GRAMMAR GAZETTE
Back-to-School Edition!
Thursday, August 10, 2023
Dear Fabulous Nova Classical Families,
Welcome to Back-to-School time! It seems like just yesterday we were sending the students home for the summer. I hope you all had restful, rejuvenating, and adventure-filled summers! We've been busy preparing to welcome our scholars to the 23-24 school year and are looking forward to seeing you all very soon!
Don't forget! We have two exciting events coming up! We look forward to seeing you all at these events, where you will have a chance to connect with teachers and other families!
Kindergarten Picnic - Tuesday, August 22 @ 5pm & 6pm (teachers will communicate to families which session to attend).
Lower School Open House - Thursday, August 24 @ 5:30pm-7:30pm
This issue of the monthly Grammar Gazette is full of information you will need as we head into the new school year. Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns!
Warm Regards,
Ms. Tousignant
Back to School Landing Page
Welcome to our 2023-2024 school year! Everything you need to know, including information about transportation, uniforms, Scholar Zone, school supplies, and more is updated on our website.
Kudos!
Our Summer Scholar Zone staff was amazing in providing theme-based opportunities and field trips to our scholars this summer! They had a blast-off Astronomy Week, spellbinding Harry Potter Week, and wave of a time during Water Week. Kudos to our Scholar Zone staff - Mr. Ritz, Mr. Larson, Ms. Page, Ms. Daines, Mr. Reynolds, Ms. Streeter, and Ms. Anderson, and Scholar Zone Director Ms. Hussain - for a summer of themed weeks that kept the fun rolling!
Kudos to our Summer Boost program, which successfully ran for its 17th year supporting Lower School students and reducing their academic summer slide. Thanks to all who helped - Ms. Maddie Larsen, Ms. Maria Larsen, Ms. Knowles, Ms. Webster, Ms. Irish, EAs Ms. Page and Ms. Bai - and to the scholars that attended, ensuring academic skills were hard at work!
K-7 School Counselor, Sarah Lozano
Ms. Cranberg, our former K-8 Counselor, will be moving into a new role as our MTSS Administrator, overseeing support and interventions for our scholars.
We are excited to welcome Sarah Lozano to take her place as the K-7 Counselor! Ms. Lozano comes to Nova from the Academy for Science and Agriculture, where she worked as a K-8 Counselor. Prior to that, she was a school counselor at an elementary school in Rochester. She holds a Masters degree in Counseling from River Falls and received her undergraduate degree in Psychology with a minor in Spanish at Concordia College. We are looking forward to her sharing her expertise and passion for building relationships and supporting students within the Nova community!
Lower School Latin Teacher, Caroline Herman
Caroline Herman will be our new Lower School Latin teacher, teaching Latin to our 2nd-5th grade scholars. Ms. Herman comes to Nova with an undergraduate degree in Classical Studies from University of North Carolina- Chapel Hill and a Masters degree in Classical and Near Eastern Studies from the University of Minnesota. She also spent some time studying abroad in Chile and Greece. She has served as a Teaching Assistant at the college level, Summer Camp Counselor, Child Care Provider, and an Outdoor Program Instructor in Ely, MN. We are excited that she will be able to bring her love for the Classics and her passion for teaching children to Nova as our new Lower School Latin teacher!
Lower School Special Education Teacher, Brenda Berckenhoff
Welcome to our new Lower School Special Education teacher, Brenda Berckenhoff! Brenda has a wealth of experience as an elementary Special Education teacher, most recently at Normandale Elementary French Immersion. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from University of North Florida, and a master’s degree in Special Education from the University of Minnesota. Before her career in teaching, Ms. Berckenhoff was an Intelligence Specialist and Yeoman in the United States Navy. We are looking forward to benefiting from Ms. Berckenhoff’s strengths in instruction and relationship-building!
Annual Update Reminder!
Please complete our annual update process, if you have not already done so. This helps us to ensure a smooth transition to the new school year. Follow the steps here to complete your update.
While we don't want to see anyone leave, we understand that circumstances may change and needing to do what is best for your family. If your child is not planning to return to Nova Classical for the 23-24 school year, we ask that you submit this Google Form to keep us updated.
Fall After School Clubs and 5/6 Fall Sports
Registration for fall after-school clubs opens on August 14, 2023! Check out all the options on the Extracurriculars page of the Nova website. Online registration only. Payment must be made at the time of registration. Grade level and registration limits apply to all after school activities and 5/6 sports. Questions? Email activities@novaclassical.org or athletics@novaclassical.org.
NPTO Updates!
Sign up for the Nova Family Directory at novapto.membershiptoolkit.com/
Community Outing: $12 Tickets to the Twins vs Mets on Sunday September 10, at 1:10 PM
RSVP Deadline August 18 to Heather at hboehnen@gmail.com
PTO Sponsored Ice Cream @ Open Houses on August 23 and 24
First Day of Kindergarten Coffee & Treats on August 30, from 8:15-9:15 AM, outside the Kindergarten doors
Nova Nights @ A-Side on Tuesday, September 12, from 4:00-9:00 PM
Enjoy 15% back on all purchases! Reservations strongly suggested, but not required.
PTO Meeting on Tuesday, September 5, at 4:15pm in the Exhibition Hall with Special Guest, Ms. Cranberg
More dates and information here!
Follow NPTO on Facebook, Instagram, or visit their website for more information!
Summer Math & Reading Challenge Reminder!
We introduced a Summer Math Challenge and a Summer Reading Challenge at the end of the school year. This information was sent home both physically and electronically, but here it is again for your reference. Upon successful completion of each of these challenges, students will earn a certificate for a non-uniform day when we return to school!
Upcoming Lower School Events!
August:
14: Fall Activities Registration Opens
21: Board Meeting @ 6:00 PM
22: Kindergarten Picnic @ 5:00 PM
23: Upper School Open House @ 5:30 PM
24: Lower School Open House @ 5:30 PM
28: First Day of School for Grades 1-12
30: First Day of School for Kindergarten
September:
4: No School (Building Closed)
5: Fall Activities Start
5: NPTO Meeting @ 4:15 PM
18: Board Meeting @ 6:00 PM
20: Student Picture Day
20: Lower School Back to School Night @ 5:30 PM
25: No School (Staff Work Day)
26-29: Homecoming
29: Homecoming Parade
October:
2: Winter Athletics Registration Opens
3: LS Virtue Assembly @ 3pm
3: LS Spirit Wear Day
3: NPTO @ 4:15 PM
7: NPTO Book Fair
13: Grandparent and Special Person Day
18: Unity Day
19: No School (Staff Work Day)
20: No School (Building Closed)
23: No School (Building Closed)
26: Lower School Math Night @ 6:30 PM
30: Winter Activities Registration Opens
30: Board Meeting @ 6:00 PM
Remember, today and every day: Learn something new, try your best, and be kind to one another. Let's make today the best day yet! It's a great day to be a knight!