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E-News: August 7

We Will be Fully Online in Trimester 1

We are excited to start a new school year. Due to the continued rate of spread of the COVID-19 virus in our local community, as well as the most current guidance from state and local health officials, we are planning on teaching the first trimester online, through November 19, 2020.

Even as we are starting online, our facilities team has been working to prepare a safe campus for our return.

Click here to read the communication we sent to students and parents/guardians earlier this week.

New My BackPack Link

Parents/guardians: Our login page for My BackPack has a new URL. Please update your bookmarks to https://northwestschool.seniormbp.com.

Student T-shirt Sizes for Care Packages

We are in the process of preparing a small token of appreciation for all of our students and we need their t-shirt sizes. Students were emailed a link to a response form earlier this week, but we'd appreciate a reminder from their parents/guardians!

Parent/Guardian and Board/Administration Q&A

On Thursday evening, many parents joined the board and administration for a Q&A about the start of the school year. We will have the recording of the meeting available in next week's E-News.

Final Summer "Parenting in the Time of COVID" Zoom Call

On Aug. 13, at 7:00 pm, we invite all parents and guardians to join Sarina Natkin, Peter Berner-Hays, and Amy Berner-Hays for a conversation on parenting in the time of COVID-19. Our goal is to connect as a community of parents and guardians to discuss how to help our kids navigate uncertainties, to share ideas and experiences, and to prepare for the new school year.

Zoom Link: https://thenorthwestschool.zoom.us/j/99561065606?pwd=MTczVFBCQ25zWkMyaUpaK0trdVdOUT09

Booklists Are Out

Parents/guardians: You should have received an email with the booklists for classes on Wednesday, Aug. 5. There might be some items included in the email that are not available on the website yet. Those items are either under review, not available from the publisher yet, or we received the book requests late. If you have any questions, please contact Amina Loftin.

Head of School Stakeholder Engagement Plan

As we search for the permanent head of school, it’s vital that all stakeholder groups have a chance to provide input along the path of hiring our new leader. We are reaching out to share the process with you, as quickly as possible, in a transparent way and encourage active participation by the whole community. Should you have any questions or comments, please contact Search Committee Chair Ann Bradford.

College Jumpstart, Aug. 24-28

All rising 12th grade students are highly encouraged to attend College Jumpstart, which will happen virtually this year on Aug. 24-28. On Monday, Aug. 24, students will receive an official welcome to the program and links to complete a series of modules in Canvas, including “The Common Application – FAQs”, “Making the Most of Your Activities List”, and “How to Talk About COVID-19 in your Application.”

On Aug. 25-27, students will have an individualized meeting with an essay coach. On Friday, Aug. 28, students and Jumpstart faculty will come together at 10:00 am for two synchronous sessions: a panel with college admissions counselors, and a "Getting Organized" session led by members of the college counseling team. There will be an open space for Q&A at the conclusion of Friday’s formal programming, which will wrap up at around 12:00 pm.

We encourage students to register for the program by Aug. 21.

Faculty Unveils Virtual Art Exhibition

Visual Arts teacher Julia Freeman is proud to announce her virtual exhibition for the Jack Straw New Media residency, called IRISIRIS. Make sure you have your headphones plugged in!

From Julia's artist statement: "IRISIRIS is a set of looping online videos that corresponds to the eight phases of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) treatment. EMDR focuses on reprogramming the brain's response to a traumatic event, changing how the event is stored, and reducing and eliminating problematic symptoms. By repetitively crossing the brain's hemisphere with sound and images, EMDR attempts to heal and reform neural pathways formed by the event."

We Are Still Accepting Applications for the 2020-21 School Year

We are still accepting applications for the upcoming 2020-21 school year. If you know anyone who would be interested in The Northwest School, please contact our Admissions Office.

Early Sibling and Faculty Child Applications

Applications for admission to the 2020-21 school year go live on Sept. 14. For current families and faculty members with a child applying to 6th grade, please note Early Sibling & Faculty Child (ESFC) applications are due Oct. 22. Please fill out the ESFC interest form to be included in mailings about this process.

For more information about the ESFC application timeline and the admission process for siblings and faculty children applying to grades 7 and above, please click here, or contact our Admissions Office. We are excited to meet and work with you this fall!

College Counseling Programs and Updates

Please click here to view additional college counseling announcements, upcoming visits and events, admissions updates, and scholarship information.

About E-News: The weekly E-News covers a two-week period of upcoming events, parent reminders, and campus news.