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Newman Leadership Academy
By Naomi Riggins
SAN BERNARDINIO, CA- It was only a short six-mile bus ride Thursday morning of December 3 from their school to downtown San Bernardino, but for about 60 third, fourth, fifth and sixth-graders from Newman Leadership Academy in San Bernardino were excited to be going on a field trip to the California Theatre of Performing Arts to see the Inland Dance Theatres, Inc.’s 40th Anniversary of Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker” Ballet.
The Inland Dance Theatre has presented the Tchaikovsky’s Ballet to estimated 225,000 children from throughout the Inland Empire. Newman Leadership Academy’s Principle, Mrs. Payne stated, “It was an awe of discovery for many of the students. It was like watching the lights come on and opening their minds to a whole new adventure and opportunity in San Bernardino”. For those that want to see “The Nutcracker”, visit www.californiatheatre.net for times and ticket prices.
After spending the first half of the day at the ballet, the students were loaded onto the bus and headed to Norman Fedhelym Library for lunch and a tour of the facility. The library provided each of the 60 students with library card application. Just in time for the school’s Winter Break Reading Challenge (hoping each student will read at least 30 books during Christmas Break).
In the cash-strapped San Bernardino County Unified School District, the time-honored tradition of class field trips have been dramatically cut back. Newman Leadership Academy is looking for additional funding and donations in order to be able to continue to leave the confines of their classrooms and continue to build onto the school’s library and resources. To find out more about Newman Leadership Academy, please visit the website www.newmanleadership.org.
