Bulldog Blast
Wednesday, February 15th, 2023
This Week & Looking ahead:
- VIRTUAL February Community Check-In: Wednesday, 2/15 Please see the flyer below.
- VIRTUAL BOARD MEETING TONIGHT: Meetings are held bi-monthly on the third Wednesday at 5:30 PM Eastern Time. All meetings are open to the public. Join via Zoom HERE.
- Friendly reminder, Monday, February 20th school will be closed in observance of President's Day. Classes will resume Tuesday, February 21st.
- Friday, February 24th 5th Grade will be headed to the Franklin Institute!
- Wednesday, March 1st- Dine & Donate Night @ East Coast Wings + Grill (Castor Avenue), 5:00 pm-8:00 pm. Northwood Academy will receive 15% of the sales from all Northwood friends & families that came in to dine at the Castor Avenue East Coast and Wings & Grill. Make sure to mention Northwood Academy when you order.
- Save the date: 8th-grade graduation pictures will be held Tuesday, March 7th during the school day. Closer to the event, picture day packets will be sent home. Take note, RETAKES will not be available for 8th-grade pictures. Additionally, NACS does not wear graduation caps in our pictures.
- Wednesday, March 8th- VIRTUAL Family Tech Talk Parent Webinar, 7 pm. See below for more details.
Upcoming March Field Trips:
3/6, Kindergarten (Please Touch Museum)
3/7, Social Skills Students and Behavior Support Team (Adventure Aquarium)
3/9, Grade 1 (Please Touch Museum)
Welcome to Northwood!
Mr. Johnson's life's work is to serve underprivileged youth through education and mentorship. This interest was sparked during his undergraduate experience studying abroad/interning at schools in Namibia, Africa, and Beijing, China. He has been able to impact communities serving as an administrator in nonprofit, and social services, and over a decade in education leadership. Mr. Johnson is excited to bring his experiences/knowledge with restorative practices, trauma-informed schools, operations, community engagement, professional development, incentives, team building, Diversity Equity & Inclusion, Social Emotional Learning, and more.
Outside of school, Mr. Johnson enjoys spending time with his family, traveling the world, volunteering, and growing his business/investment ventures. His approach can be defined in this quote “Let one generation plant the seeds, so the next generation may enjoy the shade.” Dean Johnson is very thankful to support and make a positive impact on the Northwood community.
Bullying Education Workshop at Northwood Academy Charter School
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**
Highlights from GO RED DAY and the kindergarten valentine's Day Dance:
Highlights from Eagles Dress Down Day:
Parent Corner:
DENTAL HYGIENE SUPPLIES DRIVE ON FEBRUARY 6-24
We are hosting a school-wide dental hygiene supplies drive from February 6-24 in support of One House at a Time. This non-profit provides beds, bedding, stuffed animals, books, and dental hygiene supplies to homeless children and youth in Philadelphia.
Students can bring these items to school:
single-pack small toothbrushes
multipack small toothbrushes
single-pack large toothbrushes
multipack large toothbrushes
toothpaste for older kids
toothpaste for younger kids (non-whitening)
floss
Chromebook charger Update:
Imagine a Clean Energy Future student contest- Grades 5-8 (Deadline 2/28)
As you know, solar is one of the fastest-growing energy sources. To help students engage with a sustainable future, Philadelphia Solar Energy Association (PSEA) has launched a student contest to Imagine a Clean Energy Future. In order to build a sustainable future, we have to see it. T
he contest has three categories:
1. Visual Arts: all visual media accepted: drawings, paintings, collages, etc.
2. Language Arts: 500 words or less essay, poem, or other written format
3. Video: 90 seconds or less showing an invention, concept, learning center, or other ideas that will help us build a clean energy future.
The contest is open to all students in grades 5 - 8. Students may submit entries in one, two, or all three categories. Prizes will be awarded in the spring during Earth Week. PSEA will also be exhibiting the students' work at a venue in Center City Philadelphia this spring.
The deadline is February 28, 2023.
Free Internet safety webinar for NACS families: Wednesday, March 8th, 7pm
While kids scroll through TikTok, download new apps like Gas, upload videos to YouTube, or play their favorite CRPG (computer role-playing games), they’re not thinking about data privacy, cyberbullying, scams, or other potential dangers. That’s why making sure kids are safe online should be an ongoing conversation—but many guardians don’t know where to start.
This Internet safety webinar for parents and guardians, Family Tech Talk, is free for our school community and helps parents and guardians learn what kids are doing online and how to help keep them safe. Registration is free!
The Family Tech Talk parent webinar
will be held on Wednesday, March 8th.
Caregivers will learn:
- Social media insights and trends: What parents should know
- Tips for managing screen time
- Best practices to help kids be safe online
- How to help kids learn to be kind and respectful online
- Ways to manage devices, including app settings for age-appropriate content, camera and privacy settings, and more
- Plus, a live Q&A allows parents to ask their own questions and feel supported by other parents attending from schools across the country!
THE ZOOM INFORMATION WILL BE SHARED CLOSER TO THE EVENT.
Interested in attending? RSVP to Ms. Urbano, curbano@northwoodcs.org
Please read the below message from YouthCOR:
Although COVID-19 is slowly leaving our lives, the effects of the pandemic remain. The mental health of our youth and the growing needs of our students consumes our work every day. The CEO of CORA, AnnMarie McDowell, has developed one agency-wide CORA Holiday for CORA staff – a recognition day to rest, care for their own individual needs, and care for their family. On Monday, March 20, 2023, nearly three years from our last day of typical operations before the pandemic we are observing this CORA Mental Health Day. As a result of this holiday, all YouthCOR programs will be closed.
We will resume operation on Tuesday, March 21st, 2023.
Thank you for understanding and supporting all we do at CORA.
Bulldog Spotlight: Eli Hill
BULLDOG SPOTLIGHT: WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!
If you have something you would like to share with our NACS community, or would like to nominate your child for our Bulldog Spotlight, please email curbano@northwoodcs.org.
Photos must be submitted no later than noon on Tuesday to be shared in the upcoming Wednesday issue.
Community Corner:
Black History Month 2023:
Save the Date: Black Generational Wealth Series 2023 – Feb 25th
The Black Generational Wealth Series is part of the Mayor’s Office of Black Male Enagement’s My Brother’s Keeper (MBK) Action Academy. MBK Action Academy aims to close the opportunity divide for Black men and boys in Philadelphia. This day-long event will bring together government and community leaders to offer workshops, resources, and networking opportunities across the city that are relevant to Philadelphia’s Black men and boys.
While The Black Generational Wealth Series is targeted toward Black men, all residents are welcome to attend. All three events are free, and registration is available online.
Date and Time: Saturday, February 25, 2023, 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Kimmel Campus Presents: DRUMLine Live Friday, Feb 17th
A portion of the ticket proceeds benefits United Negro College Fund Philadelphia.
Leaders and Legends Black History Month Exhibition
Leaders and Legends of Philadelphia 2023: FEBRUARY 4-28
SMITH MEMORIAL PLAYGROUND 3500 RESERVOIR DRIVE, PHILADELPHIA, PA 19121
**STAY TUNED FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE 2023 EXHIBIT!**
SAVE THE DATE: Black History Month 2023: An Evening Conversation with Dr. Bernice A. King Sunday February 26th 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Join AAMP and Wells Fargo on Sunday, February 26th as they present An Evening with Dr. Bernice A. King: The Beloved Community at Mother Bethel AME Church. Dr. King is a minister, a lawyer, and the daughter of the late Dr. Martin Luther King and Coretta Scott King. As CEO of The King Center, she leads efforts to ensure a society based on justice, equal opportunity, and love of one's fellow human beings.
WHEN: February 26, 2023, at 4:00 pm
WHERE: Mother Bethel AME Church 416 South Sixth Street Philadelphia, PA 19147
Additional Upcoming Community Events:
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
Stay Connected Sign up to get essential weekly alerts from us via the Remind app
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.
Important Dates on the Horizon
Wednesday, February 15th- VIRTUAL Community Check-in, 12:15 pm-1:00 pm
Wednesday, February 15th- Monthly Board Meeting, 5:30 pm
Monday, February 20th- School Closed - President's Day
Friday, February 24th- 5th Grade Franklin Institute
March- National Women’s History Month
Wednesday, March 1st- Dine & Donate Night @ East Coast Wings (Castor Avenue), 5 pm-8 pm
Tuesday, March 7th- 8th grade pictures
Wednesday, March 8th- VIRTUAL Family Tech Talk Parent Webinar, 7 pm
Wednesday, March 15th & Thursday, March 16th- Report Card Conferences (details to come)
April- National Arab American Heritage Month (NAAHM)
April- National Autism Awareness Month
Monday, April 3rd – Monday, April 10th- School Closed - Spring Recess
Monday, April 24-Friday, April 28th- PSSA English Language Arts (ELA) Grades 3-8
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
Monday, May 29th- School Closed - Memorial Day
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