The Star School Parent Teacher Organization plays a very important part in the program offered to students at Star School. The P.T.O. supports special assemblies, citizenship awards, "Popcorn Days", field trips, the Art Reach program, the first/second grade "Book Bags", Field Day, Winter Carnival, books for the library, computer software for the computer lab, classroom purchases, and much, much more!

P.T.O. Meetings are held the second Tuesday of each month from 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. in the Science Lab!  Each month Star School teachers present information regarding the programs offered to students at Star School. 

Our entire staff is a positive, motivated group that works collaboratively to benefit all children.  Teachers are incredibly committed to doing what is best for student learning.

·   Three strong teacher leaders stepped forward to guide our building through the school improvement process and attended the Data Four Student Success training through the Calhoun Intermediate School District.

·   Reading and Math intervention programs have been provided all year in the At Risk room and in individual classrooms, by paraprofessional and teachers alike.

·   Three tier groups were embraced and offered to needed students for most grade levels.  Teachers are working together to provide time for these needed intervention groups.

·   Many more parent volunteers were involved this year than ever before.

·   An increase of small group learning and individualized instruction took place for struggling and accelerated students. 

·   Jr. Great Books and the Continental Math League programs were provided for accelerated learners.

·   Teachers have dissected the GLCE's to ensure and confirm the coverage of curriculum in the classroom.

·   We have recognized the importance of using student data to inform instruction, and have began using the data to create lessons.

·   Teachers are team teaching with both grade level teachers in the room, using their best strengths together to teach and reach children.

·   The use of higher level thinking questions was very evident in classrooms.

·   Common planning time was used to develop lessons, talk about teaching strategies, and to talk about student performance.  Professional learning communities are on the verge of development.

·   Very successful student teachers were produced from our building this year.  Our teachers are very willing to work with new teachers and ask to have student teachers each year.

·   There is an extensive amount of district involvement from our staff alone.  Our staff members have superb attendance at the district department meetings and PD days.  Leaders are prevalent in all grade levels of our building.

·   We have a high level of involvement at the CISD level, leading the district in curricular areas.

·   We embraced the opportunity to accomplish goals and talk about best teaching practices during our staff meetings and school improvement meetings.

·   There is a high interest and use of Data Director in our building.

·   There is a huge desire in educators to evaluate and change teaching strategies and classroom management techniques to provide the best learning for students.

·   Lucy Calkins was used in all classrooms to develop stronger writing instruction.

·   Our MEAP scores continued to be above the State average and led the district in several areas.

·   Students were allowed to publish and share their writing by creating books and using the writing lab.

·   Many worthwhile field trips were successfully planned to provide more opportunities for students.

· A large amount of extra-curricular opportunities were offered to our students because teachers are insistent on producing well-rounded students.

·   The Big Brothers/Big Sisters program at Star School worked closely with 12 at risk students.

·   The Foster Grandparent Program provided three grandparents to work with at risk students from all classrooms at Star School.

·   We had 97-99 percent participation in our Parent/Teacher Conferences. 

 Other Points of Pride

·   A positive, friendly and orderly building atmosphere

·   Art Reach

·   Accelerated learning opportunities through Young Authors, Young Artists, Young Scientists, Jr. Great Books, and the Continental Math League.

·   Assemblies such as Kids Choir, Citizenship Assemblies, March Read-a-thon, various community members share their careers, Star School Talent Show, Barry County Humane Society, Mayor Bob May, local veterans, local dental hygienists, and police.

·   Battle of the Books

·   Birthday Club

·   Citizenship and Awards Assemblies

·   D.A.R.E.

·   Fall Festival

·   Field Day

·   Field trips to the Kalamazoo Symphony, Grand Rapids Symphony/Grand Rapids Ballet performance, Greenfield Village and Henry Ford Museum, Pennock Hospital; State Capitol and Museum, Swimming trips to the Community Education Recreation Center, Patterson Ice Rink, Vermontville Revue, Binder Park Zoo, Lansing Lugnut game, fifth grade middle school tour, Meijer Gardens' Christmas Around the World, Ag Awareness Day, local dairy farms.

·   Fifth Grade Safety Patrol

·   Fifth grade Spelling Bee

·   Good attendance for special Star School evening programs

·   Holiday Food Drive provided for four local families

·   JIFF program for Fifth grade

·   Jr. Achievement programs taught in grades Young Fives through Fifth

·   Kindergarten Popcorn Parade Musical

·   Law Day

·   March is Reading Month activities such as Pajama Night and the Read-a-thon.

·   Musical program

·   Outdoor Education Camp for fifth grade students

·   Star School PTO providing many opportunities for students

·   Popcorn day each month

·   Student Council organizes school-wide activities such as pencil sales and school clean-up efforts.

·   Walk With The Stars - PTO fall fundraiser

·   Walking Club

·   Winter Carnival

·   Young Authors, Artists, and Scientists

Take Home Math Games are coming home with your child and are part of our everyday math program. These games reinforce concepts in a valuable and enjoyable way. They are designed to help children practice their basic facts, computation skills and develop increasingly sophisticated strategies. We are asking you and your child to play these everyday math games as part of their weekly home practice. Your child will know how to play the game but will increase their math skills by teaching you and playing the game repeatedly.

Please make sure your child is at school between 7:45-7:50 a.m. each morning.   Class begins at 8:00 a.m. sharp.   

Parents should remember when dropping their children off to allow enough time for backpacks and winter gear to be put away in lockers.  Students still at the lockers at 8:00 a.m. (excluding breakfast students) will be marked tardy since they are not ready to learn. Students entering the building at 8:00 a.m. or after will need to be signed in at the office.

The right hand entrance is locked at 8:00 a.m. every morning.  Students coming in late must report to the office before going to their classrooms.  Teachers have already marked students absent at 8:00 a.m.  If students arrive in the classroom after attendance it taken, the office will not know.  Parents may receive an unnecessary phone call stating their child is not in school, when in fact they came in tardy.  To avoid this problem, please make sure your child is at school between 7:45-7:50 a.m. each morning.  Class begins at 8:00 a.m. sharp.  Parents should remember when dropping their children off to allow enough time for backpacks and winter gear to be put away in lockers.  Students still at the lockers at 8:00 a.m. (excluding breakfast students) will be marked tardy since they are not ready to learn. Students entering the building at 8:00 a.m. or after will need to be signed in at the office.

Citizenship Assemblies will be held each nine-week marking period to award early elementary classroom and individual upper elementary students for their good behavior. Students in grades 3, 4, & 5 are held to the following criteria as they are placed on the Citizenship Honor Roll:  Good Star School citizens must:

Be Fair,  Be Trustworthy

Be Respectful, Have good attendance

Be Kind, Have limited tardies

Be Caring,  Have homework in on time

Be Responsible, Make good effort

If alternative transportation arrangements are made for the end of the day, please notify the office or send a note with your child.  For the safety of our students, we must be made aware of such plans.  Your child will not be able to go home with anyone who is not on the emergency contact form unless prior notification has been given.

We are so proud of all our Star School students for all their achievements. If your child has received recognition in the paper for an activity or accomplishment, please send in the clipping and we will laminate it and display it on the bulletin board by the office.

Reminder: Sign in at the Office with Each Visit

Anyone entering Star School must first report to the office. Each visitor

and volunteer will be asked to wear a button for identification while in the building.

Please report your child's absence to the Star School office at (269) 948-4442 any time your child will not be in school. Students arriving late should also be reported to the office. Your cooperation with this important detail is very much appreciated in our efforts to maintain a safe school environment. Note: the phone system is set up to take messages 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The Star School office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Medications should be given at home whenever possible. If it is necessary to medicate a student at school, a medication information form MUST be completed prior to medication being distributed by school personnel. This form is available upon request in the school office (948-4442). Prescription medications require a physician to complete and sign the form before school personnel can distribute; over-the-counter medications are allowed with parental consent on the school's medication form. Parents must supply the school office with all medications in their original container , such as pain reliever and medications must be kept in the school office , including inhalers.

If it is necessary to medicate a student at school, a medication information form MUST be completed prior to medication being distributed by school personnel.