Bulldog Blast
Wednesday, November 10, 2021
This week & Looking ahead:
SAVE THE DATE: Thursday, 11/18
In our Virtual Town Hall, we will be...
- Reviewing our updated COVID-19 Mitigation Strategy
- Discussing all other current school updates
- Hosting a Q+A panel of local experts about the Pfizer Vaccine for children
Please note, following the event a transcription will be shared in Spanish and Creole Haitian.
*Zoom details will be shared shortly*
SCHOOL CLOSED TOMORROW: VETERANS DAY
Please take some time tomorrow (November 11th) to honor those who served our country. If you would like to engage in a Veterans Day activity with your child, head over to amillionthanks.org to find out how to send a letter to express gratitude and support to our military troops.
Please Note: School will be closed in observance of Veterans Day.
School Picture Day, this FRIDAY, 11/12
SAVE THE DATE: School Picture Day
For students and staff that may be out for quarantine on Friday, November 12th, there will be an opportunity for picture retakes in December. Please reach out if there are any questions or concerns.
Quick Facts:
- Picture Day will be held in the gym during the academic school day.
- Students will need to be dressed in their Northwood polo and khaki pants.
- Forms were sent home at the beginning of the month. You can also download the form online. (Picture Day ID: EVTPPKZNT)
NACS Covid Response 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.
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: Take a deeper dive with Native American heritage sites.
Spend some time on the National Park Service’s Native American Heritage Month website, which makes it easy to discover important people and stories.
There, you and your child will also learn about the U.S. parks, memorials, and historic sites that honor Native Americans, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians.
CALLING ALL FUTURE SUBS!
Parent Corner:
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.
2nd Virtual 💻 Parent Cafe
THANK YOU to all the parents and guardians who joined us for our 2nd Virtual Parent Cafe of the year on Thursday, October 28th! We hosted over 25 folks on the zoom calls over the course of the 3 times offered. We hope you enjoyed the session!
Missed our 3 zoom sessions? Not to worry, CLICK HERE for the recorded cafe 💻
CLICK HERE for resources from the Virtual Parent Cafe 💻
Please reach out to our Community Coordinator, Ms. Urbano if you have any ideas for future workshops and topics you would like to see. Curbano@northwoodcs.org
YOU'RE INVITED- NACS Virtual Family BINGO!
Mark your calendars! Wednesday, December 22nd at 7:00 pm, we will virtually host a Northwood Family Fun Bingo Night!
Families will have a chance to play bingo and win prizes.
This is a free event - RSVP to curbano@northwoodcs.org by 12/20. Zoom link information will be sent closer to the event date.
Make sure to download your BINGO card(s) ahead of time. You can use as many boards as you’d like, as long as you can keep up with the numbers being called. CLICK HERE can generate your own electronic bingo boards. Let's have a fun night of BINGO before we are all head into Winter Break next week.
COMMUNITY CORNER
Vaccine for 5-11-Year-Olds
Kids 5-11 years old can now get a COVID-19 vaccine with last week’s authorization of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine by the CDC.
Stay tuned for more information and a future virtual vaccine Q+A for Northwood Families.
Looking for more information? Check out this article from the American Heart Association.
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.
Upcoming Vaccine Clinic INFO.
Children vaccine appointments are available to schedule now at city clinics held at rec centers, parks, and community centers over the next couple of weeks.
Philadelphia Academy Charter School - Vaccine Clinic on November 11th
Location: 1700 Tomlinson Road
Time: 12 - 6 pm
Walk-ins and pre-registered guests are welcome. A link will be available soon. The shot is Pfizer. The second clinic will take place on December 2nd at the same times.
*FLYER attached below*
FREE Virtual Workshop: Grades 6-8TH, 11/13
Pay It Forward: Being Financially Smart And Staying Safe
Event run by Eastern Savings Bank.
WHEN? November 13 @ 12:30 pm - 2:30 pm
In this workshop, students will learn about how the financial system works in an increasingly technological world and how to avoid being a victim of online scams by identifying threats before it’s too late! Students will need access to a computer (Chromebooks OK!) and the internet. Please send an email to, abarley@easternsavingsbank.com if you have any questions. Thank you! >> SIGN UP HERE <<
Love Your Park: Tree Planting & Cleanup, 11/13
Love Your Park: Tree Planting & Cleanup
WHEN? Saturday, November 13 from 9 am - 1 pm
WHERE? East Tabor Road & East Olney Avenue Gateway
Tacony Creek Park, Philadelphia 19120
>> REGISTER HERE <<
Through a partnership with the Delaware Riverkeeper Network, they will be able to plant a number of large trees to provide shade, absorb polluted runoff, and create community gathering areas.
Creek Care Day in Ethel Jordan Park, 11/13
When? Saturday, November 13th, 10 am - 1 pm
Where? 347 Cadwalader Ave, Elkins Park 19027 (less than 6 miles from NACS)
Join your neighbors and Streamkeepers for TTF Watershed Partnership's Creek Care Day at Ethel Jordan Park along the Jenkintown Creek.
You will work to remove invasive plants such as porcelain berry and wineberry. Email ryan@ttfwatershed.org to register.
'Tis the Season for Fall leaves
Friends of Northwood Park recently announced the city has posted about mechanical leaf collection for 2021 in Northwood:
*Mechanical Service on 11/10*
For leaf bag drop-off at Northwood Park:
Every Saturday from Nov. 9 to Dec. 16, 2021
Exceptions: No Drop Off on Nov. 27, 2021
Location: Castor & Foulkrod St.
Area: for Oak Lane and Frankford
Times: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
>>CLICK HERE FOR THE LINK<<
Friends of Northwood Park is a community-based Park Friends Group affiliated with the Philadelphia Department of Parks and Recreation. We exist to support and advocate for Northwood Park to be a safe, clean and welcoming green space in our Neighborhood.
Celebrate World Kindness Day, 11/13
>>BLOG POST<<
Tarken Ice Rink & Rec. Center
Tarken Ice Rink & Rec. Center is pleased to announce that public skating is back!
Public skating returned last Friday, November 5th! Skating will return from 7:00-9:00 pm. Admission is free, and skate rental is $3.00. Please keep in mind, masks must be worn inside the building. The Shut it Down Cafe will be open for all your food and beverage needs The rest of our public skating schedule will be released later this month. For all updates check out their Facebook page.
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.
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 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