Bulldog Blast
September 23, 2020
Fall Is in the Air!
The crisp mornings and earlier sunsets have been more noticeable each day, and if you blinked yesterday you may have missed it: we are officially in autumn! With the new season upon us, Northwood wants to add some sparkle to these weekly reminders by introducing our “Bulldog Spotlight" - we are looking for Bulldogs to shine!
In our Bulldog Spotlight, we will get to know our students by asking a timely or just-plain-fun question each week. We are also looking for creative photos to go along with each submission. For our first Spotlight we want to know: what is your favorite part of transitioning to autumn this week?
Send answers and complementary festive photos depicting your child's answer to this question to Mrs. Smith at jsmith@northwoodcs.org. The most stand-out submissions will be featured in next week's Bulldog Blast.
Student/Parent Handbook is Live
Click the photo above to be directed to the 2020/2021 Student/Parent Handbook on Northwood's website. Read more about how to digitally complete the sign-off page by this Friday in the newsletter below.
Virtual Back to School Night is Tomorrow!
School Closed Monday for Yom Kippur
Virtual Back to School Night: Tomorrow, September 24 at 6pm
Back To School is tomorrow night! The following are instructions for the virtual program:
Log in to the Schoolwide Webinar Presentation Intro & Raffle through the Zoom link in the agenda below. This link is also on Northwood’s home page.
Upon completion of the virtual schoolwide welcome back session, please refer to the teacher directory page in the agenda links below in order to begin your first Meet the Teacher session.
Select your child’s homeroom teacher from this directory to log in to their designated Zoom room.
The following is the schedule *with links* for the evening:
6:00 p.m. - ZOOM LINK to Schoolwide Webinar Presentation Intro & Raffle
6:30 p.m. - DIRECTORY LINK to Meet the Teacher Session 1
6:50 p.m. - DIRECTORY LINK to Meet the Teacher Session 2
Please note the following items on the schedule before BTS night officially kicks off (you already should have received information if these apply to you):
5:00 p.m. - ZOOM LINK to 6th-8th Grade High School Selection with Mr. Whitlach, Upper School Counselor (this session is for Grade 6-8 families only)
5:30 p.m. - ZOOM LINK to Parents of English Language Learners (ELL) with Mrs. Hassan, ESOL Teacher (this session is for ELL families only)
Student/Parent Handbook 2020-2021: Sign-off due this Friday, September 25
- Please review the Student/Parent Handbook in its entirety at *THIS LINK.
- Upon completion, please read and sign the Remote Learning Policies, Media & Technology Consent/Handbook Sign-off at THIS LINK.
*Note: There is both an English and a Spanish version of the handbook posted here.
Community
"Parent Virtual Cafe" - September 29, 30, and October 1
The topic of these workshops is "Mastering the Balancing Act - Managing Work/Life Responsibilities". Each day is designated for different grade groups. The conversation will be in a relaxed coffeehouse format, and a takeaway toolkit will be provided.
See the flyer below for more information and how to login to attend via Zoom. While an RSVP is not required, you are encouraged to do so at THIS LINK (Virtual Parent Cafe - RSVP), in addition to sharing more about what you would like to focus on during these workshops in advance.
Back-to-School Series for Parents and Caregivers - Wednesdays in September
Powered by Transform for Tomorrow and Remake Learning Days Across America, these free 30-minute online Wednesday workshops have been going strong throughout September. CLICK HERE to see the topics for the next two sessions; tune in at 7 p.m. TONIGHT for "How to be safe online and balance tech usage in a world of virtual learning".
Feeling Healthy at Home
Kohl's has partnered with Alliance for a Healthier Generation to create a breadth of tips and activity templates for families to engage in within their Feeling Healthy at Home resource libraries. CLICK HERE to learn about new ways to build social-emotional skills together with your child, including managing stress, regulating emotions and maintaining strong relationships.
Attention Families of 2021 Graduates
Parents of 8th grade students, join the 2021 NACS GRADUATES Remind app group to receive important updates from Mr. Whitlatch regarding High School applications.
Join using your mobile phone by texting @67ca9f to the number 81010
Student and Parent Surveys
Student Wellness Survey
This survey will be administered in October and November as well. Its purpose is to take a "temperature check" and assess that students' needs are being met, along with making sure they are feeling supported by at least one staff member during virtual instruction.
Parent Remote Learning Survey
Now that we are almost one month into the school year, we understand and recognize that there are aspects of the experience that are successful, as well as areas that are in need of improvement.
We believe that the partnership between our families and the school is essential for success; therefore, we will be sending out a survey on September 30th to gather your input in an effort to make improvements. In the interim, please know that our principals, teachers, and staff are here to help you navigate through this experience and provide assistance.
Free Meals Pickup & Class Materials
Don't forget, we are still providing meals for all! Pick up for multiple meals is taking place at our cafeteria (Adams Ave. entrance) on Mondays and Thursdays between 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. and 1:00-4:00 p.m. We hope families continue to take advantage of this cost saving and nutritional convenience.
If you have not yet come by to pick up initial or additionally needed class materials, the days/times outlined above can also be used to do so. Again, we have not received our Chromebook shipment yet. We are continuing to speak with our distributor regularly and keeping the pressure on. We are sorry for the delay and will notify you as soon as we can of their arrival.
Important Dates to Remember
Thursday, September 24 - Back to School Night
Friday, September 25 - The lottery application window for enrollment for the 2021-2022 school year begins. Visit ApplyPhillyCharter.org to enroll.
Monday, September 28 - School is closed for Yom KippurThursday, October 8 - Virtual Game Show assembly! More details to come.
Connect with Northwood
Website: northwoodcs.org
Location: 4621 Castor Avenue, Philadelphia, PA, USA
Phone: (215) 289-5606
Facebook: facebook.com/Northwood-Academy-Charter-School-153041454730750/
Twitter: @northwoodcs