North Star News
November 14, 2025
Principal's Letter
Dear North Star Community,
It’s been another wonderful week at NSA!
Last Friday, our 4th–8th grade scholars enjoyed a full day of enrichment field trips — and what an adventure it was! Students explored the Bay with MSI, safely catching and releasing sharks and bat rays; toured a chocolate factory where they put their baking skills to the test (and their taste buds to work!); visited Stanford’s School of Journalism; learned hands-on skills in Cañada College’s sewing lab; and experienced many more exciting destinations that brought learning to life.
We also officially wrapped up our first academic trimester of the year. Report cards are being sent home today — please take a moment to review your scholar’s progress and celebrate their hard work and growth!
Finally, we’re asking all NSA families to complete our Annual Needs Assessment, which will help guide our planning for the next school year. Families received an email Wednesday with the subject line “NSA Community Survey Guide” that provides background information about this important process.
📝 Please complete the survey by Friday, November 21 using this link: NSA Needs Assessment Survey. Your input is invaluable in shaping our school’s future — thank you for lending your voice!
With gratitude,
Erin Kekos
Principal, North Star Academy
Murder Mystery Solved!
A huge congratulations to the North Star Academy students on the smashing success of this year's fall play, Murder in the Knife Room!
The show was a big success, featuring the incredible talent of 35 actors from grades 4-8 and supported by a dedicated student tech crew of 9. Over three days, our students delivered four unforgettable performances, showcasing their creativity and commitment.
We are thrilled to report that we sold 975 tickets, exceeding our original goal by 20%! This achievement was made possible by the hard work of our students and the dedication of our wonderful community of parent volunteers who truly make these large-scale productions possible. Thank you to everyone who supported the show!
If you missed the show, please take a look at all our student and parent participants in the digital program.
🔸Contact: producers@nsaplay.org
Get Your Poodle Skirts!
Get ready to pull out those poodle skirts and don those leather jackets, our Spring Musical—Grease Jr. is holding auditions starting Monday, November 17th. If your 5th-8th grade scholar is interested, please complete the Grease Jr. Audition Registration Form by Friday November 14th. The form has additional information on key dates and audition requirements. Stock up on your pomade and chamomile tea for your vocal cords, we can't wait to see you on stage!
For our budding vocalists in 3rd and 4th grade, stay tuned for registration information for the Prologue.
🔸 Contact: Ivy Burg and Alina Villanueva
NSA Movie Night/Parents Night Out!
Friday, December 12 from 5:30-8:30pm | Red Morton
Drop your kids off for a pizza and movie night while you finish holiday shopping or go out for a quiet dinner!
Our 8th graders are raising funds for their Washington DC trip and will be on site (with parent chaperones) to watch a movie (Home Alone), play board games, and participate in other activities with your NSA scholars (3-7th grade) and their non-NSA siblings (1st-7th grade). Click the button below for more information and to register.
🔸Contact: Jolie at jolief@gmail.com
🔸More info here
Winter After-school Programs
An exciting selection of Winter after-school programs ranging from Woodworking to AI Gaming & Machine Learning to Zumba are now available. Review the options and click the link (or scan the QR code) to register in the listings document.
