Shooting Star Scoop: December

Monday, December 9: NNS PTO Meeting at 3:45 p.m.

Tuesday, December 10: Girl Scout Meeting at 3:45 p.m.

Friday, December 13: EARLY RELEASE! School dismissed at 1:55 p.m. Buses and B&G Club will run 90 minutes early to accommodate the early release time.

Friday, December 13: Muffins in the Morning: Title I morning reading event for families-8:20-8:50 a.m., NNS Library

Saturday, December 14: Community Moonlight Ski and Snowshoe Event at North Pen. Rec. at 7:00 p.m. (skis provided to NNS Cross Country Ski Team ONLY)

Monday, December 16 through Friday, December 20: Winter Spirit Week (see flyer for details)

Wednesday, December 18: Santa and Mrs. Claus visit during lunch block

Thursday, December 19: Winter Concert at NMHS at 6:00 p.m.

Friday, December 20: Cross Country Ski Race at NNS at 2:30 p.m.

Monday, December 23 through Monday, January 6: NO SCHOOL! Enjoy your Holiday Break, we will see you next year.

Saturday, December 28: Cross Country Ski Race at North Pen. Rec. at 11:00 a.m.

Tuesday, January 7: First day of school in 2025 for students

Families are encouraged to visit: https://kpbsd.org/communications/surveys/ and complete a variety of surveys that exist. Your input is greatly appreciated and supports the growth of our team.

Did you know that in Alaska's dark winters, what you wear can save lives? Consider this:

• Drivers can only spot someone in dark clothing from 55 feet away.
• With reflective materials, that visibility extends to an incredible 500 feet!

To help keep our school community safe, we have partnered with the Center for Safe Alaskans to provide free reflective tape for students and families. A strip of reflective tape will be coming home with each student in their weekly folder.

Tips for Using Reflective Tape:

1. Cut it into smaller pieces to make it go further.
2. Apply it to clean, dry surfaces.
3. Add it to winter coats, backpacks, bikes, helmets, wheelchairs, or even dog leashes.
4. Place tape on moving parts like sleeves or pant legs to enhance visibility.

Need more? Let us know! Also, families can order additional reflective tape directly from the Center for Safe Alaskans at safealaskans.org/reflectivetape.

Let’s light up the night (morning too!) and keep everyone safe this winter!

NNS is comprised of dedicated staff, who choose to commute from a variety of areas, committed to fostering an enriching educational experience. Is there an NNS Staff Member that you would like to send a shoutout to? Please complete this form to generate a thank you message to a staff member of your choice. You can complete the form for as many staff as you would like and the messages will be hand delivered to our staff.

Shooting Star Shoutout: https://forms.gle/ZGdCt5qMaSMhZXFt5

Click on the following images for more information regarding KPBSD's Migrant Education Program:

NNS receives federal funds through Title I. For the 2024-2025 school year, NNS will operate a schoolwide program model (K through 5th grade) based on our school’s needs. Yearly, we benefit from a Federal Grant that supplies additional resources and teaching allocations to provide services that support our school’s needs. Successful attainment of these grant monies is based solely on families filling out the electronic KPBSD Student Program Form at http://mealapp.kpbsd.org/. Not only do we benefit with Title I, we also increase our E-Rate percentage. This means that we see a reduction in the costs for electronic services such as internet access. Parents/guardians are encouraged to fill out the form and return it to the school or the district. We benefit whether you include your income information or not.

Do you have children under the age of 5 at home? Did you know that you can sign up to receive a free book in the mail each month from Dolly Parton's Imagination Library?

If interested, Register Here!

This Monthly Newsletter continues our series of tips for supporting reading skills at home, provided by the What Works Clearinghouse. The tips support literacy skills of all ages. Did you know that children can learn between 4,000 and 12,000 new words through book reading in a single year?

Strategy Three: Help Children Sound Out Words Smoothly

Thank you for ensuring that your child and the office knows what their normal end of the day plan will be. NNS will use this as the default plan if there is any question. If you have a change in plans, please provide a written note or call our office at 776-2600 so we can document the change. Note: Our office does not answer the phone after 3:10 p.m. as they are involved in dismissal procedures. In the event of an appointment or other obligation after school, it is advised that parents sign their student out at the office before 3:00 p.m.

Nikiski North Star uses Bloomz as a primary source of information. Stay updated with all things NNS! We are also active on Facebook and our website at https://kpbsd.org/schools/nikiski-north-star/. In addition, KPBSD also has a Facebook page and a free KPBSD app which provides you with District and school notifications.

Do you have the time and interest to be a substitute for the Shooting Stars? No pressure: You choose when you say, “Yes, I can work!” Substitutes choose the classes, grade levels, and positions they would like. Receive one day of paid, “on-the-job training” before you begin subbing. For more information, click on the following link: https://www.kpbsd.k12.ak.us/departments.aspx?id=21717

The Nikiski North Star PTO is a Parent/Teacher Committee focused on providing educational resources and enrichment for our children. FROM Nikiski FOR Nikiski.

• Support our school by ordering NNS apparel today! Order your new apparel via the Walden Bros website.
  
• Facebook: “Nikiski North Star PTO“
  

Boys and Girls Club is excited to offer an after-school program, which includes transportation! Please contact Ms. Lori at 907-776-2668 to ensure that your child is registered.

• Address: 45600 Holt Lamplight Rd Kenai, AK 99611

• Phone: (907) 776-2600
• Fax: (907) 776-8423
• Website: https://kpbsd.org/schools/nikiski-north-star/

• Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/NikiskiNorthStarElementary
• Previous School Newsletter Editions: https://kpbsd.org/schools/nikiski-north-star/communications/newsletters/