Nova Elementary Newsletter 

August 28, 2025 Lunch Menu Week #2 (September 1-5)

Dear Elementary Parents and Community,

It has been wonderful to welcome the children back to school this week! They returned rested, eager to see their friends, and excited to meet their new teachers. On Wednesday, we held our first elementary assembly, where we welcomed new students, celebrated summer birthdays, shared some of the exciting events planned for the year, and reviewed school rules and expectations. During the assembly, we also introduced our new Student Behavior Matrix. Please take a moment to review the expectations here: Student Behavior Matrix.   Ms. Lisa invited all first-fifth graders to join the club, Beacons of Belonging. This club is open to anyone who wants to promote school belonging, kindness, and school spirit. These students will plan school spirit days, the movie nights, monthly ES assemblies, and honor those students who include others. 

Early Drop Off
If you drop your child off at school before 7:45, there will be no supervision available. If you do need to drop off your child early, please do so at the upper school entrance. Students can stay with our security team.

Beacons of Belonging Club

We’re thrilled to announce that the Beacons of Belonging Club is back at NOVA. This special club is open to all students in grades 1-5 and is all about celebrating kindness, friendship, and inclusivity.

In the Belonging Club, students will:

• Help create a positive and welcoming environment at NOVA

• Celebrate each other and what makes us all special and unique

• Plan Assemblies and Spirit Days for Elementary School

Everyone is welcome in the Beacons of Belonging Club! Whether you’re excited to make new friends, want to make a positive difference at school, or just want a fun place to hang out, this is the club for you.

The application process will include a written statement about why students would like to join.

Meeting Days are as follows:

• Wednesdays during the lunch period

• Friday during regular ASA hours (2:55-3:55 pm)

Let’s build a school community where everyone feels they belong!

Tutoring Program
To further support students who may need academic reinforcement outside of their regular class time, NOVA offers the possibility of individualized tutoring with our faculty and staff after the regular school day. The process is simple:

1. The parent/guardian formally requests a tutor for their child by completing the form [HERE].
    

2. Once submitted, the school makes every effort to locate and match the student with a suitable teacher who can provide targeted academic support.
   You can find more details about the program [HERE].

Student ID Cards
Some of your children have lost their student ID cards. They need to have their cards to access the campus and to exit.  Please take care to order a new card for your child if needed.  We have given them a grace period thus far, but will soon hold them accountable.  NOVA ID Card: You can request a replacement or an additional ID card here.  

School Supplies
If you have not yet ordered your child's school supplies for the 2025-2026 school year, please do so.
ES Supply List (K–5): List of the supply sets here. Purchase from the school here or provide independently following the grade-level list.

August 21, 2025     Lunch Menu Week 2 (August 25-29)

Dear Elementary Parents and Community,

It has been wonderful to welcome the children back to school this week! They returned rested, eager to see their friends, and excited to meet their new teachers. On Wednesday, we held our first elementary assembly, where we welcomed new students, celebrated summer birthdays, shared some of the exciting events planned for the year, and reviewed school rules and expectations. During the assembly, we also introduced our new Student Behavior Matrix. Please take a moment to review the expectations here: Student Behavior Matrix.   Ms. Lisa invited all first-fifth graders to join the club, Beacons of Belonging. This club is open to anyone who wants to promote school belonging, kindness, and school spirit. These students will plan school spirit days, the movie nights, monthly ES assemblies, and honor those students who include others. 

Homework Philosophy/Guidelines
At Nova, we believe the purpose of homework is to support students in developing responsibility, perseverance, and effective study habits while fostering stamina and a strong work ethic. Homework also serves as a bridge to meaningful parent involvement, offering families insight into their child’s learning journey and encouraging a collaborative partnership between home and school to nurture lifelong learners. Elementary Homework Guidelines

Winter Performance Main Acting Parts - GR 3-5

As most of you know, Nova Elementary presents a large musical production in December. In the past, students auditioned for the main acting roles. This year, students in grades 3-5 who are interested in these lead roles should enroll in the After-School Activities (ASAs) Drama Club. Please note that all students in grades one through five will participate in the performance.

Playground Play Changes

• Football days will be limited to two days a week. 

GR 2 M/W GR 3 Tue/Thur.  GR 4 M/W GR 5 Tue/Thur. No football on Friday.

• Wednesday, August 20 - All school assembly - setting expectations

• Zero tolerance for fighting

• When recess is over, it’s over. Balls need to be picked up and carried.

• Leave at least two minutes before the end for line-up.

• Supervision is dynamic - being fully present, walking around, not on phones.

Attendance
Importance of Attendance
Being on time and present at school each day is extremely important. The impact on student learning from excessive absenteeism has a cumulative effect on learning. We ask you for your support in making sure that school attendance remains a priority. While every possible allowance is made for students who are absent due to illness, family emergency, religious observance, or participation in a school-sponsored activity, absences resulting from extended vacation and family trips are inappropriate reasons to miss school. Please attempt to schedule medical appointments outside of the school day. The school offers ample time during vacations throughout the year for family travel, and parents are asked to contact the office as far in advance as possible for a foreseeable absence. The school reserves the right to require medical documentation related to student absences. Please take a look at the academic calendar for the 2025-2026 school year and plan your vacations accordingly. 

After School Activities
We are pleased to announce the start of our Co-curriculars: After-School Activities (ASA), Language Institute (LI) and Daycare programs. There are 21 different ASA activities and 14 different levels of languages offered in the program. We are happy to announce that the ASA and LI programs will commence on Monday, August 25. We hope this upcoming school year will bring knowledge, new skills, and challenges. Your input and involvement over the years has resulted in the most comprehensive ASA and LI programs. Please be aware that the schedule is subject to change. After School Activities (ASA) will start on Monday, August 25. The ASA program will run from 3:00 - 4:00 pm, every day except Wednesday, when the classes will run from 2:10 to 3:10 pm. 

 You can sign up for ASA HERE.

 Please find the schedule for ASA  HERE.

On-Call Substitute Teachers
We are always looking for on-call substitute teachers to support our students when teachers are out sick. If you are interested, please use the linked form to apply. HERE.

Fall Back-to-School PTA BBQ Social

I am excited to invite you to our PTA’s first event of the year—the Back-to-School BBQ Social!
Join us on Saturday, August 30, from 12:00–2:00 p.m. for delicious food, fun, and an opportunity to connect with fellow families and staff. Spots are limited—so don’t miss out! Please sign up through this form to reserve your place.

The PTA is happy to host this event at no cost to the community for the BBQ food. Drinks and ice cream will also be available for purchase. We look forward to seeing many of you there and starting the school year together in community!

Upcoming Events

Pre-K Students Start School - Monday, August 25

After School Activities Trimester I - Begin the week of August 25

Nova Back to School BBQ - Saturday, August 30, 12:00-2:00 pm 

MK Independence Day, School Closed - Monday, September 8 

I wish you a great week ahead.

Warm regards, 

Julie A. Cox

August 13, 2025 

Dear Elementary Parents and Community,

I’m excited to welcome you to the 2025-2026 school year! I hope you spent some quality time with your children this summer. We have some changes in our schedule this year and for the next week. Please read through the information carefully. The teachers have been at school preparing to welcome the children! It's so quiet and lonely without them. On the first day of school, you are welcome to walk your children to the door of the classroom. I look forward to seeing you then. 

Upcoming Dates & Events

August 18 - New Family Orientation 9:00-11:00 - ES/LSS Auditorium

August 18 - Returning Family Meet & Greet 1:00-3:30 - Classrooms

August 19 - First Day of School (Kindergarten-Grade 5) 7:45-11:30 

August 20-22 - Kindergarten students 7:45-11:30 all week.

      Students in GR 1-5 7:45-2:50

August 19-21 - Preschool Family Connection Meetings

You will sign up for a 45-minute block below.

August 22 - Preschool Playdate 1:00-3:00 (children & parents) ECE Playground

August 25 - First Day of School for Preschoolers

New Family Orientation

Monday, August 18, 2025 - 9:00-11:30  (New Nova families and students)

9:00-9:40 Whole Group Welcome 

9:40-10:10 Classroom Time

10:10-11:30 Sign up Tables + Meet the Specialist Teachers

Pictures for ID Cards will be taken.

Sample the food in the Cafeteria.

KG-GR 5 Returning Families Meet & Greet 

August 18 Afternoon - 1:00-3:30 (Returning students & their parents)
Teacher presentation in 2 slots:

• 1:00-1:30 p.m. Session 1 

• 1:35-2:05 p.m. Session 2

• 1:30-3:30 Meet the Specialists, Student Support Services Team, and sign up for After School Activities (ASAs), hot meals, school supplies, and transportation. 

Preschool Family Connections
Preschool Students (PK-3 & PK4) will not begin classes until Monday, August 25. Families of our little ones will meet with the classroom teacher on August 21-23 for a Family Connection. The purpose of this visit is to get the children comfortable with the school setting, the classroom, and the teachers. In addition, you and your child will have time to meet individually with the teachers, provide pertinent information, and ask questions about the school year.  

Please use the LINK below to sign up for your 45-minute meeting.

August 19-21, 2025 - PK Family Connections

First Day of School - KG-GR 5
The drop-off area for kindergarteners and first graders is in the back entrance of the school, using the doors near the plaza.  Second through fifth graders can be dropped off in front of the school. Pick up is the same. You may walk your child to their classroom on the first day, and after that, you can hug and go near the security turnstiles. Please bring your child’s dismissal number to school with you. 

Teacher Assignments

Teacher assignments will be sent out on Thursday, August 14, by your child’s Homeroom Teacher. Kindergarten students will not be assigned classrooms until the second week of school, so drop-off and pick-up will take place in the plaza area. This will allow the teachers time to get to know the children before grouping them into heterogeneous groups. KG parents will still receive an informational letter from the KG team. This letter will include links to sign up for food service, transportation,  and school supply kits. 

School Supplies

Students are expected to bring a specific kit of school supplies with them to school on the first/second day.  If you would like to purchase them on your own, please use this list to guide you. LINK. Please note that fourth and fifth-graders are to bring their own computers to school this year. 

Purchasing Ready-Made Kits - If you find it easier to purchase the supply kits, you may do so using this order form LINK.

School Hours

2025-2026 School Hours for ES Students - (each day except Wednesdays) Arrival between 7:45-7:50 and classes begin at 8:00.  Students will be counted late if they are not in the classroom at 8:00. Students are dismissed at 2:50 pm. Families are welcome to stay on campus an hour after dismissal to play on the playground. Parents are responsible for the supervision.

Early Release Wednesdays - ES students are dismissed at 2:00 pm each Wednesday. This provides the teachers with time for professional learning. 

Weekly Classroom Letters  
Once a week, your child’s homeroom teacher will send you a newsletter. The teacher will designate the day of the week and inform you. 

Backpacks  
Due to the number of stairs in the building, we kindly request that students bring backpacks without wheels. 

PE Shoes  
All students will be taking Physical Education classes. Please ensure that they bring a comfortable pair of clothes to change into and a dedicated pair of “indoor” shoes for PE and Dance class. The dedicated shoes will remain at school all year. 

Food Service/Transportation/Child Care  
Please use the following links to read about the Food Service and the Transportation Service. The same information will be provided in your teacher's letter to sign your child up for the services you require. You will also have the opportunity to sign up during ES Meet & Greet.

Toys/Trading Cards/Cell Phones  
Children should leave these items at home unless they have specific permission from the administration or the classroom teacher. Preschool students may bring a stuffed animal to comfort them if they would like. 

Water Bottles  
Please send your child to school with a water bottle. This will reduce our carbon footprint. We have water filters at school. Please encourage your child to bring it home once a week for a good washing.

Communication 
We are partners in your child’s education. If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s progress or behavior, please contact the classroom teacher directly. For broader school-related issues, please email me so we can schedule a time to talk (julie.cox@nova.edu.mk). 

In closing, I’d like to say that I am grateful for the strong team of school leaders, teachers, support teachers, and specialists with whom I work. We are all here to make school a positive learning experience for your children. Please reach out if you need anything. We are here for you. 

Warm regards, 

Julie A. Cox
ES Principal 

Student/Parent Handbook

2025-2026 Nova Academic Calendar

August 6, 2025