The Common, Edition #16

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

As a reminder, the Nashoba Regional School District has partnered with Panorama, a platform that supports the administration of student surveys to assess support needs relative to social-emotional competencies and students’ overall sense of belonging within their school. Panorama was selected because of its alignment to the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning framework (CASEL), an evidenced informed framework that supports five core learning competencies: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making.

Next week, the district will administer surveys to students in grades 3-12. Responses to these surveys will provide us with invaluable insights into student experiences so that we can improve and enhance our practices to better meet student needs. The goal is for us to engage our student voices to look for patterns and trends on a macro level, by grade level and by school. Should you wish to view the survey in its entirety, please feel free to reach out to your building principal directly.

We hope to have all of our students participate. While our goal is 100% participation, parents/guardians may choose to not have their child participate. The survey is voluntary, and your child can skip any question or choose not to participate. If you prefer your child not to participate in this survey, please fill out the Opt Out Form by the end of the day today, December 16, 2022.

Everyone has a story to tell. This past week, a visit to the High School Therapeutic Learning Center brought these tales alive. Several of our students are making plans for post high school. I was particularly impressed with their individual ability to articulate their individual pursuits and “the why,” behind their plans. It makes us realize that our students are working hard to understand their own story and how it is driving future dreams and goals. The students shared that entering this phase was challenging; however, as they become aware of what they need as individuals, it has assisted each one of them to pave a future path. It is clear that as students reflect on their progress, they are achieving success in accomplishing goals and while the next steps can be scary, they are committed to their own learning process. Our stories are powerful in that they provides us a window into understanding one another. Please consider the following story as it demonstrates that while we can find common threads among us, perspectives can be very different.

A group of geography students was studying the Seven Wonders of the World. At the end of the lesson the students asked to decide what they considered being the Seven Wonders of the World.

The following is the list that received the most votes:

1. Egypt's Great Pyramids

2. Taj Mahal

3. Grand Canyon

4. Panama Canal

5. Empire State Building

6. St. Peter's Basilica

7. China's Great Wall

As the students reviewed the votes, the teacher noticed that one of her quieter students had not turned in her paper yet. She asked the student if she was having trouble deciding which wonders

to select for her list. The young woman replied, “yes, a little. I couldn't make up my mind because there were so many wonders to choose from."

The teacher said, "well tell us what you have, and maybe the rest of us can help you decide."

The girl hesitated, then read, "I think The Seven Wonders of the World are:

1. to touch

2. to taste

3. to see

4. to hear...

She hesitated a moment, and then read:

5. to run

6. to laugh

7. and to love."

Author Unknown

This story is a reminder that we may overlook the simple or ordinary. Here at Nashoba, we do not have to travel anywhere to find the unique, the special and the inspirational, we find this in our student’s stories.

With influenza (flu) activity increasing nationally, and troubling early data showing drops in flu vaccine uptake this season, the CDC has issued an urgent reminder about the importance of vaccinating for flu. Hospitalization rates in children are among the highest seen at this time in about a decade so far this season.

Getting a flu shot is the most important action a person can take to prevent flu and its potentially serious complications. Everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine as soon as possible.

The flu vaccine:

• Reduces the risk of flu illness

• Can make illness less severe among people who get vaccinated, but still get sick with flu, reducing the risk of serious flu complications, such as hospitalization

• Can be given at the same time as a COVID-19 vaccine, for people who are due for both

• Protects against four different flu viruses - even if a patient has already gotten flu, other flu viruses are circulating and it’s possible to get flu more than once a season
  
  

Groups at higher risk of serious illness from flu include:

Adults 65 Years and Older

• Nine out of 10 people hospitalized with flu in recent years had at least one underlying health condition (Asthma, Heart Disease & Stroke, Diabetes, Chronic Kidney Disease)

Children under 5

• Flu is more dangerous than the common cold for children, and healthy children 5 years and older can spread flu to vulnerable family members like infants younger than 6 months and adults over 65

During Pregnancy

Due to changes to the immune system, heart, and lungs during pregnancy make people more susceptible to potentially serious flu complications. Flu may also be harmful for a developing baby.

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!

NRHS band and choral students delivering a captivating and festive performance to a full house at the Annual NRHS Holiday Concert.

The cast and crew of the Hale Middle School winter musical: Beauty and the Beast.

Florence Sawyer Drama working on their choreography

Center teachers participating in some competitive fun at their celebratory winter staff meeting - having fun and eating the best ever parent-made cupcakes!