Macedonian language for beginners

We are happy to inform you that beginning today we are offering our High School students a Macedonian language for beginners class. The class will meet at 3pm today in classroom 204. If you are interested in learning Macedonian, please join our first class today.

Elementary School International Celebration

Proud Beginning of a New School Year

10th grade Canyon Matka/Holy Mother of God monastery excursion

We started the trip to Matka as a small but rather cheerful company of 28 sophomore students and 6 advisory teachers. That Friday, September 20th, the weather too was kind. Namely, morning sunny radiance saluted us when we got off the bus in front of the Sveta Bogorodica Precista Monastery in Matka. This, in turn, allowed for our unique opportunity to visit a 15th century church in the monastery’s interior, as well as the embroidery and sewing workshop to become a truly memorable event. After the visit, we moved onto the Matka tourist-stable, the cave complex “Vrelo”. The 30-minute boat-ride went smoothly (no pirate attacks). Still, we needed to put on our security belts. However, when we entered the cave, we did upset the natives – the bats. Even so, the sense of wonder and exhilaration – as if we were climbing down to the center of the Earth, where a small crystal blue lake awaited us – permeated all around. None could believe that we met up with a sizable lake, 25 meters in depth, yet neither was in a mood to go swimming. After lunch in the restaurant of Matka, with the beautiful surrounding of the rocks and the old church of St. Andrea (14th century), we went back on the bus to Skopje, and NOVA, feeling relaxed and being richer for a new experience.

Timetable for the Back to School Night

Student Council Cabinet 2013/2014

The NOVA High School Student Council is a liaison between NOVA students and the NOVA community. The main purpose of this studentrun organisation is to enhance the lives of NOVA students. This includes, butis not limited to, addressing individual concerns of the student body,chartering and supporting clubs, promoting the sense of community through social and educational programming, and representing the NOVA community to the outside world. At the beginning of each school year, a cabinet is elected to represent the Student Council and act as a liaison between the Student Council and NOVA faculty and staff, PTA and other organisations with in the NOVA community. Congratulations to the newly elected NOVA High School Cabinet:   Senior Chairs: Simona Sarafinovska and Petar PetrovskiJunior Chair: Kristina MadjoskaSecretary: Nikola DanevTreasurer: Mishel Mucunska

Extracurricular Activities (September 2013)

Extracurricular Activities (September 2013)

X PRIZE Foundation director lectures at NOVA

On September 12 NOVA International Schools had the honor of welcoming Ms. Emily Fowler, Director of Strategic Initiatives at the X PRIZE Foundation (www.xprize.org) an organization dedicated to developing radical breakthroughs for the benefit of humanity through incentive prize competitions. Ms. Fowler is a guest of the US Embassy in Skopje and as part of her visit she accepted to do an outreach session for US alumni in Macedonia and NOVA high school students. Ms. Fowler involvement in the X Prize Foundation is to spearhead and oversee the implementation of key strategic projects central to scaling and evolving the X PRIZE model. She brought her background in strategy, commercial creativity and design thinking, during the one-hour lecture, concentrating on the topic of Motivation and Branding. During the lecture she shared her real-world experiences, articulating strategies in which organizations can think differently about innovation, strategic options, and impact.

CEESA Hands-On Student Involvement 2013 conference hosted at NOVA

In November 2013 NOVA will host the CEESA HOSIC Conference. CEESA HS HOSIC (Hands-On Student Involvement Conference) is a theme-based, non-competitive conference that gives students a forum to explore ideas, practice presentation and interpersonal skills. The two-day HOSIC conference consists of student-led workshops, seminars, and presentations based on the chosen theme, beginning with a keynote speaker. The theme for this year HOSIC is “Modern Society”. We would like to invite all students who are interested in participating in this Conference to contact Mr. Aleksandar Ristovski (the Athletic Director and Activities Coordinator) or Ms. Melissa Mitrevski (the Social Science Department Coordinator) latest by Thursday next week.

High School Back to School Night

Thursday, September 19, from 17-20h the High School is hosting its Back to School Night and is inviting all high school parents. The purpose of this event is to familiarize parents with their children's teachers and coursework. It is an occasion to hear more about the curriculum and school programs, to learn about student support services, receive information about after school activities, community service and athletics programs, and meet representatives of the Parent Teacher Association (PTA). We look forward to seeing everyone on Thursday!

Ice Cream Social

Get Connected @ Your Library (September 5th-12th)

Please find time to visit our Library info board and submityour favorite website’s address, its purpose and a description of its content. Letus compile grade 9,10,11,12 and teachers' website lists and make them available to all NOVA students. Thank you!

Start of the Soccer Season

 Dear NOVA students and parents, We would like to inform you that the soccer season for our MS and HS Soccer teams for boys and girls will start next week (10-13.September.2013). All boys and girls from grades 5 - 12 are invited to attend the first practices that are scheduled as follows: Tuesday (10.Sep.2013) MS Boys Soccer Team with their coaches Mr. Panche Panchevski (pance.pancevski@nova.edu.mk) Mr. Mircho Matevski (mircho.matevski@nova.edu.mk) Wednesday (11.Sep.2013)MS Girls Soccer Team with their coaches Mr. Ivan Markovski (ivan.markovski@nova.edu.mk) Ms. Vera Sotirovska (vera.sotirovska@nova.edu.mk) Thursday (12.Sep.2013)HS Girls Soccer Team with their coaches Mr. Aleksandar Ristovski (aleksandar.ristovski@nova.edu.mk) Ms. Stela Conic Jakoska (stela.conic@nova.edu.mk) Friday (13.Sep.2013)HS Boys Soccer Team with their coaches: Mr. Goran Krkovski (goran.krkovski@nova.edu.mk) Mr. Marjan Peovski (marjan.peovski@nova.edu.mk) The first practices for all teams will be held at FORZA Gym from 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm. The detailed schedule of practices, trips, and tournaments for the entire season will be distributed to the students during the first practice. For more info or details, please don’t hesitate to contact the coaches or the Athletic Director (Mr. Aleksandar Ristovski). I wish a great soccer season to all of you, Aleksandar RistovskiAthletic Director and Activities CoordinatorNOVA International SchoolsSkopje, R. Macedonia

COMMUNITY BLOOD AND FOOD DRIVE

With just fifteen minutes of your time, you might save a life.  PLEASE JOIN the U.S. Embassy and Red Cross of Skopje FOR A COMMUNITY BLOOD AND FOOD DRIVE   On Wednesday September 11, in commemoration of the tragic events of September 11, 2001, the U.S. Embassy will host a blood and food donation event in collaboration with the Red Cross. Blood donors will be gladly accepted at the U.S. Embassy from 10:30 to 16:30. This event will help the Red Cross replenish blood supplies and provide needy families with food and other necessities for the winter months ahead.   The process of blood donation should take less than twenty minutes from start to finish, including registration, a brief medical check/questionnaire from the medical staff of Red Cross, donation of blood, and a snack and drink to follow.  Donors must be between 18-65 years of age, and have not donated blood in the last 4 months for women or 3 months for men.  Donors must have resided in Macedonia for at least 6 months.   We will also be collecting non-perishable food items (see list below) and financial donations.  Please consider donating a food item, especially if you cannot donate blood.   We hope to see you there!  RED CROSS’S RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FOOD PRODUCTS • Rice • Bean • Lentils • Salt • Sugar • Flour • Corn flour • Pasta • Oil • Canned peas, string beans and mixed vegetable • Canned fish • Biscuits • Soups • Canned fruits • Ketchup

HS Library News

Dear students There’s a presentation on the NOVA Teen Advisory Board/Council on Tuesday, September 3rd @3pm in the Library. Teen Advisory Council is a long-term group that provides ongoing service for the Library and the Library services, from collection development to programming, raising money, and volunteering for different service projects, such as reading programs, poetry readings, fundraisers, downloading movies, designing cinema posters etc. There are three reasons why you should become a member-1)it looks good on your college application, 2) you earn community service hours and 3) you have the freedom to assist and make decisions. If you are interested, please see the poster on the info board in front of the Library, or contact Ms. Ana Trajkovska, or Ms. Sonja Stojkovic. We are giving you an opportunity to become members of a new club i.e. Book Club. The Book club will meet twice a month-once to lively discuss a book, and the other time to create a book trailer for the book read and to choose a new title for reading. If you are interested, please sign up on the Book Club Roster which is posted on the info board outside the Library, and come to our first meeting on Wednesday, September 4 @3pm in the Library.

High School Principal Welcome Letter

Dear NOVA family, We are happy to welcome you back to our school for the academic 2013/2014, and inform you that the school year will begin on Thursday, August 29 at 8 am. A few reminders: - At NOVA, high school students are offered a generous calendar of afterschool activities – athletics, competitions, and clubs – generally taking place on weekdays from 3-5pm. If you are interested, look for a timetable of activities and student registration forms as they become available in September; - Classes meet in blocks of 80/85 minutes every other day; school holidays do not affect their rotation. - Our guidance counselors Irena (irena.filkova@nova.edu.mk) and Angie (angela.slavkova@nova.edu.mk) are there to answer any specific questions you may have. I would also like to encourage you to review any course syllabi, class supplies list, attendance records, class assignments, course calendars, class reports and grades posted on Edline through your own school account. Parents who have created accounts can also find out more about school events, athletics, afterschool activities, and download recent school documents. If you have not already set up your own account, send us an email to info@nova.edu.mk with the word ‘Edline’ in the subject of the message, and include your first and last name in the text. We will contact you shortly with instructions. Your child’s schedule will be distributed on the first school day. To request changes to this schedule you should have an active online account. The course-change registration portal will open at 8am on Thursday Aug 29 and close at 4pm on Friday Sep 6. Once you log-in to your account, simply locate the electronic add/drop/change form and follow directions. It may take up to a week for us to process changes; the requests must meet guidance counselor approval, and will be processed so long as there are spaces available. A few upcoming dates to note: Thursday, August 29, 2013 at 8am – Shortened Schedule (see timetable) Students should arrive a few minutes prior to 8am. This day is intended to introduce students to their courses. Personal introductions, course syllabi and classroom policies are typically discussed during our first shortened day of school. Textbooks and Locker keys (August 29) You will pick up all course required texts and reading materials from your teachers during the shortened schedule on August 29. Locker keys are also available throughout the first days from the security desk. Other important dates to remember: Thursday, September 19 – Back to School Night Friday, September 20 – Grade Level School Excursions The colleagues and I are eagerly anticipating the start of the new school year. We look forward to welcoming you to our community. Warmly, Viktor Novakovski, High School Principal NOVA International Schools

Hot Meal and Snack 2013-14

Hot meal and snack menus for the 1st semester of 2013-14 have been published. You can visit the following link to see the selection of meals offered and turn in the filled out application form if you would like to sign up your child. Hot meal and snack service will commence from September 2nd.  We look forward to another tasty and healthy school year. NOVA Cafeteria   

ES and MS first week of classes

                                       Wednesday, August 28 – ES and MS Student Orientation                  9:00 – 10:45 Elementary School Orientation in the amphitheater.                 10:30 – 12:00 Middle School Orientation in the amphitheater ·         See class lists, get schedules and information about courses and supplies ·         Meet the teachers and principals ·         Sign up for Hot Lunch program, Bus Service, Supply Packets and Day Care Program                                                Thursday, August 29 – First Day of School                  8:00 – 12:00 Half day                                                 Friday, August 30 – School in full session  8:00 – 3:00 Full day ·         The Hot Lunch program will not begin until Monday, September 2

HS new student orientation (August 28th)

Welcome back (Academic 2013-14)

Dear NOVA students and parents,The new school year is upon us. We're excited to welcome you back. As you began to prepare for your transition back, please visit the following link for this year's academic calendar, containing all working and non-working days. We also have posted our Library and College Counseling calendars for the coming year. See you soon.http://nova.edu.mk/EN/Calendar.aspx

First day of school - Class schedule for NOVA High School

"Alternative Summer Break" Series: Nova Students and their Summers (Nikola Danev, Class of 2016)

If you were to describe your summer break with three words, what would those three words be? How so? If I were to describe my summer experience in three words, those words would be: challenging, transforming and wonderful. I chose the word challenging because I felt like the learning environment at TASS [Telluride Association Sophmore Seminar, Indiana University, Bloomington] made me want to explore my possibilities and reach farther and deeper into any and every subject. This summer was transforming because I learned and understood a lot about society, about tolerance and understanding, and most importantly, about myself. It was wonderful because I got to share all of this with 17 other amazing people and have a tremendous amount of fun while doing so. Could you speak with some degree of detail about the learning part of the experience? Could you speak with some degree of detail about the socializing aspect? My TASS program [six-week college level course on Race Films in a ‘Post-Race’ America? Film Studies and Critical Spectatorship]  covered themes of race, gender, class, sexuality and ethnicity and how they are portrayed in the media. We watched lots of movies and engaged in in-depth discussions of what we saw and what it meant. I’ve gained the knowledge to recognize and understand the ways in which our views of reality are shaped by film and media in general. The people that I shared this six-week experience with are some of the most knowledgeable and capable people that I’ve had the pleasure to meet. We had a lot of social activities, including bowling, theater, basketball, swimming and poetry workshops. Officially or unofficially, we were together all the time and got to know each other on a very personal level. On the whole, how meaningful did you find it all? How has it impacted you personally? Would you recommend it to another student/interested party? I found this program to be one of the most meaningful experiences in my life thus far. It made we realize how big and wide open the world is, and that there are no limits to what a person can do if only they dare to challenge themselves. I would definitely recommend TASS to anyone that wants to question and explore people, society and themselves, and to anyone that is prepared to be shaken to their core! More info on TASS Programs: http://www.tellurideassociation.org/programs/high_school_students/tass/tass_general_info.html

Student Impressions of NOVA

Perhaps it is not common for students to comment on the time they have spend at NOVA. However, I strongly feel that I have to express my feelings about NOVA now that I am heading off to a new adventure. It has been my privilege and a rewarding experience to spend almost four spectacular years at this extraordinary school. NOVA has managed to create a nurturing environment and a diverse student body which tries to excel and to be inquisitive, compassionate about learning and open minded. NOVA has truly given me the opportunity to cherish and appreciate a diverse and international community and an excellent academic education. Furthermore, NOVA's collaborative working environment empowered me to grow emotionally and artistically. NOVA's Middle School facilities include a beautiful new building, which makes all students, parents and staff feel comfortable and welcome. Yet, a school is not just a fancy building, but it is created by people who may or may not make a difference. This is what makes NOVA special, teachers make a difference and they deeply care about their students and want them to succeed! I was more than fortunate to have had some very inspiring and excellent teachers who have influenced and inspired me not just for the time at NOVA, but also for my future. Please allow me to name those teachers, who have left their footprints in my heart and have played a major role in building my character and making me the person I am today. They have not only been excellent teachers in their own fields, but they have been warm-hearted persons, who go far beyond the normal call of duty and always have an open ear and good advice. First of all I want to commend Ms. Amanda Leavitt. She has been an inspiration from day one. She has gone out of her way not only to teach us in a vivid and fun way, but she has succeeded in preparing us very well for High School. Mrs. Natasa Kardula who on top of her excellent academic skills, has been a caring teacher throughout the years. Even after being my teacher she is still concerned about my well- being. Ms. Vera Sotirovska and Ms. Marija Simonovska have "only" been my soccer and basketball coaches, but they have also proven to be supportive and outstanding teachers, who went out of their way to encourage and support me. The same goes for Ms. Jordan Johnston, who has never been my teacher, but has always taken a moment to listen and to make my days brighter.  I once read that a teacher's job is not just to cultivate a hunger for learning but to become a confidant and motivator but most of all, a teacher is an individual who sparks intellect and encourages students to pursue knowledge on their own. I cannot agree more and I believe that all these teachers have done that and to me they are the people who make NOVA what it is and what it is known for. I am forever grateful to you, Mrs. Novakovska, to have employed these wonderful ladies!    One person in particular has has made these four years memorable and very precious and I feel that this person cannot be left without being mentioned: Ms. Zorica Tabanova. There are not enough adjectives to describe her! She has been a blessing throughout my NOVA years. Her genuine kindness has not only carried me through difficult times, but her impeccable and outstanding teaching skills have had a great impact on me.  I strongly feel that she perfectly portraits what ALL teachers should be like. She is a true gem to the Nova Community and  I hope that you see that as well.  NOVA will always be part of me. It has a place in my heart and I can guarantee that I will stay in touch for many years to come. Warm regards, Anna-Sophie Kloppe, class of 2016