Northwood News
December 15, 2025
Dear Northwood Families and Community,
As we enter our final week before the winter holiday, we also come to the end of our 9-weeks grading period and the first semester of the school year. It has been a busy and productive few months, and we are proud of the hard work our students and staff have shown. Report cards will be available during the first week in January, once we return from the break.
We will round out the semester by celebrating the holiday season and all of our successes with class parties on Friday afternoon. The room parents have been working hard to coordinate with the classroom teahcers to plan a fun event for your child. We are asking that only parents who are volunteering to help with the party and have pre-arranged with the teacher come for the parties. We have small classrooms and lots of students, so we do not have room for extra guests and visitors. Thank you for your understanding.
This week also marks a bittersweet moment for our campus. Our office assistant, Pat Peterson, will be retiring, with this Friday being her final day at Northwood. We are incredibly grateful for her five years of dedicated service and for the warm, friendly welcome she has extended to every student, family member, staff member, and visitor who has walked through our doors. She will be greatly missed, and we wish her all the best in her well-deserved retirement.
At the same time, we are pleased to welcome Wendy Cazier to the Northwood family. Ms. Cazier will be working alongside Ms. Pat this week as she transitions into her new role. Please join me in extending a warm Northwood welcome to her.
You may have noticed that the new swings installed this summer have been roped off. This is due to a safety recall issued by the manufacturer. Replacement swings are being sent and will be installed as soon as they arrive, hopefully over the holiday break. Student safety is always our top priority, and we appreciate your patience and understanding.
Thank you for your continued support of Northwood Elementary. We wish you and your family a restful, joyful winter break and look forward to welcoming everyone back in January.
Warm regards,
Mrs. Harper
Lost and Found
Gift for Cafe and Custodians
Winter Break
News from PTA
December 15-16: PTA Gift Wrapping for staff
December 17:Cane's Spirit Night
December 19: Class Holiday Parties
December 22 - January 5: Winter Holidays
January 6: 1st day of 2nd Semester
January 8: College Shirt Day
January 9: CSS Appreciation Day
January 16: Class Picture Day
January 19: School Holiday
January 22: Kinder Round Up
Need the district calendar? Bookmark this link.
Raising Cane's Fundraiser -We will have our next Spirit Night Fundraiser with Raising Cane’s on Austin Hwy this Wednesday, December 17 from 4-9 pm. Cane's will donate 15% of the proceeds to the school, Use the promo code for online/app orders: RCFUND96 or if ordering in person, just tell them you are supporting Northwood. Check out the custom web link for below with the fundraising information, location, etc.
www.raisingcanes.com/fundraiser/Northwood%20Elementary%20Spirit%20Night%20Fundraiser
Winter Coat Drive -Let’s help keep our Unicorns warm now that it has finally cooled down! We will be running a coat drive until we leave for the holiday break in December! We are accepting new and gently used coats in all sizes, but there is always a big need for larger sizes! Please place your donations in the labeled box on the front steps of the school near the doors!
Kinder Round Up - Do you or someone you know have a child that will be turing 5 years old before September 1, 2026? If so, please join us for Kinder Round Up to learn about the kindergarten program, all that Northwood has to offer, meet the teahcers and tour the school. We will have two sessions onJanuary 22 at 9:15am or 5:30pm. The sessions will be the same, so choose the time that works best for you. Please spread the word!
New 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
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 and receive a visitors badge through the Raptor system in order to come into the building 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.
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