North Star Public School prepares for new year

Press release 

School begins at North Star Schools, serving the communities of Rudyard, Hingham, Gildford and Kremlin, Wednesday, August 18 at 7:55 a.m. for elementary students in Gildford and at 8 a.m. in Rudyard for students in grades 6-12. School will dismiss as usual at 3:45 p.m. Breakfast and lunch will be served. Busses will run on a similar schedule to prior years. North Star Schools anticipates approximately 170 students this year in grades K-12.

Back-to-school information has been sent in electronic form to email addresses on file including the school calendar and school supply lists. Student handbooks will also be emailed out the first week of school. For questions regarding the start of the school year, people should contact the main district office at 406-355-4481. No open house will be held prior to the start of school.

North Star School welcomes the following new staff: Scott Bymaster who will be teaching English to grades 7-12, Paraprofessionals Sam Habets and Nikki VanWechel, Assistant Cook, Lisa Malsam, and Assistant Janitor Jacobs. Moving from para to sixth grade teacher is Jessica Myers.

The school calendar, Infinite Campus link, Elementary/Middle/High School information, COVID information and much more can be found at the North Star School website at http://www.nsschools.org .

COVID-19 information

North Star School will be reviewing the 2021-22 COVID-19 Response Plan at the Aug. 12 school board meeting in Rudyard at 7 a.m.. It is anticipated that sanitizing will remain a priority throughout the schools, masks will be optional for staff and students in grades 6-12 and the attendance policy will be changed somewhat to accommodate sick students. Following the board meeting, the plan will be emailed out to parents and staff.

School pictures

Aug. 24, Helmbrecht Photography will be taking school pictures beginning at the elementary at 8:00 AM and then moving to the middle/high school in Rudyard later that morning. 

Half-time kindergarten and kindergarten

Students who are 4 or 5 years of age and enrolled in the half-time kindergarten program will start school Aug. 19. Kindergarten students will begin on August 18.

Immunizations

Students entering kindergarten must be up-to-date with their vaccines — diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis; polio; measles, mumps, rubella (MMR); and varicella “chickenpox.” Students entering seventh grade must receive a dose of Tdap/Td booster vaccine prior to the start of school. Documentation must be sent to the school. Mail to North Star School, Attn: Carol, PO Box 129, Rudyard, MT 59540 or fax to 355-4532 or email [email protected] by Aug. 13. Religious exemptions must be completed each school year. Contact either school office for the form.

Knight In Need

If a student needs help getting their school supplies, people can contact Carol Tempel at 355-4481 or at [email protected]. If students need assistance for other items or clothing, they may be considered, just contact Carol. Thanks to anonymous donors, funds are available to help students.

Bad weather or school emergencies

During bad weather or other school emergencies, school closure or delays will be announced on the Havre radio stations (610 KOJM-AM and KPQX-FM 92.5). The Infinite Campus messenger system may also be used to contact parents/guardians.

Sports physicals, Dragonfly, sports practices and upcoming games

Students in grades five-12 who plan on participating in any sport will need to register with Dragonfly, http://dragonflymax.com and click ‘Log In/sign Up’ to get started. Completed MHSA physical exam will need to be uploaded and the MHSA concussion section will need to be completed on Dragonfly. 

High school football and volleyball practices begin Aug. 13. Middle school football and volleyball practices begin Aug. 16. Sports schedules and letters from the respective coaches were emailed out, people can call the office if they need a hardcopy. 

The high school football team will play its first game Aug. 28 in Rudyard at 1 p.m. versus the Bainville Bulldogs. The high school volleyball team will be at the Belt Showcase Aug. 28 to start its season. The middle school football team will open its season Sept. 3 in Valier at 4 p.m., followed by the high school game at 7 p.m. Middle school volleyball will play its first game in Big Sandy Aug. 31 at 4 p.m. followed by JV at 6 p.m. and the varsity 20 minutes after the conclusion of the JV game.

Activity passes

Prices for activity season passes are: Family $250, Adult $125, Student $25. Students in grades 5-12 who participate in football, volleyball, basketball or track are required to purchase a student activity pass. If a family pass is purchased, a separate student pass is not required. 

Booster Club

The North Star Booster Club is accepting memberships. Individual and Families can join for $25 while Businesses are $50. Booster Club supports numerous activities such as the I Love To Read program, sports, Senior Scholarship, teacher/staff appreciation, Missoula Children’s Theatre and much more.

North Star Education Foundation

The North Star Foundation conducts its annual fund raising drive each fall. Contributions have gone toward supporting such programs as music, virtual reality goggles, BPA/SKILLS USA national trips, Missoula Children’s Theatre, portable presentation screen, girls and boys state, new HS lockers, swimming pool decking and more! Contributions can be mailed to North Star Foundation, PO Box 14, Rudyard, MT 59540.

Staff 

Superintendent — Bart Hawkins 

Business Manager — Genevieve Hanson

Administrative Assistant — Carol Tempel 

Elementary Secretary — Katie Bangs

Custodian and Maintenance — Chris Lavery 

Custodian-Elementary — Cheryl Lavery 

Custodian MS/HS — Rhonda Olson 

Cook-Elementary — Catalina Carlon 

Cook-MS/HS — Pam Langel

Assistant Cook-Elementary — Brandy Knutson

Assistant Cook-MS/HS — Lisa Malsam

Activities Director — Brian Campbell 

Guidance and Counseling/Title IX — Rose Spinler 

Half-time Kindergarten — Davilyn McCormick

Kindergarten — Mackenzie Jenkins 

Grade 1 — Val VanWechel

Grade 2 — Kendra Zentmire

Grade 3 — Sandra Viste

Grade 4 – Michelle Clawson 

Grade 5 — Scott Froehlich 

Grade 6/Math 7/PE/Health 6-8 — Jessica Myers

Special Education and 504 coordinator K-5 — Terica Schaumloeffel

Special Education and 504 coordinator 6-12 — Graysen Spicher 

Title I K-12 open

Paraprofessional Elementary — Keeley Moore

Paraprofessional Elementary — Tasha Naillon

Paraprofessional Elementary — Maggie Spicher

Paraprofessional MS/HS — Juanita Spicher

Paraprofessional MS/HS — Sam Habets

Art K-12 — Linda Lett 

English 7-12 — Scott Bymaster

History 6-12 — Kaine Berardinelli

Industrial Tech/Traffic Safety — Steve Simonson 

Library/Technology — Elizabeth Campbell

Math 9-12 — Brian Campbell 

Math 8/Business 9-12 — Karleen Wolery 

Music K-12 — Phyllis Morris

PE/Health 9-12 — Steve Simonson 

Science 7-12 — Pam Renaker 

Technology — Kay Jorgenson, and Joanie Lipp

Knights CODE

Challenge yourself

Own your behavior

Display respect

Encourage others