School Events

Earn NSA some cash!

Box Tops, Labels for Education, Smiths Earn and Learn, Target Take Charge, and Coke Rewards will all be collected this year!

Box Tops
Collections will be similar to last year. We will be collecting every Friday starting September 7, PTO member will be going to each classroom collecting sheets. Collection sheets will be attached to newsletter (trying to stay paperless) and also on the blog. Additionally, the office will have some printed off so that students without computer or printing option can get them easily.
We still want the students name and home room teacher listed on the collection sheet as we are doing similar rewards as last year. Remember NO STAPLES, tape onto sheets of 10 or 20. You may also put in baggies in groups of 50 and make sure no expired Box Tops.

Small treats are given when sheet is turned in. Top 3 students will be given gift cards at the end of each quarter. Top Elementary and Middle School classes will be given an end of year party.

eBox Tops
Many companies participate in this program offering ebox tops if ordered through the Box Tops Marketplace. Once an order is placed, you will receive an email that you can forward to beautifultamy@gmail.com or print out and send in so your student and their classroom will get credit.

Go to http://www.btfe.com/ sign up and start earning eBox Tops for our school. After you sign up you will also be able to print at least $20 in MONEY SAVING COUPONS a month (Pillsbury, Totino’s Pizza, Nature Valley, Cheerio’s and many more).

Coke Rewards
We are trying to start this program this year. Reward numbers can be found underneath bottle caps (12oz, 24oz and liters), inside of cardboard boxes, (12 pk and 24 pk), as well as on bottom of shrink wrap packaging (Dasani). Remember that Coke has a lot of products besides soda. Minute Maid, water, and Power Aide are some common ones. They can be turned in on Fridays as well in a baggie with their home room teachers’ name. We will be giving the teacher with the highest amount of points donated for the year a $50 gift card. These points can be used for items in their catalog similar to Labels for Education.
Labels for Education Collections will be collected on Friday mornings, with Box Tops. These collection sheets will also be available the same as Box Tops. In years past, these points were used to fill the classrooms with playground equipment as well as other items in their catalog.

Smith’s Earn and Learn Program
The Smith’s program is easy to benefit from. Take in the enrollment barcode and have the cashier scan it with your rewards card. Our school will be donated 1% of your purchases through August 2013. You may think that you have already done this but it must be done again annually starting in August.

Every family that turns in a receipt showing that they have enrolled will receive a raffle ticket. For additional cards that are enrolled with NSA’s number (grandparents, neighbors etc), they will receive an additional raffle ticket. For parents that sign up on SmithsFoodandDrug.com, go to bottom of page and click on school programs, then assign your card to Box Tops and Labels for Education and additional points will be added to the schools account, send in a parent note for an additional family raffle ticket.

We will be raffling prizes September 27th.

Two years ago, we had 23 households that assigned NSA as their school, last year our numbers increased to 62. I am hoping that we can at least double that number this year! I also linked my Mothers’ and sisters’ cards to our school since they are regular shoppers at Smith’s.

Target Take Charge of Education
Thanks to all of you who are already participating in this program. By simply shopping with your Target Debit REDcard, not only do you save 5% on each purchase for yourself, but 1% of your purchase will go directly to NSA.

Once you have received your card, or if you already have a card, make sure to call the following number: 1-800-316-6142 or visit Targets website and assign our school Id #143993 so that we can start earning money. So far we have 11 cards that contribute to our school.

HOW IT WORKS
You can designate your school at Target.com/tcoe. Every time you use your REDcard® Target Debit Card® donate 1% of your purchases to the eligible K–12 school of your choice.* Target pays out donations directly to the school principal once a year during the month of September

The Cooking Cluster Needs YOU!

Do you love to cook? Have expertise in ANY area of cooking? Looking to boost those volunteer hours?

Please help out the 1st – 3rd grade cooking cluster!! We are in need of a parent or two EACH week to help out with exciting and fun cooking projects! If you are interested, please email Mrs. Cicero at BCicero@north-staracademy.com

Volunteer Computer

Hopefully, you all received the e-mail on our new computer program that tracks volunteer hours and keeps you connected with the PTO.  Don’t forget to keep your volunteer hours updated.  Remember, you can update your hours through the NSA website or in the NSA front office. If you have any questions or need volunteer ideas, contact Wendi Wright, volunteer coordinator, at wendiwew@gmail.com or 801-694-3839. Your help in the classroom goes beyond recognition. Thank you for all those volunteer hours!

December Star Teachers

We had so many amazing candidates for this month that we couldn’t choose.  This month, five employees have shown true star quality.

Katharine Bond has taught music at NSA for one year.  She loves music, gymnastics, and traveling, and lived in France for a year teaching English.

Kimberley Nelson has been the roaming sub at NSA for two years.  She has three children and enjoys reading, cooking, and decorating.

Marci Schouten has taught 1st grade at NSA for two years.  She enjoys reading, 4-wheeling, camping, and spending time with her family.

Tiffany Stoddard has taught MS English at NSA for five years.  She speaks fluent French, has 23 nieces and nephews, and enjoys theatre, hiking, reading, and traveling.

Katie Thompson has taught 4th grade at NSA for three years.  She enjoys hiking, mountain climbing, and reading and can touch her tongue to her nose.

Nutrition Paramount at Lunch Time

Our lunch manager, Mrs. Masterson, does an incredible job at balancing the state mandated nutritional guidelines for school lunch programs with the picky palate of a child.  Not only are the entrees delicious and nutritious, but a variety of fresh fruit and salad options are available as sides.

Elementary students have the option of choosing either the main hot item, or “Lunchable-type” selection.  Middle school students can have the main entree or choose the salad or sandwich bar.

Thank you Mrs. Masterson for your continued efforts in ensuring our hot lunches are healthy and satisfying.

Minimal Lunch In Effect for High Lunch Balances

We have noticed an increase in overdue lunch money.  PLEASE check your student’s balance(s) on SIS and pay off the balances.  Starting Monday, November 29th, we will serving a courtesy, minimal lunch to those students who come through the hot lunch line and have a lunch account balance of -$10.00 or greater.  There will be no exceptions.  These minimal lunches will continue until the account is brought current.  If you would like information on our Free and Reduced Price Lunch Program, please speak to Melissa in the office.

SEM Snippet: FBI Agent Fascinates Students

Another fantastic guest speaker joined NSA for Lunching With a Pro.  Mr. VanLeuven, an FBI agent for over 30 years, spoke with 3rd-6th graders. He shared his credentials and badge, handcuffs and his body armor vest.  Students enjoyed trying on his vest and seeing how much it weighs. He shared several stories, entertaining students with the life of an undercover agent.  Students learned what the FBI is looking for when hiring agents.  You must be at least 25, well educated, fit, and have a determination to choose the right even when circumstances are difficult.  Thank you Mr. VanLeuven for sharing your time, knowledge, and experience with us.

Lost and Found is Stacking Up!

Please check our Lost and Found for your student’s belongings.  All items will be donated to charity after Thanksgiving.

Overdue Lunch Money

We have noticed an increase in overdue lunch money.  PLEASE check your student’s balance(s) on SIS and pay off the balances.  If you would like information on our Free and Reduced Price Lunch Program, please speak to Melissa in the office.

2010-2011 School Improvement Goal

Each year, North Star Academy selects a goal to work towards.  We thought it would be a good idea to share that goal with you so you can help us in our efforts.  This year’s goal is:

Empower through education the NSA family (parents, students, teachers, administration and staff) to utilize the School-wide Enrichment Model so our students may reach their highest potential.