NFA World

By Geoff Serra

 

If the winter doldrums leave you longing to nurture your creative talents, Melissa Smith, the Norwich Art School’s new Director, tells us that Adult Jewelry and Metalsmithing classes begin 2:30 p.m. Jan. 28 and 5:30 p.m. Jan 31 in the new Frank Center. Jack Fix, retired Art School faculty will be instructing afternoon classes, while Dan Charon, current Art School faculty, will teach evening classes. For more information, contact Carol Baker at 425-5741 or at bakerc@norwichfreeacademy.

 

The NFA Parent Council holds a can and bottle drive on the first Saturday of each month, 9 a.m.-12 noon in front of Tirrell. All the proceeds benefit the alcohol and drug-free post prom party for seniors in the spring. It’s a great way to be environmentally green and help the parents earn some green for a good cause.

 

Project Outreach is conducting a January Jean and Cell Phone Drive. Students are collecting gently used jeans for MALTA, an organization assisting the homeless in Southeastern CT. A special need exists for men’s jeans. Old cell phones will be donated to the Women's Center of Southeastern CT and programmed to dial 911 for domestic abuse clients. Donations can be dropped off in Room 1, Tirrell.

 

Slater Museum invites artists working or living in Connecticut to submit work to the 65^th Annual Connecticut Juried Artists Exhibition to open on Feb. 24 in Converse Gallery. Submission times are 1-3 p.m. Feb. 9 and 10, in Converse Gallery. Prospectus and submission forms may be accessed on line at www.slatermuseum.org or for more information call 425-5563.

 

On the heels of Jodi Picoult’s visit at the end of this week (catch it on NFA-TV, Channel 12), the campus will buzz with excitement over David Lubar’s visit on Jan. 28. Lubar, who hails from Pennsylvania, is the author of Sleeping Freshmen Never Lie, one of two titles ninth graders chose to read in NFA’s silent, independent reading program. His books are funny and quirky. Freshmen will hear him speak in an assembly, and he will conduct a series of small group writing workshops for students focusing on finding ideas to write about, demonstrating various writing techniques, and encouraging students to try their own hand at short story writing. Lubar says his presentation is “an interactive, energetic workshop that leaves kids eager to do more writing on their own.” His website is www.davidlubar.com. Click on the Appearances tab to see the Norwich Free Academy listed on his schedule.

 

NFA is a very busy place on Saturdays during the winter. Since December 8^th, 85 grade 9 and 10 students have attended Saturday Academy 9a.m. – 12noon. Fifteen faculty members provide instruction in Math, Science, English, and History to help students strengthen skills and prepare for the Connecticut Academic Performance Test in March. Students receive free lunch, and Norwich students receive free transportation. Director of Diversity, Leo Butler reports that since the program began five years ago, the majority of students who complete the program, meet state standards and fulfill NFA graduation requirements. Faculty involved in the program are Clarence Cooper, Zato Kadambaya, Rose Ryan, Nancy Macht, Michelle Vitko, Carey Langley, Allison Mohler, Michael Murphy, Greg Bonin, Killeen Dzavit, Jamie Herlod, Susan Saracini, Geri Donahue, and Keith Danieluk. Their willingness to help students on the weekends demonstrates a professionalism and commitment to student success that goes above and beyond. A Wildcat Thank You to all.

 

There is no school on Jan. 24, Semester Break Day. The new semester begins on Jan. 25. Also, the difficult weather season is upon us. Check the NFA website for cancellations or delays.

 

Wildcat Billboard:

Varsity Girls Basketball vs. Archbishop Molloy, 6 p.m. Jan. 21, Alumni Gym.

Varsity Girls Gymnastics vs. Glastonbury, 2 p.m., Jan. 21, Norton Gym.

Varsity Boys Swimming vs. New London, 3:30 p.m. Jan. 22, YMCA.

Varsity Girls Gymnastics vs. Windham, 6 p.m. Jan 24, Norton Gym.

Varsity Boys Basketball vs. Woodstock Academy, 7 p.m. Jan. 25, Alumni Gym.

Varsity Boys Basketball vs. Floral Park, 6 p.m. Jan. 26, Alumni Gym.

Varsity Boys Ice Hockey vs. Masuk, 8 p.m., Jan. 26, Norwich Ice Rink.

Unified Sports Basketball vs. Windsor, 3 p.m., Jan. 28, Norton Gym.

 

In celebration of Martin Luther King Day, we recall the wise words of the Olympic Gold Medalist Jesse Owens: “The only bond worth anything between human beings is their humanness.”

 

See you next week in NFA World….until then direct your comments or questions to serrag@norwichfreeacademy.com