Northwoods News
A Message from Principal Nixon--Week of March 16, 2020
Dear Northwoods Families,
As you know, these past couple of weeks have brought a roller coaster of stress and different emotions for our community. Though these are uncertain times, I have no doubt that things will eventually return to normal. We will get through this and we will emerge stronger and smarter for having gone through these experiences together. Stay positive, safe, and healthy!
Please take a few minutes to look through the information below. Most of the information is related to COVID-19 and the various steps the district is taking to support our students and local communities during the shutdown.
Lastly, please understand that information about COVID-19 and the school system's response to it is changing rapidly. While we are currently on a two-week closure, that could change. More information about when school will resume will be shared by the district later.
Important News and Information
School Opening Tuesday, March 17th:
Please be advised that Northwoods will be open to staff and families from 12:00 - 5:00pm tomorrow, Tuesday, March 17th. This opening is intended to allow staff and students the opportunity to obtain essential items (backpacks, medications, etc.). This time is not intended to serve as parent/teacher conference time. Visitors should not linger while on campus. Please know that the building will not be open again during the two-week closure.
School Cleaning:
Please know that all 192 schools in the Wake County Public School System will be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized during the closure.
Student Feeding Options:
Many families have inquired about the possibility of setting up a food bank at Northwoods to assist students and families in need. While I truly appreciate your interest to assist the less fortunate in our community, I am unable to approve such a plan at this time and I'm required to keep the building closed during our two-week closure. However, the district has identified several locations that will be open so that students can pick up a lunch each day. Please see the information below. If you would like to donate food items, please deliver those items to your nearest food bank.
Absences due to COVID-19:
WCPSS has asked principals to use maximum flexibility when excusing absences due to COVID-19. As such, all students who were absent prior to the shutdown due to COVID-19 precautions were marked excused. Further guidance will be provided by the school system at a later date.
Academic Resources/Lesson Plans:
Please know that the district has actively advised teachers and staff to NOT prepare lesson plans for students during the closure. The following message was provided to principals early last week:
Instruction/Curricular Resources: Teachers should not prepare extended multiple week plans for required work at home that will be graded while schools are closed. It is important to note the district will provide optional supplemental materials that are not intended to be core instruction or special education to address IEP goals. No core instruction assignments, projects or activities will be assigned nor graded and assessed throughout the duration of the school closure (with the exception of students who are already enrolled in for-credit learning through NCVPS, dual enrollment, or other online platforms).
Please DO NOT solicit lessons or materials from staff during the closure. I have provided a link to online resources that can be used to ensure that our students have access to instructional material each day. In addition to those resources, the district will be sending out information and links to curricula materials that have been vetted by the district.
Soliciting Medical Advice from School Staff:
Please DO NOT solicit medical advice from staff. We are not medically trained and do not want to provide false or misleading information. If you have medical-related questions, please seek advice from licensed healthcare providers.
KidzArt:
Unfortunately, the KidzArt program has been cancelled for the remainder of the school year. If your child was enrolled in that program, the coordinators should have contacted to you to discuss refund options.
Latin Dance Performance:
Our scheduled Latin Dance cultural arts performance has been cancelled due to the school closure. We appreciate all those that signed up to volunteer! We hope to offer this program next year.
2020 Census Information:
In partnership with Wake County Government, we would like to encourage all of our families to participate in the 2020 Census. You can respond online, by phone or by mail starting March 12. Learn more about the process.No matter who lives in your home, be sure to count them all in the 2020 Census. This includes grandparents, young children and infants, foster children, and non-relatives who are living with you.
Why it’s important:
Information collected in the census will inform the allocation of more than $675 billion in federal funding each year. That includes money for things like:
- Police officers, firefighters and other first responders
- School meals
- Medicare and Medicaid
- Food assistance programs
- Libraries and community centers
Census data also helps determine the number of seats each state gets in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Your response is safe:
Your personal information is kept confidential by law. Your responses can be used only for statistical purposes. They cannot be used for law enforcement purposes or to determine your personal eligibility for government benefits.
Your family can help you respond:
The online census form is available in English and 12 additional languages. If you do not speak one of those languages, someone else in your home can complete the form for everyone in your home. If the adults in your home do not speak one of these languages, someone can translate for you. This includes a child in your home or a friend.
Northwoods Elementary PTA Information
PTA GENERAL NEWS:
Interested in taking on a PTA role for next school year? Want to stay informed about what the PTA does, and what volunteer opportunities are available? Come join us at our monthly working meeting on Tuesday, April 14 from 6:30-7:30pm in the Northwoods Media Center! All PTA Members are welcome! (and if you're not a member now, you can join anytime at: https://northwoods.memberhub.store/)
Congratulations to Rhonda Beese! Ms. Beese was chosen by her peers as our PTA Volunteer of the Year. She has held multiple PTA roles this school year, including vice president and president, as well as helping coordinate Hero Day and taking pictures for the yearbook at many events. She and her guests will attend a special "Night of Stars" volunteer appreciation ceremony held by the Wake County PTA in April.
YEARBOOK:
Thank you for pre-ordering your yearbooks this year! For those who missed the March 9 deadline, a limited number of yearbooks will be available the LAST full week of school for cash or check at $20. Questions: northwooodsptayearbook@gmail.com
SCHOOL GARDEN:
Sign up for our fun, nourishing & connecting morning garden club! We have spots open for 3rd-5th graders. Please email to koalatygarden@gmail.com or click on the following link for more information: Garden Club Spring 2020