NOVA NEWS - May 2024
As we celebrate Teacher Appreciation Month this May, I want to take a moment to recognize the incredible impact that our dedicated teachers and staff members have on our scholars and Nova Classical’s school community.
Reflecting on my own experiences as a student, I remember the profound influence my teachers had on shaping me. One particular teacher, Dr. Robert Salo, ignited my passion for education by sharing a simple quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson: "The mind once stretched by a new idea never returns to its original dimensions." This idea eventually led me to pursue a career in education.
As a school leader, I see firsthand the positive impact the efforts of our staff have in nurturing and educating our scholars each day. From fostering a supportive environment and guiding classroom discussions to providing valuable feedback, each interaction contributes significantly to our students' growth, readiness for the future, and development into confident, compassionate, and articulate graduates who are poised to engage as thoughtful global citizens.
I also want to express my sincere appreciation for the role you play as caregivers for your children and in supporting our school by partnering with us in your child's education journey. Your engagement and encouragement complement the efforts of our staff and contribute to making Nova Classical Academy the supportive community that it is.
Let's take this opportunity to thank our teachers and staff for their dedication and commitment to our children's success. Together, we are shaping bright futures.
It's a Great Day to Be a Knight!
Dr. Brett Wedlund
It's BOOSTERTHON Time!
Families can start by registering their students on mybooster.com. Share the message from there! Every day, homerooms and SoL Houses earn prizes and privileges for moving us towards our goal. At the end of the week, on Friday, May 10, K-8 students and teachers celebrate with a 30-35 lap Fun Run challenge for grades K-5 and an afternoon Color Run for Grades 6-8. How can you get involved?
- Register and sponsor your student at mybooster.com.
- Share the donation links!
- Join the fun by volunteering to help at the Fun Runs or just come cheer!
To view the schedule and volunteer needs, click here!
Save the date!
Nova Classical's spring production of Macbeth will take the stage Friday and Saturday, May 10 & 11, 2024. Performances are held at the Neighborhood House in St. Paul.
Tickets will not be available at the door. Be sure to get yours in advance for one or both shows! No tickets are available at the door. Please be sure to purchase tickets online, in advance. Online tickets are on sale here!
Check out the Extracurriculars page of our website for more information!
April 3 was National Paraprofessional Appreciation Day! Our Educational Support Staff help us make the world go 'round at Nova Classical! We couldn't do all that we do without them. Thank you so much to our Paraprofessionals and Education Assistants for their hard work and dedication to our scholars.
Our own Ms. Irish, a wonderful Special Education Paraprofessional, has spent this year hosting an after-school needlework club, sharing the love of embroidery, cross-stitch, and needlework with some Lower School students. These scholar's efforts and hard work paid off as their amazing
projects were recently on display in Exhibition Hall. Many guests were in awe of the work of these young scholars! Thank you to Ms. Irish for sharing her passion for this craft with so many scholars in such a creative way.
Congratulations to our very own Fern Fisher for being selected as a recipient of the 2024 St. Paul Area Athena Awards. This award honors outstanding female high school senior student-athletes from St. Paul and suburban public and independent high schools for their athletic achievements. The award is based on excellence in individual sports or for participation and accomplishments in team sports. 49 outstanding young women from St. Paul's public and private high schools were honored for their achievements in athletics. For more details, check out the full press release.
Our Elementary Science Olympiad team had a blast competing in 20 STEM events. From building rollercoasters to strong spaghetti bridges, robots, and time-telling instruments, they showed off their skills in everything from electricity to forensics, rocks to genetics, and more! Many of our 14 5th-graders medaled in their events, and overall, our Labroknights brought home the trophy for 3rd place! Way to go, team!
Our Robotics Team Tempest had a blast competing and making new friends from around the globe at the recent FIRST Championship in Houston, Texas, in the culminating, international event for this year's robotics competition season and an annual celebration of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) helping to prepare these young people for the future.
Happy Earth Day! Thank you to our scholars and Ms. Gabor, who volunteered to pick up trash at the city park across the street in Victoria Park: and, to the Green Team for tackling invasive buckthorn at Tamarack Nature Center and for prepping the garden at Sholom Home.
Parents and Community Members:
We are still looking for volunteers for next week's Teacher and Staff Appreciation Events and Boosterthon prize distribution and Fun Runs. We also need a team to help our NPTO put on the Graduation Reception. Support our staff and scholars by applying to become an active volunteer and then click here to browse and sign up for opportunities!
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, Grade 8-12 Counselor, with questions or ideas.
Highlights from the April 29 Board Meeting:
- The Board approved the 2024-2025 Employee Handbook.
- The Board approved Teacher Leadership Positions for the 2024-2025 academic year. Nova Classical's Academic Director Dr. Missy Johnson presented the positions and explained the changes to the positions, descriptions, and stipend amounts from last year’s roles. Teachers had the opportunity to provide feedback to Dr. Johnson and those comments are reflected in the changes presented and approved by the board.
- The Board approved a revision to a motion from the February meeting that included a retention bonus for all benefit-eligible salaried and hourly employees who are employed by Nova Classical on June 6, 2024, and remain employed by Nova on September 6, 2024. The revision approved the bonus based on employees’ FY24 salary rather than the FY23 salary. The bonus for salaried employees is equivalent to 10% of their FY24 salary. The bonus for hourly employees is equivalent to 150 times their FY24 hourly wage.
The next regular Board meeting will be on Monday, May 20, 2024.
For meeting minutes and agendas for upcoming meetings, visit the Board section of Nova Classical's website.
- May, 6-10 is Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week. Signup to help supplement the catered meals NPTO provides
- Tuesday, May 14: Last PTO Meeting of the Year, 5:30 - 7:00 PM. Dinner and Babysitters provided
- Thursday, June 6: NPTO Sponsored Last Day of School Treats. Look for volunteer link soon.
Sign up for the Nova Classical Family Directory at novapto.membershiptoolkit.com. Follow NPTO on Facebook, Instagram, or visit their website for more information!
DATES TO REMEMBER
May:
3: No School (Staff Work Day)
10: Boosterthon Fun Run (AM) & Color Run (PM) - Spectators welcome for the Fun Run
20: Board of Directors Meeting at 6:00 PM
24: No School (Staff Work Day)
27: No School (Building Closed)
31: Last day of school for 12th graders
June:
6: Last Day of School
7: No School (Staff Work Day)
19: Building Closed (Holiday)
24: Board of Directors Meeting at 6:00 PM
July:
1-5: Building Closed
