North Star News

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Dear North Star Community,

Thank you for a wonderful week of parent-teacher conferences! We are deeply grateful for the rich collaboration between our educators and families. A strong home-school partnership is vital to our scholars' success, and we are so proud to share in that journey with you.

We also have a exciting campus update to share! This morning, urinal dividers were officially installed in our boys' bathroom. We are incredibly grateful to the district for making this upgrade happen, and we are so proud of our students who respectfully and thoughtfully advocated for themselves on this matter.

Next week, we are eager to return to our regular daily schedule and dive right back into the learning and concepts of Trimester 1. As we approach the final stretch of the term, please continue to support your scholar at home:

Encourage Consistency: Remind students to complete all assignments on time and stay focused.
Monitor Progress: Check Google Classroom and PowerSchool regularly together to keep track of upcoming work and grades.
Organize for Success: This is a fantastic time to praise your scholar for keeping up with their daily planner, or to help gently guide them back into using it if they have fallen out of the habit!

Finally, we hope to see you all tonight from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM on the blacktop for our annual Fall Festival! It promises to be a fantastic evening filled with games, delicious food trucks, and wonderful community spirit. Wristbands will be available for purchase at the door. If your family needs financial assistance with wristbands, please reach out to me directly so we can ensure everyone can participate.

Thank you for your continued support, and see you tonight!

Sincerely,

Erin Kekos

Principal, North Star

—COMING UP—

IN THE NEXT TWO WEEKS

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10/2 - Fall Festival | Buy Wristband(s)
10/6 - Site Council Meeting | Agenda
10/12 - No School - Indigenous Peoples Day
10/16 - Parent Club Meeting | 8:45am
10/16 - Middle School Halloween Dance

Sync your calendar with Konstella for event details.

—NEWS—

Fall Festival TONIGHT!

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WHO: Everyone!

WHEN: 5pm to 8pm on the school blacktop

WHERE: Blacktop

COST: Free for everyone to attend; $10 play wristbands needed for games.

Games, crafts, face painting, airbrush tattoo, photo booth, and prizes!

Food trucks: Daniel's Kitchen and Waffle Roost
Pizza, hot dogs, baked goods, cotton candy, drinks at the ""Send the 8th Graders to DC"" fundraising table

Popcorn, water, and tickets at the fall play table, "The Day the Internet Died."

🔸Buy Unlimited Play Wristbands $10 at the event!

🔸Already purchased a wristband? Pick-up at Will-Call at the event.

We could still use your help! If you have time to help set-up (3pm) or clean-up (event ends at 8pm), please join us! The more people the faster it will all go! Thank you!

NO INTERNET? A Terrifying Scenario

Purchase tickets now to find out what happens!

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WHAT: Fall Play

WHEN: Nov 6-8

COST: Ticket prices range from $10 - $25

What happens when a screen-obsessed society suddenly loses all access to the internet? That terrifying scenario is explored in “The Day the Internet Died,” NSA’s fall play. The satirical show by Ian McWethy and Jason Pizzarello is a humorous reflection on tech dependence and the true meaning of connection, from influencers trying to generate “likes” in real life to trolls without online identities to hide behind, brought to the stage by our elementary and middle schoolers. The show runs Nov. 6-8 in the auditorium. Please help support the arts at North Star! Get your tickets today at NSAplay.org.

🔸Contact: producers@nsaplay.org

Get Tickets for the Play!

YEARBOOK SALES ARE LIVE

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WHAT: 2026-27 Yearbook 10% Discount

WHEN: Preorder by 10/31

COST: Softcover: $39.71 | Hardcover: $48.44

We'll have a slightly larger book this year, with 98 pages of friends, fun, spirit days, and all the moments that made this year unforgettable.
Save 10% by pre-ordering before Halloween.
Order Online: Buy on TreeRing (Passcode: 1016615448703478)

🔸Frequently Asked Questions: nsapubs.com/yearbook.

Preorder Yearbook

Our yearbook vendor is Treering

— REMINDERS & REPEATS —

BIKE & ROLL TO SCHOOL DAY — OCT 7

a worldwide event

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Who: All scholars and families

What: Walk or bike to school together

When: Wednesday, Oct 7 (morning arrival)

Where: Routes to and from school

Cost: Free!

Join us for a simple, fun way to build community and start the day actively by walking or biking to school. Consider teaming up with other families for added safety and connection!

As always, pedestrian and cyclist safety is top of mind for our school community. We encourage all families to join schools nationwide for this Walk & Roll to School Day, which is an event dedicated to promoting safer routes, raising driver awareness, and showing that student safety belongs to all of us.

If you must drive, please take extra care on this day: slow down and stay completely off devices.

Learn more about the national Safe Routes initiative at walkbiketoschool.org.

Oh, and please remember that all students must walk their bikes once on campus to help keep everyone safe! Thank you!

Learn More

—DIRECT DONATIONS—

Ways to Donate

Donate!

🔸 Please reach out to the fundraising team with any questions.

—SCHOLARS' VOICES—

Written by Scholars for Families

Hello, North Star Families!

October is officially here, and Student Council is gearing up for a busy month full of spooky fun and fundraising! Here is what scholars and families have to look forward to in the coming weeks:

Halloween Dance – Friday, Oct 16 (6:30 PM – 10:00 PM): Calling all middle schoolers! Tickets will be on sale the week October 12–16 at lunch and online for $5 in advance, or $10 cash at the door. Pizza and Kona Ice will be available, so be sure to bring extra money for food!

Teacher Mummification Fundraiser – Wednesday, Oct 21 @ Lunch: Help us wrap teachers in toilet paper to raise funds for upcoming student council activities. Wraps are $1 for three or $3 for ten!

Halloween Rally – Friday, Oct 23: Spooky fun, games, and candy during each grade’s PE period (Free!).

Boo Grams – Selling Oct 26–28 @ Lunch: Send a sweet surprise to a friend for $3! Treat bags include pencils, candy, slime balls, fake teeth, and mochi toys. Deliveries go out to homerooms on Friday, October 30th.

If scholars have any questions about upcoming events, feel free to contact student leadership through Google Classroom or reach out to Mr. Perkins.

Have a fantastic weekend,

Zoe, Natalie, Charlotte, Cate

Your Student Leadership & Student Council

—COMMUNITY NEWS—

DISCOVER WOODSIDE!

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Woodside High School is hosting three informative gatherings in private homes, offering parents of 8th grade students an opportunity to converse directly with Principal Karen van Putten, teachers, students, and members of our community. Please RSVP for one of the three evenings HERE. We look forward to meeting you!

Event Dates:

October 5 - Portola Valley

October 19 - Redwood City

October 26 - Redwood City

8th GRADE SHADOW PROGRAM

Curious about what it’s really like to be a student at Woodside High School? Come spend a day with us! Our Shadow Program gives prospective students the chance to step into the shoes of a current student, experience our classrooms, campus, and get a feel for our school firsthand. Visit the Woodside High School website or our Future Families page to learn more and sign up for a shadow day. The program runs from late September through February, and space is limited, so sign up early!

Make sure to stay up to date on all things Wildcats - check out our FUTURE FAMILIES page.

🔸Contact: sm.satusky@gmail.com

RSVP for WHS Info Gatherings

Joy Is a Risk Worth Taking

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WHAT: Parent Education | How cultivating joy can strengthen connections

WHO: Parents/caregivers, educators, and community members

WHEN: Wednesday, October 7, 2026, 5:30pm – 6:30pm PT, Virtual Event (Live)

COST: Free

Presented by: Kelly McGonigal, PhD, Psychologist, Educator, Author, Stanford University

As Stanford psychologist and educator Kelly McGonigal, PhD, reveals in her new book, Joy Is a Risk Worth Taking, joy gives life meaning, sustains hope, and helps us feel close to others.

Simultaneous Spanish interpretation will be available. Free admission.

This presentation is sponsored by the Sequoia Healthcare District, Sequoia Union High School District, and Peninsula Health Care District, in partnership with The Parent Venture.

🔸 Contact Charlene Margot, MEd, Co-Founder and CEO, The Parent Venture

Register for Event

Register for "Joy is a Risk Worth Taking"

Starting the Conversation:

What Parents Should Know About Teen Dating Violence

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WHAT: Parent Education | Talking with teens about dating violence

WHO: Parents/caregivers, educators, and community members

WHEN: Wednesday, October 14, 2026, 5:30pm – 6:30pm PT, Virtual Event (Live)

COST: Free

Presented By: Grace Higgs, Youth Engagement Coordinator, CORA

In this important conversation, Grace Higgs from CORA (Community Overcoming Relationship Abuse) will discuss common myths about teen dating violence, the cycle of abuse, and how to talk with your teen about relationships.

This presentation is sponsored by the Sequoia Healthcare District, Sequoia Union High School District, and Peninsula Health Care District, in partnership with The Parent Venture.

🔸 Contact Charlene Margot, MEd, Co-Founder and CEO, The Parent Venture,

Register for Event

Register for "Starting the Conversation: What Parent Should Know About Teen Dating Violence"

—RECESS —

The Fun Stuff

THE VERDICT IS IN: POPULAR NAMES TRIVIA!

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WOW! 13 contestants this week! It was a tough competition, but congrats to 6th grade parent Susan Vargas. Your gift card is on the way, Susan!

Many of you guessed one name correctly, but nobody was able to guess the top two first names at North Star. The first names Alexander and Henry tied for first place with five scholars each!

Digging into our student roster, the patterns get even more interesting:

The "Alex" Dynasty: If we look at the broader name family, they are practically running the school! Alongside our five Alexanders, we have Alexandra, Alexandria, Alejandro, Alek, and Alessandro, plus two named Alexa and two named Alexis, making a whopping 14 scholars across 8 variations of the name!

The Big Clusters: Alexander and Henry have plenty of company. Right on their heels with four scholars each are Amelia, Emma, and Hannah.

Spelling Showdowns: Several favorites are locked in friendly head-to-head spelling matches, including Aidan (3) vs. Aiden (2), Riley (3) vs. Ryley (1), Colin (2) vs. Collin (1), and Claire (2) vs. Clare (1).

Global Heritage: Our roster reflects our wonderfully diverse community, showcasing beautiful names originating from cultures all around the world, such as Takumi, Arjun, Santiago, Nadim, and Tongia!

Thanks for playing! Keep looking for those easter eggs!

PHOTO CONTEST RESULTS

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We had four entries for our photo contest! Thank you to Matan Ballon, Amy Alderman, Jill Schmidt, and Sruthi Naidu for your yearbook submissions. We appreciate it very much! Your names were entered into the randomizer and the winner is....Jill! Jill is a parent to 7th grader Alex (see above!), 4th grader Kate, and NSA aluma Zoë. Congrats Jill!