NPS Engage News

Wednesday, Dec. 11: Early Release Day (All Schools)
December 23 - 31: Winter Break

Wednesday, January 1, 2025: New Year's Day, Closed

School dismissal times are listed online. Please update your dismissal plans.

Dear NPS Families and Caregivers,

This weekend, the Natick High School Theatre Company brings the magic of Broadway to the NHS stage with Hadestown: Teen Edition. Best wishes to the talented cast and crew as they take the stage—your hard work and creativity are sure to shine!

Looking ahead, James and the Giant Peach Jr. will be performed at Wilson on December 13, followed by the NHS Winter Candlelight Instrumental Concert the following week. Our remarkable students continue to impress with their artistic achievements. You’re invited to explore the full calendar of music events happening in Natick’s schools.

Your presence at these events is encouraging to students and strengthens our community connections. I look forward to celebrating the arts with you in December!

-Dr. Melissa Spash

Make no mistake, it is not a myth. Natick High Theatre has indeed secured rights from Concord Theatricals to perform Anais Mitchell's musical smash Hadestown (teen edition) on the first Friday and Saturday this December.

Hadestown is a super hot property, being a 2019 eight Tony Awards, four Drama Desk Awards, and six Outer Critics Circle Awards winner, along with a 2019 win with the Drama League for Outstanding Production of a Musical and a 2020 Grammy for Best Musical Theatre Album. See what all the buzz is about on Friday, December 6th, at 7:30 pm, or Saturday, December 7th, at 2 pm, or Saturday, December 7th, at 7:30 pm. Or see all three offerings—no one will hold it against you!

Hadestown is a powerful and timely tale that deftly intertwines two classic Greek myth love stories: Hades and Persephone, along with Orpheus and Eurydice. While myths survive because myths resonate with us, Mitchell’s work makes the tales resound on a deeper level as the myths are recast to offer a world with sound, music, lyrics, images, characters, and a story that contemporary audiences readily recognize. The characters' story is our story. Their struggle is our struggle. And their hope is our hope.

Natick High Theatre Company is committed to building community through the entire company in hopes of impacting students, staff, and audiences.

CAST LIST

General Tickets (Once you get to the site, hover over the Hadestown image and then click on the blue Buy Tickets text.)

Get your tickets for the December 13, 14, and 15 performances of James and the Giant Peach Jr. at Wilson Middle School.

We're thrilled to announce that Natick Public Schools will debut its brand-new website soon. The new site will enhance navigation and provide easier access to the information you need most. Our site will have upgraded accessibility features, translation options, and a more user-friendly design. Stay tuned for more updates.

Thank you for your support! We look forward to hearing your feedback after we transition to this improved online experience.

Direct any related queries to communications@natickps.org.

Refer to our Inclement Weather Cancellations and Delays webpage for information of what to expect in the event of inclement weather that may cause any cancellations or delays.

Families will receive broadcast phone calls, SMS texts and emails from SchoolMessenger Communicate if Natick schools are delayed, closed or are dismissing early. You will also see notices posted on our website and on Facebook. Local media outlets carry our school closing notices as well.

The final, approved Natick Public Schools 2024-2025 school improvement plans are now available online for all NPS community members to review.

Pictured are several of the Natick Public Schools attendees at the 40th Anniversary METCO Directors Association Educators Conference in Norwood, Mass. on Friday, December 6.

Students who participate in the METCO program are thriving from the elementary to high school grade levels. Natick became a partner METCO district in 1969. Learn about METCO's history.

We will update submissions for consideration in our community notices pages on a periodic basis. Due to space and other considerations, NPS will not always be including community partner updates in our newsletters, so please look at our community notices page periodically. Contact communitynotices@natickps.org to request publication. NPS Communications reserves the right to approve final publication.

Natick 180 is hosting a FREE Narcan Training for the community next Wednesday, December 11th from 5:15-6:15pm at the Natick Rec and Parks Cole Center.

Register to attend at: https://bit.ly/NarcanDec11. Narcan is safe and easy to use, so Natick 180 recommends that all adults get trained. You never know when you may be able to save a life.

Natick is hosting its 11th Annual Interfaith Community Vigil on Sunday, December 15th from 5-6pm at the First Congregational Church in Natick. This annual vigil remembers loved ones we have lost and loved ones who still struggle with substance use. The evening is filled with music, testimony, inspirational speaking, interfaith prayer, and a candlelit vigil. All are welcome. For questions, please email natick180@natickma.org

WHEN: Monday, January 20th from 9:00-11:00am at Natick High School, 15 West Street, Natick

WHO CAN GO: For community members of all ages! In person, with options to view the program virtually!

Celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his legacy that inspires and empowers us all. Our program will feature performances from student groups, Middle School MLK Day Creative Contest winners, community leaders and partners, Interfaith Clergy representatives, a moving and interactive keynote from Jamele and Amy Adams, and more!

Join us immediately before the program at 9:00am for a Community Connection Event, including special MLK Day activities for all ages, and time to meet student groups, community organizations, neighbors and friends. Free refreshments for all guests will be provided by Starbucks! Our MLK Day program will begin promptly at 10am.

Can’t join us in person? You can livestream the program through Natick Pegasus - www.natickpegasus.org/ or watch through Natick Community Television channels: RCN 3, Comcast 99, and Verizon 29 beginning at 10am. Visit https://tinyurl.com/NatickMLKDay2025 for more information about this special community event.

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Is someone in your household not receiving the Engage biweekly district newsletter or important notices related to bus transportation? Direct them to communications@natickps.org to let us know.

Smore.com newsletter HYPERLINK + FILE & ATTACHMENT notice

Natick Public Schools does not discriminate in employment nor its educational programs, services, and activities based on race, creed, color, age, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, physical and intellectual differences, immigration status, homeless status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Please be aware all electronic communication to and from Natick Public Schools is public record and subject to public disclosure per Massachusetts General Law Chapter 66, Section 10.

• Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990
• Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990
• Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
• Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972
• MGL, Ch.76, Section 5: Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 76, Section 5