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Dear Parents and Guardians,

I hope you are enjoying your summer! My name is Lisa, and I am excited to introduce myself as the new nurse at NOCA. I am truly looking forward to getting to know your students and supporting their health and well-being throughout the school year.

My role is to help keep students healthy, safe, and ready to learn. The nurse clinic is a place where students can receive care for illness or injury, manage chronic health conditions, and take medications when needed. Please make sure any required health forms, medication authorizations, and medical condition paperwork are up to date in PowerSchool before the first day of school.

Chairete paidonomoi! That's how I begin almost every email to faculty and staff. After all, if you've spent enough time studying ancient Greek to get a Master's in Classics, you might as well use it. Roughly, it translates to "Hello, teachers!" — but that doesn't begin to capture the richness of meaning.

We are Spartans, after all, and the Spartans spoke Greek. "Chairete" doesn't just mean hello — literally it says "be well, be glad, rejoice." It's the same word Jesus uses when instructing his disciples to "rejoice and be glad." A more satisfying way to greet your neighbor than a simple "hello."

"Paidonomoi" is even more loaded with meaning. The Spartans were famous for their educational system, emphasizing strength and self-discipline — even the philosophers at rival Athens gave them high praise. The most integral person in this system was the "paidonomos," the teacher — but the word literally means "the child-ruler," or lawgiver. A nomos is a principle, a rule, a law you are expected to abide by. It was the paidonomos's job to guide the child's life in line with this rule.

At NOCA, we remember that the parent is the primary educator of their children. Yes, the teacher is a paidonomos. But you are still the child's first paidonomos. We partner together to guide the student according to what's right and true, good and beautiful.

So, I say again: Chairete, paidonomoi! Rejoice, lawgivers of children! A new school year means new chances at wonder, new opportunities to practice virtue, new teachers, new friends. On behalf of the Upper School team and all of us at NOCA: Chairete paidonomoi!

Dear Families,

Welcome to a new school year! I have the privilege of serving the NOCA community as the Head of the Lower School, a career I simply adore. I would like to take a moment and share a few thoughts as we prepare to receive your children in just a few short weeks.

This summer I attended a classical education conference where one of the themes was "objects of wonder" — tangible objects, places, ideas, or experiences that invite us to slow down, fix our gaze, and delight in discovery. Wonder is where true learning begins. It stirs our curiosity, stimulates the imagination, and reminds us that education is far more than accumulating information — it is the cultivation of hearts and minds to seek the good, the true, and the beautiful.

During the conference, I found myself returning again and again to one object of wonder: this coming school year. Before the first bell rings, every classroom holds promise. Every student carries talents yet to be discovered, questions yet to be asked, friendships yet to be formed, and virtues yet to be strengthened.

One of the great gifts of classical education is that it teaches us to approach the world with attentive eyes. We encourage students not to rush toward answers, but to linger over worthy questions — the order of math, the beauty of language, the richness of history.

Thank you for entrusting us with your children. It is truly a privilege to partner with you in their education. On behalf of the Lower School Administration, welcome to a wonderful new year.