NIS September 2026 Newsletter
Principal Reflection
Dear NIS Families,
What a wonderful start to the school year! It was a pleasure welcoming our students and families back to NIS at our "Meet and Greet" on September 3rd. Seeing familiar faces, meeting new members of our school community, and watching students reconnect with friends and teachers was a wonderful reminder of what makes NIS such a special place to learn and grow.
As we begin the 2026–2027 school year, we are excited about the work ahead and the many opportunities we have to continue strengthening our school community.
Our school improvement goals this year center around three important areas:
- Student engagement and academic growth
- A strong sense of belonging and partnership
- Continued growth in literacy instruction
First, we want to make learning even more engaging, meaningful, and collaborative for our students. We will continue to strengthen opportunities for students to talk, collaborate, explain their thinking, and learn from one another. We are particularly focused on strengthening our EL co-teaching and push-in support so that all students have meaningful access to grade-level learning.
We also know that students learn best when they feel that they belong, are supported, and are connected to the adults and community around them. This year, we will use what we learned from last year's NIS Family Survey to help guide important conversations about our mission, vision, school culture, belonging, and family partnership. Together, we will work toward developing a shared belief that reflects what matters most to our NIS community. We will also continue developing a supportive approach to attendance that focuses on early identification, consistent support, and clear communication with families.
Finally, we are building on the strong foundation we established in literacy last year. This fall, we are excited to begin our transition from the Imagine Learning curriculum to the updated Dragonfly curriculum. Through professional learning, collaboration, data analysis, and reflection, we will continue refining our literacy instruction and supporting students in becoming stronger readers, writers, and thinkers.
Of course, school is about much more than academic goals. It is also about relationships, traditions, celebrations, and creating memories together. We look forward to another year filled with opportunities for students and families to come together and celebrate our NIS community.
Please mark your calendars for our Open House on Thursday, October 8th, from 5:30–6:30 p.m. We look forward to welcoming families into our classrooms, sharing the work students have been doing, and giving you another opportunity to connect with your child's teachers and our school community.
As always, we encourage you to read our Family Newsletter each month for important information, celebrations, and updates from NIS. We will also continue to share shorter, timely communications with families through the Remind App and on our Social Media sites.
Thank you for partnering with us as we begin another school year. We are grateful for the trust, support, and energy that our families bring to NIS. When students, families, and staff work together, we create a school where children can feel known, valued, challenged, and excited to learn.
Here’s to a wonderful 2026–2027 school year filled with learning, connection, growth, and joy!
Warmly,
Becky Janda
Principal, NIS
Bicycle/ E-Bike Reminders
Bicycles: The following procedures must be followed if your child ride's their bicycle to school: *Massachusetts law requires children ages 16 and under to wear an approved helmet when bicycling or riding as passengers on public ways.
E-Bikes Electric and pedal assist E-bikes and E-scooters are permitted on the NIS Campus only after the student has registered their E-bike or E-scooter with the front office and completed the E-bike safety course with Officer Thompson or Officer Patterson. Students who wish to ride their e-bike must register with the office and the class for any student with an e-bike will be at 2:30-2:50 pm tomorrow, Tuesday, September 15. After this Tuesday any student on an e-bike or e-scooter without a sticker indicating that they took the course and registered will not be allowed to use the e-bike on school property. Important to Note: E-bikes are defined as bikes that have pedals and can be pedaled. Electric dirt bikes or bikes without pedals are not permitted on campus.
If you are interested in supporting our school as a volunteer, there are a variety of opportunities available. These may include assisting classroom teachers with preparing materials, working with small groups, supporting reading or math games, reading aloud to the class, sharing a special cultural tradition or talent, leading or assisting a Field Day station, helping with classroom projects, or lending a hand in the library.
To participate, please complete the volunteer application form (also sent in summer mailing) and return to your child’s teacher. Be sure to indicate whether you have already completed a C.O.R.I. (Criminal Offender Record Information) form. A valid C.O.R.I. is required to volunteer and is valid for three years.
Volunteer Application Form (English)
Volunteer Application Form (Spanish)
Volunteer Application Form (Portuguese)
More detailed information can be viewed on the NIS Volunteer Brochure to help answer common questions and guide you through the process.
NIS Volunteer Brochure (Spanish)
NIS Volunteer Brochure (Portuguese)
All visitors must check in at the front entryway upon arrival at the school.
During school hours, visitors are required to present an ID for a visitors badge. You may not enter the school without a valid form of ID and a visitor's sticker.
Staff Parking Reminder/ Thank You
Message Regarding NES Staff Parking Lot:
- The parking lot off of First Way, located behind the NES school, is for staff use only.
- All parking spaces are assigned to staff or students at NHS.
- Parents and guardians should not use this lot for any reason, including drop-off, pick-up, or parking.
- This area is not a designated drive-through, and there are no available spaces for non-permitted vehicles.
- For the safety of all students and to maintain an orderly arrival and dismissal process, we kindly ask that you avoid entering this lot.
Thank you for your cooperation and for setting a positive example for our school community.
Reminder Message Regarding NIS Lots:
Backus Lane lot in spaces marked in yellow as "Staff" and numbered are for NIS Staff Only.
Surfside Road NIS parking lot is designated for NIS staff only
The circle is reserved exclusively for buses and families should not be using that entrance for drop-off or pick-up during school hours.
No Visitor or drop-off for NES or NIS should use the Surfside Road NIS Parking Lot to park.
We appreciate your cooperation in keeping these safety procedures and parking spots available for NIS staff so they can be present and ready to support our students each day.
Thank you for your continued understanding and partnership!
Birthday Books and Other Fun Ideas to Make a Student's Day Special
Celebrating a birthday is such an exciting day for our students and we want them to be and feel special on their celebration day. However, at NIS families and students are encouraged not to bring in sweet food items to celebrate their birthday with their class. There are some great alternatives to bringing in sweets that may contain allergens or abundant amounts of sugar. We would like to encourage you to donate a birthday book to your child's classroom library in honor of their birthday. Other fun ideas include bringing in a special pencil, a healthy treat like a fruit tray or a sticker for everyone in the class.
In addition families and students cannot bring in balloons or other large items to celebrate.
