The Herald
UPPER SCHOOL NEWS
September 21, 2023
Dear Nova Classical Academy Upper School Families,
The school year has gotten off to a fantastic start, and I'm honored to share our enthusiasm with you! I want to thank you for coming to Back to School Night earlier this week. Your involvement and support mean a lot to our faculty and we truly appreciate your commitment to your child's education.
Our Upper School students have actively embraced the new school year with a lot of energy and dedication. They are engaged in their studies and showing a genuine love for learning that's truly inspiring. Whether it's in the classroom or in extracurricular activities, our students are fully involved in every part of their education.
Our students and school have already achieved some impressive successes this year. These accomplishments speak to the hard work and commitment of our students, as well as our amazing faculty and staff. We're looking forward to celebrating these achievements and watching our students continue to shine as the school year goes on.
Our clubs and activities are in full swing this fall, providing our students with plenty of opportunities to explore their interests and talents. Students are excelling both individually and as teams, demonstrating their dedication, teamwork, and leadership skills. Whether it's an exciting sports event, a thought-provoking debate competition, or a captivating musical performance, we invite you to join us in supporting our students as they demonstrate their skills and dedication. Your presence at these events not only boosts our young talents but also helps create a sense of community within our school. Please keep an eye out for upcoming events and activities. We hope to see you there, cheering on our incredible students!
Warmest regards,
Mrs. Paschall
Nova Classical Academy is excited to announce that its Upper School is a 2023 National Blue Ribbon awardee. The United States Department of Education oversees the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program, which recognizes schools across the country that demonstrate outstanding academic achievement or notable progress in closing achievement gaps among students. In 2023, the National Blue Ribbon School award was given to 9 schools in Minnesota and 353 in the nation. Nova Classical was one of only 43 schools in the United States selected for their work as an “Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing School.”
Student Acheivements
Congratulations to our scholars for the hard work and achievements!
National Merit Scholar Semi-Finalists
Jonathan Brown
Aedan Gallagher
Gordon Olshanski
Maya Tadmor
Mara VanDyke
National Merit Scholar Commended Students
Omeed Tabrizi
Silas Revenaugh
AP National Hispanic Award Recognition
Zenji Shiroma
Homecoming 2023
Friday, September 22 during House: Pep Fest Kick-off (SOL & SOR)
- SOL/SOR Spirit Wear Day: Students may wear jeans (no rips/shreds) or uniform bottoms
Tuesday-Thursday, September 25-28: Homecoming House Activities, (SOR)
- Dress Days
- Tuesday "USA, USA, USA"
- Wednesday "Mathlete vs. Athlete"
- Thursday "Barbenheimer"
- Friday All School Spirit Wear: Students may wear jeans (no rips/shreds) or uniform bottoms
Friday, September 29: Parade at 2:00 PM--Parents invited!
Saturday, September 30: SOR Homecoming Dance from 7:00 - 10:00 PM
Need spirit wear? Nova Classical works with the following vendors:
2024 and 2025 Capstone Trip
For current 10th and 11th grade students interested in learning more about the Spring 2025 Capstone Trip to Greece and Italy, you are invited to attend a virtual information session on Wednesday, September 27, at 8:00 PM. Please join by clicking this link.
11th and 12th grade students traveling on the 2024 Capstone trip, please plan to attend a brief Zoom call on Thursday, October 26, at 7:00 PM to review the first set of crucial information for the trip. The link for the call will be sent the day before to emails on record with EF Tours. There is so much to look forward to!
Grandparents and Special Person Day
On Friday, October 13, Nova Classical Academy is pleased to invite the special people in our students' lives so that they might experience the unique nature of our learning community. Grandparents and special persons will be greeted in the Great Room at a welcome table for check-in and refreshments and then escorted to classrooms.
All guests must RSVP at this link, so we can be well prepared to welcome all of our guests. The last day to RSVP is Friday, October 7.
We are offering two homeroom visit times to reduce crowds. Please sign up for only one visit per scholar. Due to space issues in the classrooms and in the parking lot, we ask that only Grandparents and/or Special Persons (and not Parents) visit on this day.
Parent volunteers are needed to assist as a reception host or hallway guide. Please sign up here to volunteer as a reception host or hallway guide.
Feel free to contact Ms. Gabor at vgabor@novaclassical.org with any questions.
Celebrate your Scholar
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.
NPTO Updates
Please sign up for the Nova Family Directory at novapto.membershiptoolkit.com/.
~Tuesday, 10/2, at 4:15 PM: October PTO Meeting in the Exhibition Hall. Special Guest Dr. Missy Johnson
~Please join us for the Upper School Parent Advisory meeting on Wednesday, October 11, 2023 at 4:15 PM in the Exhibition Hall or via Zoom. Details can be found on the NPTO website.
~Wednesday, 10/18, from 6:00 - 8:00 PM: Nova Nights October Fundraiser @ Evereve (867 Grand Ave) 15% Give Back
~Saturday, 11/4: Great Gatherings - Tickets On Sale Now!
More dates and information here!
Follow NPTO on Facebook, Instagram, or visit their website for more information!
Parent Education Night
Mark your calendars for Thursday, October 5, 2023, from 5:30 to 7:30 PM!
We’ll be providing sessions on Classical Education (grades K-12), Latin (grades 2-12), Literacy (K-5), and Math (K-5). Watch our newsletters for more details on this event. We look forward to seeing you there!
Yearbook Photos Requested!
The Upper School Yearbook is seeking photos from last year's Prom, spring play, first day of school shots, or any summer fun your student had for our spreads. We also need candid photos of grades 6-12 throughout the year. They can be sent to yearbook@novaclassical.org.
To purchase this years book and avoid disappointment in June, order here: NOVA CLASSICAL UPPER SCHOOL YB ORDERING.
Seniors can upload their senior photos here: Senior photo drop 23-24.
As always the yearbook is better with you!
Upcoming Events
DATES TO REMEMBER
September:
25: No School (Staff Work Day)
26-29: Homecoming
29: Homecoming Parade @ 2:00 PM (Parents Welcome!)
30: Homecoming Dance
October:
2: Winter Athletics Registration Opens
3: NPTO @ 4:15 PM
5: Parent Education Night (K-12) @ 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
7: NPTO Book Fair
13: Grandparent & Special Person Day
18: Unity Day (K-12 wear orange to support anti-bullying)
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)
7: NPTO @ 4:15 PM
9: Enrollment Open House @ 5:30 PM (For prospective new families)
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
