NFA World
By Geoff Serra
Some say that
cheerleaders are a jump above the rest.
How true. The clamor still echoes in Norton and Alumni gyms from Saturday’s Cheerleading Clinic.
Advisor Diane Leone’s 20 member cheering squad taught 48
participants in grades 5-8. In an
exciting and “cheerful” environment, the clinic taught cheers and chants, dance
and motion moves, jumps, conditioning, and stunting basics. Also, participants learned safety and
spotting techniques and national federation cheering rules. About 30 participants cheered with the squad
at half time in the varsity boys basketball game.
Cheerleading is
one of two co-educational sports offered at NFA. At most home basketball games look for the NFA Pep Band supporting the work of NFA
Cheerleaders and drumming up fan enthusiasm for the Wildcat hoop
players.
More in the future
about NFA’s newly formed Unified
Cheering. Currently 21 squad members are working and training with 6
participants.
A reminder that NFA’s Curriculum Fair for
students and parents takes place 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Feb. 7, in Alumni Gym. Seventh and eighth graders from sending
communities are encouraged to attend.
Earlier at 5:30 p.m. in the Ensemble Room of the Frank Center, student
services personnel will meet with the parents of special needs students,
especially those of incoming 9th graders.
To complement the Curriculum Fair, an Activity
Fair will take place at the same time in Norton Gym. All clubs and activities on campus will be
represented so that students and parents may investigate the many
possibilities.
For more information about either event call Elina
Vandenberg, Guidance Secretary, at 860-425-5601.
While Guidance Department news
commands our attention, be sure to consult the NFA Web site for the Guidance
E-Board, listing lots of information about college admission, scholarships,
financial aid, testing dates, and job postings. Click the Academics Tab, Guidance Tab, and the Guidance E-Board
link. You can even download important
forms and copies of Guidance Department newsletters.
Feb. 4-8 is National School Counseling Week honoring
the unique contributions of school counselors to the life and future of each
student. This year’s theme is “School
Counselors: Creating Pathways to Success.”
The enticing aroma of spicy tomato sauce will enhance the
atmosphere in the cafeteria on Feb. 8 as the NFA Parent
Council holds its Pasta Dinner and Silent Basket Bash Auction. The Basket Bash includes a wide assortment
of themes – gardening baskets, birdhouse baskets, sports baskets, even a “New
You Basket” – something for everyone.
Norwich teacher, Susan Hagenbach Jones, will
also be on hand for a book signing. Her
book, Until We Meet Again, beautifully illustrated by Shirley Antak,
just hit the bookstores. It tells the story of a child’s relationship with his
grandfather and the child’s first encounter with death, grief, healing, and
memory. Books will be available at a cost of $25 at the signing, or
reserve now for $20 through members of the Parent Council. Proceeds from the event benefit
the drug and alcohol-free post prom party for seniors in the spring. A cost of $3 for students and $5 for adults
certainly makes for an inexpensive family night out. The event begins at 6 p.m. with the auction at 7:30 p.m. Jones will sign books from 6 to 8
p.m. Call 886-8167 for more
information or see contact information on the Parents tab on the Web site
.
Part of the National Scholastic Art Awards program, the Connecticut
Art Education Association’s state-wide competition is the state’s largest
student visual arts event. This year
1,365 works represented 134 schools.
Once again Norwich Art School students distinguished themselves
walking away with a combination of 18 gold, silver, and honorable mention
awards. Congratulations to Danielle
Perez, Jacob Bowie, Ethan Grenier, Shannon Staehly, Carolyn
Depot, Bridget Marien, Emily Doty, Tiffany Roman, and Jillian
Freyer. Special recognition goes to
Franco Governale, and Amy Rigatti who each won two awards, and a
Wildcat High Five to Kaitlin Szymanski who placed in three
categories. There is praise enough for
all, as their achievement honors their teachers: Alysha Carmody, Daniel
Charron, Robert Davidson, Alyssa Lathrop, Jennifer
Montanaro, Frank Novak, Melissa Smith, and Rachel Tougas. Good work all.
Wildcat Billboard:
For all regularly scheduled Varsity Athletic events,
consult the NFA Web site,
Athletics Tab, schedule link.
Parents of Students of Color, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Feb. 6,
Community Room, Latham
Unified Sports Basketball vs. South Windsor, 3 p.m., Feb.
8, Norton Gym.
Montessori School Concert, 7 p.m., Feb. 9, Slater
Auditorium
Remember the advice of 19th century English
novelist William Makepeace Thackeray:
“Never lose a chance to say a kind word.”
See you next week in NFA
World….until then direct your comments or questions to
serrag@norwichfreeacademy.com
