The Common

Dear Nashoba Regional Community,

This week, Dr. Boynton and Assistant Superintendent Friend provided an update to the School Committee about Structured Learning Time at the Nashoba Regional High School. Through an internal audit and in coordination with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Tiered Focused Monitoring review process, we have discovered that NRHS is out of compliance with Structured Learning Time requirements. Massachusetts requires all public high schools to have a minimum of 990 Structured Learning Hours for students each year.

Several factors have contributed to this shortfall, including the complexities of our bell schedule at the high school that create gaps in student’s schedules, the reduction from 25 to 23 credits to be considered a fully enrolled student that took place a few years ago, time lost due to late starts and early releases, time lost due to passing time and lunch, and most significantly, time lost due to non-directed study halls. It is important to note that our current 9th graders meet time on learning with the directed study model of Freshman Study Skills.

To bring us into compliance with the Structured Learning Time requirements, we have identified several adjustments to the high school scheduling structure to be implemented for the 2023-2024 school year. Upon School Committee approval, these adjustments will include a return to the minimum of 25 credits for students to be considered fully enrolled, and the elimination of late start PLT days for the next school year (late starts for exam weeks will remain). Most importantly, a directed study structure will be implemented for all students. Currently, this structure exists for our 9th grade students with Freshman Study Skills. Expect communication over the summer that will outline the structure and expectations for the newly developed directed study model for grades 10-12.

Looking forward, the Nashoba Regional High School must explore a long-term and sustainable solution that involves changing the fundamental structure of the school day. This includes a bell schedule change as well as an examination and possible adjustment to graduation requirements. In alignment with our Strategic Plan Timeline, a new schedule will be explored over the next 12-18 months for adoption in the 2025-26 school year along with other possible programmatic changes to support our Education Vision and further provide a scheduling framework that supports innovation and learner engagement.

As we engage in this exploratory process for a new high school schedule, we will keep the community informed about next steps and there will be opportunities for students and families to provide feedback. We are steadfastly dedicated to enhancing the educational journey of our students at NRHS, and we will continue to strive towards providing them with a rich and purposeful learning experience.

Sincerely,

Dr. Kathleen Boynton, NRHS Principal

Kirk Downing, Superintendent

Laura Friend, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning

This past Tuesday, Ms. Jacqueline Macharia, 8th grade math teacher at the Luther Burbank Middle School, was honored at the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's annual aMAzing Educator Event at the Devens Conference Center. Every year, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and partner organizations recognize a small number of outstanding educators from across the Commonwealth. More information on each award program may be found here. Ms. Macharia received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) as a Massachusetts-level finalist in the Mathematics award category. Pictured at left is Ms. Macharia with Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education, Jeffrey Riley.

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!

Click here to tell someone they are Nashoba Notable!

At NRSD we certainly acknowledge and appreciate National School Nurses Day, which is celebrated annually on Wednesday within National Nurses Week (May 6-12).

National School Nurses Day is a day to recognize and celebrate the important work of school nurses in supporting the health and well-being of students at Nashoba. School nurses play a vital role in ensuring that students have access to quality healthcare and support services, from providing first aid and managing chronic conditions to promoting healthy habits and emotional wellness.

Thank you school nurses for your dedication and hard work for your service to our communities.

Two of our school nurses, Karin Frostholm, RN from Florence Sawyer School and Dawn McCullough, RN Float Nurse for the district, had the opportunity to attend The Massachusetts Juvenile Police Officers Association: Creating Safety Schools, Building Strong Partnerships school safety summit for two days during nurses week. They were joined by our very own NRSD SRO (School Resource Officer) Officer Casey Hoole. We are thankful for the continued collaboration and support from our local law enforcement and school community partners to ensure the safety of our schools.

May marks the month we celebrate our teachers.

Thank you for being such wonderful teachers, exemplary role models, and caring people. Thank you for knowing content and sharing your knowledge. Thank you for not being afraid to treat students like real people.

Thank you for showing acceptance, approval, and appreciation. These are all gifts that are
so important to a student's development and that your students will always remember, just as they will also always remember you. Words of encouragement, respect, simple gestures of kindness from a teacher promote the perfect climate for students to study, learn and grow.

Your attitude translates into a spirit of friendliness and good will towards others in an atmosphere of creative freedom, joy and ease, and you foster this feeling in your classroom. We salute the work you have done. We appreciate the people you are, and we thank you for your positive influence. You have passed on invaluable instruction and wisdom and created pleasurable moments associated with learning that will always be sweet memories.

Thank you for answering the call to be teachers. Thank you for the enduring impression you've made in the lives you have touched.
Every community needs people like you.
Your contributions are immeasurable.
Your lessons are permanent.
You improve our world.
You are so important.

Author Unknown

NRHS Valedictorian, Michelle Nguyen, is the Worcester County Superintendent's Association Scholar award recipient. Congratulations, Michelle!

Florence Sawyer 1st graders learning about Opera with Renee Fleming

Florence Sawyer Softball and Baseball played cross-district rivals Luther Burbank MS

Congratulations to the Hale Middle School stock market club for winning the middle school level of The Stock Market Game!

Thank you Stow PTO for new picnic tables at Hale Middle School, as you can see they are used everyday!

The 24th Annual Nashoba Children's Day Fair was a success! The Nashoba Community Partnership for Children collaborated with the Bolton Police, Bolton Fire-EMS, Child Care Resources, Nashoba Boards of Health, local libraries, businesses, private schools and parent groups to provide a fun-filled day.