Bulldog Blast

📚Keep a look out! First-semester after-school clubs will be posted next week for sign-ups. Please note, that slots are first come, first serve and clubs vary each semester.

📓 ACTION REQUIRED: Signing and submitting the below form is a requirement for your child's 2023-2024 school enrollment. If you prefer a paper version of this consent, please reach out to Ms. Mohamad (Amohamad@northwoodcs.org) Please include information for each of your children attending Northwood within the form before submitting it. MEDIA CONSENT FORM

Forms are due by September 29th.

✏️ EACH WEDNESDAY we will be dismissing students at 12:00 noon.

Similar to our Northwood school website, and our weekly Bulldog Blast e-newsletter, we will continue to provide weekly updates and announcements for our K-8 communities. We will also be continuing to highlight our bulldogs in our 'Bulldog Spotlight' section below so please feel free to start sending your pictures to Ms. Urbano, curbano@northwoodcs.org.

To stay informed between issues of our newsletter, make sure to follow us on Instagram (@nacslife) for additional news and updates throughout the week!

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.

Here is an idea:

Explore the geography of Central and South America, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Spain. The terms “Hispanic” and “Latinx” include all of the above – so get out the globe, and challenge your child to count up all the countries. (There are more than 30!) For a closer look, go online. You can use Google Maps to take a 3D tour of many locations, and Google Earth to “visit” historic sites.

The 📚fifth annual Latin Book Fair 📚at Taller Puertorriqueño connects Latino authors, illustrators, and designers to Spanish-speaking readers of all ages throughout the city. The event — which traditionally features book launches, live storytelling, and musical performances — is a daylong celebration of language, heritage, and culture.

Where: Taller Puertorriqueno, Inc, 2600 N. 5th Street

When? Saturday, October 14, 2023 | 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Dear Parents and Guardians,

We hope this message finds you well. We would like to address a few important housekeeping matters concerning our school office operations to ensure the safety and efficiency of our school environment.

1. Lunches for Students: We kindly request that you have your children bring their lunches with them in the morning to minimize interruptions to classroom instruction. While we strive to assist whenever possible, please be aware that the front office staff may be occupied with various tasks throughout the day. As a courtesy, we have been accepting lunches, but it is important to note that the front office cannot assume responsibility for your children's lunches. Ensuring your child has their snack or lunch prepared each morning will help maintain the smooth operation of our front office.

2. Early Dismissals: For the safety and well-being of your child, we have implemented a policy regarding early dismissals. No child will be called down to the front office for an early dismissal without the presence of a parent or guardian. This policy is in place to guarantee that your child remains safe and supervised at all times. There may be instances when our front office staff must step away from their desks temporarily, and we want to ensure your child's security in such situations.

3. Limiting Early Dismissals: We kindly request that you limit early dismissals to important appointments or urgent matters. Reducing the frequency of early dismissals will help minimize disruptions to your child's education and maintain a focused learning environment for all students.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in adhering to these guidelines, as they contribute to the overall safety and efficiency of our school. If you have any questions or concerns regarding these policies, please feel free to contact the front office for clarification.

Thank you for your continued support in creating a safe and conducive learning environment for all our students.

Eric S. Langston is a native of Philadelphia, PA, and enjoys spending time with his wife Eboni, and their four beautiful daughters Ariah, Aubrey, Amina and A’Lena. Mr. Langston values education and is a life-long learner. Mr. Langston holds a Bachelor’s of Arts in Political Science from Temple University; a Masters in Organizational Development and Leadership from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine; a Masters of Education in Educational Leadership from Chestnut Hill College; as well as his Principal’s Certification PK-12. In addition to that, Mr. Langston is currently pursuing his Ed.D, along with his Superintendent's Letter of Eligibility from Gwynedd Mercy University.

Mr. Langston has spent over a decade working in urban charter environments and is passionate about the whole child remaining at the forefront of all we do. He has focused his efforts on success in three interrelated areas of culture and student behavior, building leadership capacity, and focused parent engagement, especially as it drives student achievement. Mr. Langston is committed to being unapologetic and relentless about keeping students first and remains an advocate for social justice.

High School Selection The Philly High School Fair will be held on Friday, October 13th (3-6 p.m.) & Saturday, October 14th (10 a.m.-2 p.m.) at the PA Convention Center: 12th and Arch Streets. The District’s High School Selection Process opened on September 15th at 4:00 PM. The application must be submitted online, where students can list up to five schools. The application deadline is October 27, 2023, at 11:59 PM.

Students may apply to charter schools at Apply Philly Charter. The application for 2024-2025 will open on September 22, 2023. The deadline is January 22, 2024.

Questions? Ms. Williams, dwilliams@northwoodcs.org.

IREADY: IReady is our benchmark assessment here at Northwood. I-ready assists in identifying academic programming for students. 1st grade - 3rd grade will be taking the Iready assessment this week and next week. Attendance is very important during this time as we would like 100% participation. For more information about Iready please click here:

English: IReady for Families

Spanish: Iready for Families (Spanish)

_______________________________________

Hispanic Heritage Month! 09/15 -10/15

10/2-10/6- Hispanic Inspired Lunch
> Our Food Service Provider Linton’s will be serving hispanic inspired lunch for K- 8!

Wed 10/11- Traditional Hispanic Grab!
> Come to school dressed in traditional Hispanic Garb!

On Monday we kicked off our NACS Fall fundraiser with Miss Chocolate/ Ashley Farms. Please note, packets were sent home with your child but family and friends can shop online at Miss Chocolate.com. If you did not receive a packet please reach out to your child's classroom teacher.

Northwood's Organizational ID#605108

Quick Facts:

Fundraiser starts: September 18th

Fundraiser ends: October 18th

Estimated Delivery: November 6th

Checks payable to Northwood Academy Charter School

• Wed- 10/4 - Bullying Assembly (Lower School)
  

• K-3 students will have an assembly defining bullying and the importance of kindness.

• Wed- 10/11 - Video Skit
  

• Teachers will receive anti-bullying skits/videos that can be presented during morning meeting with classrooms.

• Wed- 10/18 - Unity Day/ Parade
  

• Students will celebrate Unity Day with a Parade around the school building! Walking Permission Slips are forthcoming. (K-3)

• Wed - 10/25- Fall Fest (K-8)
  

• Northwood will celebrate a Fall Festival at the Simpson Recreational Center (outside). More details to come!

Please check your student's backpack daily, there may be some time-sensitive documents in need of signature. 🙂

Thank you!

Sign up to get essential weekly alerts from us via the school Remind app

Remind is a free, safe messaging app that keeps Northwood Academy families up to date with what’s happening in the classroom and school. Additionally, our weekly Bulldog Blast is sent out via Remind, along with other timely announcements throughout each week. Please sign up for our Remind notifications to stay on top of important updates from teachers and receive schoolwide updates in real-time.

Create a Remind account to receive Northwood's schoolwide alerts!

1. Go to remind.com/join/nacsnews (or download the free iOS or Android app)
2. Click Sign Up
   
3. Provide a full name, email address, and password
4. Choose your role
5. Follow the instructions to start using Remind

To sign up and receive alerts via text message, text @nacsnews to the number 81010 and select the appropriate role.

Note: Each teacher has a different class code for their individual classes. Please contact your child's teacher to receive this information.

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/

Join EAST COAST WINGS + GRILL along with Northwood Academy Charter School at a 'Dine & Donate' Fundraiser!

When? Wednesday, October 4th from 4:45 pm-8:00 pm

Where? 2539 CASTOR AVE PHILADELPHIA, PA 19134

What is a Dine & Donate event? Wednesday, 10/4 from 4:45 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! 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!

Are you eager to stay in the know about all the exciting events happening at your child's school? Do you want to lend a helping hand and get involved in the school community as a parent volunteer? Look no further! Our Parent Association is here to help you stay informed and engaged.

By filling out our simple form, you'll be sure to receive all the latest updates on school events, volunteer opportunities, and more. **Please note, if you completed this form last year you do not need to complete it again**

Don't miss out on any of the action - sign up today and stay in the loop with our Parent Association!

>> CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE OUR FORM. <<

LIHEAP is a government assistance program that helps to provide heat to vulnerable residents. PGW customers can receive a signup reminder from PGW when the program opens by visiting HERE.

Location: Frankford Pause Park 4673 Paul Street Philadelphia, PA 19124

Bring your own blanket. Snacks will be available for purchase.

• Friday, October 20th - Hotel Transylvania: Transformania

Visitors to Linvilla Orchards can purchase the perfect pumpkin, pick apples, run through the corn maze or straw bale maze, try an apple sling shot, play pumpkin toss, see the barnyard animals, and take a hayride.

Most activities are limited to weekends only, so be sure to reference the website for details. Parking and admission are free of charge; however, activities are pay-as-you-go. Hours vary by day of the week.

When? September 16th - November 5th

Where? Linvilla Orchards 137 Knowlton Rd, Media, PA, 19063

Bring the family for a day or night down on the farm! There's endless fun including 5 5-acre corn maze, pumpkin patch, wagon rides, LIVE music, tasty food, spirited drinks, loads of activities for the kiddos + Eerie Illuminations...a super fun Halloween light show.

• Online tickets range in price from $15 to $35 depending on date & time
• Tickets at the gate range in price from $20 to $40 depending on date & time
• Kids under 2 yrs are FREE
• Pick your own crops, NOT INCLUDED with admission, are sold separately

Our friends at Children First are hosting a series of Beating the "Back to School Blues" interactive sessions with local parents and guardians along with Kate Fox, Behavioral Health Policy Coordinator at Children First. Multiple sessions are available to meet the demands of your busy schedule. Click here to REGISTER TODAY.

Need more information or have questions? Email Kate Fox at behavioralhealth@childrenfirstpa.org and she'll be happy to answer them.

Enjoy the rest of your summer! Let's hit the ground running and be in good mental health as we welcome another school year this September.

• Homework Help
• Basketball Skills & Drills
• Gaming Fun!

Where? 5200 Penn St, Philadelphia, PA, United States, Pennsylvania

McIlvain Playground is a Philadelphia Parks & Recreation facility located in the city's Frankford section.

The attached flyers have information about the girls' program as well as the general program.

Lions & tigers & bears, oh my! The Zoo’s annual Halloween extravaganza, Boo at the Zoo, is back for three fun-filled weekends of costumes, festive fall treats, and ghoulish fun.

Gather your ghosts and goblins, put on your favorite costume, bring a bag, and trick-or-treat throughout the Zoo. Be sure to visit all the animal exhibits to see who might be munching on pumpkins or playing with Halloween-themed enrichment! Enjoy seasonal décor, photo opportunities, festive fall offerings, fun children’s activities, and more. Boo at the Zoo is included in the general admission ticket. Add more fun to your Boo at the Zoo day by experiencing a NEW Halloween-themed Nature Blazers scavenger hunt!

Halloween costumes with toy guns and weapons and adult masks are prohibited.

Special Member Hours: Trick-or-treat before the Zoo opens to the general public! This year, members get access to exclusive Boo at the Zoo hours, from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. on the following dates:

Saturday, October 14
Sunday, October 22
Saturday, October 28

Location: The Philadelphia Zoo, 3400 W Girard Avenue, Philadelphia, PA, 19104

• While viewing the newsletter on your phone, select "Translate Newsletter" at the top of the screen and select the language you wish to read it in.
• If you are viewing the newsletter on your laptop, look at the top right side of the newsletter at the Accessibility Bar and click on the "Translate Newsletter" option.

National Hispanic Heritage Month is observed annually from September 15 to October 15 to celebrate the rich culture and diversity of the American Latino community and the contributions of those who came from Mexico, Spain, the Caribbean, and South and Central America.

Produced in partnership with El Concilio; join The Franklin Institute on Saturday, September 16 for a special day of programming that highlights the contributions of some of the amazing Philadelphia locals and organizations that help educate and nourish our Latino community.

All programming is included in your museum admission and takes place from 12:00 – 4:00 pm.

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 our school social worker at dominiqueharris@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.

• Friday, 9/15- Sunday, 10/15- National Hispanic Heritage Month
  
• Saturday, 9/23- Fall Equinox 2023
  
• Monday, 9/25 - Yom Kippur- No School
• Wednesday, 10/4- Dine and Donate Event (Castor Avenue East Coast and Wings & Grill)
• Thursday, 10/12- Kindergarten Field Trip (Shady Brook Farm)
• Tuesday, 10/17- VIRTUAL Family Tech Talk, 7 pm (ZOOM details to follow)
• Friday, 10/27- Second Grade Field Trip (Shady Brook Farm)

More events to come!

Below is a list of the Board meeting dates for the Northwood Academy Charter School for the 2022-2023 school year. Meetings are held bi-monthly on the third Wednesday at 5:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) at 4621 Castor Ave and via Zoom: Join this Month’s Board Meeting. All meetings are open to the public.

You can find upcoming meeting agendas HERE.

• Wednesday, October 20, 2023
• Wednesday, December 20, 2023
• Wednesday, February 21, 2024
• Wednesday, April 17, 2024
• Wednesday, June 19, 2024

There will also be subcommittee meetings at 5:00 p.m. on the first and last Wednesday of each month as necessary. Any alteration of any of these dates will be reflected on the monthly calendar.

How to Join Meetings:

All Board meetings are held virtually. Should you wish to make a public comment, please refer to the protocols in the Northwood Student Parent Handbook:

Join this month's Board meeting >

Join a Subcommittee meeting >

Register for Public Comment: Northwood Academy Public Comment at Board Meetings Policy

Adopted: November 17, 2014 Revised: January 10, 2020

The Northwood Academy Charter School Board of Directors recognizes the value, to school governance, of public comment on matters facing the school.

In order to permit fair and orderly expression of such comment, the Board will provide up to a thirty (30) minute period for public participation on each of its public meeting agendas. Public comment may be on any topic related to the operation of the charter school. Please note, to be placed on the public section of the agenda, a written request must be addressed to the Board of Directors and hand-delivered to the front office or sent via U.S. Mail to 4621 Castor Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19124 or emailed to publiccomment@northwoodcs.org. Requests must be received at least three (3) working days prior to the scheduled meeting.

• The request must include all of the following information or it will be denied:
• The speaker’s name
• What, if any, group or persons the speaker represents
• What, if any, relation the speaker or represented group has with Northwood
• The topic or matter that will be addressed

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