Dear Families,
It is very hard to believe, but the Class of 2022 is beginning their final week of classes. After classes on Friday, they will complete their exams and engage in senior service projects. They will also continue with after school activities and athletics through the rest of the year. The 48 students of the Class of 2022 have accomplished a great deal individually and collectively, and I am grateful for their many contributions to the Academy throughout their tenure at NYA. I look forward to a successful final month of the school year.
For Upper School Students, NYA offers the opportunity to pursue one of six Diplomas of Distinction. Diplomas of Distinction are an option for students who choose to pursue a path in a discipline that significantly exceeds the graduation requirements. The different distinctions include Global Citizenship (language based); Music: Performance, Entrepreneurship, and Community; Outdoor and Environmental Leadership; Social Advocacy; STEM; and new next year, a Distinction in the Visual Arts. To pursue a distinction, students must take certain higher level courses, maintain a high GPA, and complete a capstone project. It is a great opportunity for students to pursue a passion or area of interest. It is also something that can reflect well on the student’s transcript. This past week at Friday Forum, members of the Class of 2022 who will receive a distinction, shared their projects with the Middle and Upper School students.
NYA’s migration to a new school management software, Veracross, is now underway. Veracross is a single platform for all of our school systems. The migration is an exciting one as it will improve efficiencies and function for the school and will improve service for students and families. The system will ultimately cover all school systems including academics, development, admissions, budget, and more. Mr. Mazzurco, Director of Information Technology, sent a note to families last week regarding health forms. He will continue to communicate instructions on the various stages of this transition.
*MISSION SPOTLIGHT* Fun with Pi
Traditionally, March Break at NYA occurs during one of the most important mathematical holidays of the year – Pi Day! Since the mathematical constant Pi (π) is 3.14159…, it naturally serves that Pi Day would fall on March 14 (3/14) every year. Even though this holiday occurred while we were on spring break, the Middle School math department celebrated a little late with a Pi memorizing contest! Students who wanted to test their mathematical memory worked hard to memorize as many digits as possible. The competition was fierce and fun, but in the end, congratulations to top competitors Jackson Bartick, Poppy Griffin, and Jack Sheffler. For their hard work, they earned a Pi t-shirt and a whoopie pie! Jack had the most digits overall with 203 memorized! That is amazing!
There also was a “Guess the Circumference” contest, where students had to make their best estimate as to what the circumference was for a given circle. There was no measuring allowed and they simply had to estimate by looking at it. Not as easy as it seems! Ms. Sahlman’s geometry class was charged with using geometric constructions to determine the actual center point of the circle, which then allowed them to apply Pi and calculate its circumference. With the solution in hand, entries were reviewed, and one person in each grade was calculated as closest to the actual circumference. Congratulations to winners Gavin Thomas (8th), Liam O’Shea (7th), Eliza Smith (6th), and Brownlow Parks-Stamm (5th). For their efforts, they earned some “circular” candy prizes!
On Friday, April 29 during break, the NYA Make a Wish Club will host a bingo tournament to benefit the club. Middle and Upper School students, faculty, and staff are welcome to play. It costs $5 per board. There will be prizes including three baskets, and THE GRAND PRIZE is two tickets to a Celtics game next season. The club encourages everyone to participate!
In celebration of Earth Day (Friday, April 22), the NYA Environmental Club surveyed students on their appreciation for the earth. The students were asked to share what they loved about the earth and what they were doing to help it. Members chose winners and announced them at Friday Forum. Winners earned a “tasty treat.”
Please join us for the annual NYA Soirée the evening of Friday, June 3 on campus. You may register and learn more at www.nya.org/soiree. Each year, over 300 alumni, parents, grandparents, parents of alumni, current and former faculty, staff, and friends gather for a night of camaraderie and support for NYA. There will be live and silent auctions, live music, dinner stations, a hosted bar, and games and prizes. Attend, offer an auction item to bid on, become a sponsor and/or volunteer by contacting Crystal Gordon. See you there!
Lower School Celebration of the Arts and Grandparents’ Day have combined into one event this year. Parents, grandparents, “grandfriends,” and family members are invited to campus on Friday, May 13 for student musical performances, an academic presentation, and art show. All guests must RSVP here. We look forward to seeing you at the event! If you are unable to attend, there will be a livestream available for viewing.
The NYA community is invited to a groundbreaking at NYA’s Travis Roy Arena and Fitness & Wellness Center on June 2 at 10:00 a.m. (Awards Day will immediately follow). We will come together for a shovel ceremony and to celebrate the start of this exciting, transformative construction project, which was announced in November. Please plan to join us and RSVP here.
Other important End of the Year Events:
- Friday, April 29: Last day of classes for Seniors
- Monday, May 2-Thursday, May 12: AP Exams
- Wednesday, May 11: MS/US Spring Instrumental Concert: 6:30 pm(NYA Event Tent, Denney Field)
- Friday, May 13: Lower School Grandparents Day (NYA Event Tent, Denney Field)
- Friday, May 13: MS/US Spring Choral Concert, 6:30 p.m. (NYA Event Tent, Denney Field)
- Saturday, May 14: Upper School Prom at Maine Maritime Museum
- Wednesday, May 25: Middle School Recognition Evening, 5:30 p.m.
- Friday, May 27: Memorial Day Flagpole Ceremony, 7:50 a.m.
- Monday, May 30: No School Memorial Day
- Tuesday, May 31-June 2: Final Exams grades 6-11
- Wednesday, June 1: Senior Lunch and Commencement Practice 12:00 m.
- Thursday, June 2, Last Day of school for all students
- 10:00 a.m.: Travis Roy Arena and Fitness Center groundbreaking
- 10:45: Awards Day, Event Tent, Denney Field
- 6:30: Senior Dinner, Event Tent, Denney Field
- Friday, June 3: NYA Soiree under the Event Tent on Denney Field, 6:00 p.m.
- Sunday, June 5: Commencement at 11:00 m., NYA Event Tent, Denney Field
- Monday, June 6: Closing Faculty Meetings
- Monday, June 6: Athletic Recognition, NYA Gymnasium
For more on any of these events, please check the calendar or contact the school.
Have a great week!
Sincerely,
Ben Jackson
Head of School
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