NAHS Family Newsletter

Coming up:

March

3/5 Conference Night 4p-6p

3/31 Systemwide PD Day- Schools closed for students

April

4/4 Third Marking Period Ends- Schools close 3 hours early

4/11(end of the day)-4/21 Spring Break

4/22 Schools reopen

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

Happy March NAHS Families!

Spring weather and longer days are approaching! We are at the midpoint of quarter of 3! Please be sure to check in on your students progress via Schoology.

Also, please keep a close eye on your students attendance data using Focus. We are seeing an increase in chronic absenteeism and students with a high number of absences. Students are expected to meet the state goal of 94% of days present each year!

Lastly, spring sports are upon us! Be on the lookout for registration and try out information!

A friendly reminder that students are required to follow uniform expectations at all times while in the building. As the weather changes and temperatures drop, students may wear a plain crew neck, cardigan, or fleece jacket that corresponds to their uniform color. They may also wear a long sleeve shirt under their uniform polo. No hooded sweatshirts or jackets are permitted.

Please take some time this weekend to ensure your student has something that aligns to their uniform colors and is permitted for cooler weather days.

Grade 6- Red or Gray

Grade 7- Light Blue or Black

Grade 8- Burgundy or Gold

Thank you for your support and adherence to this expectation.

If you are unable to provide proper cooler weather items for your child, please email Jmiranda@bcps.org

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!

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)

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!

MISA TESTING window is March 3rd – March 21st. This test will only involve 8th grade students and will test them on Science proficiency. As we enter into the testing window, please make sure students do the following:

• Come to school on time EVERY DAY!
• Be prepared…..this means having a fully charged device EVERY DAY!
• Be participatory…..this means students being cooperative and engaged EVERY testing session day.
• Go to bed ON TIME! Adequate rest is critical for students to perform optimally.
• Eat a well-balanced breakfast every day! Healthy eating is important!!
• DO YOUR BEST EACH AND EVERY DAY!

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

Families needing assistance with paying for or obtaining internet access for their children while at home should be directed to the Maryland Emergency Broadband Benefit (MEBB) service. The State of Maryland has partnered with the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) which provides eligible families access to free or reduced internet access for their homes. This internet access can be used for virtual learning, and access to online resources such as job postings, health resources, and other benefits for adult family members and children.

Maryland Emergency Broadband Benefit can be accessed through the MEBB website by going to a Baltimore County Public Library and using the available internet access.

Baltimore County Public Libraries also has a ‘Long Term Device Lending Program’ where patrons of the library can sign out either a ChromeBook and/or a cellular hotspot for up to six months. More information is available on the Baltimore County Public Library website (https://www.bcpl.info/services/longterm-lending.html ).

An alternative method is to contact the FCC Affordable Connectivity Program directly by calling (877) 384-2575. Services are available in multiple languages. Families must qualify for the service. A family can also contact one of the internet access/broadband providers on the attached listing directly to find out more about the application process.

Links to these resources are available on the BCPS Office of Network Support Services webpage. BCPS will not be providing cellular hotspots to students for virtual learning days. Only students who are verified as being in need, as defined by the Title I office, will be eligible to receive BCPS-provided hotspots. The MEBB, ACP, and BCPL lending programs are administered outside of Baltimore County Public Schools. All questions should be directed to either the Federal Communications Commission, the State of Maryland, or the Baltimore County Public Libraries as it relates to the appropriate program.

Questions regarding this information should be directed to the following individual(s): Greg Vukov, Director 443-809-9888

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,

The Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program, MCAP, officially begins this month. In order to continue to strengthen the home-school connection, links to two resources are provided below. The first resource is a quick guide to Understanding MCAP published by the Maryland State Department of Education. The second resource is from PBS and focuses on six strategies to help students with test anxiety.

Together we can!

A Quick Guide to Understanding MCAP https://marylandpublicschools.org/about/Documents/DAAIT/Assessment/MCAP/MCAPOverview2022.pdf

Six Ways to Help Kids Tackle Test Anxiety https://www.pbs.org/parents/thrive/six-ways-to-help-kids-tackle-test-anxiety

Greetings NAHS community!

• Just Words– Students are working on assignments to build literacy skills.

• ELA – Just completed MAP assessments
• Read 180 – Students are working on the workshops and completing assignments in the Read 180 app.

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