Welcome, Dr. Lisa Knox-Brown, Chief Of Staff
In her current role, as Chief Of Staff, Dr. Brown will support the CEO in promoting academic and teaching that is grounded in developing, supporting, and refining structures that empower, prepare, and inspire all educators to meet the diverse needs of the students they serve. She prioritizes students' access to rich, relevant, and culturally responsive education, particularly in contexts where they have been routinely underserved and marginalized by structures of inequity in the public education system.
Dr. Brown is married with four children and one grandson.
Welcome, Ms. Anastasia Riley, Principal
Anastasia is a Harvard-trained equity-driven strategic instructional leader. Her mission is to ensure that all students have the knowledge, skills and competencies needed to ensure they are well prepared for college or their chosen career. ariley@northwoodcs.org
Welcome, Dr. Faye Lewis, Upper School Assistant Principal
Dr. Lewis was born in London, England and moved to New Jersey when she was thirteen years old. She graduated from Rutgers University, and shortly thereafter, began her teaching career in the public schools of New Orleans, LA, where she taught fifth and sixth grades. After five years, she relocated back to New Jersey where she taught grades three, four and seven, until she decided to venture into school administration. Over the years, she has served in the roles of instructional supervisor, assistant principal, principal, adjunct professor and educational consultant.
In addition to her consulting work, Faye serves as an adjunct professor, teaching pre-service teachers in the Rutgers University Alternate Route teaching program. Her expertise lies in curriculum and instruction.
Faye is the mother of two wonderful teenage daughters, and, as a trio, they love to travel the world! flewis@northwoodcs.org
Welcome Ms. Diana Abellard, Lower School Assistant Principal
Diana Abellard was born and raised in Queens, New York. Her family immigrated to the United States from Port- Au- Prince, Haiti. As a first-generation American, education was the focal point of her childhood. Diana went on to pursue an undergraduate degree from Temple University where she fell in love with the city of Philadelphia. Her passion for education grew when she became a mother to three wonderful children. Diana earned a Master’s degree in Education from Chestnut Hill College and has served as an educator in the Philadelphia community for 10 years.
Diana is dedicated to developing excellence in children through quality education and overcoming obstacles that young people face today. dabellard@northwoodcs.org
Fall Sports Update:
Flag Football Tryouts-9/6
Soccer Tryouts- 9/8
Cross Country Tryouts-9/9
Further details regarding times, location, and which grades are applicable please check back next week, thank you!
*Reminder to all students who are interested in playing sports at Northwood: We require an up to date Sports Physicals before your student/athlete is able to play in any games this season. The Sports Physical is only valid for one calendar year. Please have your student pick up Sports Physical Paperwork at school as soon as possible if they do not have an updated Sports Physical on file.
Stay Connected: Remind App.
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.
UNIFORM EXCHANGE PROGRAM: REQUEST FOR DONATIONS
How the Uniform Exchange Program Works:
Do you have any GOOD quality unwanted, outgrown school uniforms? If the answer is yes, please donate them to Northwood Academy’s Uniform Exchange!
The NACS uniform exchange motto is, to take what you need and give when you can. New uniforms are expensive and children often outgrow them before they wear them out. Why buy new when there are perfectly good items in the uniform exchange available. Any Northwood family in need of a uniform can have one as long as we have the size needed. At this time, our uniform stock is extremely low.
All donated items are checked for quality and sorted by style and size.
The program only works if uniforms are donated so please consider giving clean uniforms you no longer need. If you are able to donate, please make sure that the clothes are in a reusable condition. The size of the item should be identifiable. If it is not, please indicate the size of the item with indelible ink.
Please remember, you do not have to donate clothes in order to take from the uniform exchange. All items can be dropped off during school hours at the front school office.
If you have any questions, please email Ms. Urbano, curbano@northwoodcs.org
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony: Sept. 14 (Rain date – Sept. 15) 4-6 PM
The River Alive! Learning Trail is a new and exciting way for families to enjoy green space together while engaging with the natural environment all around them in Tacony Creek Park!
Six benches and animal sculptures will be placed along Cayuga Street in Juniata Park to connect you to Tacony Creek. Each sculpture will include an interactive water feature, song, and sign. Poetry will connect the six stations along the trail, too!
The Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed Partnership (TTF) and Habitheque, working with local artists Miguel Horn and Jay Coreano, invite you and your family to help decorate the beautiful mosaic on the base of each animal using a paint by a number system.
Questions? Contact the River Alive! Learning Trail Coordinator: Gianna@ttfwatershed.org or (302) 559-2423.
5th Annual Autism Play Date
Join for sensory-friendly family fun, food trucks, resource tables, and much more! Plus, a very special playground installation dedicated to children with special needs and learning differences!
When? Sunday, August 28, 2022, 1:00 - 5:00 pm
Where? Smith Memorial Playground and Playhouse
Sponsored by The City Council of Philadelphia, Councilmember At-Large, Derek Green.
TechGirlz: Empowering Girls To Be Future Technology Leaders
Fine the full list on their website.
TechGirlz’ mission is to inspire middle school girls to explore the possibilities of technology to empower their future careers. Our vision is to create a world where girls have a lifelong passion and confidence in their use of technology throughout their careers.
Club Philly Forensics Program
After two years without an after-school program, Lightbulb Learning Center is open! The Club Philly Forensics program is dedicated to educating youth in grades 7-12 about the fascinating fields of forensic science and how to prepare for a career in forensic science. Starting on September 15, 2022, the program will meet once a week for six weeks on a Thursday from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Students are taught about Forensic Drug Chemistry, Forensic Biology, Crime Scene Investigation, and more during our interactive workshops! >> REGISTER HERE <<
Join the last Free Community Day of the summer season with the Please Touch Museum!
Get moving with Please Touch Museum! Visit the Albert M. Greenfield Makerspace to learn about heart health, participate in pop-up movement activities throughout the day, take a walk through the Museum, and end your visit with a special edition of the End of Day Parade.
ABOUT READY SET SCHOOL:
Please Touch Museum is launching a public health awareness campaign and event series — offering free admission to families on four designated Sundays during the Summer of 2022 — to learn about healthy habits and practices through play-based experiences, speak with community resource partners on health-related topics, and receive a free COVID-19 vaccine for eligible children and adults. We know that when children are healthy in mind, body, and spirit, they are READY and SET to learn in SCHOOL.
Northwood Academy Charter School Child Find Policy and Procedures (Annual Notice)
MCKINNEY-VENTO ACT: NORTHWOOD IS HERE TO HELP
If you believe you may be eligible, contact Lower School Counselor (K-4) Ms. Lozandieu at mlozandieu@northwoodcs.org or Upper School Counselor (5-8) Mr. Whitlatch at awhitlatch@northwoodcs.org to find out what services and supports may be available!
CLICK HERE to watch a video (created by Kevin Lofton) for families in Philadelphia to understand their rights under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. This ensures immediate enrollment and educational stability for students experiencing homelessness. Check it out now!
If you or a family member are in need of housing, food, health, and safety services, please check out these resources from Project HOME: Where To Turn Guide.
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