Mission

The mission of North Star Elementary School is to provide the best quality education for all of our students. We believe that students need to develop an appreciation for the diversity of the people in our world and the skills and attitudes necessary to work together. Each person is entitled to be treated with courtesy and respect. Through the application of the knowledge, skills, and strategies, North Star students will become contributing, informed and responsible citizens.

What Makes Us Special

At North Star, we hold recognition assemblies to highlight the positive choices our students make. Each teacher awards students for academic improvement and exemplary citizenship. We’re also proud of our music and art programs – the annual school play is always a highlight. North Star has a highly professional and collaborative school leadership team. As a result, our WASL scores showed positive gains in most subjects in 2008.

Community Connections

North Star’s facility is used by a variety of groups, including PTA, local churches, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Bethel Recreation, Graham-Kapowsin Learning Center and the Boys and Girls Club.

Parent and Community Involvement in Learning

North Star’s PTA is a partner in upholding high expectations for student achievement. Fundraisers support individual grants, assemblies, field trips, and technology purchases. Each year, North Star students contribute to the community through Walk America.

In addition, our staff is very generous with donations to United Way, Bethel Education Scholarship Team, and other charities.

Raising Expectations and Standards

We have a variety of very successful after-school learning academies. From October through April, several nights a week, students can receive additional instruction in reading and math.

Technology plays an important role in our academic programs. Our computer lab has more than 30 computers that are in constant use for student projects.

WASL Overview

Nearly all of our third, fourth, fifth and sixth grade scores were all at or above the state average in reading, writing, math and science. We are committed to student success!

Focus on Math

In 2007-2008, staff implemented Everyday Mathematics (EDM) curriculum in Kindergarten through fifth grade. Staff continued their previous work of focusing on best practices and student work.

Focus on Reading

In 2007-2008, students in grades 3, 4 and 5 were given two secured writing prompts in the months prior to the WASL, in an effort for teachers to use this data to make instructional decisions. As a result, 2008 WASL writing scores rose in fourth grade.

Adequate Yearly Progress

North Star did not meet adequate yearly progress (AYP), as defined by the No Child Left Behind Act. Of the 36 areas measured, the school met all but two benchmarks. AYP is determined primarily by year-to-year student achievement on the Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL) in reading and mathematics.

Each year individual schools and the school district must “raise the bar” in gradual increments so that by 2014, 100 percent of students achieve proficiency in each subject area. North Star met the benchmarks in each category for all student sub-groups.

Top-notch Staff

North Star has 35 classroom teachers. They average 12 years of teaching experience and 57 percent have a master’s degree. They are joined by a wonderful support staff who have students’ best interest in mind in all that they do.

Bethel School District

Bethel School District serves about 17,500 students in 17 elementary schools, five junior highs (with another opening its doors in 2010), three comprehensive high schools, one alternative junior high/high school, and an online academy. The district has won national awards in technology and communications, as well as state awards in professional development, energy conservation, and the arts. In addition, five district teachers have earned "Washington State teacher of the Year" in the last 25 years - more than any district in the state.

The Bethel School District covers 202-square miles in south Pierce County. The area is one of the fastest growing in the Puget Sound region. In 2006, district voters passed both a four-year levy for operations and a $175 million bond to build new schools. As part of the first phase of the bond, two elementary schools and one junior high (temporarily housing Spanaway Lake High School) were opened in September 2009.

In 2007-2008, the district’s budget was $158 million, about 80 percent of which went to salaries and benefits. About 1,050 certificated staff and about 1,000 classified (support) staff work for the district. Tom Seigel joined the district in 2001 as superintendent. He previously worked in Boulder, CO as a superintendent. Prior to his work in public education, Seigel served in the U.S. Navy for 25 years, completing his military career as a Commander.