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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2026
A Message from Northwood's Leadership
Dear Northwood Academy Families,
Welcome to a new school year! We are thrilled to share that we are off to a fantastic start at Northwood Academy Charter School. From the energy in our classrooms to the smiles in our hallways, it has been exciting to see our students, staff, and families come together to begin another year of learning, growth, and achievement.
The start of a school year is always filled with possibility. Our students have quickly settled into their routines, built connections with their teachers and classmates, and begun engaging in meaningful learning experiences. We are incredibly grateful to our dedicated teachers and staff, whose preparation, enthusiasm, and commitment have helped make the opening of school such a success. We also thank our families for your continued partnership and support. Together, we are creating a strong school community where every student has the opportunity to thrive.
As we begin this year, we are especially excited to continue building our work around the Northwood NorthStar. Just as the North Star has served as a guide for generations, our Northwood NorthStar provides a clear direction for our school community and keeps us focused on what matters most: preparing every student for success in school, in their future, and in life.
The Northwood NorthStar represents our shared commitment to high expectations, strong academics, personal growth, character, and a school community in which every student is known, supported, and challenged to reach their full potential. It reminds us that everything we do—from classroom instruction and student support to family engagement and schoolwide activities—should move our students toward a bright and successful future.
Throughout this school year, families will hear more about the Northwood NorthStar and see it reflected in the experiences we create for our students. We want our students not only to understand where they are headed, but also to develop the knowledge, skills, confidence, and character they need to navigate their own path toward success.
There is so much to look forward to in the months ahead. This year will bring exciting opportunities for academic growth, student leadership, family engagement, special events, celebrations, and experiences that help our students discover their talents and reach new heights.
Here’s to an outstanding school year—and to following our NorthStar together!
Dr. Steve Yanni, Chief Executive Officer
Dr. Jason Hamer, Principal
Back-to-School Night 2026 (Grades 1-8) is Almost Here!
We are excited to welcome you to Back-to-School Night on Thursday, September 10! This special, adults-only evening is an opportunity to visit your child’s classroom, meet their teacher, learn about what your child will be learning this year, and hear about classroom routines, expectations, and ways we can work together to support your child’s success!
Families may attend either Session 1 or Session 2. The same information will be presented during both sessions, so you only need to attend one session for each child/classroom.
If you have children in multiple classrooms, the two-session format gives you the opportunity to attend one child’s classroom during Session 1 and another child’s classroom during Session 2.
Back-to-School Night is designed to provide information about the classroom and the school year as a whole. It is not intended for individual parent-teacher conferences. If you would like to discuss something specific to your child, your child’s teacher will be happy to arrange a separate time to connect with you.
We look forward to welcoming you into our school, introducing you to our classrooms, and beginning another year of strong partnership between home and school.
Elementary School News
Students and teachers have gotten into the back-to-school groove quickly! Kindergarteners took a ‘field trip’ around the school to get used to where things are in the building. The teachers have been working with the students at recess to remain safe while they are having fun and getting their exercise.
All students have had their first Community Meeting with the Culture Team, which proved them to be captive audiences. A big shout-out to the 1st and 2nd grade students for having fun during the meetings! The 4th graders are getting used to being in a different part of the building and are learning the layout of their new space, as are the 2nd graders…they’ve transitioned to a whole new floor!
Middle School News
Our middle school students and staff have had a tremendous start to the school year. In addition to reviewing routines, our focus on high expectations for learning is already evident. We are focusing our attention on strong academics and high student achievement. Students are working in their Academic Resource Periods (ARP) to build the skills necessary to achieve success in their core classes this year.
AP Thomas has officially started her maternity leave; she will return to NACS around December 7, 2026. During her absence, members of our Leadership Team will provide support and oversight for our middle school. Dr. Yanni, our CEO, will support grades 5-6, while Dr. Hamer, our Principal, will support grades 7-8.
Social-Emotional Learning Update
This week, students began weekly Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) lessons through the Second Step program. These lessons help students build important skills such as managing emotions, setting goals, showing empathy, and solving problems.
September’s SEL theme is Being a Responsible Bulldog. Families can reinforce this skill at home by encouraging children to complete responsibilities, care for their belongings, and make responsible choices.
Morning Arrival
The gates on Adams Avenue (blacktop) and Orthodox Street (playground) will open at 7:15 AM every morning. The Adams Avenue gate will be open from 7:15 to 8:10 AM, and the Orthodox Street playground gate will be open from 7:15 to 7:45 AM. After 7:45 AM, students must enter the building through the blacktop gate on Adams Avenue.
CORA & Bay Way Aftercare
Youth Cor is currently fully enrolled and is no longer accepting applications. Bay Way Cares is still accepting students for both its before care and aftercare programs. If you are interested in enrolling with Bay Way Cares, contact Director Zahra Hamilton at 267-408-6777 or baywaycares@gmail.com. Applications can be picked up at the front desk. Please note this is a paid program.
Back Pack and Uniforms
As a reminder, all students must have a clear book bag and must follow the school’s uniform policy each day. Skirts must be no more than 2 inches above the knee.If you have any questions regarding the uniform policy, you can always find the complete policy on our school website at https://www.northwoodcs.org/.
Important High School Info
The 2026 K–12 Philly School Fair will be held on Saturday, September 19, from 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. Admission is free, and more than 150 District, charter, private, and Catholic schools are expected.
It is important to know that the School District of Philadelphia has revised its timeline for students applying to high school for the 2027–28 school year.
District School Selection: Applications open Monday, October 5 at 4:00 p.m. and close Tuesday, November 24 at 11:59 p.m.
Apply Philly Charter: Applications open Friday, September 18 and close Friday, January 15.
Please note that not all charter schools participate in Apply Philly Charter. Families should visit the website of each school their child is interested in to verify application requirements and deadlines. This includes charter, private, independent, and Archdiocesan high schools, as their application timelines may vary.
Visit philasd.org/findyourfit for District schools or applyphillycharter.org for participating charter schools.
High School Selection Support
Representatives from the SDP’s Office of Student Enrollment and Placement will be on site for our NACS 8th Grade students and their families on Tuesday, October 6 from 4:00-7:00pm to:
Share important school-selection information
Answer questions about the application process
Help families navigate District high school applications
Stop by anytime during the event to receive assistance and prepare for your student’s transition to high school!
ATTENDANCE MATTERS
Regular school attendance is one of the most important factors in a student's success. Every school day provides valuable opportunities to learn new skills, build friendships, and participate in classroom experiences that are difficult to replace. Pennsylvania law requires all school-age students to attend school every day unless they have a valid, documented excuse. If your child is absent, please help us by:
● Notifying the school as soon as possible.
● Submitting a written or electronic excuse within three (3) school days of your child's return.
● Scheduling medical, dental, and other appointments outside of school hours whenever possible.
EXCUSED ABSENCES
Please note that absences without proper documentation will be recorded as unexcused.
Examples of excused absences include:
Illness
Medical or dental appointments
Family emergencies
Religious observances
Approved educational trips
Other reasons permitted by PA law
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS
State law establishes the following attendance thresholds:
3 unexcused absences: The school issues a First Official Notice of Truancy.
6 unexcused absences: Your child is considered Habitually Truant.
10 or more unexcused absences: Your child is considered habitually truant.
When these thresholds are reached, schools are required to follow Pennsylvania attendance laws. This may include attendance conferences, the development of a School Attendance Improvement Plan (SAIP), referrals to community support services, and other interventions designed to improve attendance and support student success.
If your family is experiencing difficulty with getting your child/children to school on time, please contact Northwood Academy as soon as possible. We are always happy to help support our families.
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