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Welcome!
Welcome!
Welcome to the final installment of the Noah Wallace IDEA+ Community Newsletter for the 2024-25 school year! This issue highlights a collection of images from our recent events!
The IDEA+ Club is dedicated to honoring and empowering all members of our Noah Wallace community. We are so excited to share our community’s reflections. This newsletter will continue to feature submissions from YOU to share and celebrate together. To the families that contributed pictures, recipes and information about holidays and cultural traditions for this newsletter, thank you for making this possible!
We hope sharing in each other’s worlds will help us strengthen and celebrate our dynamic and diverse community.
Thank you!
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
IDEA+ Club Events
IDEA+ Club Events
Recent Event:
Recent Event:
Bushnell Park Carousel
Saturday, April 5, 2025
10am-12pm
Bushnell Park Carousel
Saturday, April 5, 2025
10am-12pm
We were overjoyed to welcome 150+ people to enjoy free unlimited rides on the Carousel in Hartford and enjoy snacks and company and time on the playground outside too! Thank you to everyone who came!
Recent Event:
Recent Event:
The Sights, Tastes, and Sounds of Noah Wallace
Saturday, April 26, 2025
3pm-5pm
The Sights, Tastes, and Sounds of Noah Wallace
Saturday, April 26, 2025
3pm-5pm
This popular family event that focuses on sharing, learning, and growing more culturally competent as a community. Families are invited to view and interact with cultural displays as well as try sample-sized portions of delicious food from around the globe provided by Noah Wallace families.
We had over 26 families from Noah Wallace contribute to the event with delicious bites and incredible displays to share. We also had some very special guests and interactive booths this year!
We had families share from:
Belarus
China
Ethiopia
Ghana
India
Iran
Italy
Nepal
Peru
Puerto Rico
Poland
Sri Lanka
Türkiye
Thank you to the families who submitted these pictures, those who attended the event, Mrs. Nock for reading Strega Nona, volunteers who helped prepare arts & crafts, and to all the families who shared their time to share a taste and knowledge of their heritage. It was a joy to have so many families in traditional dress at the event as well!
Thank you to the families who submitted these pictures, those who attended the event, Mrs. Nock for reading Strega Nona, volunteers who helped prepare arts & crafts, and to all the families who shared their time to share a taste and knowledge of their heritage. It was a joy to have so many families in traditional dress at the event as well!
Thank you Darkhan and Allan Lukpanova, Aniya (2nd) and Aila (4th)'s Dad and brother who played the Kazakh musical instrument dombra.
Thank you Darkhan and Allan Lukpanova, Aniya (2nd) and Aila (4th)'s Dad and brother who played the Kazakh musical instrument dombra.
Thank you to the Rajbhandari-Chitrakar for sharing these pictures of their family and display about Nepal.
Thank you to the Rajbhandari-Chitrakar for sharing these pictures of their family and display about Nepal.
Thank you to the Karmokar for sharing these pictures of their family and display about India and for translating names into Bengali script onto bookmarks for attendees!
Thank you to the Karmokar for sharing these pictures of their family and display about India and for translating names into Bengali script onto bookmarks for attendees!
Thank you to the Ramanan for sharing these pictures of their family and display about India.
Thank you to the Ramanan for sharing these pictures of their family and display about India.
Thank you to the Chen family for sharing these pictures and for creating personalized bookmarks in Chinese calligraphy for attendees.
Thank you to the Chen family for sharing these pictures and for creating personalized bookmarks in Chinese calligraphy for attendees.
Thank you to the Marino family for sharing your delicious strawberry gelato recipe. Here's the link!
Thank you to the Marino family for sharing your delicious strawberry gelato recipe. Here's the link!
Summertime Community Events
Summertime Community Events
FriendZWorldMusic From the Porch
FriendZWorldMusic From the Porch
Hill-Stead Museum
Farmington, CT
Friday, June 20, 2025 | 6:00pm-7:30pm
Hill-Stead welcomes the return of FriendZWorldMusic to commemorate Juneteenth – the day, two years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation, Union Troops rode into Texas to announce that enslaved African Americans were free.
FriendzWorldMusic is an award-winning collective of musicians, composers, entertainers and educators, originating from diverse corners of the globe. Their mission is to honor and celebrate the legacy of their ancestors by imparting education through music, dance, song and storytelling from the African Diaspora. With a lifetime of professional experiences, they specialize in an array of musical and dance styles including West African, Afro-Caribbean, calypso, jazz, hip-hop, fusions and more. Their vibrant and captivating live performances allow audiences to experience the explosive power of music, drumming and dance.
Free! (Registration requested)
Strawberry Moon Living Exhibition: An Indigenous Song & Dance Market
Strawberry Moon Living Exhibition: An Indigenous Song & Dance Market
Step off from the Capitol in Hartford
Saturday, June 14, 2025 | 10AM – 4PM
Join us at the Mashantucket Pequot Museum on Saturday June 14th to experience a sweet treat in appreciation of the solstice and kick-off the summer with indigenous artist and culture for a family-friendly day full of activities. Spend the day with us as we create a space to experience our story with native artisans and storytellers showcasing their gifts and talents.
30th International Festival of Arts & Ideas
30th International Festival of Arts & Ideas
Some events include...
Seny Tatchol Camara
Friday, June 27, 2025 | 6:00pm-6:45pm
Seny Tatchol is a master drummer, dancer, and cultural educator from Guinea, West Africa. Rooted in the rich musical traditions of the Manding culture, Seny has spent his life studying, performing, and teaching West African drumming and dance.
Free! Learn more
Sol and The Tribu
Friday, June 27, 2025 | 7:00pm-8:00pm
Sol and The Tribu is a group of Cuban musicians who blend traditional Caribbean music and modern technology with a Miami twist. As ambassadors of the New Miami Sound, they pride themselves on what makes Miami “The Magic City,” with its blend of Caribbean influences and American swamp funk.
Free! Learn more
Caribbean Festival
Saturday, June 28, 2025 - 6:00pm-9:00pm
Join us for an unforgettable multi-cultural celebration at the New Haven Caribbean Heritage Festival, where the vibrant tastes, sounds, and culture of the Caribbean come alive! Experience a delightful array of Caribbean food trucks while browsing stunning island apparel, jewelry, crafts, and more. Enjoy the colorful representations of various Caribbean nations, and live performances that showcase the heart and soul of Caribbean music and dance. The festival begins at 2PM on the New Haven Green, followed by a 6PM concert filled with energy, excitement, and Caribbean spirit!
Free! Learn more
Taste of the Caribbean & Jerk Festival
Taste of the Caribbean & Jerk Festival
Mortensen Riverfront Plaza Hartford, CT
Mortensen Riverfront Plaza Hartford, CT
Saturday, August 2, 2025 | 1:00pm - 9:00pm
Experience the island vibes of the Caribbean; no passport required. The Taste of the Caribbean & Jerk Festival brings the Caribbean to you with a carnival, island cuisine, tropical drinks, and island rhythms performed by internationally renowned musicians during a free, day-long, family-friendly festival.
Riverfront Dragon Boat & Asian Festival
Riverfront Dragon Boat & Asian Festival
Mortensen Riverfront Plaza Hartford, CT
Mortensen Riverfront Plaza Hartford, CT
Saturday, August 16, 2025 | 8:00am - 4:00pm
Celebrate Asian and Pacific Island cultures through traditional music and dance, hands-on art activities, food, and martial arts demonstrations on the upper plaza with community and club teams racing on the river.
Access for All Community Day
Access for All Community Day
New Britain Museum of American Art
New Britain Museum of American Art
Juneteenth
Saturday, June 21, 2025 from 11am-5pm
This day-long event features artistic performances, music, in-gallery experiences, and of course artmaking. Shop from local Black-owned businesses, support independent artists, and grab a bite from regional food trucks.
Free! Registration requested
Global Arts Festival
Saturday, August 16, 2025 from 11am-5pm
Collaborating with the Bureau for International Development, Exchanges, and Commerce (BIDEC), this festival aims to celebrate and promote the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through a rich tapestry of artistic expressions, cultural exchanges, and community engagements. The event will bring together artists, cultural groups, entrepreneurs, and leaders from Africa, the Caribbean, and across America to foster dialogue, inspire action, and build partnerships for sustainable development.
Free! Registration requested
Hispanic Heritage Month
Saturday, September 20, 2025 from 11am-5pm
Join us in celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with your family and friends through interactive music and dance performances that celebrate the rich folkloric traditions from various Latin American cultures.
Free! Registration requested
Open Call to Families
Open Call to Families
Your contributions are what make this newsletter rich and engaging! IDEA+ encourages every member of the community to consider sharing so that it keeps growing strong. Going forward, we hope to have even more student voices represented and would love any pictures, stories, recipes your child may also want to submit.
If you’re interested in attending the IDEA+ Committee meetings, we encourage you to click on the link provided for more information. You can also email the NWS PTO (nwpto@fpsct.org) with questions or ideas.
Thank you again!
NWS IDEA+ Committee
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