Bulldog Blast
Wednesday, December 13th, 2023
Please see the following important reminders:
🍎 Spirit Week: Next week we are celebrating SPIRIT WEEK! Please see below for more details on the week including an HONOR ROLL BREAKFAST (8am) on Friday for 3rd-8th grade Honor Roll recipients and their guardian.
📓 WINTER BREAK UPDATE: Please note there has been an adjustment to our school calendar about Winter Break. Please note, that only staff will return on January 3, 2024, for a full day of Professional Development. School Resumes for students on January 4, 2024. Thank you!
🍎 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!
📓 Mark your Calendars: First Grade is doing their Polar Express Day on Thursday, December 21st. The students can wear their pajamas to school and can bring a robe and slippers to put on in class. Please reach out to your child's teacher for all other details.
December Spirit Week: 12/18 - 12/22
The culture team is excited to announce our Winter School Dance, "Winter Turn Up"!
- It will be held December 20th, 2023 for grades K-7th (8th grade is not included due to their dance on Thursday evening.)
- Students eligible to attend the dance may dress down in school/age appropriate clothes the day of the dance.
- Students with more than one Level 2 infraction or suspension are ineligible to attend the dance.
If you have any questions, please reach out to your child's grade-level Dean(s)
Looking Ahead:
Thursday, 12/7, Academy of Natural Science- Grade 6
Friday, 12/8, Constitution Center- Grade 8
Friday, 12/19, Franklin Institute- Grade 7
Friday, 2/2, Legoland- Kindergarten
Friday, 2/9, Please Touch Museum- Grade 1
Friday, 2/9, Legoland- Grade 2
Stay tuned for more trips in the coming weeks!
For PA Criminal Background checks (no charge): https://epatch.state.pa.us
For Child Abuse Clearance (no charge): https://www.compass.state.pa.us/cwis
For FBI fingerprinting (charge): https://uenroll.identogo.com or call #1-844-321-2101. The service code you will need is 1KG6Q9.
All 3 clearances must be obtained and are valid for 5 years.
REMINDERS:
ALL required documents must be submitted together at one time. We will not hold your documents until they are all complete and accounted for.
Copies of the required clearances must be printed and handed to the front school office or classroom teacher. We can not accept clearances forwarded to us via email. Thank you for your support of our program, safety as always is a priority for all our students and their families.
Clearances submitted within 48 hours of an impending trip will not be processed in time for that individual to chaperone that particular trip. While we encourage everyone to complete clearances, we cannot honor last-minute requests.
Reach out to Ms. Urbano for a step-by-step guide for completing your clearances, at curbano@northwoodcs.org.
Parent Corner:
NACS COAT DRIVE: Monday, 11/13- Friday, 12/8
While it’s been a rather mild fall, winter temps are surely upon us. We are seeking gently used, clean gloves and winter coats of all sizes to keep internally for Northwood students in need.
Students can bring gloves and winter coat donations to school until Friday, 12/8. Again, donations will be stored in our school building for Northwood families in need.
While participation is appreciated, it is not mandatory.
Questions? Email Curbano@northwoodcs.org
REMIND APP SIGN-UP
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!
- Go to remind.com/join/nacsnews (or download the free iOS or Android app)
- Click Sign Up
- Provide a full name, email address, and password
- Choose your role
- 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/
NORTHWOOD PARENT ASSOCIATION:
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!
BULLETIN BOARD SHOWCASE:
Community Corner:
For those who celebrate:
What is Safe2Say Something?
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.
Mental Health is just as important as physical health!
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 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.
Important Dates on the Horizon
Hanukkah 2023: Hanukkah begins at nightfall on Thursday, Dec. 7th, and ends at nightfall on Friday, Dec. 15th.
Monday, 12/18 - Friday, 12/22- Spirit Week
Friday, 12/22- Honor Roll Breakfast (3rd-8th), 8am
Tuesday, 12/19- Grade 8 Trip to Washington, DC
Thursday, 12/21- Grade 8 Black & White Dance
Friday, 12/22- Grade 8 - Community Service - Chosen 300
Monday, 12/25/23- Tuesday, 1/2/24 - Winter Break (School Resumes on January 3, 2024) Staff return on January 3, 2023 for a full day Professional Development. School Resumes for students on January 4, 2023.
Kwanzaa 2023 begins on Tuesday, December 26, and lasts through Monday, January 1, 2024
Wednesday, 1/17/24, January Community Check-In (Zoom Webinar, 5:30 pm
More events to come!
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