NCSD Families,

Happy November! There have certainly been some stressors over the past couple of weeks, but we are heading into the deep fall season with some strong momentum. As you may know, we have been working to bring back field trips, building visitors and volunteers, and as many in-person activities as we can this year. We appreciate all that you do as a community to support these incredible events.

Each week, I have an opportunity to visit school buildings and as I am getting to know staff and students, I am constantly amazed at what I find. This past week, I had the chance to visit a robotics classroom at Novi Meadows. To see the students programing robots to perform tasks and innovating about how to best solve a problem is very rare for 5th and 6th graders. However, not only were they able to think in dynamic ways about the problem, they collaborated together to solve problems. This is just one tiny slice of what our NCSD students do on a regular basis. It is a joy to watch and so much fun to think about what they may come up with next!

Please enjoy this month's edition of Wildcat Happenings, and really take the time to review all of the different calendars and events that are listed at the end of this newsletter. There is no shortage of opportunities for you to get involved and see what is happening with our students here in Novi. I also wanted to draw your attention to the evening of November 10, where I will be hosting our first NCSD Town Hall for our parents, students, staff, or anyone who would like to attend. The purpose of this town hall is for anyone, who would like to, to ask questions about anything in the district, we will make ourselves available to engage with you and answer the questions you have. I will be hosting, but will be joined by other staff and administrators in the district. Our first Town Hall meeting will be held virtually via Zoom, but we will be offering in-person events like this in the future. If you are interested in participating in our first event, the registration link is listed on the flyer below.

Finally, I would encourage you to get out to the polls next week and vote. We have four candidates running for two seats on the NCSD Board of Education, and we have multiple other important items on the ballot. I hope that you will all exercise your constitutional right to vote and make sure your voice is heard. If you need anything, as always, please do not hesitate to reach out. I cannot thank you enough for your support and all that you do to help make us the best place to live and go to school!

Go Wildcats!

Ben Mainka, Superintendent
Novi Community School District

The Novi Middle School Theater Company is performing “Folk Tales Around The World” at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, November 4 at Novi Middle School. Tickets cost $10 for general admission and are available on show day (cash or checks written to Novi Middle School).

“We are introducing audiences to tales from around the world,” said Lori Burkhardt, Novi Middle School Theater Company Director.

“We encourage you to use your creative imagination with these animal stories from India, Guana, Polnesian, Borneo, and North America. We will also be telling folk tales from Ukraine. We are supporting Ukraine by the author and publishing company donating their royalties to the International Red Cross’s Ukraine Emergency Appeal! We have a special dance to acknowledge the culture in Ukraine.”

The Novi Marching Band will perform at the Michigan Competing Band Association (MCBA) State Championships on Saturday, Nov. 5 at Ford Field in Detroit. Tickets are $28 for adults, $25 for students and senior citizens. Children under 5 are free. Additionally, Ford Field Parking is $6. Flight I begins at 7:45 a.m. and the awards ceremony is scheduled for 10:05 a.m.

"The students have been working extremely hard in adding new wrinkles and putting the finishing touches on our production All Alone Together and are now in 'refining' mode for the next week to maximize the energy, confidence, and clarity leading up to State Championships on Nov. 5th,” said Matthew Diroff, Director of Bands. “It's been a wonderful season and we continue to work to improve every day!"

Many of our youngest learners enjoyed PTO fundraising activities during the month of October, as well as the various Halloween-related activities.

Elementary school hallways were decorated with Halloween-related artwork. Students participated in Trunk or Treat events at most schools. Additionally, they were able to show off their Halloween costumes during parades and participated in holiday-related games, crafts and other activities.

Novi Meadows sixth graders successfully argued their case that they should be able to wear costumes for Halloween, something that hadn’t been done there in recent years.

Staff member, too, joined our students in the Halloween festivities.

Novi Middle School eighth graders will depart for the annual Washington, D.C. trip at 5:30 a.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, November 8.

Middle School math teacher Meghan Barnauskas is the new primary sponsor for the trip and shared some thoughts on why this is such an important trip for the students.

How is this year’s trip different from last year’s trip?

“This year, our trip will be very similar to last year, but we are excited to be taking eight buses instead of seven! Since COVID restrictions have relaxed, students will be able to tour the African American Museum of History and Culture for the first time since our 2019 trip. This is also the second year that we will be visiting the International Spy Museum, which impressed students last year with all of its interactive exhibits. We will still be visiting some student favorites such as Arlington National Cemetery, the Smithsonian Museums, National Archives, and Mount Vernon. Unfortunately, the U.S. Capitol is still restricting tours, so students will be able to tour the grounds, but we are still unable to tour the inside of the building.”

How you feel about taking over as the primary sponsor for the trip?

“Taking over as the primary sponsor of this trip has definitely been a huge responsibility, and Mr. Fenchel certainly left big shoes to fill! It takes a lot of coordination to get 383 students and 32 chaperones organized for the trip! Luckily, our staff at the middle school has been amazingly supportive and helpful in the planning. At the same time, it is very rewarding to see how excited students are for the trip, and I can't wait to watch them experience the trip!”

Why is it so important for students to go on the DC trip?

This trip has definitely become an important part of 8th grade for our students. First, they are studying early U.S. history, and going to D.C. allows them to witness that history firsthand. Instead of just reading about important documents like the Constitution and Bill of Rights, they are able to see those documents at the National Archives, and instead of reading about important historical figures like George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, they can see the memorials and monuments dedicated to them. In addition to the historical component, the D.C. trip gives students the opportunity to spend four days with their classmates, which builds a general sense of community and camaraderie that lasts throughout the rest of the school year!”

What do you enjoy most about the trip?

“I really enjoy getting to spend time with students and fellow teachers outside of the classroom and school setting. It gives me the opportunity to get to know them better as individuals and build meaningful relationships that last throughout the year. In the past, even when I have had students in my chaperone group that aren't in my classes, I enjoy greeting those students in the hallway throughout the year!”

Do you have a favorite stop on the trip and why is it your favorite?

“My favorite stop on the trip is always Arlington National Cemetery. When we visit, the leaves are usually still changing colors, and the setting is absolutely breathtaking! In addition, I am always beyond impressed by the reverent and respectful behavior demonstrated by our Novi students during that stop. They are especially respectful when we watch the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. It always reminds me how awesome our Novi students are!”

There’s a lot going on in November for the Middle School besides the Washington, D.C. trip.

The first Middle School Orchestra concert of the year is at 7 p.m. on November 17 in the High School Auditorium. The community is welcome to attend the free event.

The concert will include performances from the 7th grade Concert Orchestra, 8th grade Symphony Orchestra, and a High School orchestra.

“This is a wonderful way for the community and for parents to witness the progress that students make on their instrument in a few short years, and for students to see what kind of progress they are capable of making in that amount of time,” said Novi Middle School Orchestra teacher Samantha Farmer. “For 7th graders, this is the first time they are getting the chance to perform on a stage for a concert, and we're lucky they get to do so on the big high school stage!”

Students have been preparing this music since September.

Here are the performances for the 7th and 8th grade Orchestras:

7th grade Concert Orchestra

Double Trouble by Lauren Bernofsky

Dorchester Street Songs: I. Hyde Park Dance II. Kimbark Song by Gregg Porter

8th grade Symphony Orchestra

Night Shift by Richard Meyer

Autumn Vows by Susan Day

Danza Rusticana by Elliot Del Borgo

MS Band/Orchestra

Novi Middle School Fall Band Concert at Novi High School, 7-8 p.m. Nov. 15

Thirty-six FIRST Tech Challenge teams, representing students in grades 6-8, will compete at the annual Frog Force Frenzy on Saturday, November 19 at Novi Middle School.

Novi High School FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) Team 503, Frog Force, invites the public to this free event, which runs from 9 a.m. and ends with an awards ceremony around 6:30 p.m.

Additionally, there will be an expo of FIRST Lego League Jr. (Jr. FLL) teams representing grades K-3. Those teams will demo their projects from 9-11:30 a.m.

FTC Opening Ceremonies begin at 10:30 a.m. and match play is scheduled for 11 a.m. The elimination rounds begin at 5:30 p.m.

“We like to host the Frog Force Frenzy because this allows all 36 teams to showcase their robot in all of Southeast Michigan,” said Terry Kobrossy of Frog Force. “We like to inspire and empower students to demonstrate their robots and continue spreading the word of FIRST – For inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology – for many years to come!”

For more information on FIRST, visit firstinspires.org

The Novi Esports League of Legends team beat Muskegon Mona Shores, 2-0, to move to the top of the state Esports League rankings. The team includes Nihal Dongari, Conner Kirkman, Robert Floros, William Diaz and Julia Lin.

“This team works hard every week, practicing together, refining their communication, examining drafts and replays, all while maintaining a positive atmosphere, and I could not be more proud of them,” said Novi High teacher and Esports sponsor Chris White.

“Novi League of Legends is only one of our many teams this year! Our Super Smash Bros teams and Rocket League teams also remain undefeated. Our program has grown a lot this year, with 44 student gamers involved in total.

“Esports provides an opportunity to students of all backgrounds and genders to compete and show their skills in their competitive video games. By playing in Esports, students not only represent their schools, but hone the values of teamwork and cooperation.”

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