Northwood Notes
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Sign up your child & Volunteers needed
Royal Oak Schools will be offering opportunities for students to walk and ride bikes to school together with adult supervision through Safe Routes to School. Supervision will be provided by Royal Oak Schools staff and parent volunteers.
Safe Routes to School (SRTS) is an international movement and a federal program to make it safe, convenient, and fun for children, including those with disabilities, to bicycle and walk to school. When routes are safe, walking or biking to and from school is an easy way to get the regular physical activity children need for good health. Safe Routes to School initiatives also help ease traffic jams and air pollution, unite neighborhoods, and contribute to students’ readiness to learn in school.
Please sign up at https://forms.gle/6Tt7edXC75GguWsF8 to join Northwood’s Safe Route to School mornings. Please note that you will need to sign this form for your child to participate and designate which days they will be participating.
We need volunteers! Please sign up here if you would like to volunteer.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C4DA4AB23A7FBC34-56555363-safe
Here are the details for Northwood students:
- Dates: Friday September 12th and 26th, 2025 (Both Walking Only Events)
- Time: 7:35 AM arrival at Meeting Location. Start time is 7:50 AM. Late arrival leaves no later than 8:00 AM.
- Meeting Location: First Congressional Church Parking Lot, 1314 Northwood Blvd., Royal Oak - Look for Mr. Doody
SRTS Route: Northwood to Evergreen/Lloyd to McDonald (see parent letter for map)
Questions? Email: Keith.Doody@royaloakschools.org
Each month, we select a book to provide to every classroom. We choose books that have multiple uses within our curriculum and provide our students with a chance to see themselves or others in the books we read. We love the positive impact this initiative has on our whole school culture.
September: Our Class is a Family
Author: Shannon Olsen
Illustrator: Sandi Sonke
With its heartfelt message and colorfully whimsical illustrations, Our Class is a Family is a book that will help build and strengthen classroom community. Kids learn that their classroom is a place where it's safe to be themselves, it's okay to make mistakes, and it's important to be a friend to others.
Northwood PTA Newsletter
The Northwood PTA sends out a weekly newsletter to keep families informed about important school announcements, volunteer opportunities, upcoming events, and ways to connect with our community on social media. We also share how you can support Northwood when shopping locally. Our goal is to reach as many Northwood families as possible, so please help us spread the word!
There are two ways to receive the newsletter:
1. Join the PTA and automatically receive the newsletter: northwood.givebacks.com/store
2. Sign up without joining the PTA: northwood.givebacks.com/join/cecb14
Questions? Contact Kristen Borchardt-Mazur (kristen.borchardt@gmail.com)
Northwood PTA on Facebook
Join the Northwood Elementary Official PTA Facebook group to stay up-to-date on PTA events and see what's happening at Northwood.
Kroger Community Rewards
Help the Northwood PTA fundraise by linking your Kroger Shopper's Card to our organization! It's easy to do & it's free. Just follow the directions below & the PTA will earn extra funding. Thanks so much!
1. Create or sign in to your digital account
2. Link your Card to an organization: Select: Northwood PTA and click "Save"
Box Tops
Collecting Box Tops is a great way for Northwood to earn money. Northwood earns 10¢ for every box top collected. Download the app and start scanning your receipts to earn money for Northwood!
Our Positive Behavior Interventions & Supports (PBIS) program at Northwood uses the acronym of O.A.K.S to promote positive behavior throughout our building. Our O.A.K.S. program serves as a reminder to our students that they are to be:
Outstanding Learners
Always Respectful
Kindness Counts
Safety First
Following is our Northwood Behavior Expectations & Character Traits Matrix, which focuses on expectations for all of the areas of our school. Teachers and staff emphasize this daily and we also have monthly "Nest" meetings to work on OAKS expectations and being role models and leaders at school. One of the tools we may use if a student has a behavior challenge is a "Think Time Sheet", which allows the student to think about their behavior, consider how it relates to OAKS expectations, and most importantly reflect on how they can grow from the experience and make better choices in the future. These forms go home to communicate with families and foster positive conversations about our OAKS expectations for positive behavior. Thank you so much for your support at home to reinforce these important expectations and traits!
ROPAC: Royal Oak Parent Advocacy Committee
The Royal Oak Parent Advocacy Committee (ROPAC) is our school district's Parent Advisory Committee - a group made up of parents/caregivers of students with IEPs or 504 Plans, those that want to learn more, those that think their student may benefit from special education services. ROPAC sincerely welcomes any parent or caregiver with a student(s) in Royal Oak schools to join us in our mission to make this a destination for students receiving special education services. Learn more about the ROPAC here: ROPAC Info Flyer. To join our mailing list for meeting reminders and other updates, complete this quick form: ROPAC Email List
Download Royal Oak Schools App
Community Conversation 9/11
Soup & Salad with Super 9/24
State of the Schools 9/30
Community Conversation 10/2
Acorn2Oaks Grants for Kids
Arrival: 1st bell 8:20 AM, 2nd/tardy bell 8:25 AM
Late Starts: 1st bell 9:20 AM, 2nd/tardy bell 9:25 AM
Dismissal: 3:30 PM
DROP OFF / PICK UP LANE
Do not park along the curb and leave your vehicle
Kiss & Go Lane (along the front of the building - See photo): For quick drop-off of students who can walk independently to their doors, please pull into the Kiss & Go lane along the curb in front of the building. This is a moving lane for drop-off and pick-up (no parking). If there is a line, we appreciate your patience. Thank you for your cooperation!
- Pull all the way forward, allow your child to exit on the passenger side of the vehicle, and move forward to exit. Your child will walk to their class door.
- For pickup, your child will exit their class door and come to the lane to look for your vehicle. Please do not pull in front of your child's class door to wait, as this impedes the line and causes a backup.
- If you need to exit your vehicle, please find a parking spot. This will keep things moving, which is safest and most efficient for everyone.
- Please do not let your child exit your vehicle in the driveway or thru lane and try to walk between moving cars. The children’s safety is the priority.
PARKING
Parking: If you need to leave your car for any reason, please find a parking spot.
- We have 2 visitor lots you can use: front lot and north lot.
- You may park and walk your students to and from their class door.
- If you would like to park on the street, please consider parking on a side street other than McDonald, due to traffic.
- Please do not pick up or drop off in the Staff/Bus Lot. This lot is for staff parking and a bus lane only. Thank you for your understanding.
- Blue disability parking spaces are for those with permits only by state law.
OPTIONS TO AVOID TRAFFIC
- Carpool
- Walk/bike (students must wear helmets and walk bikes on school property)
- Breakfast: Drop your child off early at the main office doors for breakfast between 7:55-8:10 AM (8:55-9:10 on Late Starts).
- Drop off or pick up your child where there are adult crossing guards at either the Crooks or 12 Mile Rd Crosswalks.
- Drop off or pick up your 3rd-5th grader off at W. Houstonia/McDonald or W. Houstonia/Vinsetta. Safety patrol students are at the W. Houstonia/McDonald crosswalk.
WALKING & BIKING
- These are great options and decrease traffic.
- Adults and students should remain on sidewalks and cross at crosswalks only.
- Students must wear a helmet.
- All bikes must be walked on school property.
- Please do not stand or park bikes in the Kiss & Go lane.
- Please use the crosswalk from the front of the building to McDonald on the north side of the driveway. By pedestrians using that crosswalk, vehicles are able to turn left and exit the lot more efficiently, which alleviates the line.
- Dogs are not allowed.
STUDENT ARRIVAL EXPECTATIONS
As students arrive, they are expected to join their class line and wait patiently for the first bell to ring at 8:20 AM (9:20 on late start Wednesdays) when classes enter the building. Students are not supervised by staff outside before school begins, so shouldn't be dropped off early without supervision. On school grounds, students should always be following school rules and expectations, including safety, respect, and kindness.
ARRIVING LATE AFTER 8:25 AM
If your child is arriving after the second bell at 8:25 AM (9:25 on Late Starts), please park in a parking spot (not along the curb) and walk your child in. You will sign your child in on the clipboard in the vestibule. Your child will enter the office to get a late pass from the office and head to class.
Outdoor Gear & Recess Guidelines
The children go outside for fresh air and robust active play every day for lunchtime recess. At times there will be extreme weather or extremely cold conditions that prohibit children from being outdoors for recess. As a general rule, when the "feels like" temperature approaches 12 degrees we consider keeping students in, however this guideline is subject to the administrators discretion. Some other factors considered include, but are not limited to, the presence of sunshine and the strength of the wind.
It is very helpful when kids come to school prepared to dress for all possible weather, and it's important that students come to school daily with appropriate outdoor gear. In the winter, that includes coats, hats & gloves, snow pants, and boots. When there is snow on the ground, we ask that students wear snow pants and boots to play on the field, in order to avoid wet, cold pants and shoes.
Student Electronic Devices Policy
Students are allowed to possess electronic communication devices on school property; however, such devices shall not be used during the school day or in a manner that disrupts school activities or events. If brought to school, these items should be left in the student’s locker. This includes but is not limited to the following: smart phones, smart watches, bluetooth earbuds, tablets, etc. Any device found to be used for any illegal purpose or used in a manner that violates the Student Code of Conduct may be confiscated pending a parent conference. Where appropriate, police authorities may be contacted. The school is not responsible for lost or stolen electronic devices. Northwood Student Handbook, page 9
If your student needs to bring an electronic communication device to school please make certain they understand that it must be kept in their locker and they may not text, call, watch videos, etc. on their device during the school day.Thank you so much for your support with this important issue!
Allergy Awareness & School Food Policy
Classrooms: Do not send snacks containing peanuts or tree nuts.
Lunch Room: There is a separate table for any students with nut allergies.
Class Parties: If party donations are requested, do not send items that have peanuts or tree nuts.
- Halloween - If you send in goodies to be sent home, do not include any food items.
- Valentine's Day - If you send in goodies to be sent home, do not include any food items.
Birthdays: Do not send food or beverages as birthday treats.
Social Media Posting
At Northwood we take pride in making sure we have a kind, caring, environment. Our parents & families play a large role in helping us to achieve this goal. Before posting to social media or any other venue, please consider the feelings of all our community members. Before you post, remember to T.H.I.N.K.
“Blessings in a Backpack” is a program designed to provide students on the free and reduced lunch program with enough food for three meals a day during the weekends. This program, administered by the Community Foundation of Greater Rochester, is active in Royal Oak Schools. If you agree to take part in this program during the school year, your child will receive a bag filled with food for the weekend. A bag of food will be put in your child's locker for take home on Fridays. The simple meals may include food like macaroni and cheese, beef ravioli, canned fruit, granola bars, soups, juice and other items. Students will receive a bag every week.
If you would like to have your child participate in this program, fill out the form below.. Please be sure to indicate on the form if you child has any food allergies. If your child has a food allergy, you as the parent are responsible for checking all food labels when the food arrives home. Royal Oak Schools, as well as Blessings in a Backpack, will not be held responsible for any accidental food allergen exposure.
Northwood Elementary School will provide higher-level learning opportunities for all students to maximize their potential in a safe, nurturing, respectful, and diverse environment.
Northwood is proud to be a Michigan Green School at the Evergreen Level.🌲
Northwood has been serving families in the Royal Oak Community for over 100 years, since 1923.
