May 12, 2023

Building Excellence Successfully Together

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CALENDAR DATES

May 16 - Chorus Concert

May 18 - Talent Show

May 19 - Artist Day

May 22 - 2nd & 4th Grades End of Year Class Parties

May 23 - 1st & 5th Grades End of Year Class Parties

May 24 - K & 3rd Grades End of Year Class Parties

May 24 - School Picnic

May 25 - Last Day of School/5th Grade Promotion Day

KEY NEWS FOR EXPLORER FAMILIES

Field Day Friday was a success! Thank you to Matt Pearch, David Konigsberg, and the specials and support teams for organizing and supervising such a fun day! We had a few sprinkles but thankfully they came mostly during the lunch break.


We are looking forward to seeing families tonight at the PTA End of Year Bash! They are still planning on holding the event rain or shine. Stay tuned to the various Northwood PTA communication channels as well as your email in case a last-minute change of plans needs to be communicated.


I would like to thank the Northwood PTA and all families that helped celebrate the staff this week for Teacher Appreciation Week. The theme ‘For the Record, Team Northwood Rocks’ was such a hit with each day so wonderfully planned. The Northwood Foundation also celebrated the staff with a delicious breakfast on Thursday. The staff certainly felt the love this week!


Finally, I’d like to wish all Northwood moms a very Happy Mother’s Day. On Sunday, let moms sleep in a bit, sneak in a midday nap, bake them a sweet treat, and give lots of extra hugs.


With gratitude,

Heather Rucker

Principal

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First Grade Explorers

First Grade had so much fun this week at our field trip at Warbington Farms! Students had the chance to feed goats, cows, and sheep! Students enjoyed the hay ride as well as picking strawberries!

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Fourth Grade Explorers

Fourth grade wrapped up our final science unit of the year by learning about ecosystems! We discussed producers, consumers, and decomposers and even got to play a game to simulate how these depend on each other in the wild. We split up into groups in class to learn about different biomes (ex: desert, savannah, rainforest, coral reef, etc). Each group practiced doing research and created posters to teach the class about the plants, animals, and landscape of their biome. They also had to create a food web and food chain that might exist in that biome. When they were done, students got to complete a gallery walk to learn about each biome and collect information. Ask your explorer which biome they researched!

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Thank you Northwood Community!

A huge round of applause to Northwood PTA, Northwood Foundation, Cary Blumenfeld, and everyone who made our teachers and staff truly feel like ROCKSTARS for Teacher Appreciation Week. We appreciate all that goes into putting on such an awesome event! Thanks for all you do!
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Literati Book Fair Thank You!

Thank you to all of the students, parents, grandparents, and staff who supported our Literati Book Fair. It was a huge success. We earned many more books for the Media Center and purchased summer reading books for 25 students.


A big thank you goes out to all of the volunteers who helped with the book fair! It would not have been possible without you. Thank you Andrea Vandervort and Melissa Blanton for all of your hard work with set up and clean-up in addition to being present throughout the week. Thank you to Jennifer Hazelwood for the beautiful decorations, volunteering countless hours, and helping wherever it was needed. Your generosity is greatly appreciated.


With gratitude,

Allison Bauer

METI

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Artist Day 2023

Thank you so much to our presenters for Artist Day! Here is a list of everyone who will contribute. Please check out their website, Etsy shop or company. If a presentation inspires your student, be sure to check and see if they teach classes or camps! If you know one of our presenters, please thank them for their time!


Alexandra Thomas, Northwood Parent, Naturalist

Alliance Theatre, Theater

Alison Hamil, Muralist

Berdolé Flamenco, Flamenco

Brien Engel, Glass Harp

Capoeira Brazilian Dance, Afro-Brazilian Art Form

Elizabeth Hobbs, Voiceover/Animation

Damon Young, Shadow Puppetry

DJ Jaz, Northwood Parent, Electronic Music Producer

Donna Grammas, Pottery

Georgia Ensemble Theatre, Theater

Greg Stone, Printmaker

Haynes Bridge Chorus, Band and Orchestra, Our middle school teachers/performers

Janelle Schittone, Northwood Alum Parent, Theater

Jason Begin, Industrial Design

Jess Vincent, Painting

Marquetta Johnson Quilts, Quiltmaking

Megan Reeves Williamson, Collage Art

Mick Larkins, Northwood Parent, Video Game Design

Neha Bhatt, Batik Art

Niki Malek, Calligraphy

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FCS Summer Fun with Instructional Technology

The Fulton County Instructional Technology Department is offering some exciting opportunities for students. With the summer being a time full of fun, consider participating in the creative learning opportunities being offered both face-to-face and virtually to students. These summer sessions will provide students with valuable learning experiences that bring them into the world of podcasting and creating with Adobe Express.


FCS Podcasting Workshops

Instructional Technology will be hosting four 2-Day Podcasting Workshops for students. Grab a microphone and join us for Speak Up Fulton: The World Is Listening and leave this workshop ready to podcast like the pros! You’ll learn how to create your own background music, how to interview others, and how to tell your own stories to grab the attention of national audiences like Spotify and PBS. “Speak Up” will be two fun-filled days full of creativity and connection, all while enhancing your literacy and career skills. Separate sessions will be offered for rising 3rd- 6th and 7th-12th grades. Visit https://bit.ly/3TX6vUS for additional details and to register. Space is limited, so register today!


FCS Virtual Creativity Days
This summer Instructional Technology will be hosting three virtual creativity days for students. These days are designed to be a fun way for students to engage in creative thinking as they design graphics, videos, and web pages using Adobe Express. Each day will consist of three sessions centered around a daily theme. Students may choose to participate in any, or all the sessions on a given day. Separate sessions will be held for rising 3rd-6th grade students and rising 7th-12th grade students.


Students will participate in these sessions through Microsoft Teams. Links to participate in the Teams meetings will be sent to participants after they register. Visit http://bit.ly/3nixoXc for additional details and to register. Space is limited, so register today!

Is Your Child Leaving Northwood Elementary?

Please help us prepare for the 2023-24 school year by letting us know if your current Kindergarten through 4th grade student will not return to Northwood Elementary in August. The withdrawal process is easy. Simply email the completed withdrawal form that is attached at the bottom of this newsletter to Mary Lou Fleming flemingml@fultonschools.org.


There is no need to re-register returning students.

FCS Kindergarten and New Student Registration

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MISSING SOMETHING?

Parents, please encourage your students to check regularly for lost items in the Lost and Found. Please mark all student belongings clearly with the child’s name so that it can be identified. Unclaimed items are donated to local charities after the last school day of every month. May’s date is Wednesday, May 24th.

Cafeteria News

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FROM SCHOOL NUTRITION

Starting Monday May 8th the cafeteria will no longer allow students to charge Breakfast or Lunch for this school year. Please make sure that your child has money on their account or brings money with them to purchase lunch. If your child has over the $10.00 limit in charges they will be offered an alternative meal which consists of a sandwich and milk until their account is brought current. You may check your child’s account by going to the www.mypaymentsplus.com website and you will need to enter your child’s student ID number.


The cafeteria is also no longer taking birthday ice cream orders; and will not be ordering anymore ice cream for the remainder of the year.


Thank you.

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Cluster Program & Community News

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Centennial Junior Knights Cheer Info Session for Rising 5th Graders

Centennial Junior Knights Cheer will be hosting an informational session on Wednesday, May 17 at 6pm. It will take place in the cafeteria of Centennial High School. This program is open to rising 5th and 6th graders along with the middle schools in the area.
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Centennial Cheerleading 2023 Mini Camp Links