The Common
Dear Nashoba Community,
This week I had the great fortune to escort the Nashoba Regional High School Superintendent Advisory Group on a tour of the construction site of the new High School. It was exciting to see how engaged and curious our students were regarding the future school. They got to observe the bones of the building and imagine what it will look like once we open in the fall of 2027. I want to thank Consigli Construction for taking the time to educate our students and for hosting. We continue to project on time and within budget for this project.
Additionally, K-8 report cards are going home today, and I want to take a moment to highlight the updates you’ll notice this year. Throughout 2025, Nashoba updated the K-8 report cards to ensure families receive clear, consistent, and meaningful communication about student learning and growth. This work reflects our commitment to aligning reporting with high-quality instructional materials, clearly defined learning outcomes, and our Portrait of a Nashoba Graduate competencies. The result is a more family-friendly format with updated academic reporting standards and aligned reporting scales.
Last week, our Teaching and Learning Department launched the NRSD Family Information Hub, a new resource created to help families navigate report cards and our Portrait of a Nashoba Graduate work across grades K-12. We encourage you to explore this tool as you review report cards today and throughout the school year. The Hub is highlighted again in our Teaching and Learning section, and we hope it becomes a helpful guide for staying informed and engaged in your child’s academic career at Nashoba.
Peace,
Kirk Downing (He/Him)
Superintendent
The NRSD Family Information Hub
Last week, we launched our NRSD Family Information Hub, a virtual space designed to give families quick and easy access to Teaching and Learning resources. Within the Hub, families can explore our curriculum resources, learn more about how student progress is reported across all grade levels, and discover how Portrait of a Nashoba Graduate competencies are integrated from Kindergarten through graduation.
As you review the newly updated K-8 report cards, this Hub can help you better understand the report card process, how to read the updated format, and how our Portrait of a Nashoba Graduate competencies are reflected in student learning.
For our high school families, this Hub also details grading periods at NRHS with information about important dates, PowerSchool access, and information on how our Portrait of a Nashoba Graduate competencies are woven into life at the high school.
We will continue to grow the NRSD Family Information Hub over time, with new updates and helpful tools added throughout the year.
Advanced Engineering & Manufacturing, Business & Finance, and Information Technology Spaces Available!
If you’re not sure whether the program is the right fit, join us for one of our Information Sessions. These sessions will offer families time to learn more about how the program works, including its pathways, opportunities, and benefits for students, and provide a chance to ask questions. Session links are available on the Innovation Pathways website.
We’ll be hosting virtual Information Sessions for families on:
Tuesday, December 16th, 5-6pm
Tuesday, January 6th, 5-6pm
If you can't make one of the virtual sessions, you can reach out anytime to our Innovation Pathways Coordinator at bhannigan@nrsd.net.
Integrated Monitoring Review of Nashoba Regional School District, January 5th
The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Office of Public School Monitoring (PSM) will conduct an Integrated Monitoring Review of Nashoba Regional School District during the week of January 5, 2026. Each school district, charter school, vocational school, and virtual school undergoes an Integrated Monitoring Review every three years. The areas addressed during an Integrated Monitoring Review are organized into two groups, known as Group A Universal Standards and Group B Universal Standards.
Nashoba Regional School District will be undergoing a Group A monitoring review that focuses on special education student identification and special education eligibility timelines; Individualized Education Program (IEP) development; programming and support services; procedural requirements for suspensions and equal opportunity. For additional information please also see Integrated Monitoring Parent and Family Orientation.
The process includes interviews with district staff and administrators, a review of student records, policies and procedures, and school building visits. The process may also include parent/caregiver, student and teacher focus group meetings to gather additional information. Interpretation will be provided, if needed.
The Department will also send a parent survey, in multiple languages and formats, as needed, to parents /guardians of special education students to gather key information on the special education processes and procedures.
Parents/guardians and other stakeholders may call Charles Agong, Monitoring Review Chairperson, at (781) 338-3753 or Charles.O. Agong@mass.gov to request a telephone interview. If anyone requires an accommodation, such as translation, to participate in an interview, the Department will make the necessary arrangements.
Within approximately 60 business days after the onsite visit, the review chairperson will provide the (district or charter school) with a report that includes information on further actions that may be required. The public can access the report at https://www.doe.mass.edu/psm/tfm/default.html.
Have Questions About Special Education? The NRSD SEPAC Can Help!
What is NRSD SEPAC?
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.
SEPAC Does This By:
Listening to families, our students and caregivers
Participating in the planning, development, and evaluation of the school district's special education programs
Advising the district on matters that pertain to the education and safety of students with disabilities
Providing family-to-family support and networking
Hosting presentations
Making recommendations for professional development
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.
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!
