SUMMER 2015
their districts and beyond. For the annual Summer Leadership Institute, Choices collaborates with multiple scholars who provide content sessions and one or more “lead teachers” who provide peer leadership to help teachers incorporate Choices into their classroom teaching. Mr. Gray Shares Experience Working With Special Education Students at NCEA Theology Teacher, Mr. Eric Gray, was chosen as one of the presenters at the 2014 National Catholic Educators Association Conference in Orlando, Florida. Mr. Gray’s presentation: “Who’s Helping Who? Catholic School Students with Public Special Education Students” shared how Nolan works with the Fort Worth ISD to bring the public special education and private mainstream students together to develop awareness of a unity between each other and further positive development of both groups out in the greater world.
Nolan Robo Vikes Host Successful FLL Robotics Competition In December, Nolan served as the Fort Worth-area regional host site for the First Lego League Competition. This competition is the middle school-age level team competition put on by FIRST, For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology. Participants in the Saturday competition included 28 teams across Fort Worth and Dallas from private and public schools,
for practice and competition in their own regionals. The Robo Vikes visited these schools and assisted students in building a Lego robot run on the Lego Mindstorms operating system. “We received very positive feedback from parents and the students on the robotics teams,” said Scheer. “Kyle and the rest of the Robo Vikes, and volunteers deserve a lot of credit for giving these middle school students an opportunity to compete in a fun event that helps develop skills in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and business.”
Servant Leadership Nolan Faculty and Staff Lend a Hand Servicing Diocesan Partner Schools
Mrs. Kelli Bradley Bay ’82 and Mrs. Zabette Wills Nominated in 2015 Fort Worth Admin Awards Administrative Assistants Mrs. Zabette Wills (left, Advancement) and Mrs. Kelli Bay (right, Athletics) were nominated in the 2015 Fort Worth Admin Awards. The Admin Awards is the first program of its kind that recognizes the administrative assistant community. Nominees were honored at a cocktail reception in March. Mrs. Bay was also named a Finalist in the awards program.
as well as students who are homeschooled. NCHS partnered with the Perot Museum of Nature and Science, which is the Affiliate and Operational Partner for the North Texas Region. The NCHS event was mostly coordinated and run by Nolan’s Robo Vikes robotics team and a host of volunteers. Junior Kyle Griffith served as the event coordinator under the direction of Dr. Robert Scheer, engineering program director and robotics coach. FLL has been a major component of the Robo Vikes’ outreach program in which the team strives to expand the accessibility of robotics to all who express interest including middle school students. This year, the Robo Vikes mentored seven FLL Teams from St. Andrew School, St. John the Apostle School, and Holy Trinity Catholic School each week
nolancatholichs.org
Building upon their ministry of service, Nolan faculty and staff visited our diocesan partner schools to extend a helping hand with some of their projects and activities. In November, 111 teachers, administrators, and staff visited 14 partner schools and performed tasks including general cleaning, painting, sorting/filing, gardening, and library support. Nolan helpers also served 544 lunches to partner school faculty and staff, and in some cases helped with playground duty so the teachers could have a break. Principal Reyes said: “We are most grateful for the enthusiastic response to enhancing our relationships and the gracious welcome we received from our partner schools’ administration, faculty and staff. We hope to offer our services again soon.”
the shield
7