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Dear Families,

As Halloween approaches, I am writing to remind families that the Hudson Public Schools does not organize, host, or participate in formal Halloween-related activities, classroom parties, or costume parades during the school day. This includes, but is not limited to wearing costumes, the distribution of candy or food, and the showing of Halloween-themed movies or having themed parties. Our approach to Halloween is based on several key considerations:

• Instructional Time: Class parties consume valuable instructional minutes that are better dedicated to teaching and learning.

• Belonging: Celebrating certain holidays can inadvertently exclude or marginalize students whose families do not participate for religious, cultural, or personal reasons. It is our responsibility to ensure that all students feel comfortable and included.

• Safety and Disruption: Costumes can present distractions, safety issues (e.g., masks, trip hazards), and administrative challenges (e.g., identifying students, managing props) that disrupt the school day.

Planning and facilitating engaging, non-holiday-specific, educational activities that relate to the fall season is allowable. It is important to note that our approach to Halloween does not apply to after school events and activities that are sponsored by outside support organizations (e.g. Home and School Associations).

Brian K. Reagan, Ed.D.

Superintendent of Schools

Hudson Public Schools Families,

A new school year means new routines, new classrooms, and a fresh start. It can also bring anxiety, stress, or emotional challenges that make it harder to settle in.

Cartwheel, our virtual mental health partner, can offer:

• Individual teletherapy for students — appointments with a licensed therapist available within days, with no waitlist
• Parent and caregiver guidance — practical support for navigating challenges at home
• Family therapy for transitions, stress, or ongoing challenges
• Psychiatric support, when appropriate
• Care Programs for specific challenges like school avoidance, screens and social media, and intense emotions and behavior challenges

Appointments are virtual, scheduling is flexible, and care is available in multiple languages. For students with Medicaid, care is completely free. Most private insurance plans are also accepted.

Getting started takes just a few minutes. Complete this simple interest form, and someone from Cartwheel will follow up with you.

Best,

Alise Budny

Executive Director of Student Services

504 Coordinator • McKinney‑Vento Liaison

Foster Care Point of Contact • Title IX Coordinator (Students)

Event: Clothing Giveaway

Date: TOMORROW, Saturday, October 24, 2026

Time: 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Location: St. Stephen Lutheran Church, 537 Bolton St Marlborough

Event: Learn about ASPEN & Attendance

Date: Tuesday, October 27, 2026

Time: 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Location: Quinn Middle School

For more information, see flyer below🔻

Event: SEPAC Meeting

Date: Tuesday, October 27, 2026

Time: 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Location: GoogleMeet: https://meet.google.com/eqi-rxan-fqc

- Special Guest Speaker: Brooke Guerra - Advocating Effectively for Your Child

For more information scroll down to the Student Services section.

Event: The Screenagers Project

Location: Hudson High School Mini-Theater

Time: 7:00 p.m.

Dates:

• Screenagers: Elementary Age Edition - December 1, 2026

• Screenagers: Addressing Youth Mental Health in the Digital Age - January 5, 2027

• Screenagers: Under the Influence - March 23, 2027

• Screenagers: Generation AI - May 11, 2027

🥘What's cooking in the month of October?

Hudson Public Schools is committed to providing safe and reliable transportation for eligible students. Please review these important transportation guidelines and bus safety reminders with your child.

Transportation Eligibility
Students in Kindergarten through Grade 12 who live more than one mile from their assigned school are eligible for transportation. Students who live one mile or less from their assigned school are considered walkers and are generally not eligible for transportation. Safety concerns may be considered when determining eligibility, and mileage is determined using First Student Bus Company software.

For elementary students, transportation is provided within the student's assigned elementary school district only, with exceptions for students enrolled in the Dual Language Program and Child Development Program.

Please note that students attending Hudson Public Schools through Inter-District or Intra-District School Choice are not eligible for transportation.

Keeping Our Students Safe on the Bus
Families are encouraged to review these expectations with their children:

• Remain seated throughout the entire bus ride and keep hands, feet, and belongings out of the aisle.
• Students who must cross the street to board the bus should wait for the driver's “thumbs up” signal before crossing.
• Never walk alongside the bus or attempt to pick up an object near or underneath it. Wait until the bus has completely pulled away before retrieving anything.
• Food, drinks, and gum are not permitted on the bus.
• Use an appropriate “inside voice” while riding.
• Kindergarten students should sit in the front rows of the bus.
• Students must ride their assigned bus unless a change has been approved by the Transportation Department.
• Failure to follow bus safety expectations may result in the loss of transportation privileges.

These expectations also apply to all school-sponsored trips.

For the safety of students and staff, school buses are equipped with interior cameras that record both video and audio.

Thank you for helping us keep every bus ride safe for all students!

In collaboration with our transportation partner, First Student, Hudson Public Schools offers a real-time GPS vehicle tracking and student transportation monitoring platform through FirstView.

With FirstView, parents and caregivers can download the secure, easy-to-use mobile app to stay connected with their student’s daily bus transportation. Through the app, families can:

• View the bus’s real-time location using GPS and track its progress.
• Access bus details and receive updates regarding changes.
• Receive distance notification alerts when the bus is approaching.
• Add family members and caregivers to receive trip email alerts.
• Access a dedicated customer support team for app-related questions.

2026–2027 District Code: To obtain the District Code needed to set up your account, please contact your child’s school.

FirstView Customer Support:

Monday – Friday from 7:00 am – 5:00 pm EST

Hudson Public Schools has partnered with Massachusetts Partnership for Youth and Boston Children’s Hospital to help strengthen student safety and wellness across our district.

“See Something, Say Something” signs are located outside each school and include a QR code that connects to an anonymous reporting form. Families and community members are encouraged to submit a tip if they become aware of concerning behavior, including threats, bullying, troubling social media posts, or concerns that a student may be at risk of harming themselves or others.

How to Submit a Tip:

• Scan the QR code on the signs outside our schools, or
• Visit the district website under Important Information →🔗Say Something

Reports are sent directly to the school principal so appropriate support and/or follow-up can be provided. Reports may be submitted anonymously and cannot be traced back to your phone or email.

If you see something concerning, say something.

Together, we can help keep our students and schools safe and supported.

SEPAC Hudson is a volunteer group of parents and caregivers who collaborate with the Hudson Public Schools to ensure that every student—regardless of ability—receives the support they need to succeed. We listen, advocate, and share resources so families feel informed and empowered.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SEPACHudson/ Website: https://www.sepachudson.com/

Questions or want to connect with Hudson SEPAC? sepachudson@gmail.com

Homeschool students with an IEP may be eligible for additional support through proportionate share services and Child Find under IDEA.

For information about available services and eligibility, please contact:

Alise Budny, Director of Student Services

Hudson Public Schools is responsible for identifying and evaluating children ages 3–21 who may have a disability and may be eligible for special education or related services. This includes children who attend HPS, private school, are homeschooled, or are not yet enrolled in school.

If you have concerns about your child’s development, would like to request a developmental screening, or believe your child may need an evaluation, please contact:

Alise Budny, Director of Student Services
📞 978-567-6100 ext. 42135
📧 adbudny@hudson.k12.ma.us

🌎 Information is also available in Portuguese, Spanish, and Haitian Creole. View Translations

Hudson Recreation is accepting registrations for its Youth Basketball Program for students in Grades K–4! Programs include basketball clinics, games, and opportunities for young athletes to develop their skills and have fun.

Registration Deadline: November 13, 2026
Program Fees: $100–$120, depending on grade level.

For more information or to register, visit www.hudsonrecreation.org.

E-bikes are a convenient and fun way to get around—but safety comes first! Students and families are encouraged to review safe riding practices before hitting the road.

Remember to:

🪖 Wear a properly fitted helmet
🚦 Follow traffic signs, signals, and rules of the road
👀 Stay alert and watch for cars, pedestrians, and other cyclists
📵 Put phones away and avoid distractions while riding
🐢 Slow down around schools, sidewalks, intersections, and busy areas
🚲 Ride responsibly and be respectful of others

Whether you're riding to school, visiting friends, or heading around town,

ride smart, stay alert, and help keep Hudson safe!

English

Portuguese

Spanish

Looking for helpful information about vaccines for your child?

The Massachusetts Medical Society’s Healthy Kids Healthy Moms Massachusetts campaign offers easy-to-understand, bilingual resources for parents and caregivers. Families can find helpful vaccine information, answers to common questions, and information about where to access free vaccines.

Visit Healthy Kids Healthy Moms Massachusetts to learn more and explore available resources.

The Hudson Community Food Pantry’s Backpack Buddies program provides free weekend food kits to Hudson Public Schools students in Grades K–12. Kits include a variety of non-perishable, kid-friendly foods and are distributed discreetly throughout the school year. Elementary and middle school students receive kits on Fridays, while high school students may choose Friday pickup or biweekly home delivery.

Interested in participating?

Please contact your child’s building principal for more information.

Hudson Food Pantry Location: 28 Houghton Street, Hudson, MA 01749 | Tel: (978) 562-5280

Looking for support with anxiety, neurodiversity, parenting teens, or raising elementary-age children?

Massachusetts Partnerships for Youth (MPY), in partnership with Peace At Home Parenting Solutions, offers families FREE access to the Parenting Solutions Library, featuring practical, evidence-based parenting resources.

No login or passcode is required! 👉 Access the Parenting Solutions Library

If you or someone you know is interested, please visit the Hudson Public Schools website to explore current job openings and apply.

Employment Opportunities

📅 Tuesday, November 3, 2026 / ⏰ 7:00 p.m. /📍Hudson High School

📅 Tuesday, November 17, 2026 / ⏰ 7:00 p.m. /📍Hudson High School

Email: bkreagan@hudson.k12.ma.us
Website: https://www.hudson.k12.ma.us/
Location: 155 Apsley Street, Hudson, MA, USA
Phone: 978-567-6100

Civil Rights Coordinator - Jennifer Allard jnallard@hudson.k12.ma.us

Title IX Coordinator - Jennifer Allard jnallard@hudson.k12.ma.us

Director of Student Services - Alise Budny adbudny@hudson.k12.ma.us

District 504 Coordinator - Alise Budny adbudny@hudson.k12.ma.us

McKinney Vento & Foster Care - Alise Budny adbudny@hudson.k12.ma.us