Dear NHS Families, Students, and Community,
It’s hard to believe we’re already heading into November!
The first two months of school have been busy, and it has been wonderful watching our students settle into routines, build relationships, take on new challenges, and find opportunities to get involved.
October brought plenty to celebrate, from athletics and career exploration to classroom learning, student leadership, and the everyday moments that make NHS special.
As we move further into the school year, our two guiding priorities remain at the centre of what we do: Culture and Community.
We want NHS to be a place where students feel known, supported, challenged, and proud to belong. Thank you to our families for continuing to partner with us in making that happen.
Remembrance and Reflection
November is a time to pause, reflect, and remember those who have served and continue to serve our country.
Our Remembrance Day Assembly on November 10th at 11:30am will provide students and staff with an opportunity to honour the sacrifices of others and reflect on the importance of peace, service, and responsibility.
Remembrance Day is also an opportunity to have meaningful conversations with our young people about history, gratitude, empathy, and the role we all play in building a more peaceful and caring world.
Wednesday, November 11 is Remembrance Day (no school).
Report Cards and Student Progress
With Quarter 1 coming to a close, report cards will soon be available through the HSD Parent Portal on Monday November 23rd. Thursday November 26 are Parent Teacher Conferences from 4:30-7pm. A separate email will follow to communicate booking 10 minute conversations with your child’s teacher.
Report cards are an important opportunity to reflect on learning, celebrate progress, and identify areas where additional support or effort may be needed.
We encourage families to take a few minutes to sit down with their child and ask:
- What are you most proud of so far?
- What has been challenging?
- What is one thing you could improve moving forward?
- How can we help you be successful?
A report card is a snapshot of learning, not a definition of who a student is or what they are capable of becoming.
We also encourage families to connect directly with teachers whenever questions arise. You don’t need to wait for a formal reporting period to have a conversation about your child’s progress.
As Quarter 2 begins on Tuesday, November 17, students will have another opportunity to establish goals, strengthen habits, and build on their learning.
Semester 1 Assessment Dates – Please Plan Ahead
Although January may feel a long way away, we continue to remind families of our upcoming provincial tests and final assessment dates.
These dates were shared in our previous newsletters and are also available on our main school website at nhs.hsd.ca.
Please mark the following dates on your family calendar:
Date Assessment
January 12–15, 2027 Grade 12 ELA Provincial Test
January 26, 2027 Grade 12 Applied Math Provincial Test
January 27, 2027 Grade 12 Essential Math Provincial Test
January 28, 2027 Grade 12 Pre-Calculus Math Provincial Test
January 29–February 4, 2027 Final Assessments for All Students
Why Assessment Days Matter
Final assessments are an important part of the learning process. They provide students with opportunities to demonstrate their understanding through exams, projects, presentations, and other culminating learning experiences.
These days are not simply additional school days. They are an important part of completing courses and demonstrating learning.
We are asking families to please refrain from booking holidays or travel during these assessment periods.
Missing scheduled assessments can create challenges for students, including missed learning opportunities, additional stress, and difficulty completing course requirements.
As our school continues to grow, maintaining consistent assessment schedules is also important for fairness, equity, and our ability to support all students.
Alternative assessment arrangements for family travel will not generally be accommodated. Exceptional circumstances, such as illness or family emergencies, will be considered individually.
We recognize that families often plan travel well in advance, which is why we are communicating these dates early and regularly.
Thank you for helping us protect this important learning time.
Attendance: Staying Connected to Learning
As we move into November, we want to continue emphasizing the importance of regular attendance and punctuality.
Every day matters, not only academically but socially as well. Being present helps students maintain routines, develop confidence, strengthen relationships, and stay connected to their learning.
Our attendance communication process is designed to identify concerns early and work collaboratively with families.
Teachers reach out as absences accumulate, and families receive additional communication at 5 and 10 absences in a course. At 10 absences, we arrange a conversation to better understand any barriers and develop a plan to support the student.
Our goal is never to assign blame. It is to understand, support, and help students succeed.
If your child is experiencing difficulties attending school regularly, please connect with us. We would much rather work together early than wait until a concern becomes more difficult to address.
Absences can be reported through the Parent Portal, by calling 204-388-9761, or by emailing nhs@hsd.ca.
Celebrating Our Students and Staff
October was another busy month for our Panther athletics programs, with students representing NHS in hockey, volleyball, soccer, and cross-country.
Congratulations to all our student-athletes, and thank you to the coaches, volunteers, families, and staff who make these experiences possible.
We also want to recognize our very own Mrs. Allison Aitken, who received a Dyslexia Canada Excellence Award. This recognition celebrates the incredible difference she makes in the lives of students through her compassion, expertise, advocacy, and commitment to helping every learner succeed.
Moments like these remind us that school success is about much more than marks. It is also about relationships, opportunities, personal growth, and the people who help us along the way.
Help Us Celebrate Your Child!
We love hearing about the amazing things NHS students accomplish outside of school.
Whether it’s athletics, arts, community service, leadership, employment, or a personal milestone, please share those moments with us through our Student Celebration Form.
We want to celebrate the many ways our students contribute to our community.
Looking Ahead: Important Dates
November 2026
- Wednesday, November 4 – Grade 9 Take Our Kids to Work Day (NO CLASSES for grade 9 students)
- Wednesday, November 11 – Remembrance Day (No School)
- Monday, November 16 – Administration Day (No Classes)
- Tuesday, November 17 – Quarter 2 Begins
- Monday, November 23 – Report Cards issued on HSD Parent Portal
- Monday, November 23 – Grade 12s meeting with SafeGrad Parent Committee at 11:20am
- Thursday, November 26 – Parent Teacher Conferences 4:30-7pm (by appointment)
December 2026
- Thursday, December 10 – Christmas Concert at 7:00 to 8:30pm in School Gym
- Monday, December 21 to Friday, January 1 – Christmas Break (No School)
January–February 2027
- January 12–15 – Grade 12 ELA Provincial Test
- January 26 – Grade 12 Applied Math Provincial Test
- January 27 – Grade 12 Essential Math Provincial Test
- January 28 – Grade 12 Pre-Calculus Math Provincial Test
- January 29–February 4 – Final Assessments for All Students
Additional event information, reporting dates, and updates will be shared through our school website and regular communications.
Stay Connected
We continue working hard to keep families informed and connected to what is happening at NHS.
Please regularly visit nhs.hsd.ca for important dates, school events, assessment schedules, policies, and announcements.
The HSD Parent Portal remains your main source for attendance, report cards, timetables, fees, permission forms, and contact information.
Most importantly, please reach out when you have questions, concerns, or something to celebrate.
Communication should never be limited to situations where something has gone wrong. We want families to feel comfortable connecting with us, sharing ideas, asking questions, and working alongside our staff.
Final Word
As we enter November, I’ve been reflecting on something that continues to shape our work at NHS.
Two things can be true at the same time.
We can care deeply about students AND maintain high expectations.
We can recognize that a student is struggling AND help them take responsibility for their learning.
We can celebrate how far we’ve come AND continue looking for ways to improve.
We can support one another AND challenge each other to grow.
That balance matters.
Our goal is not simply to help students get through high school. It is to help them develop the knowledge, confidence, character, and relationships they will carry with them long after graduation.
Thank you to our students for continuing to show up, participate, and contribute to our school.
Thank you to our staff for the countless ways you support, encourage, and challenge young people every day.
And thank you to our families for your trust, communication, and partnership.
Together, we will continue building a school rooted in Culture and Community – a place where students are known, appreciated, challenged, and supported.
A place Where Everything CLICKS.
Yours in education,
Paul Grosskopf Holly Anderson
Principal Vice Principal
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