Dear Northern Families,

School will be closed next week for March Break. We wish everyone a relaxing week recharging your batteries. Everything speeds up after the break- the more frequent long weekends seem to accelerate the calendar. Come back ready for the sprint to the finish line!

Yesterday you should have received mark updates from all your teachers. With this early indicator in mind, we will be holding Parent/Guardian-Teacher Interviews at the school on Thursday, March 21^st: 1:30-3:00 and 6:00-8:30. You will be able to schedule your Parent-Teacher Interviews online. If you wish to schedule a meeting with any of your child's teachers, please follow the instructions below.

You will be able to make appointments from Monday, March 18^th at 7:00 am to Wednesday, March 20^th at 11:00pm.

 

Instructions

1. Prepare a list with the names of each teacher you would like to meet

2. Go to the NSS scheduling website at https://parentinterview.com/s/nss

3. Enter your child's 9-digit student number or Ontario Education Number and click "Sign In"

4. Fill in your contact information and click "Continue to Make Appointments"

5. Click on the name of a teacher with whom you wish to schedule an appointment

6. Click on an "Available" time at which you wish to meet with that teacher

7. Repeat Steps 5 and 6 until you have scheduled all the teachers you wish to see

8. Click on "My Schedule" (top left of the page)

9. Print out, email or copy down your schedule

Should you wish to cancel an appointment you have made, click on "Cancel" beside the meeting you wish to have removed from your schedule.

If you misplace your schedule, you may use your Confirmation # to retrieve your schedule from the website at any time.

If you experience any difficulty using the service, please email support@parentinterview.com

We look forward to speaking with you!

 

During Parent/ Guardian – Teacher Interviews the United Way Silent Auction will return! Items from local businesses will be available for bidding to raise money for the United Way. Keep an eye out for some great auction items!

 

There will not be a bulletin next week. See information for the week we return below....

 

Things to Know for Next Week:

Monday- Friday: March Break- No School!

Things to Know for the First Week Back:

Wednesday: Late Start @9:55am

Wednesday: NSSF Meeting @7pm

Thursday: Early Close @12:15pm (Parent/ Guardian-Teacher Interviews)

Friday: Late Start @9:55am

 

Northern Spring Sports

With Spring around the corner there are many tryouts occurring next week for many spring sports including Rugby, All-Gender Volleyball & Ultimate Frisbee, Girls Soccer, Boys Baseball, Girls Softball, Track and Field and Tennis. For all tryout information and which teacher-coach to contact for each sport please visit the Student-Athlete Resource Site to stay up to date so you don't miss out!

 

Ski and Snowboard:

Last week, members of the Ski and Snowboard team represented Northern at OFSAA Championships in Collingwood, Ontario.

Skier Jillian Deeks had a fantastic result, winning OFSAA Gold in the Open Division in Slalom and GS events, and Astoria Yen, Hannah Smith, and Jessica Skoskiewicz represented Northern in the Snowboarding, placing 9th as a team, with Astoria placing 11th overall as an individual.

Congrats on a great season team!

 

Swimming:

Northern was well represented at the OFSAA swim championships with a delegation of 27 athletes. The province's finest competed on March 5-6 at the Toronto PAN AM center in front of 4000 athletes and spectators. Many of our athletes swam personal bests and shaved seconds off of their relay times. A tremendous effort was put forth by our junior boys medley and free relay teams who won gold in both events. Relay members: James McLean, Andrew Wood, Henry Dent and Eli Rethazy (medley) and Jameson Colley (Free). Eli Rethazy also earned a gold for his 50 m backstroke event. Andrew Wood also earned a Bronze for his 100 m IM. Congratulations on a fantastic season! Sent from my iPhone

 

Student Success

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.

 

Grad Quotes for Yearbook:

Hey Grads! Want to get your grad quotes in? Fill in the form below by Friday, March 15 at 11:59 pm. You can edit your response until then. Happy writing!

https://forms.gle/s83YycqyXB3MkEXGA

 

Operation Smile:

Operation Smile is hosting a cookie dough fundraiser to raise funds for children in developing countries suffering from cleft lip or palate. Partnered with Terra Cotta Cookies, you are able to order through this link: https://fundraising.terracottacookies.com/current-fundraisers/nss-operation-smile/ where you can choose from over 10 flavours including vegan and gluten free options! Orders will close on March 26, and your cookies, ready to be baken, will be delivered right to school!

 

Northern Math Contest:

Registration is open the Canadian National Math League #6 contest.

If your student is interested in writing please have them join the Google Classroom using code kzwovat and register as soon as possible.

If your child has registered for the University of Waterloo - Euclid, Fryer (grade 9), Galois (grade 10), Hypatia (grade 11) math contests, the payment can be made through school cash online.

 

Student Accident Insurance Reminder (from the board):

The Toronto District School Board does not provide accident insurance coverage for student injuries that occur on school premises or during school sponsored activities

Parents/ guardians are responsible for deciding whether or not to purchase student accident insurance. The insurance program options range from $17 to $33 per year.

Letter: TDSB Student Accident Insurance Letter

Flyer: Student Accident Plan Flyer

Website: Student Accident Plan

Should further information about the above including the policy or purchasing details, please visit www.studyinsuredstudentaccident.com or call 1-833-560-0527 (toll-free) or 416-916-1588 (local).

 

Measles Alert:

Toronto Public Health recently announced an investigation of a confirmed case of measles. Please make sure all your vaccinations are up to date. Click here for more information.

 

Northern Secondary School Foundation:

The Northern Secondary School Foundation is Accepting Applications for Scholarships and Awards March 11-May 3, 2024

Attention Parents/Guardians of Graduating Students

The Foundation is pleased to offer Scholarships and Awards to graduating students. We are grateful to former teachers, parents and alumni who fund these awards.

Applications will be accepted starting on March 11^th 2024.

Go to nssf.ca/scholarships for a complete list of the awards and application forms.

326149. scholarships and awards recognize academic achievement in math, science, social science, business, family studies, music, art and design.. Others recognize leadership in community service, environmental and humanitarian initiatives, participation in athletic and extracurricular activities, and perseverance in face of adversity.

Award winners are selected by the Scholarship Committee of Northern Secondary School. If you have any questions about the awards or the application process, contact us at info@nssf.ca and we will get back to you

 

School Council:

1. Walking Buddies - Saturday, March 9th - 9:30-10:30 am Join other Northern parents for some fresh air, exercise, and conversation about school, kids, and life! Email nss.school.council@gmail.com for more details.

2. Meeting minutes available. Draft minutes from the school council meeting on February 22nd are available on the NSS Council website. If you were not able to join the meeting, the minutes summarize the Principal’s update. This month, school safety protocols and supply teacher shortages were discussed.

3. Volunteers always welcome! We encourage parents to reach out to share your ideas, big and small. Whether it is a link to a resource that you think other parents might be interested in or a skill that you’d like to share, we welcome your involvement in whatever way works with your schedule. Reach out to nss.school.council@gmail.com at any time.

 

Battle of the Bands:

Northern’s first ever Battle of the Bands will be after school on Wednesday March 27th! Sign ups for performers are due March 12. It’s free to watch for everyone! Check out our Instagram, @nssmusic, for all the details or sign up at bit.ly/NSSbattleofthebands24

 

Guidance Updates:

1. Guidance wishes everyone a restful, safe and fun March Break!

Mental Wellness Resources

Kids Help Phone: text 686868

In an emergency, call: 911

2. TDSB e-Learning Summer School Registration OPENS: Monday, April 22, 2024. Course listings will be updated March 19, 2024 for your planning purposes.

For more info about TDSB e-Summer school go here

3. TDSB In-Person/Remote Continuing Education Summer School information here

Registration for TDSB In-Person/Remote Summer OPENS: TBA

4. Child and Youth Services Poster Contest: What is on Your Path to Joy?

Children’s Mental Health Week is May 6-10, 2024. This year our theme is all about what you do in your everyday life that create moments of joy and joyfulness.

The Child and Youth Services Poster Contest is open to all TDSB students, with prizes to be won in five categories. The winning designs will be announced in May, during Children’s Mental Health week, when we visit schools to share the news with students and their communities. We will also feature the posters on Social Media and in some TDSB buildings.

Please see the attached flyer and instructions for contest details and submission information.

The deadline to submit contest entries is March 28, 2024 at 5:00 p.m.

Follow us on social media to see supplemental material to support making your posters: X formerly know as Twitter @TDSB_CYS & Instagram @TDSB.CYS

For further information, please contact Koryn Marshall koryn.marshall@tdsb.on.ca or Omaida Ali omaida.ali@tdsb.on.ca

5. Scholarship Information:

• Graduating Students: The Northern Secondary School Foundation offers 40 Scholarships and Awards to graduating students ranging from $200 to $5000. Check out the list on our website at NSSF.ca. Go to Scholarships and follow the instructions to apply for awards. Applications will be accepted March 11,2024 until May 3, 2024. Assistance is available from your guidance counsellor or at scholarships@nssf.ca
• Seeking Scholarships has released their February Scholarship Report which has upcoming scholarship dates listed for students applying to post-secondary programs. It also has some great tips this month for writing scholarship essays
• Northern students, teachers, and families can access from this link using the password, scholar58:
• Please note: This resource is copyrighted and only available to Northern families - please do not share outside of the Northern community.
• NSS Scholarship Information Chart 2023/2024 where Northern-specific scholarship information and deadlines can be found (along with other common awards).

6. UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO: LEARN ABOUT ACTUARIAL SCIENCE

Date: Online event, Tuesday, March 19th 2024, 5:00 - 6:30 pm

This often unknown or unappreciated field which combines math, statistics, data science, risk and communication, is a great career path and opens doors to the fields of financial services, insurance, consulting and more.

Please register so we have a sense of who and how many will be in the room, the zoom

link will be shared with those attending.

Contact: megan.whitehead@utoronto.ca

7. University of Toronto Outreach Opportunities:

• STEAM Design:

Program Dates: July 2 - 26, 2024

The STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) Design Program is an experiential learning program with an equity focus, as it is designed for grades 10-12 students identifying with groups that are underrepresented in health sciences (i.e. Black, Indigenous, Filipino, Latin American, racialized, and/or from any background experiencing socio-economic barriers)

Click here to APPLY

• Blueprint

Program Dates: July 8 – August 2, 2024

Blueprint is an academic enrichment program designed for highly motivated Black students interested in science and engineering. Blueprint is open to students currently in Grades 10 and 11, and are interested in careers in STEM (Science, Technology Engineering and Math).

Click here to APPLY

8. IMPORTANT Volunteering Information:

• PLEASE NOTE: Events and activities supporting a not-for-profit initiative are approved. If you are unsure if your activities supports a not-for-profit program, please see your Guidance counsellor for approval of the volunteering initiative.
• For more information about the TDSB’s policy on Volunteering, click here.
• Students: for volunteering information and opportunities, please visit your Guidance Google classroom or www.volunteertoronto.ca.
• You can find the TDSB Community Involvement form here.

9. Post Secondary Updates:

• Do you have questions about how to access accommodations at your post-secondary school? This chart lists each university's policy/needs around what is required to get accommodations: https://caddac.ca/wp-content/uploads/Post-Secondary-documentation-Requirements-Chart.pdf
• NSS Post-Secondary Individual School Lunch Visits 2023/24
• NSS Post-Secondary Guide is here!

10. Online Graduation Requirement – Information and Opt-Out Form

• Looking for information about the new Ontario Ministry Online Learning graduation requirement? Please click here
• Overview Info:
  • applies only to students who entered Grade 9 on or after September 1, 2020.
  • Students may withdraw/opt out of this new requirement and graduate with an OSSD
  • if you have decided now to withdraw from the graduation requirement, please complete the TDSB Opt Out/Withdrawal Form and return it to your Guidance Counsellor.

 

Have a great March Break!

Adam Marshall

Principal

Follow me @PrincipalNSS