The Common

Hello Nashoba Community,

As we enter the final year of our current five-year strategic plan, Nashoba Regional School District is looking ahead to the development of our next roadmap for the future. With support from Teaching Learning Alliance (TLA), which facilitated our previous strategic planning process, we are planning an engaging and collaborative process that brings together students, families, faculty and staff, administrators, local boards, and community members to help shape the district's priorities for 2027-2032.

Here's a look at the anticipated timeline:

• December 14th and 17th, 2026: In-person meetings with constituent groups, including faculty and staff, students, administrators, local boards, and parents and community members.
• February 2027: Surveys distributed to constituent groups to gather feedback on perceptions and priorities.
• March and April 2027: Four Strategic Planning Committee meetings to examine data and make recommendations for what should be included in the plan.
• May 12, 2027: Presentation of the draft strategic plan at the School Committee meeting.
• May 26, 2027: Anticipated School Committee vote on adoption of the 2027-2032 strategic plan.

We look forward to hearing from our community and working together to shape the priorities that will guide Nashoba over the next five years. As we approach December, we’ll share more information about opportunities to participate in the process.

Peace,

Kirk Downing (He/Him)

Superintendent

Today, our Nashoba educators participated in district-wide professional development. This year’s professional development calendar focuses on strengthening coherence across departments, content areas, and grade levels. This focus builds on professional learning from previous years while creating opportunities for staff to align practices and support a more consistent learning experience for students across the district. Our professional development opportunities take place during each district-wide early release days throughout the year and feature sessions led by both Nashoba staff and outside facilitators, bringing a range of expertise and perspectives to the district's ongoing professional learning.

Earlier today, Grade K-3 Special Educators, Literacy Coaches, and Literacy Specialists participated in the first of a three-part series on using progress monitoring data to drive literacy interventions led by Crafting Minds. The group will continue this learning during the December 9 early release, focusing on formative, summative, and criterion-based measures, as well as how to triangulate data to inform instructional decisions and adjust teaching to better support student growth.

This is just one example of the professional learning taking place across the district. Across the district educators are participating in a range of sessions, including but not limited to: Beyond Numbers: Using Data to Inform Tier 1 and Tier 2 Literacy Instruction and Integration, Standards for Mathematical Practice in Bridges Series, Illustrative Math (IM), Building Thinking Classrooms, Supporting All Learners, Building and Strengthening Coherence, Building Curriculum Connections, Writing Benchmarks: Data Analysis, SEL Curriculum work, Mental Health First Aid Training, and more.

Throughout the year's early release schedule, grade-level educators, special programs educators, and related service providers, will continue to focus on specific and relevant professional development sessions, using dedicated time to strengthen alignment and put shared learning into practice across departments, programs, and grade levels.

Registration is open for free weekly playgroups for children ages 2-5 and their caregivers. For more information on playgroup time, locations, and dates, please click the button below. The playgroups are funded by the Department of Early Education and Care's CFCE grant and are designed to support young children in our communities by providing fun, hands-on learning and social opportunities. Space is limited.

The 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.

There are many ways to participate:

• Attend an executive session
• Attend a SEPAC Event
• Send an email at SEPACchairs@nrsd.net
• Follow SEPAC on Facebook
• Complete the SEPAC Caregiver Survey

Check out the SEPAC page on the district website for more information about scheduled events.

The Nashoba Associated Boards of Health has released their 2026 Vaccine Clinic Schedule. Vaccines offered include Flu, COVID, and RSV. Vaccines will be available for ages 6 months and up. The registration processes are different this year depending on the pharmacy administering the clinic. Please see the Nashoba Associated Boards of Health website for specifics.

Upcoming clinics in our community include:

• Stow: Pompo Community Center, Saturday, October 24, 2026

The next School Committee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, November 4, at 6:30pm, and will take place virtual. You can learn more about the items being discussed on the School Committee Planning Calendar. To watch the meeting live, click here.

The most recent School Committee meeting took place on Wednesday, October 7, 2026. The 10/21 School Committee Meeting Recording and the 10/21 School Committee Meeting Materials are available.

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!

FSS eighth grade students spent the week in Washington D.C., taking time to visit historical landmarks and museums!

NRHS Class of '08 graduate Monet Izabeth visted Center, Hale, and NRHS to present on becoming the first American woman to ski solo and unsupported to the South Pole (a 57-day, 700-mile journey across Antarctica!).

Two fifth graders at MRE in lieu of recess wanted to help teach a Kindergarten music classroom of students!

Educators from across the district visited the Massachusetts Computer Using Educators (MassCUE) Conference last week to attend different sessions.

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