The Gateway Express - Spring 2022

Message from the

HEAD OF SCHOOL Dear Alumni, Families, and Friends,

Happy March! I hope you enjoy the latest

issue of the Gateway Express e-newsletter, which highlights some of the exciting, mission-driven activities on our campus and honors some of the amazing people we are proud to call members of the NDA family.

While it has been a productive and energizing time at NDA over the last two years, we have not always had a chance to share all of these moments with our community. As we approach spring, we look forward to welcoming our alumni, families, and friends back to campus for a number of events.

If you are ever in the area and would like a tour of campus, please do not be a stranger. Contact our Office of Institutional Advancement and Alumni Relations at (978) 649-7611 Ext. 321 to schedule a tour.

Warmly, Dr. Vittoria Pacifico

Head of School

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T H E G AT E W AY E X P R E S S

legendary

LANCER

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he Upper School Science Club was delighted to have Dr. Gina Shamshak as a guest speaker at a virtual meeting on Thursday, January 20th. Dr. Shamshak is an accomplished alumna who graduated from NDA in 1997 and attended Boston University with the Cardinal Medeiros Full Tuition Scholarship.

Dr. Shamshak is currently a Professor of Economics at Goucher College. She has published numerous papers and serves on multiple committees focusing on environmental and natural resource economics specializing in fisheries and aquaculture economics. Dr. Shamshak shared with the Science Club about her education, career path and current research focus. Her presentation demonstrated how economics is a diverse field with many connections to other areas, and gave interesting examples of how she branched economics research into science. Dr. Shamshak proposed that the Science Club look at current environmental tools such as the hydroponic system to examine the cost versus potential profit. Taking the suggestion from Dr. Shamshak, the Science Club hopes to collaborate with her in optimizing the sale of the plants growing from NDA’s hydroponic system to make a profit for the club. Science Club is looking forward to learning more from Dr. Shamshak in the future.

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elp us identify Legendary Lancers who are upholding the NDA values of service, justice, peace, dignity, communitybuilding, and diversity in their lives. Nominate a Lancer (or honorary Lancer) who deserves to be recognized for their hard work and kind heart! #LegendaryLancers Nominate a Legendary Lancer

light

LET THERE BE CAMPAIGN UPDATE

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DA is proud to announce that light posts will soon be lighting the way on campus thanks to all those who contributed to the Let There Be Light campaign. All twenty-two light posts have been “named” and the installation of the lights will begin this spring. We are so grateful and look forward to inviting our contributors and community members to a special dedication ceremony when the project is complete.

NAMES AND

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faces

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OF NDA

r. Jamie Flynn, currently in his third year at the Academy, serves as Principal for both the Upper and Lower Schools. Dr. Flynn’s extensive resume includes a Doctorate in Learning, Leadership, and Community from Plymouth State University, a Certificate for Graduate Studies in Educational Leadership from Salem State University, a Master of Arts in Teaching Chemistry from Salem State University, and a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Merrimack College.

At NDA, Dr. Flynn is making a positive impact on faculty and students. His kind demeanor and friendly face is welcomed in the classroom and in the hallways, on the sidelines at sporting events, in a front row seat at student performances, and even on school trips, most recently traveling with the Upper School to Greece. Dr. Flynn’s focus is to ensure that students and staff are set up for success. He strongly believes that every student has something valuable to contribute to the school community and that their voices matter, routinely inviting students to be part of decision-making processes on matters that directly affect them. Dr. Flynn strives to build positive relationships, challenge students, but also support them along the way.

Dr. Flynn is helping to advance the school’s curriculum and plays an active role in the progression of the Academy’s strategic plan – Inspiring Excellence. Naturally, Dr. Flynn is most excited about the pillar focused on Academic Excellence, which has a strong emphasis on STEAM. Within the last two years the Academy has made significant investments in Environmental Sciences, specifically the Environmental Learning Lab and the geodome. Both investments are being used to increase students’ environmental literacy and knowledge around sustainability and environmental impact. Two subjects that are very relevant in today’s world.

WE ARE BLESSED TO HAVE DR. FLYNN SERVING AS PRINCIPAL!

MUSE

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magazine

he 2021-2022 Winter issue of The Muse has been published!

With artistic contributions from many students and countless hours put into its production, this issue turned out beautifully! Access the digital version right here!

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T H E G AT E W AY E X P R E S S

L YAL

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e are pleased to announce that the Alumni and Advancement Office has created a new giving society: The Loyal Lancers. Loyal Lancers are a group of donors who have been giving consecutively for three or more years. Membership in the Loyal Lancers Giving Society each year will be honored in our Annual Report. Past, current and future donations greatly impact the Academy. We are pleased to recognize these consistent donors that we can count on year over year to meet the mission of NDA. Thank you to all our Loyal Lancers! There are even some Loyal Lancers who have been giving for over 20 years! We hope you will consider joining them by making commitments every year. Donate at ndatyngsboro.org/giving/. Please reach out to Jenn Klein in the Office of Institutional Advancement at jklein@ndatyngsboro.org to learn more or if you have any questions.

LANCERS

ALICE KENNEDY NURSING

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Scholarship

pplications are now being accepted for the Alice Kennedy Nursing Scholarship funded by the John J. and Edith L. Sacco Charitable Foundation from now through April 30. This scholarship will be awarded to an alumna pursuing a four-year degree in Nursing at an accredited college or university.

Applicants who have completed two or more years of study and maintained a minimum 2.5 GPA in their major are eligible to apply.

If you wish to be considered for this award, please submit your resume, current college transcript, and no more than 300 word essay. In your essay, include why you believe you are an appropriate candidate for the scholarship. Please describe your educational and/or career goal(s). Include activities you have been involved in, contributions you have made to your community such as volunteer/service projects, work, etc.

All applications will be reviewed by the Scholarship Committee. If you have any questions please contact Lauren Marquis at lmarquis@ndatyngsboro.org.

Apply Here!

SAVE THE

DAT E S

UPPER SCHOOL CAREER DAY - Friday, April 1 SPRING MUSICAL - April 8 -10 ALUMNI MASS & TEA - Sunday, May 1 ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT - Monday, May 9

ENTERING THE 8TH GRADE

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Shark

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TANK

he popular TV show Shark Tank has inspired many schools to incorporate project-based learning into their curriculum. Having students participate in a Shark Tank project enhances critical thinking skills and incorporates business principles and strategy, marketing concepts, and public speaking practice. All of which are essential for success.

This year the eighth graders accepted the challenge to create a product or invention that would solve a problem or have a positive impact. Students worked with a partner or small group to create a new product/invention, analyze market research, determine their market strategy, develop a business plan, market their product, and pitch their product using their innovative and creative thinking. After a month and a half, students revealed their ideas and pitched it to the class.

During the process, the students had the pleasure of zooming with an actual Shark Tank participant, Melissa Montelione Clayton ’89. Melissa appeared on Shark Tank in 2020 to pitch her product The Matte to the sharks and ultimately landed a deal with Lori Greiner the so-called “Queen of QVC.” Melissa, a two-time entrepreneur as the founder of local jewelry company, Tiny Tags, shared her tank story and was happy to answer all questions the students had about the show and her journey to entrepreneurship. When asked for her best piece of advice she replied, “talk to everyone”. Talking to your neighbor, the mail carrier, a co-worker, or a stranger on a plane can open doors you never knew existed.

Both her companies, Tiny Tags and The Matte, came to fruition through conversation, persistence and determination.

THANK YOU, MELISSA, FOR SHARING YOUR STORY!

NDA FOR GOOD DAY OF GIVING - Wednesday, May 18 GRADUATION - Saturday, June 4 HOMECOMING - Saturday, September 24 BLUE & GOLD ONLINE AUCTION AND GALA - Fall 2022 RACHEL’S RUN - Saturday, November 19, 2022