This packet was mailed out to homes on August 1st.
Greetings Northwood Families,
Welcome to the 2024-2025 school year! We anticipate another fantastic school year. There are numerous opportunities for your child to grow and thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. The first day of school is Wednesday, August 21st for all students (Pinecone Preschool - 12th-grade).
Northwood Staffing: We will miss the staff that have decided to move on to new adventures. At the same time, we are excited to welcome the new staff to our Northwood family. Welcome to Bianca Dugay (HS Math), Faith Czorniak (1st grade), Brianna Hagmann (Art), Nikk Adams (Tech Ed), Bryan Crum (NorthStar), Jenny Koverman (Special Education), Georgia Becherer (3K Pinecone Teacher), Kaitlyn Asp (Pinecone Para), Mike Congdon (Bus Driver), Steve Pelzman (Director of Grounds/Maintenance).
School Website: You can stay updated on topics such as district calendar, classroom supply lists, lunch menus, school news, activities/events, announcements, parent/student handbook, co-curricular code handbook (must be signed before students can participate in athletics, clubs, etc.), policies, state and federal notices and more by visiting our website northwood.k12.wi.us. The Northwood School App is also available. Download the “Northwood School District, WI” app on your mobile device to stay current on all the latest news & events. New this year… You will also be able to connect directly with your child’s teacher using a new tool on the app.
Fall Sports: Students must have a current physical exam card completed prior to participation.
Football practice begins on Tuesday, Aug. 13th
Volleyball practice begins on Monday, Aug. 19th
Cross Country practice begins on Monday, Aug. 19th
MS Flag Football practice begins on Monday, Aug. 26th
MS Volleyball practice begins on Monday, Aug. 26th
Back to School Picnic (Everyone Invited): We are hosting the back-to-school picnic on Thursday, August 15th from 4:30-6:30 p.m. The Back to School Picnic will have a new format this year to communicate updates for the 24-25 school year. There will be a welcome presentation, building tour, and opportunity to meet the staff. Please see the flyer included in your packet for more details. Be sure and stop at the informational tables on a variety of topics set up in the commons throughout the evening. We look forward to seeing you at the picnic to kickoff the school year!
Meetings: We look forward to seeing you at the sessions below that are applicable to your child.
5:00-5:30 Information meeting for 5th grade nature camp - 5th grade classroom
5:30-6:00 6th grade meeting (does not include NorthStar) students and parents - library
6:00-6:30 Freshman orientation for students and parents - library
6:30-7:00 Co-Curricular Handbook meeting for all sports, clubs, etc. - Auditorium
School Enrollment Form: Please fill out the necessary enrollment forms which provide us with updated addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, emergency contacts, etc.
Student Immunizations: The Department of Health Services requires specific immunizations for students entering preschool, kindergarten, and sixth grade. Please contact your family health care provider or the school office if you have any questions.
School Attendance Regulations: All attendance email communication must either be sent to attendance@northwoodk12wi.com or by phone call from parent/guardian. School attendance is critical to being successful in school. All students are required by state law to be in school attendance including scheduled class, assemblies, and special events that are scheduled during regular school hours. Please carefully read the attendance policies in the Student Handbooks.
Bus Transportation: The District will be contacting families with any bus route changes. New this year, all families that utilize the bus transportation are required to sign a behavior expectation agreement by September 1st. The School Bus Behavior Expectations agreement is included in this packet. If you have any questions, please call the school office. Another new addition this year is the creation of email groups for each bus route. This will enhance transportation-related communication with families, bus drivers and district office.
School Day:
Before School Program beginning at 7:30 a.m.:
Elementary students arriving before 8:00 a.m. must attend the Before School Program (Richards Auditorium Entrance) which opens at 7:30 a.m.
Will begin on the first day of school.
Morning Drop-off Procedure beginning at 8:00 a.m.:
Entrances will open at 8:00 a.m. for all students not attending the Before School Program.
Buses will drop students off at the Richards Auditorium…doors open at 8:00 a.m.
Student Drivers and passengers will park and use the front entrance…doors open at 8:00 a,m.
Parent Drop-off will be on the east side of the building (previously the bus circle). Vehicles may unload along the sidewalk or park in a designated parking spot and walk students to the door. Staff will be present to assist elementary students to their classrooms.
Afternoon Pick-up Procedure:
Elementary students will be dismissed at 3:25 p.m and MS/HS students at 3:27 p.m.
Buses will pick students up at the Richards Auditorium entrance.
Student drivers and passengers will exit using the front entrance.
Parent Pick-up will be on the east side of the building (previously the bus circle). Staff will escort students during dismissal. Vehicles should pull forward and line up along the sidewalk while waiting for dismissal or pull in a designated parking spot and wait outside on the sidewalk for students to be dismissed.
Afternoon School Program:
After School Program (grades K-5) begins at 3:25 p.m. and ends at 5:15 p.m. Monday - Thursday. To sign up for this free program, contact the district office. The After School Program will begin on Monday, August 26th.
Tiny Seeds Learning Center provides after school care for preschool age children. For information regarding the fee and to sign up, contact director Kim Schultz.
Class Schedules: A notice will go out to families when student schedules are ready and available on Infinite Campus. Mrs. Kildow will schedule sessions for change requests before school starts. MS and HS students will receive a paper copy of their schedule on the first day of school.
Medications: If your child is to be given medications at school, the parent and the physician must complete a form authorizing the school to administer the medication. Once the form has been completed, the parent must bring the form and medication to the office in its original container. PLEASE, DO NOT SEND THE MEDICATIONS TO SCHOOL WITH STUDENTS.
Food Service Program: We are excited to announce that the district still qualifies for the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) while participating in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs. This means that ALL Northwood students (PK-12) are eligible to receive a healthy breakfast and lunch at school at no charge for the 2024-2025 school year. Milk can still be purchased as additional milk or with cold lunch for $0.35.
Operation BackPack: Operation BackPack is an available program that offers nutritious and easy-to-prepare food for your child on weekends and school vacations. There is an information letter and registration form included in this packet if you are interested in Operation BackPack for your child.
Sincerely,
The Northwood Administrative Team