The Common
Dear Nashoba Community,
Each year, the Nashoba Regional School Committee convenes to conduct a public hearing and decide on whether to enable students from neighboring districts to enroll in our schools through the school choice program. On Wednesday, April 30, 2025 the Committee voted to approve the Superintendent’s recommendation to close school choice enrollment for specific grades, while maintaining limited availability for others. This decision was reached after careful consideration of data presented during the school committee meeting on April 9, 2025. You can view the presentation by going to the school committee site to gain insight into the discussions that shaped this decision.
The school committee voted to approve the Superintendent’s recommendation to close school choice as follows:
Florence Sawyer School: Grades Kindergarten, one, two, and five
Mary Rowlandson Elementary: Grades Kindergarten, one, two, three and five
Center School: Grades Kindergarten, one, two, three and five
Hale Middle School: Grade seven
Nashoba Regional High School: Grade nine
The school committee voted to approve the Superintendent’s recommendation to open school choice and limited the number of students as follows:
Florence Sawyer School: 3rd(4 spots), 4th(1 spot)*, 6th(4 spots), 7th(1 spot), and 8th(4 spot)
Mary Rowlandson Elementary: 4th(4 spots)*
Luther Burbank Middle School: 6th(4 spots), 7th(4 spots), 8th(4 spots)
Center School: 4th(2 spots)*
Hale School: 6th(4 spots), 8th(4 spots)
NRHS: 10th (4 spots), 11th (4 spots), 12th (4 spots)
*Grade four will be capped to accept only four students for the entire district.
The application window opened today, May 2, 2025. It will remain open until 12:00 pm on Thursday May 29, 2025. There will be a Public lottery (if necessary), Friday, May 30, 2025 at 10:00 a.m., held in the School Committee Room, 50 Mechanic St., Bolton, MA. Any applications received after the lottery deadline, will be filled on a first come first served basis if available. School choice applications will not be accepted after June 26, 2025.
Finally, as our district’s budget season concludes, each town will hold its annual town meeting in the coming weeks. Lancaster and Bolton will convene on Monday, May 5, with Bolton also addressing its Proposition 2½ Override on Monday, May 12. Stow will hold its town meeting the following weekend, on Saturday, May 10. We would like to sincerely thank you for your engagement throughout this year’s budget process.
Peace,
Kirk Downing (He/Him)
Superintendent
The Great Road: Innovation Team
Goals of the NRSD Innovation Team include integrating digital learning practices across subjects and grade levels, using artificial intelligence to enhance teaching and learning, and collaborating to elevate student success. This student-centered team creates an environment where technology empowers a deeper shift in teaching and learning practice, building the skills and knowledge necessary for our educators and learners to thrive in our digitally connected world. You can listen in to learn more with the link below, or on our District Homepage.
26th Annual Nashoba Children's Day Fair - Tomorrow, Saturday May 3rd!
Join us for a fun-filled day at Nashoba's 26th Annual Children's Day Fair! Come out for a day of excitement and family fun! This event is rain or shine, so no matter the weather, the fun will go on. Don’t miss out on this exciting day and bring your family and friends for a great time. Read more below and check out our flyer to see the full list of events and offerings.
We're offering a host of FREE events to enjoy like: A variety of fun activities for children aged 8 and younger, a meet and greet with adorable goats, face painting, crafts, and sensory activities.
For sale, we will have: Grilled hamburgers and hot dogs, shaved ice, delicious homemade baked goods, and raffle tickets for a chance to win awesome prizes!
Get Ready to Ride!
We eagerly anticipate welcoming the remarkable class of 2038 into our school community with a series of enriching events and activities in the months ahead. Up next we'll be welcoming incoming kindergarten students to get ready to ride the bus! We encourage each of our families to save the date and to register!
📅 Mary Rowlandson Elementary School, May 8th, 6:00pm-7:00pm
📅 Florence Sawyer School, May 14th, 6:00pm-7:00pm
📅 The Center School, May 15th, 6:00pm-7:00pm
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
Why explore SEPAC?
SEPAC welcomes everyone. We strive to build a community of support for those on the special education journey.
Get connected
Get in touch on Facebook or by emailing: SEPACchairs@nrsd.net
Each town has parent liaisons whose contact information names can be found on the district website at: https://www.nrsd.net/page/sepac-special-education-parent-advisory-council
Spring is Here – So Are Ticks and Mosquitoes! Staying Safe This Tick and Mosquito Season
Prevent Tick Bites
- Use EPA tick repellent
- Wear long sleeved shirts and pants when walking in the woods or grassy areas
- Stay on cleared trails
- Check yourself, gear, and pets for ticks before getting into your car or home
Check for These Common Tick Bite Symptoms
Many tickborne diseases can have similar signs and symptoms. If you get a tick bite and develop
the symptoms below within a few weeks, see your healthcare provider. The most common symptoms of tick-related illnesses include:
- Fever/chills. All tickborne diseases can cause fever.
- Aches and pains. Tickborne diseases can cause headache, fatigue, and muscle aches. People with Lyme disease may also have joint pain.
- Rash. Lyme disease, Southern tick-associated rash illness (STARI), Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF), ehrlichiosis, and tularemia can cause distinctive rashes.
Don't Forget! Tick Checks!
One of the most important things you can do is check yourself for ticks once a day. Remember to check your children and pets, too. Remove any attached ticks as soon as possible.
The team, made up of Anderson Brodeur (Driver), Caterina Romano (Operator), Victor Patrizi (Human Player), George Taylor (Technician), Kelly Rickard (Pit Crew), Jill Valentino (Pit Crew), Abby Fantana (Scouting Leads) and Sara Albanese (Scouting Lead), made it through two days of intense qualification matches, and emerged as the #1 seed out of 75 teams in the Hopper Division - competing in front of an audience of nearly 30,000. As the top seed, Nashoba led an alliance with Team 2767 Stryke Force from Michigan and Team 2877 LigerBots from Newton, MA. Together, they won the Hopper Division playoffs and advanced to the final round of the competition, the Einstein Tournament. There, Nashoba won one match before being eliminated, earning an impressive 5th-place finish in the world.
Teams earn their way to the World Championships by accumulating points through strong performances at district and regional events. Out of approximately 3,800 teams worldwide, only 600 qualify for the FRC World Championships. Nashoba secured their spot by winning both the URI and WPI New England District Events, and by finishing 3rd in the Sosik Division at the New England Championships.
At the World Championships, the 600 qualifying teams are split into eight divisions of 75 teams each. Nashoba competed in the Hopper Division. The champions from each division then move on to the final stage of the competition—the Einstein Tournament, which is considered the ultimate goal for every FRC team.
Each year, FRC teams design and build robots to compete in a brand-new 3-on-3 game. This year’s challenge, Reefscape, tasked robots with collecting PVC pipe pieces (coral) and placing them on a structure (the reef). Robots also had to maneuver to pick up large rubber balls (algae) and launch them into a net (barge). In the final moments of the match, teams raced to grab onto a swinging steel cage and climb off of the ground.
Congratulations to Nashoba Robotics for another fantastic season. To watch part of the action, check out the video below!
DON'T MISS! Wolves of Nashoba Festival: Three Day Event Beginning TODAY 5/2
The Nashoba Symphonic Band, a program of the Nashoba Regional High School Friends of Music, supported by the local Arts Councils of Bolton, Lancaster, Stow, Berlin, Clinton, Ashby and Lunenburg, is planning an exciting series of events on May 2nd and 3rd, climaxing in a gala symphonic band concert at 3pm on Sunday, May 4th in the NRHS Auditorium. Keep reading to learn more about each of the events!
Saturday, May 3 at 7 p.m. “The Devil and Daniel Webster”
On Saturday evening, May 3rd at 7 pm, the Festival offers a radio-play version of Stephen Vincent Benet's classic one-actor, The Devil and Daniel Webster (with permission of Dramatists Play Service) 'broadcast' by the Little Wolf Players. The cast includes NRHS students, Jane Dailey, Alyssa Poch, Zain Khan, Ishaan Adhikary, Jacob Paul, Melody Robin and Audrey Blesik. The play tells the story of the nearly-local, Daniel Webster's clever courtroom defeat of none-other-than Old Scratch (guess who!). The 'broadcast' is given in the form of a old-time radio play.
Also on the program is the NSB Chamber Ensemble performance of a rousing instrumental suite from the 1952 comic opera The Good Soldier Schweik, by Robert Kurka, based on the satirical novel of Joseph Hasek. A pre-performance concert will begin at 6:15, featuring selections by the NSB Brass Choir, including the Fanfare from La Peri by Paul Dukas and one of the first performances of Three Miniatures for Brass Quintet by William Nicholson.
Sunday, May 4 at 3 p.m. “The Wolves of Nashoba” Festival Concert, World Premiere of work by Robert Sheldon
The Nashoba Symphonic Band, under the direction of David Wayne Bailey, will present the World Premiere of “The Wolves of Nashoba,” commissioned for the band by eminent composer, Robert Sheldon. Other works on the program include music by Persichetti's Chorale Prelude: Turn Not Thy Face, Freischutz Quickstep by Grafulla, Elgar's Nimrod and Alfred Reed's setting of the music from Mary Poppins, as well as marches by Sousa and W.Paris Chambers. Also expect a guest appearance by the Stow Colonial Fife and Drum Corps!
SPECIAL PRE-CONCERT LUNCHEON! in the NRHS Auditorium lobby from one until two-thirty, consisting of sandwich makings, salads and light desserts. The cost is $15 for adults, $10 seniors and students. Reservations are highly recommended which we will be accepting through Sunday, April 27th. Please send individual names or a group planning to attend (with a check made payable to NRHS Friends of Music) to Nashoba Friends of Music, Nashoba Regional High School, 12 Green Road Bolton MA 01740. Please include an email address so we can confirm the reservation. Tickets will be waiting at the door.
Please note that all “Wolves of Nashoba” events are wheelchair accessible. It is recommended that you notify us if you require additional seating consideration for any of the events so we are able to best serve your needs. Please address all questions and concerns to David Bailey dbailey@nrsd.net.
Nashoba vs. Clinton at Polar Park! 5/12!
Nashoba Athletics is excited to invite you to a special night of baseball and community spirit as the Nashoba Wolves take on the Clinton Gaels at Polar Park in Worcester! This is going to be a great opportunity for our team and a fun community event!
Date: Monday, May 12th
Time: 6:00 PM (Gates open at 5:30 PM)
Location: Polar Park, Worcester
Entry: All spectators must enter through Gate D
Nashoba Section: 3rd base side
Ticket Information:
Adults (18+): $5.00
Tickets can be purchased at the box office or online here
- NRSD Staff: Free with school ID at the box office
Students & Children under 5: Free
High school students must show their school ID at the box office to receive a free ticket
Concessions:
The concession stand will be open starting at 5:30 PM
Special Highlights:
Superintendent Downing will be throwing out the ceremonial first pitch at 5:55PM
Principal Bates will be announcing the game
This will be our Mental Health Awareness Game in partnership with the KyleCares Foundation
Let’s pack the stands and show our support for the Wolves!
