February 5, 2026

Lunch Menu # 2 (Week of February 9-13)

Dear Elementary Parents and Community,

Last week, I shared the Nova Elementary School Homework Policy with you. I heard from some families who would like more homework for their children and others who would prefer less. These differing perspectives are understandable.

If you feel that homework differentiation, either more or less, is needed for your child, please reach out to your child’s homeroom teacher to discuss this, so adjustments can be planned accordingly. Our goal is for students to have balance in their lives. We do not want them working all day at school and then continuing to work all evening at home.

Thank you for your continued partnership and communication.

Featured Learning - Fourth Grade NGOs

As part of the How We Organize Ourselves unit, Grade 4 students explored how communities come together to respond to crises. To demonstrate their learning, students designed and created their own non-governmental organizations (NGOs), identifying a problem, defining a mission, and planning how their organization could make a difference. The unit culminated in an End-of-Unit Celebration where students presented their NGOs and sold student-created products, with all proceeds donated to the Red Cross. This experience empowered students to take meaningful action, apply real-world skills, and understand the impact of collective responsibility and service.   

Nova’s Inclusion Initiative
As part of Nova’s strategic focus on strengthening Student Support Services and inclusive practices, this year’s professional development centers on building shared systems and capacity across the school. A key milestone is the appointment of a Student Support Services Coordinator (joining in August), bringing extensive international experience and expertise in UDL, MTSS, and student wellbeing.

This year also marks the initial rollout of Nova’s MTSS framework, with targeted academic interventions now in place. This work is being supported by a series of four consultant engagements focused on behavior support, inclusive classroom practices, EAL, and MTSS alignment:

• March: Student behavior management training (school-wide and targeted teams)

• March: UDL coaching with selected teachers, with shared learning to follow

• April: EAL and learning support consultancy building on prior MTSS work

• August: School-wide MTSS training during Opening Week
  
  

Together, these efforts strengthen proactive, coordinated, and embedded support systems that will positively impact teaching and learning across NOVA.

With this, I wish you a great week ahead.

Warm regards, Julie