Accessible Text-Only Version
Northport Notes
Volume 31, Issue 2
August 7, 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.
Wildcat pride, globe wide: NPS junior to study in Hungary
This month we are celebrating our Northport Wildcat, Elsie Purdy Teahen. In just a few weeks, she will be on an international flight heading to Kecskemét, Hungary for her junior year of high school.
Elsie was hand selected to participate in the Rotary Youth Exchange program and was matched with a family in Hungary about an hour south of the capital, Budapest.
Before Elsie departs for her trip, she answered some questions about what it has been like getting ready for cross-continental academic adventure.
How are you preparing?
"I am furiously trying to learn the language…not sure how much progress I am making! It’s a weird mix of Turkish and Finnish!"
What have you been up to this summer before you leave?
"Lots of work saving up for the inevitable daily coffee runs and also spending time with friends I’ll miss so much while away."
What will you miss most about Northport Public School/ the community when you leave?
"I will miss how close we all are! I’m going to miss my class so so much! We’ve been together since kindergarten and this will be the longest we’ve been separated since then. The support that I have/ feel from the teachers and staff and school is just really unmatched and I’ll be missing that in Hungarian schools!"
What are you looking forward to most about your travels?
"While I will miss this community, I’m really looking forward to being immersed in a different one and building a home away from home. And the blazers are actually very fun to fill with all the pins we find or collect! Each student gets one before they leave and collect memorabilia to put on them throughout the year."
I know you have been learning Hungarian. What is your favorite phrase you’ve learned so far?
"Boldog! It means happy! That was the first one that stuck with me. "Boldog vagyok“ means "I am happy.“
Do you have a message to younger students who may be interested in studying abroad in the future?
"DO IT! I have not even left yet, and it has already been such an amazing experience through Rotary Youth Exchange. In our district you would have such an great support group as well as so much interaction with other exchange students and people your age that share this love of travel and curiosity."
We are already so proud of you, Elsie. We will miss you every day, but we know you will truly make the most of this experience while representing Northport extremely well across the globe.
Photo descriptions
- Wildcat 11th grader Elsie Purdy Teahen along with classmate Jace pose in front of their NPS Culture Fest Trifold where they researched and taught fellow classmates about Hungarian history and traditions.
- Elsie Purdy Teahen gathers with other students in the region who were chosen to participate in the Rotary Youth Exchange Program.
- The Rotary Youth Exchange Program celebrates the 2026/2027 group of participants with a flag display.
- Past Rotary Youth Exchange participants don their prized blazers filled with pins they’ve collected during their travels.
What’s Up, Wildcats?
Happy one month ‘til school starts, Wildcats! I hope everyone is enjoying their time off while also looking forward to all the back to school fun!
With the new school year approaching, I have some personal news to share. I will be out on maternity leave, any day now, really, but surely by the start of classes. That being said, our social media presence and newsletter content may look a bit different while I’m gone.
I appreciate your understanding while I am soaking up every moment with my future Wildcat. In the meantime, our front office staff will be working hard to get you all the information you need.
—Mrs. Elizabeth Conley
Photo descriptions
- Mrs. Conley proudly holds up a "Future Wildcat" babe onesie in the NPS front office.
Students hit their stride with new NPS Run Club
Northport Public School’s Run Club is officially underway! Starting this week, incoming 3rd-12th graders are invited to meet at school twice a week to train and run with their peers.
Headed by Coach Jacob Fryer, run club will meet every Tuesday and Thursday at NPS from 10-11am. To try and make sure everyone has an opportunity to join, Coach Fryer is looking to see if kids would be interested in an additional weekly evening meet up.
If your child is interested in running, contact Coach Fryer at jfryer@northportps.org. Students do not need to commit to cross country or track to join!
Athletics ramp up countywide
Monday, August 10 is a big day for Fall 2026 NPS athletes. That is the day both high school Varsity Boys Soccer and Varsity Girls Volleyball kick off tryouts.
Boys Varsity Soccer
- August 10–12: 8:00–9:30 a.m. Tryouts/Conditioning Session; 5:30–7:30 p.m. Technical and Tactical Session
- August 13–14: 8:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. Soccer Camp
- Meet at Suttons Bay High School for all events.
Girls Varsity Volleyball
- August 10–11: 4:30–7:30 p.m. Tryouts/Conditioning Session
- August 10: 7:00 p.m. Parent Meeting
- Meet at Suttons Bay High School for all events.
- August 14: Spirit wear ordering closes at midnight.
Middle School Soccer and Volleyball
- August 24: Practices begin for both sports. Times and locations are TBD.
In order to participate, ALL STUDENT-ATHLETES must:
- Complete all required FinalForms documents.
- Have a current sports physical on file with the school.
Summer College Prep
Incoming NPS seniors ahead of the game on college applications
Yes, some of our incoming seniors decided to spend their summer afternoon at school preparing for college! Yes, our school counselor and students are amazing for orchestrating and executing this opportunity!
Starting this month, the application many schools use for admission is officially open. Students can start filling out their profiles and start working on essays for the new school year. Instead of doing this independently, Mrs. Erin Scholten offered students a chance to come in and work on the applications together with her guidance during a College Application Workshop.
Supporting our students in whatever their future endeavors are is a top priority here at Northport Public School, no matter if school is in session or not. Class of 2027, we are already so proud of you. Go Wildcats!
Photo descriptions
- NPS incoming senior Tahlia Roman fills out her Common App college application during NPS’s College Application Workshop.
Mark your Calendars
Mark Your Calendars
August 10 – Board of Education Meeting
5:30 PM @ NPS
August 14 – Alumni Soccer Game
5:30–8:00 PM @ Northport Soccer Fields
September 2 – Back to School Night
4:00–6:00 PM @ NPS
September 7 – Labor Day
September 8 – First Day of School!
September 14 – Board of Education Meeting
5:30 PM @ NPS
Download the NPS App
Download the NPS app using the direct app link: Download the NPS app.
Summer Well Spent
Hoop House Happenings
Recently, we found a few of our elementary students taking in all the joys of our NPS Hoop House!
The ambitious group spent their afternoon gardening and harvesting some of the amazing fresh produce we have in abundance right now.
A favorite harvest was kale, which incoming 5th grader Thisbe promptly made into kale chips. Delicious idea, Thisbe!
In addition to hearty kale, we have been picking tomatoes, green beans, basil, chives, lemon balm, and radishes with more produce on the way!
Bring your kids to the hoop house located in the back of Northport Public School. Everyone is welcome to come in, harvest, and help with tasks listed on the white board.
Happy gardening and harvesting, Wildcats!
A Message from LIFT
“As we prepare to wrap up summer programming and shift gears to begin thinking about another school year, here at LIFT, we wanted to extend a thank you to everyone in the Northport community who helped make this summer so special!
Rising 6th - 12th grade Wildcats joined us for everything from beach days and dune hikes to movie days, coffee chats, a trip to Mackinac Island and so much more.
Whether you were a guardian who managed the family calendar, a volunteer who helped ensure programming went smoothly or a teen who said "yes" to joining us on an adventure, thank you all!
Keep an eye out for school year calendars and sign-up information in the next couple of weeks, enjoy August, and we'll see you soon.”
-Emily Worden, LIFT Communications Director
“We had an amazing opportunity to go sailing in Grand Traverse Bay with Captain Ger! It was most of the kids’ first time sailing and we had a beautiful day for it!
Captain Ger shared personal stories of overcoming limitations and adversity from his own life, sang songs, taught us some basic sailing techniques, and generally made the experience very special.”
-Kari B., Northport Middle School LIFT
Photo descriptions
- NPS elementary student takes snack break.
- Come harvest hearty kale from the Hoop House!
- NPS incoming 6th graders Laila, Carl, and Patrick enjoy an ice cream outing with LIFT.
- NPS incoming 6th grader Carl enjoys Lake Michigan boatside during LIFT outing.
- NPS incoming 5th grader Thisbe harvests kale to make kale chips.
- NPS incoming 6th grader Sofia steers a sailboat alongside NPS LIFT middle school coordinator Kari B.
- NPS students Carl, Jessa, and Sofia participate in dune hikes this summer with LIFT.
Wildcat Watch
Alumni Soccer Game
Grab your soccer cleats and join soccer alumni from Northport, Suttons Bay, and St. Mary’s for the alumni soccer game against the 2026 V Boys Team.
Date: August 14, 2026
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Location: Northport Soccer Field
Email ed@sportvanallic.com with questions. All proceeds from concessions go to fund the NPS Class of 2030.
August Parenting Communities
Check out all the August fun Parenting Communities has planned for you and your kids ages 6 and younger! Connect with other families countywide at the Tie Dye & Ice Cream Social in Lake Leelanau on Tuesday, August 18 from 3-6 p.m. Meet on the NPS playground on Wednesdays from 10-11 a.m. for playgroup. Mark your calendars for the 3rd Monday of the month from October-May from 5:15-7 p.m. in Suttons Bay for "Families Together," a monthly gathering and dinner. All events are FREE.
Tie Dye & Ice Cream Social
What: Celebrate summer with us! Children ages 0-6 will tie-dye a PC t-shirt and enjoy a treat!
Where: Outdoors at the PC office, 7401 E. Duck Lake Rd., Lake Leelanau
When: Tuesday, August 18, 3-6 p.m.
Families Together
A monthly gathering for Leelanau County families to connect, learn, and grow together. Dinner provided.
When: 3rd Monday of the month (October-May), 5:15-7 p.m.
Where: Keswick Church, Suttons Bay
Weekly Playgroups
- Monday – Art in the Park: 1:30-3 p.m., Sutton Park Beach, Suttons Bay (August 10 & 17)
- Tuesday – Glen Lake Playgroup: 10-11 a.m., Old Settlers Park, Maple City (August 4, 11, 18 & 25)
- Wednesday – Northport Playgroup: 10-11 a.m., Northport School Playground (August 5, 12, 19 & 26)
- Thursday – Suttons Bay Playgroup: 10-11 a.m., Sutton Park Beach, Suttons Bay (August 6, 20 & 27)
- Friday – Cedar Playgroup: 10-11 a.m., Bee Well, 9044 S. Kasson St. (August 7)
For more information, visit parentingcommunities.org/events.
