The Common
Hello Nashoba Community,
Now that we are into the swing of spring, I feel confident in recommending to the School Committee that the last day of school for the Nashoba Regional School District be Thursday, June 18, 2026. This date will stand for all schools with the exception of Center School, whose last day will be Monday, June 22, 2026.
On June 18, all schools in the district, including Center School, will have an early release day to maintain our bussing schedules.
For our Center School community, I plan to recommend to the School Committee that June 22 be an early release day to maintain annual traditions in the community around the last day of school. Since replacing a full day of school with a half day is a change that requires School Committee approval, I will bring forward this recommendation at the April 29, 2026, School Committee meeting.
On a slightly different note, I would like to spotlight the NRHS Reality Fair. The NRHS Counseling Department hosted their annual Reality Fair today. This event is designed to help sophomores explore real-world financial and life decisions as they begin to think about their own futures.
Sophomores prepared for the event by working with the Counseling Department to identify entry-level career paths that align with their interests. Once they arrived at the fair, students received a mock salary based on their chosen professions and then had to navigate their way through booths run by community and Rotary Club members.
These booths challenged students to manage expenses such as rent or mortgage payments, utilities, phone bills, giving, leisure, retirement, insurance, transportation, and more. These booths also feature options like part-time jobs, financial investments, and whether to live with a roommate while staying within budget.
I would like to extend a huge shout out to the NRHS Counseling Department for their efforts in hosting this event. I would also like to thank our participating community members for helping support our high school, and our high school students.
Have a great weekend!
Peace,
Kirk Downing
Superintendent
NRHS Hosts First Ever Poetry Out Loud Competition
On Monday, April 6, Nashoba Regional High School sophomores gathered in the auditorium for the exciting finals of the school’s first ever Poetry Out Loud competition. The event brought together students, staff and a panel of guest judges to celebrate poetry..
Modeled after the national Poetry Out Loud program, the competition began in sophomore English classrooms, where teachers curated a diverse selection of short poems. Each student selected, memorized, and performed a poem, demonstrating both their understanding of the text and their public speaking skills. Classroom competitions, held in early April, resulted in an impressive group of 21 finalists who advanced to the school-wide event.
These finalists took the stage in front of their peers and a panel of guest judges who were tasked with evaluating each performance using a detailed rubric.
Throughout the event, students showcased not only their memorization skills but also their ability to interpret and bring meaning to their chosen works. Brief musical interludes, coordinated in collaboration with the music department, added to the afternoon.
At the conclusion of the performances, the judges selected an overall winner along with two runners-up, recognizing the outstanding talent and effort displayed by all participants. Congratulations to Dylan Neumann, Violet Hohn, and Charlie Thibeault, the first, second, and third place winners for their exceptional performances and poise on stage.
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 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).
Nashoba SEPAC Presents: Supporting Executive Function at Home: A Guide for Parents of 6th-12th Grade Students
Join us for a practical session on helping your middle and high schoolers thrive at home by strenghtening their executive functioning skills. Executive functioning refers to the mental processes that support goal-directed behavior, including organization, planning, emotional regulation, and time management.
This session is designed for parents and caregivers seeking both understanding and practical tools.
Event Date: Thursday, April 16, 2026
Time: 6:30pm
Format: Virtual
Meeting ID: 880 2668 6357, Passcode: 706090
Free Breakfast and Lunch Will Continue, Community Support and Resources Available
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.
Extended Learning Lottery for 2026-2027 Now Open!
We’re excited to announce that the lottery for the 2026-2027 Extended Learning Program is now open! If you're looking for before and after school care for your K-5 child, you'll find all the details on our Extended Learning Program website.
The Extended Learning Program looks forward to continuing to support your children with a safe, engaging, and fun environment. Be sure to apply to the lottery for a chance to secure your spot for next school year.
Registration Open: April Vacation Camp!
The Extended Learning Program had a successful February Vacation Camp. Thank you to everyone who joined in, it was great to see so many happy campers! We're excited to share that registration for our April Vacation Camp is now available!
Our April Vacation Camp will offer an array of enrichment experiences including: Buildwave, Play-Well TEKnologies, Art-Ventures, and Drama Out of the Box! Our vacation camp is packed with activities designed to keep kids engaged, active, and learning!
Camp will run Tuesday, April 21st, and Friday, April 24th, and will be held at The Center school in Stow. These camps will be open to any K-Grade 5 student in the district. To learn more about our April Vacation Camp offerings, and to enroll your student click here.
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.
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!
