Center Connection

Monday, April 6, 2026
Principal's Message
Dear Families,
My message this week focuses on our family pick up and drop off procedures. If the line for pick up/drop off extends past our school driveway into Hartley Street, please ensure you drive up to Hale, and come back down into line. There is no taking a left into the parking lot once the line extends past the driveway. We appreciate you respectfully joining behind those who are already ahead of you and not passing any cars once in the line.
When entering the drop-off loop, please drive all the way forward to where the "Pick Up Starts Here Sign" is stationed before stopping. To keep traffic moving efficiently, students should begin unloading if they are positioned anywhere in the circle, stretching from the front sign all the way back to Nurse Audra. When cars wait to pull up further instead of unloading when they have a safe opening, it creates significant congestion and delays for the families behind you. We appreciate your cooperation in helping us keep the line moving safely and quickly!
Additionally, please ensure you utilize the Parent Pick Up line and do not drop off in the front lot when arriving at the start of the day. Also, please be mindful of our transportation vans and do not pass a van that is loading or unloading.
To ensure a smooth and timely start to the school day for all our students, we want to remind you that morning drop-off concludes promptly at 8:35 AM. Students arriving after this time must be signed in at the main office and will be marked tardy.
In a final note, you may have noticed we are utilizing the outside space for dismissal family pick ups rather than congesting the hallway. On days of heavy rain and in the winter months that will shift back inside but for now we will try to make best of the great weather!
We appreciate your partnership in keeping our drop off/pick up procedures safe,
Kerryann
The Week Ahead
April 10: Coffee Hour with Mrs. Coppinger (9:00)
April 10: Early Release (11:15am Pre-School Dismissal; 12:15-K-5 Dismissal)
Upcoming Events
April 14: Outdoor Classroom Initial Virtual Family Meeting (For Current Grade 4 Families)
April 14: PTO (7pm)
April 15: Listening Session with Mrs. Coppinger (4pm)
April 20-24: No School - Spring Break
April 27: All School Meeting (9:30)
April 29: School Council (3:30)
Save the Dates (More information to come)
May 13: Chorus Concert (7pm)
May 20: No School for Current Kindergarteners - Screening for Incoming K
May 29: Band Concert (6pm)
June 2: PTO End of Year Picnic (5pm)
June 8: PTO End of Year Picnic RAINDATE
June 11: Fifth Grade Moving Up Ceremony (9:00am)
June 15: Field Day (All Grades)
June 16: Rain Date Field Day (All Grades)
Follow Our Events by subscribing to The Center School Calendar.
News from the Health Office
News From the Gym
This update highlights the completion of the second week focusing on "Movement for a Healthy Body," where students continue to integrate foundational competencies—Balance, Cardiovascular, Cognitive, Coordination, Rhythm, and Strength. To support the daily warm-ups, we focused on developing agility, coordination, and athletic footwork tailored to different grade levels: : K - 2, 3 - 5. (Click on the numbers to view.)
Next week in groups students will create a one minute sequence of movement with any sport of their choosing.
We at The Center School care for the health and safety of all students. We have asked all students since the beginning of school to wear sneakers on physical education and health days. Please be aware when your child has PE and that they have sneakers to wear on this day. Let Mrs. LaFortune and Mrs. Stevens know if there is a concern in regards to sneakers.
The school day for this coming week: A, B, C, D, ½ day
Thank you for your support,
Marcia Stevens
Class Placement Google Form Reminder
Feedback form closes April 10th
Reminder from last week's Principal's Message:
Pre-School to Fourth Grade Families, please use this link to share any specific information such as family dynamics, significant personal history (such as significant negative peer interactions), student learning style, or concerns, that would help us ensure the best fit for your child. Please have feedback submitted by April 10th. While we value your insights on your child’s needs, we kindly ask that you refrain from requesting to have or not have specific teachers. While our teachers will work to ensure all students have at least one positive connection in their new placements, peer groupings are not something we can guarantee. Our teacher teams will work collaboratively to ensure the best possible classroom dynamics for each grade level.
MCAS Information
We ask that you take a look at the dates below and try to ensure your child is at school and on time for their testing days. We greatly appreciate your partnership. We did make one change to Grade 4 Math Session 1. Please see the change bolded below.
Grade 3 MCAS Dates
ELA Session 1: 3/24
ELA Session 2: 3/31
Math Session 1: 5/4
Math Session 2: 5/11
Grade 4 MCAS Dates
ELA Session 1: 3/25
ELA Session 2: 4/1
Math Session 1: 5/5
Math Session 2: 5/8
Grade 5 MCAS Dates
ELA Session 1: 3/26
ELA Session 2: 4/13
Math Session 1: 4/30
Math Session 2: 5/7
STE Session 1: 5/14
STE Session 2: 5/18
ELA Session 1 Make Ups: 3/30
ELA Session 2 Make Ups: 4/14
Math Session 1 Make Ups: 5/6
Math Session 2 Make Ups: 5/12
STE Session 1 Make Ups: 5/19
STE Session 2 Make Ups: 5/20
Fifth Grade Moving Up Information
Pick Up Patrol Reminders
The cut off time for changes in Pick Up Patrol is 12:00pm. Please get any changes entered as early as possible.
Reporting Absences, Late Arrivals or Early Dismissals
All student absences, late arrivals, and early dismissals should now be entered through PickUp Patrol. This allows the school office, health office, and classroom teacher to access the information directly.
Absences (Please enter as soon as you know of an upcoming absence. It helps us a lot when they are in prior to the day starting).
Late arrivals
Any changes to dismissal plans (before 12pm)
Using this program ensures that the school office, your child’s teacher, the health office, and the dismissal team all have the same, up-to-date information each day. Families can access PickUp Patrol through the mobile app or the website dashboard.
Early Childhood News
Kindergarten Registration 2026-2027
Registration for Kindergarten for the 2026-2027 school year will be shared with families in the next few weeks. If you are new to Stow or have not completed a census please send your contact information to Kirsten Gallagher, Administrative Assistant - Center School kgallagher@nrsd.net.
Ready to Ride
SEPAC Meetings
SEPAC Meetings:
4/29/2026
5/20/2026
6/17/2026
SEPAC Officers will meet at 7pm followed by a Listening Session at 7:30 PM open to anyone who wishes to discuss special education matters.
Zoom Meeting ID 869 8725 4504
Passcode NRSDSEPAC
SEPAC Survey
The Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) is conducting a survey to gather input from caregivers of students receiving special education services from the Nashoba Regional School District. This is an important opportunity to give the district feedback on your experiences this year. Your responses will help guide efforts to improve services and results for children in Bolton, Lancaster, and Stow.
SEPAC designed this survey and will receive your answers. Your personal information will be kept private. Your answers will be anonymous. We welcome your honesty and want to hear your thoughts.
The survey will open on Tuesday, March 31st and close on Tuesday, April 21st. Click here to start the survey.
Extended Learning Program
SPTO News
Substitutes Wanted - We Need You!
Substitutes play a critical role in helping our school succeed and Center School needs more of them! If you have the flexibility in your schedule or know someone who does, it is an incredible way to support our school community. Please reach out with any questions.
We appreciate your help in growing our substitute pool!