Bulldog Blast
April 21st, 2021
Hybrid Reminders
Hello Northwood Academy,
Happy first week of in-person instruction! Friendly reminder, the daily schedule has now changed for ALL students, regardless of whether they are in person or remaining fully virtual.
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 will now follow the asynchronous schedule previously held on Fridays. Everyone will stay home on Wednesdays so the classrooms and school can be given a good cleaning.
Specials will take place virtually while students remain with their homeroom teacher.
**PLEASE NOTE, Friday, April 30th is also asynchronous for staff PD (professional development)**
TEMPLE - Monday / Tuesday
DREXEL- Thursday / Friday
LA SALLE - fully virtual every day
Click on the link below to access the Parent Hybrid Handbook. Important information from the handbook is included, including schedules and other specifics.
Uniform Expectations:
Northwood polo shirt, t-shirt
Khakis or sweatpants
Sneakers
Northwood sweatshirt
Masks must be worn at all times
Necessary supplies to bring to school:
Any textbooks or novels distributed during the school year
Notebooks
Writing utensils
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
- Ruvna health screenings must be completed daily. Parents will be receiving daily notifications via email with the link.
RUVNA FACTS:
- The Ruvna platform can be accessed from your email.
- You will receive an email by 7 am on the days your child is supposed to report into the building.
- The screening has to 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.
Helpful FAQs Sheet
Thank you, as always, for your support of our program!
Weekly COVID testing for students and staff
Parents, you will receive an email to sign a waiver for their child to be tested. No child will be tested without a parent waiver. This testing is only for students IN THE BUILDING.
Student COVID Testing Consent Form
Accountability for George Floyd
Last night's guilty verdict, for many, signals a potential turning point in our judicial system- one that can begin to move to a more just system that holds accountable those in power who continue to oppress, abuse, and murder. Together we can acknowledge this current beacon of hope, while not dismissing the ongoing uphill journey of systematic reform.
As a school, we are here to play our role and continue with our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) work to seek understanding and delve deeper as a community of educators, and humans, who seek more for those who need us most.
Student Corner:
TechGirlz: Introduction To JavaScript
Join TechGirlz on SATURDAY, April 24 @ 12:30 pm - 2:30 pm for a virtual Introduction to javaScript!
JavaScript is what makes the web move. JavaScript is used to make apps, interactive websites, responsive animations, web games...pretty much whatever you can think up. In this course, you will learn the basic concepts of JavaScript, learn to talk directly to your website, and create your own JavaScript program using Repl.it! This session is suggested for grades 5th and up.
Students must have access to a computer (Chromebooks OK!) and the internet. Please create a free Repl.it account prior to the event. All Virtual Events are Scheduled/Run in Eastern Time.
Interested? CLICK HERE to sign up!
Questions? alexriz@comcast.net
April is National Poetry Month!
April is National Poetry Month, every Wednesday we will highlight either a poet or poem.
Meet poet, Dr. Maya Angelou! She was honored by universities, literary organizations, government agencies, and special interest groups. Her honors included a Pulitzer Prize nomination for her book of poetry, Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water 'fore I Diiie, a Tony Award nomination for her role in the 1973 play Look Away, and three Grammys for her spoken word albums.
Here are 3 fun facts about Maya Angelou:
- She spoke SIX languages.
- She also authored autobiographies, cookbooks, and even greeting cards.
- She was only the second poet in history to recite work at a presidential inauguration.
CLICK HERE for the Maya Angelou Little People, BIG DREAMS read-aloud.
Parent Corner:
District-wide Parent & Guardian Survey- Due May 14th
It is that time of year again! Please take our District-wide Parent & Guardian Survey! The survey is designed to find out what you think about your child's school. We are always looking to improve and love receiving positive and constructive feedback. Additionally, these reports will help us with our required district reports.
We encourage you to take the survey for each of your children. The District-wide Parent & Guardian Survey is open to parents and guardians of students in Philadelphia public and Charter schools.
WHAT TO KNOW:
- Once you start the survey you must complete it all at once.
- The survey takes approximately 10 minutes to complete.
WHAT YOU NEED:
- Your child's STUDENT ID #
- SURVEY LINK: https://webapps1.philasd.org/parentsurvey/
If you do not know your child's student ID number please email me at curbano@northwoodcs.org. The survey closes May 14, 2021.
Thank you in advance for taking the survey!
Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA)
Attention 8th-grade families, testing for the PSSA and Keystone tests will be taking place this May.
You will be receiving an email from Mrs. Herschberger with additional information and a survey to complete this afternoon.
Picture Day K-7 retakes and 8th grade pictures- NEXT Wednesday
Please note the FINAL opportunity for retakes will be next Wednesday, 4/28/21.
8th-grade pictures will be 9:00-10:00 am. Please note, this is not a traditional RE-TAKE but for students who could not attend the original date. Northwood graduation gowns will be provided for the photo. SIGN UP HERE
10:30 AM will start K-7th grade picture re-takes. Please wear your Northwood uniform for the photo. Pictures will be taking place 10:30 am-1:00 pm. No exceptions will be made after 1 pm.
Join the PCO and make a difference in your child's education!
We are looking for new members of our Parent Core Organization (PCO)!
The goal of the PCO is to encourage interaction between our Northwood families and our school, serve as a source of support, and work with teachers, staff, and the community at large to improve our children’s educational experience. The PCO works closely with the school Community Coordinator to meet this goal.
Who can join the PCO?
Parents
Teachers
Community Members
Grandparents
Keep an eye out for an upcoming virtual interest survey and virtual kickoff event!
Email Ms. Urbano at curbano@northwoodcs.org for more information on how to get involved!
Community Corner:
Celebrate Earth Day 2021
Below are local family-friendly ways to get eco-friendly.
IN-PERSON:
- Fishtown Neighbors Association Earth Day Celebration: April 24, 9 am- 12 pm. Fishtown Rec, 1202 E. Montgomery Ave. Join a clean-up, Kindness Rocks Art Project, Spring “Seed-Bomb” Scavenger Hunt, and Mindfulness Sessions at the Fishtown Rec Center. Pre-register online for each activity.
- Earth Day Weekend Celebration at Academy of Natural Sciences: April 23-25, 10 am — 5 pm 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway. In celebration of Earth Day, families are invited to visit the museum and learn about ways to conserve resources to help animals’ habitats. Families with children ages 7 to 11 will love this self-guided program.
VIRTUAL:
Earth Day Story and Songs: April 22, 7 pm
Join local author and musician Miss Jolie for a special storytime and songs to celebrate planet Earth. FREE event on Facebook Live.
Earth Day Live with the Schuylkill Center: April 22, 7 pm
Share Earth Day actions, ask questions of Saleem Chapman, the city’s climate resilience coordinator, enjoy the arts with poet Jeff Hoagland, artist Raul Romero, and dancer Christina Catanese, learn our city’s special history with Earth Day. Free event; pre-register online.
The Please Touch Museum (PTM) is Reopening!
In order to make the experience safe, capacity will be limited, and online reservations are required for your desired “session.” The museum will now be open Thursdays – Sundays with morning sessions (9:00 am-12:00 pm) and afternoon sessions (1:30 – 4:30 pm) with a midday closure for cleaning and sanitizing. PTM will be closed to visitors Mondays through Wednesdays for deep cleaning. The Please Touch Museum is located at 4231 Avenue of the Republic in Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park. CLICK HERE to learn more about the museum.
COVID Vaccine Sign ups! ¡Registración para vacunas COVID!
COVID Vaccine Sign ups! ¡Registración para vacunas COVID!
Our friends at Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed Partnership, INC. (TTFWP) and Esperanza are partnering to register neighbors near Tacony Creek Park for the Covid-19 Vaccine.
For more information and to register contact Susan@ttfwatershed.org or call 215-744-1853.
Nuestros amigos de TTFWP y Esperanza estan asociando para registrar a vecinos cerca de Tacony Creek Park para la vacuna de Covid-19. Para más información y para registrarte, contacte a susan@ttfwatershed.org o llame al 215-744-1853.
Bulldog spotlights: Savannah Thach
She has taken up baking from scratch chocolate cupcakes and recently made her own pizza dough and pizza. Awesome job, Chef Savannah!
Pretty In Pink- Cyniah Otero
🎂 Happy belated birthday, Cyniah! 🎂
***
Calling all Bulldogs: Bulldog Spotlight!
We love receiving photos of our Bulldogs with big smiles and having fun! Please send any photos to our Community Coordinator, Ms. Urbano at, curbano@northwoodcs.org to be featured in our next Bulldog Blast📰
We do all we can to ensure our kids are happy, healthy, safe, and STRONG.
Having high-quality, low-cost health insurance helps make that possible. With CHIP, your child can have medical, dental, eye care, and more for a free or low cost. No family makes too much for CHIP. Whether you’re self-employed, unemployed, or your employer benefits are just too expensive, CHIP is there for you to help your child be strong.
Learn more, apply or renew your coverage today at 800-986-KIDS or go to CHIPcoversPAkids.com.
Hacemos todo lo posible para que nuestros hijos estén felices, saludables, seguros y FUERTES.
Tener un seguro médico de alta calidad y bajo precio permite que esto sea posible. Con CHIP, sus hijos pueden recibir atención médica, dental, oftalmológica y más, de forma gratuita o a bajo costo. Ya sea que trabaje por cuenta propia, esté desempleado o que los beneficios que le ofrece su empleador sean demasiado costosos, CHIP está ahí para ayudar a su hijos a ser niños fuertes. Solicite el seguro o renuévelo hoy mismo llamando al 800-986-5437 o ingresando en CHIPcoversPAkids.com.
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
Wednesday, April 21- The front office will be closed for cleaning
Wednesday, April 21- Board Meeting
Thursday, April 22 - First day of in-person learning for Drexel cohort
Friday, April 30 - Asynchronous Day for all students (No in-person learning for the Drexel cohort)
Thursday, May 13 - Eid al-Fitr - School Closed
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