Northwood News
Feburary 16, 2026
Dear Northwood Community,
I hope you are enjoying the long weekend and today’s school holiday! These three-day weekends are always a welcome opportunity to rest, recharge, and spend time together. It’s hard to believe we are just three weeks away from Spring Break—let’s make the most of every learning day between now and then!
January and February brought quite a bit of illness to our campus, and we truly felt the impact of so many students being out. We absolutely understand that health comes first, but we want you to know how much your child is missed when they are absent. Being at school consistently is one of the most important factors in student success. Every lesson builds on the next, and daily attendance gives students the best opportunity to learn, grow, and stay connected. We are hopeful that as we move into healthier days, our attendance will get back on track!
This week marks our final STAAR Released Practice test. Our 5th grade students will take the Science practice assessment on Wednesday. In order to provide the best possible testing environment, we will have a closed campus that day. We appreciate your support in helping students arrive on time, well-rested, and ready to do their best.
We are also continuing to celebrate Black History Month with meaningful learning experiences across grade levels. On Friday, we are excited to welcome a guest speaker from the San Antonio African American Community Archive and Museum (SAAACAM). Students will participate in a fun and informative presentation that highlights important contributions and stories from African American history. We are grateful for this opportunity to bring history to life for our students in such an engaging way.
This week also marks the beginning of Ramadan, a meaningful and special month for many Muslim families around the world. We want to recognize and honor this time of reflection and community, and we wish peace and blessings to those in our Northwood family who are observing.
Thank you for your continued partnership and support. Let’s have a strong, focused week.
With gratitude,
Ms. Harper
Friday, February 27
All students will be photographed for Spring Individual Pictures on Friday, February 27, 2026.
Inter-state Studios will allow parents/guardians to pre-pay for photos OR to purchase photos after picture day.
To purchase photos AFTER picture day, parents/guardians will view the digital pictures sent to the parent/guardian primary email address.
If you have any questions, please call the school at (210) 407-5400.
Friday, March 6
Family Engagement for the week of Feb. 16-20
Walking for Wellness Tuesday & Thursday at 8:30 a.m. in room 10 Flyer
- Learn what the Tobin Library has to offer Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. Tobin Library on Harry Wurzbach
- Conversation English at Vineyard Ranch Wednesday from 9-11 in PLC room Flyer
- Planning Forwards to Move Backwards on Wednesday from 6-7 p.m. on Zoom Register Here
- The Lost Bookshop Book Study Chapters 15-42 Thursday at 10-11 a.m. in room 10 Flyer
- Lee High School Food Bank Distribution from 1- 2 p.m. Come and get registered. Open to all in need.
- Basic ESL Lessons on zoom Friday from 9 - 11 a.m. Zoom Link Meeting ID: 823 5663 9325 Passcode: 129666
News from PTA
February 18: 5th grade Science STAAR Practice Released Test (Closed Campus)
February 20: Black History Month Assemblies
February 24-25: TELPAS Testing
February 27: Spring Individual Pictures
March 3: Joint General Election Day
March 3: PTA Meeting - 2nd grade performs
March 6: Field Day
March 6: Early Dismissal
March 9-13: Spring Break
Need the district calendar? Bookmark this link.
Calling All Champions!! - The Northwood Spring CARNIVAL will be held on Saturday, March 28th from 2-6pm! There will be lots of games and prizes, food, shopping and fun so bring the whole family, all your friends and your neighbors. There are many ways to help make this event a success for our students; please look for flyers in your child's backpack over the coming month for additional information. Also check out our website northwoodpta.org/carnival for all information regarding this year's carnival.
A HUGE thank you to our amazing sponsors so far: Park Place Recreation, The Law Offices of Lisa Miller, Joy Nicewander PhD. PLLC, Tangram Athlete, 210 Ortho and Ellavate Design LLC for sponsoring the 2026 Northwood Carnival!! We truly appreciate all of your generous support!
Sponsorship - If you own a local business or would like to contribute as a family to help cover the event cost, please contact Lauren Ahrens for details at Lauren.k.ahrens@gmail.com.
Silent Auction - Donate an item or service for our AMAZING Silent Auction, please contact Vanessa Woodworth at vcwoodworth@gmail.com or Robbie Shepherd at texrobbie1@aol.com.
General Questions?! Please contact Robin Schoenfeld at robinreal02@gmail.com.
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