NSD eNews
Volume XVIII Issue 4
Mario Andrade, Superintendent of Schools
September 28, 2022
Dear NSD Families and Staff,
I continue to visit schools and classrooms each week, and with each visit I learn more about our schools, talk with more teachers and students, and see firsthand the delivery and practice of instruction. In particular, I am looking to ensure our students have access, opportunity, and support to achieve the full rigor of academic standards.
To illustrate, please refer to the Alignment graphic below. I am sharing it with you because I think it best illustrates how we strive to tie classroom lessons to higher standards that, in turn, guide instruction. It is how we make sure our students are learning what they need to know in order to move forward successfully in school and, at that same time, how we are making sure we are fulfilling our core mission as a school district. I am encouraged with all the great work, and the energy and enthusiasm I have been seeing in our schools so far, and I look forward to my next school learning walks.
I can't close out my message to you today without saying how great it was to see several North/South Battle of the Bridge events this past week. Congratulations to South athletic teams and coaches for winning the Battle over North this fall season. Go Purple! Go Blue!
Thank you.
Mario Andrade, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Nashua School District
Nashua Board of Education
September 26, 2022 Meeting
- About 20 parents and students spoke during public comment at the meeting about the 5 12 2022 Nashua Board of Education decision to adopt the final recommendation from the Class Rank Task Force, effective with the Class of 2024, which was presented in a 2 18 2022 memo to the Board. The Board decided to review for future consideration.
- The Board approved an Eagle Scout project to build a bridge at Ledge Street Elementary School to increase access to a wooded area often used as an outdoor classroom.
- The Board also approved an anonymous donation of $10,000 to the NHS North Football Team to purchase video equipment for instruction/recruitment and field equipment.
- In addition, several plant operations contracts and equipment purchases were approved, as well as two contracts regarding the delivery of instruction.
- Several policies regarding student records and enrollment, as well as Board governance and operations were reviewed:
- Approved Policy JRA-Student Records and Access-FERPA
- Approved Policy JEB-Age of Entrance
- Approved Policy JF-Enrollment
- Approved BGD-Board Review of Administrative Procedures
- Approved BGF-Suspension of Policies
The next Nashua Board of Education meeting will be held Tuesday, October 11, 2022.
Superintendent's Comments
Dr. Mario Andrade
9.26.2022 Board of Education Meeting
Due to illness, Dr. Andrade was unable to join in person; however, he wanted to recognize and celebrate recent accomplishments. Mr. Poska, Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Schools, shared the following with the Board.
Digital Promise
I am delighted to tell you the Nashua School District has been selected among a national pool of applicants to join the League of Innovative Schools, and is only one of four New England school districts currently serving as a member of the league.
I look to the membership to keeping us moving forward as a school district, as a place that fosters creativity and innovation. Being a member of the league offers us access to a network of similar, forward-thinking schools to share best practices in teaching and learning.
The League of Innovative Schools is part of Digital Promise, an organization devoted to advancing equitable education systems, which is what we are all about. I will be back to you with more information after our first meeting later this fall.
NEFies
Great news from the Nashua Education Foundation. Thirteen members of our staff are winners of the 2022 Excellence in Education Awards. The Foundation is set to present the awards on Wednesday, October 26 at Sky Meadow Country Club, and has extended an invitation to attend.
Collectively our winners represent 219 years of experience with the Nashua schools. Six are from the elementary schools, three from the middle schools, and four from our high schools.
Congratulations to…
Emily Chrusciel - Fairgrounds Elementary School
Maureen Curran - Nashua High School North
Sarah Desaulniers - Pennichuck Middle School
Meghan Durden – Charlotte Avenue Elementary School
Jeanmarie Eckstein - Charlotte Avenue Elementary School
Roberta Flanagan - Fairgrounds Middle School
James Gaj - Nashua High School South
Cheri Gratton - New Searles Elementary School
Anastasia Lopez - Elm Street Middle School
Kristen Mailhot - Nashua High School North
Nate Mazerolle - Nashua High School South
Diane Merchant - Mount Pleasant Elementary School
Julie Oliver - Birch Hill Elementary School
Physical Education Teacher of the Year
Congratulations to Laura Short, Physical Education Teacher at both Amherst Street and Mount Pleasant Elementary Schools, for being named 2023 Elementary Physical Education Teacher of the Year!
The NH Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance will honor her at its annual conference in mid-November 2022. Laura has been a physical education teacher for nearly four years, and has been a part of the statewide organization since pursuing the profession. Laura also serves as an officer of the organization, working to promote its mission of "professional standards, quality programs, professional development, legislative support, and regional and national affiliation." Again, congratulations, Laura!
National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists
I have just learned earlier today that five students from Nashua High School South Class of 2023 have been named National Merit Scholar semifinalists. This is an incredible honor. Congratulations to…
Matthew Alex
Aditya Bakshi
Nicholas Chung
Jahnavi Palarapu
Jason Zhu
Students who take the PSAT may qualify to enter the College Board competition for one of these prestigious scholarships. The PSAT is a standardized test that measures reading skills, math problem-solving skills, and writing skills.
Congratulations to our Merit Semifinalists for achieving a high level of success. We are very proud of you!
Thank you.
Mount Pleasant Elementary School Starts with Hello!
Mount Pleasant Elementary School rolled out a year-long campaign this week to make sure each student feels included and connected to the school community. Each and every day last week the students and staff held dedicated activities to "teaching empathy and empowering students to end social isolation" by following these three steps:
· Step 1: Learn to recognize the signs of loneliness/social isolation.
· Step 2: Find out what you can do to help others feel included.
· Step 3: Discover how to break the ice and strike up a conversation
Note above photo and video were provided by Pete Johnson, Nashua ETV Administrator.