Dear Families,
Happy Mother’s Day!
In recognition of Teacher Appreciation Week last week, I’d like to give a major shout out to all NYA teachers for their hard work and commitment to the students of NYA. An additional thanks to Jess Lynch and the Parents’ Association for all of their efforts preparing treats for the faculty and staff all week long. Thank you for a fun week. We appreciate you all!
NYA seniors may have finished classes, but seniors along with many juniors and sophomores are in the midst of taking their AP exams. NYA offers 17 AP courses for students in grades 10-12 from AP Calculus BC, to AP English Language and Composition, to AP Studio Art, to name a few. In addition to AP courses, each Upper School department also offers a full range of elective courses and Diplomas with Distinction. This variety exposes our students to a wide array of dynamic content, skills, pedagogical approaches, and expectations that will prepare them well for college. A full listing of all courses may be found in the NYA Curriculum Guide. Good luck to our students as they prepare for and take the AP exams.
Hebert Construction is making great progress with the Arena and Fitness and Wellness project. The renovation work is well underway. Demolition crews are working hard to clear the interior space. Concrete was poured last week for the foundation of the new second level premium seating. Installation of steel for the second level will begin in two weeks. Painting of the ceiling began last week. Installation of the new “warm wall” is also underway. The extensive interior work in the existing arena is scheduled to be completed in time for the ice to be reinstalled in July. The expansion, including the fitness and wellness facility is scheduled to begin in July. While work is ongoing, safety of the site is a primary consideration. Hebert Construction has a project supervisor on site during all work periods. Consistent with Hebert Construction practice at all work sites, they carefully craft a comprehensive site safety plan that is unique to each site. This includes general safety protocols, industry required protocols, restricted access to work areas, and other site specific plans. We will continue to keep you updated on this exciting project for the Academy.
*MISSION SPOTLIGHT* The Arts
The arts were on display Thursday for the fifth grade. They presented an exceptional performance of Charlotte’s Web to multiple audiences in the Higgins Black Box Theater. The evening included a musical performance, and many visual pieces from the fifth graders were on display. There was some great work from our talented fifth graders.
The celebration of the arts continues this week. The Middle and Upper School Spring Instrumental Concert will be held under the event tent on Wednesday, May 11 at 6:30 p.m. The Middle and Upper School Spring Choral Concert will be held on May 13 at 6:30 p.m. Both of these concerts will be under the event tent on Denney Field.
Ms. G’s first graders are busy working on their Seeds of Sunshine Project. The students have been designing, counting, and packaging seeds for the project. They package seeds for sale for spring planting, and this year, the packets are adorned with the colors of the Ukrainian Flag. The seeds will be sold during Lower School Grandparents’ Day/Celebration of the Arts for $1.00 per pack. All proceeds will go to Save the Children, Ukraine.
We are inviting potential host families to apply for the 2022-2023 school year. NYA’s homestay program accommodates Upper School students who live out of the state or country. In recent years, NYA has hosted students from many different countries including Canada, China, Sweden, Austria, Spain, India, Germany, and more. You do not need to have a student in the Upper School or to be a current NYA family to host a student. Homestay students love the chance to be “older siblings” for younger children. A monthly stipend is provided to the host family. You can find additional information in NYA’s Homestay Program pamphlet. Email homestay coordinators Sagaree Sengupta and Eliot Grady at homestay@nya.org with any questions. Applications will be accepted through the summer.
We look forward to seeing Lower School parents, grandparents, and grand-friends on campus this Friday, May 13, for Celebration of the Arts and Grandparents’ Day starting at 9:45 a.m. Please register here if you plan to attend. Contact Crystal Gordon for more information.
Please join us Thursday, June 2, at 10:00 a.m. outside the main entrance of NYA’s Travis Roy Arena to celebrate the construction of the reimagined Travis Roy Arena and Fitness & Wellness Center. Light snacks and refreshments will be provided. Please register here. For questions or comments, please email Crystal Gordon.
We hope you can join the NYA community for the not-to-be-missed annual Soirée on Friday, June 3, under the tent on Denney Field. Help support this year’s NYA Soirée by joining the growing list of event sponsors. Benefits include tickets to the Soirée, your logo on promotional materials, and much more! Purchase your sponsorship today at www.nya.org/soiree or by contacting development@nya.org.
The Yarmouth Clam Festival is back. After a two year hiatus, the town of Yarmouth will hold the 55th annual event from July 15-17. The NYA Parents’ Association will host a booth again this year, selling ice cream, drinks, popcorn, and more. Keep an eye out for a call to action from the PA. They’ll need lots of volunteers – parents, high school students, sports team members, etc. to sign up to work the booth. Volunteering at Clam Fest will help support student and faculty grant requests and staff appreciation. No experience necessary!
A full list of end of the year events:
- Monday, May 2 – Thursday, May 12: AP Exams
- Wednesday, May 11: Middle and Upper School Spring Instrumental Concert, 6:30 p.m. (NYA Event Tent-Denney Field)
- Friday, May 13: Lower School Grandparents’ Day (NYA Event Tent-Denney Field)
- Friday, May 13: Middle School/Upper School 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- Thursday, June 2: Final Exams grades 6-11
- Wednesday, June 1: Senior activities- Senior Lunch, class photo, college shirt video, and Commencement practice, 12:00 p.m.
- Thursday, June 2, Last Day of school for all students
- 10:00 a.m. Travis Roy Arena and Fitness Center groundbreaking
- 10:45 a.m. Awards Day, Event Tent-Denney Field
- 6:30 p.m., Senior Dinner, Event Tent-Denney Field
- Friday, June 3: NYA Soirée, 6:00 p.m., Event Tent-Denney Field
- Sunday, June 5: Commencement at 11:00 a.m., Event Tent-Denney Field
- Monday, June 6: Upper School Athletic Recognition, NYA Gymnasium
- Tuesday, June 7: Closing Faculty Meetings
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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