Bulldog Blast
Wednesday, October 20, 2021
💕PINK OUT DAY 💕
What you need to know this week:
📓 Tomorrow, we will be welcoming a representative from Philadelphia Federal Credit Union to virtually speak to our upper school students about Financial Wellness. We are excited to be offering this opportunity for our oldest Bulldogs focusing on essential life skills around financial education.
📓 Monday, October 25th we will be hosting a virtual meeting for our Northwood parents and guardians at 5:30 pm regarding TITLE 1 federal programs and parent-related information, please see all details below. Don't miss this annual session.
📓 RUVNA Health Screening 😷 Please remember, parents/ guardians of students MUST continue to fill out the RUVNA screening every morning. Thank you for your support on this! CLICK HERE to read the RUVNA FACTS & REMINDERS.
Lastly, it was brought to our attention today that a number of students have been using violent terminology and strong language after watching a certain popular tv series. This will not be tolerated. Additionally, pretending to shoot one another is not appropriate - nor acceptable. Please support us in keeping your children safe.
Thank you!
Fall 2021 INTERIM REPORTS
Interim Reports will be sent via email next Thursday, 10/28. If you do not receive your child's report, please email their homeroom teacher directly to receive it.
Please note: specialist teachers only give a grade if students are performing below average.
Team Northwood breast cancer awareness shirts for sale!
Additional shirt for purchase: (pictured above)
- Shirts are $10 each - sizes 2XL and higher are $15
- Please send the money in with your child or drop it at the front office
- All shirt orders and money are due Friday, October 22 - no late orders will be processed
- Shirts will be distributed in November
- We will be wearing the shirts together as a community at a date to be announced later
Use this link to place your order: Team Northwood Shirt Order Form
YOU'RE INVITED: Title I, Special Education, Family Engagement Updates
Join us Monday, October 25th at 5:30 pm virtually to review our Title I Program and related parent information. We will also share special education overview information at this session.
RSVP to curbano@northwoodcs.org if you will be attending. ZOOM information can be found below. Question? rszalejko@northwoodcs.org
Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 896 8470 5590 Passcode: 005956
🍁Fall Fun Fest🍁
Fall Fun Fest 2021 is right around the corner! This event will take place NEXT Friday, October 29, 2021, and include a variety of fun activities for all of our K-4 grade students. Please take a moment to read the below reminders.
K-4 students may come to school in school-appropriate character costumes or dress down.
The following are prohibited:
- No toy weapons (knives, swords, guns, etc)
- No 'Costume' Masks - kids must still wear a protective mask as part of COVID mitigation
- No makeup
- Costumes should be comfortable enough for wear all day long - kids cannot change into costumes at school. Students should be able to sit in a chair and at their desks while in costume.
- Please send in a change of clothes in case your child gets uncomfortable and needs to change before dismissal.
Please see your child's classroom teacher for information regarding the Scarecrow Contest. Each teacher may be requesting items for donation by 10/22 to help create their class scarecrow.
harvest dance
**Invitations will be distributed TODAY, Wednesday, October 20th**
Students have permission to wear costumes or dress down. Refreshments will also be sold.
Parent Corner:
Mark your calendars for Thursday, October 28th, our next VIRTUAL Parent Cafe. Follow-up materials will be provided. This parent cafe is open for all K-8 Northwood parents and guardians.
All sessions start promptly at the listed time and run for about 35 minutes. *3 Times to Choose From* 8 am, 12 pm, or 7 pm
EVENT Zoom LINK Meeting ID: 849 9846 2802 Passcode: NACS
RSVP to curbano@northwoodcs.org by Wednesday, October 27th.
Resources for Parents:
- Keep up with The Free Library of Philadelphia’s Literacy Enrichment Program on Facebook
- Free Library of Philadelphia’s Early Childhood Youtube (Videos available in English and Spanish)
- Virtual clubs and meetings: Science Time, and Virtual Writing Club
- Additional at-home educational activities from Philly Tweens, NatGeo, Scholastic, and Kidsgarening.org
Reading with children in grades 4-6
Goals at this age include improving fluency, analytical skills, and diversity of reading materials
📕 Practice reading difficult text out loud. Do this until your child no longer stumbles over words.
📕 Read the same story or novel separately. Then discuss it together. Monitor independent reading choices. Make sure your child is challenging themselves. Make sure they are transitioning from early reader books with only a few words on the page, to longer books with chapters.
📕 Keep a running list of difficult vocabulary words and their meanings. Include words your child is learning in other subjects such as science and social studies. Play word games like Scrabble and hangman. Or, find fun word games online.
📕 Develop recall skills. After your child reads, have them verbally summarize the main ideas and details to you.
Mobile Covid Testing Units and Free Covid Testing 😷
Free Testing Locations from U.S. Department of Health and Human Services:
COVID-19 tests are available at no cost nationwide at health centers and select pharmacies. The Families First Coronavirus Response Act ensures that COVID-19 testing is free to anyone in the U.S., including the uninsured.
- Rite Aid
- Walgreens
- Independent Pharmacies
- CVS
- Walmart in Partnership with Quest Diagnostics
- Find a Health Center Near You
Philadelphia Department of Health:
When you go to a COVID-19 testing site, you will be asked for identification. You may also be asked for health insurance information. If you don’t have identification or health insurance, you can still get a test.
Some sites may also:
- Limit testing to people who meet certain criteria.
- Require an appointment.
- Require a referral from your doctor.
Ask you to stay in your car (for drive-thru sites).
- Mobile Testing Units
- No out-of-pocket costs
- No appointments required
- Walk-up testing with on-site registration
- Rapid testing available
- Map of Testing Locations
- You won’t have to pay out-of-pocket to get a test. However, some sites may bill your insurance for a visit fee.
Northwood's Lottery Application
Northwood's Lottery Application is officially OPEN!
Spread the word! The lottery application window for the 2022 school year has begun. If you have a child who will be an incoming kindergartner (Age 5 by September 1, 2022) or another child, who is a sibling (one common parent) and does not currently attend Northwood, you will need to apply to our lottery now for potential enrollment for next school year.
Please note that grades 1-8 will ultimately enroll on seat availability.
Visit ApplyPhillyCharter.org to apply for your child.
Questions? kdugan@northwoodcs.org
Parents as Teachers (PAT)- Calling all Oxford circle parents
For parents with children newborns to 5 years old who live in the Oxford Circle area, the PAT program offers instruction for parents on how to teach their child the skills to be successful in preschool and kindergarten. All of our visits are currently being held virtually due to Covid-19. If you are interested in the PAT Program, please contact us at 215-288-8508 or rhonda@occcda.org to get more information.
FOCUS PARENT PORTAL
Northwood's Focus Parent Portal is a tool designed to enhance communication and involvement for you in your child's education. This portal will allow you to monitor your child's progress in school by providing timely access to both assignments and grades that are entered by the teacher throughout the grading period. This communication tool will improve your ability to assist your child and to communicate with the teacher if necessary.
CLICK HERE for step-by-step instructions on how to set up or log in to your Focus Parent Portal account.
COMMUNITY CORNER
VIRTUAL Mighty Writers
At Mighty Writers (MW), they teach kids to think clearly so they can write with clarity. As always, all workshops are free. Check out the Fall 2021 Mighty Writers at Home Workshop below-
Mighty Brotherhood (Ages 8 - 12)
Wednesdays, 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm (10/6 - 12/22) In this workshop you will discuss all things on how to be the best young man that we can be. From learning how to tie a tie to discussions on conflict resolution and leadership, nothing is off the table. You and the other kids will grow as young men together in this workshop.
**PLEASE NOTE, ALL WORKSHOPS ARE STILL ACCEPTING NEW STUDENTS**
Questions? rloeper@mightywriters.org
Philly Families Read Together
Why Join?
- Learn fun ways to foster a joy of learning and success in school
- Connect with other grandparents caregivers
- Free children’s books for home libraries
- Learn texting, email, and popular apps (tablets provided for the training)
When & Where it Happens
Workshops are held on Wednesdays from 9:00 to 11:00 AM at Acelero Learning, 1801 North 23rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19121.
Questions? Contact Jessica Begley 215-487-3000 ext. 24 jbegley@sown.org
Philadelphia Zoo's Boo at the Zoo (Oct 16th- Oct 31st)
Dress up and head to Philadelphia Zoo's Boo at the Zoo, presented by Chase. Over the course of 3 weekends, families can safely enjoy kid-friendly decorations, a non-scary extinction graveyard, photo-ops, and a parade. Reserve tickets HERE.
It is important to note that visitors must reserve or pre-purchase timed tickets since tickets are not available onsite. Masks and social distancing are required for visitors over 2 years old. There are hand sanitizing stations, touchless transactions for food, and touchless toilets, faucets, paper towels, and soap dispensers in the bathrooms. *Please note: Halloween costumes with toy guns and weapons are PROHIBITED*
Non-Member Pricing:
Adults ages 12+ ($24)
Children ages 2-11 ($19)
Infants under 2 (FREE)
The Bridesburg Cougars- Sign up for basketball today!
https://forms.gle/ejE1YQLwwvBSi6kT7
IN-HOUSE (Ages 3-6) use this form:
https://forms.gle/rWGsM3Tq4VvyKSu49
Any questions can be directed to bbgbasketball2021@gmail.com
Location: 4101 Richmond St Philadelphia, PA 19137
Northwood Staff TWIN DAY 2021
STUDENT CORNER
AfroComicCon 2021 VIRTUAL
October 23rd 10 am - 8 pm (PDT)
October 24th 10 am - 5 pm (PDT)
FREE Event streaming at AfroComicCon.org
Due to COVID-19 concerns, the annual event started in 2017 by the Oakland Technology & Education Center (OTEC) will be held virtually and free to the public via the AfrocomicCon website. AfroComicCon will be two days full of exciting panels, screenings of the AFCC International Film Festival winners, entertainment, gaming, cosplay, and special guests, as well as a virtual marketplace!
Programming
Panels are scheduled across multiple interests including Comics, Writing, Animation, Fitness, Community, and Writing.
AfroComicCon’s goal will be to provide a welcoming and safe virtual space for underrepresented nerds of color. Regardless of age, gender identity, sexual preference, religious beliefs, or special needs, all are invited to celebrate science-fiction, fantasy, comic books, gaming, and more in this special virtual event.
More Special Guests to be Announced Soon!
Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
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!
Important Dates on the Horizon
Wednesday, October 20th, Board Meeting
Monday, October 25th, Title 1 Parent/Guardian Zoom
Thursday, October 28th, 2nd Virtual Parent Cafe (3 times offered)
Friday, October 29th, Fall Fun Fest
*November*, Native American Heritage Month
Monday, November 1st, Dia de Los Muertos
Thursday, November 4th, Diwali
Tuesday, November 9th, Miss Chocolate Fundraiser school delivery date
Thursday, November 11th, School Closed in observance of Veteran's Day
Friday, November 12th, School PICTURE DAY
Monday, November 15th- 19th, American Education Week
Wednesday, November 18th, Board Meeting
Wednesday, November 18th, Battle of Vertieres
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