A YEAR LIKE NO OTHER The 2019 - 2020 school year ended in an unprecedented, historic fashion. As creative as NOVA’s students and adults are, we could not have imagined it. But, with a few days' notice, our teachers and staff were able to pivot into distance learning that continued core classes, some enrichments, art, music, and an urgently needed social emotional learning program. The delivery method was different, no question. The adults learned along with our students as we refined and expanded our program. NOVA continued to support families through grade level parent meetings and our regular parent discussion group. What was initially to be a three week model grew into a three month plan, as we responded to increasing numbers of COVID-19 cases in our state and county. Although our students and adults missed the year end trips, dances and other traditional events, our community adapted. We held virtual music concerts, we delivered yearbooks and t-shirts to all students, and yard signs to graduating 8th graders. We celebrated 37 graduates in a stirring virtual graduation that brought our community together and contained all the traditional NOVA elements, including the long-anticipated 8th grade slideshow. The administrative team developed systems and supports for this new way of being that supported faculty in their service to students. The Board of Trustees provided support, wisdom, and an expanded lens on the implications for this mandatory shift in delivery. Our annual Gala that raises funds targeted for financial aid shifted for the second year (remember the blizzard of 2019?), moving from an in-person celebratory party to a virtual format. Though the ground shifted under us in those last three months of the school year, we had, and have, a solid foundation. It’s a foundation based on our core values of connection, commitment, intention, and joy, built by those who came before us, and maintained by our current community. It was not an ending we anticipated. But it was an ending that was strangely, wonderfully uniquely NOVA. Most sincerely, Â
Barbara Mitchell Hutton Head of School
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