NFA World

by Geoff Serra

 

“The essential relationship of schooling is that between a teacher and his or her students. You cannot have a great school without great teachers. NFA is a great school," says Mark Cohan, Head of School, in recognition of Teacher Appreciation Week. In 1984, the national Parent Teachers Association designated the first week in May to honor the dedicated women and men who share their passion and skills to teach young people. NFA’s teacher of the year, Heather Botelle says, “Being a teacher at times is inspiring, exhausting, rewarding, often chaotic and never dull, but there is no other profession that I would like better.” The NFA Wildcat joins parents, relatives, friends, and the community in bowing in respect to NFA’s professional faculty.

 

NFA journalism and video production students produce a variety of video news packages. In the Student News Program, FOX 61 accepts 50 news packages to critique and air statewide. On April 10 students, teachers, and families gathered at The Learning Corridor in Hartford at the annual Fox 61 Student News Award Ceremony.

 

The following NFA students were nominated: In the One Thing category lowers Chelsea Delia and Alyssa Moody for their package on Water Conservation; in the category sponsored by the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights upper Michelle Moran and senior Jason Sattler for their package on Closing Guantanamo Bay; in the category sponsored by The Rock WCCC junior Victoria Dearborn and upper Colin Landry for their package on Slater Museum; and in the category sponsored by Trantolo & Trantolo uppers Chelsea Morell and Meghan O’Connor for their package on Safe Schools and won $1500.00 in scholarship money.

 

November 19, 60 brown trout eggs arrived in science teacher Al Lazuk’s classroom where a 55 gallon aquarium and all the equipment necessary to maintain it had been set up by the Thames Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited. Thus began, NFA’s participation the organization’s “Trout in the Classroom” program to raise trout for stocking local waterways.

 

Once eggs began hatching in December, they entered the alevin or “sac fry stage,” and students became actively involved in learning about and caring for the fish by monitoring water quality for temperature, pH, and levels of ammonia, nitrates, and nitrites. Students learned about the nitrogen cycle in an aquatic environment. Upper Tabitha Jacobs and senior Jesse Yeager volunteered to be in charge of feeding the fish.

 

The trout are currently about 1.5 to 2 inches long; when they reach 3 inches in length, they will be released into the Yantic River in Norwich.

 

Remember: The NFA Parent Council is sponsoring Dumpster Day, 8 –11 a.m., May 10. Clean out your attic, garage or basement and for a donation, put your trash in the dumpster in front of Main. This is a fundraiser to benefit the post prom alcohol free party. Bring redeemable bottles and cans too. For questions contact Doug Barlow at stulow83@comcast.net.

At 6:30 p.m. on May 1 in a dignified ceremony, to piano music played by senior William Bartnicki, 12 members of the Class of 2008 and 51 members of the Class of 2009 filed into Slater Auditorium to be inducted into the Henry A. Tirrell Chapter of the National Honor Society. Emcee for the event was President, Melody Pothier; Secretary-Treasurer; Courtney Meek read the organization’s history. An audience of about 200 listened to the candle ceremony student speakers: Vice-president, Peter Fabian, scholarship; Brenner Green, service; Nicole Rubin, character; and Sana Samnani, leadership. Heather Botelle was faculty speaker.

 

A Wildcat welcome to Tony Girasoli, former IT Manager, University Information Technology Service, UCONN, Storrs, who on April 14 assumed the position of NFA’s Director of Educational Technology. A member of the class of 1989, Girasoli is a welcome addition to the Information Technology team and will focus on improving student learning through present and emerging technologies.

 

With a B.S. degree in Artificial Intelligence and Masters and Sixth Year degree (to be completed this year) at UCONN in Educational Psychology: Cognition and Instruction with a concentration in Technology & Learning, Girasoli brings a wealth of educational, technical and work experience to NFA.

 

On April 24 the Connecticut Association of Schools Unified Sports Awards Program honored the NFA Unified Sports Program with a second place cup in the category of participation. NFA senior Krysta Seitz was honored as an 'Exemplary Partner.’ A four year participant in the program, Krysta currently serves as the president of the Unified Sports Club.

 

NFA is a community, and nothing proves the point more than the quick response to aid and support three NFA students and the many other victims of last week’s fire. In addition to donations of money and gift cards from students, faculty, and staff, students have come forward in large numbers to organize the following initiatives: In cooperation with Norwich Human Services, collection of toiletries in drop boxes in each building and the library; a planned “battle of the bands” benefit concert to be held later in the month sponsored by Project Outreach and the Musicians Club; volunteering at the donation center to sort and facilitate distribution of donations to the victims of the tragedy.

 

Times are tough, the economy is sluggish, gas prices are high, a war drags on, but goodness and humanity reign in Norwich as the community reaches out its arms to embrace those who need support. It is goodness and hope at its best.

 

Geoff Serra teaches English at NFA. Reach him at serrag@norwichfreeacademy.com