North Star Learning Center

08/05/2026

Give Day 2026 is Saturday!

✏️ FREE supplies for students entering K-12th grade, while supplies last.
✏️ No income or school restrictions.
✏️ Students must be present at the event to receive supplies. No pre-registration required.

🎒Saturday, August 8
🎒10am-2pm
🎒 Summit Church Alaska (3340 Badger, at the corner of Hurst and Badger in North Pole)

📚 School Supplies + Backpacks
📚 Community Resource Booths + Info
📚 Meet the Bus, Lunch, + More!

We can’t wait to see you on Give Day!

07/23/2026

07/22/2026

This is so true! How many times have you found moods and attitudes reset after a dose of outdoor play?

It's an "easy button" on those days when we're at our wits end, when the kids are bouncing off the walls, when tongues get sharp and siblings get testy. Just head outside and see what happens!

06/05/2026

05/01/2026

Today is worthy wage day. ❤️

Each year, communities across the country recognize Worthy Wage Day, a national day of action that calls attention to the critical role early childhood educators play and the ongoing challenge of low wages in the field. 👏

Since 1992, Worthy Wage Day has highlighted a persistent reality: early childhood educators—those who care for, teach, and support our youngest children—are among the lowest-paid professionals in the workforce. At the same time, research continues to show that the most important factor in high-quality early care and education is the consistency and quality of the educator. 👇

These two truths cannot coexist if we want strong outcomes for children.

Read why this matters for Alaska:

🔗 https://bit.ly/48voOJu

04/13/2026

“All feelings are okay and normal, but it's what we do with those feelings that matter!” This remains something we truly support. Setting boundaries, accepting the word “no,” learning how to interact with others, accepting that we won’t always win or get our own way & learning appropriate reactions to things is what the early years are all about. Those life lessons set us up for long term success as we age. We will always encourage families to prioritize emotional/social growth, this is especially important in terms of keeping our schools safe and healthy for all students.

This is one of my favorite sayings. All feelings are okay and normal, but it's what we do with those feelings that matter!

03/17/2026

Good evening, by now you've undoubtedly heard the heartbreaking news that we won't be reopening our doors due to the catastrophic flood that took place. If someone had told us a year ago that this would be our reality, we wouldn't have believed them. At that time, we were riding high, celebrated for our achievements, collaborating with local educators, and shattering expectations for what a learning center could accomplish. December found us reveling in the holiday spirit with our students, eagerly anticipating a vibrant second semester and a summer filled with promise. Yet, life often takes unexpected turns, sometimes for no obvious reason. And despite our meticulous planning and tireless efforts. It's in these unpredictable moments that we yearn for words of encouragement and a dash of grace. What we didn't anticipate was the outpouring of support and kindness from our extraordinary community of families, both past and present, who sat with us in our sorrow and shared our grief. This remarkable display of compassion has left us feeling deeply connected during a time that could have been so very isolating. What a powerful testament to the profound impact North Star Learning Center has had on North Pole for the last 35 years - a true beacon of empowerment for families, a guardian of confidence and independence for our students and a guiding light in a world that can sometimes feel so dark. It's been an honor to walk alongside you, providing a haven for growth and discovery, and being part of something truly special. We'll carry the memories of this experience with gratitude, inspired by the resilience of our families & staff who face adversity with courage and triumph. The doors may be closing, but who knows what new adventures are ahead.

One thing I know for certain is that the walls of my
*now home*office will forever be covered in thank-you notes, crafts, cards and pictures that showcase the love and creativity of our students. For 13 years students have taken a moment in their day to create something for me and I have treasured and kept every single one. It never escaped my attention what a compliment it is to know that a child feels seen, safe and loved by you. It’s all we want as educators - to know our students were better for being in our classrooms.

Each child has left a mark on our lives, and we'll continue to cherish those moments and root for each of you as you embark on new adventures. Though our paths may diverge for awhile, we hope they'll cross again. Until then, we want to express our deepest gratitude for choosing us. Thank you for the laughter, memories, and experiences we've shared. Thank you for being part of our journey. We'll miss you immensely, but we're confident that your futures are bright & full of incredible opportunities.

And might I just say - to the BEST staff of all time, Ms. Denise, Ms.Chelsea & Ms. Hannah - what an honor to work alongside each of you! You all made NSLC what it was and have such incredible futures ahead of you. I can’t wait to see all the amazing things you do.

Best wishes to everyone on their next chapter.
-Ms.Darby ❤️

02/17/2026

The importance of this topic often leads to its discussion, but the prevalence of misinformation and fear-mongering on social media can make it difficult to discern how to set healthy boundaries, when to redirect, and when to say no. We always encourage individuals to ask questions & be mindful of the social media platforms you follow, seek professional advice by talking with teachers, administrators, etc., and strive for balance, which means using the word no or holding accountability sometimes. This truly makes a huge difference in long-term success for children, as so well explained in this post. ❤️

02/12/2026

Absolutely! ♥️

Childcare providers are not “babysitters,” we are not babysitters at all
We plan curriculum.
We observe development.
We document milestones.
We teach emotional regulation.
We build language.
We encourage independence.
We create safe spaces for growth.
We are shaping the foundation long before kindergarten ever begins.
Care is part of the job.
Education is the heart of it.
Let’s start giving Early Childhood Educators the respect the profession deserves.

01/24/2026

Building Update: The renovation crew has thoroughly renovated the interior of the building, implementing necessary treatments to prevent potential mold growth from the water damage. We are actively collaborating with insurance to facilitate the rebuilding of NSLC. Our goal is to continue moving forward as safely and efficiently as possible. We truly appreciate everyone’s continued support.

⭐️ Additionally, we would like to notify families that tax information is readily available on ProCare at your convenience, eliminating the need to wait for our reopening to collect that information. ⭐️