Northwoods News

Northwoods Families,

I hope you had a wonderful weekend! Just nine more days before winter break! As usual, please take a few minutes to read through the information and updates below.

Upcoming Events:

• Wednesday, November 27th - Friday, November 29th--Thanksgiving Break
• Tuesday, December 10th - Wednesday, December 11th--IOWA Testing (3rd Grade Only)
• Tuesday, December 10th--Spirit Night at Panera (Park West Location)
• Thursday, December 12th--Gingerbread Decorating Contest
• Friday, December 13th--Q2 Interim Reports Go Home
• Monday, December 23rd - Sunday, January 5th--Winter Break
• Wednesday, December 25th - Thursday, January, 2nd--Hanukkah

Fifth Grade End of Year Celebration News!

5th grade families - it's not too soon to start thinking about the end of year celebration for our soon to be graduates! We need your help!

First, the 5th grade planning committee is collecting photos for the end of year slideshow shown at graduation. Every student will be featured in the slideshow with their 5th grade school picture. We also hope to include a picture of your child starting elementary school (or around that time frame). Please send an email to northwoods5th@gmail.com with the following information:

• Student Name
• Homeroom Teacher
• Age of student in photo
• Photo of your student around age 5.

Please send no later than January 30th!

Second, the 5th grade planning committee is coordinating with the school to create a memorable celebration at the end of the year. Northwoods PTA is generously contributing to the cost of this celebration, and we are starting to fundraise for the remaining amount.Families can contribute towards the fund by scanning the QR code above or by clicking on the "5th Grade Activities Donation" button below.

2024-25 Teacher and Instructional Assistant-of-the-Year:

I am excited to announce our 2024-25 Northwoods Teacher-of-the-Year award recipient is Ms. Sarah Bischoff (pictured left). Ms. Bischoff joined the Northwoods staff in 2023 and she has served as a kindergarten teacher since that time. Additionally, I am also excited to announce that Ms. Della Huffines (pictured right) was named as our Instructional Assistant-of-the-Year. Ms. Huffines serves as an IA on our Kindergarten Team. Please join me in congratulating Ms. Bischoff and Ms. Huffines! We are incredibly proud of them both!!

AIG Information:

This week, we will finish screening 3rd graders for possible placement into our gifted program. Students who qualify will have the opportunity to receive enrichment in math, reading, or both.

Towards the end of QTR 3, we will also screen all of our 2nd graders. This additional screening is new for us at Northwoods this year. 🙂

Please browse our AIG website for additional information and resources regarding Explorers, AIG, SSA, and enrichment activities for home. If you still have questions after reviewing the information, you may reach out to Brandy Sanders. Her contact information is provided on the site.

Tuesday, January 3rd is a Teacher Workday:

Last Tuesday the WCPSS Board of Education voted to convert Friday January 3rd to a Teacher Workday. Students will not return from winter break until Monday, January 6th.

2025-2026 Kindergarten Registration:

Kindergarten registration for the 2025-26 school year is now open! To qualify for kindergarten enrollment, children must turn 5 years old on/before August 31, 2025. To register your child, please visit https://www.wcpss.net/kindergarten. School tours for new/prospective families will be available through the winter. To sign up for a tour, please visit: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050D44AAA822A4FF2-45216498-northwoods?useFullSite=true#/

Clothing Needs:

We are in need of new or gently used pants (leggings, athletic pants, etc) for both boys and girls in all youth sizes (XS, S, M, L). If you have pants that your child(ren) no longer fit into, we would love to have them for our health room.

Early/Extended Holiday Travel:

As we approach the holiday season, I would like to gently remind everyone that that absences related to early travel for the holidays are considered unexcused and will be marked accordingly. Requests for excused absences for holiday travel will not be approved. Similarly, unless previously approved by school administration, extended travel past January 2nd will be marked as unexcused.

Moving/Transferring Students:

If you and your family are planning to change addresses, please make sure that our Data Manager, Crystal Hartzell, knows at least one week prior to the effective move date. You may contact her at chartzell@wcpss.net.

Ugly Sweater Day:

Join us for our first-annual Ugly Sweater Day on Friday, December 13th. We encourage students to show out in their finest "ugly" sweater. Sweaters may be store-bought or hand-made, and do NOT need to be holiday themed.

Spirit Week--December 18th - 20th:

Spirit Week is scheduled for December 16th - 20th. Please see the flyer below and encourage your child to participate.

Gingerbread Decorating Contest:

Our first annual Gingerbread Decorating Contest will be held on Thursday, December 12th! To register for the event, please click the registration button below. All registrations are due by November 30th. Displays will be dropped off on the morning of December 12th, and classes will have the opportunity to view the entries during the school day. Families and friends will be invited back from 6:00 - 7:30 to view the displays. Craft activities and a food truck will be on site.

Spirit Night at Panera:

Join us on December 10th from 4:00 - 8:00PM at Panera for our first Spirit Night of the 24-25 school year. Participants may dine-in or order take-out online. Be sure to use code FUND4U to ensure your purchase helps support our school! We hope to see you there!