SUPERINTENDENT

February 1, 2024

FROM THE DESK OF THE SUPERINTENDENT

NCSD Families,

Happy Monday! I hope you are all having a great winter as we embark on the start of a new semester here in NCSD! I have a couple brief updates for you before you go on to read about the amazing events happening and also insights about our students. I again want to thank you for your continued and ongoing partnership in your child's education! We strive everyday to be the best place to have your child educated anywhere. Here are a small handful of updates:

February 27 - VIRTUAL DAY - I wanted to let all of you know that on February 27, 2024, we will be running school virtually due to the fact that we have a primary election being run in the district. We felt like there was no way that we would be able to hold an election during school hours and maintain our security efforts. Unlike a Snow Day or Act of God day, an Emergency Virtual Day is when the district will run school, but we will run it virtually without meeting in-person. This means there will be assignments, opportunities to meet virtually with teachers, and learning will continue. Buildings will be communicating more details as it gets closer, but I wanted you to know that we are going to have school that day virtually so that you can plan accordingly. ECEC and Preschool Programming will be in-person and run as normal on that day.
Kindergarten Information Night - On Wednesday, February 28 at 6:00 p.m., we will be holding a Kindergarten Parent Information Night at Novi Middle School. The purpose of this meeting is to meet with all parents of incoming kindergarteners and share the incredible new programming opportunities that are being offered including Wildcat Launch and Intro Week. If you are someone you know, will have a kindergarten student this fall, I highly encourage you to attend!
State of the District Event - This is an early Save-the-Date Notification for Wednesday, May 1 as we will be hosting our Annual State of the District Event. This will be an awesome event and an opportunity for our community to gather and learn more about where the district is heading and updates from all of our school clubs and groups. It was a great event last year, so I wanted to put it on your radar now!
Coffee with the Superintendent - The next Superintendent Coffee is scheduled for this week Thursday, February 8 at 6:00 p.m. at the Novi Public Library. The topic of discussion will be Mental Health and Wellness in Schools and our invited guest is RosaLeigh Johnson, our Director of Mental Health and Wellness.

Go Wildcats!

Ben Mainka, Superintendent
Novi Community School District

SWIFT WORK ON SNOW DAY LYRICS

zoom_out_map

Novi High sophomore Ella Griffin, who appeared on the recent Courageous Curiosity podcast to discuss Snow Days, was responsible for writing the lyrics for the Snow Day parody video of Taylor Swift’s “Cruel Summer” that was shared with the community on January 23.

Griffin said she was walking in the hallway at the High School when she saw an email asking for students to submit suggestions for possible songs.

“I play (Taylor Swift’s) music on shuffle a lot and (Cruel Summer) is a popular one,” Ella said.

Griffin said it took a few days to complete the parody of the lyrics with a Novi Snow Day spin. Ella’s lyrics were tweaked a bit by the four students – Nikhita Biju, Hannah Jeong, Rithi Ramamurthy and Jaanvi Reddy Muchanthla – who sang the song with Superintendent Ben Mainka.

Ella was also involved in some of the production of the video, She shared video of her family sledding with videographer Nick LeTarte.

Even though Ella knew about some aspects of the planning, she was surprised when she watched the video announcement calling the Snow Day and realized her younger sister, Alaina, was featured.

“My mom immediately put it on the television,” Ella said. “Of all of the (22K views), she’s probably half of them.”’

NOVI HIGH ONE ACT SHOWS FEB. 6-7

Public shows for Novi High’s One Act – “Every U.S. Election Ever!” by Ian McWethy – will be held at 7 p.m. on Feb. 6-7. Tickets are $5.

We spoke to some of the performers ahead of the show.

Ally Bajorek, freshman

Roles: LBJ, Biden, Eugene Debs

On what they enjoy most about the One Act competition: “I like the humor written into the show, poking fun at American politics and making people laugh. I also like the idea that the whole show is about a few teenagers just trying to make sense of the way their country works.”

On why people should come see the show: “People should watch the show because it’s fun and maybe relatable. It’s also a good way to get introduced to school programs and shows that people haven’t considered joining/supporting before.”

On what they love most about theatre: “I really like acting, and I also like the community and the acceptance that comes with the company. There isn’t a single person there I dislike.”

Joanna Ambadipudi, sophomore

Roles: Narrator, Bill Clinton, Bad Guy 4

On what they enjoy most about the One Act competition: “With this being my first One Act, it's amazing to see how all the different aspects, both backstage and on stage come together to make a really great show. Each decision from lighting to costumes takes a lot of planning and brainstorming, and the whole process is kind of like putting together a giant puzzle to make the perfect show, especially because this is a short play. So every single detail makes a major difference. But more than anything, I've really enjoyed the friends and memories that I've been able to make through One Act this year!”

On why people should come see the show: “We're turning history into comedy, giving you a hilarious take on past elections. It's not your typical show – it's a fun ride through US political chaos. Whether you're into politics or just want a good time, Every US Election is the show for you!”

On what they love most about theatre: “The thrill of live moments and real connections in theatre is what I love. It's raw, immediate, and every show is a unique experience.”

David Lowry, junior

Roles: Several; main roles are Woodrow Wilson and A baritone singer

On what they enjoy most about the One Act competition: “What I enjoy most about One Act is being with great people and putting on a great show I know I’ll be proud of.”

On why people should come see the show: “People should come see the show to hear two renditions of popular songs revamped to become political. There’s great choreography in both.”

On what they love most about theatre: “What I love most about theatre is the family that comes with it, you’re with these people for hours after school almost everyday so you’re bound to get close. It’s great.”

Isabelle Shi, senior

Roles (acting): Hamilton, Generic Bad Guy 3, American, Reporter 6, Republican Partisan

Roles (crew): Costume head assistant

On what they enjoy most about the One Act competition: “I love the process of so many different aspects of the show coming together to make one amazing production. It's also really cool watching other schools' shows at the competition.”

On why people should come to the show: “The title might be a bit off-putting, especially with how delicate the topic of politics is nowadays, but it's truly an unbiased viewpoint with a main goal of entertainment, which is achieved through taking certain events and/or characteristics and exaggerating it to the point of ridiculousness. It's a really funny show (even the cast still bursts into laughter at scenes, despite having seen and done them numerous times) and I think a lot of people will really enjoy it.”

On what they love about theatre: “A lot of satisfaction comes from putting on a good show, but what I love the most is the community and friends that come out of it. For me, some really good memories are from working on shows, but a lot are also from hanging out with the same people outside of theatre. We all share this common interest and spend hours after school together every day, so it's really easy for us to click with each other.”

RIVALS WEEK RETURNS

Novi High’s student council has been busy planning the Rivals week charity competition against Northville High. Rivals week is Feb. 5-9.

The schools earn points in three major ways: participating in events and Spirit Days, raising funds for Special Olympics Michigan (SOMI) and collecting items for SOMI (chapstick, deodorant and new socks).

Both schools will run identical spirit weeks:

Monday: PJ Day

Tuesday: Anything but a backpack….

Wednesday: Wild West vs. West Coast

Thursday: Adam Sandler Day

Friday: Green/White vs. Orange/Black

The school that earns the most points wins the week, a trophy, and bragging rights for a full year!

The charity benefiting from Rivals Week this year is Special Olympics Michigan. The schools will raise money through events, including a Polar Plunge, starting at 3:30 p.m. in the 10 Mile lot at Novi High, followed by a Unified basketball game at 5:30 p.m. at Novi High (admission for this game is free).

We would love for the community and the rest of the district to get involved! Community members can:

Donate to the Polar Plunge through THIS website.
Drop off lip balm, deodorant, and new socks to Novi High’s main office from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Feb. 5-9.
Attend the Novi vs. Northville Unified basketball game at Novi High School on Thursday, February 8
Attend the boys and girls basketball games at Northville High School on Friday, February 9.

Novi High will end Rivals Week with the SnowCo dance from 7-9 p.m. in the Fieldhouse on Saturday, February 10.

WIXOM ROAD TEMPORARY CLOSURE TO THROUGH TRAFFIC

The Wixom Road Sanitary Sewer Replacement and Pump Station Improvements Project is being done to accommodate existing flows through two pump stations on Wixom Road and upsizing the sewer between them, according to the city of Novi.

There is a portion of the sewer that will be constructed under Wixom Road, so Wixom Road will be closed to through traffic from Birchwoods Drive to Braeburn Lane for about 4-6 weeks starting February 5. Kelsey Drive is also closed. The traffic detour for the closure will be 11 Mile Road to Beck Road to 10 Mile Road and vice versa.

The sanitary sewer upgrade North of 11 Mile started in July and was completed in September. The south portion from Ravine Drive to Kelsey Bay Drive started in early November and is ongoing. The sewer replacement is over halfway completed. It is anticipated to take approximately six more weeks to complete the remaining sewer installation.

Click Here To View Closure Detour Route Map

NEF -GO FOR THE GREEN REVERSE RAFFLE

The Novi Educational Foundation (NEF) enriches the educational experience of all Novi

students by supporting opportunities that require financial resources beyond what is

possible with public funding. To support the NEF mission they are hosting the Go For The Green Reverse Raffle on March 9, 2024.

What is a Reverse Raffle? A Reverse Raffle starts off as a traditional raffle where patrons purchase tickets. Things change up in the drawing of the winning tickets. Tickets are continually drawn until the last one is drawn for the grand prize which is $5,000 (if 125 or more tickets are sold). Additional prizes will be given on random drawings.

The evening will include the raffle, cash bar, heavy hors d'oeuvres, silent auction items and a DJ for dancing.

Tickets are on sale now! Only 200 available!!

Get your tickets here: https://www.novieducationalfoundation.org/go-for-the-green

DON’T MISS OUT ON SUMMER EBT BENEFITS!

zoom_out_map

This upcoming summer, eligible families will be able to receive money for select food items through the new Summer EBT program. The Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) program has officially ended. However, the United States Department of Agriculture has approved a permanent Summer EBT program for eligible households and school districts.

Summer EBT benefits can be used to purchase:

fruits and vegetables
meat, poultry, and fish
dairy products
breads and cereals
other foods (such as snack foods and non-alcoholic beverages)

If you have not applied to qualify for free or reduced lunch here at Novi because your meals are free this year, you may be missing out on additional benefits that could assist your family!

Additional benefits available if you qualify:

Instructional supports (staff, supplies & materials, etc.)
Non-instructional services (counseling, social work, health services, etc.)
Professional Learning for staff
Parent and Community engagement supplies and activities
Technology
Summer-EBT

You still have time to receive these benefits if you apply before March 8th!

Here is the online link: https://lobby.wordwareinc.com/

Or here is the application you can fill out and mail back:

https://www.novi.k12.mi.us/departments/nutrition/free-and-reduced-price-meals

WANT TO GIVE A SHOUTOUT TO NCSD STAFF?

zoom_out_map

We believe in recognizing the outstanding efforts of our dedicated staff members who go above and beyond to support our students and their families. In the spirit of fostering a positive and appreciative community, we are excited to introduce the Staff Shout-Out initiative!

Do you know a teacher, administrator, bus driver, office professional, paraprofessional, or an ancillary staff member who has made a significant impact on your child's education and well-being? This is your chance to express your gratitude and admiration. We invite you to share your Staff Shout-Outs, highlighting the exceptional individuals who have made a difference in the lives of our students.

Whether it's a teacher who goes the extra mile in the classroom, a counselor who provides invaluable support, or any staff member who has made a positive impact, we want to hear about it. Your words of appreciation can brighten someone's day and serve as a powerful reminder of the incredible community we have in Novi.

We will share all of the staff shout-outs with all of our district staff each month. We can't wait to celebrate the dedication and excellence within our district!

Submit a Staff Shout Out using the nomination form.

In addition to the Staff Shoutout, NCSD recognizes a staff member on social media called Weekly Wildcat. This recognition comes from staff nominations.

Here’s a recap of Weekly Wildcat winners in December:

Ashley Kurtz, Instructional Coach

Rachelle Shafer, Early Childhood Education Center Administrative Assistant

Hilary Beauregard, Novi Meadows 6 Kitchen Manager

DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP TIP: iOS 17 SECURITY WARNING

zoom_out_map

It is always best practice to update your devices such as your cell phone, but sometimes updates turn certain features on by default. iOS 17 has a new feature called Name Drop that prompts you to share your contact information when two iPhones are close together. The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office has recommended that you take some time to decide if you want this particular setting on or off.

How to Turn Off Name Drop

Open Settings
Press General
Press AirDrop
Toggle Off ‘Bringing Devices Together’

Forbes Article: Law Enforcement Issues iOS 17 Security Warning Over NameDrop Feature

VIRTUAL JOB FAIR FOR BUS DRIVERS

NCSD is looking to hire bus drivers for a variety of buildings. Pay starts between $21 to $26.50 per hour with benefits available to full-time drivers.

We will be holding a virtual job fair from 10 a.m. to noon on Tuesday, February 6.

The 15-minute appointments will provide insight into what it is like to be a bus driver for NCSD.

Please sign up for a screening interview time using this SignUpGenius Link. At your job fair appointment time, please join us using this Zoom Link to meet with members of the NCSD staff and learn more about the available driving positions. If you would like to apply for one of these positions, you can do this by using this link.

MIDDLE SCHOOL SCIENCE OLYMPIAD

Three of the Science Olympiad teams are participating in a virtual tournament called The Battle of the States. The multi-state tournament includes teams from Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin. There are monthly competitions for the tournament, which ends in February.

“Science Olympiad is an amazing STEM program that has grown tremendously through the years at Novi Middle School,” said Science Olympiad coach Debra Jodoin. “So far, we are off to a great start, and we are looking forward to huge successes this year.”

Results from the Virtual Tournament:

Dhruv Rathod and Rahul Prasanna placed first in an event called Write It Do It.

Charley Li and Aarush Jain placed second in an event called Wheeled Vehicle.

Results from the In-Person Tournament:

Aarush Jain and Charley Li placed first overall in an event called Wheeled Vehicle.

Diya Ural and Mathanghi Ram placed second in an event called Forestry.

Afifa Peer and Mathanghi Ram placed third in an event called Fossils.

Dhruv Rahod and Rahul Prassana placed third in an event called Windpower.

YOUNG COMPOSERS - AND TEACHER - EARN HONORS

zoom_out_map

Students from Orchard Hills Elementary and Novi Meadows performed at the Young Composers event as part of the Michigan Music Conference. The Young Composers of Michigan (YCM) provides an opportunity for students from Michigan to have their creative work heard, recognized, and celebrated.

YCM aims to support the development of students as Creators, Producers and Performers. YCM is open to all k-12 students from Michigan. Students submit at least one original piece of music and receive feedback and comments from highly experienced musicians, composers, and industry professionals as a part of the YCM Community. In addition, YCM hosts an annual live concert celebrating the top student composers in Michigan with live performances of their pieces at the Annual Michigan Music Conference.

Two of the 14 composers groups recognized at the conference were from Novi:

Andy Quan and Gideon Bezikofer from Orchard Hills for For Sunshine-Für Sonnenschein (Xing Xing).
Eunju Cho and Emma Yu of Novi Meadows performed Rondo in C Major for 2 Cellos.

Additionally, Orchard Hills music teacher Kasey Julian received the Hilda E. Humphrey Service Award, which recognizes early career teachers who have become involved in the work of the Michigan Music Educators Association.