THE BEST
Building Excellence Successfully Together
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February 13, 2026
CALENDAR DATES
February 16 - Presidents' Day (Teacher Work Day; Students No School)
February 17 - Professional Development Day (Students No School)
February 19 - FCS Board Meeting
March 13 - All Pro Dad
March 16 - Professional Development Day (Students No School)
March 31 - Spring Pictures
April 6-11 - Spring Break
KEY NEWS FOR EXPLORER FAMILIES
Northwood is feeling ALL the love today! Valentine’s Day in elementary school is such a delight, and today was packed full of fun. Thank you to Mr. Chaffer, Mr. Devlin and team for another wonderfully successful All Pro Dad meeting this morning where they discussed responsibility and made Valentine’s Day cards together. It was also Cranium Challenge Day, Career Day, and class Valentines exchange.
On Tuesday, we celebrated some of Northwood's brightest stars. This year's Teacher of the Year (TOTY) finalists were Mrs. Echauz (ESOL), Ms. Friedrichs (4th grade), and Mrs. Landers (kindergarten). Please join me in congratulating our overall TOTY winner, Mrs. Annie Jo Landers! We also recognized and celebrated Mr. Jonathan Dixon as he is Northwood’s Professional of the Year! Two very well-deserved recognitions; I am honored to have them represent Northwood!
In celebration of School Resource Officer Appreciation Day today, we are thankful for the two FCS Officers that support our campus regularly. We love having Officer Ellis and Officer Alexander, and appreciate all they do to make connections with students and support our campus safety!
Parent Survey Update – we have reached 19% of the required survey participation rate, but we still need just a few more respondents. Northwood Elementary Family CCRPI Survey
With much love,
Heather Rucker, principal
NORTHWOOD'S 2025-2026 TEACHER AND PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR
Congratulations to Northwood's 2026-27 Teacher of the Year and Professional of the Year!
Annie Jo Landers, Teacher of the Year
Jonathan Dixon (Paraprofessional), Professional of the Year
We are grateful for your time, talent and the love that you pour into our Explorers!
MUSIC NOTES WITH MS. DAHL
Did you know that your child is taking piano during Music? I am so happy to inform you that we are well into our 12-week unit where Explorers have been learning how to play the piano. We started right after the New Year and will finish right before Spring Break. I am so grateful to our amazing Northwood Foundation for providing the funding for this incredible opportunity.
Piano uses both sides of the brain, helps students develop eye-hand coordination, and develops a solid foundation for musical elements which can help students learn any other instrument. Piano is also known to relieve stress and build self-confidence, but mostly it is a lot of fun! The benefits are endless, and I am so excited that we were able to add this opportunity to our music program at Northwood Elementary.
MEDIA CENTER NEWS: VALENTINE'S DAY AND BLACK HISTORY MONTH
February is full of stories to love in the Media Center! Students can explore books that celebrate Valentine’s Day and discover inspiring titles for Black History Month. We invite everyone to check out a new read and celebrate love, learning, and history all month long.
HERE TODAY, READY FOR TOMORROW: ATTENDANCE PRIORITIES AT NORTHWOOD
Our attendance focus this school year is “Strive for 95!” We want our Explorers to be present for 95% of our school days. Excellent attendance ensures the best delivery of excellent instruction.
We understand that some absences are unavoidable. If your Explorer is absent from school, please email northwoodattendance@fultonschools.org to notify the proper staff.
Did you know that students can request up to 5 Participate Remote Learning Days per semester and receive attendance credit by completing academic work remotely? Parents can submit this form to their child’s teacher prior to an expected absence.
Your involvement as parents and guardians is an essential factor in creating a positive and engaging school environment. Together, we can foster an atmosphere where students are excited to come to school, engage in learning, and build a foundation for a successful future.
Click here to learn more at Northwood’s Attendance Webpage. In addition, FCS attendance policy information can be found at FCS Attendance Matters Website or by contacting our school social worker, Patrick Hartigan, MSW at hartigan@fultonschools.org
SCHOOL GOVERNANCE COUNCIL 2026 ELECTIONS
What is a School Governance Council?
The purpose of a School Governance Council (SGC) is to provide parents, school staff, and community members with a leadership role through monitoring and implementation of the strategic plan.
What is the commitment?
All School Governance Council members serve two-year terms. Time commitment varies from school-to-school, but expect 2 to 3 hours per month which includes meetings, trainings, and school and community events.
When are the 2026 elections?
Candidate Declaration: February 2 - March 27
Voting: April 22 - April 29
Where to declare candidacy?
Visit the SGC website and click on Elections for a candidate guide and/or declaration. Elections - Fulton County School System
CLINIC NEWS AND NEEDS
DISTRICT HEALTH SERVICES: INFLUENZA UPDATE
According to the most recent Department of Public Health Statement regarding influenza:
"Flu activity is widespread and severe in Georgia, and cases are likely to increase following the holidays and as Georgians return to work and school. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also projects a severe flu season. If you have not gotten a flu shot yet and have no medical conditions preventing you from doing so, the Department of Public Health strongly urges you to take advantage of the health benefits the flu vaccine provides as soon as possible."
We are seeing an increase in confirmed flu cases throughout out building, consistent with what we are seeing across the state. Please read through the attached document. Our teachers will continue to prioritize hand washing and classroom cleaning. Let us know if you have any questions or concerns.
CLOTHING DONATIONS
Accidents happen - in the classroom, at recess, at lunch or the bathroom. When our Explorers get messy they often head to the Clinic to get cleaned up. We keep extra clothes on hand for those quick changes. We appreciate donations of all clothing sizes, and are currently in need of girls bottoms - all sizes. If you have any clothing items you'd like to contribute you can send them in with your student or drop them off at the front desk. Thank you!
AVID GOAL OF THE WEEK
Northwood is proud to be an AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) school. AVID Elementary equips students with the foundational skills and mindset needed for future success. Our staff is focused on enhancing instructional consistency, fostering a college and career readiness mindset, increasing student engagement and building organizational and study skills.
As part of this, each week Northwood will be focused on one goal as a school. Be sure to ask your child about it!
Next week's AVID goal is: to surprise others by performing random acts of kindness.
CAFETERIA NEWS
NEW CAFETERIA PRINCIPAL ACCOUNT FUND
This year, with the new lunch system, our school community has the capability to create a Cafeteria Principal Account Fund. This account would be used to fulfill any meal costs for students that reach an account balance of zero. We often have families and extended family members that ask if or how they can pay off lunch balances or support our students in this way, now the process of doing so is easy!
Should you be interested in adding to the Cafeteria Principal Account Fund, just send a check or cash to school in an envelope to Ms. Cristhal Austin, our cafeteria manager in training, and notate that the funds go to the Principal Fund. Please reach out to Ms. Austin, austinc4@fultonschools.org, if you have any questions.
MENU CALENDAR
The Fulton County School Nutrition Program is dedicated to serving all students nutritious, safe and customer acceptable meals in support of academic achievement. Click the link below to see what thery are serving up today.
MISSING SOMETHING?
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. February's date is Friday, February 27th.
HAVE YOU JOINED THE PARENT PORTAL?
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.
YEARBOOKS ARE ON SALE NOW!
It’s time to pre-order your 2025-2026 Northwood Yearbook—celebrating our 30th anniversary with this year’s theme: REWIND! Reserve your copy now for just $41.
Click here to order: yearbookordercenter.com/job/26362 — and don’t forget, 5th grade families can purchase a dedication ad to honor their student!
Questions? Email us at Yearbook@northwoodpta.com.
COMMUNITY AND CLUSTER NEWS
ABOUT US
Michelle Levine, Assistant Principal
Together We SHINE!
Email: NorthwoodAttendance@fultonschools.org
Website: https://northwood.fultonschools.org/
Location: 10200 Wooten Road, Roswell, GA, USA
Phone: 470-254-6390
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NorthwoodElementaryPTA/
Twitter: @FCS_NWES or @NWES_Principal