The Herald
UPPER SCHOOL NEWS
September 17, 2026
Dear Nova Classical Families,
It’s been a great start to the school year in the Upper School! Our students are settling into school routines, engaging in their classes, and bringing energy and enthusiasm to the many opportunities that make Nova Classical such a vibrant community.
With activities, athletics, and events already underway, there are many ways for students and families to connect beyond the classroom. We encourage you to attend games, performances, and other upcoming events whenever you can. Your support makes a difference to our students.
We are grateful for the continued support of our families and look forward to sharing the many successes, experiences, and milestones that will make this school year special. We look forward to all that this year will bring!
Warmest regards,
Mrs. Paschall
We are honored to celebrate these students for their achievements:
National Merit Scholar Semi-Finalists
- Archer DeHoskins
- Luke Fadden
- Natalie Heidemann
- Finn Penniman
✨These Nova Classical Seniors scored in the top 1% of the state on their 2025 PSAT/NMSQT and are eligible to apply to become a National Merit Scholarship Finalist.
Attendance Expectations
The doors open at 8:15 am for student arrival. Students are expected to arrive at school and be seated, ready to learn, by 8:40 AM. Arriving after 8:40 AM is considered a tardy. Three unexcused tardies count as one unexcused absence. For more information, see page 26 of our Student and Family Handbook. Please note, breakfast is available for all students beginning at 8:15 AM
The Upper School day ends at 3:45 PM. SoR students are dismissed at that time. SoL students are dismissed through Silent Dismissal. Upper School students who are not participating in a school-sponsored tutoring, extra-curricular, or athletic program after-school are not permitted to remain in the building past 4:00 PM.
School Uniform Reminder
A quick reminder that all students are expected to be in uniform each day unless it is a designated non-uniform day. Please remember that:
- Sweaters/fleece jackets must be worn with a polo or oxford underneath.
- Shirts are to be tucked in.
- Uniform bottoms must meet required length and material guidelines.
- On non-uniform days, students must follow the Out of Uniform Guidelines.
Fun Sock Friday: Upper School students and staff may wear fun or colorful socks each Friday!
If your child needs assistance meeting uniform requirements, please reach out to the Upper School office. We are happy to help.
Spirit Wear Days
On Spirit Wear Days, students may wear Nova Classical Spirit Wear with jeans or uniform bottoms. Students who choose not to participate are expected to be in uniform.
Upcoming Dates:
- Friday, September 18: SoG/SoL/SoR Spirit Wear Day
Wednesday, November 4: SoR Spirit Wear Day
Thursday, November 5: SoL Spirit Wear Day
Homework Club
Homework Club will be offered for Upper School students on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 4:00–5:00 PM, led by an Upper School Teacher and Education Assistant.
There is no fee for this academic support program and students are encouraged to register using this link.
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Students should arrive by 4:00 PM and be picked up promptly at 5:00 PM.
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Supervision is not available for SoG siblings; please consider registering for Scholar Zone if needed.
Although students are not required to attend every session in order to participate, this is a great way for students to receive extra support and stay on top of their school work! If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Mrs. Paschall.
Homecoming 2026
Monday-Friday, September 14-18
- Friday, September 18: SoG/SoL/SoR Spirit Wear Day
- Upper School students wearing Nova Classical Spirit Wear may wear jeans or uniform bottoms; Students who choose not participate must be in uniform and Out of Uniform day guidelines apply
- Parade at 2:00 PM. Parents/Guardians and Alumni are welcome to attend!
- Saturday, September 19: SoR Homecoming Dance, 7:00 to 10:00 PM (Grades 9-12)
8th Grade Trip to Washington D.C.
Current 8th students and their families who are interested in learning more about the June 2027 trip to Washington D.C. are invited to attend an information session at Nova Classical on Tuesday, September 22, at 6:00 PM.
SoL Movie Night, Friday October 9
Scholars in Grades 6-8, save the date! SoL Senate is hosting a Movie Night for SoL students on Friday, October 9 from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. Additional details will be shared with scholars through announcements and posters displayed at school. We hope to see our SoL students join in the fun!
Grandparent & Special Person Day - Wednesday, October 14
Nova Classical Academy is pleased to invite the special people in our students' lives so that they can experience the unique nature of our learning community on October 14.
Register using the Grandparent and Special Person Visit Reservation Form.
Feel free to contact Ms. Gabor at vgabor@novaclassical.org with any questions.
Yearbook Photos Requested!
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 2026-27 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.
The Yearbook Club will begin mid September. Please listen for announcements and look for posted information soon.
Celebrate Your Scholar
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.
6th Grade Field Trip
to Base Camp
Please complete the 2026-2027 Educational Benefits application which is now available in Infinite Campus. If you prefer, you may also download the application on Nova Classical's website. While you're there, please pay any outstanding balances in your student's food service account.
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. Complete your application today!
Food Service at Nova Classical
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.
Nova Classical continues to participate in Minnesota’s Free School Meals Program. This means that all students are eligible to receive one free breakfast and one free lunch each school day. No application, income verification, or preordering is required.
Meals are prepared and delivered by CKC Good Food. Please see the August menus at our Food Service Website.
REMINDER: Students in Grades K-8 MUST be accompanied by a parent/guardian to attend all home athletic events. This includes middle school games. Students in Grades 9-12 may attend events without a parent/guardian present, but must purchase an annual student pass for $10. The student pass will get an individual student into any regular season contest hosted on campus. Family passes are also available to purchase.
Passes and can be purchased online in advance, with a credit card at the door, or with Apple Pay on your mobile device. The ticketing site is located under "Tickets" in the bottom toolbar of the extracurriculars page.
Scholar Zone is offering S.O.S activities for students in Grades K-6
Click the links below to navigate directly to registration for each specific day or click here for the main registration page. For a list of all dates and activities, click here. Please email scholarzone@novaclassical.org with any questions.2026 S.O.S. Dates:
2027 S.O.S. Dates:
Spring Break
Nova PTO’s sole purpose is to provide resources to Nova Classical’s staff, students and their families in ways that the school cannot. Each family is encouraged to volunteer 20 hours per school year-what a fun way to help support our Nova Community!
Help needed!
NPTO is looking for a few awesome people to help:
- Spirit Wear Coordinator, to order, design, and manage spirit wear throughout the year
- Great Gatherings Event Planner (plan the event on 11/7)
- Vice-Chair, leadership role
Upcoming Events:
- Tuesday, 10/6: In-person NPTO meeting 4:15 PM in the Great Room
Saturday, 10/10: Book Fair at Barnes & Noble at HarMar Mall Roseville
Saturday, 11/7: Great Gatherings Fundraiser Event
Saturday, 5/8: Nova Family Carnival at Nova Classical 10:00 AM-4:00 PM
Share your time and talents with Nova PTO, we are always looking for helpers. Single event, short term and long term roles, click here for a current list of volunteer opportunities.
Meetings:
The next PTO meeting is Tuesday, October 6, at 7:00 PM in the Great Room. Everyone is invited!
Visit novapto.org for more about what Nova PTO does and SAVE THE DATE(s) for the fun we have planned!
Volunteers - We Need You!
Parents and Community Members:
Apply to become an active volunteer to help support our staff and scholars! Once you're active in our volunteer system, sign up for opportunities. Click here to view the always-current list of opportunities and links to sign up.
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, School Counselor, Grades 8-12, with questions or ideas.
Scholar Zone Volunteer Opportunity
Scholar Zone is looking for after SoR student volunteers to provide Homework Help. If you are interested in this opportunity, please fill out the Google form linked here. Please email scholarzone@novaclassical.org with any questions.
Upcoming Events
September:
14-18: SoR Homecoming Week
19: SoR Homecoming Dance 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
21: No School (Staff Work Day)
28: Board of Directors Meeting at 6:00 PM
October:
2: No School (PD, Office Closed)
9: SoL Movie Night 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
10: K-12 Barnes & Noble Book Fair
14: Grandparents/Special Persons Day
15: No School (Staff Work Day)
16: No School (Office Closed)
19: No School (Office Closed)
21: Unity Day
23: Picture Retakes
26: Board of Directors Meeting at 6:00 PM
November:
5: Semester 1 Midterm (US)
5: K-12 Conferences (4:30 PM - 8:00 PM)
6: No School (K-12 Conferences)
17: Parent Education Night: Latin and Study Skills, Grades 5-12 (Virtual)
19: Give to the Max
23-27: No School (Office Closed)
30: Board of Directors Meeting at 6:00 PM