SUPERINTENDENT
September 1, 2023
Welcome Back NCSD Families,
I hope all of you had a fun and rejuvenating summer. The weeks just flew by, but we are so incredibly excited to welcome back our students next week! The first day of school is one of the best days of my year because it signifies a fresh start and new beginning for everyone. If last year was incredible, then you can build on the momentum of the past school year. If last year was challenging, you can take all of your new learning and apply it to the hope of something better this year. There is so much optimism of "what could be" at the start of a new school year and that is energizing!
All of our staff started back this past week with a lot of professional development and on Monday with our big Opening Day Celebration. During this celebration, I shared with them how my first year went with a new leadership team here in Novi with a short video. I would like to share it with you, as well. Enjoy: The NCSD Office.
Here are some important items to update you on for the start of school:
- August 8 Millage Renewal - I cannot thank you enough for the passage of the August 8 millage renewals. These renewals will have no impact on the current tax levy for primary homeowners, but the approvals will allow us to obtain our operational funding from the state which helps us fund our teachers and staff that care so deeply for our students. We appreciate your support and partnership as we will continue to use our funds wisely to support our children and continue to lead the way with!
- Artificial Intelligence in School - This past year, we began discussing the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) in our culture and how that will impact schools. You can watch one of our own podcast discussions on the topic here. What we know is that we have to prepare our students for an AI world and how to use/navigate tools appropriately and ethically that are now at their disposal. In fact, this will be a required skill set from employers in the very near future and already is in many cases. This year, we will be discussing our practices around AI and we will share how we are learning and growing as a district in this area. Much more to come in this exciting and fascinating new world!
- Free Lunch and Breakfast - We are very thankful that our students, thanks to additional funding allocated from the state, will be able to have free lunch and breakfast provided. This takes the burden off of many families, and also simplifies the process for everyone. We know that students who are not hungry will have higher rates of focus and application.
- Increased Safety and Security - This year we are starting the year with many upgraded safety and security initiatives in the district. We have worked hard to bring state of the art software that detects firearms as well as new high resolution security cameras that are being installed all over the district. In addition to our hard security features and secure entries, we are pleased to announce that we have hired a Supervisor of Safety and Security who will be dedicated to overseeing our school safety efforts and procedures. Even though it is a sad reality, we will continue to lead and be ahead of the curve in keeping our staff and students as safe as possible.
- Traffic and Road Construction - The road construction in Michigan continues to be a frustration for everyone. I have been given confirmation that our Taft Road entrance to NHS and also the Wixom Road entrance to Deerfield will be ready for traffic by the end of the weekend. We will continue to work in close collaboration with our local government leaders to advocate for the projects to conclude quickly.
- Transportation - Those who responded that they need transportation for their child(ren) this school year, should have received an email from the Transportation Department on, August 29, at approximately 6:00 PM. We apologize that you may have received multiple emails with the same message, but we have corrected that. If you requested transportation and did not receive an email, please contact the Transportation Department by emailing: transportation@novik12.org.
- Elementary Summer Reading Days - Our annual summer reading days for grades K-4 were held this past month and they were so fun! Thank you for coming and participating and a big thank you to our PTOs for providing activities for our students. It is always nice to have the students get together and build momentum and excitement for starting their new school year!
- Share your First Day Photos - We love to see the joy of students on the first day of school. Please send us your first day photos and we’ll share them out through social media on Tuesday or Wednesday. You can send them to communications@novik12.org
Go Wildcats!
Ben Mainka, Superintendent
Novi Community School District
Joi Danforth, Principal of Orchard Hills Elementary
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: Joi has been an educator since 2011, working as a teacher, instructional specialist and an administrator. She previously worked as a teacher and instructional specialist. She has been an elementary principal and administrator in other districts since Sept. 2019.
FAVORITE MEMORY FROM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: “There are so many great memories, but my favorite memory is when I was chosen to sing in our Black History program. I can remember being nervous, but my teacher, friends, and family cheered me on and made me feel better.”
WHY I'M EXCITED TO WORK IN NOVI: “Novi is a wonderfully diverse district with great families. I am so excited to join and serve this community. I can't wait to learn and grow here as an educator, and I am committed to sharing all that I know with my students, families, teachers and staff.”
WHAT I LIKE TO DO FOR FUN: “I love poetry! I attend poetry slams, and other cool events in the Metro Detroit area. I also love spending time with my family. We take fun trips together and we try to spend quality time together regularly.”
Alice Kazee, Principal of Novi Woods Elementary
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: Alice has been an educator for 22 years, including several years as an elementary principal. She has also served as a middle school and high school assistant principal, and was a high school science teacher.
FAVORITE MEMORY FROM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: “There are so many, but the best was when my 3rd Grade teacher got married and invited her class to attend her ceremony! It was the first wedding I ever got to experience!”
WHY SHE IS EXCITED TO WORK IN NOVI: “Novi has such a tremendous reputation for being the highest caliber district, and I am so very excited to be part of the family. I cannot wait to get to know my students, staff and families and learn from them!”
WHAT SHE LIKES TO DO FOR FUN: “I am a HUGE DIsney fan! My two daughters (19 and 17) have been there at least ten times. I love being outdoors, running races, and going on vacations with my family!”
Jacqui Smith, Assistant Principal at Novi High School
Professional Experience: “I began my teaching career in 2002 as a special educator. I taught high school for six years, middle school for five years and then moved into district/K-12 administration, as well as building administration. I have been an educator in Illinois, Utah, Missouri, Texas and now Michigan.”
Favorite Memory from High School: “My favorite memories from high school were from my freshman and sophomore math classes. I had the same teacher both years and she is the reason they are so memorable. Ms. B. connected with each of us, connected us with one another and made learning fun. She solidified my desire to pursue a job in education.”
Why she is excited to work in Novi: “I am thrilled to be part of the Novi Family because I stand behind the beliefs of the district. I am excited to be part of such a high achieving, passionate and culturally responsive community.”
Michelle Eathorne, Assistant Principal at Novi High School
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: Michelle has been an educator for 14 years. “After obtaining my Special Education Teaching Certificate from MSU, I started as a Learning Specialist at a K-12 charter school in Dearborn Heights. I then moved to Chicago and taught a variety of subjects and grades for the next five years. In 2017, while still in Chicago, I was honored with the opportunity to join the founding team of Noble Mansueto, a new high school in the Brighton Park area, as the Dean of Specialized Student Services.”
FAVORITE MEMORY FROM HIGH SCHOOL: ”I do not have one specific favorite memory from my time at Churchill High School, but what I loved most about my experience was the positive community and culture that was established within the school. I always looked forward to attending the football games on Friday night, going to the dances and participating in the pep rallies. I remember grade levels competing in the canned food drives, going to Camp Tamarack with the Student Council and the Senior All Night Party.”
WHY SHE IS EXCITED TO WORK IN NOVI: “I am so excited to join the Wildcat family because I truly believe in the mission and vision of the district. The teachers and staff within the Novi community strive to ensure all students are provided with an equitable, culturally responsive and rigorous educational experience that will not only prepare and support them towards their post-secondary path, but also provide them with the competency to make a difference in their community or even the world!”
WHAT SHE LIKES TO DO FOR FUN: “I love being surrounded by friends and family! My fiance and I just moved back to Michigan, so we have spent the last few weeks catching up with people we usually only see once or twice a year. I also enjoy running and traveling. Each year my dad and I travel to a different location in the country to run in a race. I am an avid reader, but like to binge watch a good TV series every once in a while. I am also a suspense/thriller junkie. I love a good True Crime Podcast.”
David Sinopoli-Smith, Dean of Students at Novi Middle School
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: Although this may be my first year as an administrator, I am no stranger to the energy and vitality that make up a middle school. I have been in education for over 11 years, most of which have been at the middle level. After earning my Integrated Science and Mathematics Secondary Education degrees from U-M, I served for two years as a United States Peace Corps volunteer in Burkina Faso, where I was able to teach middle school math, science, and English in a remote village that didn't have access to electricity or running water. I then moved back to Michigan, where I taught a variety of math, science, and student leadership classes in Dexter. For the 2022-2023 school year, I was able to work with freshmen students to help with their transition to high school by focusing on career and college readiness, core competencies, community outreach, and organizational and communication skills.
WHAT IS A FAVORITE MEMORY FROM MIDDLE SCHOOL?: I will always remember our 8th grade trip to Washington, D.C. Being able to explore a big city without my parents, stay in a hotel room with my friends, and see in real time the content we were learning in history meant so much to me. I'm so glad I get to be able to attend the trip with the NMS students and staff this year, since it will allow me to look back on my trip and reminisce on the excitement I felt when I got to see all the monuments and museums for the first time!
WHY ARE YOU EXCITED TO WORK IN NOVI?: I have heard nothing but truly incredible things about the community and schools of Novi. Having a husband who is a proud Novi graduate himself, I hear countless stories about his time in the marching band and the many teachers who made a deep impact on him. It is such an honor being part of the Wildcat family and supporting every student and family so they feel like they have a place in our schools. I am a firm believer that everyone has a unique story to share, and the diversity, cultural responsiveness, and student-centeredness that make up Novi schools greatly contributes to the innovativeness and excellence that the district is known for. I feel so privileged being able to contribute to this.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO FOR FUN?: In my spare time, you can see me training for an upcoming marathon, reading fantasy books, playing with the cats, camping, playing board games (losing most of the time),and traveling. I am very blessed to have family all over the world, so being able to visit them brings me much joy. I also really enjoy seeing live music and going to sporting events, so please come up to me to say hello if you see me at a school function! I am also attempting to improve my baking skills.
