Bulldog Blast
February 10, 2021
Mandatory Reopening Survey: Due Today!
Please watch our Parent Town Hall meeting from February 3rd to hear updates about our reopening plan.
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Please also complete our Reopening Survey by the end of the day today (Wednesday, February 10th) to share your choice regarding your child(ren)'s instructional model (either hybrid or virtual) in the event that Northwood returns in a hybrid format.
School Closed 2/15: President's Day
Check out the following links for some ideas on how to celebrate the holiday and have teachable conversations with your family:
New Website: Launching Friday!
In the meantime, enjoy another throwback photo of our Leadership team "launching" Northwood's ribbon-cutting ceremony during our 2013 relocation. π«π
SIGN-UP FOR PICTURE DAY! πΈ
Please note the following:
- Students are expected to wear their Northwood uniform.
- Graduation Day photos will be held separately in the spring.
- Families will be waiting outside so safety precautions are upheld throughout each day.
- You and your child must wear a mask and keep a 6-foot distance from others in the line.
- We will aim to move quickly and stay on schedule as much as possible.
A parent/guardian MUST accompany their child to Picture Day. Children cannot be dropped off. Students will NOT be allowed to enter the building without an adult.
Payment may be made online or through an order form. More information for each option can be found at the following link: Lifetouch / School Photos Payment Flyer
Introducing Northwood's New Community Coordinator: Camille Urbano
Ms. Urbano is a lifelong learner and lover of education. She started her career teaching in Spain for 3.5 years. She then transitioned to the non-profit sector working with Habitat for Humanity of the Lehigh Valley and most recently the American Heart Association of Philadelphia. Ms. Urbano is very excited to join the Northwood family and to start getting to know our greater community.
We invite you to reach out to Ms. Urbano at cubano@northwoodcs.org to introduce yourself and give her a warm welcome!
Celebrating the 100th Day of School with our Fabulous and Creative Bulldogs! πβοΈππ
The Joys of a Snow-filled Week...βποΈπΏπ
Ryann Allison scooping the snow...π«οΈ
...tasting some snowflakes...βοΈ
...and making a snow angel πΌπΎ
Brielle & Nathan Service on their bed of snow ππΏ
Godwill Bala proud of his perfect snowball βΎ
Aiden Diggs having the best snow saucer moment ever πΈ
Cyniah Otero hanging out in the igloo she built π§
Aiden Stevenson getting ready to shovel πͺ
Haven Akbar showing off his giant snowball π
Jaylen & Janessa Casillas making an adorable snow family π¨οΈπ©βπ¦βπ¦
Retal Mohamed having an action-packed afternoon with her sister in the snow βοΈ
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 next week's Bulldog Blast.
Tracking COVID-19 in Pennsylvania / Philadelphia
SUMMARY: We will prepare to move into a Hybrid Model only after 3 consecutive weeks of data in the Low or Moderate category in the PDH COVID-19 Dashboard. You will receive a Remind alert on the Tuesday of the first week that we move into the Low or Moderate category. After that point in time, you will continue to receive these alerts each Tuesday moving forward.
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While we recognize that the Pennsylvania Department of Education recommendation now includes the option of Full Remote or Hybrid Model for elementary schools, in keeping with the current recommendations, we remain steadfast in our direction to remain remote until we see 3 consecutive weeks of data in the Low or Moderate category in the COVID-19 Dashboard, accompanied by 3 weeks of the CHOP PolicyLab projections on a steady decline. We will continue to share these data points with you through this newsletter each week.
Click on each of the charts below to go to the data tracking pages compiled by the Pennsylvania Department of Health and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia PolicyLab.
It is worthy of note that the most recent documented 7-day period reported a decrease in cases where Philadelphia County remains below a 10% PCR positivity rate; however, the incidence rate is still greater than 100 people per 100,000 residents. We will not consider the level of community transmission to be in the Moderate/Low category until both the incidence rate and PCR percent positivity rate are at the recommended levels.
Free Meals Pickup π½οΈπ₯ͺπ₯£
We are continuing to give out frozen meals that last up to a month in the freezer, so extra meals can be stocked and saved for the weekends or a much later date!
Since the school with be closed this coming Monday, February 15th, there will be no Monday meal services. Instead, pickup for multiple meals will be taking place at our cafeteria (Adams Ave. entrance) next Tuesday, February 16th and Thursday, February 18th from 10:00am to 12:00pm and 1:00pm to 4:00pm.
We hope families continue to take advantage of this cost-saving and nutritional convenience.
GoGuardian Software Information
To summarize, GoGuardian provides the following benefits to students and teachers:
Helps in protecting students against harmful and inappropriate online material
Helps students stay βscholarlyβ and more focused when learning online
Helps in assessing studentsβ progress towards class assignments
Facilitates communication between teachers and students during class time
Please reach out to our Technology Coordinator with any questions at dleimer@northwoodcs.org.
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!
Materials & Chromebook Pick-up
For those who were not able to come by the school during previous months' pickup windows, you may stop by and check-in at the front desk on Monday through Friday between the hours of 9:00am and 2:00pm to do so.
Please wear a mask and practice social distancing as you wait. All items will be prepared in advance and ready to go in a Northwood canvas bag.
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Chromebooks are also still available for pickup during these days/times.
*Please note*: This is only for students who have not yet received a school-issued Chromebook or if your school-issued Chromebook is not working. If your child has received an iPad from us, exchanges must be made in order to receive your Chromebook. If you are planning to swap a device, you must also bring the charger in order to do the exchange.
Important Dates on the Horizon
Friday, February 12 - School Photos / Health Screening Day
Wednesday, February 10 - Common Lottery Date
Friday, February 12 - Common Notification Date
Monday, February 15 - School Closed / President's Day
Wednesday, February 17 - Board Meeting
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