February 24, 2023

February 24 - PTA Bingo Family Fun Night

February 28 - Hardship Transfer Deadline

March 13 - Professional Development Day (No School)

March 14 - Teacher Workday (No School)

March 17 - All Pro Dads

March 23 - FCS Board Meeting

April 18 - Northwood Kindergarten Round Up

While the week was short, it was action packed. The staff participated in professional development activities on Tuesday, and the students jumped back into their routines for the remainder of the week. We also conducted two safety drills this week, evacuation (fire), and shelter in place (severe weather).

BINGO NIGHT - The PTA has been working hard and is ready to see families at BINGO night tonight! It'll be a fun night for all!

SGC Candidacy Time - please scroll down through this newsletter to learn more about the candidacy process for the FCS School Governance Council. Northwood is seeking two parents to fill upcoming vacancies.

We have recently heard from the Fulton County operations department that they will install bollard (waist high) lighting from our main front gate, along the sidewalk toward the front entrance. Adding lighting to that part of campus has been a priority for a while so we are excited that the district has agreed to the project. As far as a timeline is concerned, we are at the mercy of the contractors and their supply chain. It is possible the work will start while school is in session this semester, but they may also have to push it to the summer. I’ll share updates as I have them but wanted the community to know of this upcoming safety enhancement.

With gratitude,

Heather Rucker

Principal

Here are a few of the activities that we have been working on in TAG:

1st Grade and KK TAG students are working on the unit “Common Cents” which involves the concept of value in our system, distinguishes needs from wants, identifies producers and consumers, and how economics are important to our lives. This lesson allowed the students the opportunity to “purchase” materials to build a house that could withstand the “huff and puff” so as not to blow down. Some had great success, while others did not.

2nd Graders have been working on a unit called “What’s the Matter in the Kitchen." They have been conducting a lot of hands-on experiments dealing with changing states of matter. Some have been yummy and others kind of gross! Fun, none the less!

3rd Graders have been working on the unit “Energy Crisis” in which they have been developing alternative energy sources involving the use of renewable energy. Here, students are attempting to solve multiple puzzles using the “escape room” method.

4th Graders are completing a unit called “Camp Interdependence." This unit has students researching various national parks and looking at how interdependent they are along with nature, humans, climate, etc. This activity has students creating a tie-dye shirt to show how they are interdependent on each other for support and success.

Meanwhile, 5th grade has been focusing on their unit “Changes in Georgia’s Coast." This unit is about the importance of the barrier islands, particularly on the Georgia coast. One activity had students create a lighthouse to share with our class. This unit is preparing the student for their Tybee Island fieldtrip in March.

As part of your child’s Health and Physical Education program, Northwood Elementary School is preparing to participate in the FITNESSGRAM physical fitness assessment. The FITNESSGRAM is a comprehensive fitness assessment for youth. It is designed to assess aerobic capacity, muscular strength and endurance, flexibility, and body composition. The following FITNESSGRAM assessments will be used to measure the various areas of health-related fitness: PACER (aerobic capacity), Push-Up (upper body strength and endurance), Curl-Up (abdominal strength and endurance), Back-Saver Sit and Reach (flexibility), and Body Mass Index (body composition). This assessment will be used to collect data and help the students set fitness goals. For information regarding the FITNESSGRAM assessment, please refer to www.fitnessgram.net or email Mr. Pearch at pearchm@fultonschools.org.

We will celebrate Read Across America Week February 27th - March 3rd. Students and staff are invited to dress up each day. We also have a local author, June Akers, coming to speak to students in grades 2-5. Please see the flyer for information if you are interested in purchasing her books.

Monday, February 27th- Hats off to Reading! Wear your favorite hat.

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Tuesday, February 28th- Reading in my Silly Socks! Wear silly socks.

Wednesday, March 1st- Reading Takes You Places! Wear a college shirt or shirt that represents a future career path.

Thursday, March 2nd- Read My Shirt! Wear a shirt that others can read.

*Author visit grades 2-5​*​

Friday, March 3rd- Wear a Northwood spirit shirt or colors because our school loves to read!

Northwood Families – your opinion matters. Starting Monday, February 13th, Fulton County Schools encourages parents to take the Annual Parent Perception Survey. The survey link will close on March 10th. The survey is anonymous and confidential and should take about 15 minutes to complete. Please complete one survey per school where you have one or more students enrolled. Additionally, students in grades 4-12 will take the Annual Student Perception Survey between February 13th and 24th, during the school day.

What is a School Governance Council?

The purpose of a School Governance Council (SGC) is to provide parents, school staff, and community members with a leadership role through monitoring and implementation of the strategic plan.

What is the commitment?

All School Governance Council members serve two-year terms. Time commitment varies from school-to-school, but expect 4-5 hours per month which includes meetings, trainings, and school and community events.

When are the 2023 elections?

Candidate Declaration: February 1 - March 24

Elections will be held from April 12 -19

Where to declare candidacy?

Visit the SGC website and click on Elections for a candidate guide and/or declaration.

www.fultonschools.org/sgc

Artists and performers needed for Northwood’s Artist Day!

Are you a painter, sculptor, fine artist, musician, performer, dancer, craftsperson or someone with other creative talent? Northwood’s Artist Day committee is putting together this year’s event and WE NEED YOU! Last year’s artist day was a smashing success and we hope to make this year even better for our explorers. If you are interested in participating or would like more information, please contact Mollie Katzin (katzinm@fultonschools.org)

Hardship Transfer applications are available beginning Jan. 1 for parents who wish to apply for a 2023-24 hardship transfer or to renew a current hardship to another Fulton elementary, middle or high school. Parents will use an online form to enter and submit their information. Get more info and access the application here.

Parents, please encourage your students to check regularly for lost items in the Lost and Found. Please mark all student belongings clearly with the child’s name so that it can be identified. Unclaimed items are donated to local charities after the last school day of every month. February’s date is Monday, February 27th.

Have you bought a yearbook yet? The cost is $43. Click here to order: tinyurl.com/2y4vw5xw

If you have any questions, please email Yearbook@northwoodpta.com

Heather Q. Rucker, Principal

Michelle Levine, Assistant Principal

Together We SHINE!

Email: NorthwoodAttendance@fultonschools.org
Website: www.fultonschools.org/northwoodes
Location: 10200 Wooten Road, Roswell, GA, USA
Phone: 470-254-6390
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NorthwoodElementaryPTA/
Twitter: @FCS_NWES