October 7, 2022

Happy October Northwood Families,

This week has been a productive one. I’ve spent time in classrooms alongside students who were working on using multiple text sources to compose a writing piece, while in another grade level the students shared how to make and interpret line plots. I watched students apply phonemic awareness skills and chatted with a group who filled me in on significant differences between plant and animal cells. I truly enjoy connecting with students as they share their learning with me.

As you know the Northwood BEST newsletter goes out to Northwood families and staff via our mailing list. In addition to this publication, the staff receives a weekly communication called the STAR. I’m starting a section in the STAR to thank and recognize staff members for various reasons. However, I realized that I’d be missing a key component of that recognition without providing families and students the opportunity as well. If you have a staff member that you would like to recognize with a Northwood Nice Note (N3) in the STAR, just click this link to access the form. The link will remain in a separate section in future newsletters so it can be accessed throughout the year.

This week students in second and fourth grades started MAP testing. The NWEA MAP assessment is a computer adaptive test that measures skills in reading and math. Fulton County uses MAP as a universal screener and is a nationally normed assessment. The MAP assessment is an adaptive test; as students answer the questions, the test adjusts the level of difficulty based on their responses. The results help determine a student’s overall academic performance level and identify students who may benefit from additional services or supports. Our second and fourth grade students took the math assessment this week and will take the reading assessment the week of October 17th. If you have any questions, please feel free to connect with Michelle Levine; AP and Test Coordinator.

Next week is a short one for students as Monday is a holiday for all, Tuesday is a Professional Development Day for staff, and Wednesday is a teacher workday. I hope that all families have a wonderful extended weekend and we’ll look forward to seeing our Explorers back at school on Thursday, October 13th.

With gratitude,

Heather Rucker

Principal

October 10 - Columbus Day (No School)

October 11 - Professional Development Day (Students Off)

October 12 - Teacher Work Day (Students Off)

October 14 - All Pro Dad (7:10 - 7:40 AM)

October 19 - PTA Reflection Entries Due

October 21 - PTA Music Night (4th & 5th Grades; 6-9 PM)

October 27 - PTA Mornings in the Fall (A-L; 7:10-7:40 AM)

October 28 - PTA Morning in the Fall (M-Z; 7:10-7:40 AM)

October 31 - Character Parade

November 8 - Election Day (Remote - Details TBD)

November 9-11 Book Fair

November 14 - Fall Picture Retake Day

Last week Kindergarten learned all about apples. We discussed the life cycle of an apple, the different varieties of apples and tasted different apple treats. Extra big thanks to the parents for sending in the apple treats! Each teacher made a chart of the different apple foods and students voted for their favorites. We also compared apple juice with apple cider.

First Grade has been quite busy the past few weeks. We are wrapping up our science unit on weather and meteorologists. We are jumping back into Social Studies to learn all about our important historical figures. First Grade is continually following our PBIS school expectations in the classroom and the hallway. Keep up the good work First Grade!

Due to weather concerns last week, we changed our monthly PBIS Dance Party Celebration to classroom BINGO, and we had a blast!! It is always joyful to celebrate the students being respectful, responsible, and engaged.

“We’d be nothing without Cue’”

Thank you for our yummy PTA Staff BBQ lunch on Wednesday (10/5). The BBQ was delicious and the set up outside was delightful. We appreciate you and all that you do!

- Team Northwood

ATTENTION PARENTS & STUDENTS

IF YOU HAVEN'T SIGNED OFF ON THE STUDENT CODE - PLEASE COMPLETE THE PROCESS BELOW!

All students and parents/guardians should sign the receipt of the Fulton County Schools Student Code of Conduct 2022-2023:

1. Log into the parent portal/infinite campus account and click on documents
2. Select Needs Attention, then scroll to the Signature Page
3. Select the red signature box to complete the form
4. Select with SIGN to agree or DECLINE to disagree
5. Select SUBMIT

We appreciate you completing this so we are in compliance with the district requirements.

STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT – REQUIRED FOR ALL STUDENTS

• FCS Student Discipline Website
• FCS Student Code of Conduct
• How to SIGN-OFF the FCS Code of Conduct

Fulton County is now requiring teachers to include comment codes for four areas of non-academic skills: self-direction, collaboration, problem solving, and work habits. These scores do not affect the student average for the class.

Please know that a "C" code on this is not a "C" grade but rather stands for "Consistently" which is good. Other codes include "O" = Often, "S" = Sometimes, and "R" = Rarely. You should expect to see these marks across your child's classes.

First quarter grades will be visible in the Parent Portal on October 14, 2022. Please see more information in the graphic below describing the skills.

Fall Picture Retake Day is November 14th. If you are not happy with your Explorer's portraits simply have your student return their original picture package to the photographer on retake day and they will replace the set at no additional cost.

Don't forget to tell them to smile!

The Infinite Campus Parent Portal provides quick and easy access to information for all enrolled students in their household. Find grades, attendance, assignments, schedules, ID numbers, school announcements and more. If you haven't already joined, please do so today as Fulton County Schools is transitioning to managing everything via the portal.

For more information, access the Parent Portal Booklet for Infinite Campus here.

Parents, please encourage your students to check regularly for lost items in the Lost and Found. Please mark all student belongings clearly with the child’s name so that it can be identified. Unclaimed items are donated to local charities after the last school day of every month. October’s date is Monday, October 31st.

Young artists get involved through their local PTA or PTSA. A student may submit an entry in any of six arts areas. Only original works of art are accepted. The six art areas are: Visual Arts Photography, Literature, Music Composition, Dance Choreography, and Film Production.

That's why the Reflections Program provides an excellent opportunity for students of all ages to:

• Unleash their creative talents and be inspired
• Express themselves imaginatively in their artwork
• Experience the joy and fun of making art
• Tap into critical thinking skills to create art inspired by the annual theme
• Receive positive recognition for their original works of art

Call for entries! Entries due October 19th. Email Reflections@northwoodpta.com for more information!

Get your yearbook like, now! Use the QR code or click here to order.

Heather Rucker, Principal

Michelle Levine, Assistant Principal

Together We SHINE!

Email: NorthwoodAttendance@fultonschools.org
Website: www.fultonschools.org/northwoodes
Location: 10200 Wooten Road, Roswell, GA, USA
Phone: 470-254-6390
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NorthwoodElementaryPTA/
Twitter: @FCS_NWES