NPS Engage News
Dear Natick Public School Students, Families, and Staff,
At its May 6 meeting, the Natick School Committee approved a new policy to add the appointment of a representative of the Metropolitan Council for Educational Opportunity (METCO) community to join the Natick School Committee as a non-voting member who will be equally able to participate in deliberations. This appointment can be filled by current parents/guardians and/or alumni of the program. At its next meeting on May 20, the School Committee is anticipated to appoint and fill this new seat to be effective for the next fiscal school year.
Natick will join several METCO Communities that hold seats for METCO Community members on their School Committees. This is a momentous occasion in the history of the Natick METCO Community and marks the continuing growth of the program!
The first class of students joined the then John F Kennedy Jr. High School and Natick High school in 1969 with an initial cohort of 20. The program now enrolls 52 students annually and has evolved over time through the district's sustained commitment to the ideals of the METCO program for the benefit of all Natick students and community.
With the strong support of local and METCO program leadership and our state legislators who have successfully lobbied for increased funding and grant opportunities to improve academic and special and emotional outcomes for our students, I bring your attention to the following recent improvements and acknowledgements in this past year.
Enrollment of new students in the elementary school in addition to the middle and high school
Additional bus transportation to facilitate access to after school co-curricular programs
Access to courses at MASS BAY for college credit
Summer acceleration study programs
Acknowledgement of the successful effort to place each student in higher level courses at NHS
Finally, I am proud to note the selection of NPS this past November to be one of four school districts to receive personal coaching by renowned equity leader Dr. Darnisa Amante-Jackson to further the district’s goal to achieve equity for all of its students. A leadership team of central admin and building principals have met regularly with Dr. Amante-Jackson for intensive training to this end starting in November and ending next month. She repeatedly reminds us often that making steady growth over time best supports sustainable and equitable outcomes for all our Natick students.
Congratulations to NPS and the Natick community for these special recognitions achieved due to the concerted efforts of its many leaders, staff, families, and students! May the programs continue to grow as we look forward!
Sincerely,
Bella Wong
NPS Music Events
Review the music department calendar & contact your school’s music department for additional details.
May 22: NHS Spring Instrumental Concert, 6:30 p.m.
May 23: Wilson Pops Concert, 6 p.m.
May 28: Wilson 5th & 6th Chorus/Orchestra Concert, 6:30 p.m.
Wilson 7th & 8th Chorus/Orchestra Concert, 6:30 p.m.
May 29: Kennedy 5th & 7th Choral/Orchestra Concert, 6:30 p.m.
May 30: Wilson 7th and 8th grade Band Concert, 6:30 p.m.
Kennedy 6th & 8th Choral/Orchestra Concert, 6:30 p.m.
Starting TONIGHT! Wilson Middle School puts on "Never Eat a Talking Lobster, Tales of Moral Instruction For Incorrigible Children by Steph DeFerie. Description:
When a narrator displeased with her part tries to ruin the happy endings of five Grimm's fairy tales, a talking lobster must save the day. A charming comedy full of enterprising animals and classic storytelling magic. Buy Tickets Here.
Special Education Parent Programs
(Natick Office of Student Services & SEPAC-sponsored or recommended events.)
Show Me More Events for Children Held Throughout Massachusetts
Please follow Natick SEPAC on Facebook & contact the Office of Student Services if you have questions about student services-focused events.
Cheer on NPS Teams: Near And Far
Check out the Athletics Calendar!
The 2024 MIAA Unified Track and Field State Championships will be held at NHS on Thursday, May 23 throughout the day.
There are games every day of the week next week. Join us to support our Redhawks! Visit the Natick Pegasus website to watch games you've missed.
The Natick Education Foundation is pleased to announce the awardees of this year’s grants. NEF awards two kinds of grants each year, Innovation in Teaching and Learning Grants, which seek to support innovative practices and projects in classrooms and school buildings, as well as Professional Rejuvenation Grants, which support teachers’ professional growth and passions. This year NEF funded a total of fourteen grants, totaling $22,000 and 100% of grant applications received funding. Congratulations to our Natick educators—we thank them for their dedication and skill and look forward to seeing the impact these grants have on our school communities! (See the file below for the awardee names and projects.)
Registration through Active.com is still open . View our website for more info. Please complete our financial aid form, if applicable.
Are you interested in fulfilling your Community Service Hours this summer and helping make a difference in a child's life? If so, please consider applying to volunteer with the Natick Summer Programs! Please check out the Natick Summer website for more information.
This summer we are offering 5 weeks of classes. Volunteers are expected to be present each day of the week for the session they sign up for. You can earn up to 18 hours of community service per week. The dates are as follows: Week 1: July 8-11; Week 2: July 15-18; Week 3: July 22-25; Week 4: July 29-Aug 1; and Week 5: August 5-8. Read the Volunteer Guidelines to get a sense of the expectations and your daily obligations. If you're ready to apply, complete the Volunteer Application to be considered. Volunteers must commit to an entire week(s) to be selected and earn community service hours!
All students who apply to volunteer must submit a Teacher Recommendation Form. The deadline to apply is Friday, May 24. Contact the Summer Learning Principal if you have questions.
METCO recently joined the MetroWest Anti-Bullying Coalition. METCO’s Chief Enrollment and Student Services Officer Wilmary Tejeda spoke at the Coalition’s recent Forum in Natick, organized by Coalition Founder Christine Guthery. As part of this work, Lawyers for Civil Rights partnered with METCO to host a series of focus groups of METCO students at HQ. They shared their personal experiences related to this topic and provided feedback, which was used to develop a Model Policy for Identity-Based Bullying and Harassment.
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.
Next meetings: May 20, June 3, June 17.
Location: The third floor meeting room at Natick Town Hall and through hybrid virtual viewing or on Pegasus local access TV.
Transportation
View bus routes. Bus registration is active NOW.
NPS Food Services
Join NPS
Want to Rent a School Facility?
Parent Academy
Transparency Center
Get free online tutoring for students in grades 5-12 via Paper. Explore by clicking the blue "P" in the Chromebook browser plug in. Access Parent Guides and additional information. If you have a comment to share about how Paper has worked for your child, email communications@natickps.org.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month
To raise awareness, the Town of Natick is sponsoring various events, resources, and collaborations around Natick. Visit bit.ly/mentalhealth_natick for more information. Follow NatickSupportsMentalHealth on Facebook. Events this weekend include: Yoga on Common, Resource Fair for Mental Health Awareness and Hope Blooms Community Event.
Meet Nile: The Inflatable Humpback Whale
Join us for this unique experience as you are invited INSIDE the belly of the whale! During your
half-hour visit inside Nile, you’ll learn about these majestic creatures, how to protect whales,
and about the crucial role whales play in our ecosystem. Outside of the whale there will be
interactive exhibits and hands-on activities. This program is appropriate for ages 5 and older. (See the flyer below for ticketing information.
Saturday, June 8, 1-3 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 2 East Central St, Natick
Memorial Day Around Natick
- Wednesday, May 22: 99th Transfer of Flags, 6:30 p.m., WMS
- Friday, May 24: Veterans Breakfast, Wilson Middle School, 8:30 a.m. To attend, contact Natick VSO Paul Carew at 508-745-8893.
- On Memorial Day, May 27, 2024, at 8:25 a.m. is the flag raising, followed by the annual parade, which starts at Moran Park.
- Special Rededication Ceremony: The Natick Veterans Council and the American Legion Post 107 will rededicate Memorial Field to honor all wartime veterans killed in action. Observe this solemn, meaningful event on Mon., May 27 at 11 a.m. on Natick High School’s Memorial Field.
Virtual Workshop: Building a Family Stress Survival Guide
"Family Stress Survival Guide," is an interactive virtual workshop for youth ages 11 to 18 and their primary caregivers (parents, guardians, grandparents, etc.). In collaboration with Families for Depression Awareness and Natick 180 this FREE program will occur in two sessions and each participant will receive their own copy of the Family Stress Survival Guide. Monday, June 3, and Monday, June 10, from 6 to 8 p.m. Advance registration is required.
Plugged In's Summer Day Camp and Evening Band Classes
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. Reminder: Review your school newsletters produced by your principal teams.
Smore.com newsletter HYPERLINK + FILE & ATTACHMENT notice: Files and attachments download best on a desktop computer. These files should be viewable on most mobile devices as well. While images might be hyperlinked, this is done in addition to inserting key links throughout the text. The links and files inserted in the newsletter are included in order to condense the space used.
Get Notified Via Phone When NPS Messages You
Our email communication system, SchoolMessenger Communicate, has two APPS in the Apple App Store. They are reported to both be functional. If you want to get notifications on your iPhone about messages from Natick Public Schools, download the recommended SM Home app (newer) or the SchoolMessenger Education app. Also available in the Google Play Store. Make sure you enter your email of record (listed in PowerSchool) to sign up. Email us to let us know more about the performance of these apps.