The Common

Dear Nashoba Community,

Welcome back! I hope you were able to enjoy time with family and friends over the break, and that you are returning rested and ready to jump into the remainder of the school year. While we still have a few winter months ahead, spring will be here before we know it, and there is much to look forward to in the remainder of the school year.

As we think about looking ahead, I would like to bring your attention to an important update regarding our academic calendar. Just before the winter break, the Nashoba Regional School Committee voted to establish the academic calendar for the 2026-2027 school year. Next year’s academic calendar will look a little different than in the past for a few reasons.

To begin, we are on track to enter the new Nashoba Regional High School on September 1, 2027. To stay on schedule, our construction team needs an extended window during the summer of 2027 to safely handle the demolition of the old building and prepare the site for the opening of school. Because of this, students will head back to school a bit earlier than usual, on Wednesday, August 26, 2026. While this is one week earlier than our traditional start on the Wednesday before Labor Day, it is only one calendar day earlier than this year’s start date and provides the necessary time for contractors to meet critical project deadlines for our new facility.

In addition to considering the opening of the new NRHS high school, next year also requires us to be mindful of the upcoming election cycle. To ensure our schools remain accessible for voters, we plan to follow the successful model we used in 2024. This means designating the state primary on September 1, 2026, as a professional development day for staff and the federal election on November 3, 2026, as a day for remote parent conferences.

By aligning these election dates with professional development and remote conference days that would typically occur elsewhere in the calendar, we are able to avoid adding additional days off while still ensuring safe, accessible polling locations.

Finally, we are looking closely at how our schedule impacts student learning. In reviewing our attendance data from the past three years, we noticed a concerning trend of high absenteeism on early release days when they fall on Fridays. Since being in the classroom is so vital to student success, the committee has opted to try a hybrid early release schedule, which features four early releases on Wednesdays and three early releases on Fridays. The four dates on Wednesdays coincide with the weeks that we have documented the highest rate of absenteeism on early release Fridays. This model will give us insight into how we should schedule early releases in the future.

I would like to thank the Calendar Planning Committee and the School Committee for the time, care, and thoughtful feedback they devoted to the development of the 2026-2027 academic calendar. As we navigate the logistical challenges of the coming year, we are confident that this calendar prioritizes student learning.

Peace,

Kirk Downing (He/Him)

Superintendent

Nashoba Regional High School invites all 8th grade families to attend our upcoming Future Freshman Night on Thursday, January 15th, from 6:30-8:00pm!

This event is designed to cover everything incoming students and families need to know as they prepare for the transition to high school. Topics will include academics and scheduling, extracurricular opportunities, and an overview of student life at Nashoba. Families will hear directly from school administrators, the counseling department, academic department heads, and, most importantly, current Nashoba students!

Future Freshman Night will also include time to explore the building, walk the halls, and learn more about Athletics, Innovation Pathways, and the wide range of clubs and activities available to students. We encourage all 8th grade families to join us to learn more about what Nashoba has to offer. No registration is required.

The 2026/2027 Pre-Kindergarten Lottery Application is now open. All families interested in enrolling their child in the Pre-Kindergarten program must submit an application by Monday, January 26th. Families will be notified of lottery results by email no later than Friday, January 30th, 2026. Applications submitted after the lottery deadline will be considered for enrollment on a space-available basis. If you have questions, please contact the Student Services Office at 978-779-0539 3023.

To learn more about our Pre-Kindergarten program, families are encouraged to register for our Pre-Kindergarten Open House on Wednesday, January 14. This event offers a wonderful opportunity to meet our Pre-Kindergarten teachers and explore your child’s future classroom. Families may attend in person or virtually. Registration is required. To learn more and to register, please click the link below.

In-Person Session, 9:00-10:30am
Drop in anytime to visit Pre-K classrooms in Bolton, Lancaster, and Stow.

Virtual Session, 2:30pm
Join us for a program overview and lottery information. The meeting link will be emailed to registered families on the day of the event.

What is NRSD SEPAC?

The NRSD Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) is an all volunteer group with a mission to support students and their families by providing education and information on special education issues and services. Through their efforts, the organization aims to promote a better understanding of, respect for, and support of special education in the community. The Nashoba SEPAC works closely with the Nashoba Regional School District administration and School Committee to ensure that students' needs are being met in accordance with applicable laws.

SEPAC Does This By:

• Listening to families, our students and caregivers

• Participating in the planning, development, and evaluation of the school district's special education programs

• Advising the district on matters that pertain to the education and safety of students with disabilities

• Providing family-to-family support and networking

• Hosting presentations

• Making recommendations for professional development

Why explore SEPAC? SEPAC welcomes everyone. We strive to build a community of support for those on the special education journey. Get in touch by emailing SEPACchairs@nrsd.net. Each town has parent liaisons whose contact information names can be found on the district website.

For additional opportunities and events offered by MassPAC check out their All-Access October Calendar below.

The district wants to reassure families that free breakfast and lunch will continue to be available to all students at every school, and these meals will not be affected by the shutdown.

In addition to school meals, families can access support through Project Bread’s FoodSource Hotline, provided by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). Hotline counselors are available in 180 languages to connect families with programs such as WIC and local food pantries.

The district’s Department of Health and Wellness has also compiled a list of local resources for families who need assistance or want to help others in the community. These resources include food assistance programs, holiday gift aid, general support services, and utilities help. The community has a strong network of partners dedicated to ensuring that no family goes without essential resources.

Join us for Nashoba Takeover Night / IceCats Night at the Worcester Railers on Saturday, January 10th at 6:05pm!

The day kicks off with Nashoba JV Hockey taking on Grafton at 12:00pm. Nashoba Varsity Hockey vs. Grafton follows with a 1:30pm start, leading into the Railers game that evening. Enjoy special performances by Luther Burbank Middle School students during the game and celebrate Nashoba pride all day long. One ticket gets you into all three games, so grab your tickets now and be part of an exciting day of hockey and Nashoba spirit!

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!

Fourth graders at MRE spent time during their instrument lesson rehearsing for the winter concert later this month.

Members of the Nashoba Regional School Committee and NRHS Building Project Committee spent time touring inside of the new NRHS build.

Congratulations to our International Foods class! Their submission of a T. Rex and his Pterodactyls side kick stealing Christmas won first place in Springfield Museums' Jurassic Park themed Gingerbread Competition.

NRHS business students spent Wednesday at Nichols College presenting in the annual DECA Districts competition. Top presenters will move on to the next competition, States!