Accessible Text-Only Version

Northport Notes

Volume 31, Issue 6
October 2, 2026

This page contains the text-only version of this issue of Northport Notes. It includes the same information as the visual newsletter in a format designed for improved readability and compatibility with assistive technologies.

Middle School Homecoming Dance

Saturday, October 3

6:00–8:00 PM

Join us for dancing, games, and snacks. We are the Wildcats!

Upcoming Events

Saturday, Oct. 3

9:30 AM – Homecoming Parade
11:00 AM – Homecoming Soccer Game v. Manistee @ NPS Soccer Field
6:00–8:00 PM – Middle School Homecoming Dance

Monday, Oct. 5

4:15 PM – MS Soccer @ Benzie
4:30 PM – MS Volleyball v. Frankfort @ SB
5:30 PM – V Boys Soccer @ Benzie

Tuesday, Oct. 6

5:00 PM – Elementary Cross Country Meet @ Woodland School
5:30 PM – JV/V Volleyball v. Frankfort @ SB
6:00 PM – PTO Meeting

Wednesday, Oct. 7

7:30 AM – Walk & Ride to School Day
8:30 AM – 5th Grade Trip to Veronica Valley
4:30 PM – MS Soccer v. TC Bulldogs @ SB
4:30 PM – MS Volleyball @ Brethren
6:00 PM – MS Football v. Mesick @ SB

Thursday, Oct. 8

9:30 AM – Skegemog Raptor Presentation
5:30 PM – JV/V Volleyball @ Brethren

Saturday, Oct. 10

8:00–10:00 PM – High School Homecoming Dance @ Suttons Bay

Monster Waves & Cardboard Champions

Laughter, splash landings, and a fleet of ferocious sea creatures filled the water as students in grades 6–12 faced off in a fan-favorite tradition: the annual Cardboard Boat Race. Grades 3–5 joined the fun from the shore, enthusiastically cheering on the racers.

This year's high-creativity theme was "Water Monsters." During Collaboration—a dedicated period for hands-on, project-based learning—students designed, researched, and built mythical vessels out of cardboard and tape, including sharks, piranhas, and a Kraken.

At the starting whistle, teams paddled frantically toward the finish line. Top honors went to the Senior duo of Jay Craker and Carson Kiessel, whose sleek design and powerful paddling earned them the title of overall champions.

Congratulations to Jay, Carson, and all our student engineers for their incredible creativity, team spirit, and determination!

Photo Descriptions

Superintendent Wetherbee sits with our upper elementary students as they cheer on the boat racers.
10th graders Lele Raphael and Scott Dean carry their drenched boat ashore after the race.
8th graders Taryn Kelley, Ava Holland, and Mayna Kahgegabo carry their Class of 2031 creation up the beach.

Wildcat Homecoming 2026

Saturday, Oct. 3

9:30 AM – Homecoming Parade
Post-Parade: Presentation of the Homecoming Court & Crowning of the King & Queen
11:00 AM – Homecoming Soccer Game v. Manistee @ NPS Soccer Field
6:00–8:00 PM – Middle School Homecoming Dance at Northport School

Saturday, Oct. 10

8:00–10:00 PM – High School Homecoming Dance at Suttons Bay

Middle School LIFT

Happy October, Wildcats!

As we settle into the first full month of this school year, we want to thank everyone for making the start to LIFT's school year programming so much fun!

In October, we hope you'll join us for all things "fall"! We have everything from apple picking and pumpkin carving to State Park hikes and s'mores-making on the calendar to help celebrate the much-loved crisp and spooky month.

Take a look at the full calendar on our LIFT Middle School October calendar, and be sure to register your student to ensure they can join us for all our upcoming activities.

LIFT Middle School Afterschool Programming

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday

Dismissal–5:30 PM

October High School LIFT Events

Direct questions and interest to Ms. Alt/Emily in person or by phone at (231) 866-6475.

October 5: ELEVR in TC, 3:30–5:30 PM
October 16: Lunch on LIFT!, 12:55–1:30 PM
October 19: Outdoor Movie/Donut Night, 5:30–8:30 PM
October 25: Screams in the Dark, 5:30–9:30 PM

RSVP for High School LIFT events

Parenting Communities – October

Free playgroups and events for Leelanau families with children from birth through age 6.

Fall Harvest Gathering

Friday, October 16, 11:00 AM–12:30 PM

Leland Public Library, 203 E. Cedar St., Leland

Join Parenting Communities and the Leland Public Library for a family-fun gathering celebrating the fall season. Activities include a fall photo booth, apple activities, fall crafts, cider, donuts, and snacks. Costumes are welcome.

Families Together

A monthly gathering for Leelanau County families to connect, learn, and grow together. Dinner provided.

Third Monday of the month, October–May, 5:15–7:00 PM

Keswick Church, Suttons Bay

October Playgroups

Glen Lake Playgroup: Tuesdays, 10:00–11:00 AM at Glen Lake Reformed Church – Oct. 6, 13, 20, 27
Northport Playgroup: Wednesdays, 10:00–11:00 AM at Northport School Gym – Oct. 7, 14, 21
Suttons Bay Playgroup: Thursdays, 10:00–11:00 AM in the PINK Room at Suttons Bay Public School – Oct. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
Cedar Playgroup: Fridays, 10:00–11:00 AM at Bee Well, 9044 S. Kasson St. – Oct. 2, 30

Save the Dates

October 23: Flu & Covid Immunization Clinic
October 28 & 29: Parent Teacher Conferences
November 20: Community Thanksgiving Lunch
December 9: Holiday Concert

Community Connections @ Leelanau UnCaged

If you were out and about this weekend at Leelanau UnCaged, you might have come across some of our Wildcat crew.

Our outstanding art teacher, Jen Evans, was in charge of creating the kids tent. Not only does she plan the activities, she also involves our NPS Wildcat art students. Our students are at the forefront, able to express themselves and show their creativity while giving back and connecting with the broader community. It’s not just an art lesson Ms. Evans is teaching; it’s a lesson in confidence, leadership, and being a good community member.

It was wonderful to also see, Mrs. Brendel, Mrs. Post, and Mr. Wynn out there volunteering their time to support our students and connect with the community.

We are also proud of our students who shared their talents on the big stage, dancing a traditional Jingle Dress Native dance. We love learning from our students who teach us about their cultures, and it is so fun to cheer them on!

What an amazing weekend we had ahead of NPS Homecoming week! Man, it’s good to be a Wildcat.

Photo Descriptions

Wildcat teachers Mollie Brendel and Alex Post volunteer at the Bling-A-Bag table in the kids tent.
Wildcat students Xyric Camino and Clayton Dean man the Terrible Portraits table.
4th grader Logan Stoffel shows off his Wildcat face paint at UnCaged.

Wildcats Race to the Finish

The Wildcat runners had their second meet at SEAS on 9/29 and did an awesome job. The boys set the tone early, with Ben Teahen Purdy running a personal best of 6:58 to earn 3rd place among all 5th graders and 7th overall. Logan Stoffel continued to show his toughness, running 10:02 to earn a top-25 finish among all 4th graders. Mason Brown, representing the 2nd graders and running against all 3rd graders, ran a 10:16 mile, placing him in the top 15. Way to go!!!

The girls continued the excitement with a lot of personal bests today. Ellie Hale continued her medal train with a 10th-place finish for all 5th graders with a time of 8:43. Thisbe Cavendish ran a personal best of 9:31, just missing out on a medal. Destiny Ugalde, representing the 2nd graders, ran a personal best and placed in the top 10 for all 3rd graders with a time of 9:59, and her classmate Emma Brown ran her personal best of 10:48. Elin Bahle continued to show her perseverance and ran a personal best of 10:46. Awesome job, ladies!!!

Our next meet is on October 6th @ Woodland School.

Photo Description

The Wildcat Elementary Cross Country Team: Ellie Hale, Ben Teahen Purdy, Mason Brown, Logan Stoffel, Emma Brown, Destiny Ugalde, Elin Bahle, and Thisbe Cavendish.

Pastries with the Principal

Northport families and community, you’re invited to our first Pastries with the Principal of the 2026–27 school year!

Friday, October 9
8:30–9:30 am

Location: Board Room

Come enjoy a cup of coffee and a pastry while spending some time together. This is a relaxed opportunity to connect, chat, share ideas, and get to know one another.

I hope you’ll stop by—I’d really enjoy seeing you and having a chance to visit!

Hope to see you there!

Peter Morio
Principal