Bulldog Blast

Dear Northwood Families,

In the event of inclement weather, we have sent home asynchronous assignments with students this afternoon to be completed for tomorrow, Friday January 19th 2024. As of this moment, there has been no official message for closing, however as a precaution, we have equipped students with asynchronous assignments that must be completed and submitted on Monday January 22, 2024. Thank you for your understanding and please be sure to check your Remind and/or Email for official messaging.

Be safe & stay warm!

🍎 Interim Reports: Please note, that interim reports will be coming home tomorrow, 1/19.

🍎 Seventh Grade Field Trip: Take note, that our 7th grade field trip to the Franklin Institute has been rescheduled to Friday, February 2nd.

📓 Parent/Guardian Information & FOCUS: Parents, last Thursday 1/11, two forms were sent home regarding updating contact information in our FOCUS system and income guidelines for Title 1. Please make sure to check your child's school bag. Forms are due by tomorrow, Friday, 1/19

Questions? csantiago@northwoodcs.org

📓 Upcoming Parent Meetings: Please note that due to our SNOW DAY, yesterday's parent meetings have been rescheduled. Next Wednesday, 1/24 at 8:30am SPED families are welcome to join the SPED team in the school cafeteria for a meet and greet. RSVP is due Tuesday, 1/23. At 5:30 via ZOOM on Wednesday, 1/31 we will continue to host our Community Check-in for all K-8 guardians.

🍎 Save the Date: 8th Grade Pictures are scheduled for Tuesday, March 12th, 2024.

Please note the following:

• Graduation gowns are provided by Lifetouch Studios. Caps are not worn in graduation pictures. Traditionally girls wear golden rod yellow and boys wear maroon.

• RETAKES will not be available for 8th-grade pictures.

• Pictures will also be available for purchase online after picture day. We will have a picture day code closer to the event. Thank you!

In our effort to continue NACS parent/guardian engagement with the Administrative Team, we have added another way for parents/guardians to schedule a meeting with an Administrative Team member. You can schedule a meeting by clicking this link or scanning the QR code, to complete the Google form. Once your request has been received, you will receive a follow-up email with confirmation of your request. An additional phone call and/or email will be sent to confirm your scheduled meeting date and time.

Please complete this form to confirm your child(ren)'s re-enrollment to Northwood Academy Charter School for the 2024-2025 school year.

This re-enrollment is due by January 31st, 2024. If re-enrollment is not complete for your child(ren) by the due date, this may result in loosing their spot for the next school year.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact Ms. Mohamad (Amohamad@northwoodcs.org)

With winter weather in full swing don't forget to reference our "Inclement Weather" landing page on the school's website for our specific policies and procedures.

Dear Northwood Academy Charter School Parents,

We hope this message finds you well. As we prepare for the upcoming 2024-2025 school year, we want to bring your attention to an important enrollment reminder.

Please be aware that having a currently enrolled child at Northwood Academy Charter School (NACS) does not automatically register their sibling. For each new child entering Northwood, you must complete the lottery process, regardless of any siblings already attending NACS.

While siblings are given priority in the enrollment process, it's crucial to note that their acceptance is based on availability within the grade, and they may be placed on a waitlist.

We appreciate your cooperation and understanding as we work to ensure a fair and transparent enrollment process. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to the school administration.

Thank you for your ongoing support.

We would like to bring to your attention an important matter regarding our school's policies on food delivery services.

Please note that students are strictly forbidden from using delivery services such as DoorDash, Grubhub, or Uber Eats to have takeout food sent to the school premises. This policy is in place to ensure the safety, security, and well-being of all students, as well as to maintain a conducive learning environment.

We kindly request your support in communicating this information to your child and reinforcing the importance of adhering to school rules. Students are encouraged to bring their own lunches or make use of the school cafeteria for their meal needs.

Thank you for your cooperation in helping us maintain a safe and focused educational environment. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this matter, please feel free to contact the school office.

If you have not done so already, 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. Take note, not all teachers have a separate Remind classroom.

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/

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. <<

Do you know about Power Kids, Pennsylvania's electronic library? With Power Kids, you and your child can access things like:

• BookFlix: Watch videos and read books
• CyberSmarts: Learn how to be a safe, responsible and smart citizen with eBooks
• TrueFlix: Learn about people, places, nature, history and science from videos and eBooks
• Chat with a Librarian

In addition, many libraries throughout Pennsylvania offers their members access to downloadable or streaming eBooks and audiobooks through Axis 360 and Hoopla. Enjoy new bestsellers and old favorites on your compatible digital device! Check with your library for additional info.

The WIDA ACCESS is an annual state required assessment for all students, considered to be English Language Learners, in all grades K-8. The WIDA website provides the following basic information about the test:

• The test provides information about students’ English language abilities in school. Educators use this information to make decisions about students’ education.
• ACCESS measures what students know and can do in English in the domains of Listening, Reading, Speaking and Writing.
• Students do not need to study for the test, but rather, focus on demonstrating their language abilities.

At Northwood, our students will test between the dates of 1/29/24 and 2/16/24. Parents and Guardians who have children involved in testing, will receive further details in January. Questions? ACarlson@northwoodcs.org

Have you heard the good news?! Starting January 6th, Saturday service is back at

Tacony Branch - Free Library of Philadelphia. https://libwww.freelibrary.org/blog/post/5205

The Literacy Enrichment Afterschool Program (LEAP) offers K-12 out-of-school programming in Neighborhood Libraries. This programming fosters an inclusive, informal learning environment for children, teens, and families, with accessible learning activities that build on life skills, Maker philosophies, and wellness concepts.

https://libwww.freelibrary.org/programs/leap

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.

• Wednesday, 1/24/24, SPED Coffee & Conversations with Mrs. Leite (8:30am-9:30am)
  

• Wednesday, 1/31/24, January Community Check-In (Zoom Webinar, 5:30 pm)

• Thursday, 2/1, First Grade Field Trip (PTM)

• Friday, 2/2, 7th Grade Field Trip (Franklin Institute) NEW DATE

• Friday, 2/2, Kindergarten Field Trip (Legoland)

More events to come!

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