NOVA NEWS - April 2025
April 2025
A Season of Gratitude at Nova
Dear Nova Classical Community,
As we return from spring break, I find myself overwhelmed with gratitude for being part of the Nova Classical Academy community. This feeling often surfaces after a brief slowdown in pace—when I’m afforded the space to reflect on the people, purpose, virtues, and mission that define our school.
Just before break, Dr. Johnson shared a powerful message in The Torch about rhetoric—reminding us that strong rhetoric must be rooted in grammar (facts) and logic. In today’s world, regardless of where one lands politically, I am deeply grateful to be part of a school that prioritizes the development of confident, compassionate, and articulate graduates who can engage in thoughtful, civil discourse as they step beyond Nova’s walls and into the world.
I’m thankful every day to work alongside such dedicated educators, whose daily efforts reflect a deep commitment to helping our students grow in wisdom, virtue, and academic excellence. I’m grateful for the continued support of our families—most recently demonstrated in March when our community rallied swiftly and effectively to advocate for equitable funding for Nova.
And, of course, I’m incredibly grateful for our students, who truly embody the spirit of classical education and virtues of Nova Classical Academy. Their curiosity, character, and kindness are unmatched in any school I’ve been privileged to be around.
It is indeed a great day—and season—to be a Knight.
It’s a Great Day to be a Knight,
Dr. Brett Wedlund, Executive Director
Hey Nova Families!
Thank you so much for your plastic donations in the fall that helped us make Nova more green. We would love your help to do it again! In order to secure free plastic film collection for the entire 2025-2026 school year, we need ten more families to sign up for Ridwell’s services at home. Sign up at get.ridwell.com/nova by the deadline on May 23.
During this drive feel free to send plastic film from home to Nova with your scholar to get saved from a landfill. Thank you all for your support in the fall -- we can’t wait to do it again!
- NCA Green Team
Family Multicultural Night | April 10, 5:30-7:30 PM
This is a night of celebration that thrives because of the involvement of our amazing community.
- RSVP, sign up to contribute to the potluck, and/or volunteer
- Host a cultural booth
- Donate to this event
Please visit Family Multicultural Night landing page to learn more. We hope to see you there!
Questions or concerns? Reach out to equitycoordinator@novaclassical.org.
The spring season is underway. Please visit our website to plan your cheering section and purchase tickets for home games and meets!
We'd like to share that Nova Classical chess team took 3rd place in the K-8 division of the State Scholastic Championship held at the University of St. Thomas campus on March 8-9. Included in the image below.
- Jacob Shishkin (6th)
- Alexander Zagrebelny (8th)
- Jasper Walker (8th)
- Tyler Roskowitz (8th)
- Coach Igor Rybakov
Our NCA Robotics program competed at the Minnesota State FTC Championship, showcasing their incredible skills and innovation!
- The Argonauts—Cora V., Anne T., Liam S., Anneka O., Winston Z., Rhea K., Logan O., and Vanessa D.—won the Gear Up Award for their outstanding video.
- Tempest—Thomas H., Leo T., Rei Y., Ethan Y., Lyle G., Fred L., and Kenji W.—advanced to the second qualifying round with a strong performance.
- A special congratulations to Thomas H. for earning a Stratasys Leadership Scholarship!
Parents and Community Members:
Apply to become an active volunteer to help support our scholars and school community! Click here to view the always-current list of opportunities and links to sign up. Sign up to help make our upcoming community events a success! We need:
- volunteers and food donations for Family Multicultural Night
- volunteers and donations for Teacher/Staff Appreciation week
- a team of helpers for the Boosterthon Fun Run
- assistance with the Graduation Reception
SoR Volunteering Network:
Our School of Rhetoric Students (Grades 9-12) 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.
Highlights from the March 24 Nova Classical Board Meeting:
Nova awarded the second Nova Classical Spotlight Award to fifth-grade teacher Laura Buri. Ms. Buri holds multiple roles in our community including Peer Coach, Lower School, Literacy Lead, a member of the Governance Committee, a member of the Curriculum Committee, and Lower School Equity Coordinator. Ms. Buri provides training to staff and families, ensures a rigorous classical education for all students, and plans our Multicultural Night in collaboration with our National Honor Society.
The Board approved the 2025-26 Employee Handbook.
The Board heard an update from Facilities Manager Jesse Prins on the Development Design Phase of the Facility Expansion Plan. Mr. Prins updated the Board regarding applications and variances for the project, including a master plan amendment to change the zoning of the “triangle” space, a site plan review for St. Paul, an air rights easement, and a variance for the height of our proposed skyway. We also may need variances regarding building placement and the parking lot. We will also need approval from the Minnesota Department of Education on the project.
The Board heard an enrollment update from Community Engagement Manager Ginger Gabor. The Board approved over-enrollment numbers for the 2025-26, increasing in some grades to allow more students to start school with their cohort. Even with over-enrollment approvals, the goal is to keep Nova’s enrollment number consistent.
The next regular Board meeting will be on Monday, April 28, 2025.
For meeting minutes and agendas for upcoming meetings, visit the Board section of Nova Classical's website.
WOW! Thank-you to all of the volunteers for helping to make Lower School Family Game Night a success-it was a fun time had by all.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: We are looking for helpers. Single event, short term and long term roles available. Check out more here
Upcoming Events:
April 8: NPTO Zoom Meeting 7:30 PM (Meeting ID: 842 4045 9837 Passcode: enrich)
May 2: Supernova Short Film & Music Festival Purchase Tickets Recommended for Ages 12-Adult.
May 5 - May 9: Teacher and Staff Appreciation. Use these links to volunteer, donate food or donate money. **Participating with NPTO in appreciation week is optional.**
May 6: In person PTO Meeting. Pizza at 5:30 PM. RSVP HERE for free dinner & childcare. Meeting from 6:00-7:00 PM.
May 10: Group Mountain Bike Ride 9;00-11:00 AM Carver Lake Purchase Tickets. All Ages.
May 31: Save the Monarch Butterflies at Nova purchase tickets. All Ages.
July 17: Historic Hill Party and Walking Tour purchase tickets. Adults Only.
SAVE THE DATE:
- 2025 Great Gatherings Kick Off Party Saturday September 27, 2025
- 2025 Nova Family Carnival is Saturday November 8, 2025
Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week - May 5-9
NovaPTO is revving up for Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week (May 5-9) by collecting monetary donations and readying a crew of volunteers. Participating with NPTO in Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week is optional.
- Click here to donate money using the NPTO online store by selecting "Teacher/Staff Appreciation"
- Click here to sign up to volunteer.
DATES TO REMEMBER
April:
1-4: No School (Building Closed)
8: NPTO Meeting from 7:30 PM - 8:30 PM (Zoom)
10: Multicultural Night from 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
18: No School (Staff Work Day)
22: Board Candidate Forum from 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
28: Board of Directors Meeting at 6:00 PM
May:
2: No School (Staff Professional Development Day/Building Closed)
5-9: Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week
6: NPTO Meeting from 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM (in-person with dinner and childcare)
16: Boosterthon Fun Run & Color Run
19: Board of Directors Meeting at 6:00 PM
23: No School (Staff Work Day)
26: No School (Building Closed)
June:
4: Last Day of School
19: Building Closed (Observed Holiday)
Summer Office Hours:
June 9-August 8: Monday-Thursday, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Offices will closed on Fridays
