WAYS TO CELEBRATE NATIONAL HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH WITH KIDS
From September 15th to October 15th, the U.S. celebrates the cultures and contributions of Americans who identify as Hispanic or Latinx. National Hispanic Heritage Month is a great time to teach your kids about the histories and traditions behind these cultures, try new traditions, and reflect on the important role they play in our nation today. Each week during this month we will be sharing a different idea on how to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month.
Here is an idea:
Check out Latinx and Hispanic art museums, exhibits and events.
Scan your community listings for a museum, exhibit or cultural event near you. For an online alternative, try the Latino Cultures in the U.S. section of Google Arts & Culture, which includes “25 Latino Artists You Should Know,” an “Art of the Americas” online exhibit, and a virtual tour of The Mexican Museum.
Where to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in Philadelphia in 2022
WHERE? Frankford Pause Park, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. October 7th
You can learn this essential Dominican social dance for free as part of Frankford’s Pause Park slate of fall programming — no prior dance experience necessary.
Already mastered bachata? The class’s instructors come from Controlla Dance Academy, a South Philly dance studio that specializes in Latin Ballroom, from mambo to salsa.
30+ Latino-Owned Restaurants in Philadelphia to Check Out Right Now!
Puerto Rican, Mexican, Argentine and more Latin eats await at these Philly eateries.
What is Yom Kippur?
Yom Kippur is the holiest day in Judaism. It is a day marked by prayer and fasting. Yom Kippur is observed on the 10th day of the Jewish calendar month Tishri. The holiday usually occurs in September or October.
In English, Yom Kippur is known as the Day of Atonement. The holiday’s purpose is to purify the individual and community. On Yom Kippur Jews are forgiven for their sins against God. They also ask for forgiveness from people they have wronged. No work can be performed on this day.
Friendly reminder, Wednesday, October 5th, school will be CLOSED in observance of Yom Kippur. Classes will resume on Thursday, October 6th.
Indigenous People’s Day Celebration: Sunday, October 9th
This Sunday, head to Bartram's Garden to honor Indigenous heritage at this free, outdoor event featuring Aztec dancing and drumming performances, presentations by Indigenous activist movements, children’s activities, and more.
This festival was organized with community partners at Ollin Yoliztli Calmecac, Native Nations Productions, and the Philadelphia Cultural Fund.
When? Sunday, 10/9, 1-5 pm
Location: Bartram's Gardens, 5400 Lindbergh Blvd. , Philadelphia, PA 19143
Unity Day Orange Shirt Design Contest
October is Bullying Prevention Month. We are excited to host a school-wide Unity Day, a national day of bullying education and prevention, on Wednesday, October 19th. Students and staff in schools across the country wear ORANGE on Unity Day to show kindness, acceptance, and inclusion. At our school, we will recognize Unity Day with in-class activities and an assembly.
Also, we are having a Unity Day Orange Shirt Design Contest to promote parent and family engagement. Here are the contest details:
Parents/guardians and their child(ren) can work together to create a customized, homemade, anti-bullying related design on an orange shirt. The design must promote kindness, acceptance, and inclusion using slogans/phrases, decorations, and/or drawings on an orange shirt. Feel free to use embroidery, rhinestones, glitter, buttons, etc. Be creative and enjoy the process!
On Tuesday, 10/18 (the day before Unity Day), send an email including: (1) your child’s full name and (2) a clear and up-close picture of your child’s anti-bullying design on an orange shirt to: Ms. Lozandieu (Grades K-4) at mlozandieu@northwoodcs.org or Mr. Whitlatch (Grades 5-8) at awhitlatch@northwoodcs.org.
On Wednesday, 10/19, students will wear the customized orange shirt to school.
The top 2 winners from Lower School and the top 2 winners from Upper School will each receive a $50 Target gift card. Winners will be selected on Thursday, 10/20.
REMINDER: The deadline for contest submissions is Tuesday, 10/18 via email.
SIGN UP FOR EXTRACURRICULAR CLUBS
Northwood will be continuing to use the platform called FamilyID for club registration. If you don't already have a FamilyID account, you will be prompted to set one up (this only takes a minute).
At this time Robotics Club, Literacy and Art Club, Impact Club, Directed Drawing and Comic Book Club are posted. Please note, these are grade specific after school clubs and slots fill up FAST.
Miss Chocolate School Fundraiser
NACS is sponsoring a Fall fundraiser with Miss Chocolate/ Ashley Farms. They are offering items from Winter Collection and Gourmet Shoppe. Please note literature was sent home with your child but family and friends can shop online at Miss Chocolate.com.
Northwood's Organizational ID#605108.
Quick Facts:
The fundraiser ends: October 13th
School delivery will be: Monday, November 7th (details to follow)
Checks payable to: Northwood Academy Charter School
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.
DINE & DONATE WITH NORTHWOOD AT EAST COAST WINGS + GRILL!
Join EAST COAST WINGS + GRILL along with Northwood Academy Charter School at a 'Dine & Donate' Fundraiser!
When? Wednesday, October 19th from 5 pm-8 pm
Where? 2539 CASTOR AVE PHILADELPHIA, PA 19134
What is a Dine & Donate event? Wednesday, 10/19 from 5 pm-8 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! Help us reach our goal of $300!
Not only can kids eat for $1.99 (with an adult entree) on Wednesday nights but they will be playing movies in the restaurant for your entertainment! We hope to see you there!
7 Games Like Wordle for Kids:
While some word games may be too difficult for children, there are quite a few word games online for kids of all reading levels. Playing with words and word games teaches a love of words. Kids can play these daily word games alone or with a friend.
- Wordle for Kids: This one is the most like the classic Wordle. However, the big difference is that kids can opt to continue playing after they've completed the word puzzle. Stats like win streaks, win percentage, and games played are saved to their profile.
- Kidle: Kidle is a free app for Android and Apple, but also has a browser-based game. Kidle allows users to set the number of guesses allowed, from 4 to 8, as well as choose between 3-letter words and 4-letter words. Play is unlimited.
- Wordle Jr.: This is an easier play than many of the other games on this list. Instead of a 5-letter word, it's only 4, and you are allowed 7 guesses. In addition, you can have 2 hints. There is a new word each day. This is a great starter game to play with kids just learning to spell.
- ESL Wordle: Kids can pick from eight categories: animals, countries, prepositions, the body, food, sport, clothes, and irregular verbs. After completing a word, a new one will automatically appear. It's a much more fun way to learn English than phonics worksheets!
Grieving/Youth Violence Resources:
Dozens of organizations across Philadelphia are dedicated to helping those affected by gun violence. Find a few below:
- Up The Block Resources for those Affected by Gun Violence. Click here if you have been affected by gun violence or are looking for resources for violence prevention and healing
- PHILLY TRUCE APP The PHILLY TRUCE APP puts Philadelphians with knowledge of potentially violent conflicts in direct contact 24/7 with trained mediators. Click here to download.
- Cease Fire Philadelphia Call Cease Fire to stop violence from happening 215-913-6917. Go to www.philaceasefire.com to learn more.
- Final Farewell: Final Farewell provides financial assistance, advice and guidance to grieving families from all religions and backgrounds so they may provide an affordable and decent funeral for their loved child. Call 215 870-8110 or go to www.finalfarewell.org
- Bereavement Support Services Through the Philadelphia Department of Public Health, offers bereavement counseling and/or referrals to appropriate resources for parents who have experienced a late fetal loss or the death of an infant or child. Call 215-685-7411 for help. http://www.phila.gov/health/medicalexaminer/BereavementSupport.html
Boo at the Philadelphia Zoo: Saturdays and Sundays from Oct. 15- Oct. 30
The Philadelphia Zoo is celebrating Halloween this October with the return of Boo at the Zoo on Saturdays and Sundays from Oct. 15 through Oct. 30. Dress in your favorite costume and go trick-or-treating through the 42-acre zoo campus. Visit the Zoo's extinction graveyard, where people can find out what animals the Zoo is trying to save from extinction.
The annual not-so-scary extinction graveyard will provide educational opportunities for children and families, showcasing and exhibiting animals the Zoo is trying to save from extinction. Fall food and drink offerings include hot apple cider, and plenty of sweets and treats, including those for people with food allergies. Tickets are free with general admission. Tickets are included in the price of admission, which is $24 for adults, or $19 for kids up to 12 years old.
Philadelphia Zoo: 3400 W. Girard Ave., Philadelphia PA 19104
Jump Around at We Rock the Spectrum
We Rock the Spectrum Kids Gyms was founded to provide a place for children of all ability levels to play and grow together. As the only kids gym that offers an inclusive philosophy they have found all children can benefit from their uniquely designed sensory equipment that is specifically designed to aid children with sensory processing disorders.The venue hosts a number of events, including Parent’s Night Out and characters meet-and-greets.
More Information:
12357-59 Academy Road, Philadelphia, PA 19154
info@werockthespectrumnortheastphilly.com
215-904-6280
Fall into Reading with the Free Library!
Check out an online activity adventure for more fun and interesting ideas to keep your mind moving this fall. This month, they will be learning more about NASA's upcoming Artemis Moon launch and plans to reach Mars.
Sign up at https://freelibrary.beanstack.org/reader365 or download the FREE Beanstack Tracker app on your phone and look for the Free Library of Philadelphia.
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.
MCKINNEY-VENTO ACT: 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