The Common
Dear Nashoba Community,
I am writing with an important update from our Technology Team. Beginning in March 2025, Google will require guardian consent for the use of its additional services applications for all users under the age of 18. These tools, which are currently used by students across various grade levels, support learning and provide access to resources that staff routinely integrate to enhance students' educational experiences.
The applications affected by this consent change, and their availability to NRSD students are listed below. Please note that not all grade levels have access to every application, and their usage varies from important backups of student accounts and drives to tools like Google Translate.
Additional Services Enabled:
Applied Digital Skills
Google Alerts
Google Arts and Culture
Google Earth
Google News
Google Translate
Looker Data Studio
Material Gallery
Scholar Profiles
Services Enabled for Students with Technology Team Confirmation:
Chrome Web Store
FeedBurner
Google Groups
Google Photos (NRHS students)
Google Play
Google Search Console
Managed Google Play
Third-Party App Backups
YouTube (middle and high school students)
Services Not Enabled for Students:
Google Bookmarks
Google Books
Google Maps
Google My Maps
Beginning next school year, a consent form for the use of these applications will be included in our Student Handbook. In order to maintain continuation of current services for students, and to prevent any disruption to learning, our Technology Team has created an Opt-Out Form for guardians who choose to decline this consent for the remainder of this school year. The opt-out period will close on Friday, March 14th. Should you have any questions, please reach out directly to our Technology Team.
Peace,
Kirk Downing (He/Him)
Superintendent
NRSD Report Card Revisions, Gr. 1-8
A report card working group, made up of representative educators from across the district, has begun reviewing grade level and content area reporting standards for clarity, consistency, and alignment, including trimester benchmarks. The report card revision work will also include the revision of the social behavior and work habits category to better reflect our Portrait of a Nashoba Graduate competencies. Next steps of the work include forming a kindergarten report card working group, sharing draft versions of the revised report cards with School Councils for feedback, and developing a family user guide and front-facing website to help families better understand how our Nashoba report cards communicate student progress. As part of the process, the Department of Teaching and Learning has further gathered report cards from neighboring districts to examine Nashoba’s alignment and explore approaches in format that may enhance our current reporting tool.
We are grateful for the dedication of our educators engaged in this process and look forward to sharing updates with the community and School Committee as we work toward finalizing our revised report cards for the 2025-2026 school year.
Illness Season is Here, What Can You Do to Reduce Your Risk of Getting Sick?
The colder months are here and we have entered the peak season for stomach viruses, colds, flu, and other respiratory illnesses. We've listed the best ways for students and families to reduce their risk of contracting and spreading illnesses in school and within the community below.
Hygiene Practices
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially before eating.
Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.
Avoid touching your face.
Use hand sanitizer when soap and water aren't available.
Stay home if you're sick.
Vaccination:
- Get vaccinated against common viruses like influenza, Covid, pertussis, and RSV.
To learn more about illnesses that are common during this time of year, please see the following links: Stomach Virus, Common Respiratory Illness, Strep Throat, and Mycoplasma Pneumoniae. Please reach out to your child’s School Nurse with any further questions or concerns.
Additionally, COVID tests are available for home use at each of our schools. If you are interested in picking up an at-home test, please reach out to the Main Office at your school.
The Nashoba Ski team has kicked off their fund-raising promotion with the Wachusett Ticket Sale Donation Program. For every ticket sold online that uses their coupon code: DON-NRSKI, Wachusett will donate $10.00 to the Ski Team. To purchase a ticket click here, all you'll need to do is select your date and time and add in the above code! Members of the Ski Team field a great deal of cost in their participation. All who participate must cover their Wachusett pass to train, race day tickets, and equipment upkeep.
Positions Available!
Are you looking for a way to earn extra income while maintaining a flexible schedule? Do you want a role that aligns with your child's school hours, or are you a former teacher looking to stay connected to education?
Consider becoming a substitute—opportunities are available! Thank you for considering this meaningful way to support our school. Learn more here!
Nashoba Notable Award! Thank a Nashoba Employee!
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!
