Bulldog Blast
Wednesday, February 16th, 2022
General Reminders:
Meetings with Administration
If you would like to meet with a member of the administrative team, please contact the main office to speak to Patricia Chirinos or email her at pchirinos@northwoodcs.org to schedule a date and time to meet. We are unable to honor unscheduled “drop-in” meetings at this time.
Early Dismissals
Students will not be called down from their classrooms for dismissal until a parent/authorized adult arrives to pick them up. When requesting an early dismissal parents must:
Report to the front office to sign your child out of the school with proper identification. (Students will not be released from the building without an adult’s signature at the front office.)
Report to the office to sign your child back in, in the event that you are able to return to school that day.
Cell Phone Policy
We have observed many students in violation of Northwood’s Cell Phone Policy. Please review the highlights of the policy below. We are aware that many of our students are SEPTA riders and it is prudent for them to have phones. Please support us in this effort by directing your child to turn in their phone daily.
Student cell phones must be turned off prior to entering the school and should not be seen or heard throughout the day. The use of cell phones during school hours is prohibited.
5th through 8th-grade students must turn in their cell phones to their teacher upon arrival at homeroom each day. The phones will then be secured and returned at the end of each school day. If a student has an emergency and is in need of a phone, they will be allowed to call from a school phone.
Students who fail to follow this protocol will have their phones confiscated and be assigned a Saturday School detention. Parents will need to come into school to retrieve confiscated phones.
Uniform Reminders
Sneakers are to be worn at all times. Boots are not permitted.
Northwood embroidered polo shirts (which must be tucked in at all times) covered by a Northwood sweatshirt or Northwood cardigan are permitted for in-school wear. (Other shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies, or sweaters are not permitted.)
1st - 8th-grade students may wear black, navy, gray, or maroon sweatpants on gym days only.
No jewelry other than a small religious necklace or post-earrings - no hoop earrings, bracelets, necklaces.
Smartwatches are not permitted.
This week & Looking ahead:
✏️ In observance of Presidents’ Day, NACS will be closed Monday, February 21st. Classes will resume on Tuesday, February 22nd.
✏️ Coming soon.: TWOsday happening on 2/22/2022! NACS is celebrating TWOSday! Northwood students and staff can dress up as Twins! Link up with a classmate or teacher to get together your most creative matching outfits! Prizes for those who are TWINNING the most**
✏️ We will be holding our follow-up vaccination clinic on Thursday, February 24th. Please see the flyer below for all additional details. Thank you!
✏️Please continue to keep your child home if he or she is experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19. Please email CovidResponseTeam@northwoodcs.org with any updates such as positive test results or vaccination status.
FEBRUARY IS BLACK HISTORY MONTH!
In celebration of Black History Month, our NACS Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee have developed an engaging mix of activities and assemblies for every grade to take part in. There will be lessons around notable historical and current figures, as well as a special virtual game show at the end of the month to review everything we have learned.
Our NACS teachers are excited to bring conversations around civil rights and social justice into the classrooms.
Some sweet photos from the Kindergarten Valentine's Day Dance on Monday, 2/14
Parent Corner:
Looking for Excellent “Diverse” Books for Children? Start Here!
Children’s book sites and blogs recommended by EmbraceRace:
- Anansesem - The Caribbean Children's Literature Ezine
- The Brown Bookshelf
- CrazyQuiltEdi
- De Colores: The Raza Experience in Books for Children
- Diverse Futures
- Hijabi Librarians
- I'm Your Neighbor Books (featuring New Arrivals and New Americans)
- Indigo’s Bookshelf: Voices of Native Youth
- Kids Like Us
- Kitaab World
- Latinxs in Kid Lit
- Oyate | Reviews
- Reading While White
- Rich in Color
- Vamos a Leer
- We Are Kid Lit Collective
*FREE* WEST philly ymca
To sign up, all you have to do is scan the QR code on the flyer with your phone and enter your information or visit this link, https://airtable.com/shrDAoz0Op5bY1bkU.
*FREE* Join Anytime!
Locations:
West Philly YMCA:
Classes are the 2nd & 4th Tuesday of every month
North Philly YMCA:
Classes are the 1st and 2nd Thursday of every month
SPREAD THE WORD by sharing the flyers above in the community, professional, personal and social networks for the widest reach - this partnership with JEVS and the Office of Community Empowerment and Opportunity.
To sign up, all you have to do is scan the QR code on the flyer with your phone and enter your information or visit this link, https://airtable.com/shrDAoz0Op5bY1bkU.
*FREE* North Philly YMCA
To sign up, all you have to do is scan the QR code on the flyer with your phone and enter your information or visit this link, https://airtable.com/shrDAoz0Op5bY1bkU.
**Please note, custodial and noncustodial parents (Mom/Dad/Uncle/Son), regardless of gender, are welcome to all classes***
Coming soon... TWOsday happening on 2/22/2022
Tuesday, 2/22/2022 NACS is celebrating TWOSday!
Northwood students and staff can dress up as Twins! Link up with a classmate or teacher to get together your most creative matching outfits!
**Prizes for those who are TWINNING the most**
COMMUNITY CORNER
Family Field Trip at Eastern State: THEME this month is Music, Creativity, and Protest
Join the Eastern State Penitentiary the second SUNDAY of every month for this cool new program!
Educators engage families in explorations of music, creativity, and protest at Eastern State and in prisons today. Make a musical instrument, listen to songs written by people incarcerated at Eastern State, and discover the role of music in the civil rights movement, along with the power of the podcast as a form of protest today. Family Field Trips occur on the second Sunday of every month at 11:30 am and are designed for kids ages 8-13 but are open to all. An adult must accompany children. The program is 45-minutes and is included with admission.
Age: 8-13 Price: Adults $17; Children (7-12) $13; Under 7 free
Location: Eastern State Penitentiary 22nd Street, Fairmount, Philadelphia, 19130
>> More information HERE <<
Up The Creek: The Frankford Underground Railroad Light Parade: 2/25/22
Join the Garsed Center for a FREE art workshop and lantern light parade to honor the Underground Railroad in Frankford:
*Please pre-register on Eventbrite link below*
https://frankfordlanternparade.eventbrite.com
FREE - lanterns, materials, and hot drinks provided
Lantern Workshop 5-6:30 pm (Pre-register here, spots are limited)
Light Parade 6:30 (Open to all, meet on the porch at Garsed Center) 1-mile walk
Walking artist Ken Johnston leads a lantern-making workshop and community light parade in honor of Black History Month. Adults and children are invited to come to decorate a lantern and join Ken in a walk retracing Frankford’s Underground Railroad history.
For enslaved Africans, Philadelphia was the threshold of freedom, and the nearby Delaware River was an important escape route. While most commercial ship traffic on the Delaware River traveled downstream, the Underground Railroad flowed in reverse. Walk with Ken and discover why Frankford’s location was the best kept open secret for freedom seekers.
To learn more about freedom seekers and the Delaware River, tune into Ken’s artist talk online: "Freedom on the Delaware River: The Maritime Underground Railroad."
Pre-register for that zoom event here: https://us02web.zoom.us/.../tZEkdOivqD8rE9MV9jjigVkRsJ31D...
COVID guidelines:
All participants must be masked throughout the event. Registration for the workshop is capped at 25 people to enable social distancing indoors.
About the artist:
Ken Johnston is a Philadelphia-based walking artist, who responds to the call of social change and history by walking to put the Movement back in Civil Rights. During the past two years, Ken has retraced the footsteps of Harriet Tubman between Underground Railroad communities from Maryland to New York City. He uses lanterns to shine light on issues and bring communities together.
WHEN: Fri, February 25, 2022
WHERE: 4704 Leiper St, Philadelphia, PA
Coming Soon! Everyday Skills with Microsoft
Starting March 1st, PA CareerLink Philadelphia in partnership with Microsoft is hosting a FREE training series: Everyday Skills with Microsoft. Don't miss this exciting opportunity to strengthen your skills. update your resume, and get career ready. Register now for Course 1: Getting Started with Computers. #digitalliteracy #standout #upskill #certificate
Attend at your closest PA CareerLink Philadelphia Center:
- PA CareerLink® Philadelphia North: http://ow.ly/QsRy50HUVX5
- PA CareerLink® Philadelphia Suburban Station (entrance on 16th Street): http://ow.ly/sEij50HUVX4
- PA CareerLink® Philadelphia Northwest: http://ow.ly/qfLs50HUVX7
- PA CareerLink® Philadelphia West: http://ow.ly/fbok50HUVX6
AAMP Family Fun Days
On the second Saturday of every month, gather up the youth in your life and bring them to The African American Museum Philadelphia for an assortment of hands-on activities, interactive music and movement workshops, storytellers, historical re-enactors, and more! A Family Fun Day may focus on a particular theme, or may simply celebrate the breadth and depth of the African Diaspora. Visit their calendar for details of upcoming days.
Where? 701 Arch Street Philadelphia, PA 19106
The 30th Annual African American Children's Book Fair
The 30th Annual African American Children's Book Fair – LIVE IN PERSON - will be held at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, 12th Arch Street on Saturday, February 26, 2022, from 1:00 to 4 p.m. EST. Hosted by the African American Children’s Book Project, the book fair is one of the oldest and largest single-day events for children's books in the country! For more information call (215) 878-2665.
Mental Health School Supplies with crisistextline.org
Parents, students, and educators are stretched thin. School is stressful any year but this year can spark a special kind of anxiety-inducing spiral. As students, caregivers, and educators, it’s essential to keep mental health at the forefront of your school planning. In a world of managing to-do lists, relationships, and post-COVID stress, Crisis Text Line is here to help you keep your mental health top of mind. Crisis Text Line provides free, 24/7 mental health support to anyone in crisis. VISIT HERE for free mental health resources for students, parents, and educators.
Anyone in crisis can text SCHOOL to 741741 to reach a volunteer Crisis Counselor.
Upcoming events at Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed (TTFWP):
WeWalk PHL: FREE!
Saturdays | Sábados 9:30am – 10:30am
Whitaker Ave & E Loudon St. Philadelphia 19120
Let’s take a healthy stroll in the park together! Join your neighbors every Saturday morning for a healthy and empowering stroll on the Tacony Creek Park trail as a part of We Walk PHL. More info here.
Attendees can just show up to participate or email doryan@ttfwatershed.org.
Virtual Yoga with Jenna: FREE! ¡GRATIS!
Sundays | Domingos
10:00am - 10:45am
Join our yoga sessions online via Zoom through March. Hatha yoga emphasizes physical health and relaxation of your mind. We’ll focus on posture alignment, strengthening, and flexibility. All levels are welcome. Yoga mats are recommended!
>> Register here<<
>> More info here <<
Run With Me: Free! ¡Gratis!
Tuesdays & Thursdays: 5am – 7:30am
Saturdays: 7:30 am
Saturday Family Trail Time & Kids Run: 4 pm
Join your neighbors for fun, rejuvenating, and healthy fitness runs on the paved Tacony Creek Park Trail, part of the Circuit Trails Network! Run or ride your bike on the trail with us.
>> Learn more here <<
RSVP for location to:
tcptrotters@gmail.com or 215-744-1853
CALLING ALL BULLDOGS: BULLDOG SPOTLIGHT!
We love receiving photos of our Bulldogs with big smiles and having fun! If you have more 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 curbano@northwoodcs.org to be featured in our next Bulldog Blast 📰
Tarken Ice Rink & Rec. Center: FREE PROGRAM
Join them every Thursday from 6:30-8:00 PM for their brand new teen activities program. Activities include community service projects, teen building exercises, mentorship, 2K tournaments, and more! See the above flyer for more details!
**NO SIGN-UPS NECESSARY**
What is Safe2Say Something?
Safe2Say Something is a youth violence prevention program run by the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General. The program teaches youth and adults how to recognize warning signs and signals, especially within social media, from individuals who may be a threat to themselves or others and to “say something” BEFORE it is too late. With Safe2Say Something, it’s easy and confidential to report safety concerns to help prevent violence and tragedies.
Here’s how it works:
- Submit an anonymous tip report through the Safe2SaySomething system
- The crisis center reviews and processes all submissions
- The crisis center sends all submissions to school administration and/or law enforcement for intervention
- If needed, the crisis center may contact the tipster anonymously through the app
Safe2Say Something PA:
Submit an anonymous tip here:
Covid-19 Corner:
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
Wednesday, February 16th, Board Meeting
Monday, February 21st, Presidents Day
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