August 19, 2025

Dear Center School Families,

What a fantastic first few days of school! It has been a joy to begin building relationships within the Center community, and I am truly grateful for the warm welcome and support. Thank you for helping us launch the PickUp Patrol program, your cooperation is already making a positive impact on our daily operations and helping things run more smoothly for everyone.

Looking ahead, I’m excited to invite you to our Back to School Curriculum Night for grades 1–5, which will take place on Wednesday, September 10th, from 6:00–8:00 p.m. This year, our district is introducing a refreshed model for Curriculum Night that is designed to strengthen the partnership between home and school. The evening will provide families with a clear understanding of what students will be learning and how instruction will be delivered.

Educators will share the high-quality instructional materials being used in the classroom, as well as their goals and expectations for the year ahead. This event is intended for caregivers only, allowing for meaningful conversations and relationship-building between families and teachers, key to supporting each child’s success.

We will use the following structure for the evening:

6:00 - 6:20 Administrative welcome in Cafe for grades 1-2

6:25 - 7:00 Classroom teacher presentations in classrooms for Grades 1-2

7:00 - 7:20 Administrative welcome for grades 3-5

7:25 - 8:00 Classroom teachers presentations in classrooms for Grades 3-5

All specialists (Art, Music, Physical Education, Technology, Library, Health, and the Literacy Team) will be available in their rooms from 6:30 – 8:00 for families to drop in and discuss curriculum.

While this format is a shift from previous years, please know we are committed to creating a variety of student-centered events throughout the year where our students will be front and center. We look forward to learning and growing together as a school community.

In partnership,

Kerryann Coppinger

Principal

kcoppinger@nrsd.net

Monday, September 1: No School

Friday, September 5 (9:00 am): First All School Meeting (Student event only)

September 10, 2025: Center Back to School Curriculum Night (Grades 1-5) from 6:00-8:00pm (See above details)

September 12, 2025: Early Release (Student Dismissal at 12:15pm K-5; Pre-K dismissal at 11:15)

September 19, 2025: Coffee Hour with Mrs. Coppinger at 9:00am

September 23, 2025: Grade Five Outdoor Classroom Guardian Zoom at 5:00pm

September 29, 2025: Virtual Listening Session with Mrs. Coppinger at 5:00pm (Please note the date change)

October 2, 2025: Booster Fun Run (More info to come, families will be welcome weather permitting.)

October 8, 2025: Picture Day

I am thrilled to introduce a few hiring updates!

Dawn Mesite - District Math Coach (3-5)

Taylor Gordon - LTS Instructional Assistant

Jane Collins - Team Chair

Gregory McKenzie - Band Director

Thank you for your support in having a clear streamlined process for attendance.

If you haven't confirmed your default plan please click the link in your email and do so as soon as possible.

All attendance changes will be communicated through PickUp Patrol. If your child is going to be absent for the day please confirm the absence in the app before school starts. The app will close to absence edits at 9:30am. Any afternoon dismissal changes must be submitted prior to 2:00pm.

Thank you for your support in getting this awesome new program up and running!

Hello Center School Families!

I am happy to introduce Center School’s new band director, Greg McKenzie! He comes to us from New Hampshire with 20+ years of band experience. We’re looking forward to making some awesome music this year! Mr. McKenzie will make an appearance at some lunches over the next week and a half to answer questions from students.

It is not too late to sign up for band and chorus! Please see information below about each ensemble.

PLEASE NOTE: Students are unable to join both Band and Chorus concurrently, as the ensembles rehearse at the same time.

Please feel free to contact ncohen@nrsd.net with any questions. See you soon!

BAND (with Mr. McKenzie):

Band at Center School is an elective for E day specials for fourth and fifth grade students. Students in band rehearse as a large group during their Related Arts time on E days. Small-group lessons (by instrument type) will take place before school (7:45-8:25) for woodwind and brass instruments (flute, clarinet, alto saxophone, trumpet, and trombone). Percussion small-group lessons are during recess on E days only.

Fourth Grade Band Sign-Up

Fifth Grade Band Sign-Up

Sign-ups should be completed as soon as possible - preferably by Monday, September 8th. Fifth Grade students who were either not in Band last year or will be switching instruments should indicate that in the comment section at the bottom of the sign-up form. (Yes! We would love to see some 5th Grade beginners!)

Concert details will come at a later date. Before-school lessons will start the week of September 8th for first-year players while second-year players will start their before-school lessons during the week of September 29th. A schedule will be sent out soon.

You will need to rent an instrument from David French. Many of the instruments that were ordered earlier this month have already been delivered to the school and will be handed out to students on Wednesday during their E day Related Arts Band Rehearsal.

CHORUS (with Ms. Cohen):

Chorus at Center School is an elective for E day specials for fourth and fifth grade students. Students in chorus rehearse during their Related Arts time on Friday. Students will not miss recess, academics, or other Related Arts classes if they take Chorus.

There will be three concert opportunities for students this year in chorus: two evening concerts at Center (January/May) and the district-wide Nashoba Sings! concert (date TBD, usually late January).

Fourth Grade Chorus Sign-Up

Fifth Grade Chorus Sign-Up

A huge Thank You to the SPTO for such a wonderful Back to School BBQ Event! It is such an honor to serve in such a wonderful community.

SPTO Annual Fall Family Portraits

We’re so excited to partner with Jim & Kate of Seeking Spirit Photography for this year’s Fall Mini Sessions!

Session Dates & Times

• Friday, September 19 | 3:00–6:00 PM

• Saturday, September 20 | 8:30 AM–12:00 PM & 12:45–5:00 PM

Fall Mini Sessions – $125
Each session includes:

• A 15-minute time slot

• 5 edited digital images

A portion of proceeds will go directly to support the SPTO

Reserve your spot here: https://calendly.com/seekingspirit/stow-pto-minis

Spots are limited—don’t miss this chance to capture beautiful fall memories with your family!

Returning Student Registration was sent to families on Thursday, August 14th. If you received an email prompting you to complete the Returning Student Registration for your child please complete it by September 2nd. If you have any questions please reach out to Kirsten Gallagher at kgallagher@nrsd.net. We thank you in advance for getting this back to school task completed.

If you are looking for a way to help support your child's school experience please consider applying to be a lunch monitor. The lunch monitor is a paid position that works 2.5 hours as day, (11:00-1:30) 5 days a week. If you are interested please apply here. Filling this position helps make our school be the best it can be!

Substitutes play a critical role in helping our school succeed and Center School needs more of them! If you have the flexibility in your schedule or know someone who does, it is an incredible way to support our school community. Please reach out with any questions.

Apply Here

We appreciate your help in growing our substitute pool!