March Updates from World Academy

Weekly Update From World Academy

Dear Families,

We have been making preparations to deliver remote education for our students if it comes to that, but we are hoping it will not. To support health and safety, we are sanitizing thoroughly, deeply and more often with approved products to keep our school beyond clean. Mr. Oscar’s crew has given us their commitment to clean EVERY surface in the school, EVERY NIGHT (and they have been a part of our World Academy family for over a dozen years so we trust their abilities,) and twice, daily, Mr. Victor will be sanitizing commonly used surfaces such as door handles, water fountains, light switches, etc. and lunch tables and classroom work tables will be sanitized even more than usual before each use. We are closely following the Center For Disease Control’s suggestions for schools to combat the COVID-19 virus which focus on handwashing, not touching one’s face and crowd control (See cancellations below. Please know that we understand how important many of these activities are in the lives of our students. We will do whatever is humanly possible to reschedule as many as we can so they don’t miss out on the experiences. This will also apply to future cancellations. We are considering maybe holding some in the summer so our students will still receive the benefits and goals planned for these experiences.) That being done, we are incorporating information regarding the virus and how to prevent the spread of germs, age-appropriately, into our curriculum so our students can be correctly informed and empowered with real information. It is our goal to remain calm and vigilant.

We have formed a Steering Committee made up of Medical Professionals, W.A. Advisory Board Members, Parents and Staff to formulate policy regarding next best practices, and we will keep you informed consistently. AS A RESULT OF A RECOMMENDATION FROM THIS TEAM WE ARE SETTING UP HAND SANITIZING STATIONS AT THE TWO DOOR ENTRANCES (as soon as possible) AND WILL REQUIRE ALL TO USE UPON ENTERING OUR BUILDING. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION WITH THIS AS AFTER OUR DAILY DEEP CLEANING THIS IS DECIDED TO BE THE NEXT BEST DEFENSE IN KEEPING NEW GERMS AT BAY. (We are asking for your help in finding enough sanitizer to purchase to keep this going for an undetermined length of time. Please see request below.**)

Also, our Grades 4-8 teachers have already put a plan together for remote education and have already tested and evaluated its efficacy. It will be a little harder to address Grades K-3 as it would involve family support and the extent of home technology, but we are in the process of putting that into place and will succeed in addressing this properly and thoroughly so our students’ education is kept relevant and up to date... More complex will be how to address the child care program and match it with family needs. We are still working on that one but promise to diligently put the efforts into figuring out a way to serve our families and keep our children and staff safe. At the very least teachers will send home emails every day with activities for families to do with students to keep their growth on target. Closing that program would be the very last resort as we know many of our families are essential personnel and will need services. Prior to that, we will promote distances between children as best we can.

We understand that there are many philosophies regarding this very real and emotional issue and want to respect as many as we can. Therefore, if you wish to keep your child home from school at any point for a time until you feel it is safe, please let us know so we can continue to support your child’s growth and education with remote options…at every level. This will keep our student body operating at the appropriate levels to pick right back up when the virus is controlled.

Please let us know if there is more you think we could be doing to realistically address the current situation. We have included the very latest update from the CDC regarding school closures for your information. Thank you for your support!

Warm Regards,

Kathy and Lisa for all of us

President and Head of School

**P.S. While we had plenty of hand sanitizer on hand for normal use with extra in store, we now find our access to supplies limited. If you have any connections to help us purchase more, we would truly appreciate the information/opportunity. Thank you, in advance.

P.S.S. Fraud Warnings are very real...Please Read!

Please be aware of fraud! In times like these scammers take advantage of people. Be aware of phishing emails related to the Coronavirus. Be sure to check the sender’s email address for grammatical errors – including emails that may seem like they come from a legitimate organization. BE VERY vigilant.

Considerations for School Closure from the Center for Disease Control

Recommendations on school closure based on the available science, reports from other countries and consultation with school health experts:

1. There is a role for school closure in response to school-based cases of COVID-19 for decontamination and contact tracing (few days of closure), in response to significant absenteeism of staff and students (short to medium length, i.e. 2-4 weeks of closure), or as part of a larger community mitigation strategy for jurisdictions with substantial community spread* (medium to long length, i.e. 4-8 weeks or more of closure).

2. Available modeling data indicate that early, short to medium closures do not impact the epi curve of COVID-19 or available health care measures (e.g., hospitalizations). There may be some impact of much longer closures (8 weeks, 20 weeks) further into community spread, but that modelling also shows that other mitigation efforts (e.g., handwashing, home isolation) have more impact on both spread of disease and health care measures. In other countries, those places that closed school (e.g., Hong Kong) have not had more success in reducing spread than those that did not (e.g., Singapore).

3. In places where school closures are necessary, the anticipated academic and economic impacts and unintended impacts on disease outcomes must be planned for and mitigated. Provision of academic support (e.g., tele-ed), alternatives for school-based meals as well as other services (e.g., behavioral and mental health services) for economically and physically vulnerable children, support for families for whom telework and paid sick leave is not available, ensuring that high risk individuals continue to be protected must all be addressed. Special consideration must be given for health care workers so that school closures do not impact their ability to work.

*Substantial community spread is defined as large scale community transmission, health care staffing significantly impacted, multiple cases within communal settings.

Other resources:

Upcoming Events and Important Dates

For the time being, we will only be holding events that are closed to all except our school community. We will keep you posted . Each event will be evaluated on its safety.

Skills Clinic, Alumni Basketball Game and Alumni Reception Postponed to Future Date

In keeping with the most recent recommendation from the NH Department of Health and Human Services to limit large group gatherings, we have decided to postpone the World Academy Alumni Association’s Alumni Basketball Events scheduled for Friday, March 13th. As colleges, universities and other post-secondary programs send their students home to do online courses, we felt we would not be able to keep track of some of the potential attendees and where they have been over the last few weeks. We regret this but feel it is in the best interest of our families. We definitely intend to hold the Skills Clinic, the Alumni Basketball Game and the Alumni Reception at a later date and will extend our 40 for 40 Anniversary promotion until that date as well. We will share updated details once a new date is determined. We thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

The Robotics Open Championship in Iowa is cancelled until further notice. We are so proud of our NorthStar teams and look forward to them competing in the future!!

The Grade 1 Field Trip to the Acton Discovery Museum for March 18th has been cancelled.

The National History Bee Regionals that was scheduled for March 21st has been cancelled. All students that made it to that level and signed up were notified by the organization. Mr. Kilgour along with our entire World Academy family wants to let these students know how proud we are of them and their work!!

The NH State Geography Bee that was scheduled for March 27th will be done digitally. We want to cheer on Kiran Klein as our NorthStar entrant!!

The French Field Trip that was scheduled on March 27th at Merrimack Valley High School in Concord, NH has been cancelled.

The Invention Convention that was scheduled for March 28th at SNHU has been cancelled. All students that made it to that level will be notified today by the organization. We want to personally congratulate our students, again, on their stellar performances and give them kudos for qualifying for this event.

Volleyball season has been cancelled. Although only two games were played see the great results below!! We look forward to Track and Field in the next few months!!

Upcoming Important Date Reminders

Tuesday, March 17th

St. Patrick’s Day
Student Government Green Day/Dress Down Day

Wednesday, March 18th

Class Robotics - Grade 8
Bicentennial Early Release

Thursday, March 19th

Math Kangaroo Contest 7:30-8:45am

Friday, March 20th

Grade 2-8 Lunch Program Order Forms due for April

Community News

Vacation Program Sign-Ups

Our Vacation Program is a safe and fun option available to any Kindergarten through Grade 8 student (even those who do not regularly attend World Academy) who is looking for a fun alternative during school vacations. This program supplements the days outside of the school calendar so a separate daily rate applies. It is filled with lots of age-appropriate, fun activities for all ages and staffed by our World Academy team. In order for us to properly plan/staff our programs, advanced sign-up is required for the days your child will attend, and there will be no refunds for unused days. Space is limited and will be filled on a first-come/first-served basis. Registration will close one week prior to the vacation day or once the spaces are filled.

Don't forget to sign up for the Spring Break Vacation Days! Spring Break is from April 27-May 1st.

Click here for the sign-up for Kindergarten Vacation Program
Click here for the sign-up for the Grades 1-8 Vacation Program

Lifeguards Wanted!

Our fabulous life guards over the past five years (except for our wonderful Mr. Kyle who is a teacher and returns to us each summer) have graduated from college and are working in the business world! We now are seeking two lifeguards for our summer camp. Their jobs will be to spend their days with a phenomenally well-behaved and happy group of campers, who are always closely supervised by their counselors, making a difference in their lives with swim lessons and fantastic water activities.

Current CPR, First Aid and Lifeguard certification is required for the job and we will subsidize those for responsible and strong swimmers!! Contact Lisa Dias at

ldias@worldacademynh.com if you are interested!

Kudos and Reminders

In the midst of the fears and concerns over the spread of illness, we found this great resource that includes a video to share with your child about hand washing and staying safe from germs! Click here to visit the site!

Congrats to the Bacotti Family on their recent 5K in Hampton Beach. Check out the great shot of Second Grader, Mason, and Third Grader, Michael, with their Dad. They look pretty sharp in their NorthStars jerseys!

Thank you to all our wonderful donors!

Click here to donate to the World Academy Alumni Association's "40 for 40"!

This year, the World Academy Alumni Association is celebrating the 40th year anniversary of the founding of World Academy by participating in a donation drive called "40 for 40"! Since 1980, the school has educated and nurtured over 20,000 students, and we would like to honor that accomplishment by paying tribute to the students, teachers, alumni and special memories from our “World!” We are aiming to attain 40 gifts in honor of the 40 years of excellence by March 13th. Please consider donating a gift of any amount to the WA Alumni Association . All gifts designated to the “40 for 40” will go directly to the WA Alumni Association’s Scholarship Fund to support a quality World Academy education to even more deserving students. Thank you for supporting our 40th anniversary celebration!

NorthStars Athletics & Competition Results

Rize Robotics State Championship

Congratulations to World Academy for its outstanding showing at the RIZE IQ NH State Championships. Three teams qualified to earn a spot as NH’s Best Robotics team. After nearly 60 matches the NorthStars E404 team of Will, Peyton, Devon, and Nick took home the Middle School Division State Champion runner up finishing 2nd in NH. During the playoffs that team partnered with Somersworth Middle School to take home the Alliance Tournament Championship and the highest score of the day. Awesome job!!

Spelling Bee Update

Londyn Lamonakis participated in the New Hampshire State Spelling Bee this past Saturday at Plymouth State University. Out of the 200 students in attendance, she made the initial cut into the top thirty students, and then gutted out a strong effort for a few rounds before being eliminated in 16th place. A fine result for sure! Congratulations, Londyn!

MathCounts Update

Emily Breault, Ayush Chakraborty, Hrushikesh Sankar, and Elaine Zhan, participated in the State MathCounts Competition on March 7th, 2020 at Plymouth State University. Official results not available yet but we will keep you posted!

Volleyball Season Has Ended

Our Middle School Co-Ed Volleyball Team had a shorter season this year, as the remaining games and practices have been cancelled. The few games they played were great fun and showed a talent for the sport!! Check out our 2020 Volleyball Team below!

Seen Around Our 'World'

We love to know what our students and families are up to outside of school! If you have something you would like to share, please don't hesitate to share it with us! Click here to email us your photos with details for us to post! We especially love to hear (and brag!) about student accomplishments outside of school! We love sharing ALL about each of our students!