Northwood School Laker

April 14, 2023

From the Principal's Office

Hello Families,

As the weather gets warmer and wardrobe selections change, please keep the school's dress code in mind. Here is the language from the handbook as a reminder (I've bolded the point that we most frequently have to address):

The following apparel is not to be worn during the school day: caps, hats, and other headgear (not including hoods, which are included providing the student’s face is visible/not obstructed and the student is able to hear instruction); tank tops; clothing with offensive, vulgar, or racist language or pictures; tops that do not completely cover the mid-section; clothing that glorifies, encourages or promotes the use of alcohol or drugs, violence and weapons.

Students who violate this policy will be given an opportunity to correct the situation by either changing the clothing, removing the clothing (if appropriate), wearing it inside-out, or other means as determined by the principal so the student is in compliance with this policy. Students who repeatedly violate this policy may face more severe punishment, including detention, in-school suspension, or out-of-school suspension.

On another topic, I know many families are eager to know when graduation will be held. I expect to be able to announce a date for graduation before April vacation.

Have a wonderful weekend!

~ Jocelyn

News from the Art Room

This week Northwood School had the pleasure of working with visiting artist Kim Bernard! The students learned how plastic affects our planet and the importance of recycling. Kim taught the students her unique art process--upcycling trash into something new and beautiful. Kim takes #2 plastics and shreds them. She adds pigment and heats the shreds to 400 degrees! As the melted plastic is extruded, students carefully shape the malleable plastic while wearing protective gloves. Every student has had a hand in the collective installation located on the lower playground fence. Keep an eye out for the art while waiting in line at dropoff or pick up! Thanks again to Kim for spending the week here at Northwood School and thank you to everyone who collected and donated plastic bottles. We collected the most bottles Kim has ever seen a school collect!

News from the Music Room

32 Marches. 4 Weeks. 1 Champion.

The Mania Began March 1, 2023

Each year “The President’s Own Marine Band” hosts “Sousa’s March Mania,” a competition in which students and fans around the globe rally behind their favorite marches as they advance through a series of match-ups and onto the championship game! Every day throughout the month of March, two marches competed head-to-head, to determine which song moved to the next round. Students had the opportunity to listen to the selected marches during music class and vote for their favorite one! This year was the 10th Anniversary of March Mania; in honor of John Philip Sousa (the name this is named after), all of the pieces in this year’s bracket were composed by him. Sousa composed 136 marches in his lifetime, with 32 of them being featured here.This year’s winning march was “Mikado March”.

News from Sixth Grade

Sixth graders were tasked with researching simple machines and their applications. They chose an appliance that utilizes a simple machine mechanism and then they engineered a functioning model. Students presented their research and their completed model to the class.

Pictured below is a ferris wheel created by students. The ferris wheel uses a wheel and axle mechanism. Also pictured is a student designed elevator that uses a pulley system.

In a different STEAM group, students were challenged to create a science project or a demonstration to share with peers. Students chose a project based on the science units they studied in class. They could choose from forces and types of energy, motion and stability forces, or wave types and their applications.

Pictured below is a magnetic device created by students. Students demonstrated how switching polarity creates a spinning magnet. They explained how creating an electromagnet and applying the spinning magnet principle is the basic format of how a DC motor operates.

Also pictured is a mini fan created by two students. The students built this fan using a DC motor, battery, and alligator clips.

22-23 Yearbooks

Ordering for 22-23 yearbooks is now open! Please click on the link below and enter the Yearbook ID code on the flyer. Purchasing a yearbook is only for Kindergarten through seventh Grade. Eighth graders are gifted a free yearbook and do not need to purchase one. Paper copies are being sent home but online ordering is preferred.

Order your yearbook!

2023 Literary Magazine

Students are invited to submit original writing to the literary magazine, which will come out at the end of the year. Students may email their poems, stories, plays, or essays to their classroom teacher or to Ms. Carloni.

Guest Teachers Needed

If you are interested in being a guest teacher (also known as a substitute teacher), please apply at this link. The pay is $100 a day and you get to work with great kids and great staff! Please contact Ms. Roy or Ms. Young with any questions.