Annual Events Sec 1
Take me outside side Day
Earth Day Canada, EcoKids and NSAL's WEG club join in the action each year for Take Me Outside Day - an initiative with a mission to get people, young and old, outside! Students of the WEG club go for a fall hike at Oka Provincial Park to experience firsthand the beauty of the natural world this group of students are working to protect. EcoKids is a non-profit organization committed to educating Canadian students about their connection with nature and time spent outside and North Star Academy was proud to participate!
Shoreline Cleanup
As a part of the great Canadian Shoreline cleanup, NSAL participates every fall in this important initiative. They take canoes to islands along the Mille- Iles river to clean up trash that may have been left behind by summer visitors. The WEG is always looking for ways to help to save our planet!
Halloween
This is a fun day of dressing up and having fun. Students have a school dance, watch scary movies and play games. It is a great way to end the term.
Parlons Nous
North Star Academy Laval students participate each year in the 34th edition of the poetry contest Mouvement Parlons Mieux. Students from all levels submit their creations and compete against the rest of the province. Each year, we have students who are chosen as finalists from thousands across the province.
Remembrance Day
Every year, North Star students get to hear firsthand from a member of the legion about their experience in the war. It is always an eye opening event. As part of our community connection initiative, bringing in local survivors is important to making real world connections for the students.
Drug & Alcohol Awareness
Each year, the students welcome a speaker to NSA to teach them about addiction, drugs and alcohol. We as a school feel that this is an important topic to address with teenagers as it is something that they will be faced with at some point in their lives
AGAPE Food drive
Students, parents and teachers all work together to collect non-perishable food items for a local shelter around the holiday season. NSA believes in giving back to their community and always trying to lift up those in need.
Recognition Night
This formal gathering includes musical performances from our students and teachers, a wonderful cocktail hour and of course awards honoring our students. It is always a night to remember where we celebrate all the hard work of students and recognize some amazing accomplishments!
Science Fair
Each year, all of the students participate in our school science fair. Their projects showcase student ingenuity and creativity, and of course their passion for science. Three groups from each grade are awarded Gold, Silver and Bronze medals, with the top project overall going to the Mcgill Science fair to compete for our school.
NSA Gives Back
NSAL students spread their love and compassion on Valentine’s Day. Each year, North Star Academy Laval students give back to their community by distributing clothing donations, sandwiches and coffee to the less fortunate. NSAL students take pride in this event and believe that all acts of kindness have a positive ripple effect.
Content creation
Students may be called upon to play the role of a project manager demonstrating a new fictional product, or the role of a business owner promoting an opening for a position in their company. Our popular class video projects use the oral presentation segment of French class as an opportunity to foster students' creativity and show them practical applications for what they have learned.
Anti Bullying Month
February is Anti-bullying month here at NSAL! We kick off the month with an assembly on the topic and a powerful video. Our Ethics, Media and Art classes touch on this important topic as part of their curriculum this month as well and are working towards bringing more awareness to the student body. Each year, our students participate in our Pink T-Shirt Day for Anti-Bullying Awareness Month. The purpose of wearing the shirt was for the students to make a visible statement to stand up to bullying, what it is and how it affects us all; by wearing pink, the students pledge to stop and prevent bullying in all its' forms.
WE Day
WE is an organization that helps teens turn ME into WE; meaning it teaches them that they can make a difference in the world. This forces students to look outside of themselves and see how they can effect change for the better. This can include participation in WE events, WE speakers coming to the school to address the student body and attending WE day.
Mental Health Speaker
Every year we invite a local counselor in Mental Health to speak to our students about the importance of mental health, what depression is, ways of identifying mental illness, how to help friends cope with mental challenges and so much more. As part of our community connections initiative, it is important for us to bring in local speakers to expose our students to all types of people and experiences.
MADD
M.A.D.D. address our student body each year to address the issue of drug impaired driving. Addressing the myths of drug vs alcohol impairment and exposing the students to an impactful video.
NSA Power Down
Every year NSA powers down for one day. Teachers, students, even the kitchen use as little power as possible to promote awareness about energy use in today’s society.
Variety Show
The gym gets transformed for a glamorous evening that showcases the talents of many of the school's students as they perform songs, instrumental pieces and skits that double as a chance to showcase the fashion contributions of a local stylist and designers. This annual event is a highlight for the students and parents and a wonderful time is had by all.
Terry Fox
Every year in May, the students and staff of NSA walk to support the Terry fox foundation. After the walk, the students are treated to a BBQ lunch. This is followed by awards, a teacher vs student football game and a dunk tank. A great day to kick off the spring season.
Filles Active
This is a local initiative to get young girls more active. Last year, the girls from the entire school participated in a Zumba class and had a great time doing it. Additionally, the girls participate is 5K race as part of the filles activif program.
Spring Cleanup
Each Spring, the WEG takes to the outside to clean up our local area from trash that may have been left over from the winter months. The WEG fills dozens and bags with trash, making our Earth a little cleaner!
Fall garden cleanup
The WEG club prepares our gardens for the fall by taking a day outside to work on them. Students learn about different types of plants, how they grow and how to maintain them.
Breast Cancer Fundraiser
NSA is always looking for ways to support important causes. This year students, parents and the cooking club worked together this year to make and sell pasta and sauces to sell as a fundraiser for Breast Cancer research.
Track and Field
Each year our students participate in the regional track and field event. This annual competition highlights some of our athletes in different areas of competition. Our students compete against other local high schools in races and various athletic events.
TD Tree Planting
Students and their families have the opportunity to get outside and help the environment by planting a tree in local areas.
Cross Country
Every year, our students participate in the Regional cross country race. This fun day outside is a great way to enjoy the fall air and get outside with friends.
Equilibres Presentation
The Ethics teachers invite a speaker to explain how to see the body differently "Pour voir le corps autrement". This important initiative gives students important insight into body image and self-worth.
French Theater Outing
Each year, the French department organizes a day at the theater outing for the entire school. This past year, NSAL's annual A Day at the Theater outing took place at the Maison des Arts de Laval. Organized by the french department, students and staff got to hone their French skills by attending a play entitled Nordicité. Using video projections, puppets and giant polar bear suits, the play was a visual poem taking the audience on a journey between myths and Nordic realities.
Girls Night In
As part of initiating and welcoming our sec 1 girls, the female teachers host an amazing annual event called Girls Night In”. The night consists of flowers, junk food, makeup, dancing... what more do you need for the best girls night in!
Boys Night Out
As part of initiating and welcoming our sec 1 boys, the male teachers host an amazing annual event called “Boys Night out”. Go-karting, shooting pool, and playing arcades – an action-packed evening is in store at our annual Boys Night Out! Join fellow students and staff for a night filled with the sounds of revving engines and roaring laughter, one that won’t soon be forgotten!
Cyber Bullying Workshop
During a one-hour workshop with a professional in the field, students learn about the different types of bullying, as well as the different ways that people can be bystanders. They discussed solutions to bullying and cyberbullying in a safe space. Students also have the opportunity to participate in a hands-on activity that demonstrates just how fast gossip can travel!
Carnival
The NSAL students and staff take a day each February will enjoy some winter fun! No one can resist the sheer thrill of tube sliding. This fun event is organized by our House committee to celebrate all of our students and their hard work. We wish to acknowledge the students for their commitment and hard work in their academic achievements, their participation in extracurricular activities and their dedication to volunteering their time in our community… not to mention the end of exams and term 2.
Graphic Novels
To shed light on the relevance of timeless themes in literature, we have added graphic novels to the reading comprehension so that students can better see themselves in what they are studying and gain a better appreciation for the classics.