Dear Northern Families,

Yesterday was World Teacher Day. We are incredibly lucky to have some of the very best here at Northern. Thank You to ALL our teaching staff for the amazing work they do every day!
We had our first lockdown drill this week. Thank You to our students for doing an excellent job during this serious practice. We did have to speak to some students following the drill and hope the message has been received that these are not the times for silliness.

We also had our Academic Awards Assembly (for returning students). Congratulations to ALL our award winners and thank you for all the families that came out to support your students.

School Council Elections are happening October 17^th. Please see details below under “School Council”.

A few reminders…..

This is an early message about exams, but I want to make sure families know exactly when they fall so that travel and other plans can be made accordingly. Semester 1 exams run from January 24^th to 30^th. Semester 2 exams run from June 19^th- 25^th. If your student is new to high school this year, it is important to note that culminating activities (culminating activities can take many forms but always make up 30% of student final grades) take place leading up to the exam blocks, so attendance is vital in the weeks leading up to exams.

Did you miss photo day? Not to worry- the photographer will be back October 16^th to capture missing students/ photos.

If you have not done so, please submit your Student Activity Fees of $60.00- this includes your yearbook (cash, cheque, or School Cash Online which is open from now through October 7^th. Instructions can be found ), distribute timetables, sell locks for anyone wanting one ($8), student photos, and creating student ID’s. Student Activity Fees cover the yearbook, and help to fund many student activities. We have a strong student government that works to distribute these funds to applicants (student groups/ teams/ clubs) throughout the year. Everyone’s support is greatly appreciated. Thank you to everyone that has already submitted- it makes a huge difference!

Upcoming Week:

1. Monday – Thanksgiving Day- school closed
2. Wednesday: Welcome to SHSM and Co-Op event 3:15pm
3. Thursday: Gifted Advisory Committee Meeting @6pm
4. Friday: Fall Volunteer/ Employment Fair

 

United Way:

The CN Tower Stair climb is back! Join Northern’s Team on October 21st at 9:00 am to climb the CN tower for change! United Way holds this fundraising event every year to raise money for the United Way charity. United Way is an umbrella organization that supports local communities, providing them with basic needs. Every dollar that is raised goes to the United Way. This is a great event for our school community to get together and have a fun time! Join our team from this link:

https://secure2.convio.net/uwgt/site/TR/CommunityEvents/General?team_id=7701&pg=team&fr_id=1440

 

Math Competitions:

The NSS Math Department is excited to offer a variety of math competitions, again, for the 2023-2024 school year.

Registrations have already opened for the following competitions:

• Canada National Math League Contest #1
• Canadian Open Math Competition
• Canadian Intermediate/Senior Math Contests

Students can sign up by completing the registration form on the 2023-2024 NSS Math Contest Google Classroom using class code: kzwovat

Please direct any contest questions to steven.ong@tdsb.on.ca

 

Parents and Caregivers as Partners Conference - October 21 & 22, 2023

Join us at our annual Parents and Caregivers as Partners Conference on October 21 and 22, 2023. Parents, guardians, and caregivers are invited to participate in a weekend of learning, connection, and engagement and to learn strategies to support your child throughout the year.

Last year, we partnered with the TDSB’s Outdoor Education team and the City of Toronto to bring a unique experience to the conference. All of the in-person sessions are scheduled between 2:00 and 3:30 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday. Transportation from central sites is available to all venues, leaving the location at 1:00 p.m. and returning at 3:30 p.m. More information will be provided as we approach the date.

13031. virtual conference includes a keynote address on Saturday, October 21, 2023, by Dr. Gholnescsar (Gholdy) Muhammad, an Associate Professor of Literacy, Language, and Culture. On Sunday, October 22, 2023, Sarah Baldeo, an accomplished neuroscientist, technologist, corporate strategist, and a successful entrepreneur, will be our keynote.

Visit www.parentsaspartners.ca to register and for more information.

 

Music:

Do you like making music? Do you want to perform for your fellow students? Sign up to perform at our second ever Music Week! Events are running every lunch from October 30th to November 3rd with performances on November 2nd and 3rd. Sign up at bit.ly/musicweek23signup. Follow our Instagram @nssmusic for more info!

 

Drama:

Is your child interested in a fun filled and educational trip to Chicago this March Break?

Sign Up Deadline: Thursday, December 21st for first 2 payments installments - if we do not have 30 students at this time, your money will be refunded.

Why? To experience Chicago's Art, Architecture, Museums, Theatre, Parks and Zoos.

Where? We are planning to explore everything that Chicago has to offer: WILLIS TOWER | HISTORIC NAVY PIER | ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO | LINCOLN PARK ZOO | FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY| MILLENNIUM PARK | ARCHITECTURE RIVER CRUISE | JOHN G SHEDD AQUARIUM | ADLER PLANETARIUM & ASTRONOMY MUSEUM | MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY | and see some really great CHICAGO THEATRE (MUSICALS)! Click here for the itinerary!

When? Mar 11-Mar 15, 2024

Who? All Northern students are welcome. Priority is given to students enrolled in a Performing Arts course or participating in a Performing Arts extracurricular.

Cost? Price: $1,975 per student (Trip price based on 30 participating students). This includes hotel accommodation (4 students in a room), coach bus transportation, 4 breakfasts & 4 dinners, all trip experiences,entrance fees and tickets, Edutravel tour animator and all night security. Link here for more details!

How? Check the registration instructions attached here.

Please contact Flora Wellsman flora.wellsman@tdsb.on.ca for more information and/or join the Google Classroom using this LINK and code: phdus2m.

Drama Extracurriculars:

Drama Club is a drop in club that all students are welcome to join. The first meeting will be at lunch in Room 225 on Wednesday, October 11th.

Improv Team is a competitive team that is coached by Ms Stassis. Practices are mandatory and are scheduled for Monday after school and Friday lunch in the auditorium. If you child is interested in being on this team, they should speak with Ms. Stassis in guidance or at one of the team practices.

 

Student Success:

Peer Tutoring

Peer Tutoring is now available! We are able to offer tutoring support in all compulsory subjects for Grades 9 and 10. Students, please complete the Tutee Registration Form in order to be matched with a Peer Tutor this semester.

Welcome to SHSM Event 2022-2023 Happening October 11th

Students can confirm their attendance using this form.

Who is it for: All SHSM students and anyone interested in learning more about SHSM - bring a friend!
When: October 11th @ 3:30-4:15 pm
Where: Library
What will happen at this event?

• Meet your SHSM peers!
• Meet your teachers and coordinators of the program
• All students enrolled will receive a welcome gift
• Overview of program requirements
• Important dates for semester 1 and 2
• Learn how to earn certifications, reach aheads and SPE/ICE Training

Please fill in the Google Form before the event to confirm your attendance.

 

School Council Update:

1) Election for School Council Voting Members 2023-24 - Tuesday, October 17 at 6:30 pm. All parents and guardians of Northern students are welcome to run; no prior experience needed. If you would like to nominate yourself as a voting member for School Council 2023/24, please email nssc.elections@gmail.com to request your nomination form package. All submissions must be received back by 11:59 pm Monday October 9, 2023 in order to be included on the ballot. In the event a vote for full council is needed, the meeting will be held in-person in the Northern Library. If members are acclaimed we will hold a virtual meeting.

2) We need your help! 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). Click here for more details and the link to make your contribution through School Cash Online by Friday November 10. Every gift makes a difference!

Gifted Advisory Committee - Thursday, October 12th, 6:00 pm NSS Library

Join the Gifted Advisory Committee for a question-and-answer session with gifted staff. Get answers to your pressing gifted questions and take an opportunity to meet other gifted families. This is an in-person event. A summary of questions and answers will be available to those who cannot attend. If you are not yet receiving GAC emails, please sign up here.

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

5) Games Night - Fri, October 13 - 6:30-9:30 pm -join other Northern parents for a night of good food and good fun. It's a great time to relax and make some new friends! Email nss.school.council@gmail.com for more details.

 

Guidance Updates:

1. Guidance Week-in-Review: Grade 12 home form visits have begun! “I’m in Grade 12, Now What?” Graduation Requirements check & Post-Secondary home form presentations happened this week. Check out the google side show here.

Looking Ahead: One-on-one grade 12 post-secondary meetings begin with grade 12 students. Counsellors continue to meet with all students: grade 9 intro meetings, academic support, social/emotional support, etc.

2. Post Secondary Updates:
   1. NSS Post-Secondary Individual School Lunch Visits 2023/24
   2. NSS Post-Secondary Guide is here!
   3. Save the dates:
      1. NSS Post-Secondary Fair is Wednesday, November 8, 2023 - 6:00pm - 8:00pm @ Northern SS
      2. Ontario College Fair: Oct 18 & 19, 2023 @ Enercare Centre
      3. OUF: Ontario Universities Fair @ the Metro Convention Centre - October 22-23, 2023
3. NSS Scholarship Information Chart 2023/2024 where Northern-specific scholarship information and deadlines can be found (along with other common awards).
4. Seeking Scholarships has released their September Scholarship Report which has upcoming scholarship dates listed for students applying to post-secondary programs.

Northern students, teachers, and families can access from this link using the password, scholar58: https://seekingscholarships.com/the-scholarship-report-2/

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

****Stay tuned for upcoming workshops on applying to scholarships - coming soon!

5. COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
   Every student who begins secondary school during or after the 1999–2000 school year must complete a minimum of 40 hours of community involvement activities as part of the requirements for an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD).
   
   The purpose of the community involvement requirement is to encourage students to develop awareness and understanding of civic responsibility and of the role they can play and the contributions they can make in supporting and strengthening their communities. By being involved in their communities and serving others, students can develop transferable skills and explore different sectors and potential career opportunities as well as deepening their understanding of their role in society.
   
   The TDSB Community Involvement Guide provides step-by-step instructions for students to plan their community involvement. Students can submit their community involvement hours using the TDSB Community Involvement Activity Notification and Completion form, which includes direction regarding eligible and ineligible activities.
6. Students! Sign-up for your Guidance Google Classroom:

Stay informed! Get all in info! Join your student Guidance Google classroom!

Sign-up for your Student Guidance Google Classroom:

Grade 9 Google Classroom code: x6sh4ue

Grade 10 Google Classroom code: 4ixv2jl

Grade 11 Google Classroom code: kmv6fcz

Grade 12 Google Classroom code: twdxca6

Starting Monday, September 18, 2023, Guidance will begin posting information about scholarships, volunteer opportunities, youth employment, post-secondary visits and more in our google classrooms.

Please make sure you are enrolled in the correct graded Guidance google classroom.

7. *** New 2023-2024 Guidance Alphas: by Student Last Name

A, F, P, T: Kristen Beach

B-E, I: Semester 1: Jenny Sohn, Semester 2: Leslie Usin-Rojas

G, H, K, L: Jennifer MacPhee

J, M – R: Sean Magee-Saxton

S, U-Z: Melanie Stassis

Click here for Counsellor contact info.

 

Have a great long weekend,

Adam Marshall

Principal

Follow me @PrincipalNSS