Students spent a busy summer working, learning, reading, training and traveling

NFA faculty and students spent a busy summer working, learning, reading, training and traveling. It was a productive summer.Students and faculty completed NFA’s first interdisciplinary study abroad course. Seniors Felicia Filiatreault, Tonay Gooday-Ervin, Daniel Tamborra, Jackson Tonnesen and Andrew Weiler; upper Jillian Boisclair; and Jon Sheffield (’11) traveled to Greece with world language teacher Nina Barclay, science teacher Sara Bennett and several parents. They visited Athens, Corinth, Nemea, Mycenae, Epidauros, Nauplion, Olympia, Rio-AntiRio, Naupaktos, Galaxidi, Delphi, Thermopylae, Chaeronea, Metsovo, Iannina, Dodona, Kalambaka, Aiani, Kozani, Katerini, Dion, Thessaloniki, Piraeus, Rhodes and Symi to study Greek culture, history, language, science, climate and water use. Barclay, who frequently visits Greece, said familiar sights through the eyes of a science teacher was a broadening experience.

In August, in the Ensemble Room of the Frank Center, the group made formal presentations about the trip to family, friends, the community and members of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association.In June, social studies teacher Marisa Haralson and world language teacher Elizabeth Tywalsky and 11 students flew to Paris for a 12-day European visit that included Florence, Venice, Innsbruck, Salzburg and Vienna. Travelers included seniors Charlotte Herz, Jessica Kearney, Alexis Koronkiewicz and Samantha Majcher; uppers Ashlyn Albert, Courtney Majcher, Erin Moebus, Kylie Pickford, Haley Riley and Erin Schaeffer; and lower Victoria Majcher. Five parents and family members accompanied the group.

They climbed to the top of the Arc de Triumph, took a night train to Florence and had a traditional Austrian dinner in Vienna. Haralson is planning a tour to China next summer for students, faculty, and parents.School psychologist Beth Serra spent 19 days this summer as a delegation leader with the People to People Student Ambassador Program. Five leaders and 43 middle-school students from Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Virginia, including NFA ninth-grader Mia Brown, explored the Gap of Dunloe and Lakes of Killarney in Ireland, roped Pehnryn Castle in Wales, boated on Loch Ness in the Scottish Highlands and learned the art of medieval warfare at Warwick Castle in England. NFA senior Amber Dugan traveled with the People to People Student Ambassador high school delegation.

A sticker proclaiming Norwich Free Academy: Endless Opportunities,may be spotted on local vehicles. Together with a DVD of the program, the sticker is a gift to the families of students who participated in the debut year of NFA’s summer enrichment program for students entering 7th and 8th grade. About 40 students from 10 towns explored 20 workshops with 16 NFA teachers. Among the programs were art classes in clay, drawing, painting, graphic design, laser doodling, 3-D computer design and photography and world language experiences in Spanish, Arabic and Latin.

Students learned elements of basic physics in roller coaster design, the basics of video production and hometown history. An anti-bullying workshop, cooking experience, everyday math using M&M’s to solve problems and fitness fun completed the line-up.NFA Alumnus Jared Dillian (’92) will visit campus Thursday, a publicity tour stop for his book Street Freak: Money and Madness at Lehman Brothers.Dillian joined Lehman Brothers in 2001 and rose from a minor position checking ID’s on the trading floor after 9/11 to become the company’s head exchange traded fund trader before the company filed for bankruptcy. He will deliver his message about economics, ethics, mental health and writing to upper classmen. At 3:30 in Land Library, Dillian will hold a book reading and signing for the public.

NFA Youth Peace reminds students and parents of their right to opt out of military recruiting lists. Federal law requires schools to provide student contact information to military recruiters. Those wishing to protect their privacy must annually inform the head of school in writing by Sept. 30. Youth Peace has postcards to fill out and submit. Pick them up at the library or from any Youth Peace member. They may also be left in the box on the Library Reference Desk Thursday during Parent’s Night.Don’t forget the registration deadlines for credit-bearing courses through Eastern Connecticut State University, the University of Connecticut or Three Rivers Community College. Students should complete all necessary paperwork and submit fees before deadlines pass. For more information, contact guidance counselors or the director of research and strategic partnerships. Miller tells us,One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.