The Common
Dear Nashoba Community,
Last month, I shared that the Bolton Rotary project had officially begun with tree-clearing operations along Route 117. This week, the project has entered its next phase and has broken ground on Route 117 in front of the high school. Installing a rotary will support improved traffic flow and allow for enhanced entrancing and exiting to the high school campus. The Town of Bolton is mindful of school schedules and peak traffic hours, and they aim to minimize disruptions. Like all road projects, there will be temporary impacts at different times based on the construction schedule and progress.
The district is working with the Bolton DPW and the on-site construction firm to have the most up-to-date information. As these impacts are known, we will notify families about building-specific details regarding possible bus delays. Sometimes, we will know a scheduled impact; other impacts may be more unexpected. These notifications will be sent from the school-based main offices.
We anticipate that there will be traffic impacts due to partial road closure to one lane on Tuesday, April 15th. Please be prepared for delays and plan your travel accordingly. We appreciate your understanding and patience as we navigate these temporary conditions for a permanent improvement.
Peace,
Kirk Downing (He/Him)
Superintendent
NRHS Sends Two Representatives to Massachusetts' Annual Student Government Day
Last Friday, the State House hosted over 350 high school juniors and seniors from across the state for the annual Student Government Day, organized by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) in collaboration with the three branches of state government.
The event gave students the chance to engage directly with government officials and participate in a simulated joint committee hearing. During the session, they focused on the proposed "Act Promoting Safe Technology Use and Distraction-Free Education for Youth." In the afternoon, students had two options with some students choosing to remain in the House and Senate Chambers to hear from members of the executive branch and participate in a debate while role-playing as legislators. A second group of students opted to joined Supreme Judicial Court law clerks and interns for a lunch at the John Adams Courthouse, followed by a tour of the building.
Two of the attending students were NRHS seniors Ava Wyman (pictured speaking above) and Winston Zhao. These NRHS representatives were nominated to represent Nashoba based on their roles as Student Representative for the Nashoba School Committee and School Council participation, respectively. Both students acknowledged the impact of the day, specifically on how it improved their understanding of the work and process behind our state government. Notably Mr. Zhao was especially impressed by the debate portion of the event, saying, "It really helped with how I plan to approach leadership going forward... I realized how many diverse perspectives there are from being in a room with other students from across Massachusetts. That’s something that I’ll take with me."
This feedback was very much in line with Governor Maura Healey's goal for the event which was “[to provide] students a unique opportunity to see firsthand how they can make a difference in their communities today, and maybe even as elected officials themselves in the future... I hope all of these students will consider pursuing public service in some form.”
Want to learn more about this event? Check out the DESE's coverage of the event here.
NEW! The Great Road: Supporting All Students with Cheryl Gallaugher
Get Ready to Ride!
We eagerly anticipate welcoming the remarkable class of 2038 into our school community with a series of enriching events and activities in the months ahead. Up next we'll be welcoming incoming kindergarten students to get ready to ride the bus! We encourage each of our families to save the date and to register!
📅 Mary Rowlandson Elementary School, May 8th, 6:00pm-7:00pm
📅 Florence Sawyer School, May 14th, 6:00pm-7:00pm
📅 The Center School, May 15th, 6:00pm-7:00pm
What is SEPAC?
Do you have questions about special education? SEPAC can help! 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.
SEPAC does this by:
Listening to families, our students and caregivers
Advising the NRSD School Committee
Communicating with the NRSD Administration
Providing family-to-family support and networking
Hosting presentations
Making recommendations for professional development
Get in touch on Facebook or by emailing: SEPACchairs@nrsd.net.
Helpful Tips for Seasonal Allergies
As the Cold and Flu Season winds down, the Allergy Season is gearing up. 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. But, medication is not the only intervention against allergies!
Below are some tips that may help to Nip Seasonal Allergies in the Bud!
Reduce exposure to allergy triggers by:
Wearing a light layer outside and removing it when you come inside
Washing your 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
For additional information on seasonal allergies please see the resources provided by The Mayo Clinic.
UP NEXT: Hale Drama Presents Jolly Roger and the Pirate Queen (4/10, 4/11 and 4/12)
This school year has seen a series of successful theater performances across the district, with NRHS, LBMS, and FSS already showcasing their impressive productions. Each performance has received enthusiastic praise from both students and audiences, highlighting the incredible talent within our district.
Now, Hale School is set to cap off the season with their own performance of Jolly Roger and the Pirate Queen. The cast will perform shows this Thursday, April 10th at 7:00 PM, Friday, April 11th at 7:00 PM, and Saturday, April 12th at 11:00 AM! Hale is ready to conclude the season on a high note, delivering a fun and exciting finale to this year's school theater showcase!
Congratulations to our FSS cast for their fantastic performance of The Addams Family! Keep scrolling to see parts of the show!
Finally, don’t forget to check out the "What’s Next?" section below, as each of our schools’ band and chorus groups have exciting upcoming performances you won’t want to miss!
Wolves of Nashoba Festival: Three Day Event, May 2nd - 4th!
The Nashoba Symphonic Band, a program of the Nashoba Regional High School Friends of Music, supported by the local Arts Councils of Bolton, Lancaster, Stow, Berlin, Clinton, Ashby and Lunenburg, is planning an exciting series of events on May 2nd and 3rd, climaxing in a gala symphonic band concert at 3pm on Sunday, May 4th in the NRHS Auditorium. Keep reading to learn more about each of the events!
Friday, May 2 at 7 p.m. “Local History Talks and Chats”
The Festival opens on Friday, May 2nd at 7 p.m. With “Local History Talks and Chats,” an evening of presentations by local historians. The featured speakers will be Nashoba Regional High School U.S. History teacher, Timothy Castner speaking on King Philip's War, Victoria Hatchell, Special Collections and Archives Librarian at the Thayer Memorial Library in Lancaster, and Mark Bodanza of the Leominster Historical Society.
Music for the evening, beginning at 6:45, will be provided by the Nashoba Symphonic Band Clarinet
Choir and include Wagner's Siegfried Idyll, as well as works by Beethoven and Gabrieli.
Saturday, May 3 at 7 p.m. “The Devil and Daniel Webster”
On Saturday evening, May 3rd at 7 pm, the Festival offers a radio-play version of Stephen Vincent Benet's classic one-acter, The Devil and Daniel Webster (with permission of Dramatists Play Service) 'broadcast' by the Little Wolf Players. The cast includes NRHS students, Jane Dailey, Alyssa Poch, Zain Khan, Ishaan Adhikary, Jacob Paul, Melody Robin and Audrey Blesik. The play tells the story of the nearly-local, Daniel Webster's clever courtroom defeat of none-other-than Old Scratch (guess who!). The 'broadcast' is given in the form of a old-time radio play.
Also on the program is the NSB Chamber Ensemble performance of a rousing instrumental suite from the 1952 comic opera The Good Soldier Schweik, by Robert Kurka, based on the satirical novel of Joseph Hasek. A pre-performance concert will begin at 6:15, featuring selections by the NSB Brass Choir, including the Fanfare from La Peri by Paul Dukas and one of the first performances of Three Miniatures for Brass Quintet by William Nicholson.
Sunday, May 4 at 3 p.m. “The Wolves of Nashoba” Festival Concert, World Premiere of work by Robert Sheldon
The Nashoba Symphonic Band, under the direction of David Wayne Bailey, will present the World Premiere of “The Wolves of Nashoba,” commissioned for the band by eminent composer, Robert Sheldon. Other works on the program include music by Persichetti's Chorale Prelude: Turn Not Thy Face, Freischutz Quickstep by Grafulla, Elgar's Nimrod and Alfred Reed's setting of the music from Mary Poppins, as well as marches by Sousa and W.Paris Chambers. Also expect a guest appearance by the Stow Colonial Fife and Drum Corps!
SPECIAL PRE-CONCERT LUNCHEON! in the NRHS Auditorium lobby from one until two-thirty, consisting of sandwich makings, salads and light desserts. The cost is $15 for adults, $10 seniors and students. Reservations are highly recommended which we will be accepting through Sunday, April 27th. Please send individual names or a group planning to attend (with a check made payable to NRHS Friends of Music) to Nashoba Friends of Music, Nashoba Regional High School, 12 Green Road Bolton MA 01740. Please include an email address so we can confirm the reservation. Tickets will be waiting at the door.
Please note that all “Wolves of Nashoba” events are wheelchair accessible. It is recommended that you notify us if you require additional seating consideration for any of the events so we are able to best serve your needs. Please address all questions and concerns to David Bailey dbailey@nrsd.net.
The Nashoba Wolves and the Clinton Gaels are teaming up to play against each other at Worcester's Polar Park! Make sure to save the date for Monday, May 12th at 6:00pm! Additional information will be coming soon, but in the meantime, gather your friends and family for a SWEET fundraiser at The Fountain! 20% of sales in store go directly to the Nashoba Baseball team as they fundraise their way to play at Polar Park! Shop for candy, Easter basket stuffers, enjoyr our baseball themes ice cream and drink menu, and support the Wolves!
📅The Fountain Fundraiser, Saturday, April 19th, 1:00-5:00pm
📅 Wolves vs. Gaels @ Polar Park, Monday, May 12th, 6:00pm
Extended Learning's April Vacation Camp: REGISTRATION CLOSING TODAY 4/11!
Join the Extended Learning Program for four days of fun during their April Vacation Camp! This April's camp will offer amazing enrichment experiences with sports, Lego's, theatre/drama, and more!! Each vacation camp is packed with activities designed to keep kids engaged, active, and learning, and with half-day and full-day options, there truly is something for all campers to enjoy.
Camp will be offered on Tuesday, April 22nd through Friday, April 25th. Please utilize the Vacation Camp Registration form below to enroll your student, but don't wait too long, registration will close on April 11th.
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!
