Northwood News
May 4, 2026
Be Smart. Be Kind. Be United. Be a Unicorn
Dear Northwood Families,
May is here! It’s hard to believe we have just four weeks of school remaining. There is still so much learning and fun ahead—let’s make the most of every moment and finish the year strong.
This week and next, students will participate in MAP testing. These are important assessments that help us measure student growth over the year and guide instruction so we can start next school year strong. Please help your child do their best by ensuring they are at school on time and well-rested on their testing days.
MAP Testing Schedule:
- May 12: 1st, 3rd, & 5th Grade – Math
- May 13: 2nd & 4th Grade – Math
- May 14: 4th Grade – Science; Kindergarten – Math
This week is also Teacher Appreciation Week! Our teachers show incredible dedication, hard work, and love for our students each and every day. They are truly vital to the success of our school community. We encourage you to join us in showing appreciation for all they do—whether it’s a kind note, a message, or a simple “thank you.” You can find ideas of ways to appreciate your child's teacher on the flyer that went home last week.
Thank you for your continued support as we head into this exciting final stretch of the school year. We are grateful to partner with you and look forward to a strong finish together!
Warm regards,
Mrs. Harper
Library Books Due May 11
Book Fair this Week
The Literati book fair is here! Summer reading is just around the corner, and this is a wonderful opportunity to find the perfect books for your child to read.
Click this link to learn how to purchase a gift card, how to shop online, and more! https://literati.com/store/?school=northwood-elementary-school-san-antonio-tx
Hours: 8:00-4:00 Monday through Thursday, and open until 6:00 on Tuesday for PTA night.
Closes at 10:00 Friday morning.
Thank you for supporting our students and the Northwood library!
PTA Meeting May 5
Fiesta Footsteps 5K
We’re excited to announce an inaugural event for all NEISD families and community—Fiesta Footsteps for Education, featuring a 5K Race, Kids Color Run, and Wellness Event, happening on May 9, 2026, at Heroes Stadium.
Join students, families, and colleagues for a fun, community-centered event celebrating wellness and connection. After the race, stay and enjoy our Health and Wellness Fair, with community partners, activities, and health resources for all ages.
This inaugural event is proudly presented by the North East Educational Foundation, NEISD Office of Employee Benefits, and Blue Cross Blue Shield. All proceeds directly benefit programs and projects that expand educational opportunities for NEISD students
👉 Register here: https://runsignup.com/Race/TX/SanAntonio/FiestaFootsteps
News from PTA
May 4-8: Teacher Appreciation Week
May 4-8: Literrati Book Fair
May 5: PTA Meeting: Kinder & 1st grade perform
May 6: School Nurse Day
May 6: 4th & 5th grade track meet
May 7: School Nurse Day
May 12: 1st, 3rd & 5th Grade MAP Math
May 13: 2nd & 4th Grade MAP Math
May 14: 4th grade MAP Science, Kinder MAP Math
May 14: Musicorns concert 4:00pm
May 20: Fifth Grade End of Year Pool Party
May 21: 4th grade field trip to Mill Springs Cabin
May 22: Kinder Ender 8:00
Carnvial Sponsors: A HUGE thank you to our amazing sponsors: Home and Patio, Park Place Recreation, IST - Integrated Shredder Technology, Theory Coffee, The Law Offices of Lisa Miller, Joy Nicewander PhD. PLLC, Tangram Athlete, 210 Ortho, J.C. Rubiola and John Harper - Rubiola Realty, Matt Stevens Landscape Architect, Ellavate Design LLC, Next Level Urgent Care, Chamberlain Hrdlicka, Frost Bank, Lee Irrigation and Lighting, The Beignet Stand, Kara's K-9 Retreat, HEB, Rico's the Hermes Family, Pape Family, Davis Family, Aaron Webb and the Ahrens Family for sponsoring the 2026 Northwood Carnival!!
Thank you all for your generous support!
PTA Website
Northwood PTA now has a website! NorthwoodPTA.org is your new online hub for all PTA sponsored events, volunteer opportunities, and information. Please go to NorthwoodPTA.org and create an account. It only takes a minute and it’s free! You do not need to be a PTA member to create an account, but members do get special access to our new Online Directory. Never worry about losing that QR code or misplacing that volunteer link again, it’s all in one place! If you have already joined PTA this year, you do not need to purchase a membership again. Reach out to Lisa Miller at info@northwoodpta.org with any questions or for assistance with registration.
Elevate Your Impact: Join the PTA Today! joinPTA.org
Unlock a world of opportunities by becoming a part of our passionate PTA community.
Membership is $8.50 and your involvement is a chance to make a tangible difference in your child's education and school experience.
By joining PTA, you are showing support for your child and their education. There is no obligation to volunteer or take on additional responsibilities (unless you want to!)
Join fellow parents and educators to shape the future, advocate for quality education, and create a nurturing environment where students can thrive.
Amplify Your Voice, Forge Lasting Connections, Enrich Learning Experiences, Drive Positive Change, Shape the Future!
Join the PTA today and embark on a rewarding journey of collaboration, empowerment, and growth.
Together, we can create a brighter future for our children and build a stronger, more vibrant school community. joinPTA.org
Family Engagement for the Week of May 4-8
Monday, 4th Walking for Wellness at 1:30 PM in room 10 Flyer
Tuesday, May 5th Walking for Wellness at 8:30 AM in room 10 Flyer
Butter, Sugar, Magic book club at 9:30 AM
Stress Management part II at 10:30 AM
Wednesday, May 6th Conversation English at Vineyard Ranch from 9-11 in PLC room Flyer
Bereavement Support FLYER (Spanish session on May 7) on zoom from 6-7 PM
Thursday, May 7th No Family Engagement classes
Friday, May 8th Basic ESL Class on Zoom Zoom Link Meeting ID: 823 5663 9325 Passcode: 129666
Upcoming Trainings:
Wednesday, May 13 - Summer Learning and Family Fun FLYER (English with Spanish interpretation available)
Thursday, May 14th MAC Cluster Family Engagement Leadership Academy Closing Ceremonies from 10-1 PM - Location: Mac Church on IH 4-10 (By invitation only)
For more information please feel free to contact me.
Elizabeth "Lisa" De La Rosa, M.Ed.
(210) 407-5465
Family Liaison for Northwood/Vineyard Ranch/Wilderness Oak
Northwood Elementary (Monday/Tuesday and Thursday)
519 Pike Rd.
San Antonio, TX 78209
Don’t miss NEISD’s 3rd Annual Summer Feast on June 10, 2026!
Bring the whole family to Ed White Middle School (7800 Midcrown) from 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. for a fun-filled morning.
Kids 18 and under can enjoy a free lunch through our summer meal program, and each family will receive a free food bundle (while supplies last), courtesy of the San Antonio Food Bank.
Explore our Resource Fair featuring 30+ district departments, community partners, and local businesses. Need to check off immunizations? The Christus Santa Rosa Mobile Clinic will be on-site to help you get a head start.
Enjoy music, entertainment, giveaways, and chances to win exciting prizes—all in one place!
Get the details on the event webpage HERE.
We can’t wait to see you there!
School Lunch
We have a wonderful cafeteria that serves breakfast and lunch daily. This year meals are provided at no charge to ALL students as part of the Community Eligibility Program. Click THIS link to watch a short video about what is included on the school breakfast or lunch tray and what items are an extra charge.
If your child wants "extras" beyond the regular school tray, you need to add money to their cafeteria account by visiting schoolcafe.com or sending in a check or cash.
Visitors to Campus
- All visitors to campus will be required to present an ID to enter the building and receive a visitors badge through the Raptor system during the school day. This includes on the first day of school. We understand that this may not be convenient, but it is necessary in order to ensure safety.
School Absences
Our goal is for all of our students to maintain outstanding attendance (at least 95%).
The best way to learn is by being present at school and on time, ready to learn at 7:25 am every day! If your child needs to be absent due to illness, please be sure to send a note to school the day they return explaining the reason for the absence. Absences for illness and medical appointments will be excused with a written note. A student can have no more than 18 absences in order to recieve credit for the course/grade level.
Morning Drop Off 6:50 -7:20 am
- Students may be dropped off no earlier than 6:50am. There is no supervison before this time and students will not be allowed into the building.
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🤚 Passenger Side Only
For Safety, students should exit the vehicle from the passenger side only. If they are unable to exit by themselves on the passenger side, please pull into a parking spot and assist them.
- Breakfast is served from 6:50-7:20 am. Students arriving after 7:20 am will need to have breakfast at home.
- Students who arrive before 7:20 will report to the follow locations to wait for their teacher:
- Kinder - 1st grade: K/1 Hallway
- 2nd - 5th grade: Gym
- Teachers will pick up the students at 7:20 and walk them to the classroom.
- The tardy bell rings at 7:25 am, so please allow plenty of time to get to class.
- In order to ensure the safety of all of our students, we ask that parents not come into the building in the mornings. We will make sure that everyone gets to class safely.
After School Dismissal 2:45-3:00 pm
In order to ensure the safety of all our students everyone picking up a student from school at dismissal is required to present an official Northwood Dismissal Tag, whether it is by car or walk up. If you need a dismissal tag, please come to the front office and present your ID. All students will wait inside the building for dismissal which will start at 2:45 pm
Parent Pick Up will line up on the sidewalk near the marquee, with their dismissal tag and wait to be called.
Car pick up will hang their tag on their rear view mirror, line up on Rockhill and turn right into the school driveway. Wait for your child's name to be called and pull all the way forward. Please stay in your car. If you need to help your child with their buckle, please park and walk up.
🤚 Passenger Side Only
For Safety, students should enter the vehicle from the passenger side only. If they are unable to get in the passenger side please pull into a parking spot and walk up so that you can assist your child
We understand that this may take a little longer, however, we want to ensure that everyone goes homes safely. Thank you for your cooperation.
School Hours 7:25 am - 2:40 pm
Threre is a change to our school day this year. The tardy bell rings and 7:25 am and the dismissal bell rings at 2:40 pm. Please make plans to get up a few minutes earlier so that your child is in class ready to learn at 7:25 am. Students who come into the building after 7:25 am will be counted tardy and parents will need to come into the office and sign them in.
Skyward Family Access
Skyward Family Access is an important tool for all parents to stay informed with their child's education. This is where check grades, update contact information, complete forms and more. You should have received an email earlier this week to complete important beginning of the year forms. Please take some time to log in or create an account if you have not already done so. click and open the document below for full instructions. Click THIS link to login and for all the information you need.
Personal Electronic Devices
On Thursday, August 7th, the NEISD Board of Trustees adopted procedures related to HB 1481 that mandates that public schools prohibit students from using personal electronic devices, including smartphones, tablets and smartwatches during the school day.
All students are expected to have their personal electronic devices powered off and out of sight during during the school day. If you need to communciate with your child during the school day, you can message their teacher through Class Dojo or call the front office at 210-407-5400.
Catherine Harper, Principal
Email: charpe5@neisd.net
Website: https://www.neisd.net/northwood
Location: 519 Pike Road, San Antonio, TX, USA
Phone: 210-407-5400
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NorthwoodNEISD
Twitter: @northwoodneisd