North Star Public Schools starting classes

Press release

School begins at North Star Schools Wednesday, Aug. 17 at 7:55 a.m. for elementary students in Gildford and at 8 a.m. for students in grades six through 12 in Rudyard.  

School will dismiss as usual at 3:45 p.m. Breakfast and lunch will be served. Buses will run on a similar schedule to prior years. North Star Schools anticipates approximately 190 students this year in grades K-12.

Back-to-school information, including the school calendar and school supply lists, has been sent in electronic form to email addresses on file. Student Handbooks will also be emailed out the first week of school. For questions regarding the start of our school year, people can contact the main district office at 406-355-4481.

An open house will be held Tuesday, Aug. 16, from 3-6 p.m. in both school locations. This is an opportunity for students and parents to meet teachers, find classrooms and lockers, drop off school supplies, pay for meals and activity passes, join Booster Club and so on.

North Star School welcomes the following new staff: Superintendent James Russel; Sarah Russell, who will teach grade three; Katelyn Hansen, who will be teaching grade six and doing some title instruction, and April Nerat as business manager/clerk. Moving from sixth grade teacher to family consumer science is Jessica Myers.

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

School pictures

  Middle and High school and sports pictures will be taken Thursday, Aug, 25. Elementary picture day is Tuesday, Aug. 30, beginning at 8 a.m.

Half-time kindergarten

Students who are 4 or 5 years of age and enrolled in the half-time kindergarten program will start school Thursday, Aug. 18. Kindergarten students will begin Wednesday, Aug. 17.

Immunizations

Students entering kindergarten must be up-to-date with their vaccines (diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis; polio; measles, mumps, rubella (MMR); and varicella, or “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 August 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 406-355-4481 or at [email protected]. If students need assistance for other items or clothing, they may be considered, just contact Temple. 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 5-12 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 began Aug. 12. Middle school football and volleyball practices begins Aug. 15.  Sports schedules and letters from the respective coaches were emailed out, call the office if you need a hardcopy. 

Volleyball begins Aug. 26 in Gildford vs. the Big Sandy Pioneers with the middle school playing at 4 p.m., followed by JV at 6 p.m. followed by varsity.

The football season will kick off Aug. 27 in Centerville with the middle school playing at 10 a.m. and the high school team playing at 1 p.m.  

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 Education Foundation conducts its annual fund raising drive each fall. Contributions have gone toward supporting such programs as music, virtual reality goggles, BPA/SKILLSUSA/FCCLA national trips, Missoula Children’s Theater, 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.