High School Basketball Home Game Schedule

High School Basketball Home Game Schedule
December- 4,8 12; January- 13, 24, 30; February- 4,13
JV game starts at 6:00pm followed by Varsity around 7:30. 

PTO/Booster News

Santa Breakfast Saturday
This Sat. Dec. 6, 9:00 am
Santa Breakfast this year is a week earlier, on Saturday Dec 6, 9:00 am to 11:30. In addition to breakfast, we’ve added a photo booth this year that can record cherished family memories. A crafts booth for kiddies will be manned by North Star students. Santa is excited about selfies with kiddies. Cost is $10 for family and $2 for single ticket. 

“Teacher Wishing/Family Giving Tree” in NSCS Lobby
As in years past, a “Giving Tree” is in North Star’s front lobby. Pick up a wish and you and your child can bring the gift to the teacher before Christmas break. 

Booster News
Meeting: Wed. Dec. 10 at 3. See you there HO! HO!

Down to our last E. books:  Booster Club is offering sales of Entertainment Books to High School families. Pick up order forms in office and return them there also. 

Fact of the Week

“Pick up your room or you’ll be grounded!  But Mom…!”

New research on the teen and pre-teen brain shows not only do kids react negatively to Mom’s nagging, but parts of kid’s brains actually shut down when she begins her familiar litany.

Teen-parent relations can be a tricky business. And parents as well as kids easily fall into ruts in how they deal with each other. Now neuroscientists from several leading US universities think they’ve found some new brain evidence that helps verifies what kids and Moms all know. Here’s the main take-away: when listening to Moms’ criticism, and for a period afterwards, the teens’ brains showed more activity in areas involved in negative emotions (no surprise there) but they actually showed reduced activity in regions involved in emotional control and in understanding and taking other people’s point of view. Kids seemingly become defensive and then just shut Mom out. Scientist are still on the track of why.  However, in the long run there might be a benefit to these behaviors, because we all know it’s not smart to mess with Mother Nature.

Holiday Caroling

The annual Holiday All School Sing-A-Long will be in the gazebo at Heritage Park in Eagle 185 E State St on Sat. Dec. 13 from 2:45 – 3:00.
 Caroling books will be provided!  Come join us in this NSCS tradition!  Dress warm and be ready to join in the fun.

IB News

Web version Like Tweet Forward

IBA Good News Letter Welcome to The Good News Letter! Every other month the IB Americas Recognition Team features universities that offer strong recognition policies and scholarships to IB students. Back to top Current Features Notable IB Recognition Policies Whitworth University University of Queensland Memorial University- Newfoundland Belmont University Scholarships for IB Students Otterbein University University of Nebraska-Lincoln Monmouth College SL Corner This section highlights some of the many universities that give IB students credit for Standard Level (SL) courses. Hawaii Pacific University Columbia College Back to top University Admissions Blog Visit the IB's University Admissions blog, run by the University Relations team at IB Americas. Be sure to check back for weekly updates! Back to top IB Conference of the Americas Click here for more information and to find out how you can register! Back to top NAVIGATE IBA Good News Letter Current Features University Admissions Blog IB Conference of the Americas Links to Past Good News Letters September 2014 June 2014 April 2014 February 2014 December 2013 October 2013 May 2013 March 2013 December 2012 More Information If you would like to subscribe/unsubscribe from this letter please contact: Rachelle Bernadel IBA University Relations Administrator rachelle.bernadel@ibo.org

North Star Fundraiser- GoodShop

Dear North Star Charter School Supporters,

 What if North Star earned a donation every time you searched the Internet? Or how about if a percentage of every purchase you made online went to support North Star? Well, now it can!  North Star has partnered with Goodsearch.com, a company that helps non-profit organizations like North Star raise funds through the everyday actions.

Goodsearch.com, a search engine powered by Yahoo! will donate 50% of its revenue generated by the site’s advertisers to North Star. This is approximately a penny for each search you perform on the Internet.  You use it exactly as you would any other search engine and the pennies add up quickly - just 500 people searching four times a day can earn around $7,300 in a year. It doesn't cost North Star supporters anything to use.

Thinking about shopping online this holiday season? There's a free and easy way to save money and raise money for North Star. Through the Goodsearch website, you can access Goodshop.  Every time you place an order through Goodshop, you’ll be supporting North Star.  Goodshop works with more than 5,000+ stores (Target, Apple, Amazon, Target, Kohls, Petco, etc) to provide the best deals and coupons.  The top stores donate on average 3% and up to 20% of purchases back North Star.  A North Star parent raised over $10 in two days of shopping.  Thanks in advance for keeping North Star Charter School in mind while doing your holiday shopping! Just click here or signup to start saving and giving back to North Star! And this Sunday, 11/30, Goodshop will be doubling donations for select merchants. Take the pledge and find the double donation merchants at the bottom of the #GoodshopSunday page.

For additional information on Goodsearch/Goodshop, please visit the following links:
Frequently Asked Questions
Spread the word and earn funds for your school. Video explaining the simplicity of Goodshop

This opportunity is not limited to the North Star community. EVERY PENNY COUNTS.  Please let your friends and relatives know about it too. Remember that each time you approach your computer to do a search or to shop, you can help raise money for North Star Charter School. Thank you for your support!! 

Sincerely,
North Star PTO

6th Grade AAU Basketball

The 6th Grade boys are finishing up their AAU season in the next couple of weeks and invite anyone interested to come out! The games are in held at Eagle Middle School in either the main or auxiliary gym.
Remaining games:
December 6th
9:45 vs Borah (auxiliary gym)
4:00 vs Bishop Kelly (main gym)
December 13th
9:45 vs Cole Valley (main gym)
4:00 vs Meridian South (auxiliary gym)

Student Video Contest Details

Fact of the Week- Two Facts to Help Your Appetite

Scientists have discovered that there are two basic kinds of colds. There are those colds that last 14 days and also colds that last two weeks.

Also, do you remember “Kiss the Girl” from The Little Mermaid? Well scientists point out that the song neglects to mention what is also "in his kiss" - 80 million bacteria. Results have shown that after kissing, the quantity of probiotic bacteria in the other individual's saliva rose threefold, and during a 10-second kiss, a total of 80 million bacteria were transferred.

Scientists have noted that our mouths contain over 700 varieties of bacteria, and these are influenced by those we are closest to. Also over 100 trillion microorganisms naturally live in our bodies. They number more than the actual cells of our body.  Called the microbiome, they are vital for digesting Thanksgiving dinner, synthesizing nutrients and preventing disease. Only a few of the “wee beasties” sicken us. Researchers also say that introduced saliva bacteria only last a short time but tongue bacteria colonize your sweetie’s mouth forever. Hope this enough to just curtail your appetite on Thanksgiving and not to swear you off of kissing under the mistletoe.

Happy Thanksgiving from your fact guy!

PTO/Booster Club- Upcoming Holiday Festivities

PTO and Booster Club want to thank all members of our North Star community for the heroic effort and support you have put out since our last turkey break. We are truly blessed with generous, caring, hardworking teachers, parents, staff, students and leaders. PTO and BOOSTER CLUB thank you!

See the “Wishing/Giving Tree” in NSCS Lobby
As in years past, there is a “Giving Tree” in North Star’s front lobby. Teachers and staff members created a list of their most desired gifts for their classrooms. An email with Teachers’ Wishing list will tell you what your child’s teachers need. You and your child can bring the gift to the teacher before Christmas break. 

Santa Breakfast and the Elves Are Coming 
Santa Breakfast this year is a week earlier, on Saturday December 6, 9:00 am to 11:30. Breakfast includes ham, pastries, fruit and juice.  We’ve added a photo booth this year that can help record good family memories. A crafts booth for kiddies will be manned by North Star students. Santa is rumored to be in a good mood! Cost is $10 for family and $2 for single ticket. Contact: ptonorthstar@gmail.com Sponsored by PTO and BOOSTER CLUB

Primary- Boy's Basketball Promotion

The NSAA is sponsoring a promotion for the Boy's Basketball Program. Here's how it works: for all elementary students attending the game, stop at the table by the entrance and as you come in and give Mr. Schwartz the name of your teacher. That will be recorded and the teacher with the most attendance will receive $25 in cash from the Athletic Department to be used in their classroom. This will continue throughout the season for each home game. Hope to see you at the games! 

Grant Money for Chromebooks

Technology grant money was recently awarded to Megan Beglinger and the Secondary Math Department from the Morgridge Family Foundation through Khan Academy.  It was a matching grant, and we will be able to purchase 15 new Chromebooks to use in the math classrooms. We will be using the Chromebooks in class to access Khan Academy and do research.  Thank you to the North Star Administration for matching the grant!

Primary- The Fourth Grade Gems

The 4th grade students would like to thank Dan Norman from Norman Jewelers for visiting their science classes this week.  Mr. Norman is the grandfather of Grant Jakobson and is a certified gemologist.  He spoke with the students about gemstones and precious minerals as part of their Rocks and Minerals unit.  They learned a lot about diamonds in particular. Students were able to examine samples of several precious stones as well, including emeralds and amethyst. It was a fun afternoon and Mr. Norman complimented NS students on their awesome, respectful behavior.

Volleyball- Season Wrap Up

The 2014 season was quite a year for the North Star Huskies Varsity Volleyball Team. The "Dawgs" finished their remarkable season with more match victories than in the previous six years combined, they set new attendance records at home, swept Marsing and McCall and split with Melba and finished the season in fourth place, the highest finish ever for a North Star team. The team also notched tournament victories against 3A Nyssa and Parma. Second year Head Coach Michael Jordan was named the Western Idaho Conference Coach of the Year by his peers and was selected to coach the "2A" Senior All Star Team, yet another first for the NS Volleyball Program.

Junior Middle Blocker Hannah Monroe was named to the All Conference Second Team and Freshman Kaysa "Pfan-Slam" Pfannmuller was awarded an Honorable Mention. The season was a particularly remarkable one as the team featured six freshmen and two athletes who were new to the sport of volleyball. Coach Jordan stated " This season was a big step forward for the program and I am expecting even bigger things from the team next year. I am so proud of our girls and the job they did this year. We started out as a group of individuals and finished our run as a solid team. This season wouldn't have been as successful without the support of our Athletic Director Dan Conti, the support of our families and the students of North Star who began to believe in this team and program."

Head Coach Michael Jordan will again be running his elite level volleyball camps at North Star in the summer of 2015 and all aspiring volleyball players are invited to attend.

International Club- Backpack Drive

Hello North Star Parents and Students!

International Club is getting involved with World Relief Boise. Their mission is to help refugees from other countries begin to rebuild their lives here in Idaho. In order to help the children integrate into school life smoothly, International Club is having a Backpack Drive from November 3-21. The goal of this project is to be able to provide backpacks stuffed with general school supplies (a binder, pencils, pens, ruler, etc.) that the kids will need to be a successful student. We would prefer new and gently used backpacks to be donated. There will be bins in the cafeterias labeled "Backpack Drive" where the backpacks will be collected. We are also in need of monetary donations to purchase items that will be sent with the backpacks. All money donations will be collected in the office or by the International Club Officers. If you are writing a check please make it payable to "North Star Charter School." Any contributions that can be made would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,
Heather Iseri and Crystal Mendez (North Star International Club Officers)

Belize Service Trip- Teacher Swap

Ms. Emily Martinez spent the day with our North Star students K-12, sharing her culture, teaching students about Belize, singing songs and drumming. She also spent time observing two kindergarten classes, and is hoping to bring some new teaching strategies back to her school. This teacher exchange has a huge ripple effect on not only her students back home, but ours as well. North Star students have an opportunity to go to Belize to work in schools over February break. More information is available in the main office or from Ms. Oberlindacher.  Www.globalservicepartnerships.org

Pennies for Jenny Fundraiser

One of our wonderful North Star families is in need of our support and we are ready to help them! Jenny Custer, a mom of a NS 2nd and a 5th grader, has been suddenly stricken with a very rare autoimmune disorder called Neuromyelitis Optica. This disorder has brought Jenny from vibrant and healthy to almost complete paralysis within 24 hours. She was flown to Salt Lake City, where a University of Utah hospital team of specialists are working with her.  She has been holding strong and fighting hard and we couldn't be happier that we still have Jenny blessing this earth with her presence.

Jenny is always first in line to help and give to others both at North Star and in the community. She is a cheer coach to the Vipers cheerleaders, volunteer at North Star Charter school, President of the Lit Ladies Book Club, co-leader in Meridian Mops....the list goes on! Jenny’s love for everyone around her is limitless!

Now it’s our turn to show support to one of our own! There will be a jar in every K-5 classroom over the next few months. Any time you are able to send your child with spare change, we will hear the happy clank of coins dropping in our Pennies for Jenny fundraiser. Every Friday, the money will be collected and deposited in a fund for Jenny Custer. The family is so thankful for the financial support in paying hospital bills, travel expenses and anything else that may come up in Jenny’s journey to recovery. 

Please contact Chelsea McClure for more information or larger donations: chelseadm@msn.com

Fact of the Week- Mom is Right Yet Again

Scratching an itch only makes it worse. Scientists at Washington University School of Medicine have determined that scratching causes the brain to release a chemical, which intensifies the itch sensation.

Previously scientists knew that scratching creates a small amount of pain in the skin. That pain briefly interferes with itching by getting nerve cells in the spinal cord to carry pain signals to the brain instead of itch signals.

The problem is that when the brain gets those pain signals, it responds by producing serotonin, the well-being and happiness neurotransmitter to help control that pain. But as serotonin spreads from the brain into the spinal cord, we found it can “jump the tracks,” leaking from pain-sensing neurons to stimulate nerve cells that influence itch intensity. Scientists uncovered serotonin's role in controlling pain long ago, but this is the first time the release of the chemical messenger from the brain has been linked to itch.

The research provides new clues that may help break the vicious cycle of itching and scratching, particularly in people who experience chronic itching. Until then scientist suggest that those who itch pay attention to mom's advice and try not to scratch.

Love and Logic- The 48 Hour Test

Trish and Dad were walking through the mall when Trish spied the most “spectacular” pair of dark glasses.

“Oh, Dad. They’re perfect. They’re just what I need to complete my collection of eye-wear. I’ve got to have them, but I don’t have the money. Will you loan me some? Pleeeeze! I’ll pay you back.”

Dad knew that a loan to Trish was never a loan. In the past, asking for re-payment drew fits and sulking. With this in mind, he knew that he had only three choices:

Loan her the money and fight with her for re-payment.
Give her the money and avoid all the hassle.
Make her sign a promissory note and hope for better results this time.

But wait! Why are these his only choices? Contrary to what the media and advertising says about having it now and paying later, there is another choice. Trish might learn more about money management if she earns the money and buys the glasses later.

A wise father might say, “They are beautiful. I can’t wait to see you wearing them. You can come back for them when you have the money.”

“But, Dad. I don’t know why you’re so uptight about money. It’s no big deal to loan it to me!”

“You’re right Trish. A big deal is learning how to earn and manage your own money.”

“But, Dad, you just don’t get it. I can’t live without those glasses.”

“Well, Trish. You may have a point there. Maybe we ought to give it the old 48-Hour Test.”

“What’s that?”

“We could leave them in the store for 48-hours and then check to see if you’re still alive. If you are, we’ll know whether or not you can live until you find a way to pay for them yourself.”

“Oh, Dad. That’s stupid. If you love me, you’ll loan me the money!”

“Nice try, Trish, I can’t wait to see if you’re still alive in 48 hours. Let’s find the food court. I’m buying today.”

Learning about money management is a big deal. Teaching your kids about it is a gift that lasts a lifetime. I bet you have friends who could handle money better if their parents had been more like this father.

Learn more tricks like the 48-Hour Test in our book, Millionaire Babies or Bankrupt Brats?, and give your kids a gift that will last a lifetime.

Thanks for reading! Our goal is to help as many families as possible. If this is a benefit, forward it to a friend.

Jim Fay 

Lost and Found - Pokemon Cards

A 3rd grade student brought her brother's collection of Pokemon cards (about 200 cards in a Pokemon tin) to school. After trading cards during lunch recess, she set it down on the play ground and it disappeared. She asked the duty and her teacher but no one had seen it. Please watch for this tin of cards at your house. Thanks for your help!