Bulldog Blast
Wednesday, February 23rd, 2022
This week & Looking ahead:
✏️ Our Upper School Valentine's Day Dance will be this Friday, 2/25. All those invited to participate in the dance have been notified by Mrs. Herschberger. Students should dress up for the dance (Note: only students who have received an invitation have permission to dress up). Due to numbers, the dance will merge into one session and will be from 1:00 - 2:45 for all grades, thank you.
✏️ TOMORROW, we will be holding our follow-up vaccination clinic on Thursday, February 24th. Please see the flyer below for all additional details. Thank you!
✏️ Report Card Conferences have shifted down to Wednesday, 3/30, and Thursday, 3/31. More information will be shared from your child's teacher closer to mid-March, thank you.
Friendly reminder, if you have any questions related to the Bulldog Blast please email our Community Coordinator Ms. Urbano, curbano@northwoodcs.org.
Principal's Corner:
Please read the below reminders and updates from Principal Henry:
🍎 Arrival/Dismissal
Drop- Off
We have noticed students being dropped off at the Castor Ave entrance and blocking the bus lane or crossing over Castor Ave. This presents safety issues for our students. Students are to be dropped off on Adams Avenue at the rear of the building between 7:15 a.m. and 7:45 a.m. There is no supervision prior to 7:15 a.m.
Late Students
ALL entry doors will be closed promptly at 7:45 a.m. Students arriving after that time must be escorted to the Castor Avenue main entrance and receive a late note.
Bus Dismissal
All students, K-8 are dismissed by 3:00 pm (12:00 pm on half days). Buses pull off at 3:10 pm.
🍎 STEAM Enrichment, K-4
STEAM Enrichment for grades K-4 will begin on Monday, Feb 28, 2022.
🍎 Meetings with Administration
Please email pchirinos@northwoodcs.org if you would like to schedule meetings with the school administration.
🍎 Early Dismissals
Students will not be called down from their classrooms for dismissal until a parent/authorized adult arrives to pick them up.
🍎 Cell Phone Policy
5th through 8th-grade students must turn in their cell phones to their teacher upon arrival at homeroom each day. They will be returned at dismissal. Students in violation of this policy are assigned to Saturday School.
🍎 Uniform Reminders
Boots are not permitted.
1st - 8th-grade - 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.
Hoodies and outerwear must be removed in homeroom.
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.
Exciting news, our uniform exchange program is up and running again!
How the Uniform Exchange Program Works:
Do you have any GOOD quality unwanted, outgrown school uniforms?
If the answer is yes, please donate them to Northwood Academy’s Uniform Exchange.
The uniform exchange is a free program open to all NACS students' families. The NACS uniform exchange motto is, take what you need and give when you can. Any Northwood family in need of a uniform can have one as long as we have the size needed. All donated items are checked for quality and sorted by style and size.
The program only works if uniforms are donated so please consider giving clean uniforms you no longer need. If you are able to donate, please make sure that the clothes are in a reusable condition. The size of the item should be identifiable. If it is not, please indicate the size of the item with indelible ink.
Please remember, you do not have to donate clothes in order to take from the uniform exchange. All items can be dropped off during school hours at the front school office.
If you have any questions, please email Ms. Urbano, curbano@northwoodcs.org
Check out some photos from our TWOSday yesterday, 2/22/22!
How did you celebrate twosdays?
Here are 6 children's book recommendations:
- Hair Twins
- Too Small Tola
- Ling and Ting: Not Exactly the Same
- Dragons Love Tacos 2
- The McClure Twins: Make it Fashions Tuesday
In addition, to these, you can continue the celebration by reading counting books, books about twin siblings or books with the words "two" or "too" in the tile.
Parent Corner:
8TH GRADE PICTURES: 3/16/22
8th Grade Pictures will be taking place in the school gym on Wednesday, March 16th.
Please note the following:
- Gowns are provided by Lifetouch Studios. Caps are not worn in graduation pictures.
- Pictures will be available for purchase.
- Picture Day ID: EVTBSFBTM
*Please note, there is not an 8th-grade picture retake day available at this time.
*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***
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 📰
COMMUNITY CORNER
Project Elijah Empowering Autism teamed with Spectrum Success 911 and Philly Youth Basketball.
Together they will host fun interactive family support services and basketball clinics for families with autism in a judgment-free, safe and nurturing environment.
Space is limited so register ASAP. You must register for every session. No same-day registration or walk-ups.
For more info and to register contact Eric 267.258.8687, elijah@peea.org, visit www.peea.org or reference the flyer below, thank you.
Opportunity for female Northwood alum currently enrolled in HS:
Do you know a female looking to continue her career in the STEM Field?
Attend Widener Engineering Mini-Camp for HS Girls!
Date: March 19th from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Limited capacity so register today! Please see the attached flyer below for all other details.
Music Therapy Workshop: This Thursday, 2/24, 1:30-3pm- see all details below!
This SATURDAY at 1pm- 'Groceries for Philly'
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: THIS FRIDAY
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: THIS Friday, February 25, 2022
WHERE: 4704 Leiper St, Philadelphia, PA
2022 SPRING BASEBALL
UYKQ Germantown Baseball Program is a Community League which teaches the fundamental skills and techniques used to help elevate young athletes in the game of baseball. Beginning at the age of 4 through 14.
Join UYKQ this Spring for Tee Ball (ages 4 - 6) on Saturdays and Rookie Ball (ages 7 - 9) on Wednesdays and Saturdays beginning in April. Players will learn the fundamentals of baseball through practice and game play throughout the season.
Registration is open now for interested families. Tee-Ball ($50) and Rookie Ball ($100). https://www.urbanyouthkq.com/ Please note, families whom have children in Foster Care, WIC or SNAP benefits, to help offset the majority of the cost for the program can apply here www.everykidssports.org.
Coming Soon: Everyday Skills with Microsoft: 3/1
Starting NEXT TUESDAY, 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.
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
Thursday, February 24th, Free Follow-up Vaccination Clinic
Friday, February 25th, Upper School Dance
Sunday, March 13th, Daylight Saving Time
Thursday, March 17th, St. Patrick's Day
Wednesday, March 30th, and Thursday, March 31st, Report Card Conferences
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