August 19, 2025

Dear Center School Families,

Thank you so much for joining us for Back to School Night. It was wonderful to get to put so many faces to names and work to build new relationships. If you were able to attend we ask that you please take a few minutes to provide us some feedback on the evening by filling out this brief survey. I have attached the slides from the administrative welcome here for those of you who were not able to attend. I look forward to seeing some of you at either our upcoming coffee hour this week or our virtual listening session next week. I value your feedback and ideas as we dig into the year ahead.

After spending time with the students over the last two and a half weeks I have to share how kind and respectful your students have been. It has been wonderful seeing the students get back into the school routine and their behavior has impressed me. Thank you for your partnership and the time that you took to discuss expectations at home, it shows.

Over the last week we had multiple volunteers come forward with interest in being on the School Council. I will share those names with PTO and they will run an election. Be on the lookout for that election communication.

I hope everyone has a wonderful week ahead!

In partnership,

Kerryann Coppinger

Principal

kcoppinger@nrsd.net

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

Grades: 2nd and 3rd- Global Citizens Club: The Global Citizens Club will give 2nd and 3rd-grade students an opportunity to explore cultures and perspectives from around the world through language, music, storytelling, maps, and digital arts. Grounded in the Portrait of a Nashoba Graduate competencies, this club promotes empathy, curiosity, and responsible citizenship by introducing students to languages, traditions, and ways of life in different regions. Students will participate in engaging activities such as greeting each other in various languages, exploring global locations via Google Earth, listening to traditional songs, exploring world flags, and reflecting on lessons from international folktales. Each session supports social-emotional learning and civic responsibility by encouraging students to share ideas, practice kindness, compassion, and take pride in their contributions to a connected world.

Meeting Days: Tuesdays: 10/07; 10/14; 10/21; 10/28

Time: 3:05 pm – 3:45 pm Important Information

• Space is limited, and spots will be filled on a first-come, first-serve basis by filling out this form.
• Parents/Caregivers of accepted students will be notified by September 29.
• Once notified, to confirm participation, please complete the district registration form ( it will be forward to you upon accepted) and send it to:

kgallagher@nrsd.net (Ms. Kirsten Gallagher)
mflores@nrsd.net (Dr. Monica Flores)

selias@nrsd.net (Dr. Simone Elias)

bwarner@nrsd.net (Ms. Beth Warner)

Completed forms must be submitted by October 2nd to secure your child’s spot in the club).

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

September 29, 2025: Virtual Listening Session with Mrs. Coppinger at 5:00pm

October 1, 2025: FUN RUN (Please note the date change. Families invited if weather permits the event to be outdoors.)

October 8, 2025: Picture Day

October 13, 2025: No School

October 16, 2025: Coffee Hour with Mrs. Coppinger (9am); Virtual Listening session 4:00pm)

October 24, 2025: Early Release (12:15 Dismissal K-5, 11:15 Dismissal Pre-K)

Welcome Back 2025-2026 News from NRSD Health Services

Welcome back! We are looking forward to a safe and healthy school year. A few health-related notes:

HEALTH FORMS:

1) Please review/complete/update and submit your child’s “Student Emergency and Health Record” located online as part of PowerSchool’s Returning Student Registration. We use the information that you submit through this process to make sure that we have updated contact numbers to call if your child is sick or injured, and updated information about medical information and medication consent.

2) Be sure to provide the school nurse with new medication orders from your healthcare provider, care plans and a fresh supply of medication if your child needs it at school.

3) If you would like to inform the bus company/bus drivers of a medical condition, complete the School Bus Medical Emergency Information Form (sent home, emailed or available on the Health Services website) and send it to the address at the bottom of the form.

4) If your child is entering the school system (preschool, kindergarten or transfers into any grade), or is entering 4th, 7th or 10th grade, please supply a physical (within the last year) and updated immunization record to the school nurse.

SCHOOL MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION: Each year the district’s school nurses work with parents and guardians to develop plans for prescribed and over-the-counter medications that may need to be administered to students during the school day. In the case of certain over-the-counter (OTC) medications, our district physician writes standing orders that allow nurses to dispense ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), acetaminophen (Tylenol), diphenhydramine (Benadryl), antacids (Tums) some topicals (calamine lotion, hydrocortisone cream, bacitracin), throat lozenges, sunscreen and bug spray, with additional written and sometimes verbal permission from the parent or guardian. All medications must be administered under the direct supervision of the school nurse in the Health Offices unless specific criteria are met that would allow a student to self-carry and self-administer certain medications. As with any medication, parents must consult with their child’s school nurse to develop a medication plan. If you have any questions about the protocol for the administration of these or any other over-the-counter medicines, please contact your school's nurse.

For prescription medications and OTC medications not covered by district standing orders, the following applies:

· Medications (both over-the-counter and prescription) may be administered at school by the nurse with a written order from a licensed health care provider and with parent permission.

· No student may carry prescription or over-the-counter medication, including inhalers, at school without prior approval of the parent and school nurse.

· All medications should be delivered to the school nurse by a parent or responsible adult. Children are not allowed to carry medications to school. All medications must be in the original pharmacy or manufacturer’s container. No other containers will be accepted. Your pharmacy will provide you an additional labeled prescription container at no extra charge for the school.

All Medications require a Prescriber’s Order signed by the Prescriber and Parent.

Forms can be found on the NRSD website www.nrsd.net under Departments - Health & Wellness Services - Health Documents and Forms - Medication Order Form.

MANDATED HEALTH SCREENINGS: All schools are mandated by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to perform health screenings, including hearing, vision, growth/BMI (height/weight), postural (scoliosis), and SBIRT each year in certain grade levels. If you have any questions or concerns contact your school nurse. If you would like your child to be excluded from any of these screenings, please fill out the School Screening Opt Out form and return to your student's nurse by 9/25/25.

Opt Out Letter can be found on the NRSD website www.nrsd.net under Departments - Health & Wellness Services - Health Documents and Forms - Mandatory Screening Opt Out Form.

ATTENDANCE: Please notify the school daily as soon as you determine that your child will be late or absent due to an injury, illness or other “unscheduled” circumstance via PickUp Patrol.

We are so excited to welcome back your children for another year! THE NASHOBA REGIONAL NURSING TEAM

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. This is critical to ensure we have the proper end of day plan for each student Pk-5.

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!

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!

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!

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!