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The North Star School
March Newsletter 2024
Acting Principal's Message
Dear North Star Parents and Guardians:
I hope you and your family are doing well. Thank you for supporting our efforts to help students maximize instructional time. We have made progress towards keeping students out of the halls during class time, but we still have work to do. For your planning, please note the important dates and events coming up:
Tuesday, March 5th is a teacher planning day (no school)
On Wednesday, March 20th, our S.T.A.R. Symposium will feature a conversation about Fentanyl from 5-6PM.
March 25th-March 29th is Spring Break (no school)
Please join us for the symposium if you can. It will be led by our Student Assistant Services Specialist, Megan Marshall. Fentanyl use has increased significantly across Northern Virginia, and we want to work collaboratively and proactively with families to keep our students safe.
Best wishes,
Scott Poole
Acting Principal
We need to hear from you!
The LCPS Annual Family Survey was emailed to you on February 20. The LCPS Annual Staff, Student and Family Survey is the most extensive and influential feedback survey conducted by Loudoun County Public Schools each year. We use the results to assess the learning climate in our building and make plans for the following year. We want to hear from everyone so that we can make the best decisions for ALL our students!
The parent/family survey will only take a few minutes of your time. You will receive an email from Dr. Aaron Spence that will include a link to take the survey. You will be asked to fill out a survey for each school in which you have a child enrolled (elementary, middle, high or program). For more information go to the Stakeholder Surveys 2024 Information webpage
If you did not receive a survey email by February 22, contact research@lcps.org.
Thank you for sharing your opinion with us!
This Month at TNSS
March 5: Student Holiday
March 11-12: Writing SOL
March 20: STAR Symposium
March 25-29: Spring Break
STAR Symposium
Come join us at The North Star School on Wednesday, March 20th for the STAR Symposium. The topic for the Star Symposium will be Fentanyl. Parents and students who attend should expect to learn information about the drug, what it looks like, how it is used, and signs and symptoms that someone could be using it. Information will also be shared about supports available both in school and outside of school to address the problem.
Date: March 20th
Time: 6 - 7 pm
Location: The North Star School
Testing News
We are excited to Test for Success at TNSS! Students currently enrolled in English 11 for term 2 or requires a verified credit in writing to meet VDOE graduation requirements will be testing in March for the Spring Writing SOL.
Spring Writing Standards of Learning (SOL) testing will take place March 11-12, 2024. This is a 2-part test. Students are required to complete both sections. The Multiple-Choice section will be administered Monday, March 11th and the Short paper section will be administered Tuesday March 12th.
Please encourage your students to prepare, study, and be present for the day of testing. It is important that the students are present on the testing day. The Chromebook should be fully charged for testing, up to date, and chargers brought with them. Students will not be permitted to have cell phones, personal electronic devices, smart watches, or Bluetooth ear buds in the testing environments. We want to work together to create a positive and successful testing environment for your student!
Spirit & Pride
We only have three weeks of school in March, but they will be packed with celebrations and fun activities. Check out what the month of March will look like below.
Electives
Additionally, the CTE Education for Employment class prepares to attend the Career Expo at Loudoun Valley High School during the first week of March.
Math STARS
Geometry: Angel Hernandez-Cabrera & Kasie Rolf
Algebra 1: Hashim Chohan
Functions: Laya Chilakamarri
New Initiative
Our Assistant Principal, Allan Edwards, worked closely with the LCPS Administration to address the issue of class period skipping. This is a complex issue and Mr. Edwards took the time to develop a plan to balance the students academic and mental health needs. The initial roll-out has shown an improvement in several of our North Star student's attendance and ultimately their class performance.
The Family Room
The Division of English Learners, Family and Community Engagement (DEL FACE) Office is pleased to invite families to our next The Family Room Session:
World Language Opportunities For Your Student
Tuesday, February 27th, 2024
6 pm English & Spanish
7pm English & Arabic
Join us virtually to learn about exciting and rigorous World Language opportunities available to LCPS students.
The focus of this session will be on:
- The Dual Language Immersion (DLI) Program for Kindergarten to 1st Grade students
- Credit through Testing (CTT)
- The Seal of Biliteracy
Click on the flyer below to learn more!
Messages From The Superintendent
Attendance: Addressing chronic absenteeism and promoting student attendance is an important issue for LCPS. Please review Policy 8140, Student Attendance Requirements and Procedures which outlines what types of absences are categorized as excused or unexcused absences
Fentanyl: Please click on this link to view an important message from Dr. Spence, LCPS Superintendent, regarding recent events in our schools pertaining to fentanyl. As a school community, it is essential that we all are aware of this epidemic and how to access resources for information and support.
Help Boost Kids' Safety, Privacy, and Security Online
Check out this article on Common Sense Media to find tips on how to support your student with online privacy and safety.
Family Liaison News
Students, staff, and the community collaborated on our year-long giving drive, partnering with the Parent Liaison to make resources available for our students and families who may need assistance. We received generous donations of over 30 coats, hats, scarves, and other winter wear and toiletries. These are available by contacting our Parent Liaison, Nida Hanan, at Nida.Hanan@lcps.org or the North Star School.
Information for Seniors
Sign up to receive Remind texts by texting @6g24h3 to 81010.
To better access information from your home school about graduation events, visit this slideshow.
Upcoming Events
March 5: Student Holiday
March 11-12: Writing SOL
March 20: STAR Symposium (Fentanyl)
March 25-29: Spring Break
April 4: End of Marking Period 2
April 5: Student Holiday
April 10: Holiday (Eid al Fitr)
May 10: End of Marking Period 3
May 27: Holiday (Memorial Day)
June 14: Last Day of School
The North Star School
We are North Star!
Website: https://www.lcps.org/site/default.aspx?DomainID=28154
Location: 715 Childrens Center Rd, Leesburg, VA 20175
Phone: 571-252-2920
Twitter: @NorthStarLCPS