The Herald

Dear Nova Classical Academy Upper School Families,

As the seasons are changing quickly, we have so much to celebrate here at Nova Classical. We observed Unity Day, a special event where our school community came together to promote kindness, acceptance, and inclusion. It was great to see students and staff in orange to show their support of these values. Grandparent & Special Person Day was another highlight, providing a meaningful opportunity for our students to connect with their grandparents/special persons and share their pride in our school.

May this break bring you rest and relaxation. Take this time to recharge and enjoy our beautiful fall weather. Have a fantastic break!

• Thursday, 10/19: No School (staff workday)
• Friday, 10/20: No School-Building Closed
• Monday, 10/23: No School-Building Closed

Warmest regards,

Mrs. Paschall

There has been some confusion regarding the acceptable footwear for students, especially in the area of Boston/Birkenstocks type footwear. According to the policy, these shoes do not meet the stated guidelines. At the beginning of September, an allowance was made for students to wear these types of shoes until October 18. This temporary allowance was communicated to both students and families. After October 18, students will be expected to follow all uniform guidelines.

Please note, crocs, Boston/Birkenstocks, slides, and slippers are not allowed.

The next Spirit Wear Day for Upper School Students is Friday, November 10. We will be having an Awards Assembly to recognize Students of the Month and Academic Achievements. Students may be in Nova Classical or Nova Knight teams’ Spirit Wear. Students may be in uniform bottoms or jeans (no rips or shreds). Shoes must meet the uniform guidelines. Sweatpants, flannel pants, tanks tops/bare shoulders and bare midriffs are not permitted.

Congratulations to our Upper School scholars for demonstrating excellence in fortitude:

6th Grade: Millie Elders

7th Grade: Frieda Brady, Opie Peklo and Amayah Camire

8th Grade: Oliver Flatebo and Derin Aslan

9th Grade: Anika Singh and Ty Tran-Nguyen

10th Grade: Nina Aamodt

11th Grade: Angelena Kanabuk, Rachel Jeong and Noah Landy

12th Grade: Abigail Hooge and Iris Hernandez

Congratulations to our Upper School scholars for demonstrating growth in either fortitude or academics:

7th Grade: Sophia Seleshi

8th Grade: Charles Meeker

10th Grade: David Colestock

11th Grade: Rosie Ramirez

12th Grade: Tekie Kflemariam

Congratulations to our 2023 inductees to The National Honor Society:

~Mahini Balasubramanian ~Sean Borell ~Chloe Brown

~James Garske ~Thomas Huelskamp ~Alexander Hungs ~Sophia Lamin ~Babette Lume

~Christine Ma ~Lila McNellis ~Thomas O'Keefe ~Ivy Treitler ~Mara Van Dyke

Kudos to Joe West, Nova Classical's senior, soccer captain who has been featured on Scorebook Live as a top boys soccer midfielder in MN. You may vote for Joe using this link. Voting closes today.

Congratulations to Nova Classical's Boys and Girls Varsity Cross-Country Teams for winning the Conference Championship Meet last week. The following Nova Classical Knights finished in the top 10 of their respective races:

Thomas O’Keefe (2nd), Silas Cole (3rd), Eli Andre (7th), Benaiah Mathews (8th), Patrick O’Keefe (9th)

Isabel Pass (1st), Alexa Kleingarn (2nd), Lucia Luepker (3rd), CeCe Roberts (6th), Lily Penniman (7th), Talia Tomhave (8th)

These students will be recognized at the Upper School Assembly on Friday, November 10, at 3:15 PM.

Nova Classical is excited to share this college information event with our 11th and 12th grades students and their families on Monday, November 6, at 7 PM. Please use this link to RSVP.

Major Changes to the College Process in 2023-24

This past year has resulted in some of the most significant changes to the college planning process in decades.

• Admission trends have changed around how colleges admit students
• There are substantial changes to the FAFSA and financial aid that may make college more expensive
• Schools have gone ACT/SAT optional, but not necessarily when they award scholarships

Please join us in supporting our scholars artistic endeavors!

Fall Drama Production: Once Upon a Mattress
Friday, November 10, at 6:30 PM

Saturday, November 11, at 11:30 AM and 3:30 PM

Ticket Prices:

• Students $5
• Senior Citizens $8
• General Admission $10

Performances will take place at The Wellstone Center: 179 Robie St E, St. Paul 55107

Tickets will be available now! Order them here.

SoR Concert November 14 at 7:00 PM

Save the Date! Give to the Max, THE Minnesota non-profit giving event, is on 11/16 this year and Early Giving begins on 11/1.

There are so many ways to get involved: make a donation, help us spread the word, provide matching funds, or contribute via corporate sponsorship. Whichever way you choose, you'll be helping us make a BIG difference for our students.

Contact our Community Engagement Manager, Ms. Gabor, with any questions about arranging a gift or corporate sponsorship.

Upper School Families are invited to sign up to meet with the teacher of the class(es) where your student needs the most focus and support. It is not expected or required to meet with all your student's teachers, and this will allow more conference times for teachers to meet with parents of students with the highest needs.

Dates of Conferences:

• Thursday, November 16, 2023, 4:30-8 PM, in person only

• Monday, November 20, 2023, 8AM-4 PM, virtual only (Google Meet)

• Please note that all Special Education conferences will be virtual

• All conference slots are 12 minutes long and will be booked through PickATime

Link to sign-up for Conferences will be available on October 30.

Has your student achieved something remarkable beyond the classroom? Have they been honored with a special medal or award? Have they made a positive impact in their community or achieved something else extraordinary?

Kindly provide us with the details by completing and submitting this form. Your student could be recognized in our morning announcements, student assembly, staff newsletter, or in The Herald.

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.

Homework help is available for Upper School students on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 4 PM to 5 PM. Homework support is provided by an Upper School Teacher and Educational Assistant.

Students may report to Room 326 at 4 PM. Students should be picked up from school at 5 PM.

~Saturday, 11/4: Great Gatherings - Tickets On Sale Now!

More dates and information here!

~Wednesday, 11/8: 4:15-5:15: Upper School Parent Advisory in Ex Hall

~Tuesday, 11/14, 4:15PM - 5:15PM: NPTO Meeting in Ex Hall (free childcare provided)

We're happy to share that the NEW Nova Family Directory is up and running! Visit www.novapto.membershiptoolkit.com to create an account and access the directory before the end of the year.

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

Winter basketball is fast approaching. Please check out the opportunities we have for students in grades K-12 here at Nova.

Girls Varsity Basketball (Grades 7-12) registration is open from October 2, 2023 to November 10, 2023 @ 4:00 PM.

Subscribe to Our Calendar

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Click the link here for instructions to add our calendar to your personal calendar.

DATES TO REMEMBER

October

19: No School (Staff Work Day)

20: No School (Building Closed)

23: No School (Building Closed)

30: Winter Activities Registration Opens

30: Board of Directors Meeting @ 6:00 PM

November:

2: End of Quarter 1 (LS)/Midterms (US)

3: No School (Staff Work Day)

4: Great Gatherings Kickoff Party (NPTO)

6: College Information Night

8: Upper School Parent Advisory 4:15-5:15 pm

9: Enrollment Open House @ 5:30 PM (For prospective new families)

10: Upper School Spirit Wear Day and Assembly @ 3:15 PM

10: Fall Drama Production: Once Upon a Mattress

10: Latino Club Guest Speaker MN House Representative María Isa Pérez-Vega @ 5 PM

11: Fall Drama Production: Once Upon a Mattress Performance

14: NPTO Meeting (Free childcare provided) @ 4:15-5:15 PM

14: SoR Concert @ 7:00 PM

16: GIVE TO THE MAX DAY!

16: K-12 Evening Conferences @ 4:30-8:00 PM

20: No School (Conferences K-12)

21: No School (Staff Professional Development Day)

22-24: No School (Building Closed)

27: Board of Directors Meeting @ 6:00 PM

December:

2: All-School Ice Skating Event (NPTO)

5: NPTO Meeting @ 4:15 PM

20-29: No School (Building Closed)

January:

1-2: No School (Building Closed)

3: No School (Staff Work Day)

9: NPTO meeting

15: No School (Building Closed)

22: No School (Staff Work Day)

29: Spring Club Registration Opens

29: Board of Directors Meeting @ 6:00 PM

See Full Calendar