May 7, 2026

Lunch Menu # 1 (Week of May 11-15)

SCREEN SMART SERIES: YOUTUBE  & YOUTUBE SHORTS

This week, we will address the impacts of YouTube Videos & YouTube Shorts. 

YouTube can be a fun and educational tool, but it must be used carefully. It’s not designed specifically for young children, so it may show inappropriate content. The recommendation for young children is to use a separate app called YouTube Kids (Android/IoS), which offers more controlled, age-appropriate videos and does not include YouTube Shorts.

Fast-paced videos like YouTube Shorts can overstimulate the brain, making it harder for children to focus on slower activities.

The Science Behind the Dopamine Loop

Fast-paced videos give the brain quick bursts of dopamine, the chemical linked to reward and motivation. These fast rewards train the brain to expect something new and exciting with every swipe, building strong habits of never-ending scrolling over time. Because the content is instant and requires little effort, it feels more stimulating and better for those who watch than activities like reading or watching longer videos, which need focus and patience. This constant “reward cycle” keeps the brain wanting more, making it easier to get hooked on short, fast-paced content.

Effects of YouTube Shorts on developing brains:

• Shorter attention span

• Difficulty focusing on tasks

• Possible delays in language development

• Less time for play, creativity, and social interaction

Some recommendations for using YouTube in a balanced and safe way are:

Select safe platforms:

Use YouTube Kids instead of regular YouTube for more controlled content.

Connect while watching:

Watch videos together and talk about what you see.

Restrict screen time:

Use time limits.

Enable parental controls:

Set filters, age levels, and turn off autoplay.

Examine content regularly:

Check viewing history and monitor what your child watches.

No unsupervised browsing:

Avoid letting children scroll or search freely.

Make time for real (offline) play:

Encourage reading, outdoor play, and social interaction.

Avoid assuming all “kids” content is safe:

Even child-labeled videos can sometimes be inappropriate.

Recognize brain development needs:

Too much screen time can affect attention, memory, and language skills.

Talk about what they watch:

Help children understand and think critically about videos (what’s real, what can be dangerous, etc.).

Class Placements for the 2026-2027 School Year
Spring is a bustling season as we gear up for the upcoming school year! While we don't accept parent requests for particular teachers, we welcome "friend requests" for students in KG-GR 4.  Kindly list at least FIVE friends with whom you would like your child to be placed in the same class. We will do our best to place your child with at least one person from the list.  We will not honor the request if you don’t put in at least five names. Late submissions will not be accepted. The deadline for requests is May 25, 2025.

Participation in this is entirely optional. Our teachers engage in a comprehensive process to form well-rounded groups. We prioritize creating diverse groups, considering factors such as nationality, gender, academic performance, and social/emotional needs to achieve balance.  If you want to submit a "friend request" for your child, please email Ms. Natasa at natasa.mitevska@nova.edu.mk. 

Transition from Elementary to the Lower Secondary School 

The transition plan for students moving from fifth grade to the Lower Secondary programme includes a variety of activities designed to support both students and parents throughout the process. During May and early June, students participate in assemblies, counseling sessions, parent meetings, and peer interactions, all aimed at easing the transition and building confidence.

As part of this process, a key activity is scheduled for the week of May 18, during which MYP teachers will visit Grade 5 classrooms to teach a lesson in their subject area. The schedule has been carefully organized to minimize disruption, with sessions distributed across the week and aligned with teacher availability.

Overall, the transition process focuses on familiarizing students with the next stage of their learning, strengthening connections between programs, and ensuring a smooth and supportive experience for all students. There will be a Q&A session during which a Lower Secondary administrator and Ms. Debora will meet with fifth graders, providing an opportunity for students to share any concerns they may have about the transition. 

Fifth Grade Parent Meeting

This will take place immediately after the PYPX, on Tuesday, June 2nd, at 9:20 am.   

Parent Climate Survey

 As we are in the final quarter of the academic year, we invite you to take a moment to reflect on the year so far and share your insights in our climate survey. Your perspective is an essential component of our continuous effort to improve our educational environment. We are beginning with a survey for parents (Nova Parent Survey 2025-26), and surveys for our staff and students will follow. Please remember that all responses are anonymous and will significantly help our ongoing efforts to enhance our learning community. The findings also assist our accreditation/authorization efforts, ensuring we meet the prescribed standards. The survey should take no more than 10 minutes to complete. Your feedback is invaluable to us and greatly appreciated.

Featured Learning - First Grade Macedonian

This week, first graders in Ms. Despina's Macedonian class spent time reflecting on their reading and writing. They wrote about how they grew as readers and writers and what they will do in the future to get even stronger.