Bulldog Blast
Wednesday, November 24, 2021
This week & Looking ahead:
Our school will be closed on 11/25 & 11/26 for the Thanksgiving holiday. Wishing our Northwood Academy Family a safe and joyful upcoming Thanksgiving holiday.
💻Report Card Conferences will be held Wednesday, December 15th, and Thursday, December 16th, VIRTUALLY. More information will be shared after Thanksgiving break.
🗓️ December Calendar Change:
As of last Wednesday's board meeting, please note the below-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).
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
Check our these read alouds and videos for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday.
Taylor The Thankful Turkey by Mr. Boom Boom's Music Room | Educational Videos for Kids
We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga by Traci Sorell and illustrated by Frané Lessac
Ways to Celebrate Native American Heritage Month With your Kids
November is National Native American Heritage Month, a chance to honor the history and continuing culture of Native Americans, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians. Get your kids involved! Each week we will share family-friendly ideas to celebrate and learn about Indigenous peoples of the United States.
Here's an idea: Sample authentic Native American food.
This is an excellent way to get kids involved in the kitchen! See what you can learn about local tribes, and the food they traditionally ate. (Hint: For many Indigenous peoples in America, the three staples are corn, beans, and squash.) Then plan a special meal to feature them.
For recipes, try First Nations Development Institute, which shares popular dishes like fry bread and Wojapi, and Powwows.com, which lists 25 favorites.
Looking for ways to keep our kids learning and growing after NAHM?
Check out these children’s books with Native American characters, such as We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga by Traci Sorell and illustrated by Frané Lessac; If You Lived During the Plimouth Thanksgiving by Chris Newell and illustrated by Winona Nelson; Children of Native America Today by Yvonne Wakim Dennis and Arlene Hirschfelder; and We Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom and illustrated by Michaela Goade. Many read alouds are available on youtube.
Hanukkah 2021
Hanukkah 2021 will begin on the evening of Sunday, 11/28, and ends on the evening of Monday, 12/6.
"Hanukkah" means dedication in Hebrew, and the Jewish holiday, also known as The Festival of Lights, represents joy. It's punctuated by an eight-night display of dancing flames atop candles held in intricate menorahs, conveying warmth, comfort, and in Hanukkah's case, a miracle.
Check out these Hanukkah videos and read alouds for kids:
Find activities, recipes, gift guides, and more on PJ Library's Hanukkah page.
Girls 🏀Basketball 🏀Team UPDATE 🏀
To family members of the Girls Northwood Basketball Team, please see the below link for our Spectator policy for the upcoming Basketball season. Thank you!
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1c4zJ5GFWmADetYmg7rM2cpc2Gwx9bJ1OJdrQEtBBxic/edit?usp=sharing
SCHOOL FOOD DRIVE
To promote our school’s Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness (ECYEH) program:
Additionally, on Friday, 12/3, students and staff may wear a red shirt to school. Red Shirt Day is a state-wide event to recognize children and youth homelessness. Questions? Please reach out to Ms. Lozandieu (mlozandieu@northwoodcs.org) with any questions. 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.**
Parent Corner:
School Picture Retakes, 12/17/21
Please note: School picture retakes will be Friday, December 17th, 2021. Students will need to be dressed in their Northwood polo and khaki pants.
Picture Day forms can be downloaded online here, https://my.lifetouch.com/mylifetouch/#/. (Picture Day ID: EVTPPKZNT)
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.
Get Social!
Be sure to follow Northwood Academy Charter School INSTAGRAM for all additional school and community updates in real-time.
@NACSlife
CALLING ALL FUTURE SUBS!
Bulldog Spotlight: Nyla Ricks
CALLING ALL BULLDOGS: We love receiving photos of our Bulldogs with big smiles and having fun! If you have 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 Ms. Urbano, curbano@northwoodcs.org to be featured in our next Bulldog Blast 📰
Online Parent Resources:
- 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: Bilingual Story Time, Science Time, and Virtual Writing Club
- Additional at-home educational activities from Philly Tweens, NatGeo, Scholastic, and Kidsgarening.org
COMMUNITY CORNER
HOW TO GIVE BACK ON THANKSGIVING
BioDiversity Winter Institute Student Recruitment: Grades 3-8
Please see the flyer below for more information about this 12-week afterschool program beginning January 13th.
New Student Application Link: https://forms.office.com/r/7ssjscjjhS
Returning Student Application Link: https://forms.office.com/r/FzePNPTWez
**APPLICATION DEADLINE: DECEMBER 17TH**
Rolling Thunder Skating Center Lessons
Looking for family skate lessons?
Check out Rolling Thunder EVERY Saturday!
*Please see the attached flyer for more information*
FREE 1-act musical: Step Kids
STEP KIDS is free to stream (until 12/5) on-demand on First Stage’s YouTube channel and can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9R_Es4t4Z0&t=5s (about 30 minutes long).
A one-act musical by Tyrone L. Robinson and Postell Pringle Directed by Christopher Gilbert
"A group of seemingly unconnected high school students find common ground in the most unlikely of places – the audition for their school’s competitive step dance team. As the students become unified through the power of rhythm and dance, experience the joy of finding your tribe in this energetic performance. Suggested for families with young people ages 10+."
Vaccine-related literature:
It’s understandable that some parents want more information before getting their young children vaccinated against COVID-19, so this month’s CHOP feature article aims to address three factors to assist parents’ decision-making. CLICK HERE to read, '3 Considerations for COVID-19 Vaccination of 5- to 11-year-old Children'
Check out this new children’s book to help kids prepare & understand the vaccine:
Helping Our World Get Well: COVID Vaccines is a new children’s book aimed at young children. Written by Beth Bacon, the book, which was released Nov. 16th, talks about the new things children did during the pandemic. But, of all the new things being asked, the main character has one thing they don’t want to do — get the COVID-19 vaccine. After talking with several people, including their friend Wesley who can’t get vaccinated due to a health condition, the main character decides to get vaccinated, realizing that by working together, vaccinated people can protect vulnerable people, like Wesley, in their school, community and the world.
Help your young family members feel more confident when they get the vaccine with this new book. Available on Amazon.
Vaccine for 5-11-Year-Olds
Kids 5-11 years old can now get a COVID-19 vaccine with last week’s authorization of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine by the CDC.
Stay tuned for more information and a future virtual vaccine Q+A for Northwood Families.
Looking for more information? Check out this article from the American Heart Association.
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.
Upcoming Vaccine Clinic INFO.
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.
Philadelphia Academy Charter School - Vaccine Clinic on November 11th
Location: 1700 Tomlinson Road
Time: 12 - 6 pm
Walk-ins and pre-registered guests are welcome. A link will be available soon. The shot is Pfizer. The second clinic will take place on December 2nd at the same times.
*FLYER attached below*
Follow the Yellow Brick Road! ‘The Wizard of Oz’ Exhibit Opens at Please Touch Museum!
Enjoy the Please Touch Museum (PTM) The Wizard of Oz Educational Exhibit while reliving the story (or perhaps learning about it for the first time), kids can travel from Dorothy’s farm to the Land of Oz with activities, lessons, and imaginative play.
In this exhibit, visitors can:
- Learn about how tornados form and create your own tornado
- Discover the storyline and characters of The Wizard of Oz, and even view a pair of Dorothy’s Ruby Slippers
- Make your way through a tunnel on the Cowardly Lion’s “Courage Crawl”
- Test your brainpower like the Scarecrow with brainteasers and a cornfield maze
- Climb a bouldering wall to capture the Wicked Witch’s broomstick
- Ride Miss Gulch’s bicycle to reveal the hidden picture on a praxinoscope
- Manipulate light to recreate some of the special effects used by the “great and powerful Oz”
Located at 4231 Avenue of the Republic in Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park now until January 16, 2022. In order to keep the PTM experience safe, online reservations are required. The museum is open Wednesdays – Sundays from 9 am –4:30 pm.
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
Thursday, November 25th- Sunday, November 28th, School Closed due to Thanksgiving Holiday
Sunday, November 28- Monday, December 6th, Hanukkah
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)
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