Brown Elementary Update

It's is hard to believe it is May already! We're in the home stretch!

Our 3rd and 4th grade students will be taking MCAS math during the next two weeks.

• Grade 3 - May 6 and May 7
• Grade 4 - May 12 and May 14

This is a great opportunity for our students to show what they have learned and demonstrate the PAWS value of WORK HARD! Please help set your child up for success by ensuring they get a good night's sleep, eat a healthy breakfast, and arrive on time to school on test days!

We also have a lot of fun events to look forward to in May. Students will be heading out on field trips and enjoying cultural arts presentations at school. Our third graders will be performing for their families and friends.

As the weather warms up and we enter this fun season filled with exciting events, I want to remind our entire community about something that has anchored us all year long: our PAWS core values. Practice Empathy, Act Respectfully, Work Hard, and Solve Problems Together—these aren't just words on a poster. They're the foundation of who we are as a school community. When students practice empathy with their classmates, act respectfully toward one another, work hard even when things get tough, and solve problems together, they set themselves up for success—not just for the rest of this year, but for years to come. I encourage you to have conversations at home about how your child is living these values each and every day.

Before I close, I must give a tremendous shout-out to our wonderful PTO for hosting an absolutely fantastic book fair this week! It was so great seeing how excited the students were about visiting the book fair and about their book choices. Thank you for everything you do to support our students and our school.

Here's to a wonderful, focused, and joyful May. Together, we'll finish this school year strong!

Warmly,

Dr. Even

Come see some amazing artwork created by elementary students across the district, including our accomplished artists from Brown School. During the month of May, pieces will be on display at both the Natick Community Senior Center (117 East Central Street) and the Morse Institute Library (14 East Central Street). Mrs. Parven and the other elementary art teachers will also be hosting a closing reception at the Morse on Wednesday, May 27th from 4-5pm to mix, mingle and celebrate before the art comes down. All are welcome! Thank you for supporting our young artists!

Congratulations to the students who earned PAWSitive office referrals for demonstrating our PAWS core values in the last two weeks: Matthew from Ms. Culverhouse's class and Kaden from Ms. Laufer's class.

A message from Kennedy Principal Jodie Cohen regarding School Year 2026/2027
In the next month, we will begin our scheduling process for the next school year. If there is information you would like to share regarding your Grade 4 child's learning style, please put it in writing to us no later than May 15th. Email is fine. Please send to our main office admin assistant, Tave McGrath at: tmcgrath@natickps.org.

Spring has arrived and with the warmer weather here, we wanted to send a few reminders:

• Please send a refillable water bottle with your child every day to help them stay hydrated.

• Keep a change of extra clothing in their bags and make sure it is seasonally appropriate as the weather changes.

• If your child requires sunscreen or insect repellant, this should be applied at home..For safety reasons, students may NOT carry any prescription or over-the-counter medication in school per MA law 105 CMR 210.00 and per Natick Public Schools (NPS) policy. If you have any questions about this, please contact the nurse.

Attention 3rd Grade Parents:

Have you submitted a recent physical exam to the nurse?

If you have not already done so, please send the most recent copy of your child’s “school and camp form” to the nurse at BrownNurse@natickps.org or your child’s physician can also fax a copy directly to 508-647-6669. Thank you!

Dear Natick Families,

We want to highlight an important resource available to students and families through our partnership with Cartwheel. This service provides timely support for students experiencing social, emotional, behavioral, or mental health challenges.

A few key points:

• Students can typically meet with a licensed therapist within a few days

• Appointments are virtual and designed to fit your schedule, including afternoons, evenings, and weekends

• Services are available in multiple languages, including Spanish and Portuguese

• MassHealth is fully covered, and most private insurance plans are accepted

Getting started is quick and straightforward—families can learn more and complete a brief interest form here. No referral is needed, and families can reach out whether concerns are emerging or ongoing

Supporting students’ mental health is a shared priority. We want to ensure families have clear, practical pathways to access care when it’s needed.

Wednesday May 13th is an early release day. Please make arrangements for a 12:15 dismissal time. Please enter any changes in pick-up patrol no later than 11:30AM.

Drop-off begins at 8:20. For the safety of all Brown students, please confirm that a staff member is on duty prior to letting your child out of the car.

Make sure to update your default pick up plans in Pick Up Patrol (PUP). Any daily changes to your default plan must be entered on PUP by 1:30PM (11:30 on early release days). Please help us ensure that dismissal is safe and efficient for all Brown students!

May 6 and May 7: MCAS Grade 3 Math

May 12 & May 14: MCAS Grade 4 Math

May 13 - Early Release

Please see the flyer below for food resources available in the community. Please use this link to access live links and translations.

Natick Public Schools does not discriminate in employment nor its educational programs, services, and activities based on race, creed, color, age, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, physical and intellectual differences, immigration status, homeless status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Please be aware all electronic communication to and from Natick Public Schools is public record and subject to public disclosure per Massachusetts General Law Chapter 66, Section 10.

• Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990
• Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990
• Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
• Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972
• MGL, Ch.76, Section 5: Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 76, Section 5