NAHS Family Newsletter

Coming up in October:

10/2 Quarter 1 conference night 3:30 pm-6:30 pm

10/3 Systemwide Professional Development Day – Schools Closed for Students – Teachers on Duty

10/18 Schools Closed for Teachers and Students (MSEA Convention)

10/31 First Marking Period Ends – All Schools Close 3 Hours Early for Students- Teachers on Duty

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

Welcome back to all of our students & families!

We are excited to begin the school year with several new policies and expectations to ensure a safe and supportive learning experience for your students. Please take time to review the links below as these are vital for parents and students.

Thank you,

Mr. Robinson

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

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)

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

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 - Focus Area 4 - Community Engagement and Partnerships.

Hello Math Families!

We are officially beginning our third year of full implementation of the Illustrative Mathematics Curriculum (IM). This problem-based curriculum makes rigorous middle school mathematics accessible to all learners. In addition to IM, students at NAHS will have an opportunity to engage in Apex Tutorials during weekly Advisory. Apex Tutorials are a supplemental online curriculum where students can close learning gaps, increase mastery and accelerate learning. A variety of short, focused activities provide opportunities for students to interact with concepts that deepen understanding and review foundational concepts needed to meet grade level standards. Click the link below for additional information about the IM Curriculum.

Illustrative Mathematics: https://curriculum.illustrativemathematics.org/MS/teachers/family_info.html

Together we can!

Yvonne Holcomb

NAHS Math Department Chair

Dear NAHS Students, Parents, and Community: On behalf of the Reading and English Language Arts Department (ELA) I am excited to welcome you to the 2024-2025 school year. We are looking forward to a productive partnership to ensure our school and students can achieve the highest potential. We recognize that to be successful, our school and students need support from both the home and community. We know a strong partnership will make a significant difference in our children’s learning experience at Northwest Academy of Health Sciences (NAHS).

As we prepare for your child’s arrival, we would like to share essential information regarding supplies that will be beneficial in their coursework. Please see the school website for the supply list. The Reading and ELA Department is gearing up for a fantastic year! Our instructional focus will be on enhancing literacy skills through writing, reading, creative thinking, technology, and collaboration.

The dedicated Reading and English Language Arts Department feel privileged to be a part of your child’s educational journey. We thank you for your support and look forward to meeting you. We look forward to an amazing school year!

Sincerely,

Reading and English Language Arts Department

Greetings Northwest Academy families! We are so excited for the 2024-2025 school year. We highly encourage all 8th Grade students to apply to a high school magnet program. For more details about the magnet program application process please click here.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out. To schedule an appointment with your grade level counselor please click here: https://outlook.office365.com/owa/calendar/NorthwestAcademyofHealthSciencesCounselingOffice@bcpscloud.onmicrosoft.com/bookings/

Tonya Linton, 6th Grade School Counselor tlinton@bcps.org

Monica Jones, 7th Grade Last Name A-L

Tonya Linton, 7th Grade Last Name M-Z

Monica Jones, 8th Grade School Counselor and Department Chair mjones25@bcps.org

Deborah Carroll, Registrar dcarroll2@bcps.org