North Star News
October 16, 2026
Dear North Star Community,
We had a fantastic Parent Club meeting this morning! A huge thank you to everyone who joined us to participate and enjoy our new morning format- starting with coffee, followed by Parent Club and campus updates.
Here are a few key highlights from our meeting:
Fall Play (Weekend of Nov 6â8): Tickets are now available! Please get yours soon to come out and support our incredible student actors.
School-Wide Focus on Note-Taking: We highlighted our campus-wide initiative on structured note-taking and shared the great progress we are seeing as scholars master content-specific techniques. Ask your scholar to show you one of their notebooks and explain what they have been working on!
California Department of Education Dashboard: The CDE has updated the official school dashboards. North Starâs results reflect the extraordinary hard work of our scholars, educators, and familiesâcongratulations to our entire community on this achievement!
We are looking forward to a wonderful middle school dance tonight and another great week ahead!
Sincerely,
Erin Kekos
Principal, North Star
HELP US PLAN!
New Volunteers Welcome!
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Who: All Parents/Guardians
What: Celebration of Cultures Event Planning
When: Kick-off meeting in January - Event takes place Friday, May 14th
Join our seasoned committee to help plan NSA's end-of-year community event! This event takes place in the evening on the blacktop and features music, dancing, activities, and food. For many of us this is our last year, so we'd love to welcome new volunteers to contribute and shadow us.
- Find and book cultural performers
- Communicate with NSA families showcasing their culture
- Organize additional engaging activities
- Coordinate set-up and decor
If your interest is peaked for any of these roles or you'd like to help in another way, we have a spot for you. Please contact events@nsaparents.com to get more information and have all your questions answered.
SUPPORT OUR 8TH GRADERS
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Who: Everyone
What: North Star 8th Grade Fundariser
When: Saturdays | 10:30am
Where: Kennedy Middle School
Come support our 8th graders in fundraising for their DC/NYC trip! They will be selling pizza and drinks at the Kennedy Middle School soccer fields (near the corner of Washington Ave and Maddux Dr) every Saturday from 10:30 am-1:30 pm (10/17, 10/24, 10/31, 11/7 and 11/14)! Grab lunch, say "hi" and help these kids raise money for their amazing trip!
AUCTION TIME!
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Planning is officially underway for our annual spring school auction!
Behind the scenes, weâre shaping an unforgettable evening of fun and community celebrationâthough our official theme is strictly top-secret for now.
To bring this night to life, we need a creative and enthusiastic committee:
- Item Procurement: Help source unique experiences, getaways, and local business donations.
- Event Planning, Decor & Atmosphere: Work with the secret theme team to transform the venue. Help us work with the various vendors.
- Event-Night Logistics: Keep the evening running smoothly, from check-in to checkout.
Whether you can take on a specific role or just have an hour here and there to lend a hand, we would love your help. Reach out to auctiondonations@nsaparents.com to join the crew!
THEIR LAST YEARBOOK
8th Grade Tributes
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WHO: 8th Grade Parents
WHAT: Yearbook Tributes
WHEN: Submit between now and 1/18/27
COST: Free
This is the last reminder we'll post for now, but you can always find a link to YEARBOOKđĽ info at the bottom of this newsletter in the "School Links" section. Need inspiration or submission details? Check this out.
FALL PLAY SOON | The Day the Internet Died
A Laugh-Out-Loud Comedy on Surviving the Great Disconnect
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WHAT: Fall Play
WHEN: Nov 6-8
COST: Ticket prices range from $10 - $25
Remember rotary phones, paper encyclopedias, and walking into an actual store to buy things?
Our actors are about to experience the sheer horror of life before Wi-Fi! Join us for The Day the Internet Died, a sharp, hilarious comedy about a town thrown into total chaos when the entire world goes offline for a week. Watching today's students grapple with face-to-face conversation and analog living is comedy gold you won't want to miss.
Bring the whole family. No Wi-Fi connection required!
đ¸ Contact: producers@nsaplay.org
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 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)
HALLOWEEN HAUNTS AT SEQUOIA
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WHO: Everyone
WHAT: Haunted High School
WHERE: Sequoia High School
WHEN: October 24 | 5:00 - 7:00pm
COST: $1
North Star, Happy September!
Sequoia ASB (Associated Student Body) would love to invite families to our third annual Haunted Halls! This is a student-led, kid-friendly Halloween event full of fun and treats! We put together a variety of activities, including trick-or-treating through the Sequoia halls, making slime, decorating pumpkins, our famous Haunted House, and lots more! We also encourage all attendants to come dressed in their costumes.
Tickets will be sold in the front entrance and back entrance with a map provided to show you where all of the activities will be located.
Hope to see you there!
Sincerely, ASB
QUICK WOODSIDE REMINDERS
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- Woodside High School is hosting informative gatherings in private homes. Remaining dates are October 19 and 26. Please RSVP for one of the three evenings HERE.
- Woodside Shadow Program information can be found on their FUTURE FAMILIES page.
Congrats to last week's newsletter contest winner, Leslye Smith! Leslye, mom to Sophie in 3rd, Wyatt in 5th, and Lucy in 8th, won a Starbuck's gift card and everlasting fame. Not only was her name drawn from the randomizer, but she happened to be the first one to submit the puzzle. Nicely done, Leslye!
Newsletter Submissions
If you'd like to add to our newsletter, fill out this short form by Thursday 10:00am for Friday's newsletter.
Have a question, comment, or suggestion? Email us at communications@nsaparents.com.