Bulldog Blast
Wednesday, November 3, 2021
This week & Looking ahead:
📓 Please Note: Updates regarding class quarantines due to Covid exposures will be sent to families via email from our Covid Response Team. The team consists of Nurse Storino and our administrative team. Please be sure to add CovidResponseTeam@northwoodcs.org to your address book so these important emails do not get sent to your spam folder.
📓 Next Wednesday, November 10th 1st grade will be celebrating the "50th Day of School"! Please see all details below.
📓 No School, 11/11: School Closed in Observance of Veterans Day
📓 SAVE THE DATE: School Picture Day, 11/12. Northwood school uniforms are required for school pictures. School pictures will be held during the academic school day. Please check the Bulldog Blast in the coming weeks for more details.
📓 Friendly reminder to please continue to send your child to school with a clean face mask. We are going through 2 full boxes of masks at the front door a day. This is an expense the school can NO LONGER continue to incur. Please support us in continuing to keep our students safe. Thank you!
Ways to Celebrate Native American Heritage Month With your Kids
November is National Native American Heritage Month, a chance to honor the history and continuing culture of Native Americans, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians. Get your kids involved! Each week we will share family-friendly ideas to celebrate and learn about Indigenous peoples of the United States.
Here's an idea:
Learn about the Native tribes in your area.
Did you know that our state’s major Indian tribes were the Delaware, Susquehannock, Shawnee, and Iroquois- to name a few!
- Talk to your child about the people who first cared for the land where your family lives today.
- If your child is older, visit the FREE LIBRARY online for a full list of historical PA tribes, then head to the library or online to research them.
The Lenape and the Land at the Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education
When? Thursday, November 4th | 7-8 p.m.
This virtual Native American Heritage Month event features members of the Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania sharing history and stories about their settlements and traditions. Learn from speakers such as Chief of Ceremonies Chuck GentleMoon Demund, Storykeeper Adam DePaul, and Chief of Education and Language Shelley DePaul. >MORE INFO. HERE<
CALLING ALL FUTURE SUBS!
Parent Corner:
Miss Chocolate Fundraiser PICK UP DETAILS
Hello Northwood Families,
Delivery is taking place TOMORROW, Thursday, November 4th. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, ALL orders must be picked up NO LATER than 11/4/21 by 5 pm. Please make proper arrangements to do so. Smaller items we will be able to send home with your child at the end of the school day. Pick-up will take place at the doors next to the cafeteria door on Adam Avenue in the back of the school. The door will be propped open.
**Pick-up will begin at 11:40 am**
Last Friday Fall Fest Fun with Character Day!
Scarecrow Contest!
Congratulations to our winners:
1st Place: Mrs. Shapiro's Class (Pizza Party)
2nd Place: Ms. Rose's Class (Dress Down Day)
3rd Place: Ms. Heistands's Class (Extra Recess Period)
GUEST VIRTUAL READERS Opportunity- November 16th
We are offering a few options to our Northwood families to participate in reading aloud to students for American Education Week (November 15–19th). American Education Week happens the week prior to the week of Thanksgiving. Throughout the week we will be doing various educational based activities with students.
We are asking any interested parent, guardian, etc. to please complete the form by Monday, November 15, 2021to be a VIRTUAL guest reader. Please sign up if interested.
CALLING ALL 1st grade parents and guardians- 50s Day is coming! 11/10/21
Hello, all 1st-grade parents and guardians!
Wednesday, November 10th 1st grade will be celebrating the "50th Day of School"!
Dress-Down is permitted for all participants – appropriate 50s attire is required to dress down! That means your best ’50s gear – Poodle Skirts, Leather Jackets, Combs, and Shades! Participate, have 🎵 fun, be creative, accessorize, and show your School 🎵 Spirit! The 50th day of school is technically November 12th but since that is school picture day (uniforms required) we are going to celebrate on Wednesday, November 10th. For all questions or concerns please reach out to your child's teacher directly- thank you!
Readers are leaders!
2nd grade English Language Arts tips: Here's how to help your student
- Take turns reading through a book: Your child can practice shared reading with a parent, sibling, or friend. The goal here is to take turns and help each other with words the reader may not know.
- Play audiobooks in the car: If you're planning a car ride of more than a few minutes, consider playing an audiobook.
- Encourage questions: Encourage your child to ask for help when they don't understand a word and help them to try to figure out the meaning of unfamiliar words.
Resources for Parents:
- Keep up with The Free Library of Philadelphia’s Literacy Enrichment Program on Facebook
- Free Library of Philadelphia’s Early Childhood Youtube (Videos available in English and Spanish)
- Virtual clubs and meetings: Science Time, and Virtual Writing Club
- Additional at-home educational activities from Philly Tweens, NatGeo, Scholastic, and Kidsgarening.org
Philly Families Read Together
Why Join?
- Learn fun ways to foster a joy of learning and success in school
- Connect with other grandparents caregivers
- Free children’s books for home libraries
- Learn texting, email, and popular apps (tablets provided for the training)
When & Where it Happens
Workshops are held on Wednesdays from 9:00 to 11:00 AM at Acelero Learning, 1801 North 23rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19121. Questions? jbegley@sown.org
Free Covid Testing 😷
Free Testing Locations from U.S. Department of Health and Human Services:COVID-19 tests are available at no cost nationwide at health centers and select pharmacies. The Families First Coronavirus Response Act ensures that COVID-19 testing is free to anyone in the U.S., including the uninsured.
- Rite Aid
- Walgreens
- Independent Pharmacies
- CVS
- Walmart in Partnership with Quest Diagnostics
- Find a Health Center Near You
Philadelphia Department of Health: When you go to a COVID-19 testing site, you will be asked for identification. You may also be asked for health insurance information. If you don’t have identification or health insurance, you can still get a test.
Some sites may also:
- Limit testing to people who meet certain criteria.
- Require an appointment.
- Require a referral from your doctor.
Hotline to Assist Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) Recipients
The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services has launched a live hotline to assist families with the Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT) program. Pennsylvanians who have not received their child’s P-EBT benefits or have an issue with P-EBT can dial 484-363-2137 Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Families can use their P-EBT benefits to purchase almost any food item in a typical grocery store, and the program follows the same rules as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
Health and Dental Coverage Options for Families
Pennsylvania families have different options for health and dental coverage. Find the best option for your family.
Pennie: The 2022 Open Enrollment Period for Pennie is happening now! Pennie is PA’s official health & dental insurance marketplace and the only link to financial assistance to help reduce the cost of coverage and care. Pennie’s Open Enrollment Period for 2022 Coverage Runs from Nov. 1, 2021, to Jan. 15, 2022. Visit pennie.com to shop and compare health coverage plans. Pennie’s plan comparison tool allows you to answer questions about your health status, preferred providers, and even prescription drug needs.
CHIP: The Children's Health Insurance Program — or CHIP — is Pennsylvania's program to provide health coverage to uninsured children and teens who are not eligible for or enrolled in Medical Assistance. Families with incomes above the free CHIP limits will pay low monthly premiums and co-pays for some services.
Little Neighbors Building a Better World Together
The PSEG Foundation and Sesame Workshop have partnered to create bilingual (English and Spanish), multiple media programs that help families prepare for, and respond to, emergencies and provide tools so that children can build the skills they need to become resilient.
With Let’s Get Ready, families learn to plan and prepare together for emergencies through simple strategies and tips that can be incorporated into everyday routines.
Here for Each Other provides tips, ideas, and activities that teach families effective and comforting ways to respond when an emergency occurs.
Brave, Strong Resilient helps children build the self-confidence, problem-solving skills, and emotional tools they need to cope with adversity.
The latest joint effort, Little Neighbors: Building a Better World Together, helps children learn the many ways to be a good neighbor and what it means to be a member of a community.
COMMUNITY CORNER
Diwali on the Pier: Saturday, 11/6/21 @ 2pm - 3pm (Free)
Join the Office of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy in celebrating Indian Dance and Music on the occasion of Diwali on the Waterfront.
Wondering what Diwali is? Curious about Indian classical dance and music? Come explore a timeless form of Indian dance as Usiloquy Dance Designs produces its first-ever Diwali event.
SHOWTIMES: 2 to 3 PM & 4 to 5 PM
Rooted in Community: West African Dance and Drumming: Sunday, 11/7/21 3pm-4:30 (FREE)
West African Dance and Drumming instructor, Anssumane Silla, along with his dancers and drummers will lead outdoor free classes in West Philadelphia at Clark Park – supporting wellness and uplifting moods as the community emerges from a 15-month lock-down. In each 90-minute session, participants will learn West African dancing backed by at least six locally-based, professional drummers. Their overall goal is to use movement, dance, and music as a tool to reduce isolation, stress, and sedentary activity.
Clark Park: 4300 Baltimore Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19104
Get Help with Winter Heating Costs
Pennsylvanians who meet income guidelines can now get help with their winter heating costs. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is now accepting applications online or via a paper application.
LIHEAP helps families who meet income guidelines pay their heating bills in the form of a cash grant. Households in immediate danger of being without heat can also qualify for crisis grants. The cash grant is a one-time payment sent directly to the utility company/fuel provider to be credited on your bill. These grants range from $200 to $1,000 based on household size, income, and fuel type.
Remember: This is a grant and does not have to be repaid.
Free High School Selection Information Sessions, upcoming open houses at Philly schools, and more!
FREE High School Selection Information Sessions!
Steppingstone is hosting weekly zoom sessions: Tuesdays at 6:00PM, Saturdays, at 10:00 AM, and Spanish sessions!
Tailored to help future 9th graders and their families!
Details are in the Flyer below.
CLICK HERE for more details.
Upcoming open houses at Philly schools
Attending open houses, information sessions, and virtual tours are a great way to help you find the best school for you. Visit the virtual High School Fair: School Events to see upcoming events at all Philly High Schools.
CLICK HERE for all school events.
CLICK HERE for Virtual Philly HS Fair information.
CLICK HERE to search High Schools.
APPLY FOR SEPTEMBER 2022 BY 1/24/22
Follow the Yellow Brick Road! ‘The Wizard of Oz’ Exhibit Opens at Please Touch Museum!
Enjoy the Please Touch Museum (PTM) The Wizard of Oz Educational Exhibit while reliving the story (or perhaps learning about it for the first time), kids can travel from Dorothy’s farm to the Land of Oz with activities, lessons, and imaginative play.
In this exhibit, visitors can:
- Learn about how tornados form and create your own tornado
- Discover the storyline and characters of The Wizard of Oz, and even view a pair of Dorothy’s Ruby Slippers
- Make your way through a tunnel on the Cowardly Lion’s “Courage Crawl”
- Test your brainpower like the Scarecrow with brainteasers and a cornfield maze
- Climb a bouldering wall to capture the Wicked Witch’s broomstick
- Ride Miss Gulch’s bicycle to reveal the hidden picture on a praxinoscope
- Manipulate light to recreate some of the special effects used by the “great and powerful Oz”
Located at 4231 Avenue of the Republic in Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park now until January 16, 2022. In order to keep the PTM experience safe, online reservations are required. The museum is open Wednesdays – Sundays from 9 am –4:30 pm.
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!
CLICK HERE to watch a video (created by Kevin Lofton) for families in Philadelphia to understand their rights under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. This ensures immediate enrollment and educational stability for students experiencing homelessness. Check it out now!
Important Dates on the Horizon
Thursday, November 4th, Diwali
Thursday, November 4th, Miss Chocolate Fundraiser school delivery date
Thursday, November 11th, School Closed in observance of Veteran's Day
Friday, November 12th, School PICTURE DAY
Monday, November 15th- 19th, American Education Week
Wednesday, November 18th, Board Meeting
Wednesday, November 18th, Battle of Vertieres
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