ASIAN-PACIFIC AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH
May Is Asian-Pacific Heritage Month, an opportunity to celebrate the rich history and culture of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) in the U.S.
All month long we will be exploring creative ways to Celebrate Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month with your kids!
Here is an idea-
Get out the globe to explore the geography of Asia and the Pacific Islands. If you don’t have an actual globe at home, go online. With Google Maps, your child can take a 3D “walk” through different places. Use Google Earth to “visit” historic locations. Keep in mind that the term “Asian-Pacific” encompasses a wide array of cultures and geographies.
- All of the Asian continent: This includes about 50 countries – from China, Japan, Korea, Indonesia, and the Philippines to (in South Asia) India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Bhutan.
- Melanesia: New Guinea, New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Fiji, and the Solomon Islands
- Micronesia: Marianas, Guam, Wake Island, Palau, Marshall Islands, Kiribati, Nauru, and the Federated States of Micronesia
- Polynesia: New Zealand, Hawaiian Islands, Rotuma, Midway Islands, Samoa, American Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu, Cook Islands, French Polynesia, and Easter Island
CINCO DE MAYO- MAY 5TH
Tacos, quesadillas, nachos, guacamole- Oh my! Did you know Cinco de Mayo (which translates to the Fifth of May) originated in Mexico, though the day is more popular in the USA?
So what does Cinco de Mayo celebrate?
On the morning of May 5, 1862, 6,000 French troops stormed the Mexican city of Heróica Puebla de Zaragoza to bring it under French rule. The Mexican soldiers were outnumbered, but they fiercely fought back. By early evening, the French had retreated. Now the people of Puebla, Mexico, observe the holiday Cinco de Mayo to celebrate this victory. The holiday is also widely celebrated in the USA. Americans use the celebration to honor the battle as well as Mexican culture.
SEEKING VOLUNTEERS: Scholastic Book Fair
Hello, all you book lovers out there!
Are you ready for some excitement? We're thrilled to announce that our upcoming Book Fair is fast approaching, and we need your help to make it a huge success!
If you are interested in getting involved and making a difference, we'd love to have you on board as a volunteer during the week of May 22nd to May 26th. If you can donate a few hours on any of those days to help out, please don't hesitate to reach out to Ms. Urbano, at curbano@northwoodcs.org.
Let's show our love for books and reading by coming together and making this Book Fair a truly unforgettable event!
District-Wide Survey
The 2022-23 Parent/Guardian Philly School Experience Survey, the annual survey for all public school parents in Philly is open!
CLICK HERE to access the survey.
The survey FAQ page is now updated for 2022-23. You can find lots of helpful information there, including an explanation of how parents will indicate which school their child attends.
The survey will close on May 31st.
Questions can be directed to the Office of Research and Evaluation (ORE) at schoolsurveys@philasd.org or 215-400-6565. ORE staff will also hold office hours on Fridays from 9-10 AM, which you can access here.
Upper School Career Day: Request for volunteer presenters
Dear Parent/Guardian/Alumni/Community Stakeholder:
Northwood Academy will be hosting Career Day for 5th and 6th-grade students on Monday, May 22nd. and for 7th and 8th grade students on Tuesday, May 23rd. The purpose of Career Day is to expose students to a variety of careers in order to jumpstart their thinking about the future. By preparing early, students will be more likely to be college and career ready after high school and we invite you to participate!
We are requesting volunteers to speak in small groups to students for four 15-minute sessions about their careers. Volunteers may participate in person or virtually via Zoom. Career Day activities will occur between 9:00 am-10:00 am. If you and/or someone you know is interested in volunteering to speak about your career, please email the information listed below to Mrs. Harris no later than Monday, May 8th.
Volunteer selection will be on a first-come basis. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our school social worker at DominiqueHarris@northwoodcs.org. With your help, we look forward to having a wonderful Career Day!
NORTHWOOD PARENT ASSOCIATION CORE:
Are you eager to stay in the know about all the exciting events happening at your child's school? Do you want to lend a helping hand and get involved in the school community as a parent volunteer? Look no further! Our Parent Association is here to help you stay informed and engaged.
By filling out our simple form, you'll be sure to receive all the latest updates on school events, volunteer opportunities, and more. Join our community of dedicated parents who are committed to supporting our students and enhancing their educational experience.
Don't miss out on any of the action - sign up today and stay in the loop with our Parent Association!
WorkReady:
If your student is 12-24 YEARS OLD and looking to get paid up to $1,000+ for a summer work experience, check out more information below!
WorkReady is a program in July-August providing paid work experiences for youth living in Philadelphia. Work experiences take place 5 days/week at a designated worksite. WorkReady is for young people looking to explore different career paths, get paid while learning valuable skills, and prepare for their future!
*Applying to WorkReady Summer does not guarantee placement in a program.
NEED HELP? Contact the WorkReady Hotline by emailing workreadyhelp@pyninc.org or calling 267.502.3900.
Comics are Books, Too Event! Saturday, May 6, 1-3 p.m.
Children are introduced to technology at a younger and younger age. It’s more likely that their first experiences reading may be from a screen than a page. A tablet or phone screen is more likely to have images attached or juxtaposed next to text to further illustrate a point. The elements of sequential art, like comics, are similar in that they provide a visually structured order to reading. Speech bubbles, panels, narrative boxes, and gutters all aid reluctant and struggling readers to comprehend on their own based on the visual context clues provided. The experience of comprehending on your own is integral to confidence building and a stronger desire to learn.
In recent years, the medium of "sequential art" — aka comic books, cartoons, and graphic novels — has been taken more seriously than ever. From the graphic novel "Maus" winning a Pulitzer Prize to the founding of the degree-granting Institute of Cartoon Studies, the academic and literary regard for this unique medium has grown alongside its outsized influence on pop culture and moviemaking.
Black cartoonists, illustrators, and writers have an especially impressive legacy when it comes to creating sequential art that's not only fun, but serves as an important tool for representation, literacy, and empowerment. At this event, the panelists will share their experiences of discovering literacy through comic books and highlight the art form’s tradition of representing Black and brown lives. Parents, comic book lovers of all ages, and even the skeptical are welcome to join! This Mighty Writers event is in partnership with Uncle Bobbies Coffee & Books and the First United Methodist Church of Germantown.
First United Methodist Church of Germantown
6001 Germantown Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19144
Save the Date: Virtual Middle School Summer Camp
Save the Date: Virtual Middle School Summer Camp
WHEN? August 7-11, 9:00 AM – 2:30 PM
ECYEH’s Build Your Best School Year! virtual summer camp is designed to provide the skills and self-confidence middle school students will need to start the 2023 school year on a high note.
Students entering grades 6-8 in fall 2023 who reside in Pennsylvania may attend. Priority is given to students experiencing homelessness. Each camper will receive a Welcome to Camp kit including a free Amazon Fire 7 tablet, supplies for camp activities, school supplies, and a special surprise to kick off the start of camp!
Registration and more information about the camp are coming soon!
>> Notify me when registration opens! <<
Contact Melissa Turnpaugh for questions, at 717-763-1661, ext. 120.
NORTHWOOD BULLYING POLICY (2022-2023)
Parents and guardians, you can review our school's bullying policy here: NACS Bullying Policy.
Northwood Academy Charter School Child Find Policy and Procedures (Annual Notice)
Hello Northwood Families,
You will find a copy of our Annual Child Find Notice here outlining the procedures and protocols for Northwood's monitoring of all of our students and identification of students with special needs. This will also be able to be referenced on our website, via social media, and in local news publications. For further information, please contact the Director of Special Education, Kate Crossett at 215-289-5606.
************************************
The Child Find Policy (Annual Notice) Policy and Procedures for Students with Disabilities at Northwood Academy Charter School aim to ensure that all students with disabilities who are eligible to enroll in the school will have available to them a free and appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment. CLICK HERE for the complete policy.
FAMILIES IN TRANSITION: NORTHWOOD IS HERE TO HELP
If you and your family lack fixed, regular, or adequate housing (for example, living in a shelter, transitional home, or even doubled-up with other people) due to loss of housing or economic hardship, you may qualify for certain rights and protections under the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, which ensures educational stability for students experiencing homelessness.
To learn more about the rights of eligible families, click here for a brief video.
If you qualify for rights under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, contact Lower School Counselor and Northwood's Homelessness Liaison Ms. Lozandieu at mlozandieu@northwoodcs.org for more information.
Are you or someone you know in need of housing, food, health, and safety services? Please check out these resources from Project HOME: Where To Turn Guide.
Please review Northwood's Homeless Students Policy here: McKinney-Vento Policy.
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.
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