Board Updates - Town Hall Meeting

Invite for Town Hall Meeting

Dear North Star Parents:

We cordially invite you to a Town Hall Meeting and Celebration.

Date: December 18, 2014

Time: 6:00PM

Location: NS Band Room

Purpose: To celebrate our bond restructuring and change in authorizer, and thank our stakeholders.

Two Ways to Maximize Every Donation to North Star

#1: Idaho Education Tax Credit

The State of Idaho allows eligible individuals to take a tax credit if they make contributions to public education entities like North Star. Tax payers filing a joint return are eligible for up to a $1,000 tax credit (50% of all donations up to $2,000). And, depending on your taxable income, you may be eligible for federal and state deductions.

#2: Matching Corporate Gifts

Many corporations are committed to supporting nonprofit organizations and education. They do this in many way, one of which is called a company match program. This is where you make a donation coupled with a matched donation from your company. Please check with your Human Resources department to see if your company will match your donation to North Star.

PTO/Booster News

Entertainment Book Returns
Send Back Unwanted Entertainment Books!

Booster Club Entertainment Books sales are winding down and we had a great inaugural year. Prizes are ordered. We made over a $1000 on sales, mostly to 6-8 grades. One young salesperson sold nearly thirty books. Read her and other great sellers stories next week! 

We know you are busy, but we need unsold books back before Holiday Break. Otherwise, we lose money for playground improvements. Please, send them back to your child’s teachers. Thanks!


“Teacher Gifting Tree” in NSCS Lobby

Our teachers do a great job. They deserve a remembrance in gift giving season. Stop by our lobby to get an idea about what teachers need. As in years past, you and your child can bring the gift to the teacher before Christmas break.

Meeting Times
All further meetings for PTO/Booster have been reaffirmed as the 2nd Wednesday of the month at 3pm in Mrs. Drick's Room. 

Pizza Fridays?
North Star Booster Club is exploring possible sales of select food items from our café starting in the New Year. We are also looking to partner with other organizations to provide "healthy" snack items to our students. More to come…  Send comments and concerns to Michelle Lambright mrlcpaidaho@msn.com

PTO Donation
The first part of our donation of playground equipment came last week! It included basketballs, footballs, tetherballs , and jump ropes.

Lunch Vendor

Dear North Star Parents, 

Notice for parents and students using the lunch vendor program. 

By mutual agreement, our lunch provider will not be returning after the holiday break.  As a result, starting January 5, 2015, we ask you to provide your students with lunch and snacks brought from home. 

At this time, we do not expect to have a lunch program for the remainder of the school year.  However, if circumstances change, we will let you know. If you currently have a lunch order deposit beyond 12/19/14, our food provider, G & A foods, will be in contact with you to make sure any deposits are refunded to you. We thank you for your patience and apologize for any inconvenience this may cause your family.

North Star Administration

NSAA Basketball Promotion

Here we go again! The NSAA promotion in conjunction with North Star High School basketball is still going on.  The athletic association (NSAA) will award $25 to the elementary classroom with the most students in attendance at each of the 8 home games this season.  As you know, all the students have to do is check in when they enter the gym and it will be recorded.

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

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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