Dear Northern Families,

What a week of drama! Mainstage was a resounding success with 4 fantastic performances in a row. Congratulations to all the actors and crews from the two casts. The Importance of Being Earnest was a real hit.

Students- please see important information about Student Activity Council elections below! There is an information session Monday at lunch in the auditorium if you would like to learn more. Get involved!

Need volunteer hours? There are many opportunities to be found in the guidance google classrooms coming up….think elementary school fun fairs and so on. Make sure you have a look!

For those celebrating Passover next week chag Pesach sameach!

 

Things to Know for Next Week:

Tuesday: Last day to drop semester 2 classes.

Wednesday: Report Card Day!

Wednesday: Late Start @9:55am

Thursday: School Council Presentation @6:30pm- more info below.

 

Music:

Sounds of Spring is back on May 2nd! $2 for a hot dog, drink, and live music! Sign up to perform at bit.ly/soundsofspring2024 . Follow us on Instagram @nssmusic.

 

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.

 

Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM)

All Northern Students are welcome to join the SHSM events below. Sign up and see what SHSM has to offer. These are both fantastic opportunities!

April 22nd Artist Talk With Toronto Illustrator Ali Hinch

All Northern Students are Welcome.

Please sign up here

 

May 17th Dance Revolt at Humber College. Learn from professional dance artists in styles: breakdancing, dancehall and house.

All Northern students are welcome. Sign up by Monday, April 22nd

Please sign up here

 

Badminton News:

Congratulations to Mika Smith-Hernandez and Megan Hatcher for going undefeated with a perfect 12-0 record, steamrolling the competition all the way to the South Region Girls Doubles title!!! Congratulations as well to Leah Witten and Kaitlyn Chow for placing fourth in the Region with a very impressive 10-2 record!!! Good luck to all four girls next week at Cities. We placed first overall girls and fourth team overall. Way to go Northern!!!!!

 

EQAO Student Engagement:

EQAO is pleased to share a call for proposals for Grades 7 -12 students to take part in our EQAO Student Engagement Committee for the 2024-2025 school year. Each year, 30 students from across the province are selected to participate in the committee to share feedback with EQAO on ways to improve our programs. This is a volunteer opportunity involving virtual meetings several times throughout the year. The deadline for applications is June 3rd, 2024.

Please find the attached FLYER as well as a direct link to our website Student Engagement Committee information.

 

Apply Now to the Indigenous Student Summer Leadership Program

The Urban Indigenous Education Centre is now accepting applications for the Indigenous Student Summer Leadership Program (ISSLP).

This paid summer program provides First Nation, Métis, and Inuit students (ages 16 to 20 years of age) leadership opportunities with Indigenous mentors throughout the month of July 2024.

During the program, students will:

Earn one Co-operative Education (Co-Op) credit, with the opportunity to also take part in Credit Recovery.

Receive additional wrap around support from Indigenous Graduation Coaches.

Gain invaluable work experience through placements that include:

o Nikibii Dawadinna Giigwag,

o The Toronto Zoo,

o TTC (Equity, Communications and Legal Departments),

o Scotiabank,

o Evergreen Brickworks, and more!

Students can express interest in ISSLP by completing the Google Form. An Indigenous Graduation Coach will be in contact to follow up.

Final Day to Apply is June 5, 2024.

 

TDSB Summer Programs:

Explore various TDSB summer programs now open for registration at the TDSB. Programs include:

Secondary

Continuing Education Secondary Credit (Registration opens Friday, April 19)

e-Summer School Program (Registration tentatively opens on Monday, April 22 for TDSB students and Monday, May 6 for NON-TDSB students)

International Youth Summer Program

 

SAC Elections:

For all applicants, here are some important details:

Applications forms are available in the Guidance Office

Video content/speeches are due by April 30th

Election assembly will be held on Monday, May 6th

Elections will be held on Friday, May 10th

Available roles include: President, Vice-President, Internal Social Director (Clubs), External Social Director (Prom & Merch), Secretary & Treasurer

Send all content and forms to kristen.beach@tdsb.on.ca or to Ms. Cho (physical copies) in the guidance office.

Only Grade 12s can run for President and External Social Director

Best of luck!

 

Elections Committee:

Are you looking for volunteer hours? If so, join the elections committee! You will assist in tallying votes and collecting ballots. Sign up here: https://forms.gle/LdB6TBzPAiAGhz4m7

 

Library:

1) New Books! Use this link to check out our latest additions

 

2) Giant Floor Map: April 24 to May 1

Starting next week the NSS Library Learning Commons will host Canadian Geographic's Giant Floor Map of Indigenous Peoples in Canada. Geography and Science classes will be using the map to explore a wide-range of topics, including Indigenous languages and territories, the impact of climate change on First Nation, Métis, and Inuit peoples, and demographic trends in Canada. For more information on this fantastic resource, check out this news article. during that time

During this time there will be restrictions on the Quiet Study Area used by students before/after school and on spare. Library services (book circulation, Chromebook access, research support) will continue to be available.

 

New Features in School Messenger:

To enhance our existing absence reporting procedure, we have added New Features to report the student’s absence.

1. Parents/Guardians can now use Safe Arrival platforms (Toll free number, mobile app or website) to add student’s Early Departure and Leave and Return in addition to Full Day and Late. These new options will allow parents to choose various reasons (Appointments, Illness, Family responsibility, weather, other reasons) when reporting.

2. Slept In is now available as one of the reasons for reporting late.

3. For Security reasons we recommend parents/ guardians to set up a 4-digit Personal Identification Number (PIN).

Parents/Guardians will be required to enter the same PIN number before absences can be reported or explained for their student(s) using the SafeArrival phone system.

The PIN will not be required when reporting using the app or the website as these access options are protected by passwords created by parents.

PIN settings can be updated by parents from the SchoolMessenger app OR on the website.

Please share the updated Manual - SchoolMessenger App - Step by Step Guide for Parents/Guardians.

 

TDSB Experiential Learning 2-Credit Summer Coop 2024 Information and Timeline

The Experiential Learning 2-Credit Coop Summer Program is now accepting Student Expression of Interest forms. Full information about the program is available on the Experiential Learning AW Page

TIMELINES:

1. Expression of Interest Forms due no later than Friday May 03, 2024

2. Conditional Intake Placement Form offered to conditionally-accepted students by mid-May 2024, to enable confirmation/acceptance of position offering.

3. Mandatory Pre-Placement Dates: Saturday June 15 AND Saturday June 22, 2024 (8:30am-4:00pm)

4. Coop placement dates: Tuesday July 02 - Friday August 09, 2024. Note: students do not participate in Coop for Statutory Holidays - including the Civic Holiday on Monday August 05, 2024.

 

Grad Photos:

Did you miss all our in-house grad photo days? Have no fear….

https://edgeimaging.ca/en/graduation-photography-studios/

Choose: Toronto (Senior Graduation)

Follow the prompts to book and confirm appointment

*This studio will be held at North Toronto Christian School - 255 Yorkland Blvd, Toronto

 

Northern STEM Alumni Panel see this NEW POSTER

The Northern Science Department is pleased to present the 2024 STEM Alumni Panel.

This moderated event will feature Northern Alumni from a variety of different STEM related fields. Panelists include current university students and professionals who have excelled in their chosen profession. The panel discussion will be followed by a short meet and greet session.

The event will take place on Wednesday, May 8 from 6:00-8:00 pm at Northern (in person). This event is proudly sponsored by the Northern Secondary School Foundation.

For more information about our speakers please see the attached flyer. To register, please use this link.

 

School Council:

NSS Council Grants for Student Activities. There is still time for clubs and associations to submit funding requests for this school year. Access instructions to apply on our website.

Help build our new Council! All parents are welcome to join SC's recruitment and election committee. Our goal is to collect feedback on member experience and review our election process to make Council an effective and rewarding experience for all. Recommendations will be given at the May 23 meeting for implementation next fall. If interested, email nss.school.council@gmail.com.

Upcoming Events

1. Walking Buddies - Saturday, April 20th - 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. Parenting talk - Thursday, April 25th at 6:30 pm. As parents, many of us worry about the mental health of our children. One factor that is within our sphere of influence is establishing a connection with our kids. It sounds like a simple thing, but we have to compete with devices and virtual connections that draw attention away from in-person connections. Northern School Council is pleased to invite parents, guardians and caregivers to an in-person presentation by Ulrica Jobe who will give us ideas about how to navigate the challenge of maintaining a strong connection with our kids in this hyper-connected world. Please register here to attend. If you have any questions, reach us at nss.school.council@gmail.com

3. Panel Discussion about AI in the Classroom - Tuesday, May 7th at 7:30 pm at Leaside High. Leaside Parent Council is inviting Northern families to attend an in-person panel discussing the use of AI in the classroom. Register to attend here.

 

From the Marc Garneau School Council:

Human Trafficking Parents Workshop- We invite you to a very special presentation presented by Victim Services Toronto on Tuesday May 7, 2024 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Marc Garneau C.I. in our school’s library. The presentation will focus on your role as a parent/guardian/caregiver and how you can prevent human trafficking. You will learn how youth are recruited, how to identify if your child is being trafficked, and how to support your child to prevent from being trafficked. We look forward to seeing you on May 7 at 6:30 p.m. in our school’s library.

 

 

Guidance Updates:

1. For eligible students, the LAST DAY TO REQUEST to DROP a NSS SEMSTER 2 course is Tuesday April 23, 2024. Students must book an appointment with their Guidance counsellor to start this process.

Courses dropped after the Full Disclosure Date of May 1, 2024 will appear on official transcripts. For any questions, see your Guidance Counsellor.

2. TDSB e-Learning Summer School Registration OPENS: Monday, April 22, 2024. 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 Friday April 19, 2024.
4. OUAC Updates: June 3rd & Offers of Admission
   Students must accept offers by that date. OUAC recommends watching their video link for how to accept an offer. We've posted the video below so please watch it - it's only 3 min.https://youtu.be/vN34g9lgTxY

Students often make a mistake and do not finalize/submit their offer properly.
Students that have accepted an offer for one school can override by accepting another offer after. However, this may invalidate the original offer of admission and the student would have to reach out to the first school if they change their mind again and wish to go back to the first offer.
To OUAC’s knowledge, students should still continue to receive offers of admission even if they have already accepted an offer elsewhere (and they can still accept later offers to override according to the presentation - see video).
Students must reach out to institutions if they are planning on taking a summer course or repeating a course in the summer to clarify conditions of their offers. In many cases, universities won’t accept a course taken after June 30th unless the admissions team approves this.

5. Graduating Students: be sure you have submitted your 40 Community Service Hours and your Opt Out of eLearning form (if you are not completing two eLearning courses) by mid May to ensure there are no issues with your graduation status. Please see your Guidance Counsellor if you have any questions.
6. Graduating students who are applying to O.S.A.P. for next year should attend our “Financing Post-Secondary” workshop at lunch in late April. Date T.B.D.
7. Grade 11 SHSM Students who have not completed their COOP requirement: The Experiential Learning 2-Credit Coop Summer Program is now accepting Student Expression of Interest forms. Full information about the program is available for students to access via the Experiential Learning AW Page. Please see Ms. April Vibert in Student Success, or your Guidance Counsellor to complete this Expression of Interest form.
8. Scholarship Information:

1. 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.c 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
2. Seeking Scholarships has released their April Scholarship Report which has upcoming scholarship dates listed for students applying to post-secondary programs. It also has some great tips for preparing for interviews for scholarships, admissions to special programs, or for employment opportunities.

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. A copy of the report is posted on the Guidance Google Classroom for Grade 12 students.

3. NSS Scholarship Information Chart 2023/2024 where Northern-specific scholarship information and deadlines can be found (along with other common awards).

9. 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

10. 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.

11. CANADIAN BLOOD SERVICES: Community Service Opportunity

Empowering Students: Join the Canadian Stem Cell Registry Initiative

Open to Grade 9-12 students nationwide, this well-established initiative is dedicated to educating students on the profound impact of joining the Canadian Stem Cell Registry.

Students can earn up to 40 hours of Community Service/Involvement to be counted towards graduation while also possibly saving a life. This year, there is a new scholarship opportunity for Grade 12 students to enter to win their post-secondary tuition. For more information please go to: StartWithHillary.ca/students-saving-lives.

12. 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!

13. 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.

14. Mental Wellness Resources

Kids Help Phone: text 686868.

In an emergency, call 911.

 

Have a great weekend!

Adam Marshall

Principal

Follow me @PrincipalNSS