NOVA NEWS - March 2026
Dear Nova Classical Community,
It is clear that the past couple of months have been challenging for both our school and the broader community around us. In conversations with families, staff, and students, one theme continues to rise to the surface: connection matters. I have heard repeatedly how meaningful it has been to simply show up for one another. That has taken many forms, from families greeting students at arrival and dismissal to the steady work of the NPTO and the Community Care Group supporting needs behind the scenes.
Spring is always an energizing season at Nova, and it brings with it a natural opportunity to lean into those connections. Students will connect through virtue assemblies, SoR and SoL assemblies, the Spring Fling Dance, a wide range of spring extracurriculars, and many other activities. Long standing traditions such as the second grade Medieval Feast, Ascot, the Capstone Trip to Greece and Rome, and the senior retreat are just a sampling of the experiences that create shared experiences and bring students together in meaningful ways.
Our broader community also has opportunities to gather and connect. Graduation marks an important milestone for our seniors and their families. Attending concerts, cheering on the Knights at their games and meets, participating in Multicultural Night, attending NPTO meetings, and attending the Boosterthon Fun Run all provide opportunities to come together and build relationships.
In seasons like this, those opportunities to connect matter. They strengthen the supportive community Nova has built over the past 23 years and help carry us forward together. I look forward to seeing many of you at these events in the weeks ahead.
It’s a Great Day to be a Knight!
Dr. Brett Wedlund
Lower School Virtue Assembly
Basketball Senior Night
SoL Science Olympiad
places 4th at State!
Family Multicultural Night--Thursday, April 16
Get involved in this year’s Family Multicultural Night!
All Nova Classical families are invited to attend this year's Family Multicultural Night on Thursday, April 16, from 5:30-7:30 PM! This is a night of celebration that thrives because of the involvement of our amazing community.
Visit this link RSVP, volunteer, and contribute to the potluck! Please note: This event is open to all members of the immediate Nova Classical community and their families! However, for the safety of the community, the event is not open to the general public. To ensure that attendees are members of the Nova community, families must RSVP to be allowed entry into the event.
Want to be even more involved?
Questions about Family Multicultural Night? Contact the Equity Team at equitycoordinator@novaclassical.org. Hope to see you there!
Supernova 2026 Film & Music Festival
WHEN: Friday, May 1, 2026
WHERE: Nova Great Hall 4:00-9:00 PM
SUBMISSIONS: Accepting submissions here
TICKETS: Available on the NPTO store
Save the Date for Upper School Drama's performance of Antigone
When: May 22 & 23, 2026
Where: Park Square Theater in St. Paul
Five Nova Nordic skiers ended their season and participation in the Mounds Park Academy Co-op with strong showings in their races.
- Eli Andre (Senior) qualified individually for the 2026 MSHSL Nordic Ski Race State Meet at Giant's Ridge and placed 7th overall in the Pursuit competition on February 12, 2026.
- The IMAC Conference JV, Middle School, and 6th Grade Championship races took place on February 6, 2026 at Elm Creek. Both Isabel Pass (9th grade) and Eleanor Sample (8th grade) won their respective races, with Isabel winning the JV Classic race and Eleanor winning the Middle School Skate race. Eva Sample (6th grade) took 3rd place in the 6th Grade Classic race. Archer DeHoskins (Senior) took 2nd place in the Boys High School Beginner race. Congratulations, skiers!
Congratulations to the Educated Guesses, Nova Classical Academy’s Science Olympiad team!
During February, this team of 15 SoL students brought home the 3rd place trophy from the Regional tournament, medaling in Code Busters and Meteorology and advanced to States! At the State Tournament, the Educated Guesses earned an incredible 4th place overall, bringing home medals in six events!
- 3rd Place – Metric Mastery: Graham Lohse and Michelle Liang
- 2nd Place – Circuit Lab: Nathan Sun and Nuree Wong
- 2nd Place – Codebusters: Vera Delgado, Eleanor Sample, and Nuree Wong
- 2nd Place – Experimental Design: Sophie Gabor and Johann Winter
- 2nd Place – Meteorology: Sophie Gabor and Eleanor Sample
- 2nd Place – Scrambler: Gus Lapham and Jacob Shishkin
What an outstanding showing at State! We are so proud of your hard work, teamwork, and dedication. Way to go, Educated Guesses!
Parents and Community Members:
Apply to become an active volunteer to help support our staff and scholars! Click here to view the always-current list of opportunities and links to sign up.
- March 13-14: Senior OverKnight Retreat
- April 16: NCA Family Multicultural Night
- May 1: Supernova Music + Film Fest
- May 2: Prom Decorating Committee
- May 4-8: Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week:
- May 11-15: Boosterton Prize Distribution and Fun Run (coming soon!)
- May 31: Graduation Reception
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. Landrum (Voelker), School Counselor, Grades 8-12, with questions or ideas.
Highlights from the February 23 Nova Classical Board Meeting:
- The Board is committed to our learning. This months Board training was led by the Nova Classical Pedagogical Leads. This was a version of the "Is it Virtuous?" training they led staff through during recent professional development, which helps guide us think more deeply about virtue instruction in our school and virtue in our decision making as a board.
Dr. Wedlund provided updates on several items. The "Is It Virtuous" training from our Pedagogy Leads is the start of the work on the strategic plan objective 1.5. School leadership is exploring budget options for FY28 or later should the State change ADSIS funding that would not impact existing student support structures. Dr. Wedlund also gave an update on the start of the state legislative session, as well as hopes and concerns for this new session.
The Budget and Finance Committee noted that a revised budget and FY27 budget are in progress.
The Executive Director Review Committee is now moving into a monthly meeting schedule. These are closed meetings and not open to the public.
The Academic Excellence Committee is working to review student data via standardized testing outcomes and will provide a more detailed report later this year.
Nova Board, Academic, and Testing Calendars were approved for FY28, as well as a revision to the FY27 Academic Calendar.
New-to-Nova: an American Indian Parent Advisory Committee has been formed. This is a requirement as our American Indian student population has grown and provides a great opportunity for inclusion practices in our school. The AIPAC submitted a vote of nonconcurrence of which the Board signed off in acknowledgement. The Committee looks forward to continuing their work.
The Board voted on the Read Act Requirement Administrative Guidance for READ Act Compliance. This includes the plan for continued professional development for instructional staff at Nova.
While no decisions were needed at this meeting, expansion updates were discussed. The expansion project continues to progress and expects to begin the build this Spring.
Elections for new Board Members is underway! Five parent seats are open. Feel free to join a meeting or connect with a current Board member if you would like more information on what Board service is like.
- The next regular Board meeting will be on Monday, March 30, 2026, at 6:00 PM. Please join virtually or at school.
For meeting minutes and agendas for upcoming meetings, visit the Board section of Nova Classical's website.
Board meetings are open to the public. All are welcome to attend meetings. We are also open to having Nova family members join our work groups. If you are interested in attending or joining a board committee those can be found here.
Volunteers Needed
Check out the open positions, here. Short term, long term, and one time commitment opportunities are available.
In Person PTO Meeting in April
Join us in person on Tuesday April 7, from 6:00-7:00 PM, in the Great Room at Nova. Snacks will be provided. Topics of conversation include: Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week, Community Support Fund and Family Carnival. All staff and parents are welcome.
2026 Teacher/Staff Appreciation
Nova PTO will show our appreciation and gratitude towards the teachers and staff May 4-9, 2026. We are accepting monetary donations here to help with the costs of the festivities.
Upcoming Gatherings & Events
Friday, 3/13: Favorite Things Party–Click here for tickets.
Sunday, 3/29: Nova Family Open Gymnastics–Click here for tickets.
Tuesday, 4/7: In-person PTO Meeting 6:00-7:00 PM
Sunday, 4/12: Mother-Daughter Afternoon Tea–Click here for tickets.
Thursday, 4/30: Kindergarten Movie Night–Click here for tickets.
Friday, 5/1: Super Nova Music and Film Festival–Click here for tickets.
Monday-Friday, 5/4-5/9: Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week
Nova PTO has established the Community Support Fund to raise separate funds to support members of our community in need. Click here to donate.
Find Gatherings Tickets, connect to the Family Directory, and get involved at novapto.org.
DATES TO REMEMBER
March:
6: K-12 Conferences (No School for students)
19: End of Quarter 3 for LS, Midterm for Semester 2 for US
20: No School (Staff Work Day)
23-27: No School (Building Closed)
30: Board of Directors Meeting at 6:00 PM
April:
3: No School (Staff Work Day)
16: Multicultural Night from 5:30-7:30 PM
17: No School (Staff Work Day)
27: Board of Directors Meeting at 6:00 PM
May:
1: No School (Building Closed)
18: Board of Directors Meeting at 6:00 PM
22: No School (Staff Work Day)
25: No School (Building Closed)
