The Common
Hello Nashoba Community,
As we head into April vacation, I want to take a moment to wish everyone a relaxing and enjoyable week. This is a perfect time for students, staff, and families to recharge and come back ready to tackle the learning ahead, along with the exciting events and educational milestones that the end of each academic year holds.
I would also like to thank three members of our state legislative delegation, Senator John Cronin, Senator Robyn Kennedy, and Representative Meghan Kilcoyne, who took time out of their busy schedules to visit Nashoba this week.
During their visits, they had the chance to see firsthand how the PRISM I grant is making a positive impact on our early literacy initiatives. They toured kindergarten, first, and second grade classrooms at Mary Rowlandson and Florence Sawyer, where they saw our teachers, our students, and our literacy work in action. I encourage you to read more about their visit in the Teaching and Learning Update below.
Have a great vacation week!
Peace,
Kirk Downing
Superintendent
Senator Cronin, Senator Kennedy, and Representative Kilcoyne Visits MRE and FSS to See PRISM I Early Literacy in Action
Earlier this week, we were excited to welcome Senator Cronin, Representative Kilcoyne, and Senator Kennedy to our schools, where they had the chance to tour the classrooms in the towns they represent. During their visits, we showcased how our PRISM I grant is supporting our early literacy work and making a tangible impact in our classrooms.
The legislators toured kindergarten, first, and second grade classrooms at Mary Rowlandson and Florence Sawyer. During their visits, they were able to see how our students are benefiting from high-quality, evidence-based instructional materials like Wilson Fundations and EL Education, which are central aspects of our literacy efforts.
Further, as one of only 15 PRISM I districts in Massachusetts, we have been able to invest in high-quality instructional materials grounded in the science of reading. These curricula are designed to build strong foundations in phonemic awareness, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. This funding supports professional learning for our educators, ensuring our early literacy materials are implemented effectively, and expands our ability to to implement early literacy supports through targeted tutoring and intervention.
As evidenced by our universal literacy screening assessments, the PRISM I grant supports our ability to build alignment across classrooms, support more intentional instruction, and increase access to high-quality learning experiences for every student. With the combination of top-tier materials, professional learning, and targeted interventions, we are seeing real improvements in student outcomes, particularly in fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, and phonemic awareness.
We would like to extend a thank you to our legislators for their support of the PRISM I grant, and for taking the time to view this important work. Additionally, we would like to extend our gratitude to our kindergarten, first, and second grade teachers, for opening their doors to showcase the early literacy work they do each day!
Grades 9-12 Engagement and Sense of Belonging Survey
This April, we will be surveying students in grades 9-12 to gather important feedback on their sense of engagement with their courses, as well as their thoughts on cell phones, attendance, extracurricular activities, and overall sense of belonging within the school community. The survey is expected to take about 15-20 minutes to complete, and it is completely anonymous.
The 9-12 survey will be distributed on April 30th during the school day. We hope all of our students will participate, as every voice matters. While our goal is 100% participation, we understand that some parents or caregivers may choose for their children not to participate. The survey is completely voluntary, and students can skip any questions or choose not to participate at all.
If you would like to see the survey in advance, please reach out to Dr. Boynton. The survey will be available for preview starting Wednesday, April 15th, 2026. If you prefer your child not to take part, please complete the Opt-Out Form by Tuesday, April 28th. If you submitted your opt-out form during the 3-8 opt-out window, your response has been recorded, and you do not need to submit again.
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.
Nashoba Community Fair Seeking Student Volunteers!
Nashoba Community Partnership for Children is gearing up to host their 27th Annual Children's Day Fair on May 2nd, 2026! The fair is geared towards children eight and younger and their families. Each year it features exciting activities like make and take crafts, sensory activities, local early childhood centers, face painting and more.
This year, the fair needs about 8-10 reliable high school students to run activity stations for children aged 8 and younger. This is a great opportunity for students to earn volunteer hours and give back to the community. To learn more about volunteering at the Annual Children's Day Fair, and to submit your interested see our Volunteer Form.
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: 4/29, 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
NEW DATES! LBMS Drama's Alice in Wonderland Jr.
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).
Shows will run in the Mary Rowlandson Elementary School Auditorium on, Friday May 1st, at 6:30pm, and Sunday, May 3rd, at 2:00pm.
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, April 29, 2026, at 6:30pm, and will take place virtually. 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 8 meeting agenda and materials are available. Agenda items included:
- Recognize Valedictorian and Salutatorian
- Recognize Worcester County Superintendents Association Scholar
- LBMS Washington DC Trip Final Approval
- Capital Submittal Update
- Masters Academy International-Private School Approval Presentation
- Pave Your Path 2026, Full PD Update & Feedback
- Master's Academy International Presentation
- School Choice Presentation
- Polic First Readings (Policy EFBA-School Food and Nutrition-Meal Modifications, Policy GBEBC-Gifts to and Solicitations by Staff, Policy KBE-Relations with Parent-Booster Orgs.)
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!
