NAHS Family Newsletter

Coming up:

May

5/16 3-hour early dismissal

5/26 Memorial Day- Schools closed

6/13 3-hour early dismissal

6/16 Last Day of school 3-hour early dismissal

Just a friendly reminder that early dismissal ends at 2:30pm.

Spring has SPRUNG and our students are in the home stretch of the school year! Testing is underway and our students will be taking MCAP Math assessments during the month of May. Students are expected to bring their device charged each day for testing.

We would like to remind our students that uniform expectations will be upheld in the warmer weather months. Shorts/Skirts should be appropriate length, and khaki material. Colors for bottoms are navy or khaki only. Uniform polos must be worn daily. No Crocs, open toe shoes or slides should be worn.

End of year events for each grade level will be held in early June. Students who are not able to comply with behavioral expectations will not be permitted to participate. Please reach out to your grade level team leader or administrator with any questions.

The Focus SIS System Now Has a Mobile APP

BCPS’ Focus Student Information System now has an accompanying app that can be used from mobile devices. The application can be used by Staff, Parents/Guardian’s, and Students.

Google Play Store: Team BCPS - Focus - Apps on Google Play

Apple App Store: Team BCPS- Focus- Apple App Store

FOCUS INFO
More information from BCPS about Focus App For Parents can be found here!
Directions on using the Focus App and logging in can be found here!
Directions on Creating a Parent Account can be found here!

Report Card Requests

If a parent/guardian would like an electronic copy or hard copy of a report card, please complete this form: https://forms.office.com/r/MR72K4jbAW

Hello!

My name is Jessica Miranda and I am Northwest Academy's CARE Liaison! Please take a look at the resources and links provided below.

My email address is Jmiranda@bcps.org

Please let me know if I can help in any way. I have access to many resources available in our community so please don't hesitate to reach out if you or your child needs anything.

My Northwest Academy's family involvement goals are:

• To educate parents on the important role they play in assisting in their child’s education.

• To encourage parents to be actively involved in their child’s education at school.

• To communicate with parents as full partners in their child’s education.

• To provide parents with opportunities, skills and tools to help them engage in meaningful parent-child learning activities.

Local Resources:
Baltimore County Crisis Response: 410-931-2214
Crisis text line: Text the word "HOME" to 741741 for free 24 hour support
Maryland Suicide and Crisis Hotline: 1-800-422-0009
National Suicide Prevention Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK

Baltimore County DSS: 410-887-TIME

Maryland Food Bank: 410-737-8282

211 Maryland: 211, https://211md.org/ or text 898-211

Additional resources: Baltimore County Resource Guide * BCPS Meal Sites * BCPS Social Emotional Support Page * MD Crisis Hotline * MD Food Bank * Baltimore County Crisis Response: 410-931-2214 * Crisis Text Line (Text the word "HOME" to 741741 for free 24 hour support)

• Join the Baltimore County Department of Aging on May 28th for National Senior Health and Fitness Day Event at Meadowood Park

• Free Cessation Counseling and Nicotine Replacement Therapy at Northpoint and Essex Library

• BGE Here to Help: BGE’s payment flexibility and energy assistance resources to help residents manage their bills. The Office of Home Energy Programs (OHEP) provides bill assistance to low-income households in the State of Maryland

Please see the photos of the coach class schedules. Reach out to the teacher to schedule.

As it gets warmer outside, please remind your student to bring a water bottle to school every day. Staying hydrated helps them learn better. Thanks for your support!

If you are interested in being a chaperone on a field trip or volunteering this year at NAHS please follow the directions in the link below. You will need to complete the application, watch the training video and get the certificate.

When completed please email the application and certificate to me at Jmiranda@bcps.org or turn it into the main office.

BCPS Volunteers - Baltimore County Public Schools

School attendance remains a priority for Northwest Academy of Health Sciences.

Our goal is for every student to attend instruction every day and on time. Regular school attendance ensures your child’s access to a high-quality education and has a major impact on their success from kindergarten through high school.

We understand that some absences are unavoidable due to health problems or other circumstances.

However, when students miss too much school — for any reason— they fall behind academically and will be considered chronically absent.

Chronic absenteeism is defined as any absence that exceeds more than 10 percent of the 180-day school year.

To help your child achieve the most from their learning experience, make school attendance a priority!

If you need any resources or assistance getting your child to school, please let us know so we can help!

MCAP testing is coming up. Ensure your child gets good sleep, eats well, and brings their device charged every day. Encourage them to try their best. Your support means a lot!

If your student has device issues, please fill out the NAHS device issues form. Anyone can fill it out. Please only fill out the form once per incident.

Thank you to everyone who has already joined the PTSA. Your membership supports both the PTSA mission and initiatives that enhance our children’s education experience. The PTSA is open to all, Parents/Guardians, Grandparents, Students, Faculty/Staff, or Community Members. We invite you to join us because we can do more together. It only takes a few minutes.

Join PTSA: https://nahs-00016312.givebacks.com/store?limit=21&live=true

Email: nahsptsa2@gmail.com

Spring means flower buds and blooming trees — and if you're one of the millions of people who have seasonal allergies, it also means sneezing, congestion, a runny nose, and other bothersome symptoms.

Reduce your exposure to allergy triggers.

To reduce your exposure to the things that trigger your allergy signs and symptoms (allergens):

· Stay indoors on dry, windy days. The best time to go outside is after a good rain, which helps clear pollen from the air.

· Avoid lawn mowing, weed pulling and other gardening chores that stir up allergens.

· Remove clothes you've worn outside and rinse pollen from your skin

· Wear a face mask if you do outside chores.

How can the school help a child with environmental allergies?

School can create a healthy environment for children with environmental allergies.

· Promote an odor-free environment, including no perfumes, no strong odors from cleaning supplies.

· Ensure adequate ventilation.

· Allow students to remain indoors on days when pollen counts are impacting their day.

· Close windows during times of high pollen counts to reduce allergens in the environment.

Antihistamines for allergies

· An allergy is an immune response, or reaction, to substances (allergens) that are usually not harmful. In someone with allergies, the immune response is oversensitive. When it recognizes an allergen, the immune system launches a response. Chemicals such as histamines are released. These chemicals cause allergy symptoms.

· One type of medicine that helps relieve allergy symptoms is an antihistamine, such as Claritin or Allegra.

How to Take Antihistamines

Depending on your symptoms, you can take antihistamines:

· Every day, to help keep daily symptoms under control.

· Only when you have symptoms

· Before being exposed to things that often cause your allergy symptoms, such as a pet or certain plants

For many people with allergies, symptoms are the worst around 4 a.m. to 6 a.m. Taking an antihistamine at bedtime may help you or your child feel better in the morning during allergy season.

(The school can only supply allergy medication/ eye drops when supplied by the parent with a Doctors order)

The first and most important step to protect yourself against flu viruses is to get a flu vaccine. You can get a flu vaccine at the same time as a COVID-19 vaccine. Find your flu vaccine. The injectable quadravalent vaccine will be available, which is not the high-dose vaccine recommended for people 65 and over. See your healthcare provider to obtain the high-dose vaccine. In addition, many local pharmacies offer free flu shots in your community. Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for the most up-to-date information on seasonal flu. If you are unable to attend a clinic, find a location offering vaccinations near you. https://www.vaccinefinder.org/

REMEMBER THE FLU FACTS Residents are encouraged to remember the flu FACTS in order to prevent the spread of contagious viruses, including seasonal flu: • Frequently wash your hands with soap and water. • Always get an annual flu shot. • Cover coughs and sneezes.

Parent University offers resources, videos, workshops, and system updates to support the needs of your family. Our program goals align with the BCPS Compass: Our Pathway to Excellence

Hello Math Families!

We are currently in the MCAP window for math testing. With that in mind, the math department is focusing on parent/caregiver resources available on the BCPS Secondary Math website. The resources available are extensive and include general information for all content areas as well as resources specific to math such as tutoring and MCAP practice tests. Click on the hyperlinks below to access these resources and reach out to your student’s math teacher for support.

BCPS Caregiver/Parent Resources https://www.bcps.org/cms/One.aspx?portalId=2828&pageId=70870394#Math

BCPS Secondary Math Office Family Resources https://cdnsm5-ss3.sharpschool.com/UserFiles/Servers/Server_2744/File/FACE/Academics/Secondary%20Math%20Digital%20Resources_WFNTK.pdf

Greetings NAHS community!

· Just Words– End of Year Assessment window May 5 – June 6

· ELA – Students have wrapped up their ELA MCAP for School Year 2024-2025. Students are working on their curriculum lessons and will complete their Quarter 4 Unit Assessments.

· Read 180 – Spring MAP Assessment window May 12 – May 30

· Devices are needed daily for class assignments and assessments – Please remind children to bring their charged devices to school and class each day.

Sincerely,

Reading and English Language Arts Department

School Counseling Updates

Greetings Northwest Academy of Health Sciences! As we move into the last few days of the school year, it is time to prepare for the summer months. Please keep an eye out for Summer Program opportunities offered through BCPS and other outside agencies.

Northwest Academy has a new partnership with Thrive. Thrive provides counseling services for students during the school day or in their office and is a great source of support for students requiring assistance with concerns such as:

· Anxiety, panic, or stress

· Intense sadness

· Conduct and behavior

· Impulse control issues

· Emotional regulation difficulties

· Difficulty getting along with others

· Grief and loss

· Traumatic experiences

· Feelings of loneliness and worthlessness

· Difficulty sleeping

If you are interested in their services, please reach out to Ms. M. Jones.

To schedule an appointment with your grade level counselor please click here: https://outlook.office365.com/owa/calendar/NorthwestAcademyofHealthSciencesCounselingOffice@bcpscloud.onmicrosoft.com/bookings/

Tonya Linton, 6th Grade School Counselor tlinton@bcps.org

Helen Tracey, 7th Grade School Counselor htracey2@bcps.org

Monica Jones, 8th Grade School Counselor and Department Chair mjones25@bcps.org

Deborah Carroll, Registrar dcarroll2@bcps.org