
The Common, Edition #17
December 22, 2022

January 6, 2023
Superintendent Update
Dear Nashoba Families,
I write to you this afternoon with a reminder and a request to join us for a very important event this Monday evening, January 9th. On Monday, the Nashoba Regional High School Building Committee will host Public Forum No 5, a presentation by the Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance on the requirements attendant to funding of the school building project.
Given the critical importance of the subject matter of Public Forum #5, all citizens are encouraged to attend. Our Owners' Project Manager, Skanska USA, along with the architects from Kaestle, Boos Associates, Inc. will provide a Project Update on the School Building Project and representatives from the Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance will provide important information about requirements attendant to funding. Please join us to learn more, share your thoughts, and ask questions pertinent to this phase of the process. Citizens interested in participating in a public campaign for the building project should also plan to attend.
The January 9th Public Forum will be held in person at the Nashoba Regional High School, 12 Green Road, from 6:00-7:30 PM. The Forum will also be livestreamed for community members wishing to attend the meeting virtually. Please use this link to view or participate in the meeting in real time: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYqIf8Osats
The Nashoba Regional High School Building Committee values the input of our community and encourages participation from all members. Please join us for this important Public Forum.
Follow the School Building Project on social media:
Twitter - @NRHSbc
Instagram - @NRHSbc
Facebook -Nashoba RSD Building Project
Peace,
Kirk Downing
(He/Him)
“Be your best self. Pave your path. Impact the world.”
The January 9th Public Forum will be held in person at the Nashoba Regional High School, 12 Green Road, from 6:00-7:30 PM. The Forum will also be livestreamed for community members wishing to attend the meeting virtually. Please use this link to view or participate in the meeting in real time: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYqIf8Osats
News from the Department of Teaching and Learning
Portrait of a Nashoba Graduate: Voices from Alumni
The Department of Teaching and Learning is currently seeking to connect with Nashoba alumni
to hear from graduates about what they are up to and what skills and competencies they learned at Nashoba that have carried them forward into the postgraduate world. Alumni are encouraged to complete the Portrait of a Nashoba Graduate: Voices from Alumni form to share their perspectives about the top Portrait of a Nashoba Graduate competencies our current students need to flourish in future educational pursuits and as members of the workforce. The “Voices from Alumni” form has been shared widely by email and social media with responses requested by January 13th. Information gleaned from “Voices from Alumni” will help inform our curriculum revision work currently underway and will be showcased in a culminating video montage to be launched as part of the keynote message during the district's full day of professional development on March 17th.
News from the Department of Pupil Personnel Services
The focus of this week’s segment is on inclusion. What is inclusion? What are the district practices?
Inclusion is a philosophy and a practice that our district fully embraces as it creates a culture and
community of belonging in our schools. Inclusion of special education students in our schools enhances the fabric of the learning community, encourages collaboration and communication, supports understanding, develops empathy, promotes equity, and furthers diversity, which benefits all learners.
The research indicates that inclusive education has a positive influence on all students. First, we know that all students learn differently. Therefore, if we tailor our teaching for all learners, all students benefit and barriers to learning are decreased. Secondly, all students have strengths and challenges and inclusion promotes the notion that everyone learns in their own unique way. Often this is when students find they have more in common with other students than they may have thought. It also supports the notion that differences are a normal part of life. It promotes connection and friendships among peers regardless of the learning profile. Finally, inclusion of special education students creates high expectations for all students academically
and socially and it unites our learning community.
Our IEP teams are responsible to ensure students are in the least restrictive environment and that
inclusion is considered for every special education student as deemed appropriate by the IEP team.
Please consider completing our IEP exit survey. After each annual, initial or reevaluation, every family is sent a survey by Ms. Dumas (edumas@nrsd.net) or Ms. Milton (lmilton@nrsd.net). Please consider taking a few minutes to provide us with feedback. It allows us to fully understand your experience with our district process and improve our professional practice.
News from the Health and Wellness Department
The United States Attorney’s Office is hosting a virtual Internet safety presentation for parents and guardians the evening of Wednesday, January 18th, from 6:30 – 7:30 pm. The presentation entitled "Keeping Kids Safe and Secure Online: A Project Safe Childhood Presentation for Parents" is intended to bring awareness to the dangers of the internet, including gaming and social media platforms that predators use to groom children with the intent of exploitation either online or in person. The presentation will focus on prevention by educating parents and community members on how to help keep children safe online.
The following topics will be addressed in the presentation:
- Social Media 101 & Digital Footprint
- Cyberbullying
- Sexting
- Gaming
- Victim Support
- Protecting Against Online Predation
Please Note: The content in this presentation is inappropriate for young children.
The presentation is offered at no cost; registration is required.
Those interested must register at the following link (via Chrome browser):
Event address for attendees: https://usao.webex.com/usao/onstage/g.php?MTID=ec3d8ccd61ccdd26ee39d8c6ffd5c57aa
Password: PSC1
Questions or difficulty registering? Please contact Karen Legace @ USAMA.PSCOutreach@usdoj.gov
Flu and COVID-19 Vaccine Information
On December 22, DESE sent a letter to districts from the Department of Health, the Department of Early Education and Care, and the Massachusetts Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics reminding families of the availability of both flu vaccines and updated COVID-19 vaccines. More information about the COVID-19 vaccine is available at www.mass.gov/CovidVaccineyoungkids.
Nashoba Notable Award - Celebrating Everyday Greatness at Nashoba
Celebrating everyday greatness! Is there a Nashoba teacher or staff member out there who you think deserves some special recognition? Send a Nashoba Notable Award their way! Fill out the form below and thank a Nashoba employee today!
Nashoba Notable Awards thank Nashoba employees for supporting students, families, and their school communities in all ways great and small.
Employees will receive a certificate that includes a brief explanation from the nominator of why they are Nashoba Notable. This form is open to everyone. Students, families, staff and community members can send a Nashoba Notable Award to any Nashoba employee.
There is no limit to the number of Nashoba Notable Awards someone may receive. Thank a Nashoba employee today!
This Week at Nashoba
Nashoba Lip Dub 2022-2023!
Nashoba alum return to speak with current NRHS broadcast journalism students
Bridges in Mathematics in Action
2nd graders surveying and gathering data
Next steps - Graphing and Presenting!
Finding the common denominator in 6th grade math class AND explaining it perfectly to the class.
FSS Basketball in Action
Together, we inspire and challenge all learners to reach their unique potential and become active contributors to their community.