GRAMMAR GAZETTE
Back-to-School Edition!
Thursday, May 8, 2025
Dear Wonderful Nova Classical Lower School Families,
As we step into May and the last few weeks of the school year, it’s hard to believe this is the final newsletter of the school year—and what a year it has been! The end of the year brings a flurry of activity, from special events and celebrations to meaningful classroom moments and goodbyes. Our students have grown so much, and it’s been a joy to watch them learn, lead, and flourish.
This time also marks a personal milestone for me. After ten incredible years, this will be my final year as Lower School Principal at Nova. I want to extend my deepest gratitude to all of you for your trust, partnership, and support over the years. It has been the greatest honor of my career to be part of this community, to serve your children, and to work alongside such dedicated staff and families. Thank you for allowing me to be part of your journey.
Other upcoming events and important dates:
- Thursday, May 8: Lower School Vocal Concert 6:00-8:15 PM
- Thursday, May 8: Boosterthon Kick-Off
- Friday, May 16: Boosterthon Fun Run
- Friday, May 16 & Saturday, May 17: US Musical - James & the Giant Peach
- Friday, May 23: No School (Staff Work Day)
- Monday, May 26: No School (Memorial Day)
- Monday, June 2: Virtue Assembly @ 3:00 PM* Note: Monday, not Tuesday
- Monday, June 2: Spirit Wear Day
- Wednesday, June 4: Last Day of School
Be sure to read this month's Gazette to learn more about upcoming events and school information, and, as always, feel free to reach out if you have any questions or concerns.
Let’s finish strong and cherish these last weeks together.
Warm Regards,
Ms. Tousignant
Lower School Vocal Concert — Thursday, May 8
We look forward to seeing you TONIGHT, Thursday, May 8 at our K-5 Vocal Concert!
Schedule for the evening:
Grades K-2: 6:00-6:45 PM
*Intermission*
Grades 3-5: 7:15-8:15 PM
Concert attendance by all K-5 students for their portion of the concert is required as part of their music grade. Attire is the school uniform.
More information can be found in the newsletter that was sent to families.
Boosterthon Fundraiser: Fun Run & Color Run: Friday, May 16
Boosterthon is returning this year to help fundraise $60,000 for our general fund: advancing academics, extracurriculars, student support, and character development through our core virtues: justice, temperance, fortitude, wisdom, and prudence. Lower School homerooms and SoL Houses compete for daily challenges and overall prizes and then celebrate with a Fun Run the morning of May 16 and Color Run that afternoon.
You can click here and search for "Nova Classical Academy" to register your student. The excitement will start building in classrooms with our in-school kickoff on May 8, when families begin gathering pledges towards your student's homeroom and House prizes.
Families are invited to come watch the Lower School Fun Runs. The schedule and signup to volunteer are here.
Spring Musical - James and The Giant Peach!
Tickets are on sale now for the Upper School drama production of James and the Giant Peach! Performances are held at Neighborhood House located at 179 Robie St E in St. Paul on Friday, May 16 and Saturday, May 17.
Purchase tickets here. Online sales only! No cash sales at the door.
Nova Classical's Annual Used Uniform Sale
Our Annual Used Uniform Sale will be held on July 31, 2025. Please sign up to volunteer. We will accept laundered, gently used uniform pieces -- no holes or stains -- to sell at our Used Uniform Sale.
Donations may be dropped off at the Main Office during the last week of school, June 2-4, and during the summer, Monday - Thursday, from 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM, through July 28. If your donations do not have tags, please indicate size(s) to help us correctly label and organize donations for the sale. All proceeds benefit Nova Classical's Uniform Assistance Program.
Annual Update for 2025-2026
Are your students returning for the 2025-2026 school year? Please complete the Annual Update in the Infinite Campus Parent/Guardian Portal to confirm/update contact and transportation information.
If your students are not returning, please email enrollment@novaclassical.org to begin the withdrawal process. We sincerely appreciate notice if your family intends to withdraw, allowing us to create a smooth transition for the withdrawing student. This also helps us to provide offers to students on the waitlist who are hoping to come to Nova Classical in the coming year.
Green Team Updates!
Thank you so much for your plastic donations in the fall that helped us make Nova more green. We would love your help to do it again! In order to secure free plastic film collection for the entire 2025-2026 school year, we need ten more families to sign up for Ridwell’s services at home. Sign up at get.ridwell.com/nova by the deadline on May 23.
During this drive feel free to send plastic film from home to Nova with your scholar to get saved from a landfill. The last day to bring in plastic is May 13th. Please do not send plastic after that date. Thank you all for your support!
Last SOS Day of the Year!
Give your kids a fun-filled break during their days off! S.O.S. (School Out of Session) Days are packed with engaging activities in a safe, friendly space where they can create, play, and enjoy quality time with friends. Don’t miss out on the excitement!
Click the link below to register:
Summer Scholar Zone is Almost Full!
Registration for Summer Scholar Zone closes on Sunday, May 19! Daily spots are filling up quickly, so if you're already registered but haven't selected your specific days yet, please do so as soon as possible to secure your spot. If you are unsure about how to do this, please email scholarzone@novaclassical.org
EduKits Available Now! Orders due by June 23rd
Did you forget to order your EduKit last year? Did you spend the day before school began staring at wiped-out shelves at the local store? Order your EduKit today to guarantee an enjoyable last day of summer!
Ordering through EduKit makes back-to-school shopping a breeze! With just a few clicks, you can have all your child’s school supplies delivered directly to their classroom by the first day of school. Each kit is teacher-approved and customized to match our school’s supply list, ensuring your child has exactly what they need on day one. Plus, a portion of each purchase supports our school community!
Summer camps and clinics are open for registration on the Extracurriculars page of the Nova website. See what's being offered here.
LibraryGo Information
Libraries open doors for reading, research, and resources! Nova Classical Student IDs double as Library Cards again this year! Through our LibraryGo partnership with the St. Paul Public Library (SPPL), all students have active library cards that can be used to check out up to five (5) books and materials, and to access their online databases. Help your student use their account online or at checkout at one of the 14 SPPL branches.
- Account number: Nova Classical’s school number (2209190300) + (the scholar's 4-digit lunch PIN number)
- Password: Your child’s birthday written MMDDYY, for example, January 26, 2012 would be 01262012
If you have questions about this program, contact Ms. Gabor at vgabor@novaclassical.org.
NPTO Updates
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: We are looking for helpers. Single event, short term and long term roles available. Check out more here
Upcoming Events:
May 10: Group Mountain Bike Ride 9:00-11:00 AM. Carver Lake Purchase Tickets. All Ages.
May 31: Save the Monarch Butterflies at Nova purchase tickets. All Ages.
June 3: NPTO Zoom Meeting 7:30 PM (Meeting ID: 842 4045 9837 Passcode: enrich)
July 17: Historic Hill Party and Walking Tour purchase tickets. Adults Only.
SAVE THE DATES:
- 2025 Great Gatherings Kickoff Party Saturday September 27, 2025
- 2025 Nova Family Carnival is Saturday November 8, 2025
Follow NPTO on Facebook, sign up to volunteer, or visit our website for more information and get in touch with Nova Classical families when you sign up for the Family Directory!
Volunteers — We Need You!
Apply to become an active volunteer to help support our scholars and school community! Click here to view the always-current list of opportunities and links to sign up. Sign up to help make our upcoming community events a success!
We need:
- A team of helpers for the Boosterthon Fun Run as well as t-shirt and prize distribution
- Assistance assembling Senior Baskets
- Help setting up and cutting cake at the Graduation Reception
- Help pass out our Last Day of School Treats
- help organizing and running the Used Uniform Sale
Please contact Ms. Gabor, Community Engagement Manager, for any questions about volunteering or background checks.
Upcoming Lower School Events!
May
8: Lower School Vocal Concert 6:00-8:15 PM
16: Boosterthon Fun Run & Color Run
16-17: NCA Drama Presents: James and the Giant Peach
19: Board of Directors Meeting at 6:00 PM
23: No School (Staff Work Day)
26: No School (Building Closed)
June:
2: Virtue Assembly @ 3:00 PM *Note: Monday, not Tuesday
2: Spirit Wear Day
4: Last Day of School
19: Building Closed (Observed Holiday)
Summer Office Hours:
June 9-August 8: Monday-Thursday, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Offices will closed on Fridays
Our Winning Battle of the Books Team!
The LS Art Show was glowing with excitement!
Kudos to Ms. J and our amazing artists for producing over 1,100 student artworks to display at this year's "Glow Show"! We loved the theme and creativity that went into this year's art show!
