NOVA NEWS - December 2023

I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to the Nova Classical Academy community. Your unwavering support is a significant part of our school's identity and helps us thrive as a close-knit community.

In just the past month, our school has been greatly enriched by our community's active involvement in many ways. You have provided valuable feedback through surveys related to equity and facility needs, which is helping us establish a baseline for our strategic planning efforts. This ensures that our school continues to grow and evolve to meet the needs of our students.

Your generosity on Give to the Max Day in November helped us to enhance our educational programs and facilities, providing our students with the best possible learning environment. Your presence at school events, from concerts to the captivating production of "Once Upon a Mattress," and your enthusiastic support at athletic events and various other school activities have demonstrated your commitment to our students and staff, creating cherished memories.

Above all, your collaboration with our dedicated teachers and staff in educating our scholars is the cornerstone of our success. Your partnership in nurturing the minds and hearts of our students truly sets Nova Classical Academy apart.

Thank you for being the driving force behind our school's continued success. I am truly honored to have the opportunity to serve the Nova Classical community and be a part of this remarkable journey with all of you. May each and every one of you have a relaxing time over the upcoming winter break, filled with joy and cherished moments.

It’s a Great Day to Be a Knight!

Dr. Brett Wedlund

From the November 27, 2023 Meeting:

1. The Board reviewed the SY23 audit report from CliftonLarsonAllen. The financial report showed that Nova Classical continues to have strong fiscal management including a solid fund balance.
2. The Board approved the 2022-2023 annual report, a document that is required by our authorizer Friends of Education and the MN Department of Education. This report includes information on our finances, student achievement, enrollment, and Nova Classical's strategic plan.
3. Joe Aliperto of Diece School Finance and Dr. Wedlund gave a presentation on Nova Classical's finances including information on the funding we receive from the state as well as federal monies. They also highlighted funding challenges that charter schools and school districts face to help the Board understand a big picture of public school financing.
4. The Board welcomed our new student representative, Demekech Williamson, and appreciated the insights shared about students' successes, upcoming events, and current concerns.

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

Nova Classical is excited to announce the following Special Dress Days.

12/19: Festive Sweater Day, with uniform bottoms (K-12)

2/6: Virtue Assembly, with spirit wear or uniform required (K-5)

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

• Game One (password: novaknights)
• BSN
• Or, stop by the NPTO's store at an upcoming event

Watch for the Grammar Gazette (LS) and The Herald (US) for more dates when students can wear Spirit Wear!

It's time for Dimes for Disasters, a change drive sponsored by our National Honor Society (NHS). This year's cause helps animals affected by the Maui wildfires.

The fundraiser started on Tuesday, November 28, and goes through Friday, December 8. Students in grades K-12 are invited to bring in coins or dollar bills to donate to this change drive, which will be collected and tallied by NHS, per grade. We wish NHS the best of luck for this fundraiser!

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.

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.

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

Student ID cards have been distributed to all K-12 students. LibraryGo information is on the back of each card.

Libraries open doors for reading, research, and resources! 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 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. The account number is:

Nova Classical’s school number (2209190300) + (your child’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.

Parents/guardians and community members are invited to volunteer to help in the classroom, as a room parent, or at school and NPTO events such as winter treats, February's Lower School Family Game Night, or the NPTO Chuck E. Cheese Night! 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!

Scouting Out Student Volunteering Options:

To support SoR students volunteering in our community, students are invited to Ex Hall during House on Thursday 12/14 for help navigating options to fulfill this graduation requirement.

Nova Classical's Upper School received its award as a National Blue Ribbon School for being an Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing school. Dr. Williams, Mrs. Paschall, and Dr. Johnson traveled to Washington D.C. to accept the award at that national celebration ceremony.

Thank you to our many donors who helped make Give to the Max Day a success for our school. Together, we have raised nearly $45,000 towards our goal and are still accepting donations. Congratulations to our classroom challenge winners:

• Extra Recess: Mrs. Gleason's Kindergarten
• VIP Virtue Assembly Seating: Ms. Marchand's 4th Grade
• Popcorn Party: Ms. Stohr's 3rd Grade
• US Kickball Challenge: Butts vs. Benacquista

Kudos to the Nova Players in our Drama programs!

• The cast and crew of the Upper School Fall Musical, Once Upon a Mattress, put on three entertaining shows at the Neighborhood House theater, two of which sold out!
  
• The scholars in Ms. Lund's Lower School Drama Club performed for their classmates and the community in two much-enjoyed shows!
  

12/19: Winter Treats ~ Last Day Before Winter Break (volunteers needed)

1/5: Dine to Donate at Chuck E. Cheese in Woodbury (20% give back)

1/9: PTO Meeting at 4:15 PM in the Ex Hall (3rd Floor)

1/22: Ski Outing at Buck Hill ~ Contact Matt for additional details

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

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

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 below for instructions to add our calendar to your personal calendar.

December:

3: K-12 Ice Skating Party @ 3:10 PM - 5:10 PM (NPTO)

5: NPTO Meeting @ 4:15 PM

14: SoL Concert @ 7:00 PM

20-29: No School (Building Closed)

January:

1-2: No School (Building Closed)

3: No School (Staff Work Day)

15: No School (Building Closed)

22: No School (Staff Work Day)

25: SoL Information Night

29: Board of Directors Meeting @ 6:00 PM

February:

1: SoR Information Night

6: NPTO Meeting @ 4:15 PM

15-16: One Act Play

16: No School (Staff Professional Development Day)

19: No School (Building Closed)

20-23: Snow Daze for Upper School

24: Snow Daze Dance

26: Board of Directors Meeting @ 6:00 PM

See Full Calendar