Northwoods News
A message from Principal Nixon--Week of September 2, 2019
Dear Northwoods Families,
The 2019-2020 school year is off to a great start! Thank you for your help in making our opening week a tremendous success! We look forward to many more exciting, fun-filled weeks to come. Please take a few minutes to review the important information below.
Upcoming Events and Important Information
Arrival/Dismissal Procedures
To ensure the safety of all of our students, we ask that families observe the following procedures during arrival and dismissal times:
- Parents dropping off or picking up students via carpool should remain in their cars and follow the carpool line. In the mornings, we ask that you do not let students out of the car before pulling to the front entry area. Students crossing traffic is a major concern and we have had several close calls in the last week. Maintaining safety is worth a few extra minutes in line.
- Parents who walk their children to/from school should meet them near the side doors each afternoon. We do not allow students to walk unsupervised.
- Parents may continue to walk students to class this week. However, beginning September 9th, we ask that parents drop students off at the main door and allow them to build independence during their morning routines. Please remember that the morning arrival period is not an appropriate time to "conference" with your child's teacher. Should you have questions or concerns about your child's performance, please email your child's teacher to set up a formal conference time.
- Any changes to afternoon transportation should be made by 3:00. This allows the front office staff to contact teachers and ensure that the children are aware of the changes.
Carpool Tags
Carpool tags will be issued next week to families who consistently use afternoon carpool. Families that have tags from last year may continue to use them.
3rd Grade Beginning-of-Grade (BOG) ELA Assessment
Our 3rd graders are preparing to take the Beginning of Grade (BOG) Assessment in English/Language Arts, which will be administered on Tuesday, September 10th. This year, the test will be administered online using a testing app called NC Test. This week, our 3rd grade teachers will be leading their students through the online testing tutorial and will be providing time in class for students to complete a practice activity. Parents can also help students prepare for the exam by downloading the NC Test App and following the steps below.
- In Google Chrome, search "NC Test extension". The first link should take you to the Chrome Web Store where you can download the free app.
- Once installed, simply run the app and click the bottom left box that says "Released Items."
- In the new screen, choose the test type (BOG 3) and push log-in. There is no need to change any of the other settings.
- Have your child complete a passage or two over the next few days. Please stress the importance of taking their time to carefully read and answer the questions.
Snack
Each of our teachers has scheduled a daily snack time to ensure that our students have sufficient opportunities to eat throughout the day. We ask that parents pack a hearty snack each day for their child. Empty bellies make learning difficult!
Kindergarten Health Assessments/Immunizations:
Please ensure that you have turned in your child's immunization records and health/medical forms. We would like to have these forms as soon as possible, but they may be turned in until the 30th day of school. Students without immunization or health/medical forms face mandatory suspension.
KidzArt
Northwoods is pleased to partner with KidzArt, a local company that provides site-based after-school art lessons to interested students. Please see the information below if you are interested in signing your child up. The program is open to all students but space is limited and the sessions fill up fast!
KidzArt classes help students build upon their skills in drawing, painting, and design. Learn about and be inspired by realism, anime, abstract, impressionism etc., while creating beautiful artwork using a variety of fine art mediums such as; watercolor paint, chalk pastels, oil pastels, charcoal, watercolor pencils and much more. Every week is a brand new project that students will be able to take home after class. All supplies and materials provided by KidzArt! Register online at www.KidzArtCary.com/classes
Other Important Information
Volunteer Registration:
Anyone who wishes to volunteer at Northwoods must register with the Wake County Public School System as a volunteer. To protect all children, the Wake County Public School System requires that all volunteers participate in the online registration process. This year, volunteers who were approved for the 2018-19 school year may continue to volunteer by reactivating their volunteer status by October 31, 2019. Anyone wishing to complete the volunteer registration process may do so at Northwoods between the hours of 8:00 - 4:00 PM Monday through Friday. New volunteer applicants must register and have an approved criminal background check prior to participating in volunteer work.
Parent Information Night:
Our annual Parent Information Night will be held on September 12th. Please see the specific grade level times below.
- 5:30 - 6:00pm--3rd, 4th, 5th grades
- 6:00-6:30pm--General PTA Meeting
- 6:30-7:00pm--1st & 2nd grades
Northwoods Elementary PTA Information
Dear Northwoods Families,
Please see the information and flyers below for upcoming events and ways to get involved at Northwoods.
Picnic Fun Run!
Join us prior to the picnic for a Fun Run along the Northwoods Greenway! The run will begin near the base of the stairs leading from the mulch pedestrian path down to the greenway. We will begin preparations for the run at 10:45am, with the run starting at 11am. The run will be approximately 1 mile along the greenway with safety volunteers stationed at the single street crossing. Water will be available, but be sure to bring your own water bottle. No registration is necessary...just show up and have fun! More information will be available on our Wellness and Safe Routes Facebook page - @NorthwoodsSRTSandWellness
Garden News
Please join us on Saturday, September 7 anytime between 9-11 AM in the Northwoods Garden. You are welcome to harvest some yummy foods from the garden, help water & weed or check out the garden and find out a little more about what we do all year. The garden is behind the school near the blacktop. See you then!
Northwoods Run Club
Please Join The PTA!
Our PTA is made up of parents, grandparents, guardians, and staff including our principal. Our mission is to create the best possible learning atmosphere for our children—a goal that affects EVERY Northwoods family! The PTA is led by an executive board of parent volunteers and staff members. We hold monthly board meetings and periodic general meetings, and we welcome any level of participation that you’re able to offer, whether that’s volunteering your time or simply joining and paying your membership dues. All members who join by Oct. 1 will be entered into a drawing for a Koalaty Time in Cary gift basket! Dues start at just $10.
Join Northwoods Elementary PTA online today at https://northwoods.memberhub.store.