Bulldog Blast
April 28th, 2021
Hello Northwood Community,
Happy second week of in-person instruction! Please see below for all class schedule reminders and expectations.
Friendly reminders, parents of students in-person MUST fill out the RUVNA screening every morning. If there is an issue, please contact Mrs. Dugan right away. Additionally, THIS FRIDAY, April 30th is also asynchronous for staff PD (professional development).
Hybrid expectations
Uniform Expectations:
Northwood polo shirt, t-shirt
Khakis or sweatpants
Sneakers
Northwood sweatshirt
Masks must be worn at all times
Necessary supplies to bring to school:
Any textbooks or novels distributed during the school year
Notebooks
Writing utensils
REMINDERS:
- Students must report on the day they were assigned
- Please leave any laptops, Chromebooks, or other electronic devices at home, even if a device was borrowed from Northwood
- Ruvna health screenings must be completed daily. Parents will be receiving daily notifications via email with the link.
Weekly COVID testing for students and staff
We are using Group Pooled Testing, these tests are 99% accurate and are a gentle nasal swab. Parents, you will receive an email to sign a waiver for their child to be tested. No child will be tested without a parent waiver. This testing is only for students IN THE BUILDING.
CLICK HERE for the Student COVID Testing Consent Form.
RUVNA FACTS & REMINDERS:
- Ruvna health screenings must be completed daily. Parents will be receiving daily notifications via email with the link.
- You will receive an email by 7 am on the days your child is supposed to report into the building.
- The screening must be completed before entering the building.
- When you hit submit you will receive a notification on whether or not you can send your child into school.
Helpful FAQs Sheet
SCHEDULE reminders
In-person students begin their day at 7:30 am. Virtual students join their class via Zoom at 7:45 am. Anyone coming in or on Zoom after 7:46 am will be marked late. Breakfast will be served to in-person students in their classroom from 7:30 - 7:45 am. Lunch will be served to in-person students in their classrooms from 1:00 - 1:30 pm.
Wednesdays will now follow the asynchronous schedule previously held on Fridays. Everyone will stay home on Wednesdays so the classrooms and school can be given a good cleaning.
Specials will take place virtually while students remain with their homeroom teacher.
**PLEASE NOTE, Friday, April 30th is also asynchronous for staff PD (professional development)**
TEMPLE - Monday / Tuesday
DREXEL- Thursday / Friday
LA SALLE - fully virtual every day
Student Corner:
April is National Poetry Month!
April is National Poetry Month!
Meet poet, Naomi Shihab Nye! Nye is the author of numerous books of poems, most recently Cast Away: Poems for Our Time (Greenwillow Books, 2020). Her other books of poetry include The Tiny Journalist (BOA Editions, 2019); Voices in the Air: Poems for Listeners (Greenwillow Books, 2018); Transfer (BOA Editions, 2011); You and Yours (BOA Editions, 2005), which received the Isabella Gardner Poetry Award; and 19 Varieties of Gazelle: Poems of the Middle East (Greenwillow Books, 2002), a collection of new and selected poems about the Middle East.
Read 2020’s most-read poem, Naomi Shihab Nye’s “Kindness,”
-THE COUNTDOWN BEGINS-
Coming soon:
*NEW* Northwood swag dropping this week!
Be sure to check the school website and upcoming Bulldog Blast for all the details!
Parent Corner:
Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA):
Please note the following:
TEMPLE Hybrid Group and LA SALLE Virtual Students with the last initial of A-M:
Monday, May 3 (8:00 am - 1:00 pm)
Tuesday, May 4 (8:00 am - 1:00 pm)
Monday, May 10 (8:00 am - 10:00 am)
Monday, May 17 (8:00 am - 10:00 am)
Tuesday, May 18 (8:00 am - 10:00 am)
Monday, May 24 (Algebra students only)
Tuesday, May 25 (Algebra students only)
DREXEL Hybrid Group, and LA SALLE Virtual Students with the last initial of N-Z:
Thursday, May 6 (8:00 am - 1:00 pm)
Friday, May 7 (8:00 am - 1:00 pm)
Friday, May 14 (8:00 am - 10:00 am)
Thursday, May 20 (8:00 am - 10:00 am)
Friday, May 21(8:00 am - 10:00 am)
Thursday, May 27 (8:00 am - 10:00 am - Algebra students only)
Friday, May 28 (8:00 am - 10:00 am - Algebra students only)
Additional information will be emailed to you from Mrs. Herschberger. Any students who are participating in testing should report to school no later than 7:45.
The doors open at 7:10.
STUDENTS WHO REPORT TO SCHOOL LATE WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO JOIN THE TESTING GROUP!
- Students should be in Northwood uniform (polo or t-shirt, khakis, or sweatpants) and wear a mask throughout testing.
- Breakfast will be provided.
- Students can bring a light snack to eat when they complete their testing. They should also bring a book to read quietly as classmates are still testing.
- Parents should report to the main office to pick up their child when they are finished testing.
- Parents will also receive information about Ruvna health screenings - please make sure these screenings are complete before students enter the building each day.
District-wide Parent & Guardian Survey- Due May 14th
Please take our District-wide Parent & Guardian Survey! The survey is designed to find out what you think about your child's school. We are always looking to improve and love receiving positive and constructive feedback. We encourage you to take the survey for each of your children. The survey takes approximately 10 minutes to complete and closes May 14, 2021.
WHAT YOU NEED:
- Your child's STUDENT ID #. If you do not know your child's student ID number email curbano@northwoodcs.org.
CLICK HERE FOR THE SURVEY LINK.
Are you or someone you know new to the area?
The Welcoming Center for New Pennsylvanians serves immigrants and refugees in the Philadelphia area.
Services include:
1) Job placement and employment assistance
2) Social service information and referral
3) Free monthly legal clinics (second Tuesday of every month, 3:00-5:30 pm)
4) Advice and resources for small business owners.
1617 JFK Blvd., Suite 555 ** 215-557-2626 ** www.welcomingcenter.org
Join the PCO and make a difference in your child's education!
We are looking for new members of our Parent Core Organization (PCO)!
The goal of the PCO is to encourage interaction between our Northwood families and our school, serve as a source of support, and work with teachers, staff, and the community at large to improve our children’s educational experience. The PCO works closely with the school Community Coordinator to meet this goal.
Who can join the PCO?
Parents
Teachers
Community Members
Grandparents
Keep an eye out for an upcoming virtual interest survey and virtual kickoff event for the END OF MAY!
Email Ms. Urbano at curbano@northwoodcs.org for more information on how to get involved!
Community Corner:
Community Spotlight: The Free Library of Philadelphia
Meet the Free Library of Philadelphia (FLP)!
Whether you are looking for a new direction, education, or a fun diversion, the FLP's Library programs can help you take the first step. They offer something special for every age and interest.
Fun Fact: There are 55 branches located in the city of Philadelphia!
Click here to find the closest branch near you.
free outdoor event with cora services
Families are invited to come meet CORA's staff and learn more about their clinical programs. The event will also include behavioral health screenings, free food, giveaways, crafts, games with prizes, and live performances!
The Please Touch Museum (PTM) is Reopening!
The museum will now be open Thursdays – Sundays with morning sessions (9:00 am-12:00 pm) and afternoon sessions (1:30 – 4:30 pm) with a midday closure for cleaning and sanitizing. PTM will be closed to visitors Mondays through Wednesdays for deep cleaning. The Please Touch Museum is located at 4231 Avenue of the Republic in Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park. CLICK HERE to learn more about the museum.
Virtual PAWS for Reading: Read to a Therapy Dog
Reading to a dog helps children develop confidence and skills for reading aloud!
Register here: https://tinyurl.com/PAWSFreeLibrary
COVID Vaccine Sign ups! ¡Registración para vacunas COVID!
COVID Vaccine Sign ups! ¡Registración para vacunas COVID!
Our friends at Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed Partnership, INC. (TTFWP) and Esperanza are partnering to register neighbors near Tacony Creek Park for the Covid-19 Vaccine.
For more information and to register contact Susan@ttfwatershed.org or call 215-744-1853.
Nuestros amigos de TTFWP y Esperanza estan asociando para registrar a vecinos cerca de Tacony Creek Park para la vacuna de Covid-19. Para más información y para registrarte, contacte a susan@ttfwatershed.org o llame al 215-744-1853.
We do all we can to ensure our kids are happy, healthy, safe, and STRONG.
Having high-quality, low-cost health insurance helps make that possible. With CHIP, your child can have medical, dental, eye care, and more for a free or low cost. No family makes too much for CHIP. Whether you’re self-employed, unemployed, or your employer benefits are just too expensive, CHIP is there for you to help your child be strong.
Learn more, apply or renew your coverage today at 800-986-KIDS or go to CHIPcoversPAkids.com.
Hacemos todo lo posible para que nuestros hijos estén felices, saludables, seguros y FUERTES.
Tener un seguro médico de alta calidad y bajo precio permite que esto sea posible. Con CHIP, sus hijos pueden recibir atención médica, dental, oftalmológica y más, de forma gratuita o a bajo costo. Ya sea que trabaje por cuenta propia, esté desempleado o que los beneficios que le ofrece su empleador sean demasiado costosos, CHIP está ahí para ayudar a su hijos a ser niños fuertes. Solicite el seguro o renuévelo hoy mismo llamando al 800-986-5437 o ingresando en CHIPcoversPAkids.com.
Free Meals Pickup 🍽️🥪🥣
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! Pickup for multiple meals traditionally takes place at our cafeteria (Adams Ave. entrance) on Mondays and Thursdays from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm.
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 “scholarly” and more focused when learning online
Helps in assessing students’ 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!
Derek Chavin Trial
Last Tuesday's guilty verdict, for many, signals a potential turning point in our judicial system- one that can begin to move to a more just system that holds accountable those in power who continue to oppress, abuse, and murder. Together we can acknowledge this current beacon of hope, while not dismissing the ongoing uphill journey of systematic reform.
As a school, we are here to play our role and continue with our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) work to seek understanding and delve deeper as a community of educators, and humans, who seek more for those who need us most.
Important Dates on the Horizon
TODAY, Wednesday, April 28- Picture Day (K-7th grade re-takes and 8th-grade graduation pictures)
Friday, April 30 - Asynchronous Day for all students (No in-person learning for the Drexel cohort)
Thursday, May 13 - Eid al-Fitr - School Closed
Monday, May 31 - Memorial Day - School Closed
Tuesday, June 8 - Last day of in-person learning for Temple cohort
Friday, June 11 - Last day of in-person learning for Drexel cohort / Last day of school for all students
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