The Common
Hello Nashoba Community,
As we look forward to setting the table for the 2026-2027 school year, I want to share some important updates regarding our district’s special education programming. On Wednesday, April 29th, Director of Student Services, Roann Demanche, presented a plan to the Nashoba Regional School Committee to realign two of our specialized programs. This shift is designed to ensure our staffing expertise is perfectly aligned with student needs.
The Rise program, which serves students requiring targeted emotional and behavioral support, will move from Florence Sawyer to the Stow schools. In turn, the LEAP program, which focuses on language-based learning disabilities, will transition from Stow to the Florence Sawyer School in Bolton. Please note there will be no changes to programming in the Lancaster schools or the High School.
By moving the Rise program to Stow, we can co-locate it with our existing Class Connections programs for students with autism spectrum disorder. This proximity allows us to optimize services and ensure all proper supports are in place for both programs. Furthermore, we are excited to launch a new K through 2 foundational program for students who struggle to navigate the traditional classroom. This program will serve as a bridge to Rise and Class Connections, allowing enrolled students to remain in the same school community throughout their primary educational journey.
Shifting the LEAP program to Florence Sawyer School will also give us an opportunity to improve programming by allowing a sub-separate instructional option for students who need intensive literacy development due to a language-based learning disability. We will consult with leading experts in the field to grow our program, and the K-8 environment that Florence Sawyer offers is a perfect fit for the program.
To lead these efforts, we are pleased to permanently appoint Meagan Sanko as the Special Education Program Coordinator for the Stow Schools to oversee the Rise and Class Connections programs. As an on-site administrator, Ms. Sanko will interface daily with families, educators, and students while managing the special education team meeting processes for all students. Her background as a special educator of severe needs students, elementary assistant principal, and interim special education coordinator makes her uniquely qualified for this role. We expect this change to help us strengthen our partnership with families to meet the needs of our students.
As a result of Ms. Sanko’s appointment, we will be searching for a new Assistant Principal at Center School. Principal Coppinger has notified her community that she will be conducting a search and she will update the Center School community as warranted.
We believe these programmatic shifts will increase our ability to meet the unique needs of our students within their own community. Ms. Demanche is already working closely with families to navigate these transitions for the coming year. If you have questions regarding your student’s specific needs or these broader changes, please reach out to her at rdemanche@nrsd.net.
Peace,
Kirk Downing
Superintendent
NRSD Music Program Named In Best Communities for Music Education Program for Third Year!
We are excited to announce that our NRSD Music Program has been recognized for the third year in a row as a Best Communities for Music Education by the National Association of Music Merchants Foundation. This is a distinct honor with only 24 districts across Massachusetts receiving this award!
The Foundation's Best Communities for Music Education (BCME) Program, celebrates schools that demonstrate exceptional commitment to music education and ensure its accessibility to all students. This designation not only acknowledges excellent musical education, but also provides tools and resources to enhance the visibility and support of those schools and districts noted.
The hardwork of our Music Program, will be fully showcased in May, when the they host their third annual Great Road Music Fesitival! This event brings ensembles and students across the district together at NRHS to perform and compete in front of four amazing music educators from across the state.
Congratulations to our NRSD Music Program, this well-deserved recognition, and the Great Road Music Festival, highlight their consistent dedication to ensuring and maintaining comprehensive music education for students across the district.
Annual Children's Day Fair Tomorrow, Saturday, May 2nd!
The 27th Annual Children's Day Fair is TOMORROW, Saturday, May 2nd, 2026!
Time: 10:00am - 12:30pm
Location: Florence Sawyer School, Bolton
This fun event is for children ages eight and under, and their families. Enjoy a variety of activities including make-and-take crafts, sensory experiences, face painting, and more!
Nashoba Integrated Pre-Kindergarten Programs for 2026-2027 School Year
The 2026/2027 Pre-Kindergarten Lottery Application was available to families throughout January. At this time, all programs with the exception of Lancaster's Half-Day Afternoon class are full. If you are interested in being added to Nashoba's Pre-Kindergarten waitlist, or in the Half-Day Afternoon class available in Lancaster, please use the button below.
If you are opting to be added to the waitlist, you will be notified if the selected program becomes available.If you have questions, please contact the Student Services Office at 978-779-0539 3023.
Have Questions About Special Education? The NRSD SEPAC Can Help!
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.
Upcoming Meetings
Meetings will be held on the following dates: 5/20, and 6/17. SEPAC Officers meet at 7pm followed by a Listening Session at 7:30. Open to anyone who wishes to discuss special education matters. All meetings are virtual and links can be found here (passcode: NRSDSEPAC).
Helpful Tips for Allergy Season
As the Cold and Flu Season winds down, the Allergy Season is gearing up. As a reminder, Health Offices do not have allergy medications as standing orders, so if your children take medications for seasonal allergies, they will need to be taken at home. Medication is not the only intervention against allergies.
Here are some helpful tips that may help season allergies:
Reduce exposure to allergy triggers by:
Wearing a light layer outside and then remove it when you come inside
Wash hands and face after being outside
Keep an eye on high pollen counts.
If pollen counts are high, consider masking while outside
If counts are up, consider closing windows and doors to keep pollen outside.
Rinse out the sinuses
Consult your medical provider about additional treatments if current treatments are not working
LBMS Drama's Alice in Wonderland Jr., TONIGHT and SUNDAY!
Shows running at MRE Auditorium on, Friday May 1st, at 6:30pm, and Sunday, May 3rd, at 2:00pm.
LBMS Drama is excited to present Disney's Alice in Wonderland Jr.! The show is based on the 1951 Disney film Alice in Wonderland and the Lewis Carroll novels: The Adventures of Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass. Tickets will be available at the door ($8 for seniors, $10 for students and adults).
This section will be regularly updated with upcoming meeting dates, links, and the recording of the latest School Committee meeting.
The next School Committee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 13th, at 6:30pm, and will take place in person. You can learn more about the items being discussed on the School Committee Planning Calendar. To watch the meeting live, click here.
The most recent School Committee meeting took place on Wednesday, April 8, 2026. A full video of the meeting is available here. The full April 29 meeting agenda and materials are available. Agenda items included:
- Consent Agenda (Vote) (Draft Meeting Minutes of April 8, 2026, Warrants for April 24, 2026, FY26 March Operating Budget Report, Policy 2nd Reading, first reading on April 8, 2026, Policy EFBA, Policy GBEBC, Policy KBE)
- NRHS DECA Donations
- School Committee Chair Update
- Massachusetts State Budget Update
- Food Services RFP Update
- Last Day of School Announcement
- SY26-27 District Physician Contract
- Specialized Programs Presentation
- Training for Superintendent Summative Evaluation
- NRHS School Building Committee Composition Review
- School Choice (Vote)
- Solar Contract Presentation (Vote)
- Master's Academy (Vote)
Open for the 2025/2026 School Year!
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!
