Weekday after-school clubs are here!
Weekday after-school club sign-ups are live on FamilyID! Please note clubs are FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE. Remember to read the descriptions carefully as many have different start dates. Northwood is using a platform called FamilyID for club registration. Upon clicking on the registration links below, if you do not already have a FamilyID account, you will be prompted to set one up (this only takes a minute).
- All information for each club can be found on the 'AFTER SCHOOL CLUBS: Winter 2023' page at the following link:
- Links to all clubs can also be found on Northwood's FamilyID landing page at the following link: CLICK HERE to go to Northwood's Landing Page
Currently Listed Clubs:
- Arts and Crafts Club: Grade 1: (starting 1/9) **FULL**
- Game Club: Grades 1-2: (starting 1/10) **FULL**
- Game Club: Grades 3-4: (starting 1/12) **FULL**
- Dungeons & Dragons Club: Grades 3-8: (starting 1/23)
- Braiding Club: Grades 5-8: (starting 1/17/23)
Students will learn different techniques how to braid hair including extensions.
This club will be run by Ms. Gibson. Contact ngibson@northwoodcs.org with any questions. Meeting Time: Tuesday & Thursday, 3:15-4:30 pm
**Please check your email upon registration for any club updates or changes from your club instructors, thank you**
Masking Update:
Upon return from Winter Recess, Northwood will be implementing a 2-week masking policy, following the district's lead. Each class was provided with a class set of KN-95 masks. There will be masks available for students upon entry to the building as well.
The last day for masks will be Tuesday, January 17th due to school being closed on Monday, January 16th in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Bounce Back Philly: Nutrition Tips
CLICK HERE for a booklet covering four tips for healthy eating that can be practiced in isolation or quarantine.
Food Banks & Other Resources:
Next to the map, you will find a list of addresses, food pick-up times, phone numbers, and requirements for each food bank.
VOLUNTEER POLICY INFORMATION
Important Volunteer/ Chaperone Information In order to volunteer in any capacity (including chaperoning trips) you must fulfill the following directives which are part of the Child Protective Law: The law requires all school employees, contractors, and volunteers to have direct contact with children to obtain clearances (child abuse history clearance and state and federal criminal history checks).
- For PA Criminal Background checks (no charge)
- For Child Abuse Clearance (no charge)
- For FBI fingerprinting (charge): or call #1-844-321-2101 The service code you will need is 1KG6Q9.
If interested, reach out to Ms. Urbano (curbano@northwoodcs.org) for a step-by-step guide to completing your clearances.
Eat Right When Money Is Tight
Are you struggling with your food budget? Are you looking for ideas for healthy, budget-friendly meals and snacks for your family?
Take a look at the SNAP-Ed Connection page of resources on the USDA's webpage, Eat Right When Money's Tight. It has meal planning and budgeting tips as well as links for food assistance resources in your area. You can also find helpful information on the Stay Safe and Healthy at Home page.
Power Kids: Pennsylvania's Electronic Library
Do you know about Power Kids, Pennsylvania's electronic library? With Power Kids, you and your child can access things like:
- BookFlix: Watch videos and read books
- CyberSmarts: Learn how to be a safe, responsible, and smart citizen with eBooks
- TrueFlix: Learn about people, places, nature, history, and science from videos and eBooks
- Chat with a Librarian
In addition, many libraries throughout Pennsylvania offer their members access to downloadable or streaming eBooks and audiobooks through Axis 360 and Hoopla. Enjoy new bestsellers and old favorites on your compatible digital device! Check with your library for additional info.
Coats and Car Seats:
Winter means keeping kids warm, but did you know that babies and young children in car seats should NOT wear puffy coats or snowsuits when in their car seats? CLICK HERE for a video that shows how a coat or snowsuit can compress under the harness of a car seat, sometimes up to four inches! This compression can cause the straps of your child's car seat to not to fit correctly, leaving a dangerous situation. Sleeping bags for babies can also add extra slack under the harness, creating an unsafe ride for your baby.
How should you keep your baby or young child in the car seat warm when it's cold?
Try these tips to keep your child warm and safe while in their car seat:
- Dress your baby or young child in snug layers, like onesies and leggings. Add long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, a hat, and shoes and socks. You can even include a jacket.
- For babies, use covers specifically for car seats that are designed to give warmth. The car-seat manufacturer should approve these covers for your specific car seat.
- After securing them in the car seat for older babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergartners turn their coats around and put them on backward (arms through the armholes) so the coat is on top of the harness, or use a blanket in the car.
Saturday Literacy Experience Program with Read to Succeed!
Register today! This is a great FREE resource for Kindergarten-3rd grade students. CHECK IT OUT!
Read to Succeed Philadelphia 2022-2023 Saturday Literacy Experience Interest Form
Literacy instruction and literacy experiences are facilitated by experienced, certified teachers. Each registered student receives a R2S kit that includes books, literacy activities, and supplies.
The Read 2 Succeed Philly Program will start on January 21st.
MLK Weekend at Please Touch Museum (ages 9 and under)
Location: 4231 Avenue of the Republic, Fairmount Park , Philadelphia, PA
RESERVE TICKETS FOR 1/16 HERE.
PTM Mission:
The mission of the Museum is to “Change a child’s life as they discover the power of learning through play.” More than ever, research shows the necessity of play in the social, emotional, and cognitive development of children. The work of the Museum is to ensure that we are delivering outstanding experiences in a welcoming environment, which encourages learning through play.
MLK Day at Eastern State Penitentiary (ages 9+)
Students, artists, educators, and public officials will read the entirety of Martin Luther King Jr.'s 1963 "Letter from Birmingham Jail." Music, spaces for reflection, and an opportunity to write someone currently incarcerated will occur throughout the in-person portion of the event. The letter will be read in person and via livestream in 3 acts. In-person guests should dress for the weather.
Additional Information:
Family Programming: From 12:00-2:00 pm, enjoy programming designed with children and their caregivers in mind. Educators will host story times featuring children’s books written by and about civil rights movement leaders.
About “Letter from Birmingham Jail”:
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was arrested in Birmingham, Alabama on April 12, 1963 for demonstrating without a permit. During his 11 days in jail there, he wrote “Letter from Birmingham Jail” in response to a letter published by Alabama clergymen that criticized King’s use of jail time to demonstrate civil injustice. In the letter, written with a contraband pencil in the margins of a newspaper, Dr. King explains why he chose to use prisons as a tool in his civil rights movement. The letter became a manifesto for civil disobedience, stating, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere,” and marked an important turning point in the civil rights movement.
Location: 2027 Fairmount Avenue, Philadelphia, PA
MLK Day at the Constitution Center (ages 5 and up)
The National Constitution Center honors the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. with a full day of activities, "I have a dream" art activities, and story corners. Admission to the museum is free for the day.
The National Constitution Center honors Martin Luther King Jr.’s lifelong dedication to justice, equality, and service for the greater good, with free online educational programs throughout January.
Location: National Constitution Center
January 2023 Creek Care Days: Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed
Let’s clean Tacony Creek Park and its gateways! Join your neighbors and TCP Keepers for weekly Wednesday cleanups and more this month:
Wednesday Creek Care Days (3pm to 5pm)
January 11 - I St. & Ramona Ave., Phila, 19124
January 18 - Garland St. & E Tabor Rd., Phila, 19124
January 25 - Whitaker Ave. and Loudon St., Phila, 19120
Saturday Creek Care Day: Philly (10am to 12pm)
January 14 - Garland St. & E Tabor Rd., Phila, 19124
MLK Day Cleanup (10am to 12pm)
Monday, January 16 - Whitaker Ave. and Loudon St., Phila, 19120
All tools and supplies will be provided, including work gloves, snacks, and water. Restrooms are not available. Please bring a reusable water bottle if you have one.
TTF Watershed. follows Philadelphia guidelines & will provide masks. Pre-registration required.
Contact Alex Rosario at Alex@ttfwatershed.org or 215-744-1853.
Community Meeting: Northwood Civic Association
Save the date! RESOLVE PHILLY will be at the next Northwood Civic Association meeting. The next meeting is on January 17th @ 7pm. NCA meets at St. James Lutheran Church on the corner of Castor and Pratt.
Questions? scorpiomari79@yahoo.com
15th Police District PSA1 Community Safety Meeting: THURSDAY, 1/26, 7 PM:
Stay informed and stay alert!
Text "ReadyPhila" to 888-777 to receive free text updates about excessive cold advisories from the City, including info on public safety and municipal services.
More tips on how to #StayWarmPHL https://bit.ly/2NsDP8a
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.
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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.
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