The Hall Way...
Hello Warhawks!
We are halfway through first quarter and progress report grades will be updated for first quarter on Friday, September 16. Please ask your student if they are keeping up with their work or if they need any support from their teachers. One way to help them manage their different classes is to remind them make sure all of their work is turned in when it is assigned.so they do not get behind and overwhelmed. It also would be a good time to check in with them to make sure they are staying organized and prepared for school each day. Encourage them to send their teachers an email or ask them in class if they need any help.
The PowerSchool Parent Portal is a great way for you to support your student. Log in together to see their grades and progress in their classes. If you need help with your login information, please give our office a call at 815-338-4900. The link to the Parent Portal can be found below,.
The Warhawk Weekly is our newsletter for families and students. Each week we will share important updates and information. Please contact the school office with any questions and/or concerns you have now or anytime throughout the school year. Together we can provide a positive environment for our students to be successful and make the 2023-2024 school year the GREATEST SCHOOL YEAR! THIS IS NORTHWOOD!
Bethany Hall
Northwood Principal
P.R.I.D.E.
P... is for Purpose
R... is for Respect
I... is for Independence
D... is for Discipline
E... is for Excellence
This year our theme is THIS IS NORTHWOOD and students and staff are working together to create a sense of belonging and support for our entire school community. P.R.I.D.E.helps us to understand that common goal as we reinforce the importance of supporting each other, setting goals, and celebrating our perseverance and growth. One dedicated time we have each week on Wednesdays to support that goal is our advisory lessons in our P.R.I.D.E Groups.
This past week we had our first advisory lesson in our P.R.I.D.E.Groups. Students started to build community by getting to know each other and discussing what it means to exemplify P.R.I.D.E in our school. The students shared with each other and stepped right up into our FIRST ACT!
Attendance Information
Reporting Absences – A phone call from a parent/guardian by 8:45 am on the day of the absence is required. Please call the NMS Attendance Line at 815-337-8618. A signed note from a parent/guardian is acceptable, but should be submitted prior to the day of the absence. If no communication occurs within 24 hours of absence, the student may be considered truant.
Excused Absences – Excused absences include illnesses, a death in the immediate family, an emergency as approved by administration, and a field trip or approved school activity. In order for students to participate in athletics and extra-curricular events after school, students must be in attendance for at least half of the school day.
Excused Absences Requiring Advance Notice – The following absences may be considered excused if the Attendance Office is notified 2 days in advance: religious observances, and doctor/dentist appointments. These types of absences will require appropriate, verified documentation to be excused. The following absences require at least 5 days advance notice to be considered excused: vacations and other travel choices, including international travel for long periods. Please note that lengthy absences are not encouraged and may negatively impact a student’s academic success. NMS will do its best to support our families, but we ask that vacations and other lengthy periods of absences be postponed until holiday, spring or summer breaks.
Chronic Absenteeism – After 17 days (10% of the school year) of any type of absence, a student will be considered Chronically Absent. All absences, including excused absences, count towards this limit, except for religious observances and school-sponsored absences.
Truancy – This term is defined as an absence, with or without parent/guardian permission, which does not meet the criteria for excused absences (see above). Chronic truancy, as defined by the state’s compulsory school attendance law, is any student “who is absent without valid cause from such attendance for 5% (9 days) or more of the previous 180 regular attendance days.” NMS follows the Woodstock City Ordinance and State of Illinois’ guidelines governing student truancy. If a student becomes truant, the student and their parent/guardian may be subject to referral to the Country Truancy Officer through the Regional Superintendent’s Office.
It is imperative that consistent, regular attendance is a priority for your student. Research shows that students missing 10% or more of a school year are more likely to fail at least 1 class and tend to be more stressed/anxious.
If you have questions about supporting your student or would like more information or support to address concerns preventing your student from regular attendance, please reach out for support and partnership.
Great News! Northwood has an Activity Bus at 4:30 pm on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday
Need a ride home after a club meeting or tutoring?
Students that currently receive transportation can sign up to take the activity bus home at 4:30 pm on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Please use the sign up sheet below to reserve your seat each week.
SIgn ups are required each week to ensure that you are included int he activity bus route.
News from the Nurse
We would like to welcome Karli Kush as the new nurse at NMS. Here are a few reminders from her office:
Just a reminder that if your student requires any medication to be given or used during the school day, a new medication authorization form needs to be completed by a parent/guardian AND health care provider. If your student uses an inhaler or EpiPen and is able to administer those medications to themselves, then a "Self administration form" needs to be completed by both parent/guardian AND health care provider and returned to the health office. Those are the only two medications that a student may give themselves at school, as long as that form is completed and handed in.
Any ordered medications to be dispensed at school can be dropped off by a parent or guardian. The medication must be in the original, labeled, and unopened container, along with the medication authorization form completed. If the medication is over the counter, it still requires an order medication authorization form.
Also, please remember that all sixth graders and new students to the school are required by the state of Illinois to have a new physical and dental exam. Please feel free to email the information to the nurse at kkush@wcusd200.org or drop off the paperwork at the front office. If you send the paperwork in with your child please touch base with me to ensure that the nurse has received it, many times it remains in the backpack. If you have any questions, please reach out.
Keep in Contact with Northwood!
Principal - Bethany Hall
Assistant Principal - Tyler Carlson
Secretary to the Principal - Chris Maldonado
Secretary to the Assistant Principal - Sarai Butler
Registrar - Robin Simandl
Nurse - Karli Kush
Office Hours: 7:30 am - 4 pm
Please call the 24 hour attendance line if your student will be late or absent to school
Website: https://www.woodstockschools.org/northwood
Location: 2121 North Seminary Avenue, Woodstock, IL, USA
Phone: 815-338-4900
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/northwoodwoodstock
