Bulldog Blast
Wednesday, March 22nd, 2023
This Week & Looking ahead:
✏️ On Wednesdays from March 8th through March 29th, a facilitator from Planned Parenthood will deliver 4 lessons to 4th grade on:
- Personal hygiene and puberty (including discussion on male and female anatomy)
- Body image
- Personal boundaries
Each lesson will be about 30 minutes. The sessions will be divided by gender.
✏️ Kindly be on the lookout for forthcoming communication regarding the PSSAs from Principal Riley. Please take note that the academic schedule for the upcoming sessions will deviate from that of the '21-'22 academic year.
✏️ Ramadan, the monthlong holiday where many Muslims fast, is expected to begin at sundown on March 22 and end on April 21. The exact time and date of the holiday vary slightly from region to region, depending on the first sighting of the crescent moon. For Muslims worldwide, Ramadan is a month of fasting, prayer, reflection, and community. A commemoration of Muhammad's first revelation, the annual observance of Ramadan is regarded as one of the Five Pillars of Islam. The daily fast is broken with an evening meal, iftar, and often a joyful gathering with family and friends. Wishing all Muslim members of the Northwood family… “a generous Ramadan”… Ramadan Kareem!
✏️ SAVE THE DATE: NACS' April Board Meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 19th at 5:30 pm. All public Board meetings are held virtually. MORE INFORMATION
✏️ SPRING AFTER-SCHOOL CLUBS: After-School Clubs are here! Northwood is continuing to use the platform called FamilyID for club registration. Upon clicking on the registration link below you will be prompted to set up an account (this only takes a minute). Links to all Spring clubs can be found on Northwood's FamilyID landing page at the following link: CLICK HERE to go to Northwood's Landing Page. Clubs will begin following Spring Break, thank you!
Friendly reminder, if you have any questions related to the Bulldog Blast please email our Community Coordinator Ms. Urbano, curbano@northwoodcs.org.
NORTHWOOD BULLYING POLICY (2022-2023)
Parents and guardians, you can review our school's bullying policy here: NACS Bullying Policy.
*FREE* Wawa Community Day Celebrating Women’s History, Sat March 25th
In celebration of Women’s History Month, WaWa and the National Constitution Center are teaming up to offer visitors a free WaWa Community Day Honoring Women’s History Month. The Center recognizes extraordinary American women throughout the nation’s history.
Admission will be free, thanks to the generosity of WaWa
Location: National Constitution Center 525 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19106
Recommended for ages 5 and up
Calling all Alum!
Paid Summer Internships for Teens:
Help Mighty Writers connect to teens 14-18 for a PAID summer internship experience!
Required training: July 6-7
Internship: July 10-Aug. 11, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. (30-minute lunch break)
Where: A Mighty Writers site near you!
(MW North, MW West, MW El Futuro, MW Germantown, MW Kennett)
Pay: $12/hour
Interns will work with our food distribution teams and summer camp staff. Please share the application with a teen you know! Short essay required.
Contact: gbernicker@mightywriters.org
Mighty Writers is a non-profit organization established in 2009. One hundred percent of the programs they offer are free. They serve communities in and around Philadelphia, PA, as well as in Camden, Newark and Atlantic City, NJ.
Parent Corner:
Get crafty with my favorite Ramadan crafts for kids:
For those who observe:
Holidays provide a great excuse to tap into your inner artist. From sparkly lanterns to edible mosques, below are some ideas for making your Ramadan a crafty one with your kids.
- Pretty Pipe Cleaner Ramadan Lanterns — You will need some pipe cleaners, beads, pom poms, scissors, and yarn for hanging. Make it as fun and sparkly as you can!
- Sweet n' Simple Mosque for Kids — Grab some graham crackers, frosting, Hershey's Kisses, pirouette sticks, sprinkles, KitKat minis, and meringue cookies and you’re ready to make an edible Mosque.
- Paint Your Own Ramadan Canvas — This is a fun, Islamic-themed paint-your-own canvas.
- Ramadan-Themed Mat & Playdough — Get kids using their motor skills with this adorable Ramadan-themed playdough scent (sugar date smell) and mat!
Chromebook charger Update:
CALLING ALL BULLDOGS: BULLDOG SPOTLIGHT!
We love receiving photos of our Bulldogs with big smiles and having fun! If you have more pictures to share that highlight a fun part of your child's day, whether it is participating in an activity or enjoying the outdoors, send them over to curbano@northwoodcs.org to be featured in our next Bulldog Blast 📰
Bullying Education Workshop at Northwood Academy Charter School
Please complete this survey, so we can better serve you and your needs.
**Please be advised, this is a separate event from the Bully Policy Meeting during our monthly Community Check-In**
Special Shout-Out to Mrs. Ivory for reading to Ms. Lampley and Ms. Hopson's Class last Friday!
sports corner:
Community Corner:
Ramadan Storytime and Workshop at Please Touch!
Join author Ameenah Muhammed-Diggins for a special storytime about the Muslim holiday of Ramadan, in addition to a lantern-making workshop in the art studio. This event is included with museum admission.
When? Sun Mar 26, 2023
For Whom? Age: 8 and under
Price: Included with museum admission ($22)
Location: Please Touch Museum 4231 Avenue of the Republic, Philadelphia, PA,
Play-A-Palooza, Saturday, March 25th
Families can enjoy a lineup that includes music and dance, a bookmobile, games, relay races, science experiments, an obstacle course, food trucks, and unstructured nature-based play across Smith's 6.5 acres.
When? Saturday, March 25th, from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm
For Whom? Ages 12 and under
Price: Children $10; Free for Smith members and ACCESS cardholders
Location: Smith Memorial Playground 3500 Reservoir Drive, Philadelphia, PA, 19121
D.E.F.Y. CLUB
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Philadelphia is proud to present Digital Experiences For Youth (D.E.F.Y) Club. This online virtual club programming is 5 days a week/ Mon-Friday. There is no cost associated with the sessions.
Please contact lescalleetl@bcgphila.org for more information or on how to get started!
Friends of Northwood Park Spring Clean-Up:
This Department of Streets event takes place at hundreds of locations across the city. Register as a volunteer using the link below.
** You have to log in to register** https://www.phillyspringcleanup.com/9/volunteerProject/3408
YMCA 7th Grade Free Membership:
The Greater Philadelphia YMCA is partnering with the Pennsylvania State Alliance of YMCAs to offer a free membership to all 7th graders.
To register, 7th graders should bring their current roster or report card, along with a parent or guardian, to their local YMCA location.
April 3, 2023: Give Kids a Smile, Philadelphia
Give Kids a Smile is hosting a special event for all children 16 years and younger in the Philadelphia area on Monday, April 3, 2023, from 9 am-3 pm at 3223 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia PA 19140. (Dental Clinic at North Broad and Allegheny) Dental Care includes cleanings and exams plus fun activities and more. Pre-registration is required by calling 215-707-2863.
**NOTE, THIS IS DURING OUR SPRING BREAK**
Stay informed and stay alert!
Text "ReadyPhila" to 888-777 to receive free text updates about excessive cold advisories from the City, including info on public safety and municipal services.
More tips on how to #StayWarmPHL https://bit.ly/2NsDP8a
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.
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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
March- National Women’s History Month
The evening of Wednesday, March 22nd - Evening of Friday, Apr 21st- Ramadan
April- National Arab American Heritage Month (NAAHM)
April- National Autism Awareness Month
Monday, April 3rd – Monday, April 10th- School Closed - Spring Recess
Wednesday, April 19th- April Board Meeting
Monday, April 24-Friday, April 28th- PSSA English Language Arts (ELA) Grades 3-8
(Each day we will have a noon dismissal)
May- Asian/Pacific Heritage Month
Tuesday, May 2- Friday, May 5th- Mathematics & Make-ups Grades 3-8
Monday, May 8th- Friday, May 12th- PSSA Science & Makeups Grades 4 & 8
Wednesday, May 10th- TENTATIVE Muffins in the Morning (Kindergarten Event)
Friday, May 12th- TENTATIVE Mother's Day Morning Coffee and Pastries (grades 1-8)
Monday, May 29th- School Closed - Memorial Day
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