Bulldog Blast
Wednesday, May 10th 2023
This Week & Looking ahead:
✏️ For Autism Awareness Week all students can wear blue this Friday instead of uniforms! Please reach out to your child's classroom teacher for any additional questions.
📓 Friendly reminder, Grades 3 & 4 Career Day: Friday, May 19, and Thursday, May 18. Please see below for more details.
✏️ Book Fair: we are thrilled to announce that after a 3-year hiatus, we will be bringing back our school-wide Scholastic Book Fair! This exciting event will take place during the school day May 22nd-26th. Please see below for more information and volunteer opportunities.
✏️ Monday, May 22nd- Grades 5 & 6 Career Day: Please see below for more details.
📓 SAVE THE DATE: Our May COMMUNITY CHECK-IN will be held on May 24th from 12:15-12:45 via Zoom. Zoom details and the agenda will be shared closer to the event.
📓 New Email Contact: For all transportation-related inquiries please email our new Executive Assistant to COO, Ms. Mohamad, amohamad@northwoodcs.org.
Friendly reminder, if you have any questions related to the Bulldog Blast please email our Community Coordinator Ms. Urbano, curbano@northwoodcs.org.
ASIAN-PACIFIC AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH
May Is Asian-Pacific Heritage Month, an opportunity to celebrate the rich history and culture of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) in the U.S.
All month long we will be exploring creative ways to Celebrate Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month with your kids!
Here is an idea-
Read a children’s book featuring Asian characters, written by Asian authors, or illustrated by Asian artists. There are lots of great book lists out there: In addition to your friendly local librarian, PBS.org has a list of recommendations, and so do the School Library Journal and Reading Rockets. Social Justice Books breaks down categories for early childhood, upper elementary, young adult, and adult readers. You can check most of them out from the library.
CAREER DAYS FOR GRADES 3 AND 4:
Ms. Lozandieu (Lower School Counselor) is hosting Career Days for Grades 3 and 4. Students in Grades 3 and 4 are encouraged to dress as a career professional on their respective Career Day.
Please note: Only school-appropriate outfits are allowed.
- No toy weapons (examples: firefighter equipment or police equipment)
- No athletic equipment (examples: helmets, bats, balls, masks, etc.)
- No accessories that can be harmful to themselves or others
Here are the dates for Career Days:
Grade 3: Friday, May 19
Grade 4: Thursday, May 18
SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS AFFECTED BY GUN VIOLENCE:
Malvern Intensive Behavioral Health Services would like to provide counseling for any child and/or family in the Philadelphia region who has been impacted by gun violence.
All Northwood students, as well as their families, are eligible for this program. The child does not need to be enrolled in Malvern or have active medical assistance insurance to receive support from this program. Staff from Malvern will hold individual or group sessions in the home, in their offices, or virtually--whichever works best for the family. This program operates within normal business hours and does not act as a line of crisis.
Please reach out to Ms. Michelle Knight, clinical director, directly at 215-364-3299 Ext. 4307 or via email at MKnight@malvernchs.com if you're interested in receiving this support.
Thank you to our Upper School students for volunteering to read to our 1st graders during Autism Acceptance Week about acceptance!
Parent Corner:
District-Wide Survey
The 2022-23 Parent/Guardian Philly School Experience Survey, the annual survey for all public school parents in Philly is open!
CLICK HERE to access the survey.
The survey FAQ page is now updated for 2022-23. You can find lots of helpful information there, including an explanation of how parents will indicate which school their child attends.
The survey will close on May 31st.
Questions can be directed to the Office of Research and Evaluation (ORE) at schoolsurveys@philasd.org or 215-400-6565. ORE staff will also hold office hours on Fridays from 9-10 AM, which you can access here.
5th Grade Update:
Uniform Update:
Monday afternoon via the Remind app you should have received the 'Ways to Order' flyer from Flynn O'Hara. Please keep in mind the summertime is the busiest time of the year for FlynnO'Hara. Be sure to get ahead of the inventory shortage as soon as possible!
Questions? Email Ms.Mohamad, amohamad@northwoodcs.org
NORTHWOOD PARENT ASSOCIATION CORE:
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. Join our community of dedicated parents who are committed to supporting our students and enhancing their educational experience.
Don't miss out on any of the action - sign up today and stay in the loop with our Parent Association!
BOOK FAIR E-Wallet System:
This year we are proud to announce that we will not be handling any cash transactions during the fair. Instead, we will be implementing a state-of-the-art EWallet system via Scholastic, where anyone can load money onto a student's account for hassle-free transactions.
Literature and tutorial videos on the e-wallet system can be found below.
CLICK HERE for the E-Wallet Instructional Video.
Community Corner:
Latino Wellness Festival, 5/20 **Admission is free**
You're invited you to join the Latino Behavioral Health Coalition for its Latino Wellness Festival!
The festival is sponsored by multiple community organizations including Hispanic Community Counseling Services, Children's Crisis Treatment Center, Concilio, Casa de Consejería, Philadelphia Prevention Partnership, The Lighthouse, Crisol Contigo, Lagom Cares, Fortaleza, and Siempre Salsa Philadelphia.
This event is designed to promote personal wellness within the Latino community and will feature a variety of activities including food trucks, music, vendors, children's games, face painting, mental health, behavioral issue, and clinical lab resources.
It's a day filled with family fun and an opportunity to learn about important resources available to support your overall well-being. Labcorp will be providing lab tests free of charge to everyone. No insurance is required for lab work. The ALS Hope Foundation will also be providing Dementia Mini Mental screenings and a premier screening tool for Parkinson’s Disease. We encourage you to come out and enjoy the festival, and take advantage of the resources and activities available.
When? Saturday, May 20th from 12 PM to 5 PM @ Lighthouse Field (199 E. Erie Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19134)
AAPI Events @ The Franklin Institue: 5/20
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, which recognizes and honors the achievements and influences of Asian American and Pacific Islander Americans (AAPI) who have helped shape the culture and history of the United States.
On Saturday, May 20, join the Franklin Institute for a special day of programming that highlights the contributions of some of the amazing Philadelphia organizations that help celebrate, educate, and nourish our AAPI community.
All programming is included with your museum admission and takes place from noon – 4 pm.
Love Your Park Week is almost here. Come check Northwood Park's Plant Sale this Saturday. Pick up some herbs, veggies, and flowers for your garden and support Friends of Northwood PARK. 💕🌿
NORTHWOOD BULLYING POLICY (2022-2023)
Parents and guardians, you can review our school's bullying policy here: NACS Bullying Policy.
Stay Connected Sign up to get essential weekly alerts from us via the Remind app
Northwood Academy Charter School Child Find Policy and Procedures (Annual Notice)
Hello Northwood Families,
You will find a copy of our Annual Child Find Notice here outlining the procedures and protocols for Northwood's monitoring of all of our students and identification of students with special needs. This will also be able to be referenced on our website, via social media, and in local news publications. For further information, please contact the Director of Special Education, Kate Crossett at 215-289-5606.
************************************
The Child Find Policy (Annual Notice) Policy and Procedures for Students with Disabilities at Northwood Academy Charter School aim to ensure that all students with disabilities who are eligible to enroll in the school will have available to them a free and appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment. CLICK HERE for the complete policy.
FAMILIES IN TRANSITION: NORTHWOOD IS HERE TO HELP
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 Lower School Counselor and Northwood's Homelessness Liaison Ms. Lozandieu at mlozandieu@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.
Important Dates on the Horizon
May- Asian/Pacific Heritage Month
May- National Mental Health Awareness Month
Monday, May 8th- Friday, May 12th- Grades K-8: Autism Acceptance Week
Monday, May 8th- Friday, May 12th- PSSA Science & Makeups Grades 4 & 8
Friday, May 12th- Mother's Day Breakfast (9 AM-10 AM, School Cafeteria, ALL grade levels)
Friday, May 12th- Grade 5: Ballroom Dancing Showcase
Thursday, May 18th- Grade 4 Career Day (8:45 am-10:45 am at NACS)
Friday, May 19th- Grade 3 Career Day (8:45 am-10:45 am at NACS)
Friday, May 19th- 1st Grade Field Trip (LEGOLAND)
Friday, May 19th- Upper School Dance
Monday, May 22nd- Grades 5 & 6 Career Day
Monday, May 22nd - Friday, May 26th- Book Fair
Monday, May 22nd- Kindergarten Field Trip (Elmwood Park Zoo)
Tuesday, May 23rd- Grades 7th & 8th Career Day
Wednesday, May 24th- COMMUNITY CHECK-IN (Via ZOOM)
Friday, May 26th- Grade 8: Dance at Romano’s
Monday, May 29th- School Closed - Memorial Day
Tuesday, May 30th- 8th Grade Trip (Baltimore, Maryland)
Tuesday, May 30th- 2nd-grade field trip (Elmwood Zoo)
Wednesday, May 31st- Spring Concert (details to come- 9:30 am)
June 2nd- Grades 3-8: “The Wiz” Musical
June 3rd- Grades 3-8: “The Wiz” Musical
Tuesday, June 6th- Field Day (details to come)
Thursday, June 8th- Grade 8: Graduation (1:00- 3:00)
What is Safe2Say Something?
Safe2Say Something is a youth violence prevention program run by the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General. The program teaches youth and adults how to recognize warning signs and signals, especially within social media, from individuals who may be a threat to themselves or others and to “say something” BEFORE it is too late. With 'Safe2Say Something', it’s easy and confidential to report safety concerns to help prevent violence and tragedies.
Here’s how it works:
- Submit an anonymous tip report through the Safe2SaySomething system
- The crisis center reviews and processes all submissions
- The crisis center sends all submissions to school administration and/or law enforcement for intervention
- If needed, the crisis center may contact the tipster anonymously through the app
Safe2Say Something PA:
Submit an anonymous tip here.
Connect with Northwood
Website: northwoodcs.org
Location: 4621 Castor Avenue, Philadelphia, PA, USA
Phone: (215) 289-5606
Facebook: facebook.com/Northwood-Academy-Charter-School-153041454730750/
Twitter: @northwoodcs