The Herald

Dear Nova Classical Families,

Welcome to the new school year! I hope this message finds you well-rested and excited for the start of classes. As we prepare to open our doors for another year of learning, growth, and community, I want to extend a warm welcome back to all of our returning families and a special greeting to those joining us for the first time.

As we embark on this new school year, I encourage you to become involved in our school community. There are opportunities within Nova PTO, the Upper School Parent Advisory, the Senior Celebration Committee and many other events. Your partnership and support are invaluable to our success, and together, we can ensure that every student thrives.

Please mark your calendars for our upcoming Back-to-School Night on Wednesday, August 21, from 5:30 to 7:30 PM. Students and parents will have the opportunity to meet our teachers, learn about classes, and reconnect with classmates and fellow parents. Please reach out with any questions.

Thank you for entrusting us with your child's education. We look forward to a year filled with discovery, achievement, and joy.

Warmest regards,

Mrs. Paschall

Mr. Jonathan Boll, Social Studies

Mr. Boll comes to us with a strong academic background, holding a B.A. in Social Studies Education and Political Science from Bethel University. He also brings practical experience from his student teaching at Nova Classical. Mr. Boll shares, "Many of my hobbies and what I do for fun involve the outdoors. Anything from hiking, fishing, hunting, shooting, to general travel and sight seeing. I also like lifting and running." Mr. Boll says he pursued education because "I love to guide students to understanding. I love seeing students grow, learn, and then apply themselves to whatever they are trying to achieve. I love the ""light bulb"" moments in a students career and being able to get them to those points."

Mr. Benjamin Ehren, Education Assistant

Mr. Ehren joins Nova Classical Academy as a new General Education Assistant in our Upper School. Mr. Ehren has earned a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from Hamline University and most recently worked at the Richfield Historical Society as a Curation Specialist. He also has served as a Visitor Experience Specialist at the Minnesota Science Museum.

Mr. Justus Robinson, Education Assistant

Mr. Robinson joins Nova Classical as a General Education Assistant and Upper School Study Hall Supervisor. Mr. Robinson has experience as a paraprofessional, assisting students and supporting teachers. He shares, "I'm currently in college studying education and screenwriting to become an English teacher and eventually get a movie/TV show produced. In my free time I like to run, box, game, do yardwork, and spend time with my girlfriend and our two cats."

He is already a familiar face, having served as a substitute in this past school year. We are excited to have him supporting students and teachers again this year!

Dr. Fade Manley, Latin

Dr. Manley comes to Nova Classical Academy as a new Latin teacher in our Upper School Languages Department. They bring valuable experience as an instructor from The University of Minnesota as well as Macalester College and St. Catherine’s University. Dr. Manley holds a Ph.D. in Classics from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities and a B.A. in English Literature from Occidental College.

Dr. Manley shares, “I was once an English major, but moved into classics because it turns out I enjoy ancient literature even more; teaching others how to read ancient texts in the original language is better yet! I've been a big fan of Minnesota (especially its winters) ever since I moved here with my dog for grad school. In my spare time, I play video games, read novels, and write interactive fiction story-games."

Dr. Paul Warden, Social Studies

Dr. Warden joins us a new teacher in our Upper School Social Studies Department. He brings valuable experience from Capitol Hill Gifted and Talented School. Dr. Warden holds a Ph.D. in American History from the University of California, Santa Barbara, with a focus on U.S. History and the History of Medicine. He also has an M.A. in American History from Washington State University and a B.A. in History from Eastern Washington University.

Outside of history and writing, he enjoys camping, kayaking/canoeing, and fishing. Dr. Warden says, "I also play in a band with my two daughters which drives my wife crazy. Any other spare time is spent being a full time hockey dad."

Ms. Kate Tetmeyer, English Language Learner Teacher

With 20 years of experience working with children from 6 weeks to 18 years old, including 14 years supporting English Learners in the classroom at Nova, Ms. Tetmeyer is excited to move into the role of ELL teacher. In her free time, she also assembles the Nova Upper School yearbook—so keep those photos coming!

Welcome to the 2024-2025 school year! Everything you need to know, including information about transportation, uniforms, school supplies, and more is updated on our website.

We can't wait to see you back on campus!

We welcomed our New to Nova and Rising 6th and 9th Graders for Orientation this past week.

It was wonderful to see everyone and students enjoyed getting to know some of their classmates and teachers. We're excited for the school year ahead!

Registration is open for after school clubs! Check out all the offerings on the Extracurriculars page of the Nova Classical website. Nova Classical students are encouraged to discover their interests and abilities beyond the classroom through a variety of clubs, sports, music, theater and other activities.

Don't forget to register! Fall sports, First Tech Challenge, and Debate are already open for registration on the Extracurriculars page of our 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.

Middle School Girls Volleyball

Registration for middle school girls volleyball opens August 16, 2024 for girls in grades 5-8. Practice will take place once a week. The game schedule on the Extracurriculars page of our website.

New this year? Want to stay in touch with fellow Nova Classical families? Sign up for the Family Directory to get connected!

NPTO Meeting Information

Nova PTO Meetings are held virtually the first Tuesday of each month at 7:30 PM, 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 5:30 PM and childcare provided from 6:00-7:00 PM. RSVP for Dinner and Childcare here: https://tinyurl.com/2xqkbbu2

Upcoming Fall 2024 Events:

8/21: Upper 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 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!

Parents and Guardians are invited to join the Upper School Parent Advisory Committee! This committee will play a vital role in fostering communication and collaboration between parents/guardians and the school administration. Members of the committee will meet regularly with Mrs. Paschall to share ideas, provide feedback, and discuss ways to enhance the educational experience for all students.

Additionally, we are seeking interested parents/guardians of current 9-11th grade students to join our Senior Celebration Committee. This group will be assist in supporting the legacy events that celebrate our senior class (Senior Retreat, Last Day of School Breakfast, Graduation, etc.), ensuring a memorable experience for them as they prepare to graduate.

If you are interested in joining either committee or would like more information, please contact the Upper School Office. Your involvement is greatly appreciated and will make a lasting impact on our school community.

We greatly value our volunteers for school and community events! Your involvement sets a positive example of citizenship for our students, and we truly couldn’t make these events happen without your support. Please ensure you have an up-to-date background check to be active in our system.

• Apply to be an active volunteer
• Check out our Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities

Contact our Community Engagement Manager, Ginger Gabor, with any questions about volunteering at vgabor@novaclassical.org.

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.

Has your student accomplished something exceptional outside of the classroom? Have they earned a special award, been recognized with a medal, or made a significant impact in their community? We’d love to hear about their achievements!

Please share the details by filling out and submitting this form. Your child might be featured in our morning announcements, celebrated during a student assembly, highlighted in our staff newsletter, or noted in The Herald.

• Thank you to the team of 28 parent and SoR volunteers who donated more than 60 hours to sort, stage, and run the Used Uniform Sale. Our thanks, to our NPTO for building community among shoppers, facilitating carpooling connections, and recruiting volunteers for upcoming events.

• Congratulations to the Nova Classical Academy Upper School for being recognized for having the best public school teachers in the state! According to the latest rankings, our dedicated and talented educators have been acknowledged for their exceptional commitment to excellence in education. We couldn't be prouder of our amazing team! Check out the full rankings here. Way to go, Nova Classical Academy!
  
• Way to go SoR volunteers who have worked at the zoos and animal shelters, run summer camps, helped out at Sholom Home, and filled a variety of needs in our community!
• Many thanks to Jeremiah Rogers (Class of 2016) for capturing memorable moments of our athletic teams throughout the year with his expert lens, and for his dedication as our strength and conditioning coach!
• Thank you to our teachers who have hosted enriching academic programming this summer including our Summer Boost Program!

Have any great summer adventures? Or just hanging with Nova Classical friends? Played softball, baseball or lacrosse this summer? We’d love to showcase that and more in the 24/25 Nova Classical US Yearbook.

We are also looking for Spring Prom photos and the 8th grade trip to Washington DC. Submit photos to yearbook@novaclassical.org

Did you know? Breakfast and lunch are free for all students, K-12 (milk is included with meals served at school. Milk is .45¢ with meals sent from home).

Why is completing an application still important?

Educational Benefits provide a variety of benefits to your student(s) and to our school, including important funds that provide programs and services to all of the students in our school community. Our school benefits only when applications are completed by the families of enrolled students, regardless of benefit status. So, complete your application today!

August and September breakfast and lunch menus will be posted on the Nova Classical website mid-August.

August:

13: Fall Activities Registration Opens

19: Board of Directors Meeting at 6:00 PM

21: Upper School Open House 5:30-7:30 PM

26: First day of school for Grades 1-12

29: Fall After School Clubs--Registration Closes at 4:00 PM

September:

2: No School (Building Closed)

3: NPTO Meeting (in-person community dinner and meeting)

5: Fall After School Clubs Begin

18: Picture Day

23-27: Homecoming Week

26: Student Picture Re-takes

27: Homecoming Parade

28: SoR Homecoming Dance

28: NPTO Book Fair

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: Midterms-Upper School

See Full Calendar

Athletics Calendar