May 14, 2020
Dear Families,
When we started remote learning in March, we did not know whether it would last two weeks, a month, or longer. Throughout this time, we have missed our students and families on campus terribly. This only increases as we now know that NYA will not be able to have classes on campus at all this spring.
I continue to appreciate the work our students and teachers are doing with remote learning. In addition to furthering their current studies, they are all learning valuable new skills that will serve them for a lifetime. I am very proud of the great work our community has accomplished together.
While we will not be returning to campus this spring, we are still planning for the many events that ordinarily take place during this time. These events have both practical purposes and important symbolic significance for our students and community. A committee of faculty, administrators, and students is working to ensure these important events are creative and meaningful for our deserving students.
The following is a list of major upcoming events. We will continue to update you in the coming weeks as they evolve:
- May 15 – NYA Soirée. This year’s Soirée is virtual, but it is as important as ever. The live event begins at 5:30 p.m., but silent auction bidding is open now! Register for no cost at https://orange.nya.org/soiree/. Funds raised will support need-based financial aid and professional development resources for our faculty. During the virtual Soirée, you’ll see student presentations, music, a live and silent auction featuring fantastic deals, and post event music and art displays. Thank you to all of our families that contributed to the amazing class baskets. We hope to “see” you there.
- June 3 – Last Day of Classes for Toddler – Grade 11
- June 3 – Senior Dinner, 6:30-9:30 p.m. at the Saco Drive-In Movie Theater
- June 4 – Lower School Last Day of School. Although we won’t have an end of the year cookout, we still hope to send off our Lower School students in style. We will have a pick-up brigade in the Middle School parking lot and encourage families to bring their children along for the ride. Families will drive up during their assigned time slot, pop their trunks, and let volunteers know the student’s name and classroom. Families should bring with them any NYA books, instruments, and supplies they need to return, and volunteers will retrieve these from your trunk. Volunteers will then deliver all items remaining from your child’s locker or cubby, changes of clothes, something from the classroom teacher, and a small treat to directly to your vehicle. Look for some familiar faces to cheer you on as you begin your summer vacation!
- June 4 – Middle School Awards Day. The Middle School faculty will send personalized emails to award recipients on the morning of June 4. Students will receive their awards during the all school pick-up time (more information below). Middle School students receiving awards will also be recognized in the final Sunday letter on June 7 and in the fall at a Friday Forum.
- June 4 – Upper School Awards Ceremony. Normally held at the First Parish Church in Yarmouth, the ceremony will be held virtually at 9:00 a.m. More details will be forthcoming on the virtual event. Upper School students will receive their awards at the all school pick-up on the afternoon of June 4.
- June 4 – 1:00 p.m. Final day of school pick-up and drop-off. We will have a drop-off/pick-up scheduled in the Middle School parking lot turnaround starting at 1:00 p.m. Families will drive up during their assigned time slot, pop their trunks, and let volunteers know the student’s name and grade. Families should bring with them any NYA textbooks, instruments, and uniforms that they need to return, and volunteers will retrieve these from your trunk. The volunteers will then deliver all items remaining from the student’s locker (or found on campus), any awards, yearbooks, and a little treat directly to your vehicle! You may also see some familiar faces on site to wish you warm summer greetings.
- Middle School Recognition, originally scheduled for May 27, and Commencement, originally scheduled for June 7. These are major concluding events for our eighth graders and seniors. We are celebrating these classes throughout the spring and still hoping to have a proper, on-campus send off for these classes later this summer. We will remain flexible when scheduling these events, and if it becomes clear that an on-campus celebration won’t be possible this summer, we will make alternative plans and keep you apprised of any developments.
We will continue to celebrate music and the arts in a variety of virtual formats throughout the spring.
We will update you as planning for these important events develops.
While working to finish the current year strong, we are also busy actively planning for next year. This includes preparing for the safe reopening of campus in the fall. As with all schools, we are eagerly awaiting further guidance from the state of Maine. Either way, I will contact NYA families with additional updates and information on our 2020-2021 preparations as soon as possible. In the interim, please do not hesitate to reach out if NYA can be helpful to your family. We very much look forward to having everyone back on campus.
Sincerely,
Ben Jackson
Head of School
