Navigator News

Nov 10–16: Killer Burger Fundraiser

Nov. 11 (Tues): NO SCHOOL - Veteran's Day

Nov. 13 (Th): Fall Picture Retakes

Nov 17–Dec 5: Wish Upon a Star

Nov 19 (Wed), 6–7pm: PTO Meeting (All are welcome!)

Nov 20 (Th), 6–7:30pm: STEAM Night

Nov. 24-28 (M-F): NO SCHOOL - Thanksgiving Break

Hi North Star Families -

November is a month that naturally centers around gratitude, and as conferences come to a close, that feeling is especially strong here at North Star. We are deeply grateful for our students, our families, and the community we all share. North Star truly is a special place!

Rooted in our vision and mission, this month’s newsletter highlights how Academic Growth, Meaningful Exploration, and a Culture of Care come to life across our school:

1) Academic Growth

We are in our first year of implementing the new math curriculum, Amplify Desmos Math. Alongside the math curriculum, students are taught Habits if Mind and Habits of Interaction. Here's a brief overview of each:

Math Habits of Mind are the ways students think and reason like mathematicians - looking for patterns, making sense of problems, and persevering through challenges. The Habits of Mind include: Use, create, or connect visual representations; Connect concepts, ideas or strategies; Notice regularity, patterns or structures; Reflect on our thinking; Use mistakes and stuck points for learning; Create meaning of concepts, language, or tasks.

Math Interactions describe how students talk, listen, and collaborate to share and refine their mathematical thinking. Together, they build a classroom culture of curiosity, problem-solving, and deep understanding. Math Interactions include: Reason privately; Explain my reasoning; Make sense of others' ideas; Ask genuine questions; Share multiple pathways; Compare our logic and ideas; Critique and debate.

2) Joyful Exploration

Teachers and students continue to integrate the Performance Cycle into our EL literacy curriculum, and we’re thrilled to welcome Kurt Wootton back in February! Students also explore through buddy activities, kindergarten Forest Days, field trips, performances like the Jazzy Ash assembly, and learning through play - moments that spark curiosity and creativity.

3) Culture of Care

Each morning begins with a classroom meeting that includes greetings, sharing or a group activity, and a morning message to help students feel connected and ready to learn. Morning meetings nurture belonging, strengthen relationships, and set a positive tone for the day.

Connecting - If you would like to connect at any point in the school year, please feel free reach out to me. I am always more than happy to meet and talk about anything that is on your mind. My email is: beth.martin@bend.k12.or.us.

With gratitude,

Beth Martin

Upcoming PTO Dates

• Nov 10–16: Killer Burger Fundraiser

• Nov 17–Dec 5: Wish Upon a Star

• Nov 19, 6–7 PM: PTO Meeting (All are welcome!)

• Nov 20, 6–7:30 PM: STEAM Night

Find details, RSVP links, and volunteer sign-ups at northstarelementarypto.org/events

Reach for the Stars Fundraiser: We’re thrilled to share that our amazing North Star community raised $24,495, exceeding our goal of $18,000! Our most successful fundraiser in North Star history! We’re so grateful for the generosity and spirit you continue to show, every dollar goes right back into supporting our students and staff. Because of your efforts, our students have earned a school-wide Game Day on November 10. If you’d like to join the fun and help out, please sign up here: Volunteer Sign-up.

Thank You to Our Business Sponsors
Baseline Industries • Bend Reiki • Broken Top Finance • CES Bend • High Desert AI • Lady Bird Cultural Society • MB Studios • Mt. Bachelor Property Management • MB Studios • Nathan’s Custom Wood and Steel • Prefer Health • Sounds Fast • Struble Orthodontics • Thailandia • The iPhone Guy • Worthiam • Z Line Fitness

Thank you for helping make North Star such a special place to learn and grow!

Trunk or Treat Recap: Thank you for making Trunk or Treat such a fun and festive night! Huge thanks to our event lead, Nicole Ponder, and to everyone who decorated a trunk, helped with setup and cleanup, or came out to join the fun. Congratulations to our Trunk Winners: 1st Place – Happy Gilmore (Pomeroy Family), 2nd Place – Food Court (Wolf Family), and 3rd Place – KPop Demon Hunters (Sandoz Family). Have great photos? Please share them for the yearbook here: Photo Upload Link

Killer Burger Fundraiser (Nov 10–16): Enjoy great food and support North Star! Mention North Star or show the flyer, 30% of proceeds go back to the PTO.

Wish Upon a Star (Nov 17–Dec 5): Help spread holiday cheer by donating new, unwrapped items for North Star families in need. More info coming soon.

PTO Meeting (Nov 19, 6–7 PM): Light refreshments and childcare will be provided. Guest speakers include Kaily Filkins, School Counselor, sharing North Star’s conflict management and problem-solving program, and Ami Formica, Co-Founder of Well Wired, discussing how to stay connected with your tweens and teens. All are welcome! RSVP Here

STEAM Night (Nov 20, 6–7:30 PM): Join us for a night of hands-on Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Math fun! Volunteer here: Volunteer Sign-up

Student Showcase: Students can display projects such as experiments, models, LEGO builds, art, or tech demos. Drop off projects during school or 30 min before the event. Complete the: Student Showcase Form

Our PTO is looking for a CPA or bookkeeper to help the PTO with annual financial review and reporting. If you or someone you know can assist, please reach out to info@northstarelementarypto.org.

What an amazing event! It was SO much fun! The costumes, creative trunks, laughter, smiles, and pure joy make Trunk or Treat one of the best nights of the year. Check out the rest of the photos at the end of the newsletter! 🎃 👻

Congratulations to Dayna Swanson, Angela Hause, and Matt Shultz! Each educator was awarded a grant that will help support students and staff at North Star!

October was such a fun month! We visited each classroom to introduce Kelso’s the Frog and began learning about how to identify the difference between big problems and small problems.

Classroom Guidance: This November, students in grades K–4 will continue building their problem-solving skills through Kelso’s Choices. We’ll be learning about Kelso’s Wheel and how students can use it to solve small problems in positive, healthy ways. For more information, visit kelsoschoice.com. Please see Kelso’s Wheel below!

Star Command: I am excited to announce the launch of our new Student Leadership Program this year! Our 5th-grade students have signed up and are ready to get started! This optional program gives students the opportunity to develop leadership skills, collaborate on school activities, and make a positive impact in our school community. Together, our student leaders will help make our school an even better place to learn and grow. We can’t wait to see them shine!

Lunch Buddy Program: Every student will have the opportunity to enjoy lunch with counselors at least one time during the school year. Although completely optional, this is a wonderful chance for us to build relationships with students in a relaxed, fun setting. Lunch Buddies continues this month with our 1st and 3rd graders! If you prefer that your child not participate in the Lunch Buddy Program, please let us know by emailing Mrs. Filkins at kaily.filkins@bend.k12.or.us.

Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns. I look forward to connecting with you!​

Kaily Filkins, School Counselor

Kaily Filkins, School Counselor

kaily.filkins@bend.k12.or.us

(541) 355-2361

Join us in supporting our amazing partner, The Bethlehem Inn! There is a donation box in the front office where the following items can be donated:

• Coffee
• Coffee Creamer
• Oatmeal
• Cereal
• Snack Packs
• Fruit Cups
• Fresh Fruit
• Fresh Vegetables
• Lunch Meat
• Sliced Cheese
• Granola Bars
• Breakfast Bars
• Instant Soup Cups
• H&E Liquid Laundry Detergent

Looking for other ways to contribute? Follow this link to learn more: https://bethleheminn.org/harvestforhope/

If you are interested in going on a field trip with your student’s class, or think you may be interested in the next few years, please fill out a volunteer background check! It takes 48-72 hours to clear, and is valid for two years. Please consider filling this out! If you have not filled it out, or it hasn’t yet cleared, you will not be able to go on a field trip or volunteer with your student’s class. There will be no exceptions.

https://www.bend.k12.or.us/district/organization/volunteer

Dear Parent,

Thank you for stopping by our Sylvan booth at North Star Elementary’s Block Party! We loved meeting so many awesome families — and while you weren’t our lucky Squishmallow winner this time, we’ve got something special just for you!

If your child could use a little extra academic boost this year or wants to dive into one of our hands-on STEM camps, we’d love to offer your family 15% off any STEM class or academic baseline assessment! Plus, as a bonus we’ll donate 10% of your assessment or STEM purchase back to the North Star Elementary PTO when you mention you saw us at the Block Party— a win-win for your student and your school!

Our full menu of offerings is HERE. We’d love to be part of your child’s learning journey this year, so don’t hesitate to reach out anytime.

Your partner in learning,
The Sylvan Team