Bulldog Blast
Wednesday, May 4th 2022
This week & Looking ahead:
đź“– Calendar Change: NACS' Board of Directors has approved the Friday of Memorial Day, May 27th as a day off for students and staff. This comes as a result of not having any snow days this year.
đź“– PSSAs: Please note, that Keystone Exams for 8th-grade Algebra students will take place on May 17 & 18. You can help your children prepare for the assessments by encouraging them to get plenty of rest the night before testing and have a good breakfast on the mornings of the test. Encourage your child to have a confident and positive attitude toward the assessments. Thank you in advance for your support. If you have any questions about the test or its administration, please do not hesitate to contact our testing coordinator, Mrs. Herschberger. Please see below in the Bulldog Blast for more information.
đź“– Please note, that there will be NO YouthCOR services on Tuesday 5/17. We apologize for the inconvenience.
ASIAN-PACIFIC AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH
May Is Asian-Pacific Heritage Month, an opportunity to celebrate the rich history and culture of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) in the U.S.
All month long we will be exploring creative ways to Celebrate Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month with your kids!
Here is an idea-
Get out the globe to explore the geography of Asia and the Pacific Islands. If you don’t have an actual globe at home, go online. With Google Maps, your child can take a 3D “walk” through different places. Use Google Earth to “visit” historic locations. Keep in mind that the term “Asian-Pacific” encompasses a wide array of cultures and geographies.
- All of the Asian continent: This includes about 50 countries – from China, Japan, Korea, Indonesia, and the Philippines to (in South Asia) India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Bhutan.
- Melanesia: New Guinea, New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Fiji, and the Solomon Islands
- Micronesia: Marianas, Guam, Wake Island, Palau, Marshall Islands, Kiribati, Nauru, and the Federated States of Micronesia
- Polynesia: New Zealand, Hawaiian Islands, Rotuma, Midway Islands, Samoa, American Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu, Cook Islands, French Polynesia, and Easter Island
Curated Lists of AAPI Books:
Social Justice Books: Curated list of Asian American literature sorted by grade band and includes links about Asian American literature in the classroom on the bottom. Pre-K - 12
Recommended Asian American Children’s Literature. Created by Dr. Noreen Naseem RodrĂguez, University of Colorado Boulder. Well curated, but not updated to include the latest literature K-5
A curated list of Asian American Literature for adults from New York Public Library Adults.
CINCO DE MAYO- MAY 5TH
Tacos, quesadillas, nachos, guacamole- Oh my! Did you know Cinco de Mayo (which translates to the Fifth of May) originated in Mexico, though the day is more popular in the USA?
So what does Cinco de Mayo celebrate? On the morning of May 5, 1862, 6,000 French troops stormed the Mexican city of HerĂłica Puebla de Zaragoza to bring it under French rule. The Mexican soldiers were outnumbered, but they fiercely fought back. By early evening, the French had retreated. Now the people of Puebla, Mexico, observe the holiday Cinco de Mayo to celebrate this victory. The holiday is also widely celebrated in the USA. Americans use the celebration to honor the battle as well as Mexican culture.
The Pennsylvania State System of School Assessment (PSSA) Update:
PSSA in Science will be administered to students over 2 days, for students in grades 4 and 8 only:
- TODAY, Wednesday, May 4, 2022
- Thursday, May 5, 2022
It is imperative that your child attends school ON TIME during these testing periods. Students who report to school late will not be permitted to enter their classroom until the testing window is over. Classes with perfect attendance throughout the testing window will receive a prize!
Northwood Academy Field Day Shirts
Parent Corner:
Uniform Exchange Program: Request for donations
How the Uniform Exchange Program Works:
Do you have any GOOD quality unwanted, outgrown school uniforms? If the answer is yes, please donate them to Northwood Academy’s Uniform Exchange!
The uniform exchange is a free program open to all NACS students' families. The purpose of the uniform exchange is to help you save money, recycle and also help other families in the process.
The NACS uniform exchange motto is, to take what you need and give when you can. New uniforms are expensive and children often outgrow them before they wear them out. Why buy new when there are perfectly good items in the uniform exchange available. Any Northwood family in need of a uniform can have one as long as we have the size needed. At this time, our uniform stock is extremely low.
All donated items are checked for quality and sorted by style and size.
The program only works if uniforms are donated so please consider giving clean uniforms you no longer need. If you are able to donate, please make sure that the clothes are in a reusable condition. The size of the item should be identifiable. If it is not, please indicate the size of the item with indelible ink.
Please remember, you do not have to donate clothes in order to take from the uniform exchange. All items can be dropped off during school hours at the front school office.
If you have any questions, please email Ms. Urbano, curbano@northwoodcs.org
Muffins in the Morning & Donuts with Grown ups
We are very excited to bring back two very special in-person events this month!
On Wednesday, May 25th at 9 AM we will celebrate the important men in our 2nd-grade students’ lives with 'Donuts with Grownups.' Please note that each student may only have 1 GUEST attending the event. We appreciate your understanding! Permission slips were sent directly from the classroom teachers. Thank you!
VOLUNTEER POLICY INFORMATION
Important Volunteer/ Chaperone Information In order to volunteer in any capacity (including chaperoning trips) you must fulfill the following directives which are part of the Child Protective Law: The law requires all school employees, contractors, and volunteers to have direct contact with children to obtain clearances (child abuse history clearance and state and federal criminal history checks).
- For PA Criminal Background checks (no charge): https://epatch.state.pa.us
- For Child Abuse Clearance (no charge): https://www.compass.state.pa.us/cwis
- For FBI fingerprinting (charge): https://uenroll.identogo.com or call #1-844-321-2101. The service code you will need is 1KG6Q9.
PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING:
- Clearances submitted within 48 hours of an impending trip will not be processed in time for that individual to chaperone that particular trip. While we encourage everyone to complete clearances, we cannot honor last-minute requests.
- ALL required documents must be submitted together at one time. We will not hold your documents until they are all complete and accounted for.
- Copies of the required clearances must be printed and handed in to the front school office or classroom teacher. We can not accept clearances forwarded to us via email. Thank you for your support of our program, safety as always is a priority for all our students and their families.
District-Wide Survey
Northwood parents that participate in the parent survey will be entered into a raffle to receive a gift card and NACS swag. Please note: Once you start the survey you must complete it all at once.
The survey takes approximately 15 minutes to complete.
https://webapps1.philasd.org/parentsurvey/
**WE WILL BE ANNOUNCING THE WINNER OF THE RAFFLE THE WEEK OF MAY 23RD**
COMMUNITY CORNER
Home and Fire Safety:
Home and fire safety is so much more than Fire Prevention Week in October. More than 20 Philadelphians have died in fires so far this year, and over 300 residents have been displaced. Please see below for resources on local fire safety.
Home Safety:
Freedom From Fire Safety Resource: Great site to learn about fire safety and get free smoke detectors installed in your home. https://phillyfirefoundation.org/ or here for FREE smoke detectors https://www.phila.gov/services/safety-emergency-preparedness/fire-safety/get-a-smoke-alarm-installed/. Home Safety Plan. Free Smoke Alarms
Smoke Detector Hotline and Kids Zone: Philadelphia Fire Department’s Smoke Detector Hotline for FREE smoke detectors- call 311 Also click below for their Home Fire Safety Checklist and go to the website for fire safety activities for children. www.phila.gov/fire/.
Free Smoke Alarm installation from the Red Cross: Click here to request https://www.redcross.org/local/pennsylvania/southeastern-pennsylvania/about-us/our-work/home-fire-campaign/smoke-alarm-request.html
Kohls Safety Center at CHOP: Buy low-cost safety products (some free) and pick up free injury prevention information in the lobby of CHOP’s main hospital, 34th and Civic Center Blvd. Call 267-426-5000 for info. Click here
Child Safety Toolkits: Great toolkits and handouts for families on child safety with topics such as fire escape plans, car seat safety, safe sleep, burn prevention, toy safety, pool safety, teen driving, and youth sports injury prevention. Please click here for toolkits. www.preventchildinjury.org/toolkits-landing
How to help your Philly neighbors get free smoke alarms installed.
Work Ready: For Ages 12+ START YOUR APPLICATION TODAY
If you are 12 years old and looking for summer work experience, check out WorkReady Summer. WorkReady takes place from July-August and will include at least 3 days of safe in-person experiences each week this year. All participants receive compensation via wages or incentives depending on the program. Full completion of assigned program hours is necessary to receive the maximum amount.
HOW TO GET STARTED
1. Apply at workready.org: Tell us about yourself. If you already know which program you want to work with, enter their referral code on your application. If you aren't connected to a WorkReady program partner, you can find a code for one of our programs using our Program Locator Tool! Get Started Today!
2. Turn in paperwork: Like any job, WorkReady requires paperwork to tell us you are eligible for the program and to work. You will be asked to download and fill out some forms. Please also take pictures of your vital documents (like your birth certificate, ID, or social security card) and log back into the application to upload images of the documents. The documents you need will vary by age and your experience. Learn More About Paperwork Required to Work
3. Submit additional paperwork: If you complete Steps 1 and 2, you may be asked to submit additional paperwork before being connected with a program partner. Log back into the application and submit your documents. Please note, that vaccines may be required for WorkReady participants based on local mandates and/or worksite requirements. During this phase, you may be asked to acknowledge your vaccination status. Upload Documents
4. Ready to work: Once you've completed all other steps, then you're eligible for WorkReady Summer 2022 and will be connected with an opportunity. Apply Today!
Be one of the first 5,000 young people to complete
Steps 1 & 2 and receive
$150!
Play It Safe Philly
Connecting children, teens, and families with summer activities and information. https://www.phila.gov/programs/playitsafephl/
The City of Philadelphia and its partners are committed to providing fun, safe, and enriching activities for children and families throughout the year. PlayItSafePHL is your guide to year-round activities and events.
Related Categories: After School Programs | After School/Camps/Mentoring | Camps
You can sign up to receive email updates from the City of Philadelphia Office of Children and Families.
OST PROGRAM LOCATOR: Sign up for fun!
Out-of-School Time (OST) is the time that a child or youth spends in after-school or summer programming. OST programs are provided for young people in grades pre-K through 12.
Rolling Thunder Skating Center
free at-home COVID-19 tests:
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:
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
Sunday, May 1st- Tuesday, May 31st- Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Monday, May 2nd- Friday, May 6th- Staff Appreciation Week
Wednesday, May 11th, Kindergarten Muffins in the Morning Event
Friday, May 13th, Kindergarten Field Trip- Elmwood Park Zoo
Tuesday, May 17th, 4th Grade Career Day
Wednesday, May 25th, 2nd Grade Donuts with Grownups Event
Friday, May 27th- Monday, May 30th, School is closed in observance of Memorial Day
Friday, June 3rd, 8th Grade Dance @ Romano’s
Monday, June 6th (June 7th = Rain Date), Field Day
Thursday, 9th, 8th Grade Graduation
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