Bulldog Blast
Wednesday, December 8th, 2021
Dear Northwood Families,
Please find our *NEW* COVID-19 Mitigation Plan documents below. These links were sent via the REMIND app. on Monday, 11/29/21. Thank you!
- Haitian Creole Updated COVID Mitigation Letter
- Haitian Creole - COVID-19 Student Testing Consent Form
This week & Looking ahead:
💻Report Card Conferences will be held Wednesday, December 15th, and Thursday, December 16th, VIRTUALLY. Please note, Thursday, 12/16 will also be a half-day for students due to conferences with a noon school dismissal.
📸 Picture Day Retakes will be held Friday, December 17th. Students will need to be dressed in their Northwood polo and khaki pants. Picture Day ID: EVT3QPNQ7
Use the Picture Day ID to order your portrait package here. Hard copy order forms were distributed by your child's classroom teacher.
📝2ND TRIMESTER extracurricular activity sign-ups are COMING SOON! Weekday after-school clubs will begin after the New Year. Keep a lookout for registration information before the Winter Break. Thank you!
❄️ Holiday Spirit Week: *Please note participation is optional*
Tuesday, 12/21: PJ DAY: Come dressed down in your pajamas. Students are encouraged to dress in their comfiest and most favorite pajamas on this day as we get ready to head toward Winter Recess!
Wednesday, 12/22: UGLY SWEATER DAY: Come dressed down with an ugly holiday sweater
🗓️ December Calendar Change:
As of the November 17th board meeting, please note the below board-approved calendar adjustment:
Wednesday, December 22nd will be a regular half day.
Thursday, December 23rd will be a virtual half-day for students (7:45-12:00).
Friendly reminder, if you are not doing so already please send your child to school with a reusable water bottle. This will help elevate students from leaving class multiple times during the day to refill the paper cups we provide. Thank you for your support and understanding.
DINE & DONATE WITH NORTHWOOD AT EAST COAST WINGS + GRILL!
Join EAST COAST WINGS + GRILL along with Northwood Academy Charter School at a 'Dine & Donate' Fundraiser!
When? Wednesday, December 15th from 5 pm-8 pm
Where? 2539 CASTOR AVE PHILADELPHIA, PA 19134
What is a Dine & Donate event? Wednesday, 12/15 from 5 pm-8 pm Northwood Academy will receive 15% of the sales from all Northwood friends & families that came in to dine at the Castor Avenue East Coast and Wings & Grill. Make sure to mention Northwood Academy when you order! Help us reach our goal of $100!
Not only can kids eat for $1.99 (with an adult entree) on Wednesday nights but they will be playing holidays movies in the restaurant for your entertainment! We hope to see you there!
Picture Day Frequently Asked Questions:
Picture Day Retakes (12/17) are right around the corner. Below find FAQs below to help if any questions arise.
When are picture retakes?
Friday, December 17th, Picture ID: EVT3QPNQ7
Use the Picture Day ID to order your portrait package here.
When will the original picture day packages arrive?
Picture Day packages from the original day were delivered to Northwood on Friday, 12/03. Please reach out with any errors to your order and we will submit it to Lifetouch.
What if I am interested in still ordering a package from the original order?
The Event ID from the original day has been deactivated. If anyone wishes to purchase from their original image the easiest way to do so is with the student-specific Portrait ID that comes on all the sample packets included with Friday's shipment.
What if I ordered a package and my child was out on quarantine during the original day?
Any unclaimed purchases will be carried over to retake day. If the student is not photographed on retake day the money is refunded automatically to the original payment method.
Thank you!
A quick note of gratitude to all our Northwood families who supported our school's Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness (ECYEH) program and Homelessness Awareness Week--it was a great success!
CLICK HERE to enjoy some pictures from Red Shirt Day, Friday, 12/3.
Bulldog Spotlight: Skylar Sanches
Congratulations Skylar, and keep up the good work!
These certificates are for a free kid's meal which students can redeem at an Applebee's Neighborhood Restaurant when accompanied by a parent or guardian adult entree purchase.
Applebee's introduced this program to specifically salute excellence in their neighborhood schools. They believe it is imperative that the business community join parents, educators, and others in support of our schools. "A" is for Applebee's is one step closer toward that goal.
Check out the great artwork from Mrs. Woloszczuk's Art Class!
Basketball Try-Outs:
- NACS COVID-19 Student Testing Consent Form
- Haitian Creole - COVID-19 Student Testing Consent Form
- Spanish - COVID-19 Student Testing Consent Form
**Basketball try-outs have been RESCHEDULED to Tuesday, 12/14,
3:00-4:30pm**
Please find Mr. Whitlatch for a permission form, thank you!
Parent Corner:
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.
Keeping Families Healthy
Staying updated with information to keep your family safe and healthy can be confusing and overwhelming. These reliable resources can help!
Coronavirus (COVID-19) from KidsHealth: Information about the signs and symptoms, how Coronavirus spreads, how it can be dangerous to children, and more.
Navigating Flu Season: Resources to keep kids safe and healthy from Children's Hospital of Philadelphia: What you should know about the flu, why it's important to get a flu shot, how to get vaccinated, and more.
Influenza Vaccine Clinics from the Pennsylvania Department of Health: The flu vaccine is offered statewide throughout flu season at many locations, including your doctor's office, pharmacies, grocery stores with pharmacies, and also at numerous Department of Health facilities. Find an upcoming flu vaccine clinic near you.
COVID-19 Printables from Conscious Discipline: ABC's for Parents of Little Ones, Adult Weekly Commitment Calendar, At Home Brain Breaks and Active Calming, and more.
Attendance Toolkit
Getting to school every day, on time is one of the most important ways you can help your child succeed. But between getting kids out of bed, managing drop-offs, and busy work schedules, it can be a challenge.
That's why 'Read by 4th' partners have created a toolkit with tips and resources for Philly families, educators, and school champions, to help make getting to school on time a little easier. Their future starts there, and we don’t want them to miss a minute of it.
COMMUNITY CORNER
Students can visit City recreation centers to receive free, nutritious meals on school holidays during winter, spring breaks.
Many Philadelphia students rely on their schools for free meals during the school year. School-break meal programs—including winter meals and spring meals—ensure that children and teenagers can access affordable and nutritious food when school meals are unavailable. The meal program is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and managed by the Pennsylvania Department of Education in partnership with Philadelphia Parks & Recreation.
Select Philadelphia recreation centers and playgrounds will provide free meals for children up to 18 years old on the following days:
- December 27, 2021
- December 28, 2021
- December 29, 2021
- December 30, 2021
- January 3, 2022
- February 1, 2022
- April 11, 2022
- April 12, 2022
- April 13, 2022
- April 14, 2022
Introducing: The Tacony LAB Community Arts Center
TACONY LAB COMMUNITY ARTS CENTER: A hub for learning, creativity, and community engagement.
The Tacony LAB’s classes are unique in Philadelphia: They do not charge tuition or any sort of fees for any of their classes. Their classes are popular and often have wait-lists. If you enroll in a class, please commit to attending it.
Location:
The Tacony LAB Community Arts Center
6918 Torresdale Ave., Phila., PA 19135
*FREE* December Kids Club -Winter Cityscape, 12/11
One-day workshop! Choose Morning or afternoon.
Make a winter cityscape to decorate for the holidays.
The Tacony LAB’s classes are unique, they do not charge tuition or any sort of fees for any of their classes.
(MORNING & AFTERNOON SESSIONS OFFERED)
Location: The Tacony LAB Community Arts Center
*FREE* December Kids Club -Cardboard Gingerbread Houses, 12/18
About this event: FREE one-day workshop!
Make a gingerbread house out of cardboard!
(MORNING & AFTERNOON SESSIONS OFFERED)
Location:
The Tacony LAB Community Arts Center 6918 Torresdale Ave., Phila., PA 19135
All current COVID-19 policies required by the City, State, and CDC must be followed by all attendees.
NE Frankford Boys & Girls Club
Dear FRANKFORD FAMILY & FRIENDS,
Did you know that starting in September 2021 the NE Frankford Boys & Girls Club extended its building hours?
COME JOIN THEM for evening hours Monday - Friday 6 PM-8 PM memberships are $5 and last the entire school year.
Questions? (215) 743-7515
BioDiversity Winter Institute Student Recruitment: Grades 3-8
**APPLICATION DEADLINE: DECEMBER 17TH**
Please see the flyer below for more information about this 12-week afterschool program beginning January 13th for grades 3rd-8th.
New Student Application Link: https://forms.office.com/r/7ssjscjjhS
Returning Student Application Link: https://forms.office.com/r/FzePNPTWez
**APPLICATION DEADLINE: DECEMBER 17TH**
Stewards of Children Training- FREE
In partnership with Philadelphia Children's Alliance,
St. Mark's Church, Frankford is pleased to offer this FREE evidence-informed, award-winning two-hour training that teaches adults to prevent, recognize, and react responsibly to child sexual abuse. Participants will learn practical actions they can take to reduce instances of child sexual abuse in their organizations, families, and communities. Registration is required.
When? TUESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2022 AT 6:30 PM
Location: 4442 Frankford Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19124
Please message St. Mark's Church, Frankford, in advance with your contact information.
Facebook: @StMarksChurchFrankford
Questions? (215) 535-0635. cristina.mancini@yahoo.com
**EVENT FLYER is attached below**
CALLING ALL NORTHWOOD ALUMNI: Teen Leadership Assistants Opportunity
Check out the Teen Leadership Assistants out-of-school time program at the Free Library of Philadelphia! Literacy Enrichment After-school Program (LEAP), is seeking Philadelphia high school students who are interested in serving as near-peer mentors and encourages them to sign up as a Teen Leadership Assistant (TLA) to support with staffing the Library’s initiative.
LEAP is a free, drop-in, out-of-school time program for children and teens in grades K-12, and offers youth a safe space to unwind after school, complete homework, and develop positive relationships with peers.
This position is a great first job for youth as it provides mentoring, opportunities for peer collaboration, and introduces them to 21st Century skills. For more information, students are encouraged to review this flyer. Questions can be shared with Out-of-School Time Program Manager Heather Sparks at SparksH@freelibrary.org.
TLAs are expected to work at their assigned library between 4 and 10 hours each week. TLAs are a key part of the LEAP staffing model; librarians, staff, and school-aged children and teens rely on our out-of-school time staff to provide homework assistance and to serve as near-peer role models. The pay rate is $9.00/hour, and all TLAs earn sick time.
>>CLICK HERE for flyer information<<
Covid-19 Corner:
Vaccine Clinics:
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.
Where kids can get vaccinated against COVID in Philadelphia
Philadelphia has ordered tens of thousands of kid-size doses of the Pfizer COVID vaccine. It's not the same as the adult dose, so you can't just take 5 to 11-year-olds to any clinic.
- Some pediatricians are actively reaching out to parents to offer the shot, local health officials said — but what if they haven't? Options in Philly include pharmacies, city health clinics, and pop-ups at various schools.
Vaccine Hub Locations - Our primary care hubs designed for CHOP patients that are between the ages of 5-11 taking place on Saturdays and Sundays from 8 am-4 pm.
Child Vaccination Update from Billy Penn:
Kid vaccinations for COVID nearly doubled in Philly over the past two weeks
Child COVID vaccinations in Philly have nearly doubled over the past two weeks, going from 6% vaccinated to 10% (here's our chart). The rate still trails the U.S. average (14%).
- Kid vax rates in Philly vary by race and ethnicity. While nearly 1 in 5 white and Asian 5- to 11-year-olds have started COVID vaccination, only 1 in 15 Hispanic kids have gotten the vaccine, and fewer than 1 in 20 Black children have. Read The Full Article.
Safer Ways to Celebrate Holidays
At NACS, we are grateful to have families and staff who have embraced and respected our comprehensive health and safety protocols. To continue doing so, we need your help to keep everyone safe.
Throughout the holiday season, we ask that you keep reinforcing the same safety measures we are using inside of the school to help stop the spread of COVID. This includes watching your distance, wearing a mask, and washing your hands frequently. For more information and guidance about how to celebrate the holidays during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the CDC has guidance available by clicking here: Safer Ways to Celebrate Holidays
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, December 15th, Board Meeting
Wednesday, December 15th and Thursday, 12/16, VIRTUAL Report Card Conferences
Friday, December 17th, School Picture Retakes
Wednesday, December 22nd, VIRTUAL Family BINGO, 7:00 pm
Thursday, December 23rd will be a virtual half-day for students (7:45-12:00)
Friday, December 24th-Sunday, January 2nd, Winter Break
Saturday, January 1st, New Year's Day
Monday, January 3rd, Classes resume
Monday, January 17th, School is closed due to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Wednesday, January 19th, Board Meeting
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