Florence Sawyer School Happenings

Dear Families,

I’m thrilled to share that we've successfully concluded our search for the assistant principal’s position, which will become vacant upon the retirement of Mr. Patrick Perkins at the end of the school year. I'm delighted to introduce our new Assistant Principal, Dr. Marybeth Donlan. Dr. Donlan comes to us from Fitchburg, where she has excelled as an Instructional Coach focusing on Literacy. Please find Dr. Donlan's introductory letter below.

Yours in partnership,

Joel Bates,

Principal

Dear Florence Sawyer School Community,

My name is Marybeth Donlan, and I am delighted to introduce myself as the new assistant principal of the Florence Sawyer School. It is truly an honor to join a school community that embodies scholastic excellence and embraces a collaborative approach to educating young learners. I am committed to working closely with the administrative team to ensure continued delivery of exceptional learning experiences for all students.

Over the last twelve years, I have had the pleasure of serving the Fitchburg Public Schools in various roles. As both a fifth-grade teacher and a seventh-grade teacher, I created a welcoming and inclusive classroom environment that allowed students to unlock their greatest potential. When I stepped into my most recent role as an instructional coach, I worked diligently to expand this sense of belonging and inclusivity schoolwide by engaging in a number of initiatives that strengthened connections between members of the school community. These professional experiences solidified my belief that education is a powerful and transformative tool that empowers individuals to experience growth, success, and establish, in themselves, a firm belief that they are scholars with boundless opportunities. This principle will continue to guide my work within the Florence Sawyer Community.

In addition to my practical experience, my academic preparation has also contributed to my understanding of the nuances of teaching, learning, and leading. I received a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and a Master’s Degree in Special Education from Fitchburg State University. In 2019, I received a Doctorate in Education from Northeastern University in the area of Curriculum and Leadership. The coursework and research I completed allowed me to refine my leadership skills and explore the intricacies of school administration.

It is with great excitement and eager anticipation that I look ahead to the 2024 - 2025 academic year, and the journey we will take together to support the growth and development of our treasured students. A significant part of this journey will be creating meaningful and lasting partnerships with educators, students, families, and community members. As we prepare to embark on a new school year, I am excited to form these partnerships and serve Bolton and the Nashoba Regional School District.

Sincerely,

Marybeth Donlan

We have created the Virtual Backpack as a convenience for our families to capture forms, flyers, calendars, and other information that might have traditionally come home in a backpack.

Included on the Virtual Backpack page is a Community Events and Activities page where you can find non-school sponsored activities such community events, youth sports, community information for families, and other activities for children. We do our best to keep the CAEP updated.

Looking to support the Florence Sawyer School?

We are actively seeking volunteers to assist our on duty staff for both lunch and recess duties.

We are seeking individuals who would be willing to sign up for specific time intervals on a monthly calendar.

Lunch Duties in the Sawyer building run for 30 min intervals starting at 10:55 until 1:30pm.

Lunch Duties in the Emerson building run from 12:30-2:00pm.

You will be required to have a current CORI on file with the district.

If you are interested in helping us out please send an email to kdean@nrsd.net .

Additional information will be provided to those who reach out.

Any questions, please call 978-779-2821 X5106

Good Morning Nashoba Community,

I write today to provide you all with an update about our current COVID-19 practices. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has aligned with the updated CDC recommendations for the general public to prevent the spread of respiratory viruses. In response, Nashoba Regional is adopting this guidance, effective immediately.

The full explanation of the changes can be found HERE. If the hyperlink does not work, here is the actual link:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1LjVG34eVDf5W2_0GtnpwirykWNqU87nOmfZ3dIaaSTU/edit?usp=sharing

Brief Overview:

~People with respiratory virus symptoms should stay home until they:

1. Show and feel an improvement of overall improvement of their symptoms AND
2. Have remained fever free for at least 24 hours without fever reducing medications such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen (e.g. tylenol, advil, motrin, aleve, ect.)

~Once returning to work and life after respiratory symptoms improve, people should take added precautions for the next 5 days including cleaner air, hygiene, masks, physical distancing, and/or testing when you will be around other people indoors.

~People diagnosed with COVID-19, or any other respiratory virus return to regular activities based on their improved symptoms, and no longer have to remain in isolation for 5 days.

Please reach out to the District Nurse Leader, Myriah Zwicker or your school's nurse if you have any questions or concerns.

Be Well,

Myriah

E. Myriah Zwicker, MSN, RN, NCSN

<she, her, hers>

District Nurse Leader, Nashoba Regional School District

50 Mechanic Street

Bolton, MA 01740

Office Phone: 978-779-0539 Ext. 3039

"You can't educate a child who isn't healthy, and you can't keep a child healthy who isn't educated." Joycelyn Elders

With the mild winter, and the prospect of spring weather soon, we are expecting an early and active tick season. We have already had reports about ticks in the community. As our days begin to get longer and we spend more time enjoying the outdoors and athletic fields, here are a few tips to help prevent tick bites:

• Avoid wooded and brushy areas with high grass and leaf litter. Stay on trails while hiking.

• Wear light clothing, long-sleeved shirts and long pants, since ticks are easier to see on light clothing. Place your white socks over pant legs.

• Perform tick checks on yourself and your children after being outdoors. Have someone check areas you cannot see. Small ticks are hard to notice and prefer underarms, in and around ears, between legs, around the waist, and hair.

• Check your pets for ticks too.

• Ticks can enter homes on clothing then attach themselves to people. We encourage you to throw clothes in a dryer on high heat for 30 minutes to kill any ticks remaining on clothes, backpacks, stuffed animals, etc.

For additional helpful information about tick bite prevention, removing ticks, and tickborne diseases from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, please visit the following link:

https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/index.html

We're excited to share the new NRSD App with you. The app posts the daily lunch as well as the school calendar and a feed where we will share pictures and other information about the goings on at school.

NRSD App for Google Play

NRSD APP for IPhone

Get ready for Running Club! The final season of Running Club will start on May 7th. All Students in grades 2-5 are welcome. We focus on heart-pumping action to build endurance and speed. Jack-rabbits, tortoises, and everyone in between are encouraged to join. Running Club will meet before school on Tuesday and Thursdays at Derby Field. Running Club warm up/drop off, with an 8:00 start. Permission slips are available on the Virtual Backpack or at Running Club in the morning.

Since this is the final season , kindergarten and first graders are invited to the last week: June 4th and June 6th.

Florence Sawyer School Clubs and Activities

NRSD Before and After School Program (Extended Learning)

Nashoba Regional High School Athletics Information

We are excited to have you become a part of the Nashoba Regional High School Interscholastic Athletics Program. Nashoba Athletics is rich in pride and tradition. NRHS offers 50+ teams across 21 sports!

Participating at the high school level requires a greater commitment compared to a club or recreational team. Members of a team are expected to attend all practices and competitions. Weekend practice sessions may vary by sport and should be anticipated. In addition, teams do practice and compete over vacations and many holidays (i.e. Columbus Day, Veterans Day, etc.).

Prior to the start of each season, the high school will host a meeting for students and their parent(s)/guardian(s). These pre-season meetings serve as an opportunity for coaches to provide information about their program, team philosophy, expectations, and more.

The athletics office will send out information via email prior to each season, but we wanted to share information ahead of time for all potential incoming ninth graders.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Tania Rich, Director of Athletics, at trich@nrsd.net

NRHS Athletics Site

NRHS Coaches Directory

NRHS Team Schedules - ArbiterLive

Basketball Clinic

The high school coaches and players will be offering a 3-day clinic for students in grades 4-8 on June 17, 18, and 20 from 6:00PM to 8:00PM at Nashoba Regional High School. Come work on fundamental skills and drills with the high school coaches along with help from the boys & girls coaching staffs as well as HS student-athletes. Register online via the Nashoba Basketball Clinic google form! Contact Coach Manyak at gmanyak@nrsd.net for more information.

NGS Youth Clinic

The high school girls’ soccer program is offering a 3-day clinic for girls in grades 1-8 on August 12, 13, and 14 from 9:00AM to 12:00PM. NGS will hold the clinic at the Forbush Mill Fields in Bolton. Register online via the NGS Youth Clinic google form! Contact Coach Davis at bdavis@nrsd.net for more information.

NFH Youth Clinic

Come join us for a fun 3 days of field hockey! The high school coaches and players are offering a 3-day clinic for students in grades 1-8 on August 13, 14 and 15 from 9:00AM-12:00PM on the turf field at Nashoba. No experience required. Register online via the NFH Youth Summer Clinic google form! Contact Coach Mariani at jmariani@nrsd.net for more information.

Two students at Nashoba Regional High School created a brochure detailing all of the clubs and activities offered at Nashoba. For more information click on the QR code below.

FSS Family Directory is now available!

You can sign up to access the School Directory on the Bolton PTO Website. Directory memberships are $5 and you will be able to customize your directory listing and connect with other FSS Families. Visit https://boltonpto.membershiptoolkit.com/directory to update or create your directory listing!

Join the Florence Sawyer Community to watch the Worcester Woo Sox baseball team and support our PTO! It has become a FSS night not to be missed PLUS after the game- the spectacular Friday night fireworks show!!

Woo Sox Game Friday June 7, 2024 @ 645pm in Polar Park Worcester

Each $24 ticket will include:

- A seat in Section 1 of 3rd Base Reserved seating

- $2 of Loaded Value* to be used at the concession stand

- $5 fundraiser back to FSS school PTO

We look forward to a fun friends and family school night!

https://fevo-enterprise.com/event/Florencesawyer6

Please contact Kalyn Dudley daigle@gmail.com with any questions

Thank you!

Kalyn Dudley

FSS PTO

Last School Store of the school year will be held on Friday, June 7th during all Sawyer lunches.

This Month

June

4 - Grades 4/5 Band Concert - 7pm

4 - Pre K - AM End of Year Celebration

5 - Kindergarten Sneak Peak - 10:15 - 10:45am

6 - Grades 6-8 Band Concert - 6:30pm

6 - Pre K - PM End of Year Celebration

11 - Grade 3 Song flute/Chorus Concert - 6:30pm

12 - Grade 3 Bottle Project - 2:15pm

12 - School Council 3:30pm

13 - Preschool Last Day of School

13 - Recognition Night - Grade 8 - 6:30pm

13 - Last day of pre-school for the district

14 - Last Day of School - dismiss at 11:30am

Field Day Dates

June 4 - Grades 4-5 Rain date 6/10

June 5 - Grades 6-7 Rain date 6/11

June 6 - Grades K-3 Rain date 6/12

Be your best self.

Pave your path.

Impact the world.

Website: https://sawyer.nrsd.net/
Location: 100 Mechanic Street, Bolton, MA, USA
Phone: (978) 779-2821

You can download the App by going to NRSD.net, scroll down to the bottom of the home page and click on the App Store or Google Play links.