Bulldog Blast
May 5th, 2021
Hello Northwood Community,
Happy third week of in-person instruction! Please see below for all class schedule reminders and expectations.
Friendly reminder, parents of students in person MUST fill out the RUVNA screening every morning. If there is an issue, please contact Mrs. Dugan right away.
Lots to celebrate in the Month of May!
Cinco de Mayo- May 5th
Tacos, quesadillas, nachos, guacamole- Oh my!
Did you know Cinco de Mayo (which translates to the Fifth of May) was 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 Heróica 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.
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
Virtual Career Day 2021!
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
Hello, Northwood! Usually this time of year we would have a career day at school in person. This year we still want your child to have the opportunity to participate in a career day (virtually) so they can hear all about different careers.
This Thursday, May 6th we will be celebrating Career Day and welcoming presenters from the areas of engineering, film, entrepreneurship, local government, real estate, and forensic science.
Have fun with your child exploring all the different activities below while learning about different careers. Be sure to share with your child what you do for a career and discuss things they are interested in becoming. Education is an important first step in helping students to explore, learn, and develop who they are, who they will be, and what they will become.
HYBRID REMINDERS & expectations
Hybrid expectations
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.
Weekly COVID testing for students and staff
Parents, you should have received an email to sign a waiver for your child to be tested. No child will be tested without a parent waiver. This testing is only for students IN THE BUILDING.
CLICK HERE for the Student COVID Testing Consent Form.
RUVNA FACTS & REMINDERS:
- Ruvna health screenings must be completed daily. Parents will be receiving daily notifications via email with the link.
- You will receive an email by 7 am on the days your child is supposed to report into the building. The screening must 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
SCHEDULE reminders
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.
TEMPLE - Monday / Tuesday
DREXEL- Thursday / Friday
LA SALLE - fully virtual every day
Student Corner:
Calling all TechGrlz!
Check out these upcoming virtual workshops recommended for 5th-8th grade students!
Make a Website Using HTML/CSS May 8th from 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Build a website using code!
Animation & Graphics with Python May 12th from 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Make an animated scene using code!
Lights, Camera, Action: Storytelling and Video Production May 15th from 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Be a filmmaker for the day: Produce and edit your own video!
**Click on the workshop title to see all important information**
Northwood merch drop
Our newest Northwood apparel is now for sale!
If interested, CLICK HERE to view all the available options and pricing.
**All orders will be fulfilled and delivered to Northwood Academy for distribution**
- Order Deadline: Friday, May 14th
- Est. Distribution Date: May 26th
Select styles are available in SIX different colors for both youth and adults (unisex style).
Very excited to be teaming up with local small business, Dutka Designs on this new merch drop.
Parent Corner:
Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA):
Please note the following:
TEMPLE Hybrid Group and LA SALLE Virtual Students with the last initial of A-M:
Monday, May 10 (8:00 am - 10:00 am)
Monday, May 17 (8:00 am - 10:00 am)
Tuesday, May 18 (8:00 am - 10:00 am)
Monday, May 24 (Algebra students only)
Tuesday, May 25 (Algebra students only)
DREXEL Hybrid Group, and LA SALLE Virtual Students with the last initial of N-Z:
Thursday, May 6 (8:00 am - 1:00 pm)
Friday, May 7 (8:00 am - 1:00 pm)
Friday, May 14 (8:00 am - 10:00 am)
Thursday, May 20 (8:00 am - 10:00 am)
Friday, May 21(8:00 am - 10:00 am)
Thursday, May 27 (8:00 am - 10:00 am - Algebra students only)
Friday, May 28 (8:00 am - 10:00 am - Algebra students only)
Additional information will be emailed to you from Mrs. Herschberger. Any students who are participating in testing should report to school no later than 7:45.
The doors open at 7:10.
STUDENTS WHO REPORT TO SCHOOL LATE WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO JOIN THE TESTING GROUP!
- Students should be in Northwood uniform (polo or t-shirt, khakis, or sweatpants) and wear a mask throughout testing.
- Breakfast will be provided.
- Students can bring a light snack to eat when they complete their testing. They should also bring a book to read quietly as classmates are still testing.
- Parents should report to the main office to pick up their child when they are finished testing.
- Parents will also receive information about Ruvna health screenings - please make sure these screenings are complete before students enter the building each day.
Charter Schools Office (CSO) Spring Family Newsletter
Looking for upcoming city-wide events, additional family resources, and general information about the charter school process? Check out the Charter Schools Office's (CSO) Spring Family Newsletter for students and families!
Additional links to explore:
- Philadelphia OIC Job Training Programs
- CCP Octavius Catto Scholarship
CLICK HERE for the CSO Newsletter.
District-wide Parent & Guardian Survey- Due May 14th
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. We encourage you to take the survey for each of your children. The survey takes approximately 10 minutes to complete and closes May 14, 2021.
WHAT YOU NEED:
- Your child's STUDENT ID #. If you do not know your child's student ID number email curbano@northwoodcs.org.
CLICK HERE FOR THE SURVEY LINK.
WHAT IS 143K RISING?
Join the 143K Rising community of parents, faculty and charter school supporters who are committed to saving public charter schools in Pennsylvania. With a few simple clicks, you can make your voice heard and join a movement that can’t be ignored.
Northwood community, it is recommended to sign up here. You will receive email updates from the 143K Rising movement on the latest efforts to protect public education options. You also will have the opportunity to contact your state lawmakers and let them know you support public charter schools.
You're Invited! Virtual NACS PARENT Paint Night
Join us for a night of artistic fun with local business 'ARTrageous Brush and Flow'!
This is a FREE, VIRTUAL event for our NACS parents and guardians. Come learn about our Northwood PCO (Parent Core Organization) and catch up with other Northwood parents. Make sure to grab a snack and beverage- all other essential items will be provided!
WHAT TO KNOW:
SIGN-UP by Thursday, May 20th (the zoom link will be sent to you upon RSVPing)
Paint kit pick-up: 5/24 and 5/25 9:00 am-1:30 pm at the front school office
Questions? Please feel free to reach out via email, curbano@northwoodcs.org
Community Corner:
free outdoor event with cora services
Families are invited to come meet CORA's staff and learn more about their clinical programs. The event will also include behavioral health screenings, free food, giveaways, crafts, games with prizes, and live performances!
Tarken Ice Rink located on Frontenac & Levick is open for ice skating!
Parents can register using Eventbrite, there is a $3 fee for skate rental. All other information about Tarken Ice Rink can be found on their Facebook page.
Tarken Ice Rink & Rec. Center: Public Skating is available on Monday and Wednesday from 3:00 pm-4:00 pm, Friday from 7:00 - 9:00 pm
Check out these photos from our awesome first time series in March, HERstory!
Calling all Bulldogs: Bulldog Spotlight!
We love receiving photos of our Bulldogs with big smiles and having fun! If you have more pictures to share that highlight a fun part of your child's day, whether it is participating in an activity or enjoying the outdoors, send them over to curbano@northwoodcs.org to be featured in our next Bulldog Blast 📰
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
Saturday, May 1- Monday, May 31 - Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Monday, May 3 - Friday, May 7- Northwood Staff Appreciation Week
Sunday, May 9- Sunday, May 15- National Charter School Week
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