Dear Northern Families,

By now you should have received mid-term report cards for your student(s). I encourage you to take a few moments over the weekend to discuss the report as a family. Goal-setting is always a great exercise and serves to help us all focus in on priorities over the last 10 weeks of the school year. Congratulations to everyone on making it this far!

Thank you to the School Council for arranging yesterday evening’s presentation by Ulrica Jobe. It was an excellent presentation and Ms. Jobe had all of us in the audience reflecting on how we interact with our children.

This is the second communication from me this evening- there was an earlier message in the form of a letter.

242909025873. Monday Northern will be participating in a School Safety Pilot using the TDSB Connects App. We are one of 11 TDSB middle and high schools taking part in this pilot project. We continue to be committed to working together with students, staff and families to ensure TDSB schools are safe and welcoming spaces for all.
              This new feature will appear within the TDSB Connects App beginning Monday morning. The pilot will run until the end of June 2024. Information Poster HERE .

Students can now complete a form through the TDSB Connects App to report any school safety concern or incident that has occurred within our school community. The form will be shared directly with the appropriate staff person and students have the option to remain anonymous when completing a report. As always, for any serious incidents that require emergency response, students should speak directly with school staff and/or call 911, if necessary.

Students are also always encouraged to talk to an adult they trust. However, this new feature in the TDSB Connects App, in addition to the Student Safety Line, is now available so that we can be more responsive to student concerns and can help make schools even safer learning environments for everyone.

If you don’t already have the TDSB Connects App, download it today!

Please speak to the Principal or Vice-Principal if you have any questions.

 

Things to Know for Next Week:

 

Tuesday: SAC Elections content due!

Wednesday: Full Disclosure (see guidance section below)

Thursday: Sounds of Spring Outdoor Concert (see 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.

 

Library:

Giant Floor Map: April 24 to May 1

NSS Library Learning Commons is currently hosting Canadian Geographic's Giant Floor Map of Indigenous Peoples in Canada. Grade 9 Geography, Expressions of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Cultures, 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 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.

 

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.

 

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!

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

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!!!!!

 

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

 

 

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.

 

Northern Secondary School Foundation:

The Northern Secondary School Foundation

The Jim McCarron Changemaker Award: Apply before May 3^rd,2024

This award was generously funded by his family and colleagues to honour the legacy of Jim McCarron, Principal of Northern Secondary School from 1991 -1996.

Jim was a highly respected educator in the TDSB for over 30 years who made a profound difference in the lives of his colleagues and former students.

He was a real Changemaker!

The award will be given out annually at Commencement to a graduating student who has changed our hearts and mind by taking courageous action to made a difference in the lives of others in the school or wider community.

For more information about this award and others, go to nssf.ca/scholarships and complete an application form or contact us at info@nssf.ca .

 

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.

Events

1. Walking Buddies - Saturday, May 4th - 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. 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. 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. Mental Health Awareness Week – May 6 – 10, 2024: During Mental Health Awareness Week, classes will specifically continue to develop mental health literacy and share support resources for students to access.
5. 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.

6. 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.
7. Graduating students who are applying to O.S.A.P. for next year should attend our “Financing Post-Secondary” workshop at lunch in May. Date T.B.D.
8. 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.
9. 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.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
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).

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