Noonan Sends 10 contestants to Edison Regional Science Fair
1/13/12
Congratulations to these top ten finalists from Noonan Academy that went to the Edison Regional Science Fair:
Patrick
Olivia
Jessica
Jake
Christopher
Craig
Amanda
Claire
Michael
Madison
Congratulations on these winners who made it to regionals out of 30,000 students. Of these top ten students, we received five ribbons as advancing to the winners round for the awards ceremony next Friday night at Alico Arena for the Thomas Edison Regional Science Fair. They are as follows:
Jessica
Jake
Christopher
Amanda
Craig
Congratulations on an amazing Science Fair year!
Mrs. Gedra
News-Press
12/6/11
Schools put focus on healthy choices
Lunchtime is approaching at Noonan Academy in south Fort Myers and chef Ralph Buonocore is hard at work whipping potatoes for shepherd’s pie and simmering his almost-famous gravy — down here we call it marinara sauce — for meatball subs.
“We’ve got fresh carrots and corn in here. I’m going to get these in the oven, put a little cheddar on them, and then it’s time to work on the meatballs,” the 54-year-old said, smoothing his chef’s coat.
As Congress fights over the legitimacy of tomato paste and pizza sauce as a serving of vegetables in school lunches, area private schools are taking the matter of children’s nutrition into their own hands.
Meals at Noonan, and at many area private schools, are an increasingly fresh and healthful affair. The 11-year-old school, which accepts 3-year-olds to eighth graders, has banned sugar, saccharin, bleached white flour, red and yellow dyes, monosodium glutamate and most preservatives from its menus, and from the lunch boxes of its students.
Knowing what her students are eating helps school days run smoothly for Noonan principal Nancy Sain. And teaching kids, even the youngest ones, healthy eating habits such as portion control and how to enjoy unprocessed foods, “is just as important as math or science,” Sain said.
Parents at Noonan and at schools such as the Montessori School of Fort Myers get nutrition sheets tucked in with their welcome packets. Sheets that explain what types of foods the schools allow, and what they don’t — namely high-sugar, high-sodium, highly processed convenience items such as Lunchables, soda and Twinkies.
Montessori director Ruth Anne Azevedo stopped serving fruit juices at her preschool, opting instead for purified water. And when students’ birthdays roll around, they are celebrated with a class cooking project — cookies or cupcakes are allowed — so kids understand the significance of a special treat.
“Anything that comes prepackaged, we probably shouldn’t be eating it anyway,” Azevedo said. “We don’t necessarily outlaw things, we just encourage healthy lunches.”
At Fort Myers Christian School ’s Eagles Nest Cafe, healthy means fresh.
Cafe director Mary Snyder and her assistant Sabrina Greene make everything they can from scratch. Last week that meant trimming chicken breasts by hand and sauteing them with apricots and freshly blanched green beans. It means peeling and mashing Russet potatoes, prepping lettuce and vegetables each morning for the salad bar, and baking bread, and even the occasional batch of chocolate chip cookies.
“You can’t force feed kids, but the choice is there,” Snyder said. “We have healthy choices and we have dessert stuff too, so it’s a balance. But it’s all fresh.”
Sain has returned sugary cupcakes and dye-filled fruit punches to the store as a convenience to her parents who sometimes, in a rush, forget Noonan’s guidelines.
For Anna Ellis , the mother of a preschooler there, such stringent rules offer peace of mind.
“With childhood obesity on the rise it’s so nice to know these kids are eating healthy throughout the day,” Ellis said.
Chef Ralph Buonocore prepares a shepherd's pie Wednesday at Noonan Academy in south Fort Myers . / Marc Beaudin/news-press.com
1st Grade goes to WINK News
Congrats to Noonan Girls 2011-2012 Volleyball Team for having an undefeated season AND being Conference Champions! Go Chargers!!
Kindergarten wears green glitter glasses for the letter "g"
Noonan Academy Teachers Nominated for Golden Halo Award 2011
Patty Gedra, 4th-8th grade Sciene teacher and Beth McDonald, Kindergarten teacher were recently nominated for the 2011 Golden Halo Award. Mrs. Gedra was honored in her classroom as a finalist. The Golden Halo Award is sponsored by the Christian Chamber of Southwest Florida, Inc. The Christian Chamber of SW Florida, Inc. is a membership forum where Christian business people, non-profit organizations and individuals can be involved in a Chamber of Commerce without feeling they should in any way suppress their faith. Members of the Christian Chamber enjoy membership in Lee, Collier, Charlotte, and Polk counties.
A very BIG thank you to Noonan Families for donations today for our H.A.T. (Helping Another Thrive) Day! We raised over $300 for the March of Dimes Walk on April 30th. Together we are helping babies begin healthy lives!
Mrs. Henderson
Noonan Wears Red for Japan
Noonan helps Japan’s survivors! Our students collected $1,448.00 that three of our students presented to the American Red Cross (see below). Our Academy prides itself in teaching our students that helping others in our world is a very important part of being a good citizen.
Noonan Academy Helps Japan Earthquake/Tsunami Victims
Noonan Makes Cranes for Japan
Last week the 7th and 8th Grade Art Class took a break from their normal lesson, and spent the class learning to fold Japanese Origami Cranes. Although, it was an interesting activity on its own, there was another reason for doing it.
In Japan, the crane is considered a sacred bird. It is believed, and is a current practiced custom, that if a person folds 1,000 cranes they will be granted one wish. This custom is a symbol of good will, and blessing, and is recognized as coming from the heart. The reason is not only because the crane was believed (in the day) to be a magical and sacred bird, but also because the act of folding 1,000 origami cranes is a substantial undertaking, and is a large commitment.
In light of the recent tragedies in Japan, our school (and this class’s) personal connection to those affected by the earthquake and tsunami, and an attempt to continue to instill a sense of compassion, awareness, and empathy for those in need --- we decided to fold cranes for Japan.
In addition, a project to benefit the non-profit, “Architecture for Humanity” funded by the “Bezos Family Foundation” is collecting 100,000 cranes folded by students around the world. For each crane received, the foundation will donate $2 to the rebuilding of Japan through Architecture for Humanity.
Our 7th and 8th Grade class in one hour, folded 25 cranes and raised $50 for this important cause. If you are interested in having your child fold cranes to help this cause, visit www.studentsrebuild.org for more information.
Noonan Academy Goes Pink! 2011
Noonan goes Pink! Our students wore “Pink” to help support one of our teacher’s, Mrs. Piper, and her team in the Komen Southwest Florida Race for the Cure. The students raised almost $900 to help her reach her goal. Good job students!
Noonan Academy has 3 Finalists in Local Science Fair 2011
Noonan Academy Supports Race for the Cure
March 10, 2010--Fort Myers, FL
On behalf of the Southwest Florida Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, we thank you for your generous donation. Your contribution on behalf of this year's Komen Southwest Florida Race for the Cure is greatly appreciated. Throughout the many years serving our community as the trusted partner in the fight against breast cancer and we know could not do this without the support of caring individuals like you.
We realize that we have come a long way, but we also know that there is still much to be done and we need your help. We remain vigilant; providing education, survivor support services, desperately needed screening and life-saving diagnostic services across the community.
Our promise of a world without breast cancer does not just rest in the hands of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. It is up to you, our community of survivors and co-survivors, to stand united with us until the promise is fulfilled and the cure is found.
Best regards,
Komen Southwest Florida Affiliate
Our promise to you is that we will always be responsible stewards of your donations; therefore 75% of net fundraising dollars raised here stay here. The remaining 25% teams with other Komen Affiliates nationwide to fund breast cancer research which will find a cure.
Gift Amount: $471.00 total donated by students at the Noonan Academy:
| 2010 Southwest Florida Race for the Cure |
In Support Of: | Ive Piper |
Date: | Mar 10, 2010 6:08:49 PM
|
Amount: | $471.00 total donated by students at the Noonan Academy |
Noonan Academy Teachers Nominated for Golden Halo Award
February 18, 2010--Fort Myers, FL
Shaun Henderson, 4th-8th grade Mathematics teacher, Beth McDonald, 4th-8th grade Reading teacher and Emmy Schroeder Music/Art/PE teacher at Noonan Academy were recently nominated for the 2010 Golden Halo Award. Today Mr. Henderson was honored in his classroom as a finalist. The Golden Halo Award is sponsored by the Christian Chamber of Southwest Florida, Inc. The Christian Chamber of SW Florida, Inc. is a membership forum where Christian business people, non-profit organizations and individuals can be involved in a Chamber of Commerce without feeling they should in any way suppress their faith. Members of the Christian Chamber enjoy membership in Lee, Collier, Charlotte, and Polk counties. The banquet will be held Saturday, March 13, 2010 from 6-9 PM at Grace Community Center in N. Fort Myers - Sponsorship & Tickets are Available.
Noonan Academy Supports Red Cross
Student Government fundraiser helps Haiti earthquake victims.
January 25, 2010--Fort Myers, FL
The Noonan Academy Student Government recently held a "Dress-Down Day" fundraiser to help support the Local Red Cross' efforts in helping earthquake victims in Haiti. Parents, students, and staff contributed a grand total of $1,162.82. A truly stupendous effort.
Below is the presentation of Noonan Academy's check to our local Red Cross. Thank you Alan, Felicia, Lauren and Lane for representing Noonan Academy so well.