SUPERINTENDENT

March 1, 2023

FROM THE DESK OF THE SUPERINTENDENT

NCSD Families,

I hope that you took time with your families and friends to relax and enjoy the Spring Break. April is upon us and hopefully so is the warm weather. It will be fun and exciting spring as we approach the conclusion of another great school year. This edition of Wildcat Happenings is packed with great information for you to check out. I hope you take the time to read the articles below about a small number of the many activities we have going on in the district. Here are a couple topics I wanted to bring to your attention as well:

Parent Guidance Resource - I wanted to make sure you all know that we have an incredible resource that is not openly available to all school districts. Through our work with mental health support and also partnering with parents, there are some phenomenal parenting resources listed below in the Parent Guidance message. Literally, every parent in the district can get personalized coaching and guidance for challenges we all face with parenting. Please check it out and utilize this tremendous benefit.
Coffee with the Superintendent - My next Coffee with the Superintendent will be on Thursday, April 4, at 6:00 pm, at the Novi Public Library. Please join me and my invited guests are Mike Dragoo, NCSD's Director of Maintenance, Kevin Donnelly, from Plante Moran Realpoint, and Stewart Reich, from TMP Architecture. We will be discussing all of the current NCSD construction updates and plans
State of the District Event - We are busy planning for our 2nd Annual Novi Community School District State of the District Event. We will have informative break-out sessions that will include topics of interest to parents and community members. We will showcase our buildings, programs, and community support partners throughout the atrium area. We will also have a full dinner available for everyone who attends. There will be lots of food, fun activities for all ages, and childcare will be available, and the opportunity to learn more about our many student opportunities that we offer here in Novi! Please save the date, May 1, 2024 at 5:30 p.m., in the Novi High School Auditorium!
Staff Shout-Outs - Below, you will see a section where you can nominate a staff member very easily for a Staff Shout-Out. This is a simple way to help show our educators that they are valued and appreciated. It could be a teacher, administrator, paraprofessional, secretary, bus driver - literally anyone who works in the district. Please take a few minutes to show our staff some appreciation!

Go Wildcats!

Ben Mainka, Superintendent
Novi Community School District

NCSD’S APPROACH TO THE APRIL 8 SOLAR ECLIPSE

Novi will experience a partial solar eclipse on April 8, with about 95% of the Sun being covered at maximum. The solar eclipse will begin at 1:58 p.m in Novi, with the maximum at 3:14 p.m. and ending at 4:27 p.m. Looking at a solar eclipse with the naked eye can cause permanent vision damage. The Novi Community School District is insisting on indirect viewing method for safety reasons. Please have the conversation with your child and reinforce NOT to look directly at the eclipse.

What is the indirect viewing method?

Viewing the partial solar eclipse with the Sun behind you so as not to look directly at the Sun. Check out this great video from Mr. Brian Langley (K12 Science Coordinator) about how this can work!

Why this method?

This is the safest available method for viewing an eclipse. It is never safe to look directly at the Sun without certified solar viewing glasses and we want to be consistent across the ages of the district. Even with certified solar viewing glasses, if they are in some way damaged, the protection they provide may not be sufficient enough to ensure no damage to the eyes.

Does this method take all the fun out of the eclipse?

Not at all! Experiencing the eclipse safely is a great experience. And, options like making a box eclipse viewer is an engaging way to build excitement and intrigue for the event.

Recommended reading: https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses

BEAMING WITH NOVI PRIDE

Novi High’s Alisa Shiraishi won an individual MHSAA state gymnastics title on beam, finished second on floor and fifth in the all-around competition. We spoke to Alisa about her state title, her love of gymnastics and why she enjoyed competing for the Wildcats.

On winning the state title on beam: “It’s a priceless feeling and honestly a feeling that I can’t fully comprehend yet. I grew up doing competitive gymnastics for eight years. It was my childhood. During that time I would have morning and afternoon practices, causing me to miss some school – shoutout to (former) Novi Woods Principal, Mr. Asher for supporting me through this. Eventually, I did online/homeschool for 5th-7th grade to practice 30 hours a week and became a part-time student in 8th grade. I decided to quit club in 2020 and never thought to come back nor do high school gymnastics…it’s hard to put into words what this means to not only me but also my younger self; the sacrifices that I made ended up paying off in unexpected but wonderful ways. Reflecting back on all the work that went into this, I’m grateful to be representing Novi; it was truly an honor to get our name out there on the big stage and hear ‘from Novi’ after my name got announced on the podium. I’m just extremely grateful for every single coach and teammate that I’ve ever had throughout my journey. Without them, my family, and my friends, the title of individual state champion on beam would be worthless.”

On why she wanted to join the high school team: ”Simple answer - It’s fun! Gymnastics is one of the most difficult sports out there, no matter the level. Like all sports, there are obviously bad days but I personally was just happy to be there and happy to have the opportunities that I had. High school gymnastics is genuinely so much fun and you get to meet so many amazing people as well. I enjoyed the supportive yet competitive spirit and many club gymnasts tend to quit from burn out, injuries, and/or other circumstances, so I think those considering it should represent their school team because you have nothing to lose, there’s so much variety/range in skills, you can compete for individual scores as well as team scores, and the high school gymnastics community is continuously growing.”

On her beam success: “Since I was young, beam has been my favorite event, even though I’m scared of heights. I’ve had many mental blocks and permanent bruises but I love the satisfaction of sticking a skill on four inches of wood. I think beam is one of my strengths because of my mindset. I try not to think about falling, I just do the best I can and keep my cool. I don’t get in my head if I fall in competition because you can get back up and stick the rest of the routine. For example, I fell on my handstand layout at regionals and surprisingly still won. I’m also not really afraid of crashing …. I learned that hesitation is your worst enemy. In addition to my previous experience with more difficult skills, I believe that I particularly excelled on beam this season because I didn’t put much pressure on myself as I would be happy with any outcome.”

On finishing second on floor with a 9.65: “Similar to beam, it was my best routine I’ve done in the season, so I was expecting a personal best. I was extremely excited about my score even though my main goal on floor was just to have fun, since it was my last time performing that routine. I knew that a 9.65 would be a competitive score for the podium but I also knew that floor scores tend to be higher in general so I just waited it out. Turns out, I had the lead until the last rotation when a gymnast from Howell topped my score with a 9.7. Unfortunately I didn’t get the chance to watch her routine but I know that she’s an outstanding gymnast. Especially as a senior that has been in the high school gymnastics community for four years, her floor champion title was well-deserved. Gymnastics is very detail-oriented so that 0.05 could’ve been any little mistake or step; you can’t really change the past so I was proud of my performance and happy that the gold medal went to an incredibly deserving gymnast.”

On finishing fifth in the all-around: ”I was quite thrilled about getting fifth, along with getting a personal best all-around score! Vault was definitely my weakness due to a knee injury during the season. Therefore, I was unable to complete the vault that I wanted to, so I just learned a random vault that was easier and safer in order to compete all-around at regionals, to then qualify for states in the all-around. As for bars, it wasn’t my cleanest routine but I was still happy with my performance because I did a new skill which was a double-back dismount. It was an accomplishment I was looking forward to; all I wanted to do was land it, and I did. Bars was definitely the hardest event to get back into after a few years and it’s not my favorite event so I’m just proud of all the skills I was able to put out. Looking back, I’m grateful that my beam and floor scores helped my all-around score and I felt blessed to even be able to compete in all four events.”

On plans after high school: “I plan to attend a four-year university but I’m still undecided between a couple of my top choices. I intend to major in health sciences, public health, or kinesiology with hopes of getting a masters or doctorate level degree.”

On what she loves most about gymnastics: “The people. Gymnastics brings so many individuals together and it’s inspiring to see coaches and judges that are truly passionate about the sport. The people also bring in the supportive aspect of gymnastics; people are always cheering on the next gymnast and making friends in the open tumbling lines or even the bathrooms. I love reconnecting with old teammates. I love random parents congratulating people. I love saying good job to the people next to me on the podium. I just love the people and what they bring to the sport.”

HEATHER STEWART NAMED NEF NCSD EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR

Deerfield Elementary kindergarten teacher Heather Stewart was honored as the Novi Educational Foundation/Novi Community School District Educator of the Year on March 18. Mala Feldman of Feldman Automotive surprised Stewart with keys to a 2024 Equinox.

“Being a kindergarten teacher is really, really hard,” said Deerfield physical education teacher Danny Taylor, who nominated Stewart. “The kids are not only learning ABCs and math and reading and all that stuff – they are also learning how to be in school….Heather Stewart’s classes are some of the most well-adjusted, most well-behaved kids that we have in the entire school. She is an exceptional teacher.”

Stewart said the best part of her day is seeing “those five-year-olds.”

“They come in smiling, so happy to see me,” she said. “(They) yell Mrs. Stewart as they’re coming down the hallway.”

Deerfield Principal Ryan Francis said of Stewart: “Heather is the hardest-working teacher, passionate about kids. Advocates for kids every day. Been here since it opened and learning each and every day.”

Watch this video to learn more about Stewart and what makes her a phenomenal educator.

MODEL UN AT MSU

This weekend 15 of our students, accompanied by Eric Scopie (a Novi High School teacher), joined nearly 600 others from around Michigan and the Midwest at the 23rd Annual Michigan State Model United Nations conference.

Rebecca Borlace earned a book award for her work representing The Washington Post in the Tik Tok Board of Directors crisis committee.

Jayaram Ganesh earned an honorable mention award for his work representing Jamaica in the World Health Organization general assembly committee.

INCLUSION MATTERS - NOVI4ALL (APRIL 15-19)

School across the district are encouraged to participate in Inclusion Week Spirit Days and can order Novi4All Spirit Wear t-shirts that help fund items for next year's inclusion week. Specific information about each who each school is participating will be communicated by each principal.

Here are the Spirit Week suggestions:

Monday, April 15: Sensory Friendly Day - wear pajamas
Tuesday, April 16: Crazy Socks Day - wear crazy socks

Wednesday, April 17: Colors Day - wear your favorite colors (representing neurodiversity)

Thursday, April 18: Be Kind to Your Mind - Wear Red of Hearts

Friday, April 19: Novi Inclusion Day - wear Novi Gear

UMATTER WEEK AT NOVI HIGH (APRIL 22-26)

Priya Lyer, of Novi High’s Student Mental Health Committee (SMHC), gave a preview of what students can expect from the upcoming UMatter Week.

“Some of the events to look forward to for UMatter this year are our much loved hot chocolate in the morning, senior vs. staff dodgeball game, and look out for our SMHC table every day during lunch!” Priya said. “This table will have different items that students can pick up for free to boost their mental well-being.”

What’s new for UMatter Week?

“A few new activities that we are doing this year are friendship bracelet-making during lunch and a self-care room where students can watch Disney shorts, draw something, or color on coloring pages during advisory to relax after a stressful day,” Priya said.

What’s the goal for the new activities?

“SMHC hopes that the self-care activities we offer boost student morale and create a calming environment for students at Novi,” Priya said.
“We hope to give students a break from the everyday stress and anxiety many students go through.

Why does UMatter Week matter?

“UMatter Week was created to ensure that ALL staff and students know they are: Wanted, Brave, Capable, Important, and Respected,” Priya said. “UMatter week matters to help the students at Novi High School maintain a physical, mental, and emotional balance. With the competitive atmosphere at Novi, UMatter Week serves to cultivate compassion and break the stigma around self-care and taking care of your mental health.”

HS MUSICAL RUNS APRIL 25-27

Singing. Tap dancing. Rain.

This year’s High School musical has it all and more. The musical runs April 25-27 from 7-8:30 p.m. each night at the High School Auditorium.

Milan Thurman will play Don Lockwood in the lead role of Singin’ in the Rain, the 1952 musical romantic comedy. Hannah Jeong will play Kathy Selden, Ishaan Thurman will play Cosmo Brown and Sriya Tangutur will play Lina Lamont.

“Cosmo Brown, he’s kind of a goofy guy,” Ishaan said of his character. “He’s very energetic. He’s kind of the epitome of what an actor is supposed to be, always in character. At the beginning of the show he’s overlooked but he just plays the piano. He doesn’t really do that much. But he’s the closest friend to Don Lockwood. Throughout the show, it’s like a really cool bond.”

Ishaan said he had no previous tap dancing experience, so learning those skills has been fun.

Last year, Ishaan played Scuttle in the Little Mermaid. “This one is more of a lead than Scuttle was,” Ishaan said. “It’s an actual human. That’s a lot easier to play.”

Ishaan got laughs from the audience for playing a seagull last year and said he enjoys the comedic roles.

“It’s always more fun to play the funny man than the straight guy,” Ishaan said. “You get to react a lot more. You’re making all the jokes. You make the audience laugh. It’s very interactive. You get to let loose, which is pretty cool.”

Ishaan said he hadn’t seen the 1952 film, which starred Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds and Donald O’Connor, before this year.

Ishaan said it’s fun playing along with Sriya because they take jabs at each other and have a playful dynamic. “The way Sriya does the voice for Lina, which is very nasally and very flat, it’s really funny to hear,” Ishaan said.

Tickets are available at novihs.seatyourself.biz. Tickets will be $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and children 12 and under, or $10 for students.

MAJOR VI SPRING CONCERT (APRIL 30)

The Spring Concert from Major VI will be held on April 30 from 7-8:30 p.m. More information about tickets will be available after Spring Break. We spoke to two Major VI singers about the upcoming concert and why they are excited to perform.

Senior Madi Coolman

On what she enjoys most about the spring concert: “The sense of connection I feel with everybody because we know it’s our last year with that group of seniors and it’s all very special. It’s crazy to think that it’s finally my senior year and this is my last concert.”

On her favorite song: “Blessing, which is our final song of the night. All of the seniors line up at the front of the stage with the rest of the choirs behind them. It’s super special to sing one final song all together as a program and honor our seniors who sing the solo and everyone else supports by singing their parts.”

On plans after high school: “To attend community college for two years, then hopefully transfer to Michigan State and graduate with a degree in animal science and agriculture.”

On favorite memories in choir: “Some of my favorite memories have got to be ‘Secret Singers’, our version of Secret Santa, because of all the laughter, and ICHSA when we sang and talked in the stairwell before we performed and we did amazing and got third place. Younger students should definitely consider taking choir because it is a low stress environment where you can go and be yourself during a very stressful time. School is not easy for a lot of people and knowing the choir room, your group, and your teachers are there to support you and make you feel safe is exactly what you need.”

Senior Isabelle Shi

On what she enjoys most about the concert: “I think it'll be super fun, but also a bit nostalgic and bittersweet because it'll be one of the last times our group sings together. It's something I'll really miss after high school; I don't think I could've asked for a better group of people to sing with.”

On favorite song: “Extremely difficult question. I really can't choose so I'll give a top 5 (in no particular order, apologies in advance for length), if you don't mind. ‘G-Train’ we learned in fall and it's honestly just a really cool song, there's something about it that makes it stick out in a really good way. ‘Hallelujah’ is a classic and Major VI tradition, one I've looked forward to doing since freshman year. ‘Radioactive’ I first saw a YouTube video of the 2016 Major VI group performing a few years back; the Kendrick Lamar rap completely took me by surprise, but it was such a good addition and overall it sounded like a fun arrangement so I'm glad we're learning it this year. ‘Honeymoon Avenue’ was the closer for our ICHSA set, our soloist absolutely kills it and I love our choreography. ‘Mr. Blue Sky’ we technically haven't learned yet, but I'm looking forward to it because it sounds like a really fun song.“

On plans after school: “I plan on going studying business in college, and hopefully continuing choir.”

On favorite memories: “Extremely difficult question part 2. A few of my favorites were performing ‘Fly to Paradise’ in Novi Singers last year. …because I just really love the song. This year's fall concert as a whole because for me, it was probably one of the best concerts we've ever done and an amazing way to start of the year, and going to ICHSA with Major VI this year because it was such a unique experience and I had a lot of fun performing and spending a day with an incredible group of people.”

NOVI AWARDED $1500 GRANT FOR ARTS SUPPLIES

The Novi High School Visual Arts Department has been awarded a grant of $1500 from the State of Michigan Arts and Culture Council (MACC). The grant funds will be used to purchase an abundance of ceramic glaze and clay tools for the ceramics program.

The grant was awarded through the MACC peer review process and was one of 711 applications to compete for MACC fiscal year 2024 funding.

The MACC peer review process allows for each grant application to be competitively

considered by a panel of in-state and out-of-state arts and culture professionals. This ensures

the taxpayers, who support this project through legislative appropriations, and all other

visitors or residents in Michigan will have access to the highest quality arts and cultural

Experiences.

"We extend our heartfelt gratitude to MACC for their invaluable grant support. Investing in the arts is crucial for fostering a comprehensive education for children and shaping their future. With the aid of this grant, we anticipate positively impacting over 350 students this year, with the ripple effect benefiting countless more in the years ahead,” said Novi High Art teacher Erin Harbar, who was honored as the MEA Region 7 Teacher of the Year in 2023.

A complete list of grant awards around the state will be available at the MACC website at www.michigan.gov/arts.

NOVI EDUCATORS IN THE NEWS

A number of our Novi Educators and activities have made the local newspapers. Please click on the links below to read more about them.

MHSAA: Nicole Carter earns inaugural Hampton Award

Novi Note: District-wide Wish Week helps make two wishes come true

Novi Note: Former HS baseball champs move on to college

Hometown Life: Lee Bonner honored by Michigan Lottery

Hometown Life: In family’s darkest days, Novi’s Educator of Year was a beacon of light

Freep: Novi Woods students, teachers race to find 500 frogs for Leap Day

WANT TO GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO NCSD STAFF?!

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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.

PARENT RESOURCES FOR FAMILIES

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We would like to share an exciting new service for YOU, the parents, at no cost to you. We have partnered with the Cook Center for Human Connection to provide mental health awareness resources to families. These resources include a free website, ParentGuidance.org, with over 50 e-courses led by licensed therapists, one-hour webinars that will be held throughout the school year, and individual coaching for parents who want extra support.

ParentGuidance.org is a free program designed to help parents help their child. This is a great starting point as you look for answers regarding your child’s mental health, child development, or even your own needs. Many parents use this resource to get answers to questions about a variety of topics from licensed therapists. You can also see the Ask-a-Therapist section, where you can submit questions and review therapist responses in the library of Frequently Asked Questions with topics such as anxiety, suicide ideation, bullying, self-harm and more.

For more information about the coaching process, visit these ParentGuidance.org resources:

● Coaching for Parents

● How Does Coaching Work

● Registration Guide

In addition to Parent Coaching, NCSD will be offering four, one-hour webinars, referred to as the Mental Health Series during the remainder of the 23/24 school year. These are designed to support parents on topics such as anxiety, the effects of screen time and your child’s mental health, mindfulness, and more.

The next webinar will be on Tuesday, April 23 from 6:30-7:30pm.
TOPIC: Your Child's Anxiety. Learn Simple Strategies that will help parents respond to their child's anxiety. When applied, these skills will help the child and parent bond, allowing the child to identify and work through their anxiety more effectively.
Use this Registration Link to pre-register and receive an email reminder before the event begins. You will also be able to access the recorded webinar at the conclusion of the event.

We encourage parents to take advantage of these new resources. If you have any questions, please contact RosaLeigh Johnson, Director of Mental Health & Wellness for the Novi Community School District (rosaleigh.johnson@novik12.org).

HEALTH & WELLNESS EVENTS AT THE NOVI PUBLIC LIBRARY

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Parent Guidance Webinar

Who: Dr. Carmen Stokes, Ascension Providence Hospital
Topic: Leveling Up Physical and Mental Health
When: Tuesday, April 9, 7-8 p.m.
Where: Virtual - Zoom Meeting
Ages: 18+

Register here.

Join the Novi Public Library virtually as they partner with Dr. Carmen Stokes, a medical health professional from Ascension Providence Hospital, to discuss leveling up physical health and engage in health actions that improve strength, wellbeing, and overall physical and mental health. These virtual programs are interactive, followed by a Q&A with the presenters.

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NCSD Community Book Read: Never Enough

Book: Never Enough: When Achievement Culture Becomes Toxic-And What We can Do About It. - Author, Jennifer Wallace

Facilitator: RosaLeigh Johnson, Director of Mental Health & Wellness

When: Monday, April 22, 6:30 - 8:00 PM
Where: Novi Public Library

Join other parents/guardians, students, and other educators as RosaLeigh Johnson facilitates a book discussion about the unprecedented challenges that face our students today and how adults can help. For more information about the book, you can visit Jennifer Wallace's website here.

For more information about the Community Book Read and the registration code, use this link here.

Save the Date:

Jennifer Wallace, author of Never Enough: When Achievement Culture Becomes Toxic-And What We can Do About It, is coming to have an in-person discussion on her book.

When: Monday, May 13, 7:00 - 8:00 PM

Where: Novi High School

DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP TIP

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Parenting in the Digital Age

Common Sense Education has created a short playlist of videos called “Parenting in a Digital Age” to address many frequently asked questions:
- What are ways I can set boundaries and support my kids in their tech lives?
- How can we ensure our kids are having high quality experiences?
- I don’t know anything about social media or apps my kid is on. What do I need to know to keep them safe?
- I’m worried that my kids will use social media inappropriately, And what are these “challenges”?

UPCOMING EVENTS IN APRIL

Health and Wellness Events at the Novi Public Library

Tuesday, April 9, 7-8 p.m.

Register here.

Join the Novi Public Library virtually as they partner with Dr. Carmen Stokes, a medical health professional from Ascension Providence Hospital, to discuss leveling up physical health and engage in health actions that improve strength, wellbeing, and overall physical and mental health. These virtual programs are interactive, followed by a Q&A with the presenters.

Ages: 18+

Location: Virtual - Zoom Meeting