The Herald

Dear Nova Classical Academy Upper School Families,

As we approach the end of the first semester, I would like to express my gratitude to our families for not only for choosing Nova Classical for your children but your steadfast support of our students, teachers and school community. It is through your active involvement and commitment that we continue to foster a positive and enriching educational experience for all students. Thank you!

Please note, there is no school on Monday, January 22. First semester grades will be mailed by Monday, February 5.

There are many upcoming Upper School and community events in the coming weeks. I would like to highlight the SoL Information Night for rising 6th graders on Thursday, January 25, the SoR Information Night for rising 9th graders on Thursday, February 1 and the Equity Family Education Night on Thursday, February 8. More information about these events can be found below.

Warmest regards,

Mrs. Paschall

December/January Students of the Month Honorees will be announced on Tuesday, January 23, and will be recognized during the House Assembly on Friday, January 26.

Nova Classical is proud to send Chloe Brown, James Garske, Kincaid Gerber and Will Shephard to this year's 9th and 10th grade state honor choir hosted by the MN American Choral Directors Association. Our students were chosen from thousands of auditions submitted from across the state for this honor. We are so proud of them! The concert is open to the public on February 17 at 6:00 PM at the Minneapolis Convention Center. Please consider coming to support our students!

Mock Trial

Congratulations to the Nova Classical Mock Trial Team for their successes so far this season. All four Nova Mock Trial teams won in Round #2 of Regionals, making Nova undefeated in the first 8 trials! Outstanding attorneys were Angelina Kabinuk, Omeed Church, Cece Roberts, and Natalie Heideman. Outstanding witnesses were Marcos Odegard, Ares Drake, Molly Faulken, and Grace Bayne. Go Knights!

Youth In Government

Nova Classical was represented by a delegation of 8-12 grade students at the YMCA Youth in Government Conference in early January. High School students served as legislators, judges, attorneys, lobbyists, media representatives, or cabinet members. Eighth-grade students participated as a members of the Leadership Corps, experiencing all areas of the program. Students focused on state and local issues, had the opportunity to work with students from across the state and practice leadership skills in this entirely student-led state government.

Has your student achieved something remarkable beyond the classroom? Have they been honored with a special medal or award? Have they made a positive impact in their community or achieved something else extraordinary?

Kindly provide us with the details by completing and submitting this form. Your student could be recognized in our morning announcements, student assembly, staff newsletter, or in The Herald.

College Inside Track will be hosting a virtual event to share information about the college planning process. If you are the parent of a HS student in grades 9-11, this is incredibly important info you will not want to miss. Register today!

Join us to learn how these changes may impact your family, and new strategies to consider to give your student the best opportunity to be admitted and maximize scholarships and financial aid.

WHEN: Monday, January 22, at 7:00 PM

WHERE: Zoom webinar

REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED! Use this link to register in ADVANCE.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

SoR Information Night, Thursday, February 1, 5:00-7:00 PM

Parents and students of this year’s 8th-grade class are invited to attend an informational event to learn more about Nova Classical’s School of Rhetoric. Teachers and current SoR students will share what our high school has to offer! A light dinner will be provided. Plan to attend this fun event, RSVP HERE!

Snow Daze

SoR students will be celebrating Snow Daze from Tuesday, February, 20 - Friday, February 23. The Snow Daze dance will take place on Saturday, February 24 from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM. Snow Daze is organized by the SoR Senate.

Senior Retreat, Saturday, March 16 - Sunday, March 17

The Class of 2024 will be going to Camp St. Croix from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM and returning to Nova Classical at approximately 8:30 PM and then they will be spending the night at Nova Classical. It will last until 8 AM on Sunday. The estimated cost is $70 per student which includes busing, activities at Camp St. Croix, food and fun overnight events at school. Please consider supporting this exciting event in one of the following ways:

• Amazon wish list for Senior Retreat
• Volunteering to chaperone overnight (8 PM to 8 AM--shifts available)

Please email Mrs. Paschall at tpaschall@novaclassical.org if you are interested

ACT District Testing for Juniors, Tuesday, March 26

ACT district testing for 11th grade students will take place during the school day. 11th graders will be registered for the ACT test by Nova Classical. 10th grade students who are interested in testing may register for an open site at www.act.org. Please contact Ms. Voelker with questions.

Junior/Senior Prom, Saturday, May 4

Nova Classical will be hosting the Junior/Senior Prom at 413 on Wacouta. Times, TBD.

Spelling Bee: Grades 3-8 Students

Thursday, January 25: School-wide Bee

Week of February 5: School-wide champion takes online test

Thursday, March 7: Regional Bee at Fridley High School Auditorium

National History Bee: Grades 4-8 Students

Students took preliminary exams to qualify for the online test, we will be in touch after winter break if your student moves on to the next step of the process!

Thursday, February 15: School-Wide Bee for Top 25 qualifying students

SoL Information Night, Thursday, January 25, 5:00-7:00 PM

Attention 5th Grade Nova Classical Families!

Please join us to learn more about School of Logic at Nova! Parents/guardians and students will take an academic tour and learn more about School of Logic classes, student supports, and student culture.

There will also be a pizza dinner and a Q & A session with our School of Logic Senators. For planning purposes, please RSVP here.

SoL Black and White Dance, Friday, January 26, 7:00-9:00 PM

Senate is excited to host the annual Black and White Dance for grades 6-8 on January 26. The doors open at 6:50 PM and the dance goes to 9 PM. Admission is $5 and there will be snacks available for purchase.

To get ready for the Black and White Dance, there will be two dress up days for SOL scholars! Uniform bottoms are required for both days. Thursday, 1/25 is Class Color Day. Sixth graders wear green, seventh graders wear blue and eighth graders wear pink. Show your colors on Thursday! Friday is Spirit Wear day!

The dance dress code is black and white clothes for 6th and 7th graders and 8th graders may wear bright colors. We look forward to seeing everybody!

Upper School students in the 8th, 9th, 10th, and 11th grades considering PSEO (either part-time or full-time) are required to attend the PSEO information meeting on Thursday, February 1, from 7:30-8:30 PM (in-person only, Great Room) in order to gain state-mandated information about the program and to be school eligible to participate in a PSEO program while at Nova; one parent/guardian is required to attend the meeting. If students and at least one parent/guardian do not attend the meeting, they and one parent/guardian are required to set up a meeting with the school counselor prior to May 15 to discuss PSEO program eligibility and expectations.

Families of 8th grade scholars are welcome to attend to learn more about the program, but only students who are planning on enrolling in PSEO the following Fall Semester are required to attend (Current 9th-11th grade scholars, as this opportunity is only available for 10th-12th grade Minnesota High School students). Please RSVP.

If you are unable to attend the in-person event, please schedule an appointment with Ms. Voelker.

This informational meeting covers what PSEO is, how PSEO works with NCA graduation requirements, and the PSEO application and intent to enroll processes.

The Nova Equity Team is hosting an equity-focused family education night on Thursday, February 8, from 6:00-7:30 PM. All families are welcome! Food and babysitting will be provided.

There will be a social hour followed by thoughtful study and conversation. For planning purposes, please complete this brief form if you plan to attend.

Please email equitycoordinator@novaclassical.org with any questions that you have.

Welcome, Mrs. Kaitlin Ruppert, who joins Nova Classical as our Upper School Office Manager!

Mrs. Ruppert has a Bachelor's in Psychology from St. Cloud State University and is currently working towards an A1 certificate in Spanish Language. Most recently, she has worked as an Administrative Assistant.

Mrs. Ruppert enjoys thrifting, crafting, and baking (especially for other people). She is also a big Disney fan and a certified travel advisor. She has been married to her husband, Tony, for five years, and they own a cat named Ellie. She is a military spouse and loves volunteering to support other military families. Mrs. Ruppert shares, “I've heard that Nova is a wonderful place to work, and I am excited to get to experience it for myself!”

The next Spirit Wear Day for Upper School students is Friday, January 26.

Need spirit wear? Nova Classical works with the following vendors:

• Game One (password: novaknights)
• BSN

With the return of cooler temperatures, we've noticed some departures from our established uniform guidelines. To reinforce these expectations and provide some clarifications, please note the following:

• Shoes are to be solid colors (i.e. white, black, brown, gray).
• Dress or athletic shoes or ankle-height boots may be worn.
• Crocs, clogs, slippers (including UGG Tasman slippers), slides, flip flops may not be worn.

• Sweatpants/joggers may not be worn under skirts or as uniform pants.
• Leggings may be worn (only when worn under skirt) and should be ankle-length and not baggy.
• Tights may be worn (only when worn under skirt) and must be plain (no patterns).

Upper School Uniform Guidelines may be found HERE.

Registration for Athletics opened on January 15.

Registration for Spring Clubs opens Monday, January 29, 2024, and closes February 16, 2024. Spring Clubs run Tuesday, February 20, 2024 - Tuesday, April 30, 2024.

Please visit the out the Extracurriculars page of our website for registration information.

• January 22: Ski Outing at Buck Hill ~ Contact Matt for additional details
• Our next meeting is Tuesday, February 6 at 4:15 PM and will be virtual.
• Sign up for the Nova Classical Family Directory at novapto.membershiptoolkit.com. There are lots of exciting incentives in store, including a prize for a lucky Nova community member who signs up for the directory between now and February 19. Gift cards and prizes such as tickets to the MN Orchestra will be given away! Opt in and win today!
• There are still lots of Great Gathering spots available! Connect with community by joining us at these fun events! You can view and purchase remaining gatherings here.

Check out all of NPTO's dates and information here! Follow NPTO on Facebook, Instagram, or visit their website for more information.

Please remember to bring your State or Federal Photo ID when checking your students in and out. We ask that you wait in the Main Office for your student, rather than in the Great Room.

Traffic

Please remember to follow all road and parking signs around the school including no parking areas, as well as any instructions from Nova Classical staff. Please also be sure to follow the one-way traffic areas during drop off and pick up each day.

Please do not U-turn in front of out building's entrance. This is a safety hazard for pedestrians and other drivers.

Volunteer to help support spring school and NPTO events including Multicultural Night in April, Teacher Appreciation Week in May, 8th-Grade Promotion, and Graduation! Please click here to browse and sign up for opportunities. All adult volunteers must have an up-to-date background check on file. Apply to volunteer with us, today!

SoR Students who are working towards their 80-volunteer hours Graduation Requirement must complete this form and return it to Ms. Voelker. For tips on scouting out volunteering options, check out some resources linked here.

Breakfast is available to all Nova Classical students free of charge. Breakfast is served 8:00 - 8:45 AM each day that school is in session. Start your day out right and have breakfast with us!

Meal Program Information 2023-2024

January Breakfast & Lunch Menus

Enrollment application for the 2024-2025 school year is open. Please visit our website for information. All applications submitted through January 31, 2024, at 4:00 PM, will be entered into the enrollment lottery in February 2024.

Current students do not need to reapply.

Have you ever wondered if it is an A, B, or C Day? Can't remember when picture day is? Subscribe to our calendar to always be in the know! Click the link here for instructions to add our calendar to your personal calendar.

January:

22: No School (Staff Work Day)

25: SoL Information Night @ 5:00 PM

26: Upper School Assembly @ 3:20 PM

26: SoL Black and White Dance

29: Board of Directors Meeting @ 6:00 PM

February:

1: SoR Information Night @ 5:00 PM

1: PSEO Information Night @ 7:30 PM

6: NPTO Meeting @ 4:15 PM

8: Equity Team: Family Education Night

9-10: US One Act Play Festival

16: No School (Staff Professional Development Day)

19: No School (Building Closed)

20-23: SoR Snow Daze Week

24: SoR Snow Daze Dance 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM

26: Board of Directors Meeting @ 6:00 PM

March:

5: NPTO Meeting @ 4:15 PM

8: K-12 Conferences (No School)

11: Staff Work Day (No School)

25: Board of Directors Meeting @ 6:00 PM

28: End of Quarter 3 (LS)/Semester 2 Midterm (US)

29: Staff Work Day (No School)

See Full Calendar