Bulldog Blast

✏️ Monthly Community Check-In: Wednesday, April 19th, 8:00-8:30 AM in the school cafeteria. This is a monthly opportunity for guardians to stop in, get updated, and enjoy time to chat amongst themselves. On the morning of April 19th, we conducted our monthly Community Check-In for K-8 guardians. During the session, we will introduce our new team of NACS staffers and share updates on the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) and other important housekeeping matters.

✏️ SAVE THE DATE: NACS' April Board Meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 19th at 5:30 pm. All public Board meetings are held virtually. MORE INFORMATION

✏️ Mark your calendars: NACS will be closed on April 21st in observance of Eid-Al-Fitr.

✏️ After-School Clubs and PSSAs: Kindly take note that there will be half days during the week of April 24th-28th and the week of May 2nd-May 5th due to PSSAs in grades 3-8. This will result in a noon dismissal for all grade levels (K-8). Accordingly, there will be a modified schedule for After School Clubs, which will be from 12:15 PM to 1:15 PM. For further inquiries, please don't hesitate to contact the club instructor.

Friendly reminder, if you have any questions related to the Bulldog Blast please email our Community Coordinator Ms. Urbano, curbano@northwoodcs.org.

Dear Northwood Academy Parents and Guardians,

We are writing to inform you that students in grades 3-8 will be participating in the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) between April 24 and May 5, 2023. The PSSA is an important tool that provides critical information about the academic progress of your student(s). Individual student scores help teachers identify a child’s strengths and areas for growth, which in turn allows teachers to personalize a child’s instruction to best support their growth.

The PSSA is state-mandated, and participation by all students in grades 3-8 is required by federal law. During the assessment period, it is very important for students to attend school daily.

Parents may help their children prepare for the assessments by encouraging them to get plenty of sleep the nights before and providing them with a good breakfast on the mornings of the assessments. Parents can also reassure their children that these assessments will give students an opportunity to demonstrate their learning and to help teachers plan for the best possible means of instruction moving forward. Please review the information for parents and guardians that was prepared by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. You can find that information included in the weekly Bulldog Blast. Take the time to read all of the included information, so that you will fully understand the state testing program.

Lastly, please read the below schedule carefully as we are adopting a noon dismissal format this year for testing.

PSSA testing will occur at NACS on the following dates:

ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS: Grades 3-8

**The below dates will observe a school-wide NOON dismissal**

Monday, April 24

Tuesday, April 25

Wednesday, April 26

Thursday, April 27

Friday, April 28

MATH & MAKEUPS: Grades 3-8

Monday, May 1 (FULL INSTRUCTIONAL DAY)

**The below dates will observe a school-wide NOON dismissal**

Tuesday, May 2

Wednesday, May 3

Thursday, May 4 (Science 4th & 8th grade only)

Friday, May 5 (Science 4th & 8th grade only)

For additional Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) information, please visit the Pennsylvania Department of Education website. If you have general questions please reach out to Principal Riley, at ariley@northwoodcs.org.

For transportation-related questions please contact our Director of Operations, Mr. Brown, at abrown@northwoodcs.org.

For Special Education-related questions please contact Ms. Abellard, at dabellard@northwoodcs.org.

Thank you!

Ms. Hiestand’s class in 3rd grade working on text feature surgery last week in reading!

Parents and guardians, you can review our school's bullying policy here: NACS Bullying Policy.

Help Mighty Writers connect to teens 14-18 for a PAID summer internship experience!

Required training: July 6-7

Internship: July 10-Aug. 11, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. (30-minute lunch break)

Where: A Mighty Writers site near you!

(MW North, MW West, MW El Futuro, MW Germantown, MW Kennett)

Pay: $12/hour

Interns will work with our food distribution teams and summer camp staff. Please share the application with a teen you know! Short essay required.

Contact: gbernicker@mightywriters.org

Mighty Writers is a non-profit organization established in 2009. One hundred percent of the programs they offer are free. They serve communities in and around Philadelphia, PA, as well as in Camden, Newark and Atlantic City, NJ.

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.

Northwood Academy no longer has additional Chromebook chargers to provide to students outside of the ones they received when they were given Chromebooks. If your student needs a charger you can purchase one from Amazon for $10 that is compatible HERE.

We love receiving photos of our Bulldogs with big smiles and having fun! 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 our next Bulldog Blast 📰

Northwood Academy is hosting a free parent workshop on what constitutes bullying and the effects of bullying. All parents and guardians are welcome to attend.

Please complete this survey, so we can better serve you and your needs.

**Please be advised, this is a separate event from the Bully Policy Meeting during our monthly Community Check-In**

Join the Autism Society Greater Philadelphia and Connect with the Autism Community!

Sunday, April 16, 2023, 10 am-4 pm

Enjoy Autism Acceptance, Sensory Fun, Autism Resources, Fun Activities, and Interactive Entertainers as you connect with the Autism Community.

Tickets:

https://AutismAcceptanceZooDay2023.eventbrite.com

Autism Resource Fair tables: https://ResourceTablesforAutismAcceptanceZooDay2023.eventbrite.com

Questions:AutismSocietyZooDay@verizon.net Phone: 610-358-5256 ~ www.asaphilly.org

Event Information: https://www.asaphilly.org/events.php?id=169

Check out this great opportunity for middle schoolers to attend a FREE camp that will engage their minds and have fun at the same time!

July 5th – July 28th Monday-Friday

9:00-2:00 pm at Drexel University.

The deadline to apply is April 14th, but don’t delay – they are accepting first come, first served!

https://tinyurl.com/ULPSummer2023

Tookany Creek Trail Fest

Sunday, April 23 from 10am - 2pm

Tookany Creek Pkwy & Central Ave

Cheltenham 19012

On Earth Day Sunday -- April 23 -- Cheltenham EAC will host the second FREE Tookany Creek Trail Fest!

Start at the trail cleanup event at 9 am. Enjoy bird walks and activities, self-guided hikes, a Trail Feasibility Study update, environmental art, free snacks and drinks, and more.

Revival Walk (Philly Celebrates Jazz Edition):

Saturday, April 22 from 11am - 1pm

Start: Tacony Creek Park

East Tabor Road & East Olney Avenue Gateway Philadelphia 19120

The Revival Walk will honor the sun, wind, trees, birds, and nature. This walk will begin in the Olney neighborhood of the park, and end on the trail at our Birds of a Feather event!

Enjoy live jazz performances around 12:30pm at Birds of a Feather, from Olney Culture Lab as part of their Revival Walk (Philly Celebrates Jazz Edition) along the Tacony Creek Park trail.

Participants will also assist in removing trash along the way as an act of reciprocity to this important natural space. Register here Learn more

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.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Philadelphia is proud to present Digital Experiences For Youth (D.E.F.Y) Club. This online virtual club programming is 5 days a week/ Mon-Friday. There is no cost associated with the sessions.

Please contact lescalleetl@bcgphila.org for more information or on how to get started!

Clear. Blue, or Green... It doesn't matter. Plastic bags NEVER, ever, ever GO inside or should hold items in your RECYCLING BIN. A sturdy container holds recyclables just fine.

Learn more recycling tips at www.phila.gov/recycling.

Philadelphia-area summer fun that doesn't break the bank! See below for various themed camps offered this summer.

Arts & Culture Day Camps:

Rock to the Future: Rock to the Future is free day camp for young people living in Philadelphia to learn how to play instruments, write original music, and perform in bands.

Fleisher Arts Memorial: This arts center offers immersive visual arts day camps for young people ages 5-18. There is tuition assistance available.

Yes! And… Collaborative Arts: This performing arts organization has four summer camp options for kids of all ages who want to get on stage. One is completely free, and the others offer sliding scale rates starting at $5. Full scholarships are also available.

Taller Puertorriqueño: This Philadelphia organization that preserves and promotes Puerto Rican arts and culture hosts an arts and culture day camp for kids ages 6-14. Tuition is based on income and a sliding scale. There are also 25 full scholarships available and the program accepts Pennsylvania Child Care Works/Early Learning Resource Center subsidy payments.

The Clay Studio: Tuition assistance is available for the Clay Studio’s summer clay camps for young people entering 1st-12th grades.

Al-Bustan Arab Arts & Culture: This Arab arts and culture camp held at Bartram’s Garden offers a need-based scholarship.

Active Day Camps:

Philadelphia Parks & Recreation: The city’s Parks & Recreation department hosts more than 100-day camps at parks, recreation centers, and playgrounds. Some camps are low-cost and there are fee waivers available.

Starfinder: The full cost of this indoor soccer camp is $100 a week, but families are invited to pay less if they are unable to meet the full cost. Financial assistance is available.

Philadelphia City Rowing: Kids in grades 7-12 and enrolled in a Philadelphia public or charter school can learn how to row at this completely free summer program.

**** If you have followed the above instructions and are still having difficulties or not receiving NACS information please reach out to the Remind Help Desk for further assistance https://remind.ada.support/chat/ ****

April (abril) 12, 3pm-5pm

E Olney Avenue & Rising Sun Avenue

Philadelphia 19120

April (abril) 19, 3pm-5pm

Whitaker Avenue & East Loudon Street

Philadelphia 19120

April (abril) 26, 3pm-5pm

Rorer Street & Roosevelt Boulevard

Philadelphia 19120

Join your neighbors and TCP Keepers to clean Tacony Creek Park and its gateways. Únase a sus vecinos y TCP Keepers para limpiar Tacony Creek Park y sus entradas.

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.

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.

April- National Arab American Heritage Month (NAAHM)

April- National Autism Awareness Month

The evening of Wednesday, March 22nd - Evening of Friday, Apr 21st- Ramadan

Evening of Wednesday, April 5th - Evening of Thursday, April 13th- Passover

Wednesday, April 19th- April Community Check-In (details above)

Wednesday, April 19th- April Board Meeting

Friday, April 21st- School Closed- Eid al-Fitr

​Monday, April 24-Friday, April 28th- PSSA ​English Language Arts (ELA) Grades 3-8 (Please note, there is a noon dismissal each day of testing)

May- Asian/Pacific Heritage Month

Tuesday, ​May 2- Friday, May 5th- Mathematics & Make-ups Grades 3-8

Monday, May 8th- Friday, May 12th- PSSA Science & Makeups Grades 4 & 8

Wednesday, May 10th- TENTATIVE Muffins in the Morning (Kindergarten Event)

Friday, May 12th- TENTATIVE Mother's Day Morning Coffee and Pastries (grades 1-8)

Monday, May 29th- School Closed - Memorial Day

Website: northwoodcs.org
Location: 4621 Castor Avenue, Philadelphia, PA, USA
Phone: (215) 289-5606
Facebook: facebook.com/Northwood-Academy-Charter-School-153041454730750/
Twitter: @northwoodcs