
The Common, Edition #17
December 22, 2022

January 27, 2023
Superintendent Update
Dear Nashoba Families,
This week, I would like to extend a congratulations to our student musicians. Last Saturday, eight of our Nashoba students auditioned for the MMEA (Massachusetts Music Educators Association) All-State Festival ensembles. Auditions for the All-State Festival ensembles is by invitation only with only those students in the top 20% of all Central MA students at the districts festival able to audition for these select ensembles.
We are pleased to share the results of these competitive auditions. Four of our Nashoba Regional High School students were selected into the 2023 MMEA All-State Festival ensembles where they will combine with the top music students throughout the state and perform at a concert at Symphony Hall in Boston on Saturday, March 4th 2023. We are beyond proud of our student musicians. Bravissimo to our students, Band Director, Joe McCarthy, and Choral Director, Eric Miller. These students and faculty serve as an excellent reflection of the strength and varied talent of our Nashoba comunity.
Emily Cote ('23) - All-State Choir, Soprano
Gianna Poulin ('24) - All-State Choir, Soprano
Natalie Davis ('24) - All-State Choir, Alto
Dylan DeLisle ('23) - All-State Jazz Band, Tenor Sax (Top 2 in this category in the state)
Peace,
Kirk Downing
(He/Him)
“Be your best self. Pave your path. Impact the world.”
News from the Department of Teaching and Learning
NRHS Future Freshman Night - Mark Your Calendars!
Nashoba Regional High School Administration and Staff are excited to host Future Freshman Night for the Nashoba Class of 2027 on Thursday, February 16th from 6:30-8:00pm beginning in the NRHS Auditorium. The event is for both parents/caregivers as well as current 8th grade students. Looking forward to seeing our incoming 9th grade and families on the 16th! Go Wolves!
* Snow Date is Monday February 27th from 6:30-8:00
News from the Department of Pupil Personnel Services
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
Hands-Only CPR Training Offered by NRHS EMT Cadets
What an exciting learning opportunity for Hale Middle School students and staff this past week. Over 50 students and staff were trained by our very own NRHS EMT Cadets on Hands-only CPR Training. Students and staff were able to practice and demonstrate how to properly provide chest compression on someone who has gone into cardiac arrest - saving lives! Florence Sawyer and Luther Burbank Middle School students and staff will have this same opportunity over the next few weeks followed by the high school.
You may be asking yourself what the NRHS EMT Program looks like...
EMT Program Description
Nashoba was the first Massachusetts school to allocate students to the town for support with on-call EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) coverage during the school day. To date, there is only one other school in Massachusetts with a similar program.Over 30 years ago, the shift away from rural farming left the Town of Bolton without sufficient, trained, EMTs in town during the weekdays. At the time, the Bolton community was served by a volunteer ambulance service. Nashoba Regional High School, the Town of Bolton, and the Bolton Volunteer Ambulance Squad worked together initiating a pilot program to train interested students as EMTs and provide the town daytime EMS coverage. The pilot was an overwhelming success. Through the years the volunteer ambulance service has changed and grown with the Cadet program right alongside of it. The Town of Bolton is now serviced by a fire based ALS (Advance Life Support) service that provides 24/7 coverage. The program proved to be such a tremendous success that town officials, school officials, and citizens alike proudly support the extraordinary service of our students and are committed to continuing the program.
EMT Cadet Training
A first year student completes approximately 200 hours of academic and practical training which far exceeds the 110 hour minimum requirement prescribed by the State Office of Emergency Medical Services. This program is identical in required content and goals to every other professional EMT training program given in Massachusetts. The course is taught by a certified professional in the field and is held two evenings a week from 6:00pm – 9:00pm from October through June. Second and third year EMTs continue their training from 6:00pm – 9:00pm once a week for the duration of the school year.
EMT Cadet Certification
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has approved EMT Cadet certification for student cadets age 16.5 who successfully complete this program and pass the state sponsored academic and practical exams. In addition to earning a Massachusetts EMT Cadet certification, students who pass certification exams are also certified on the national level.
EMT Cadet Coverage
Certified Cadet EMTs provide coverage to the town of Bolton during the school week. Each student EMT is issued a pager connected to the local Emergency Dispatch Center. Nashoba Regional High School has been issued an official EMT car and a school staff member is the assigned driver. When any emergency medical call comes in, the pager sounds, and the on-call cadet EMTs respond in conjunction with the ambulance.
Nashoba students typically arrive on scene within 5 minutes and by virtue of their availability, are often the first responders to the scene. The Cadet EMTs provide patient care until the town ambulance arrives. They continue to assist paramedics on scene and oftentimes transport the patient to the hospital with the Bolton EMS crew. On call, they have been confronted with everything from transport requests to multiple fatality accidents.
Our Nashoba EMT cadets are an integral part of the EMS response system and actively participate in department debriefings and response analysis. The dedication of the students involved goes well beyond anything experienced in any other realm of community service. Their contribution and impact is beyond measure.
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
2023 Nashoba Regional High School All State Musicians
Packed House at The Center School Spelling Bee
Mary Rowlandson School Winter Concert
Florence Sawyer School Elementary Spelling Bee - Congratulations Students!
FSS Middle School Spelling Bee - Congratulations Students!
Together, we inspire and challenge all learners to reach their unique potential and become active contributors to their community.