What does the PTA do each year?

Here, you'll find an overview of some events that have shaped our year in the past.

Because activities and dates vary year to year — please refer to our current calendar and the PTA weekly newsletter for current event details.

Learn more:

Back-to-School Events
Family Activities
Fundraising
Parent Events
Teacher & School Support
Events & Programs
End-of-Year-Events

Back-to-School Events

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*PTA membership needs to be renewed every school year

Kindergarten Popsicle Playdate

Connect with other Kindergarten and DK families at our Popsicle Playdate! Hosted by the PTA during Kindergarten/DK Curriculum Night, it’s a fun and casual way to meet fellow families and kick off the school year together.

Kindergarten | Family Event | August

New Parent PTA Meet & Greet

New to the school? Come meet the PTA and learn how you can get involved! Hear about PTA programs and activities, join the PTA, and sign up to volunteer if you have time. The New Parent PTA Meet & Greet is open to all parents and is typically held one morning after drop-off during the first week of school.

PTA Information Meeting | Parent Event

Welcome Back Ice Cream Social

Celebrate the start of a new school year with an evening ice cream social for all students and their families! Come enjoy a sweet treat, reconnect with friends, and kick off the year together.

Family Event | September

Regular PTA Meetings

Join us for our first PTA meeting of the year to meet the PTA, hear from our principal, and learn what’s happening at Northwood and across the district. PTA meetings are a great way to stay informed, connect with other families, and learn how you can get involved throughout the year.

PTA meetings are held at 7 p.m. on the second Monday of each month while school is in session. In-person meetings take place in the Northwood Cafeteria, with some meetings held exclusively on Zoom. Childcare is available in the gym during in-person meetings.

PTA Information meeting | Parent event | Monthly

Learn more

Room Parent Signup

Room parents help connect families, teachers, and the PTA by supporting classroom events, teacher gifts, fundraisers, and Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week. Keep an eye on your email for signup information!

Volunteer Opportunity | September

Empty white background with no objects or details.

Fundraising

Group of people standing outdoors behind a sign that says 'Northwood' with colorful balloons and stars decoration, wearing casual clothes and sunglasses, in front of trees.

Fun Run

The Fun Run is Northwood PTA’s only fundraiser of the year and brings students together for a fun, active event while raising funds that directly support our school. Funds raised help provide educational experiences, field trips, assemblies, family events, book fairs, technology, and equipment for our students.

In-school event | Volunteer Opportunity | Fundraiser

Learn more

Events & Programs

Scholastic Book Fairs

Fall, Spring, and End-of-Year Book Fairs

Volunteer Opportunity | Fundraiser

Stack of children's books with colorful spines and titles including "Hairy, Cat Run, The Bad Guys, Dog Man, Big Sum Beginnings, Two Windmills, The Cartoonists Club, Baby Sitters Little Sister, UNICO Hunter, Shiny Misfits."
Stack of children's books with colorful spines and titles including "Hairy, Cat Run, The Bad Guys, Dog Man, Big Sum Beginnings, Two Windmills, The Cartoonists Club, Baby Sitters Little Sister, UNICO Hunter, Shiny Misfits."

Noon Walkers

A student-favorite lunchtime activity where volunteers help students get moving, complete laps, and celebrate their progress.

In-School event | Volunteer Opportunity | Fall & Spring

Colorful plastic key-shaped objects, including pink, blue, green, orange, red, black, and purple, piled together.
Colorful plastic key-shaped objects, including pink, blue, green, orange, red, black, and purple, piled together.

Halloween & Valentine’s Day Class Parties

Organized by Room Parents with additional volunteers

In-School Events | Volunteer Opportunity | October & February

Pink background with red, white, and pink paper hearts scattered across it.
Pink background with red, white, and pink paper hearts scattered across it.

National PTA Reflections Art Program

Volunteer Opportunity | Fall

Close-up of paintbrushes with colorful paint on bristles lying on a surface splattered with paint, some dried and some wet.
Close-up of paintbrushes with colorful paint on bristles lying on a surface splattered with paint, some dried and some wet.
Logo of the National PTA Reflections program with a profile of a girl’s face and the text 'National PTA Reflections'
Logo of the National PTA Reflections program with a profile of a girl’s face and the text 'National PTA Reflections'
Learn more

Holiday Helpers

A holiday giving program that brings Northwood families together to provide gifts and support to fellow Northwood families.

Volunteer Opportunity | Community Support | December

A collection of wrapped Christmas presents with festive wrapping paper and ribbons, placed on a dark blue fabric with gold stars.
A collection of wrapped Christmas presents with festive wrapping paper and ribbons, placed on a dark blue fabric with gold stars.

“Rocket Ryan” Science Assemblies

An engaging science assembly that brings hands-on experiments and exciting STEM learning to Northwood students.

In-School Event | Funded by your Fun Run Donations

Four glass laboratory flasks filled with brightly colored liquids in blue, green, and orange, set against a white background.
Four glass laboratory flasks filled with brightly colored liquids in blue, green, and orange, set against a white background.
Learn more

Disability Awareness Workshop

A hands-on workshop for 4th graders that builds understanding, empathy, and awareness around disabilities and inclusion.

In-School Event | 4th Grade | Volunteer Opportunity

A boy using a white and black virtual reality headset with a long stick in a library, with other children and a woman in the background. The boy is holding the headset with his left hand and tilting his head toward a window. There are educational signs and books on the table.
A boy using a white and black virtual reality headset with a long stick in a library, with other children and a woman in the background. The boy is holding the headset with his left hand and tilting his head toward a window. There are educational signs and books on the table.

Science Olympiad

A hands-on STEM program where students explore science, engineering, and problem-solving through engaging challenges and activities.

In-School Event | Volunteer Opportunity

A group of children and a woman are sitting on a black plastic sheet on the floor, assembling marshmallows and toothpicks into a structure. The woman is guiding the children in building a model or sculpture.
A group of children and a woman are sitting on a black plastic sheet on the floor, assembling marshmallows and toothpicks into a structure. The woman is guiding the children in building a model or sculpture.

Field Trips & Assemblies

The PTA helps fund educational experiences, including field trips and cultural assemblies, that enrich learning and expose students to new ideas, cultures, and perspectives.

School Enrichment | Funded by your Fun Run Donations

A sign on a white concrete wall that reads 'Love to Learn' in black text on a yellow background. In the background, a person wearing a hoodie and sunglasses is walking by on a sidewalk, with trees and houses further behind.
A sign on a white concrete wall that reads 'Love to Learn' in black text on a yellow background. In the background, a person wearing a hoodie and sunglasses is walking by on a sidewalk, with trees and houses further behind.
Learn more

Teacher & School Support

Dinner for Teachers During Conferences

The PTA provides dinner for teachers and staff during conference nights as a small way to show our appreciation for all they do.

Teacher Appreciation | Funded by your Fun Run Donations

Assorted sandwiches and baked goods in cardboard boxes on a table.
Assorted sandwiches and baked goods in cardboard boxes on a table.

Pies for Teachers & Staff

Pies are donated for each of the amazing Northwood teachers and staff

Thanksgiving | Volunteer Opportunity

A close-up of a lattice-top apple pie in a fluted tart pan, with three red apples beside it, on a dark wooden surface.
A close-up of a lattice-top apple pie in a fluted tart pan, with three red apples beside it, on a dark wooden surface.

Teacher Appreciation Week

A week-long celebration of our amazing teachers and staff! Families can show their appreciation throughout the week, while the PTA provides a special lunch for teachers and staff as a thank-you for all they do for our students.

Teacher Appreciation | Volunteer Opportunity

Person making a heart shape with hands against a sky background with clouds and the sun.
Person making a heart shape with hands against a sky background with clouds and the sun.

Teacher Reimbursements

The PTA reimburses teachers for classroom supplies and materials that support student learning.

Teacher Support | Classroom Enrichment | Funded by your Fun Run Donations

A flat lay of school and office supplies on a green background, including a pink calculator, yellow sticky notes, white pens, a small pair of scissors, watercolor paints, a paper clip, and colorful pens.
A flat lay of school and office supplies on a green background, including a pink calculator, yellow sticky notes, white pens, a small pair of scissors, watercolor paints, a paper clip, and colorful pens.

Playground Enhancements

The PTA supports playground enhancements, including sports equipment, balls, and improvements that encourage active play.

School Support | Funded by your Fun Run Donations

Various sports equipment including a soccer ball, basketball, football, tennis balls, baseball glove with baseball, tennis racquet, and a baseball bat on a wooden surface
Various sports equipment including a soccer ball, basketball, football, tennis balls, baseball glove with baseball, tennis racquet, and a baseball bat on a wooden surface

Flowers and Landscaping

The PTA supports flowers, landscaping, and other projects that help keep our school grounds welcoming and beautiful.

School Beautification | Volunteer Opportunity

Close-up of vibrant yellow and red flowers, possibly chrysanthemums, blooming densely.
Close-up of vibrant yellow and red flowers, possibly chrysanthemums, blooming densely.

Family Acitivies

Northwood at Detroit City FC Game

A fun community outing for Northwood families to come together and cheer on Detroit City FC! Group tickets are available for this family-friendly soccer event.

Family event | Ticket purchase required

A stylized logo for Detroit City FC. The background includes a shield with a dark red field and gold fleur-de-lis patterns, with the text "DETROIT CITY FC" at the top.
A stylized logo for Detroit City FC. The background includes a shield with a dark red field and gold fleur-de-lis patterns, with the text "DETROIT CITY FC" at the top.

Pottery Painting Night

Pottery painting with your family. Creative Arts Studio will be on site at the school with some exciting pieces that make perfect holiday gifts!

Family event | Purchase required

Close-up of a hand holding a paintbrush with light blue paint, with a decorative ceramic object with colorful patterns in the background.
Close-up of a hand holding a paintbrush with light blue paint, with a decorative ceramic object with colorful patterns in the background.

Northwood at Detroit Tigers Game

A fun community outing for Northwood families to come together and cheer on the Detroit Tigers! Group tickets are available for this family-friendly baseball event.

Family event | Ticket purchase required

Entrance gate of Comerica Park with large white lion statues holding baseball bats flanking the sign for the Detroit Tigers, with people entering and people in line. The sign has the words 'Comerica Park' and a red Detroit Tigers logo.

Walk to School Day

An annual community event that brings students, families, school staff, and community members together for a fun and active walk to school.

Family Event | Fall

Yellow pedestrian crossing warning sign attached to a tree in an urban area. The sign has a black silhouette of a walking person. Background shows leafless trees, a multi-story building with glass windows, and people walking on the sidewalk.
Yellow pedestrian crossing warning sign attached to a tree in an urban area. The sign has a black silhouette of a walking person. Background shows leafless trees, a multi-story building with glass windows, and people walking on the sidewalk.

Trunk or Treat

A festive Halloween celebration where Northwood families decorate their cars, enjoy treats, and celebrate together in a fun, family-friendly atmosphere.

Family Event | Volunteer Opportunity

A carved pumpkin with a jack-o'-lantern face illuminated from within, surrounded by string lights on a wooden surface against a black background.
A carved pumpkin with a jack-o'-lantern face illuminated from within, surrounded by string lights on a wooden surface against a black background.

Family Bingo Night

A fun, family-friendly evening of bingo, prizes, and time together with the Northwood community.

Family event

Close-up of a bingo card with a blue round marker on number 22, with a red and white plaid fabric background.
Close-up of a bingo card with a blue round marker on number 22, with a red and white plaid fabric background.

Northwood Skate Night

A fun evening for Northwood families to skate, spend time together, and connect with friends in the school community.

Family event

A person wearing white ice skates and jeans standing on an ice rink, viewed from ground level, next to a yellow boundary line.

Northwood Family Dance

A fun-filled evening for Northwood students and their families to dance, laugh, and make memories together! Come enjoy music, games, and a chance to connect with friends and our school community.

Family event | Volunteer Opportunity

Children playing and dancing in a gymnasium decorated with balloons for a party or event.

Northwood Talent Show

A fun evening celebrating the creativity and talents of Northwood students! Students have the opportunity to take the stage, share their talents, and cheer on their classmates.

Family event | Volunteer Opportunity

A young girl with curly hair is playing a grand piano on a stage with dark curtains in the background.

Slow Roll

A fun, family-friendly bike ride that brings the Northwood community together for an evening of riding and connection.

Family event | Volunteer Opportunity

Close-up of a colorful children's bicycle with pink, green, and black tires, being ridden by a person wearing black leggings and sneakers with white laces on a paved path, outdoors.

Parent Events

Road Rally

A fun adults-only evening where Northwood parents team up, follow clues, and explore the community together.

Parent event | Ticket purchase required

A checkered black and white flag waving in the wind against a blue sky with scattered clouds.

Parents' Night Out

A fun evening for Northwood parents to relax, connect, and enjoy some time together outside of school.

Parent Event

Neon sign reading 'HELLO GOOD TIMeS' illuminated in red against a dark background.

End-of-Year Events

Fun Fair

A fun-filled celebration for Northwood students and families with games, activities, treats, and plenty of opportunities to enjoy time together as a school community.

Family event | Volunteer Opportunity

Children dancing and cheering in front of a white canopy tent with a DJ setup, outside a brick building with trees in the background.

Field Day

A fun-filled day of outdoor games, activities, and friendly competition where students can get active, have fun, and celebrate the end of the school year together.

In-School Event | Volunteer Opportunity

Children playing jump rope outdoors during school event, some waiting their turn and others jumping in the rope circle.

5th Grade Recognition Ceremony

A special celebration honoring our 5th graders and recognizing their accomplishments as they prepare to move on to middle school.

5th Grade | In-School Event | Volunteer Opportunity

Colorful paper decorations and stars on a table, with a woman smiling and holding a microphone in an indoor setting.