Bulldog Blast
December 16, 2020
Updated Remote Learning Schedule Over the past few months of remote learning, teachers have observed what was working well with the schedule, and what parts could use a few tweaks. With this in mind, beginning after Winter Recess, we are rolling out our updated remote learning schedule, which will begin on Monday, January 4th. Universal changes for all grades include the school day beginning at 8:15am, and the school-wide lunch period happening from 12:00-12:30pm. See details for each grade at the link above. | Update: SNOW DAY! No Classes Tomorrow 12/17In the spirit of excitement and a much needed day of play, we will NOT have any classes tomorrow, Thursday, December 17th. This "SNOW DAY" is also being called with general safety in mind and we wish you all warmth and protection. So bundle up, make the hot chocolate, help a neighbor shovel, and have some good old "normal" fun in the beautiful snow! Please note, ALL report card conferences scheduled for Thursday WILL take place. Please connect to your Zoom at your scheduled time. | Reminder: Sibling Application Are you a family with more than one child? Does your second child not yet attend Northwood, but you would like to enroll them in our school? If the answer to both of these questions is YES then you must fill out an application for this sibling. Scroll down to the bottom of this newsletter for more details, or head over to applyphillycharter.org. |
Updated Remote Learning Schedule
Update: SNOW DAY! No Classes Tomorrow 12/17
In the spirit of excitement and a much needed day of play, we will NOT have any classes tomorrow, Thursday, December 17th. This "SNOW DAY" is also being called with general safety in mind and we wish you all warmth and protection. So bundle up, make the hot chocolate, help a neighbor shovel, and have some good old "normal" fun in the beautiful snow! Please note, ALL report card conferences scheduled for Thursday WILL take place. Please connect to your Zoom at your scheduled time.
Reminder: Sibling Application
December Parent Letter, from our CEO
As we prepare for the pause of Winter Recess, there are a number of reminders and updates that we want our families and the Northwood community to take note of.
Please read the following memo so that you are fully informed as we approach the New Year in the weeks ahead: December 16, 2020 Parent Letter


Eye Health & Exams
Report Card Conferences: Tomorrow & Friday
Don't forget: tomorrow (Thursday), December 17th and Friday, December 18th are Report Card Conference days.
Please take note of the time you scheduled to meet with your child's teacher, and please be on time for your appointment.
Contact your child's teacher with any questions!
Free Meals Pickup - Holiday Schedule!
Over Winter Recess we are giving out a week's worth of meals on Monday, December 21st and a week's worth of meals on Monday, December 28th. Pickup for multiple meals on these two days will take place at our cafeteria (Adams Ave. entrance) from 10:00am to 12:00pm and 1:00pm to 4:00pm.
We hope families take advantage of this cost-saving and nutritional convenience during the holidays.
Note: there will be no Thursday meal pick-up during these two weeks.
December 23rd Schedule + Pajama Day!
Next Wednesday is a half-day, and class will be on the synchronous schedule below:
8:30 - Homeroom
8:45-9:15 - Cycle 1
9:45-10:00 - Break
10:00-10:30 - Cycle 3
10:30-11:00 - Cycle 4
11:00 - Student Dismissal
Also, students are encouraged to dress in their comfiest and most favorite pajamas on this day as we get ready to kick-off Winter Recess!
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!

GRADES 3-5 AND 6-8 ASSEMBLIES: Today!
Grades 3-5: The bGreat Show
Through magic, comedy, story-telling, and audience participation, students will learn about Anti-Bullying, Trustworthiness, Fairness, Respect, Responsibility, Caring, and Citizenship.
Grades 6-8: Diversity of Dance
Students will be exposed to the impact of globalization and the power of embracing cultural diversity through dance. Students will be taken on a journey of dance through Jamaica, South Korea, Latin America, and India, learning about the creation and transformation of hip-hop throughout the world.
2nd Trimester Extracurricular Activities - Sign Up Today!
Weekday after-school clubs and Friday morning electives will begin after the New Year, and there is still time to register!
The following are the after-school clubs being offered:
- All About Animal Club: Grade 2
- Salsa Club: Grades 3-4 (just added!)
- Fun & Games Club: Grade 4
- Hip Hop Club: Grades 5-6 (just added!)
- Dungeons and Dragons Club: Grades 5-8
- Sewing Club: Grades 5-8
- Mixed Media Explorations / Fine Arts Club: Grade 6
- Step Club: Grades 6-8
- Book Club: Grades 7-8
- Cooking Club: Grade 8
The following are the Friday morning electives being offered:
- Fitness: Grades K-2
- Yoga: Grades K-2
- Sing-Along: Grades K-2
- Fitness: Grades 3-5
- Painting: Grade 3-5
- Sphero: Grades 3-5
- Choir: Grades 3-8
- Fitness: Grades 6-8
- Painting: Grade 6-8
- Graffiti Art: Grades 6-8
- 3D Printing: Grades 7-8
- Chat with Coach Lark: Grades 7-8
Northwood is using a platform called FamilyID for club registration. Upon clicking on the registration links below, if you don't already have a FamilyID account, you will be prompted to set one up (this only takes a minute).
Prior to signing up for multiple clubs and electives, please check the meeting times to ensure that the days and times do not overlap.
Sign-ups are due before Winter Recess next Tuesday, December 22nd. Spots are filling up fast, so select your child's activit(ies) of choice as soon as possible!
Materials Pick-up
For those who were not able to come by the school during this week's pickup windows, you may stop by on Monday through Friday and check-in at the front desk between the hours of 9:00am and 2:00pm to do so (except during Winter Recess when school will be closed). To ensure that your child does not fall behind on class lessons and assignments, please pickup materials by Thursday, January 7th.
Please wear a mask and practice social distancing as you wait. All items will be prepared in advance and ready to go in a Northwood canvas bag.
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The breakdown of items for each grade is as follows:
Kindergarten
Writing Journal
Go Math Book Volume 2
1st Grade
Writing Journal
Go Math Book Volume 2
Reading Book Volumes 4 and 5 (Mrs. Donohue’s and Mrs. DeVito’s classes ONLY)
2nd Grade
Reading Books (5 total)
(Mrs. Krajci's group in 2nd grade will also have materials to pick up - they will be notified separately by email)
3rd Grade
Reading Book Vol. 2
Go Math Book Vol. 2
White board marker
4th Grade
Novel “Rules”
Novel “Maniac Magee”
5th Grade
Novel “The Bridge to Terabithia”
Go Math book Volume 2
6th Grade
Novel “One Crazy Summer”
Novel “Among the Hidden”
Science Book: “Earth’s Structure”
7th Grade
None
8th Grade
None
All Grades
Blank Paper for Art and Character classes – please take a stack if needed!
*Bulldog Spotlight* Theme: Holiday Happiness
With the winter holiday season right around the corner, festive delights are now starting to fill the air. Even while keeping a safe distance this year, the colorful sights, cheerful sounds, and comforting smells will still bring a special spark to the soon snowy city skies.
This month, we want to know: what is your child's favorite part of the holiday season?
Is it the taste of freshly baked gingerbread cookies, straight out of the oven? Or maybe it's building the first snowman of the season? Send their answer and a photo of their smiling face (feel free to get creative here to incorporate the theme) to Mrs. Smith at jsmith@northwoodcs.org. The most stand-out submissions will be featured in the Bulldog Blast sent out during the last week before Winter Recess.
Tracking COVID-19 in Pennsylvania / Philadelphia
Following the recommendation of the PA Department of Health and the Pennsylvania Department of Education, it is our intent to remain remote in January.
In order to change to a Hybrid Model, we must see 3 consecutive weeks of data in the Low or Moderate category in the COVID-19 Dashboard, accompanied by 3 weeks of the CHOP PolicyLab projections on a steady decline. We will continue to share these data points with you through this newsletter each week.
Click on each of the charts below to go to the data tracking pages compiled by the Pennsylvania Department of Health and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia PolicyLab.
2021-2022 School Lottery
Submitting an application for your child to attend our school has never been easier! Just go to applyphillycharter.org, create an account and fill out your family profile, check the box next to our school, and then submit the application.
Do you know someone else who wants their child to attend our school? Tell them to go to applyphillycharter.org to apply today for the 2021-22 school year!


Chromebook Pickup
Devices are available for pickup on Monday through Friday at the front office from 9am to 2pm (though, the office will be closed during Winter Recess).
*Please note*: This is only for students who have not yet received a school-issued Chromebook or if your school-issued Chromebook is not working. If your child has received an iPad from us, exchanges must be made in order to receive your Chromebook. If you are planning to swap a device, you must also bring the charger in order to do the exchange.
If you do not have reliable high speed internet, or are experiencing connectivity issues, please feel out this form.
This is on Northwood''s home page and includes an Instructional, Technology, and Community Hub. The Student/Parent Technology Help Desk is located within the Technology Hub.
Important Dates on the Horizon
Thursday, December 17 & Friday, December 18 - Report Card Conferences
Tuesday, December 22 - Deadline for 2nd Trimester Club/Elective Sign-ups
Wednesday, December 23 - Half Day of School / Winter Recess Eve / Pajama Day!
Thursday, December 24 through Friday, January 1 - School Closed / Winter Recess
Monday, January 4 - School Resumes