THE BEST
Building Excellence Successfully Together
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April 17, 2026
CALENDAR DATES
April 20 - PTA Campus Service Day
April 24 - Kindergarten Round-Up
April 25 - PTA Movie Matinee
April 29 - May 1, 5-8 - GA Milestones Assessments
May 8 - All Pro Dad
May 13 - Talent Show
May 14 - Chorus Concert
May 15 - Field Day
May 18 - K and 4th Grade Class Parties
May 19 - 1st and 5th Grade Class Parties
May 20 - 2nd and 3rd Grade Class Parties
May 21 - Last Day of School/5th Grade Promotion Ceremony
KEY NEWS FOR EXPLORER FAMILIES
We loved having students back this week! Explorers jumped right into their routines and had a wonderful week of learning, along with enjoying some great spring weather during outside time. It was an honor to celebrate and thank our Northwood volunteers at the luncheon this week. Thank you for all that you do for NES! Speaking of volunteers, I would like to invite you to take part in our PTA’s Campus Service Day this Monday, April 20th. All ages are welcome! For more details, please see the flyer in the PTA section below.
We also enjoyed celebrating and recognizing Mrs. Levine for Assistant Principal’s Week. We are so grateful for her dedication and student-centered leadership. She supports students, families, and staff with a willingness to do whatever it takes to make meaningful differences. Thank you, Mrs. Levine!
Thank you also to Mrs. Dahl and the entire first-grade team for putting together and supporting the first-grade historical figures performance. It was a joy-filled way to start our Thursday morning!
Please be sure to review the important Infinite Campus Census Update flier and information below. All families are required to update their census information to confirm accuracy and ensure that at least one emergency contact is listed. Updating emergency contacts is essential, as these individuals are authorized to pick up your child from school and can be contacted in case of an emergency if a guardian cannot be reached.
Fondly,
Heather Rucker
Principal
FIRST GRADE EXPLORERS
After a great spring break, First Grade is ready to jump back into learning! We are so excited to start our ABC countdown and continue to follow all of our PBIS expectations to continue our learning in fun, engaging ways!
FOURTH GRADE EXPLORERS
Students had the opportunity to learn all about the Civil War during our field trip to the Atlanta History Center before spring break! They learned about Georgia's role during this time period and saw a train restored from the era. Students also learned about communication during the Civil War and tried out Morse Code. A highlight for many was getting to interact with items that soldiers used during wartime, such as ciphers, old canteens, clothing, and medical supplies. We all had a great time on the trip and loved the hands-on learning experience!
INFINITE CAMPUS CENSUS UPDATE
Beginning April 1, families can complete census verification through Infinite Campus Online Registration. Fulton County Schools requires families to review and update their emergency contact information each year. For safety and security purposes, we ask that all updates be completed prior to the start of the upcoming school year.
Please click the link below to view the flyer for instructions on how to update your Explorer’s emergency contact information in Infinite Campus.
READY, SET, VOLUNTEER: NORTHWOOD ELEMENTARY FIELD DAY NEEDS YOU!
Northwood Elementary is hosting its annual Field Day on Friday, May 15th, 2026, and we’re seeking parent volunteers to help facilitate the events. Only parents that are on campus in a volunteer capacity will attend to support Field Day. Parents will be assigned a station and will not rotate with their child.
• Session #1: Grades 1, 4, 5, and AU will have Field Day from 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM.
• Session #2: Grades K, 2, and 3 will have Field Day from 11:45 AM to 1:45 PM.
Please click on the link below to volunteer and help us create a fun and memorable Field Day experience for all our students!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084DABAD28ABFC1-63234994-2026#/
FIELD DAY T-SHIRTS
We are excited to offer optional Field Day T‑shirts for students this year. Purchasing a shirt is not required to participate in Field Day, but it is a fun way for students to show school spirit.
Cost: $14 per shirt
Grades K–4: Blue and red shirts
5th Grade: Neon shirts
If you choose to purchase a shirt, additional ordering information is included below. Thank you for your support!
If you have any questions please reach out to either Allison Bauer bauera@fultonschools.org or Jessica Gardella gardellaj@fultonschools.org
GET READY FOR GEORGIA MILESTONES
What can I do to help my child prepare?
Be certain your child gets plenty of sleep and has a healthy breakfast.
Be certain your student is at school on time, so they are not worried about being late.
Remind students that cell phones and smart watches will be collected and stored in the secure testing room during test administration times. It’s best for students to leave them at home if possible.
Get information and practice using this link: Georgia Milestones Resources (gadoe.org)
Experience the online testing session. See below for more details, and use this link: www.gaexperienceonline.com
What happens if my child is absent?
- There will be rolling make-ups throughout the testing window. Please do not send your child in if they are sick.
Can visitors be in the building?
- During GMAS testing, we will not be allowing visitors in the building before 11:30 am; and there will also be no lunch visitors these days.
Georgia Experience Online
Georgia Experience Online is a practice site that can be used for students to learn more about the structure and content of the Georgia Milestones Assessment, experience online testing, and practice using online testing tools. Parents are welcome to explore this site and use it to practice with your child.
Please note that the EOG Test Practice site will have ELA and Math questions while the EOG Study Guide for Students and Parents only focuses on Math and Science (5th grade only).
Below you will find an attachment with directions and the link to access the site. Please contact your child’s teacher or our CST, Danielle Evangelista if you have any questions.
FCS KINDERGARTEN AND NEW STUDENT REGISTRATION
PICKUP PATROL: NEW DISMISSAL SYSTEM AT NORTHWOOD
We have successfully launched our new system called PickUp Patrol to help us track dismissals. PickUp Patrol provides families with a convenient way to make changes to your child’s dismissal plans and helps ensure that students are accurately dismissed each day.
If you haven't signed up, please email Mrs. Lorraine Robertson at Northwood's front desk, robertsonl1@fultonschools.org, and she will resend the registration email from PickUp Patrol with a link to set up your account. Moving forward, this is the only way to make dismissal changes. Please note that dismissal requests will no longer be accepted via the Northwood Dismissal email, teacher inboxes, or paper notes.
The parent portal is free to parents and can be accessed from your phone or computer. The link in your registration email will be live for 48 hours. As soon as you receive it, please log in and confirm your child’s default plan.
If you have any questions, please first check the PickUp Patrol Parent Guide & if you need additional assistance, please reach out to Mrs. Robertson, robertsonl1@fultonschools.org.
NORTHWOOD FOUNDATION SEEKS NEW MEMBERS
The Northwood Foundation is seeking a couple of new members to join our team! Our mission is to raise funds for innovative programs and facilities that enhance the educational experience and opportunities for students and faculty, thus enhancing the quality of life for the greater community. As a board member, you would play a vital role in our school community by coordinating and attending the annual Fun Run events and overseeing the stewardship of donated funds.
If you are passionate about supporting our students and faculty, we would love to hear from you. Interested parties should send a short biography to northwoodfoundationga@gmail.com. We look forward to hearing from 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 stay focused and engaged during a review of materials I already know.
CAFETERIA NEWS
CAFETERIA BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS
We can help you celebrate your child's birthday with his/her classmates by offering the purchase of ice-cream for $1.00 per child. Please go online and add money to your child's GENERAL LUNCH account based on the number of students in the classroom. Then email your child's teacher and our Cafeteria Manager, Chisthal Austin, at austinc4@fultonschools.org to let us know what date you would like to celebrate it. We will take care of the rest!
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. April's date is Thursday, April 30th.
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.
YEARBOOK ONLINE SALES END APRIL 30
Order your 2025-2026 Northwood Yearbook—celebrating our 30th anniversary with this year’s theme: REWIND! Reserve your copy now for just $41 before online sales end April 30th.
Click here to order: yearbookordercenter.com/job/26362.
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
