DRAGON TALES
North Fort Myers Academy for the Arts
NFMAA’s Annual Nutcracker Goes Virtual!
Last year NFMAA celebrated its 10th anniversary of the Nutcracker ballet performance at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall.
Unfortunately, this year due to Covid-19 protocols, there was to be no performance on the big stage. In order to keep students, staff, and families safe, the live, indoor district performances for the 2020-2021 school year were cancelled. But that did not stop the NFMAA Dance Department from holding their annual event!
This year, twenty-four Dance 3 students auditioned by submitting their audition video for one of sixteen middle school lead roles. The results created a wonderful cast for a virtual version of the ballet. The cast includes:
Clara ~ Jordyn Barrett
Doll ~ Barbara Figueroa
Marionettes ~ Kennedy Horne, Madison Marks, & Carlee Pouliot
Harlequin ~ Giovanna Molloy
Baker ~ Alexander Prieto
Baker’s Wife ~ Kayla Ledet
Nutcracker ~ Atreyu Bott
Mouse King ~ Karson Hayward
Snow Queen ~ Myla Dantona
First Angel ~ Sophia Gibson
Lead Arabian ~ Lily Di Murro
Lead Spanish ~ Isabella Hull
Dew Drop Fairy ~ Anamaria Rivadeneira
Sugar Plum Fairy ~ Courtney Webb
Clara’s little brother is fifth grader, Jakob Novy. Principal Mrs. Andrea Gunns steps into a new role as Frauline Drosselmeyer.
Home Connect students practiced and videotaped their performances at home in costumes borrowed from the NFMAA costume closet.
Classes practiced in small groups and were videotaped by group, in costume, on our NFMAA stage for their part. Lead roles rehearsed in small groups after school and performed in-costume on stage for the video camera.
It was not the same without a live audience, but the end result was a spectacular virtual performance!
All of the videos were expertly edited together by professional dancer and video editor, Alison Coleman of Dance Mill Media.
The premiere of the Virtual Nutcracker will be Friday, January 22, at 7:00 pm.
The matinee will be Saturday, January 23, at 2:00 pm.
The Nutcracker performance is an annual fundraiser for the North Fort Myers Academy Arts Foundation. The foundation supports arts programs at the Academy.
If the performance had been live, every audience member would have to purchase a ticket. Being virtual, this year’s price is a bargain $20 for a link to view from one device.
Watch (safely) with your household, family, and friends. Family near and far can also see the streaming show with their own purchase of a link.
For a sneak peak, click on the gorgeous trailer:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/15WDAJWWBsDfkYbBjmlUtJ2n3gZd9hOKV/view?usp=sharing
The stream is live. There is no pausing or rewinding of the performance.
USB drives are also for sale, $25, for those who want to hold on to the memory and watch the joy over and over again.
Jordyn Barrett as Clara takes center stage
Dew Drop Fairy, Anamaria Rivadeneira, shines with the Dance 2 Flowers
First Angel, Sopha Gibson, with the Dance 4 Angels in their final pose
PRINCIPAL'S CORNER: Mrs. Andrea Gunns
Hello NFMAA Parents and Families,
It is hard to believe we are almost at the end of the 2nd quarter which ends on January 29th.
Please take a couple of minutes to review the information below to ensure you have the most up-to-date information:
FACE TO FACE AND HOME CONNECT - STUDENT NUMBERS At this time, we have 883 face to face students and 174 home connect students. Students are currently working equally hard in each instructional model. If your child is currently participating in the home connect model and you would like to change to the face to face model, please contact the school for more information.
VISITORS ON CAMPUS: Due to current circumstances, we are still NOT allowing volunteers on campus at this time. However, we are very hopeful that could change before the end of the year.
MASKS REMINDERS: Please remind your students that masks are required to be worn properly for the safety of all stakeholders. There have been a number of instances that students are improperly wearing masks. We appreciate your assistance in this matter. These will be picked up every two weeks on Fridays from 8:00 A.M.-3:00 P.M. outside the front office.
PARENT DROP OFF/PICK-UP: Just a reminder-Students need to remain in their cars until 7:30 AM for their safety. Middle School only students are to be dropped off/picked up at the south end of the building at the first circle loop.
NFMAA Welcomes Back Students!
SPOTLIGHT ON MIDDLE SCHOOL ACADEMICS:
English Language Arts: Ms. Russell (Dept. Head), Ms. L. Johnson, Ms. G. Johnson, Ms. Dougherty, Ms. Smith (ESE Support Teacher)
Sixth, seventh, and eighth grade ELA students are reading literature and informational text and writing informational pieces and essays based on their grade level unit themes.
The sixth grade unit theme is Animal Intelligence.
The seventh grade ELA unit theme is Nature at Work, and eighth grade will be learning about the Holocaust through Anne Frank’s Legacy.
Reading: Mrs. Margaret Bregenzer (Dept. Head), Mrs. Davila (Reading Coach), Ms. Grace, Ms. Cofield, Mr. Taylor, Ms. Shadrick
The programs utilized include I Ready, Language Live, and an Inside/I Ready blended classroom.
Social Studies: Mr. Froehlich (Dept. Head), Mr. Holmes, Mr. Bambrey, Ms. Carrigan, Ms. Cofield
The seventh grade students study Civics and are currently learning about the US Constitution, including the principles of separation of power, checks and balances, and the rule of law.
Math: Mr. P. Williams (Dept. Head), Mr. D. Williams, Ms. Nelson, Ms. Nichols, Ms. Wheeler, Ms. Taylor, Mrs. Schippel (ESE Support Teacher)
Sixth and seventh grade math students are working on number sense, integers, simple algebraic equations, and geometry.
Pre Algebra students are working on linear equations, radical expressions, basic geometry function, and statistical data.
Algebra students are earning their first high school credit while working on linear systems of equations, statistical data, and quadratic functions.
Science: Mrs. Jamison (Dept. Head), Mrs. Bice, Mr. Blauet, Mr. Levine, Mrs. Kuzma
Science students are turning in Thomas Edison Science Inventors' fair logbooks, digital display boards, and videos.
The School Inventors Fair Competition was 1/12/2021, and winners are being determined.
IN THE ARTS: NFMAA Winners in Cape Coral's Artway on the Parkway Juried Art Show
Lee County elementary, middle, and high school students had the opportunity to participate in a juried art show that was judged by retired art teachers.
In the middle school category, our own Jordan Roach, 8th grade, received 1st place for her piece titled Tropical Memories.
And the 2nd place middle school winner was NFMAA's sixth grader, Yoimara Martinez, for her piece In Good Hands.
The girls' medium is mixed media, watercolor, sharpie marker, and colored pencil.
To see all all the winners of this year's Artway on the Parkway, click https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K96urlAoU6E&feature=youtu.be
Tropical Memories, created by Jordan Roach
In Good Hands, created by Yoimara Martinez
SPORTS Are Happening at NFMAA
With our three brand new tennis courts, we are eager for the spring tennis intramural program to begin.
Stay tuned for more intramural opportunities that may open per Covid-19 protocols.
SAFETY & SECURITY: Drill Procedures & Practice
Our students are well-versed in the different expectations for our drills, whether it is a fire drill, tornado, bomb, or lockdown. We talk with students to ensure they have a clear understanding of the importance of taking our drills seriously in order to keep them safe.
For more information about the "i love u guys" safety protocols you can visit their website: https://iloveuguys.org/programs/standard-response-protocol-for-k-12/
"i love u guys" Procedures
Ms. Dougherty's Period 1 Class Practices a Tornado Drill
Visitors Who Do Not Belong in School Are Kept Outside, Even if They Are Beautiful
Ugly Sweater Day
Upcoming Events at NFMAA
- 1/18/21 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day – No School
- 1/19/21 Choral All County Rehearsal
- 1/20/21 School Show - 4th and 5th Grade
- 1/21/21 All County Dance
- 1/21/21 PTO/SAC Meeting via Zoom 5:30PM
- 1/22/21 Chick-Fil-A Dress Down Day
- 1//2/21 4th & 5th Grade Performance
- 1/22/21 &1/23/21 Virtual Nutcracker (Tickets available thru Show tix)
- 1/25 through 1/29: Celebrate Literacy Week
- 1/28/21 Health Screening: Grades 1, 3, 6
- 1/29/21 End of Quarter 2
- 1/29/21 Early Dismissal 12:10 pm
Thank you for being a part of our North Fort Myers Academy for the Arts school family!
PTO (Parent Teacher Organization)
And the NFMAA staff wishes to thank our PTO for generously providing a Jason's Deli lunch along with a gift for our Holiday Luncheon.
Become involved in our school’s PTO! To attend, join the zoom meetings the third Thursday of each month from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm. Watch for the zoom link sent to each parent/guardian’s Focus email address.
SAC (Student Advisory Council)
Become involved in the Academy’s goals! Please join us as Mrs. Gunns discusses our school’s goals with parents. The meetings follow the PTO meeting on the same PTO meeting zoom link.
NFMAA Arts Foundation
Foundation president, Mrs. Jennifer Kerry, expresses a grateful thank you to our generous sponsors throughout the years, our current sponsors, and those who are becoming new sponsors. These generous individuals and companies enable our students to experience the Fine Arts above and beyond our District budget.
Please consider becoming a new contributor to benefit our talented children.
A great way to support the arts this month is to purchase your ticket to NFMAA’s Virtual Nutcracker, go to https://www.showtix4u.com/event-details/45049
This spring, keep a lookout for the annual Arts Foundation Auction. Many great items on which to bid will be offered.
Although the pandemic has thwarted the usual fund raising avenues, the Foundation is developing new, safe opportunities for sponsorship. Keep watching the website. https://nfmaartsfoundation.org/, for updated information.
Out of Field Statement
Florida State Statute 102.42 recognizes that teachers at times must be assigned duties in a class outside the field in which the teacher is certified and then are required to take appropriate steps to comply with the Statutory regulation.
Teachers at North Fort Myers Academy for the Arts who are certified teachers currently engaged in training to add English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) to their certificates are Tiffany Davila, Tracy Fishler, Gillian Johnson, Jessica Joslin, Jill Moreland, Karla Schippel, Desiree Schools, and Courtney Staley.
THE SCHOOL BOARD OF LEE COUNTY
Mary Fischer, District 1 (Chair); Debbie Jordan, District 4 (Vice Chair); Melisa W. Giovannelli, District 2; Chris N. Patricca, District 3; Gwynetta S. Gittens, District 5; Betsy Vaughn, District 6; Cathleen O’ Daniel Morgan, District 7.
Gregory K. Adkins, Ed.D. Superintendent of Schools