The Common

Hello Nashoba!

Last February, we proudly announced that Nashoba Regional School District was selected as one of only fifteen districts in Massachusetts to receive the Partnership for Reading Success in Massachusetts (PRISM I) Grant through the Commonwealth’s Literacy Launch Initiative.

On September 16th, 2025, the Healey-Driscoll Administration announced that out of $9 million dollars in continuation funding, Nashoba would receive $336,390. This funding will help us continue to build strong early literacy instruction by providing access to high-quality reading materials, technical support, coaching, and professional development for our teachers.

The Literacy Launch: Reading Success from Age 3 through Grade 3 is a statewide effort that focuses on making sure that every child develops strong reading and writing skills early on. These foundation skills set students up for success not only in school, but throughout their lives.

I would like to acknowledge the dedication of our Teaching and Learning Department who facilitated the work to bring this opportunity to our district. Their leadership, as well as the commitment of our staff who participated in the application process, the PRISM Leadership Team, and who attended the first Literacy Launch Institute in-person professional development this past August, have made it possible for us to strengthen early literacy for each and every one of our students.

I could say more about the importance of this work, but our Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning, Laura Friend, put it best, “This opportunity allows us to build on the great work already happening in our classrooms and to strengthen early literacy, ensuring that each and every child has the foundation to become a competent and confident reader and learner.”

Finally, I would like to highlight a recent communication shared with our community regarding the upcoming Route 117 construction. Beginning the evening of October 3rd, the bridge over the Still River in Bolton will be closed due to a Massachusetts Department of Transportation (Mass DOT) project. According to Mass DOT, the bridge closure will last two weeks. Following our initial communication we have received an updated Mass DOT Route 117 Bridge Repairs notice, please review it for details on the detour, as a significant portion of Route 117 will be shut down to traffic.

This is a project that will impact traffic in Bolton and Lancaster. As part of closure planning, the district has been in project meetings with Mass DOT, Bolton and Lancaster town officials, Bolton and Lancaster Police Departments, and Dee Bus. Due to the location of the bridge and planned traffic detour, all parties have expressed their needs to Mass DOT for detail officers, temporary signage, and changes to traffic light timing.

We are providing this notice to our district community to give student drivers, families, and staff time to prepare for extended commutes and the traffic changes noted in the Mass DOT notice. We will evaluate the impact on schools throughout the project and provide any necessary updates to you. In evaluating impact, if we identify a need to adjust bus routes and timing, we will communicate those adjustments to you. Please expect reminders about the project before the start on October 3rd.

Peace,

Kirk Downing (He/Him)
Superintendent

On September 24th, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) informed us that the recently announced MCAS Family Portal will not open on October 1st, 2025, as previously planned.

Instead, student MCAS score reports will be distributed as in previous years, by mail. We have not yet received the reports from DESE. Once they arrive at our Central Office and are officially released, they will be mailed directly to families. We will provide any further updates as they become available. If you have any questions, please contact the Teaching and Learning Department.

The Innovation Pathways Program is thrilled to be entering Year Two! Over the summer, we’ve been hard at work creating fresh opportunities for our students. One exciting addition is our expanded Guest Speaker Series. We’ve enhanced the hands-on experience by designing events where students first hear directly from industry experts, then dive into a focused project related to the topic, and finally receive feedback from our guest speakers. That’s where you come in.

We’re building out our Guest Speaker Series, where professionals like you can:

• Share your career journey and insights
• Watch students tackle real-world challenges developed specifically for your area of expertise
• Offer advice and feedback to help them grow

We’re currently looking for guest speakers with experience in the following areas: Marketing, Accounting, Human Resources, Investment Advising, Product Development, Branding Management, Welding, Fabrication, CAD Design, Mechanical Engineering, Product Design, Robotics Engineering, Machining, Graphic Design, Professional Photography, Magazine Editing, Mobile App Development, Data Analytics, Technology Law, Cybersecurity, and IT.

Don’t see your role listed? No worries! Even if your role isn’t mentioned, please submit your interest anyway, you never know how your expertise might connect with our program.

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 in touch by emailing SEPACchairs@nrsd.net. Each town has parent liaisons whose contact information names can be found on the district website.

For additional opportunities and events offered by MassPAC check out their All-Access October Calendar below.

The Department of Early Childhood is excited to share that our Nashoba Community Partnership for Children weekly playgroups began this week! These groups are a wonderful way for children to play, learn, and grow together while families connect with one another. For more information the groups, dates, times, and locations click here. Playgroups are made possible with support from the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care’s Coordinated Family and Community Engagement Program.

The annual flu and COVID vaccine clinic put on by the Nashoba Board of Health will be held Wednesday, October 1st, 2025 from 3:00pm-6:00pm in the Nashoba Regional High School cafeteria. For those interested, pre-registration is recommended. For the full clinic schedule, registration links, and our FAQ click here.

The Nashoba Athletics Booster Club is excited to offer two online apparel stores. Perfect for students, staff, families, and the entire Nashoba community! Stock up on hoodies, t-shirts, hats, and more to show off your school pride.

The Game One Store is focused on Wolf-themed gear and will be open until Sunday, September 21 at 11:59 PM. The BSN Sprint Store includes a mix of Wolf gear and Nashoba apparel with the “N” logo, and will stay open through Monday, September 22 at 11:59 PM.

The NRSD Performing Arts Department is excited to launch its 2025-2026 calendar of events. With over thirty performances scheduled throughout the school year, ranging from concerts to musicals, featuring students from elementary through high school, and taking place both in school and in the community, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Get ready for an enchanting evening of magic, mischief, and mayhem! Nashoba Drama is excited to bring Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream to the stage this November. Don’t miss your chance to see this timeless classic performed by our talented cast. The show will run Friday, November 21st at 7:00pm, Saturday, November 22nd at 7:00pm, and Sunday, November 23rd at 2:00pm.

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!

Click here to tell someone they are Nashoba Notable!

FSS students lent a helping hand to each other during last week's bus evacuation drill!

The MRE Husky delivered the prize of a Dunkin' gift card to a staff member for correctly guessing the artist & song of the Friday announcements MRE radio contest; Congratulations Miss Kristine!

NRHS students enrolled in the Robotics and Drones course worked on their initial build before testing it out in the Robotics ring.