NOVA NEWS - April 2024
As you may be aware, one of the objectives in our 2023-2028 strategic plan is “Nova Classical will enact a plan for its vacant property.” To begin our work toward this objective, Nova Classical undertook a facility needs analysis this fall. We want to thank those of you who took the time to provide feedback during this process.
During a Special Board meeting on March 18, the Board received findings from a facility needs analysis. The study identified needs in six key areas:
Performing Arts Spaces ($16,674,000)
Gym/Court Space ($9,609,600)
Food Service/Lunchroom Space ($1,553,440)
Multi-Purpose/Commons Space ($1,428,000)
Academic Support Space ($504,000)
Faculty Support Space ($862,400)
The study identified an estimated cost to address all these needs of $30,581,565. It also noted that the vacant triangle of property that Nova Classical owns to the north of its current building is not large enough to meet a facility that fully incorporates all of the identified needs. In addition, it is estimated that our capacity to bond for a capital project currently maxes out at approximately $6 million.
To determine how to best leverage our limited financial resources to best meet the needs of our students, Nova Classical’s Board has engaged Hay Dobbs Architects to complete Phase II of the Facility Needs Study. This work will include establishing priorities, refining the desired architectural program, and developing several development scenarios within the defined budget. We are committed to keeping you informed during this process of gathering information, which will help us determine the best course of action related to our facilities.
It's a Great Day to Be a Knight!
Dr. Brett Wedlund
2024 Family Multicultural Night
The National Honor Society and Nova Classical Equity Team invite you to join us at this year's Family Multicultural Night on Thursday, April 11, from 5:30-7:30 PM. All are invited to a night of celebrating our families and our exciting diversity of cultures through delicious food and good conversation!
RSVP: Everyone planning to attend is asked to RSVP here, where you are also encouraged to sign up to contribute to the community potluck! The RSVP deadline is Monday, April 8.
Interested in hosting a Cultural Booth?
We are looking for families who are willing to showcase their cultures more formally through a Cultural Booth! Hosting a Cultural Booth will be a bit more intensive, as it will require more food and information preparation. If you are interested in hosting a Cultural Booth, please fill out this form. The Cultural Booth Interest Form deadline is Friday, March 22.
Questions?
We welcome any questions at equitycoordinator@novaclassical.org!
We hope to see you there!
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 go on sale April 22, 2024. Online sales only! No cash sales!
Tickets will not be available at the door. Be sure to get yours in advance for one or both shows! Online tickets are on sale here starting April 22.
Check out the Extracurriculars page of our website for more information!
Let's give Anna P. a thunderous round of applause! Despite being the youngest competitor and bowing out in the 2nd round, she aced 'ottoman' and tackled 'facundity' with grace. Anna, you're a true star and we couldn't be prouder!
Congratulations to our first-ever Middle School Science Olympiad team who call themselves "Experiment Gone Wrong" for competing in the state competition at Bethel University and coming in 5th place overall! They brought home the "Spirit Award" for showing good sportsmanship, good manners, and a positive attitude and the Flight team medaled with the 2nd place flight of their rubber-band powered airplane! Everyone's creativity and hard work were absolutely inspiring.
Congratulations and a big thank you to Ms. Lozano and our Student Proxeny officers for coordinating and running a successful supply drive benefitting various homeless shelters in the cities. Over 2,000 items were donated by Lower School students and families, with almost 600 of those being donated by our third graders! We sincerely appreciate the students' and families' efforts to make this initiative such a success.
Parents/guardians and community members are invited to volunteer to help with our upcoming events such as Multicultural Night, the Earth Day cleanup at Victoria Park, the Lower School Art Show, and the Boosterthon Fun Run! Please click here to browse and sign up for opportunities.
All volunteers must have an up-to-date background check on file. Apply to volunteer with us, today!
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 March 25 Board Meeting:
1. The Board approved the FY2025 budget that included a change to the compensation model for staff. The compensation adjustment for licensed instructional staff will be a fixed amount of $2,550 each rather than a percentage increase. This ensures that all licensed instructional staff receive a raise higher than what they would under the current across-the-board 2% increase practice while also narrowing the gap between Nova’s starting wage and the market, effectively constituting a 7% increase in the starting wage on Nova’s pay scale. In addition, non-Special Education hourly staff will receive a $1 per hour increase while Special Education hourly staff will receive a 2% increase.
2. The Board approved moving forward with Hay Dobbs, an Architecture, Planning and Interiors firm, on a proposal for Phase II of Nova’s facilities needs analysis. Hay Dobbs will expand on the previous facilities needs work conducted for Nova by establishing priorities, refining the desired architectural program, and developing several scenarios within a defined budget. This work connects to Goal 8 of the Facilities focus of Nova’s Strategic Plan.
3. The Board heard an overview of Nova Classical’s Multi-Tiered Student System from Ms. Emily Westenberger, explaining the support framework and the five-year growth plan. The focus for next year is on the Tier 1 instruction; making sure instruction is universal and consistent to help all students learn. This work ties to Goal 4 of the Academic and Student Support focus of Nova’s Strategic Plan.
4. The Board training for March was how Nova senior leaders use the Trivium in decision making. Executive Director Dr. Brett Wedlund and Academic Director Dr. Missy Johnson presented to the board the Trivium and the importance of having the information from the grammar stage (get facts, talk to stakeholders) and the logic stage (consider the parameters) before moving on to rhetoric (make a decision, reflect and learn). They walked the Board through the decision-making process through the Trivium that the administration uses and gave specific examples from the proposed staff compensation model.
For meeting minutes and agendas for upcoming meetings, visit the Board section of Nova Classical's website.
Great Gatherings
Several gatherings are still available, visit this link to view the complete list, click here.
PTO Meetings
- Tuesday, April 9: Virtual Only PTO Meeting (4:15 - 5:15 PM) via Zoom
- Tuesday, May 7: Last PTO Meeting of the 2023-2024 School Year featuring Special Guests, Dinner, and Kid Activities (more details to come).
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
April:
1-5: No School (Spring Break, Office Closed)
8: Start of Quarter 4
10: No School (Staff Work Day)
26: No School (Staff Work Day)
29: Board of Directors Meeting at 6:00 PM
May:
3: No School (Staff Work Day)
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
