Northwood News
August 17, 2026
Dear Northwood Community,
Welcome to the 2026–2027 school year at Northwood Elementary! The first day of school is always filled with excitement, fresh beginnings, and endless possibilities—and this year is no exception. Our theme, “Learning is Always in Season,” reminds us that every day brings new opportunities to learn, grow, and discover something new.
At Northwood, we believe every child is unique and has special gifts and talents just waiting to grow. Like a thriving garden, learning takes care, encouragement, patience, and teamwork. Together, our students, families, and staff will cultivate curiosity, nurture growth, celebrate progress, and help every Northwood Unicorn flourish. We are excited to see what we will grow together this year!
Each week, this communication will provide you with important updates, reminders, and information to help your family stay connected and ensure a smooth and successful week.
To stay connected to everything happening in your child's education:
- Read the weekly Northwood News email
- Connect with your child's teacher on ClassDojo and check messages regularly
- “Like” the Northwood Elementary and Northwood PTA social media accounts
- Check out the Northwood website
- Check your child's backpack/folder daily
- Get involved and join PTA
We are looking forward to a wonderful year of locally grown learning, growing, and success! With strong roots, caring hearts, and a community working together, we know this will be a year full of growth and exciting possibilities.
With pride and excitement,
Mrs. Harper
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.
- Breakfast is free for all students and 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 2:50-3:05 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 2:50 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.
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 - 2:45 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 2:45 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.
School Meal Information
Beginning in the 2026–2027 school year, Northwood is no longer eligible for the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), which previously allowed all students to receive free meals. Students will now be charged for meals unless they qualify for free or reduced-price meals.
If you believe your child may qualify, please complete a Free and Reduced Meal Application:
- Online: Through schoolcafe.com
- Paper: Complete the form included in your child’s First Day Folder
We encourage families to apply as soon as possible so applications can be processed promptly.
Good news! Free breakfast will continue to be available to all Northwood students this school year.
If you have questions or need assistance, please contact School Nutrition at 210-356-9113 or mealapplication@neisd.net.
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.
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