NOVA NEWS - March 2024

The 2024 Minnesota Legislative session has begun. Last year's session was very busy. While there was a lot of attention given to the increase in money funding education, not much attention was given to the new rules and requirements imposed on schools by the large number of bills passed last year.

These new rules ended up costing many schools more money, putting them in a tighter budget spot than before. Nova Classical Academy is one such school. Out of 511 public school districts and charter schools in Minnesota, Nova Classical ranks 500th in state funding. This puts us at a disadvantage in terms of the resources that we have available to us. For example, we receive $9,058 to educate each student this year, while St. Paul Public Schools receives $15,014 per student.

This year's legislative session is likely to be another busy one. There were 40 education-related bills introduced on the first day of the session alone. You can help us by contacting your Senator and Representative to support fair treatment for Nova Classical and all charter schools. Some Nova Classical families live in legislative districts without any charter schools, so it's important for you to speak up as you may be the only charter school voice your legislator hears.

Here are some priorities of the charter school movement that you can ask your legislator to support this year:

• Equal funding for safety projects in charter schools

• Equal funding for extra services outside of regular school hours

• An increase to the lease aid formula, which pays the rent on our building

• Allowing charter schools to own their buildings instead of renting, which can save money by providing us access to lower interest rates

I'm proud of the work Nova Classical Academy and other charter schools in Minnesota are doing. As people who benefit from charter schools, it's important for us to speak up and support our charter movement with our elected officials.

It's a Great Day to Be a Knight!

Dr. Brett Wedlund

The National Honor Society and Nova Classical Equity Team invite you to join us at this year's Family Multicultural Night on Thursday, April 11, from 5:30-7:30 PM. All are invited to a night of celebrating our families and our exciting diversity of cultures through delicious food and good conversation!

RSVP: Everyone planning to attend is asked to RSVP here, where you are also encouraged to sign up to contribute to the community potluck! The RSVP deadline is Monday, April 8.

Interested in hosting a Cultural Booth?

We are looking for families who are willing to showcase their cultures more formally through a Cultural Booth! Hosting a Cultural Booth will be a bit more intensive, as it will require more food and information preparation. If you are interested in hosting a Cultural Booth, please fill out this form. The Cultural Booth Interest Form deadline is Friday, March 22.

Questions?

We welcome any questions at equitycoordinator@novaclassical.org!

We hope to see you there!

Check out the Extracurriculars page of our website for more information!

We had a great time at Family Game Night on February 23! Over 400 attendees enjoyed a taco bar potluck, a spirit wear store, an author feature with Mrs. Gleason, a robotics demonstration, games in the gym, board games all over, and Ms. Tousignant's bingo with prizes! Thank you so much to everyone who attended and volunteered at the event. We are already looking forward to next year!

Nova Robotics rockets to success at the Minnesota State FTC Championship! Argonauts earn the prestigious Compass Award while Tempest Team storms into 2nd place Inspire. Now, brace for lift-off as Tempest heads to the FTC World Championship in Houston, Texas!

Step into the enchanting world of 'Beauty and the Beast' as our school was captivated by Opera for the Young's adaptation, with the melodious voices of Nova Classical 4th Graders filling the air as the Children's Chorus. Thank you NPTO for your sponsorship!

We recently celebrated 100 days of school in Kindergarten! The scholars watched Mrs. Gleason unroll the longest number scroll written by a Nova Classical Kindergartener between 2013-20. It now reached into the gym! Our Kindergarten students can use their fortitude and write their numbers beyond 100.

On Thursday, February 15, we hosted our annual History Bee!

We had 21 students in grades 4-8 compete in an auditorium-style bee, which went through 7 rounds of questions.

Congratulations to our winners:

1st Place: Henry P., grade 8

2nd Place: James O., grade 8

3rd Place: Emir A., grade 6

Congratulations also to all of our other contestants:

4th: Harriet B.

5th Grade: Seraphina E-B., Eleanore C., Charlie G., Sal P., Lincoln B., Ben H., Ebenezer G., Natalie H., and Calvin C.

6th Grade: Sofian B., Theodore R., and Niko F.

7th Grade: Josh G.

8th Grade: Winston Z., Ansel N., Reine G., Enzo P., and Jason W.

Congratulations to Sonja Schweser for being selected as one of the top artists in the MN State Bar Association's Trial Artist Contest! The MN State Bar Association ran a trial artist contest for students to compete and attend during the Mock Trial competitions for the first time this year. Sonja's winning drawing has earned her a spot at the State Tournament. Way to go, Sonja! Your talent shines bright.

Congratulations to the State-qualifying Nova Classical Academy Mock Trial team for advancing to the State Tournament on March 7 and 8, 2024. Nova Classical defeated St. Thomas Academy by a decision of 3-0 and will be one of 16 schools to compete in the tournament. We wish you good luck. Way to go Knights!!

Gratitude echoes louder than applause. Thank you to all who joined us in celebrating the magic of theater at our One Act Play Festival on February 9 and 10!

Parents/guardians and community members are invited to volunteer to help with our upcoming events such as Multicultural Night, the Senior Retreat, the Lower School Art Show, and the Boosterthon Fun Run! Please click here to browse and sign up for opportunities.

All volunteers must have an up-to-date background check on file. Apply to volunteer with us, today!

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, Grade 8-12 Counselor, with questions or ideas.

1. The Board approved a 2023-24 budget revision that included a retention bonus for all benefit-eligible salaried and hourly employees who are employed by Nova Classical on June 6, 2024, and remain employed by Nova on September 6, 2024. The bonus for salaried employees is equivalent to 10% of their FY23 salary. The bonus for hourly employees is equivalent to 150 times their FY23 hourly wage.

2. The Board approved entering into a girls lacrosse co-op with St. Paul Academy (SPA). After all schools involved approve the co-op, SPA will apply for approval with the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) to start the co-op.

3. The Board approved small increases to over-enrollment numbers through the last day of summer for grades in the Upper School (grades 6-12). This will allow Nova Classical to extend enrollment offers to more students on the waitlist, which in turn will likely result in more complete classes for the start of the academic year.

4. The Board training for February was on Special Education at Nova Classical. Special Education Coordinator, Abby Kelley-Hands, presented to the board on the history of special education in the United States, federal and state mandates, the process to refer a student for special education, and how families are involved. Ms. Kelley-Hands finished the training by explaining some of the current challenges within the special education field and highlighted many successes the special education team at Nova Classical have experienced recently.

For meeting minutes and agendas for upcoming meetings, visit the Board section of Nova Classical's website.

Nova Classical Academy is seeking nominations for candidates to serve on our Board of Directors. We will be filling the following TWO seats:

• One (1) parent seat for a parent of a currently enrolled Nova Classical student for a three-year term
• One (1) teacher seat for a licensed faculty member currently employed by Nova Classical for a three-year term
  

The nomination period begins on Friday, March 1, and ends on Friday, April 5, at 4:00 PM. People may email nominations to governance@novaclassical.org or complete the online Candidate Questionnaire if they wish to run for a board seat.

More information about the election process is available on Nova Classical's website at https://www.novaclassical.org/about/board/#elections.

Great Gatherings

Several gatherings are still available, visit this link to view the complete list, click here.

PTO Meetings

• Tuesday, April 9: Virtual Only PTO Meeting (4:15 - 5:15 PM) via Zoom
• Tuesday, May 7: Last PTO Meeting of the 2023-2024 School Year featuring Special Guests, Dinner, and Kid Activities (more details to come).

Sign up for the Nova Classical Family Directory at novapto.membershiptoolkit.com

Follow NPTO on Facebook, Instagram, or visit their website for more information!

March:

8: No School (K-12 Conferences)

11: No School (Staff Work Day)

25: Board of Directors Meeting @ 6:00 PM

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

29: No School (Staff Work Day)

April:

1-5: No School (Spring Break, Building Closed)

8: Start of Quarter 4

10: No School (Staff Work Day)

26: No School (Staff Work Day)

29: Board of Directors Meeting at 6:00 PM

May:

3: No School (Staff Work Day)

20: Board of Directors Meeting at 6:00 PM

24: No School (Staff Work Day)

27: No School (Building Closed)

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