Bulldog Blast
Wednesday, September 8th , 2021
Hello Northwood Families!
What a GREAT first week of school! We hope you enjoyed your extended weekend.
Please see the following important reminders:
- EACH WEDNESDAY we will be dismissing students at 12:00 noon.
- PSSA testing for grades 4-8 will take place THIS week, September 8th, 9th, 10th, 13th, and 14th. Below take time to re-read the attached letters below. PSSA Parent Letter, PSSA Letter. Please remember to bring your calculator from the student supply list.
- Back to School Night is scheduled for THIS Thursday, September 9th, from 6:00 pm-7:30 pm. Please note, this event will now be held virtually. Please SEE BELOW for additional details.
- Please be advised, we are using group COVID-19 testing again this year, these tests are 99% accurate and are a gentle nasal swab. Parents, there is a waiver to sign for your child to be tested. No child will be tested without a parent waiver. This is not mandatory. CLICK HERE for the Student COVID Testing Consent Form.
- Transpasses were handed out last week. If your child received a transpass that will be their transpass for the entire year. Please DO NOT throw it away.
To stay in the know between issues of our newsletter, make sure to follow us on Instagram (@nacslife) and add us on Facebook (@northwoodcs) for additional news and updates throughout the week!
BULLDOG SPOTLIGHT
It's the most wonderful time of the year!
1st grader, Donovan Dickerson, posing with our Northwood Bulldog on the playground!
Parent Corner:
RUVNA health screening
If you are NOT receiving the morning RUVNA health screening to your email please complete this form to confirm your preferred email address.
CLICK HERE to read the RUVNA FACTS & REMINDERS.
VIRTUAL BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT: SEPTEMBER 9th
Back To School (BTS) Night is right around the corner! We are looking forward to seeing everyone's face on our webinar tomorrow, 9/9.
The following is the schedule for the evening on Thursday, September 9th:
6:00 p.m. - Schoolwide Webinar Presentation Intro
6:30 p.m. - Meet the Teacher Session 1
6:50 p.m. - Meet the Teacher Session 2
Please note the following items on the schedule before BTS night officially kicks off (you will receive an email if these sessions apply to you):
5:00 p.m. - 6th-8th Grade High School Selection with Mr. Whitlach, Upper School Counselor
5:30 p.m. - Parents of English Language Learners (ELL) with Ms. Carlson, ESOL Teacher (this session is for ELL families only)
EVENT WEBINAR INFORMATION: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88432847284#success
Webinar ID: 884 3284 7284
REMIND APP SIGN-UP
If you have not done so already please sign up for our NACS Remind App: the best way to stay in the know on all school updates and happenings in real-time. Parents will receive Wednesday Reminders and school-wide information via this platform.
The simplest way to sign-up is via text message through the following method:
Text @nacsnews to the number 81010
You will either be prompted to log in as normal, or you will receive a message that you are already signed up. This is not an error; it means that the user already has an active account in another class (for students).
If students have already signed up for a class on Remind they will automatically receive the school-wide Remind messages.
SIGN UP FOR EXTRACURRICULAR CLUBS AND ELECTIVES
Hey Northwood!
Keep a lookout in the coming weeks for our Fall 2021 Weekday after-school clubs and Friday morning electives. Northwood will be continuing to use the platform called FamilyID for club registration. If you don't already have a FamilyID account, you will be prompted to set one up (this only takes a minute).
LETTER DAYS for rotating specials
Annual Child Find Notice
Hello Northwood Families,
You will find a copy of our Annual Child Find Notice here outlining the procedures and protocols for Northwood's monitoring of all of our students and identification of students with special needs. This will also be able to be referenced on our website, via social media, and in local news publications.
For further information, please contact the Director of Special Education, Kate Crossett at 215-289-5606.
Volunteer Policy Information
Important Volunteer/ Chaperone Information In order to volunteer in any capacity (including chaperoning trips) you must fulfill the following directives which are part of the Child Protective Law: The law requires all school employees, contractors, and volunteers to have direct contact with children to obtain clearances (child abuse history clearance and state and federal criminal history checks).
- For PA Criminal Background checks (no charge)
- For Child Abuse Clearance (no charge)
- For FBI fingerprinting (charge): or call #1-844-321-2101 The service code you will need is 1KG6Q9.
Quick Guide to 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.
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 a school activity or enjoying the outdoors, send them over to our Community Coordinator, curbano@northwoodcs.org to be featured in an upcoming edition of the Bulldog Blast📰
COMMUNITY CORNER: Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed Partnership (TTF Watershed)
Movie Night in Tacony Creek Park
FREE outdoor movie night in Tacony Creek Park!
Featuring “A Bug’s Life!"
Bring your family & friends plus lawn chairs and blankets! Free popcorn. The movie will begin at dusk.
WHEN? FRIDAY, September 17 @ 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
WHERE? 559 East Olney Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19120
*Rain date* Friday, September 24th
Questions: Contact doryan@ttfwatershed.org or 215-744-1853
Philadelphia City Rowing Update
Philadelphia City Rowing (PCR) is thrilled to announce that they are welcoming NEW students to their team! PCR is a FREE sports-based youth development program that empowers Philadelphia public school students to reach their highest potential on and off the water. Their program is open to anyone in grades 7 through 12 and works to create a safe and welcoming environment that allows every student to succeed.
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The Middle School Program starts on Tuesday, September 21st, and runs through the end of October. Practices are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:15 to 6:30 pm and on Saturdays from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm. MIDDLE SCHOOL information CLICK HERE (7th and 8th grade)
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For HIGH SCHOOL information CLICK HERE
STARTING September 13th, practice will tentatively take place Monday through Friday from 4 to 6:30 pm and on Saturdays from 8 to 11 am.
Resources at Home:
Feel free to check out the links below for a wide variety of programs and resources:
- Find free resources and support for those who are pregnant, babies, and toddlers from the Department of Children and Families.
- Apply for assistance, health coverage, SNAP, and other benefits through Compass.
- If you are renting your home and need help to pay the rent or avoid eviction, you can find support and assistance at phillytenant.org.
- Get a jump on winter and apply for LIHEAP to help cover heating costs.
- Find mental health and coping with stress resources at healthymindsphilly.org.
- Check the City Of Philadelphia’s COVID-19 page for health updates about mask mandates, vaccinations, and more.
CHECK IT OUT!
Bulldog Blast Translation Feature
- While viewing the newsletter on your phone, select "Translate Newsletter" at the top of the screen and select the language you wish to read it in.
- If you are viewing the newsletter on your laptop, look at the top right side of the newsletter at the Accessibility Bar and click on the "Translate Newsletter" option.
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
Thursday, September 9th, VIRTUAL Back to School Night, from 6:00-7:30 pm
Wednesday, September 15th, Board Meeting
Wednesday, September 15th- Friday, October 15th, National Hispanic Heritage Month
Thursday, September 16th, School Closed in observance of Yom Kippur
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