North Star News
April 17, 2026
Principal's Letter
Dear North Star Community,
It was a joy to welcome our students back this week and jump right into meaningful, engaging learning across campus. Our scholars returned from spring break energized and ready to think deeply, create boldly, and continue climbing toward their goals.
Our 7th graders are hard at work on their culminating Medieval Japan projects, showcasing their understanding through diaries, magazines, models, and other creative representations. In 6th grade, the annual Titanic experience once again brought history to life, with each scholar embodying a passenger through costumes, storytelling, and thoughtful presentations. Across grade levels, students also participated in a powerful black-out poetry activity led by our student leadership class in honor of National Poetry Month, an inspiring example of student voice and creativity in action.
We were also fortunate to continue our Festival of Art with a truly special opportunity. Thanks to the Friends of the Redwood City Public Library, North Star was selected for an author visit, and yesterday all scholars attended an assembly with award-winning author Pam Muñoz Ryan. She shared her personal journey, her writing process, and engaged students in a meaningful and inspiring question-and-answer session. It was a memorable experience that highlighted the power of storytelling. We are especially grateful to the Stuart family for their generous donation of novels which Ms. Muñoz Ryan signed; we look forward to raffling off 20 signed novels at our next Gryphon Gathering.
As we look ahead, we are excited for our upcoming Color Run on May 1st and the start of state testing on May 4th. Thank you, as always, for your continued partnership and support. I am truly grateful to be part of such a dedicated and vibrant community.
Sincerely,
Erin Kekos
Principal
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WHO: ALL FAMILIES!!
WHAT: Lap Run with Color
WHEN: Friday, May 1st
WHERE: School Field
- Our Color Run is coming up on May 1, and we’d love your help to make it a bright, fun, and smooth event for all students!
- We have lots of volunteer opportunities, whether you can pitch in on campus or help from home.
- Day-of roles are split into four time blocks, so it’s easy to jump in where you can. You can sign up as a lap logger, help at the water table, hand out Otter Pops, or be part of the chalk-blasting fun!
- We need volunteers across all grades, but 6th grade is especially light as of now :)
NSA's CELEBRATION OF CULTURES
Celebrate our diverse school community!
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WHO: ALL FAMILIES!!
WHAT: MUSIC, FOOD, ACTIVITIES and FUN
WHEN: Friday, May 8th | 5:00 - 7:30pm
WHERE: On the school blacktop
COST: FREE to attend!
- CULTURAL DISPLAYS and ACTIVITIES! Representing Argentinian, Australian, Celtic, Chinese, Greek, Guatemalan, Indian, Jewish, Polish, Scandinavian, Venezuelan, and Vietnamese cultures. Hosted by NSA families!
- CULTURAL PERFORMANCES! Chinese Lion Dancers, Argentine Tango, Filipino Tinikling, Venezuelan Dancers, and Hawaiian Hula.
- FOOD TRUCKS! Daniel's Kitchen (Tacos), MoBowl (Rice and Noodles), and Creative Sips (Boba).
- VOLUNTEERS needed! If you have 30 minutes or more to spare please sign-up HERE!
🔸Questions? Contact Keri King at events@nsaparents.com
NSA PARENT CLUB 26-27 PROPOSED BUDGET
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- The parent club board has approved this proposed budget for the 2026-2027 school year.
- Final vote of approval by the Parent Club will occur during the April 23 meeting at 8:45am in the school library.
- ALL parents/guardians in the NSA community are automatically in the Parent Club and have a vote!
JOIN PARENT CLUB LEADERSHIP NEXT YEAR!
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Have you been thinking about getting more involved at North Star? THIS IS YOUR SIGN!! We're planning for next year and need your help. Do you have any of these skills?
- Party/event planning
- Knowing what kids are into these days
- Extrovertedness and sales
- Photography/graphic design
- Marketing & fundraising
- An eye for beautiful host(ess) gifts
- Project management
- cAt WrAnGlinG 🤪
We have a job for you! Most volunteer needs are at-home, often in the evening or on weekends, and flexible to your schedule. Please reach out to Elle at president@nsaparents.com to discuss how you can help the NSA community continue to shine brightly!
The NSA Parent Club is a nonprofit, parent-volunteer organization. Our objective is to enrich the lives of all students at North Star Academy by funding and managing fantastic programs that enhance our children’s educational experience.
🔸Contact: Elle at president@nsaparents.com
WINNER WINNER!
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Congratulations to this week's contest winner, Hilary Beck! Hilary is mom to Amelia and Denali in 7th Grade. There were 17 contestants this week, but only 9 guessed correctly that the photo we published is of Ms. Vance, our 7th grade ELA teacher! Other guesses were for Ms. Snyder (3), Ms. Pinto (3), Ms. Defouw (1), and Ms. Robinson (a retired teacher, 1).
Hilary's name was randomly selected from the Wheel-of-Names randomizer. Congrats Hilary, and enjoy your Starbucks!
DADS CLUB MEETUP
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When: Wednesday, April 22nd | 7-9pm
Where: Blue Oak Brewing, 815 Cherry Ln, San Carlos
What: Social hour at 7pm & group discussion at 8pm.
Come out to take a break & catch up with other NSA dads! We'll recap Science Night, toast all the volunteers, discuss the upcoming poker night party, Color Run, any other community topics. We'll also touch upon club plans for summer & the start of next year.
RAISE CONFIDENT, CAPABLE KIDS WITHOUT BURNOUT
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WHO: Parents, caregivers, & educators
WHAT: Educational Presentation
WHEN: Wednesday, April 22 |5:30–6:30 PM
WHERE: Virtual (live)
COST: Free
- Looking for a parenting approach that builds independence and keeps healthy boundaries in place? Join psychologist and author Emily Edlynn, PhD, for an engaging virtual talk on Autonomy-Supportive Parenting, a flexible, research-based framework designed to help children grow into confident, competent individuals while reducing parental stress.
- Simultaneous Spanish interpretation will be available.
- This presentation is sponsored by the Redwood City School District, Redwood City Together, Sequoia Healthcare District, and The Parent Venture.
🔸Questions? Contact Charlene Margot at cmargot@parentventure.org.
START STRONG: Making the Most of College Before You Get There
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WHO: Parents, caregivers, & educators
WHAT: Educational Presentation
WHEN: Tuesday, April 28, 2026 | 5:30 TO 6:30PM
WHERE: Virtual (live)
COST: Free
In this session, Louis E. Newman, PhD, former Dean of Academic Advising at Stanford University, will explore how you can take advantage of the opportunities that college offers—before you even get there!
🔸Questions? Contact Charlene Margot at cmargot@parentventure.org.
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