GRAMMAR GAZETTE
Back-to-School Edition!
Thursday, August 8, 2024
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 24-25 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 20 @ 5:00 PM & 6:00 PM (teachers will communicate to families which session to attend).
Lower School Open House - Thursday, August 22 @ 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 don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns!
Warm Regards,
Ms. Tousignant
Back to School Landing Page
Kudos!
Thank you to our teachers who have hosted enriching academic programming this summer including our Summer Boost, Extended School Year, and (new this year) KinderCamp! We had scholars engaging and learning this summer because of the dedicated staff hosting these programs. Thank you for your work - we appreciate you!
Our Summer Scholar Zone staff was amazing in providing theme-based opportunities and field trips to our scholars this summer! They had a dramatic Theater Week with some set design and performances, an experimental science week with a visit from the St. Paul Forensics Unit, and wave of a time during Water Week, visiting a splash pad, and having a water slide bounce house on the field! Kudos to our Scholar Zone staff for a summer of themed weeks that kept the fun rolling!
Grade 4 Teacher, Mikayla McEnery
Outside of school, Mikayla enjoys spending time outdoors, traveling, watching/playing sports, rollerblading, playing pickleball, playing softball, going for walks, and spending time on the lake. We are excited to have Mikayla at Nova Classical!
Lower School Program Coordinator & Scholar Zone Director, Estella Mangan
Nadia Hussain, Lower School Program Coordinator and Scholar Zone Director, recently resigned from her position to pursue another opportunity. We thank her for her work and contributions during her years at Nova Classical.
I am pleased to announce that Stella Mangan will be replacing Nadia in this role. Stella most recently served as a General Education Assistant and has been actively involved as the Scholar Zone Coordinator alongside Nadia over the past several months, working with aspects such as planning, registration, and billing. She also brings various organizational skills to this position, having served as an office manager for a flooring company as well as a lodging coordinator for a hunting guide service. In addition, her experience as a server has honed her ability to thrive in dynamic, fast-paced environments, ensuring positive experiences for all involved. Please join me in welcoming her to this important position!
Fall After School Clubs and 5/6 Fall Sports
Registration is open for after school clubs opens August 12, 2024! Check out all the offerings on the Extracurriculars page of the Nova Classical website!
5/6 Coed Soccer is now Middle School Boys and Middle School Girls Soccer
Attention all 5th and 6th grade soccer players: Nova Classical's 5/6 coed soccer team has a new format this season! Interested players should register for either the boys middle school soccer team or the girls middle school team. Teams will be made up of athletes in grades 5-8 and will compete in a new middle school league composed of other metro area charter schools. Details and the schedule are available on the Extracurriculars page of our website.
Middle School Boys Soccer information here.
Middle School Girls Soccer information here.
Registration opens August 16, 2024. Limited space available.
New Lower School Art Website!
Ms. J invites all families to follow along on all of the Lower School creative art adventures on our cool new art room website! Bookmark https://novaacademyart.my.canva.site/ to find information about what each grade is working on, art grades, art show news and more!
NPTO Updates!
New this year? Want to stay in touch with fellow Nova Classical families? Sign up for the Family Directory to get connected!
Nova PTO Meetings are held virtually the first Tuesday of each month at 7:30pm, except for our first meeting of the year, which will meet ONLY in-person at Nova on Tuesday, September 3, 2024 with pizza dinner at 5:30pm and childcare provided from 6:00 - 7:00 PM. RSVP for Dinner and Childcare here: https://tinyurl.com/2xqkbbu2
Upcoming Fall 2024 Events:
8/22: Lower School Open House - Spirit Wear Sale and welcome back frozen treats
8/28: Kindergarten Coffee. All parents welcome. Meet near the main entrance 8:00 - 9:00 AM
9/3: First NPTO Meeting of the year ONLY in-person at Nova. RSVP https://tinyurl.com/2xqkbbu2
9/17: Dine Out to Donate 15% to Nova at A-Side Public House in St. Paul
9/28: Book Fair Barnes & Noble in Roseville
Follow NPTO on Facebook, Instagram, or visit novapto.org for more information!
Nova Family Carnival
Nova Classical’s annual Great Gatherings Gala is becoming a family-friendly carnival event. This whirlwind of fun is your chance to mingle with school families, enjoy family-friendly games, and sign up for future Gatherings held through the rest of the school year, and all for a good cause!
Don't miss the chance to be part of the merriment throughout the day on Saturday, November 9 at Nova Classical Academy. Learn more at NovaPTO.org. There, you can connect to the carnival team, virtual planning sessions, and volunteer roles as well as contribute an auction item or host a Gathering. We hope to see you there!
Volunteers - We Need You!
Parents and Community Members:
Apply to become an active volunteer to help support our staff and scholars! Consider being a Lower School Room Rep or handing out the NPTO's Welcome Back Frozen Treats at our Open Houses. Click here to view the always-current list of opportunities and links to sign up.
SoR Volunteering Network:
Nova Classical Families, do you know of a non-profit that needs help in our community? Do you need help in your research lab or hospital this summer? Do you have a connection with an animal shelter, museum, or park cleanup group? SoR Students are required to log 80 hours of community service to graduate. Please help us connect our students with opportunities in the community. Please contact Ms. Voelker, School Counselor, Grades 8-12, with questions or ideas.
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:
13: Fall Activities Registration Opens
19: Board of Directors Meeting at 6:00 PM
22: Lower School Open House 5:30-7:30 PM
26: 1st day of school for Grades 1-12
28: 1st day of school for Kindergarten
September:
2: No School (Building Closed)
3: NPTO Meeting (in-person community dinner and meeting)
12: Lower School Info Night
18: Picture Day
28: Book Fair (NPTO)
27: Homecoming Parade
30: Board of Directors Meeting at 6:00 PM
October:
1: NPTO Zoom-only Meeting at 7:30 PM
3: No School (Staff Work Day)
4: No School (Staff Professional Development Day)
8: Parent Education Night
11: Grandparents/Special Persons Day
16: Unity Day
16: Classical Parent Education Night
17: No School (Staff Work Day)
18: No School (Building Closed)
21: No School (Building Closed)
24: Picture Retakes
28: Board of Directors Meeting at 6:00 PM
31: End of Q1 (LS) / Midterms (US)