GRAMMAR GAZETTE
Back-to-School Edition!
Thursday, August 14, 2025
Dear Nova Classical Families,
As we begin this exciting new school year, I wanted to take a moment to introduce myself. My name is Carolyn Farrell and I am honored to serve as the new Lower School Principal here at Nova Classical! I am thrilled to officially connect with you as we embark on this educational journey together. I am deeply committed to creating a supportive community, while challenging our students to develop the necessary habits to live a virtuous life of duty and ideals. I will work to create a joyful, safe, and engaging learning environment where every child feels seen, supported, and inspired to grow. I look forward to partnering with you through the year to ensure a strong foundation for our students.
We have been busy preparing to welcome our scholars to the 25-26 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 19, @ 5:00 PM & 6:00 PM (Kindergarten teachers sent a communication last month)
- Lower School Open House - Thursday, August 21, @ 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
This issue of the monthly Grammar Gazette is full of information you will need as we head into the new school year. Please read ahead for the latest news and views...
Warm Regards,
Mrs. Farrell
Back to School Landing Page, School Supplies, School Uniforms, Bus App, and Silent Dismissal
Important Links:
Lockdown Drills
The state of Minnesota requires that schools share the dates of their active shooter drills with parents and guardians. An active shooter drill is an emergency preparedness drill designed to teach students, teachers, school personnel, and staff how to respond in the event of an armed intruder on campus or an armed assailant in the immediate vicinity of the school. At Nova Classical Academy, we call these drills "Lockdown Drills."
Active shooter drills with PreK-12 students must be:
- Accessible, developmentally appropriate, and age appropriate, including using appropriate safety language and vocabulary
- Culturally aware
- Trauma-informed
- Inclusive of accommodations for students with mobility restrictions, sensory needs, developmental or physical disabilities, mental health needs, and auditory or visual limitations
Parents and guardians of students opting out of these drills will need to email their school Principal in advance of the drills. During the drills, your student will be kept safe and in an area of the school where they are not affected by the drill. The State of Minnesota will be providing an alternative safety education for students opting out.
Dates of Lockdown Drills:
Lock Down #1 -- September 30
Lock Down #2 -- December 5
Lock Down #3 -- April 30
Elliana Miller
Please join us in welcoming Elliana Miller to the Fourth Grade Team at Nova Classical Academy! She comes to us with a background as a Kindergarten Teacher. Ms. Miller is a huge fan of learning. She loves reading, playing games with her family-her three sisters are her best friends-and exploring national parks. She is excited for a new adventure this year at Nova! We are excited to have Elli join our team!
Elise Tolish
Please join us in welcoming Elise Tolish to the First Grade Team at Nova Classical Academy! She comes to us with a background teaching Kindergarten and spent one year teaching students in the area of Intervention and Special Education. She is excited to get back into the classroom after being home with her two children for the past two years. Ms. Tolish loves working with our younger learners and all of the enthusiasm and fun they bring. She is originally from the suburbs of Chicago but has called the Twin Cities her home since 2013. In her spare time, she enjoys running, scoping out good parks, trips to the North Shore and beyond, and singing-although her daughter often asks her to lip sync instead! We are so excited to welcome Ms. Tolish to our team!
Jennifer Feiss
Please welcome Jennifer Feiss as a new Second Grade Teacher! Mrs. Feiss brings valuable experience as a Kindergarten teacher for many years, as well as serving as a Reading Language Arts Instructional Coach, and tutor in various settings. Mrs. Feiss and her family just moved to Minnesota. Outside of the classroom, Mrs. Feiss loves spending time with her family including her two children and sweet basset hound. She loves cooking, decorating for the holidays, and collecting children's books for both the classroom and home. Her goal is to run a full marathon this year! Mrs. Feiss is passionate about creating a classroom that feels like a second home—where students feel safe, have fun, and love learning. She is looking forward to growing alongside the incredible community at Nova. We are excited to see Mrs. Feiss bring her skills and passion to the Lower School!
Jake Koehler
Please welcome Jake Koehler, who has recently joined our amazing team of Lower School General Educational Assistants! Jake has experience working in the restaurant and retail industry. Jake is excited to be part of the Nova community because of the our focus on character, critical thinking, and strong values. In his free time, Jake enjoys watching Minnesota United matches and writing creatively. Please join us in welcoming Jake to our Nova community!
Tara Weber
Please welcome Tara Weber, who will be joining our wonderful team of Lower School General Educational Assistants! Tara completed her bachelor's degree in
American and Asian studies and has experience working as a camp instructor and child care provider. She loves to read, build lego sets, and go on walks. Please join us in welcoming Tara to Nova!
Aaliyah Lund
Please welcome Aaliyah Lund, who has recently joined our amazing team of Scholar Zone Specialists! Ms. Lund is in her second year, studying Instrumental Music Education, at St. Olaf. She plays the trumpet and piano, but loves playing all types of instruments. She also loves animals, reading, playing video games, and spending lots of time outside. You may have seen her around campus already as she started working at our Scholar Zone summer program in June working for a company known as Ivy Camps. She is excited to take on this position and to be able to meet more students and faculty. Please join us in welcoming Aaliyah to our Nova team!
Samuel McDonald
Please welcome Samuel McDonald, who has recently joined our amazing team of Scholar Zone Specialists! Sam is currently in his second year at the University of Minnesota-Twin cities, working towards a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education. He has experience working with students through the Americorps program and the History Museum. You may have seen him this summer here at Nova as he started working at our Scholar Zone summer program in June working for a company known as Ivy Camps. Please join us in welcoming Sam to our Nova team!
Emma Kelly
Hunter Jungbauer
Carol Maier
Please welcome Carol Maier as our latest addition to our General Educational Assistant team! Carol brings a broad range of valuable experiences in education. She taught for her entire career in multiple roles with the majority of her experience working with English Language Learners. Her hobbies include writing books, academic research, biking, and being in nature. We are excited to see Ms. Maier bring her skills and passion to the Lower School!
Lower School Program Coordinator & Scholar Zone Director, Estella Mangan
Click the photo below to select your days. Each day is hyperlinked to RevTrack for easy signup. You can also see what we have planned for each day. Please email scholarzone@novaclassical.org with any questions.
Fall After School Clubs and 5/6 Fall Sports
After School Clubs:
Registration opened August 11, 2025. Check out the Extracurriculars page of the Nova Classical website to see descriptions of offered clubs.
Fall Baseball Clinic, Grades 3-12:
Registration opens August 25, 2025. More information here.
Still have a question? You can email athletics@novaclassical.org or activities@novaclassical.org
NPTO Updates
Nova PTO’s sole purpose is to provide resources to Nova Classical’s staff, students and their families in ways that the school cannot. For example, NPTO runs the Nova Family Directory, which is powered by MembershipToolkit. Click here to set up your family’s information. Want to carpool? Having a birthday party? Get connected with our community.
Upcoming Events:
Wednesday, 8/27, 8:15 AM - 9:30 AM: First Day of Kindergarten Coffee/Donuts -- ALL PARENTS WELCOME.
Wednesday, 9/10, 4:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Dine to Donate at A-Side Public House. Reservations recommended.
Saturday, 9/27, 6:00 PM - 9:30 PM: Great Gatherings Kickoff Party. Join us for an adults-only casual reception at Summit Brewing. Register NOW. Admission is FREE if you register by Friday, 9/19. Visit Great Gatherings Kickoff for more details.
Saturday, 10/11: Book Fair at Barnes & Noble at HarMar Mall Roseville
Saturday, 11/8: Nova Family Carnival at Nova Classical
Share your time and talents with Nova PTO, we are always looking for helpers. Single event, short term and long term roles, click here for a current list of volunteer opportunities.
Nova Family Carnival
The Nova Family Carnival is on Saturday, November 8 from 10:00am-4:00pm with festivities for the whole family. This whirlwind of fun is your chance to mingle with school families and enjoy family-friendly games. Visit our carnival highlights page to see some of the fun we had last year! The families of each grade level support this event by hosting a carnival games as shown below:
Kindergarten.........................Fishing Game
First Grade................................Duck Pond
Second Grade..................................Plinko
Third Grade..........................Bean Bag Toss
Fourth Grade.......................Giant Dice Roll
Fifth Grade.................................Cake Walk
Seventh Grade........................Tetris Tumble
Eight Grade...............................Prize Wheel
Grades 9-12 can join in the fun as well as rack up volunteer hours.
Volunteers - We Need You!
Parents and Community Members:
Apply to become an active volunteer to help support our staff and scholars! Once you're active in our volunteer system, sign up for opportunities such as being a Lower School Room Rep, handing out the NPTO's Welcome Back Frozen Treats at our Open Houses, or helping out at the September Great Gathering Kickoff Party or October B&N Bookfair.
Click here to view the always-current list of opportunities and links to sign up.
Summer Math & Reading Challenge Reminder!
We implemented 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
Monday, August 18: Board of Directors Meeting at 6:00 PM
Thursday, August 21: Open House/Meet Your Teacher
Monday, August 25: First Day of School
Wednesday, August 27: First Day Kindergarten-families stay for coffee and donuts 8:15 AM - 9:30 AM
September
Tuesday, September 2: NPTO 7:30 PM (Virtual)
Thursday, September 12: Lower School Information Night
Tuesday, September 9: Picture Day
Friday, September 26: All-School Homecoming Parade
Saturday, September 27: Great Gatherings Carnival (Adults only)
Monday, September 29: Board of Directors Meeting at 6:00 PM
October
Thursday, October 2: No School (Staff Work Day)
Friday, October 3: No School (Professional Development)
Tuesday, October 7: First Lower School Virtue Assembly
Tuesday, October 7: Parent/Guardian Education Night and NPTO Meeting
Saturday, October 11: Barnes & Noble Book Fair
Wednesday, October 15: Grandparent & Special Person Day
Thursday, October 16: No School (Staff Work Day)
Friday - Monday, October 17 & 20: No School (Building Closed)
Wednesday, October 22: Unity Day
Monday, October 27: Board of Directors Meeting at 6:00 PM
Friday, October 31: End of Q1 (LS) / Midterms