March 12, 2024

Lunch Menu # 2 (Week of March 16-20)

Dear Elementary Parents and Community,

As many of you are aware, I will be leaving Nova at the end of this school year after four wonderful years. It is time for me to return to my home in Seattle, Washington, to be closer to my elderly mother, friends, and family. This saddens me, as I have truly loved my time here, both at Nova and in North Macedonia. It will forever hold a special place in my heart.

I hope that I have left the school stronger than when I arrived; that is always a principal’s goal. Together, we have added classroom libraries, implemented Guided Reading groups, embarked on a three-year Belonging Initiative, and spent countless hours reviewing student data to ensure student growth. We also implemented the MTSS program and set aside dedicated time each day for interventions and enrichment.

We built community in joyful ways as well—celebrating International Day, hosting the staff vs. student football game, organizing community movie nights, and inviting parents to school not only for learning celebrations but also for lunch with their child. The Battle of the Books and Math Olympiad are two rich programs that were started during my time here, and I am confident they will continue for years to come.

Thank you for welcoming me into this community and for the trust you have placed in me to help lead and care for your children. It has been an honor to work alongside such dedicated teachers, supportive families, and remarkable students. I will carry many wonderful memories with me when I return to Seattle. I wish the entire community continued success and happiness in the years ahead.

Please know that you will have the opportunity to meet my replacement, Angela Speirs, on March 18 from 1:20–2:00 p.m. I hope you will join the meet-and-greet and give her a warm welcome. I will be working side by side with her for the remainder of the school year to ensure a smooth transition.

Featured Learning - Grade 5 Macedonian Class

The Grade 5 students had the wonderful opportunity to meet the well-known Macedonian writer Biljana Crvenkovska. The meeting was organized as part of the learning experiences connected to our current Unit of Inquiry “Who We Are,” whose central idea explores how an artist’s background, experiences, and cultural perspectives influence their 

During the visit, they engaged in a meaningful conversation with the author about the writing process and the challenges writers often face while creating stories.

Crvenkovska also introduced one of her books, which addresses a topic that is very relevant in the lives of children today. Hearing directly from the author helped students gain a deeper understanding of how personal experiences, ideas, and cultural context shape a writer’s work.

This authentic learning experience allowed students to connect their classroom learning with the real world and to see the creative process from the perspective of a professional author. The meeting encouraged students to think critically, express their opinions respectfully, and develop a deeper appreciation for literature and storytelling.

Trimester III After School Activites

The After School Activities Program (ASA) Trimester 3 will start on Monday, March 16. The program will run from 3.00 to 4.00 p.m. every day except Wednesday, when the classes will run from 2:10 to 3:10 p.m. More information about the individual activities and registration forms can be found HERE.

You can sign up for ASA activities HERE. If your child/s continues in the same activities, you must re-enroll.

Please find the ASA schedule HERE.

 Important information:

For Activities Organized by NOVA: Ping Pong, Volleyball, Chess, Little Coders, Helping Little Hands Master Big Skills, Art Explorers, Choir, Hip Hop, Daycare, Ballet, Jr. Hip Hop. You must sign the attached agreement, which is valid for the entire school year (disregard if it was completed for the previous trimester). Please return the signed copy to Ms. Ivana Stojneva, our Budgets and Fees Coordinator, before the trimester begins.

Payment information for activities organized by Nova:

 Bank: Sparkasse Banka Makedonija AD Skopje
Bank account: 250-1010002888-41

Bank: Halk Banka AD Skopje
Bank account: 270051699410154

 Payment for these activities must be made before the trimester begins.

If payment is not received, students may attend the sessions but will not be able to participate until Ivana Stojneva is notified of payment. 

Activities Led by External Providers

The following activities are provided by external providers using NOVA facilities: Yoga for Kids & Parents, Tinker Labs, Basics of Robotics, Jumping Clay, Basketball, Game Design with Roblox, and Young Engineers. For these activities, parents should contact the external provider directly regarding payment methods and deadlines. 

Language Institute (LI) is a continuum; you don’t need to re-enroll your child. 

Once you fill out the form, you automatically sign your child up for the activity. If there are any issues with the application, we will let you know. Please note that due to interest, the ASA schedule is subject to change. 

For any further questions, please contact our ASA Program Coordinator, Todor Dosevski, at todor.dosevski@nova.edu.mk. Thank you for your continued support of NOVA’s 

ES Career Day

Thank you, parents, for coming to Nova to present to our elementary students. They learned so much about diplomacy, road construction safety, web design, Arts & Culture, defence vehicle intelligence, food manufacturing, entrepreneurship, and more! They finished the event inspired.

With this, I wish you a great week ahead.

Warm regards, Julie