Admission Information Service (AIS)

Starting June 5, 2023, Ontario high school students can use the AIS to

find possible openings at Ontario universities. To begin your search, visit www.ouac.on.ca/ouac-101

Once you find an open program of interest, add it to your 101 application.

Requirements:

• You will be completing or have completed the OSSD (or equivalent),

including six 4U/M courses, by August 2023.

• You must have an average of at least 60%, although higher averages

are usually required.

Visit: www.ouac.on.ca/ouac-101 Call: 519-823-1063, Email: 101sup@ouac.on.ca

Post- Secondary Updates:

• Save the date! ***CHANGED DATE DUE TO SAC CARNIVAL***
  University of British Columbia - Wed. May 31 after school!
  Wednesday, May 31 - UBC will be visiting Northern to connect with students; they're coming to reconnect with prospective applicants and also answer questions that grade 11 students may have about applying to UBC next year!
• 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.

 

3. Graduating and have not handed in your 40 Community Involvement hours? Please note, we ask for May 31, 2023 to be the last day you submit your hours. See your Guidance Counsellor if you have any questions.

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

Summer U of T Programming: Registration is now open for youth summer programs from the Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering. Returning this year will be the Da Vinci Engineering Enrichment Program (DEEP) for high school students and Jr. DEEP for elementary school students. The programming also includes two streams of coding workshops and CREATE, designed for highly committed and motivated students who have an interest in problem-solving and global issues. Register Today: Current Program Offerings - Engineering Outreach (utoronto.ca) Daniels Design Discovery provides a comprehensive introduction to the discipline of architecture, giving you the opportunity to experience different ways of seeing, thinking, and making through the lens of design. The program will develop your skills in a broad range of design tools and techniques, providing a strong foundation to explore your creative potential. There are Two 2-week courses held in July and August 2023 Click here to learn more and register

 

5. 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.

6. 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.

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Have a great weekend!

Adam Marshall

Principal

Follow me @PrincipalNSS