Bulldog Blast
May 19th, 2021
Dear Northwood Families,
We are writing to inform you that we are aware of the CDC change in mask guidance; however, NACS will not be relaxing its mask mandate between now and June 11th.
The reasoning for this is that the K-8 page of the CDC guidelines remains unchanged at this time. Furthermore, schools and businesses have the right to maintain their mask restrictions if they feel it provides an overall safer environment for everyone. We will continue to monitor changes to these guidelines. Thank you all for working to keep our whole Northwood family safe and healthy.
Additionally, please note the Intent to Re-enroll Form needs to be completed by all Northwood parents and submitted by June 1st. For all questions or concerns please email Mrs. Dugan.
HYBRID REMINDERS & expectations
Hybrid expectations
Uniform Expectations:
Northwood polo shirt, t-shirt
Khakis or sweatpants
Sneakers
Northwood sweatshirt
Masks must be worn at all times
REMINDERS:
- Students must report on the day they were assigned
- Please leave any laptops, Chromebooks, or other electronic devices at home, even if a device was borrowed from Northwood
Weekly COVID testing for students and staff
No child will be tested without a parent waiver. This testing is only for students IN THE BUILDING. Helpful FAQs Sheet
CLICK HERE for the Student COVID Testing Consent Form.
RUVNA FACTS & REMINDERS:
- Ruvna health screenings must be completed daily.
- You will receive an email on the days your child is supposed to report into the building. The screening must be completed before entering the building.
- When you hit submit you will receive a notification on whether or not you can send your child into school.
SCHEDULE reminders
In-person students begin their day at 7:30 am. Virtual students join their class via Zoom at 7:45 am. Anyone coming in or on Zoom after 7:46 am will be marked late.
Breakfast will be served to in-person students in their classroom from 7:30 - 7:45 am. Lunch will be served to in-person students in their classrooms from 1:00 - 1:30 pm.
Wednesdays now follow the asynchronous schedule previously held on Fridays. Specials will take place virtually while students remain with their homeroom teacher.
Northwood Alumni- Where are they now?
Harleen Gonzalez NACS Class of 2013
Central Class of 2017
Jefferson University Class of 2021 (Bachelor of Science in Pre-medical Studies)
Alicia Williams NACS class of 2013
Central class of 2017
Holy Family Class of 2021 (Bachelor of Science in Nursing)
Aaron Coccagna NACS class of 2013
Father Judge class of 2017
Penn State Abington class of 2021 (Bachelor of Science in Information Science Technology)
Stephanie Cohen NACS class of 2008
Girls High Class of 2012
Benedict College class of 2016 (Bachelor of Arts in Communications)
Temple University class of 2021 (Master of Social Work)
Parent Corner:
You're Invited! Virtual PARENT Paint Night!
Join us for a night of artistic fun with local business 'ARTrageous Brush and Flow'!
This is a FREE, VIRTUAL event for our NACS parents and guardians. Come learn about our Northwood PCO (Parent Core Organization) and catch up with other Northwood parents. Make sure to grab a snack and beverage- all other essential items will be provided!
WHAT TO KNOW:
SIGN-UP by TOMORROW, Thursday, May 20th (the zoom link will be sent to you upon RSVPing)
Paint kit pick-up: 5/24 and 5/25 9:00 am-1:30 pm at the front school office. You will NOT be able to pick up your kit on Wednesday, May 26th due to a deep school cleaning at the school.
Questions? Please feel free to reach out via email, curbano@northwoodcs.org
8th grade parents:
Graduation gowns will be provided to students. Students do not wear graduation caps.
Please see the schedule below for gown pickup for your child.
Student Group: TEMPLE - Hybrid and Students taking PSSA (Monday / Tuesday)
Gown Pickup: Tuesday, May 18 (YESTERDAY)
Student Group: DREXEL – Hybrid and Students taking PSSA (Thursday / Friday)
Gown Pickup: THIS Friday, May 21
Student Group: Fully Virtual Students NOT taking PSSA
Pickup at the front office 1:30 – 4:00 pm
Gown Pickup: Monday, May 24 through Friday, June 4
Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA):
Please note the following:
TEMPLE Hybrid Group and LA SALLE Virtual Students with the last initial of A-M:
Monday, May 24 (Algebra students only)
Tuesday, May 25 (Algebra students only)
DREXEL Hybrid Group, and LA SALLE Virtual Students with the last initial of N-Z:
Thursday, May 20 (8:00 am - 10:00 am) TOMORROW
Friday, May 21(8:00 am - 10:00 am)
Thursday, May 27 (8:00 am - 10:00 am - Algebra students only)
Friday, May 28 (8:00 am - 10:00 am - Algebra students only)
Any students who are participating in testing should report to school no later than 7:45.
The doors open at 7:10.
Interested in working papers for your child?
Click here to see Mr. Whit's step-by-step video on how to obtain your working papers.
WHAT IS 143K RISING?
Join the 143K Rising community of parents, faculty and charter school supporters who are committed to saving public charter schools in Pennsylvania. With a few simple clicks, you can make your voice heard and join a movement that can’t be ignored.
Northwood community, it is recommended to sign up here. You will receive email updates from the 143K Rising movement on the latest efforts to protect public education options. You also will have the opportunity to contact your state lawmakers and let them know you support public charter schools.
Student Corner:
Summer Birthday Spotlight: JUNE
Happy early Birthday to all our JUNE Northwood birthdays!
Ayden Freeman, Ayden Rodriguez, Messih Miranda, Perrine Augustin, Imani Hancock, Adan Khan, Giana Morales, Gabriella Christie, Sephora Jean, Victoria Marshall, Jah Bell, Francisco Lassend, Dazlynn White, DaShon Williams, Messiah Alston, Samuel Daniels-Hatcher, Lydie Valce, Ava Smith, Scarlet Clemens, Violet Clemens, Jrue Johnson, Priscilla Negron, Shasmeen Lomax-Bey, Skye Taylor, Kaiya Rain Tucker, Dayanna Garner, Janiyah Mathis-Bryant, Ruth Nash, Charlei Torrence, Jacob Wallace, Xavier Hill, Amiya Smith, Ricky Alicea, Chase Ledbetter-Moore, Bryce Sime, Christian Vample, Brielle Service, Sarai Patterson, Izaiah Ramos, Brigitte Rosario, Edin Velasquez, Aiden Martinez, Retal Mohamed, Milan Taylor, Armani Willingham, Daniel Jiminian, Kimora Sumpter.
Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month
May Is Asian-Pacific Heritage Month, an opportunity to celebrate the rich history and culture of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) in the U.S. All month long we will be exploring creative ways to Celebrate Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month with your kids!
Here is an idea-
Learn about traditional Asian and Pacific Island music and instruments.
Do some research with your child at your local library or online, and prepare to be inspired. Here are a few YouTube videos to get you started.
Do you know about WINS (Women in Natural Sciences)?
Women In Natural Sciences (WINS) is a free after-school and summer science enrichment program at the Academy of Natural Sciences. WINS provides young women with the information, encouragement, and confidence they need to shape their futures. The program starts in 8th-grade for students with at least a B average.
CLICK HERE for info or call 215-299-1064.
Public Citizens for Children + Youth (PCCY) Resources:
As the school year starts to come to an end, below are some helpful resources from PCCY to help plan your Summer 2021.
Teens Can Get the Vaccine
The first step to healthy summertime fun is to get vaccinated. Youth ages 12 and older can get the two-dose Pfizer vaccine. CLICK HERE for PCCY's regional guide to vaccine locations.
Apply for a Summer Job
Teenagers, adults, retirees! Thousands of summer jobs are available working with youth in Philadelphia, many at $15/hour. Kids need safe places to learn and play, and grown-ups can share in that fun by being a youth group leader, camp counselor, lifeguard, or more. Visit PHLSummerJobs.org to search for jobs and apply.
Sign up for Summer
There are lots of fun, safe, and enriching activities for children, teens, and families this summer. You can learn about free or affordable activities in Philadelphia County HERE.
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT: The Salvation Army Kroc Center
The Kroc Center has dozens of sports, arts, aquatic and education programs for children, teens, and adults.
Located at 4200 Wissahickon Avenue
Call 215.717.1200 for info or visit their website.
Upcoming events at Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed (TTFWP):
Weekly Wednesday Cleanups: Tacony Creek Park
Wednesdays: 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
May 19 & 26
Join TTFWP to pick up trash and beautify our parks and creeks. Masks & social distancing required. Tools & masks provided. Weather dependent.
Locations are determined based on interest and need. Concerned about your Tacony Creek Park gateway or street? Contact TTFWP - they will be there!
Questions? Call 215-744-1853.
Register: Alex@ttfwatershed.org
Virtual Nature Tours May & June in Tacony Creek Park
This online series brings you face to face with living things you may have not noticed before. Use your computer or phone to access the tours with photos, videos, audio recordings, and interactive maps to help you learn about where to find and identify different creatures.
The 5 nature tours (in English and Spanish) take you on a seasonal journey so that you can see how the plants and animals around us change. We hope that this series inspires you to explore and make your own discoveries!
May: Episode 1: Tacony Creek Park North. Late spring in Tacony Creek Park brings beautiful flowers and migratory birds! Join us for an exploration of the northern half of the park, and learn how to identify and avoid bothersome plants like poison ivy and stinging nettle.
June: Episode 2: Tacony Creek Park South. Do you know which birds build mud nests under the Whitaker Avenue bridge in Tacony Creek Park? Or which insects depend on the beautiful common milkweed plant?
We Walk PHL
Every Monday|Cada lunes
11:00am to 12:00pm
FREE! ¡GRATIS!
Sign Up Here | Regístrese aquí
*NEW* Every Saturday|Cada sábado
9:30am to 10:30am
FREE! ¡GRATIS!
Sign up Here | Regístrese aquí
Take a healthy stroll in Tacony Creek Park! Join your neighbors for an empowering walk on the trail through We Walk PHL. ¡Dé un paseo saludable en Tacony Creek Park! Únase a sus vecinos para un paseo enriquecedor por el sendero a través de We Walk PHL. ¡Esperamos caminar contigo!
To attend & for location|Para atender y para localización: email Doryan@ttfwatershed.org
Calling all Bulldogs: Bulldog Spotlight!
We love receiving photos of our Bulldogs with big smiles and having fun! If you have more pictures to share that highlight a fun part of your child's day, whether it is participating in an activity or enjoying the outdoors, send them over to curbano@northwoodcs.org to be featured in our next Bulldog Blast 📰
Free Meals Pickup 🍽️🥪🥣
We are continuing to give out frozen meals that last up to a month in the freezer, so extra meals can be stocked and saved for the weekends or a much later date! Pickup for multiple meals traditionally takes place at our cafeteria (Adams Ave. entrance) on Mondays and Thursdays from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm.
We hope families continue to take advantage of this cost-saving and nutritional convenience.
GoGuardian Software Information
To summarize, GoGuardian provides the following benefits to students and teachers:
Helps in protecting students against harmful and inappropriate online material
Helps students stay “scholarly” and more focused when learning online
Helps in assessing students’ progress towards class assignments
Facilitates communication between teachers and students during class time
Please reach out to our Technology Coordinator with any questions at dleimer@northwoodcs.org.
MCKINNEY-VENTO ACT: NORTHWOOD IS HERE TO HELP
If you believe you may be eligible, contact Lower School Counselor (K-4) Ms. Lozandieu at mlozandieu@northwoodcs.org or Upper School Counselor (5-8) Mr. Whitlatch at awhitlatch@northwoodcs.org to find out what services and supports may be available!
Important Dates on the Horizon
Saturday, May 1- Monday, May 31 - Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Sunday, May 9- Sunday, May 15- National Charter School Week
Wednesday, May 19- Board Meeting
Monday, May 31 - Memorial Day - School Closed
Tuesday, June 8 - Last day of in-person learning for Temple cohort
Friday, June 11 - Last day of in-person learning for Drexel cohort / Last day of school for all students
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