August 17, 2023
Dear Northwood Families,
Welcome to the 2023-2024 school year at Northwood School! Students’ first day of school is Thursday, August 31, 2023.
Our team will be joined by several new staff members this year. Please welcome:
- Jorge Abril-Sanchez (grade 7 ELA)
- Blake McGurty (grade 7 math)
- Adam Goodwin (grade 8 math, Athletic Director)
- Megan Athanisiou (school psychologist)
- Devin Connors (speech language pathologist)
- Isabella Livingston (grade 5)
- Liz Graichen (special education, grades 7-8)
- Katy Murray (health)
- Kyra Nadeau (paraprofessional)
We are still in the process of hiring for a few other positions.
Families of students in K-5, we hope you’ll be able to join us for an informal “Meet the Teacher” event on Tuesday, August 29 from 5:00 - 6:00. This is an opportunity to meet your child’s teacher, see the classroom, drop off school supplies, and help your child get rid of some of the first day jitters!
Bus routes for the 23-24 school year are included with this letter. If you have any questions about the routes or don’t see your bus stop listed, please email Mrs. Roy (aroy@northwoodschoolnh.org) and she will work with the bus company to get an answer to your question.
Please note some students will be riding one bus in the morning and a different bus in the afternoon. Some afternoon routes are included. If your child’s afternoon bus route is not included, you can calculate your child(ren)’s estimated drop off time in the afternoon, by looking at the morning route times. For example, if it takes ten minutes for your child to get from his/her bus stop to school, it will take approximately ten minutes to get from school to that bus stop in the afternoon.
Please be aware that bus routes tend to take longer during the first few days of school as teachers are matching students with the right buses and drivers are getting to know their new routes. Don’t be alarmed if your child’s bus doesn’t arrive at the time indicated on the route schedule the first week of school, particularly if your stop is in the middle or at the end of the route.
For students riding a bus to and/or from school: Please note that there will continue to be two bus runs due to a shortage of bus drivers, at least for the start of the year. Students who arrive to school on an early bus (orange and red routes) may go to breakfast if needed or report to the gym until the day officially begins at 8:05, at which time they’ll go to morning recess. Students who ride a late bus (departing between 3:05 and 3:30) in the afternoon will wait in the gym until their bus is dismissed. Students riding early and/or late buses should bring a book or electronic device to keep them occupied while they’re waiting. (Please note that during the official school day, 8:05 - 2:50, use of electronic devices is restricted to educational use with adult permission per School Board policy JICJ).
Students being driven to school may arrive between 7:45 and 8:30. Please note that students arriving before 8:05 will report to breakfast or the gym until 8:05, at which time they’ll go to morning recess. Dismissal will begin at 2:50. We will continue to use the courtyard for drop off and pick up this year. Please be aware that dismissal will take a little longer on the first few days as our staff members get familiar with new faces and vehicles. We appreciate your patience!
We are excited to further develop strong partnerships with our families as we work together to prepare our students for the future. Thank you for sharing your children with us everyday and supporting Northwood School. We are looking forward to a wonderful year! Enjoy your last weeks of summer!
Respectfully,
Jocelyn Young