After School Activities (October 2014)

After School Activities (October 2014)

ES International Days Presentations - Day 1

It’s always exciting during International Days when parents share games, crafts, songs, dances, stories and food from their culture with our students! Check out the photo gallery from the presetations here

EMS International Days Performance

New Student Council Cabinet elected

On September 10th, the elections for this year’s Student Council Cabinet took place. This year, there was change in the voting format. Namely, the decision was not made only by the student body, but also by Department Coordinators, Student Support Services Staff and school leadership. In addition, the senior chair and the junior chair have been substituted with senior and junior chair coalitions of two students. However, the senior chair was known in advance since only one coalition was nominated. The new senior chair members, Kristina Madjoska and Nikolaos Theodosiadis gave a short speech on the elections in which they stated their goals and plans for this year. The voting took place after all junior chair, secretary and treasurer nominees gave their speeches in which they answered why they are the right person/coalition for the position they were nominated for. The end result? Senior Chairs: Krsitina Madjoska and Nikolaos Theodosiadis Junior Chairs: Ana Arsovska and Sofija Paneva Secretary: Ina Dimova Treasurer: Petar Peshev We congratulate the newly elected officers and wish them all the best.

Learning Chinese at NOVA

On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the opening of the first Confucius Institute in the world, and the 1st anniversary of this Institute in Skopje, open hours in Chinese language, writing, music and Tai Chi are being held today. As part of the collaboration between NOVA International Schools, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University of Skopje and the Confucius Institute of Skopje, we would like to announce that, starting from October, our students will have the opportunity to learn Chinese in our high school. Secrets of the Chinese signs, literature and culture lectured by teachers from China will be part of the classes for the 15 students who have already signed-up. Nova, as an international school comprising more than 40 different cultures, is looking to establish closer ties with the Chinese community in Macedonia, and we are extremely enthusiastic about deepening our collaboration. Check out the photo gallery from the visit here

ES Responsibility Assembly

We started the year off with a focus on Responsibility. Ms. Jovanovski’s 2nd grade class performed skits showing how to be responsible during lunchtime, recess and reading during DEAR. Our 1st grade Macedonian Language class drew pictures of themselves being responsible and explained their drawings. The 4th graders sang a song about this character trait. Then we watched a special video showing all the ways our NOVA elementary students are responsible. It was a great start to the new school year! Check out the photo gallery from the assembly here Responsibility song:

The PTA’s first Assembly meeting

NOVA PTA’s First Assembly Meeting was a resounding success. The high school amphitheater was filled by 47 old and new PTA members, all enthusiastic to make a difference. The first order of business was to select the new Managing Board for the following two years. With a unanimous vote, Mrs. Nada Stievater (parent) and Mrs. Katerina Venovska (parent) were elected as PTA Co-Chairs; Mrs. Katerina Zlatanovska Popova (PR & Alumni Coordinator) was elected to the roll of Secretary and Mrs. Marija Kochovska (parent) will serve as the new Treasurer. The PTA’s operation was subdivided in three committees: Welcome, Events and Fundraising and School Improvement. Parents and teachers split into individual committees based on personal interest and were able to decide on their committee coordinators. They also had a chance to have an initial brainstorming session for future activities and projects. Mrs. Deepty Mundhra (parent) and Mrs. Aneta Machkoski (parent) were elected as the Events & Fundraising Committee coordinators; Mrs. Aleksandra Mitevska (HS Learning Specialist) was elected as the Welcome Committee coordinator; and Mr. Vladimir Radevski (parent), Mrs. Kristina Todorovikj Nikolikj (parent) and Mr. Gerard Lucius (parent) as School Improvement committee coordinators. Every committee coordinator made a brief report on the generated ideas such as evening of ajvar tasting, Halloween party for HS students, social gathering during the boys soccer tournament in November, one-way traffic on Prashka street, support during the NOVA reaccreditation, usage of sports facilities, website and social media communication, talented students and exchange programs among others. Each of the committee agreed to meet additionally for further coordination. PTA Managing Board and PTA Committee Coordinators will meet monthly. The next PTA Assembly Meeting is scheduled for November 18, 2014. We look forward to another fruitful meeting, in our efforts to grow NOVA’s sense of community. Check out the photo gallery from the assembly here

HS Back to School Night

Last Friday, September 19th, 2014, NOVA High School was a host to HS parents for the annual Back to School Night. As every year, this is unique occasion for the parents to be in their “kid’s shoes” by following their schedules, visiting classes and getting familiar with their teachers and courses. Parents had the opportunity to find out more about the Service Learning and Athletics programs, as well as, student support services and after school activities. Check out the photo gallery from the event here  

NOVA nationally recognized for social responsibility practices

NOVA has yet again been recognized for its social responsibility practices and the Service Learning program, by the Coordinative body for corporate social responsibility. NOVA received a plaque in the category Investment in the Community for small to medium sized organizations. NOVA's Service Learning program aims to develop the personality of students, helping them become more active, compassionate, and socially aware citizens. It is designed as a framework for experiential learning, intending to involve students in new roles, with the emphasis on learning from experience. As part of the NOVA graduation requirements, students need to successfully complete a minimum of one community service - service learning project each year, with a minimum of ten community service hours. This past year students were working on environmental protection, recycling, animal care, teaching/tutoring underprivileged children, and with the Red Cross and Habitat for Humanity organizations. Press Corner Link

PTA Morning Coffee Hour – promoting a healthy diet

Dear parents and teachers, We would like to thank you for showing up in such a large number to today’s PTA Morning Coffee Hour and for all your ideas and suggestions about promoting a healthy diet in our cafeterias. We will keep you informed about activities our Food Advocacy group will undertake, involving both NOVA parents and students, throughout the year. As some of you have requested here are the recipes of the smoothies and ice cream that you had a chance to taste: Vegetable’s smoothie: 1 cucumber, 2 sticks of celery, 1/2 lemon juice, and 1 piece of fresh ginger; add some water and mix in a blender. Fruit smoothie: 1 piece of melon, 10-15 leafs of fresh mint, 100 ml water; Mix in a blender. Ice –cream: 1kg. of frozen bananas and 300 gr. of frozen raspberries; Mix all in a blender and serve immediately. Feel free to share your healthy recipes or join us in cooking you favorite healthy dish together with the Food Advocacy group. Hope to see many of you at our upcoming coffee hour or one of our planned events. Sincerely, NOVA PTA Check out the photo gallery from the event here

HS Back to School Night

SCHEDULE OF CLASSES for Friday, September 19, 2014

The College Board and NOVA International Schools present: Pre-AP Workshops in Macedonia

US Embassy Blood and Food Drive

Please Jointhe U.S. Embassy and Red Cross of Skopje for a COMMUNITY BLOOD AND FOOD DRIVEOn Thursday September 11, the U.S. Embassy will mark the U.S. National Day of Serviceby hosting a blood and food donation event in collaboration with the Red Cross of City of Skopje and the Institute of Transfusiology.Blood donors will be gladly accepted at the U.S. Embassyfrom 10:30 to 16:00.Ambassador Wohlers will give remarks at 11:30am.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 Red Cross medical staff, and the blood donation.  Afterwards, enjoy a snack, and a juice from our juice bar.Donors must be between 18-65 years of age, and must have resided in Macedonia for at least six months. Donors cannot have donated blood in the last four months for women, or three months for men.We will also be collecting non-perishable food items and financial donations. Please consider donating a food item, especially if you cannot donate blood.

Service Learning Student Focus Group meeting

HS beginning of school year

Dear new family, The administration team at NOVA High School is happy to invite you to our school on Wednesday August 27 at 11am for our new family orientation. This is an opportunity for your family to socialize with newcomers alike, your child to meet the Advisory and subject teachers, and become acquainted with many aspects of school life. The student orientation will take around 3 hours; a separate one for interested parents will begin at the same time, and take around 1 hour. We would like to encourage you to set up your own school account, and review any course syllabi, class supplies list, attendance records, class assignments, course calendars, class reports and grades posted there. Parents who have created accounts can also find out more about school events, athletics, afterschool activities, and download recent school documents. To 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 orientation 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 28 and close at 4pm on Friday Sep 5. 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 counsellor approval, and will be processed so long as there are spaces available. A few upcoming dates to note: Thursday and Friday, August 28-29, 2013 at 8 a.m. – Full A and B Days Students should arrive well before 8am. The first A and B days are intended to introduce students to their courses. Personal introductions, course syllabi and classroom policies are typically discussed during our first day of school. Textbooks and Locker keys (August 28 -29) You will pick up all course required texts and reading materials from your teachers during the classes Thursday and Friday August 28-29. Locker keys are also available from the security desk, during the first days of school. We look forward to welcoming you to our community.Warmly, NOVA High School Administration Team Other important dates to remember:Monday, September 8-Independence Day (non-working day)Friday, September 19 – Back to School Night

HS schedule of classes (Aug. 28th)

EMS Principal Welcome Letter

Dear Parents and Students, Yes, it's just about time to begin a new school year!  I hope you are enjoying your summer and feeling ready to get back to school. We're looking forward to seeing you all again. Here's some important information: ·  Wednesday, Aug. 27 is Student Orientation. Elementary at 10:00 - 11:00, with a short meeting about ESL from 11:00 - 11:30. Middle School at 12:00 - 1:00. We invite all families, new and returning, to come and meet the teachers, and get important information about classes. At this time you can also sign up for the Hot Lunch Program, Bus service, Day Care and order supply packets. ·  Thursday, Aug. 28 it the first day of school. It is a half day - dismissal at 12:00 for all students. ·  Friday, Aug. 29 is a full day of school. Dismissal at 3:00. The Hot Lunch program will start on Monday, Sept. 1, so please provide a snack for Thursday, and a snack and lunch on Friday for your child. The bus service will start on Tuesday, September 9th. ES and MS Class lists will be posted near the front entrance at 9:00 on Monday, August 25. Parent requests have been honored as much as possible and we have worked hard to make the classes balanced and beneficial for all students. No further changes will be made and we appreciate your support and understanding. I am very happy to be the principal of both Elementary and Middle School and eager to continue developing NOVA into the best school it can be. I look forward to working with you to make this a productive and enjoyable school year. See you soon! Warm regards, Cindy Gold M.Ed Elementary and Middle School Principal

HS Principal Welcome Letter

Dear parent, We are excited to welcome you to the new school year. For us teachers it has already begun. The summer has been exceptionally busy, hosting a world-class event (video here: http://www.globalconnections.org/news_and_initiatives/GCSeminarXVI_thoughts.aspx), but also busy with new enrolments. Our community is thriving, and it is shouldering the additional responsibilities well. I believe we are prepared for our most successful year yet. We look forward to welcoming our new high school families next Wednesday August 27 at 11am to the family orientation. If weather permits, we’ll go outside the building for a bit of socializing, to be joined by a number of our faculty and staff. There, I hope to also invite you to attend the first of many morning coffee hours, and to become a member of our parent-teacher association. I believe the best way to help your student is to join our efforts in helping all of our students.I have a few exciting changes to introduce to you here, all happening this year. We will be discussing them in greater detail at several upcoming events as well: Our campus will receive enhanced security, an additional security guard near the main parking lot. The school will adopt a new open campus policy, making it a privilege, one that our freshmen will need to earn, and that our sophomores, juniors and seniors will need to maintain.    In the spring, we are finally saying farewell to school excursions, in favor of a more robust learning experience called ‘a week without walls’. Your student will collaborate with peers in groups of 20, chaperoned by 2 of our faculty and staff. The groups will embark on a 3-5 day projects outside the confines of our school. This project-based learning will involve some travel, ranging from the nearby city center, to as far as another country.    This year, generously supported by the US Department of State, and partnering with College Board, we are able to bring a few major events at Nova. First is an October visit by the admissions director of an Ivy League school, the University of Pennsylvania; she will offer insight and training to our college counselors and teachers, but also offer an evening session for those families who are interested in finding out more about US college admissions. During our spring professional development, College Board will invite seasoned veterans to conduct vertical teams workshops for our grade 6-12 pre-AP programs, in Math, Science and English.  Finally, in addition to our rich program of events and extra-curricular activities, we would like to offer our students the opportunity to join cross-country coed, and varsity tennis. You can register your intent to join with our AC/AD, who will give more details, pending a sufficient number of interested families. We are eagerly anticipating the new school year, and the opportunity to meet you. Please do not hesitate to contact us if we can assist you - those of you making Skopje and Macedonia your new home, those making Nova your new community, or those returning, with whom we share an eventful history. Most respectfully,  Viktor Novakovski High School Principal NOVA International Schools

NOVA International Schools Congratulates its AP students on a successful May 2014 session!

With 66 AP students and around 150 exams, we are happy to report a resounding 82% success rate, with more than 11% higher than the previous exam session! Big congrats to the Class of 2014 for their AP Awards (9 in total, including 2 students being awarded an Advanced Placement International Diploma (APID)). We are also pleased to see a successful run for our junior class, the Class of 2015, with 12 AP Awards in place. Indeed, it has been a tremendous group feat, with everyone pulling in their weight. However, we’d also like to take this opportunity to single out a few names, of exceptionally dedicated and consistently hard-working AP students, whose Awards have made us so proud this day: Class of 2014 (Isidora Bojkovska, Vasil Kuzevski, Nikola Matlievski, Blanka Nakova, Bard Ajdini, Velimir Todorovski and Mila Georgievska) Class of 2015 (Martin Trpovski, Timothy Predmore, Monica Benya, Marija Trajanoska, Georg Chemerikikj, Stefan Spirovski, Elena Gagovska, Sara Jovanovska, Stefan Djaleski, Sergej Shteriev, Kala Nekova and Slavica Srebrova) Class of 2016 (Sofija Paneva)

NOVA International Schools Congratulates its IBDP students on a successful May 2014 session!

With 15 Diplomas earned, several courses successfully completed and anticipated candidates earning their IB stripes, we’d like to thank our students for coming full circle in a challenging and oftentimes strenuous academic programme. In terms of small and large victories, we’d like to acknowledge the exceptional work of few students whose high scores and overall top marks helped create both personal and communal victories in our little corner of the IB world: Simona Sarafinovska, on her resounding 43 points, Emilija Tashevska (41) , Ilina Dimitrovska (40), Sara Jankoska (38) and Aleksandra Kljuseva (39)!

Summer School and Summer Camp 2014

Even though our summer adventure has come to an end and we celebrated our accomplishments in a festive mood, we never said that this is the end of our journey together. On the contrary, it is a start of a wonderful friendship. As we take a plunge into summer we will remain continually inspired by all the students who showcased their talent; danced, sang, and delivered truly memorable lines during our NOVA summer school and camp final performance. It was a month of joy and adventure as we learned from each other and grew together regardless of whether we were testing our adventurous spirit by climbing mountains or reading a book. We managed to bridge the age gap, and proved once again the true value of education. Thus we promise to meet you again next year to recollect our poignant memories, and rewrite our story as we embark on new adventures.(Let us dream a dream together, and reach for the stars!) Check out the photo gallery from Summer School and Camp 2014 here Check out the photo gallery from the final performance here Short video from the final performance: