Bulldog Blast
Wednesday, March 8th, 2023
Happy International Women's Day (IWD)!
This Week & Looking ahead:
✏️ TONIGHT, Wednesday, March 8th- VIRTUAL Family Tech Talk Parent Webinar, 7 pm. See below for more details. If interested RSVP to curbano@northwoodcs.org
✏️ Happy Women's History Month (WHM)! WHM is a celebration of women’s contributions to history, culture, and society and has been observed annually in the month of March in the United States since 1987.
✏️ Read Across America: Across the nation, teachers, teenagers, librarians, politicians, athletes, parents, grandparents, and others develop Read Across America activities to bring reading excitement to children of all ages. Northwood will be celebrating literacy with Read Across America activities until March 9th!
✏️ Spring baseball tryouts will be held on Monday, March 13th, and Spring softball tryouts will be held on Tuesday, March 14th. Please see Coaches Whitlach and Carlson for more information.
- 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.
Upcoming Field Trips:
Thursday, 3/9, Grade 1 (Please Touch Museum)
Friday, 3/17, Grade 7 (Insectarium and Butterfly Pavilion)
Friendly reminder, if you have any questions related to the Bulldog Blast please email our Community Coordinator Ms. Urbano, curbano@northwoodcs.org.
Parent-Teacher Conference Update:
Our teachers are currently planning for the next round of report card conferences. Conferences will take place on Wednesday, March 15th, and Thursday, March 16th.
In an effort to maximize time to discuss academic and behavioral concerns, conferences for the second trimester will be scheduled on an as-needed basis. Report card conferences will be held in person and via Zoom, at the parent's request. If you would like a virtual conference, you will receive a Zoom link from your child’s teacher. Please be prompt so that you and all families have an equal opportunity to discuss their child’s progress.
If you are interested in meeting with a specialist teacher, please email them individually to set up a conference. Northwood will be utilizing SignUp Genius for conference scheduling. Please use the link provided by your child's teacher to sign up for your conference.
Thank you!
Free Internet safety webinar for NACS families: TONIGHT March 8th, 7pm
While kids scroll through TikTok, upload videos to YouTube, or play their favorite CRPG (computer role-playing games), they’re not thinking about data privacy, cyberbullying, scams, or other potential dangers. That’s why making sure kids are safe online should be an ongoing conversation—but many guardians don’t know where to start.
This Internet safety webinar for parents and guardians, Family Tech Talk, is free for our school community and helps parents and guardians learn what kids are doing online and how to help keep them safe.
The Family Tech Talk parent webinar
will be held on TONIGHT March 8th.
Caregivers will learn:
- Social media insights and trends: What parents should know
- Tips for managing screen time
- Best practices to help kids be safe online
- How to help kids learn to be kind and respectful online
- Ways to manage devices, including app settings for age-appropriate content, camera and privacy settings, and more
THE ZOOM INFORMATION WILL BE SHARED WHEN YOU RSVP.
Interested in attending? RSVP to Ms. Urbano, curbano@northwoodcs.org
How to view grades in focus:
NORTHWOOD BULLYING POLICY (2022-2023)
Parents and guardians, you can review our school's bullying policy here: NACS Bullying Policy.
The Wiz COMING SOON...
ADDITIONALLY, THE QR CODE CAN BE FOUND POSTED OUTSIDE THE SCHOOL CAFETERIA.
Below is the link to sign up to audition.
Link: https://forms.gle/22cNsZzKwidka43F9
ABOUT THE SHOW: The Wiz is an adaptation of the classic story of L. Frank Baum’s classic children’s novel, The Wizard of Oz. The musical was created to update this classic tale to reflect the African American culture. It is often billed as “The Super Soul Musical”— from “Brand New Day” to “Ease on Down the Road” to (especially) “Home”, The Wiz is stacked with great music. The Frank Baum classic is something that a lot of people grow up with—the opportunity to travel down the Yellow Brick Road with Dorothy, the Scarecrow, Tinman, and Cowardly Lion is a trip that most everybody takes at some point in their lives.
Questions? dabellard@northwoodcs.org
WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH:
March is National Women’s History Month. Schools and communities all over the country celebrate and commemorate the amazing things that women have accomplished all over the world! During morning announcements we will be highlighting different women in politics, arts, sports, and science!
Here are some books to check out this month at the local library:
- She Persisted: 13 American Women Who Changed the World by Chelsea Clinton (ages 4-8)
- Hedy Lamarr’s Double Life by Laurie Wallmark (ages 5+)
- Make Trouble by Cecile Richards (ages 10+)
- Becoming RGB: Ruth Bader Ginsberg’s Journey to Justice by Debbie Levy (ages 10+)
- If You Lived When Women Won Their Rights by Anne Kamma (ages 7-10)
*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
Notable women in Philly history you might not know — but definitely should
It’s no secret Philadelphia is full of history, or that women have been very much a part of it.
Throughout the eras, great names ring, from Betsy Ross and Harriet Tubman to Marian Anderson and Grace Kelly. And there are lots more who’ve made their mark — but aren’t quite household names. CHECK OUT THIS ARTICLE to look at the lives of 6 notable women who spent time in Philadelphia over the past 200 years, including two abolitionists, a scientist, an artist, an athlete, and an activist.
(PICTURED Clockwise from top left: Fanny Kemble, Grayce Uyehara, Frances Ellen Watkins Harper, Violet Oakley, Mary Engle Pennington, Ora Washington)
Upper School Book Swap!
Buddy Reading!
8th Grade Graduation Picture Outakes!
Parent Corner:
DRESS DOWN DAY TO SUPPORT DENTAL HYGIENE DRIVE
We are hosting a school-wide dental hygiene supplies drive from February 6-March 17 in support of One House at a Time. This non-profit provides beds, bedding, stuffed animals, books, and dental hygiene supplies to homeless children and youth in Philadelphia.
Please encourage students to bring these items to school:
toothbrushes
toothpaste
floss
To support our dental hygiene drive, students who bring in one item (either toothpaste, toothbrush, or floss) on Monday, March 13th will receive a dress-down pass. The dress-down pass must be used on Wednesday, March 15. Crocs and slides are not permitted on the dress-down day.
Chromebook charger Update:
PLANNED PARENTHOOD SERIES FOR GRADE 4
On Wednesdays from March 8th through March 29th, a facilitator from Planned Parenthood will deliver 4 lessons on:
- Personal hygiene and puberty (including discussion on male and female anatomy)
- Body image
- Personal boundaries
If you have not done so already please complete this Google Form to indicate whether or not you allow your child to participate in this program: GOOGLE FORM: PERMISSION TO PARTICIPATE. THE DEADLINE TO SIGN UP IS TODAY, MARCH 1ST.
If you have any questions regarding this program, please don’t hesitate to contact Lower School Counselor, Ms. Lozandieu, at mlozandieu@northwoodcs.org.
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 đź“°
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**
Community Corner:
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!
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
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 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
March- National Women’s History Month
Wednesday, March 8th- VIRTUAL Family Tech Talk Parent Webinar, 7 pm
Thursday, March 9th- Grade 1 Field Trip (Please Touch Museum)
Wednesday, March 15th & Thursday, March 16th- Report Card Conferences (NOON DISMISSAL EACH DAY)
Friday, March 17th- Insectarium and Butterfly Pavilion Field Trip (7th Grade)
Monday, March 20th- First Day of Spring
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
​Monday, April 24-Friday, April 28th- PSSA ​English Language Arts (ELA) Grades 3-8
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
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