Bulldog Blast
Wednesday, February 2nd, 2022
This week & Looking ahead:
Please continue to keep your child home if he or she is experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19. Please email CovidResponseTeam@northwoodcs.org with any updates such as positive test results or vaccination status.
- Be advised that virtual learning is only available for COVID-related illness and quarantine. You will be given directives from the Northwood Covid Response Team if quarantine and virtual learning are necessary. Students are not eligible for virtual learning under any other circumstances - i.e, illness that is not Covid-related, family travel, etc. Our usual attendance policies will remain in place for these circumstances.
Friendly reminder, due to the PECO electrical upgrades in the neighborhood we will be virtual Thursday, February 3rd. Students will return to in-person learning on Friday, February 4th.
Important Reminders:
Students must begin the day at 7:45 am in their Homeroom Class in order to be marked present.
Thursday, February 3rd will be a virtual full day from 7:45 am - 3:00 pm.
Attendance will be determined based on students logging into their homeroom at 7:45 as well as their live classes throughout the day. Students who arrive to class after 7:45 am will be marked late or absent.
Students must wear their Northwood uniform shirt to class and should be seated at a desk or table, with quiet space to work.
Student schedules and Zoom links will be posted in their Google Classrooms.
Students with Special Education services during instruction will continue to receive those services either via co-teaching during video conferencing, breakout rooms during video conferencing, and/or during separate video conferencing sessions.
Students who receive related services will also access their links to their related services on their Google Classroom.
Please reach out to your child’s teacher via email if you have any difficulty accessing the links.
Special classes will continue on the same schedule. These Zoom links will be posted by your child’s homeroom teacher, and students will be reminded as to which special they should attend.
Please reach out to your child's teachers via email with any questions.
Happy Groundhog Day!
What do people do to celebrate? There are a number of celebrations throughout the United States. The largest celebration takes place in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania where the famous groundhog Punxsutawney Phil has predicted the weather each year since 1886. Large crowds gather here to see Phil come out of his burrow at around 7:30 am. The origins of Groundhog Day can be traced to German settlers in Pennsylvania. These settlers celebrated February 2nd as Candlemas Day. On this day if the sun came out then there would be six more weeks of wintry weather. At some point, people began to look to the groundhog to make this prediction. The earliest reference to the groundhog is in an 1841 journal entry. In 1886 the Punxsutawney newspaper declared February 2nd as Groundhog Day and named the local groundhog as Punxsutawney Phil. Since then the day and tradition has spread throughout the United States.
Read a book about groundhogs!
Visit your local library and ask your librarian to help you find one of the books on the below list related to Groundhog Day.
- Grumpy Groundhog by Maureen Wright (Author), Amanda Haley (Illustrator)
- Groundhog’s Runaway Shadow by David Biedrzycki (Author, Illustrator)
- Substitute Groundhog by Pat Miller (Author), Kathi Ember (Illustrator)
- Groundhog’s Dilemma by Kristen Remenar (Author), Matt Faulkner (Illustrator)
- Groundhug Day by Anne Marie Pace (Author), Christopher Denise (Illustrator)
- Who Will See Their Shadows This Year? by Jerry Pallotta (Author), David Biedrzycki (Illustrator)
FEBRUARY IS BLACK HISTORY MONTH!
In celebration of Black History Month, our NACS Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee have developed an engaging mix of activities and assemblies for every grade to take part in. There will be lessons around notable historical and current figures, as well as a special virtual game show at the end of the month to review everything we have learned.
Our NACS teachers are excited to bring conversations around civil rights and social justice into the classrooms.
Coming soon... TWOsday happening on 2/22/2022
Tuesday, 2/22/2022 NACS is celebrating TWOSday!
Northwood students and staff can dress up as Twins! Link up with a classmate or teacher to get together your most creative matching outfits!
**Prizes for those who are TWINNING the most**
Parent Corner:
Gloves and Winter Coat Collection:
We are continuing to collect clean, gently-used gloves and winter coats of all sizes for students in need. If you have gloves and winter coats you would like to donate, please send them in with your child.
Mrs. Tully's Kindergarten Class celebrating Hibernation day on Friday, 1/28!
COMMUNITY CORNER
AAMP Family Fun Days
On the second Saturday of every month, gather up the youth in your life and bring them to The African American Museum Philadelphia for an assortment of hands-on activities, interactive music and movement workshops, storytellers, historical re-enactors, and more! A Family Fun Day may focus on a particular theme, or may simply celebrate the breadth and depth of the African Diaspora. Visit their calendar for details of upcoming days.
Where? 701 Arch Street Philadelphia, PA 19106
The 30th Annual African American Children's Book Fair VIRTUAL PREVIEW
Join the African American Children’s Book Project, virtually to preview the 30th Annual African American Children’s Book Fair on Saturday, February 5, 2022 – 1:00-3:00 PM EST – Facebook Live. Get an inside look at the stellar lineup of some of the best and the brightest from the children’s literary community.
The 30th Annual African American Children's Book Fair – LIVE IN PERSON - will be held at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, 12th Arch Street on Saturday, February 26, 2022, from 1:00 to 4 p.m. EST. Hosted by the African American Children’s Book Project, the book fair is one of the oldest and largest single-day events for children's books in the country! For more information call (215) 878-2665.
This February The African American Museum of Philadelphia Will Be Offering Free Screenings of “Harriet” & “13th”
The African American Museum of Philadelphia is ramping up its Black History Month programming which includes readings, live speakers, demonstrations as well as movies. As part of their movie programming, AAMP will be screening both Harriet and 13th.
Moviegoers will be able to see these films either in-person or remotely. In partnership with The School District of Philadelphia. both movie screenings are free and open to the public with suggested donations. Zoom links for virtual programs will be emailed to attendees 30 minutes prior to, and at the start of each program.
See movie dates and times below:
Harriet: February 5th | 5- 8 pm
13th: February 10th | 5-8 pm
More information here: https://50068.blackbaudhosting.com/50068/sslpage.aspx?pid=201
Fitness Break Videos
Alliance for a Healthier Generation provides fitness resources for families via YouTube videos.
Is your student a sports fan? Get active with professional athletes right in your home! Use them as a movement break between lessons or start your day with some fun activities that will be sure to keep your student-focused!
VISIT HERE for fitness break videos, smart food planner, Healthy Home Toolkit, and more!
H.Y.P.E. AT HOME
No gym, no problem! Boost your health by staying active at home. You don’t need any fancy equipment to dance and plus, it's much more fun! Make things even more interesting by challenging your family member to a dance battle. Spread the cheer, tag #HYPEatHome in your video and they’ll feature it on their social media.
HIP HOP PUBLIC HEALTH INC. has an entire site dedicated just for kids so they can have some real fun as they get the health information they need. Hip Hop Public Health’s kids site has hundreds of songs, videos, and comics that feature their favorite artists like Ariana Grande, Jordin Sparks, Travis Barker, and Ashanti as well as hip-hop pioneers such as Doug E. Fresh who created the original “Dougie” dance, Darryl DMC McDaniels from Run DMC and Chuck D from Public Enemy.
Marathon Kids: Free resources
Marathon kids has free resources available to keep your student’s mind and body active all year long.
Download their lessons and challenges and have your child participate in the movement. Starting from warm-ups, walking, and talking, even work your way to completing a marathon!
Your kids will love all the games and activities they have to offer.
ABOUT MARATHON KIDS:
Marathon Kids is a nonprofit organization on a mission to get kids moving. They provide proven solutions that motivate kids to be more active every day to improve their entire well-being.
When kids feel healthy, they perform better in school, make better choices, and exhibit better behavior. And we made it free, so all children can participate.
Mighty Writers at Home: FRee virtual clubs
With music as with life, girls can do anything! Discover the jobs women have in the music industry. Get inspired by Mighty Musicians like Linda Perry and Alicia Keys and write and produce your own Girl Power Songs.
>> SIGN UP HERE <<
For ages 9-13, FREE Via Zoom
Tarken Ice Rink & Rec. Center: FREE PROGRAM
Join them every Thursday from 6:30-8:00 PM for their brand new teen activities program. Activities include community service projects, teen building exercises, mentorship, 2K tournaments, and more! See the above flyer for more details!
**NO SIGN-UPS NECESSARY**
Harry Potter: The Exhibition | February 18 to September 2022
Philadelphia snagged the world premiere of this much-anticipated touring exhibition that will no doubt draw millions of fans of all ages to ogle props and costumes from the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts film franchises. The high-tech installation promises “innovative, awe-inspiring and magical environments” that let visitors get hands-on experience with casting spells and other Hogwarts-themed hocus pocus. Tickets are on sale now.
What is Safe2Say Something?
Safe2Say Something is a youth violence prevention program run by the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General. The program teaches youth and adults how to recognize warning signs and signals, especially within social media, from individuals who may be a threat to themselves or others and to “say something” BEFORE it is too late. With Safe2Say Something, it’s easy and confidential to report safety concerns to help prevent violence and tragedies.
Here’s how it works:
- Submit an anonymous tip report through the Safe2SaySomething system
- The crisis center reviews and processes all submissions
- The crisis center sends all submissions to school administration and/or law enforcement for intervention
- If needed, the crisis center may contact the tipster anonymously through the app
Safe2Say Something PA:
Submit an anonymous tip here:
Covid-19 Corner:
Winter/Inclement Weather
Check out our *NEW* Inclement Weather Information Center on our Northwood school website!
Our goal is to lay out our process and answer some of your most frequently asked questions here, so you can be more informed on the how, what, when, and why of our inclement weather decisions.
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!
If you or a family member are in need of housing, food, health, and safety services, please check out these resources from Project HOME: Where To Turn Guide.
Important Dates on the Horizon
Wednesday, February 2nd, SCHOOL-WIDE virtual learning
Thursday, February 3rd, SCHOOL-WIDE virtual learning
Friday, February 4th, Return to in-person instruction
Monday, February 14th, Valentine's Day
Wednesday, February 16th, Board Meeting
Monday, February 21st, Presidents Day
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