FALL 2009
LIBERATEDLEARNERS
North Star enters its 14th year with over 45 members, more than half of whom are new this year.
In case you didn’t know, this is what our building looks like.
A new year is here
and it’s going to be awesome By Ken Danford
Welcome to North Star’s 14th year of working with teens and families! We are entering this year with approximately 45 members, our largest opening roster ever! Our extended staff includes a fantastic range of expertise and wisdom, and we are impressed with the serious set of course offerings on our calendar. Our first week has been filled with joy and enthusiasm. The play and laughter has been matched with focus and seriousness of purpose. One would have to search long and hard to find another group of teens who were as happy for September to arrive as our current group of North Star members. The summer brought a few improvements to North Star.
First, Associate Director Catherine Gobron spent countless hours on North Star’s new website, which launched in late August. The site is full of photos, essays, and even videos about North Star. The calendar of classes and activities is posted and kept up-to-date. If you have not yet visited this shining new aspect of North Star, please go to www.northstarteens.org and send us your feedback. Together, Catherine and Outreach Director Sarah Reid have transformed the interior of North Star, finding and transporting all sorts of couches and chairs to upgrade our furniture. We appreciate the generosity of those who contributed to this effort, as do our members!
Finally, Sarah has asked to take on the design and publication of this newsletter. We know that many readers have wanted to hear more about the day-to-day learning and activities inside North Star. Sarah plans to share this news with you here and on our blog (northstarteens.org/ blog). I hope you find the changes to Liberated Learners informative and inspirational. The generosity of our readers and donors allows North Star to sustain its mission of working with all interested families regardless of their ability to pay the full membership fee. Your gifts matter, and so do your thoughts and questions. Please keep in touch!