Natick Redhawks

Hello Natick High School Caregivers,

As we move into the next two weeks, we are heading towards the Thanksgiving break! This is a hectic time of year with a lot to celebrate. I encourage you to check out our Redhawk Pride section below to see some of the post-season successes of our fall teams, an update on a fall clean-up organized by Natick Above the Influence (NATI), a celebration of two of our students who were awarded the Massachusetts School Superintendent's Award, the list of our student musicians selected for the MMEA Eastern District Festival and pictures of our five senior student athletes who signed on to play collegiate sports as a part of Wednesday's NCAA signing day. All-in-all, it has been a busy and successful November!

As we head towards the holiday season, many here are excited for things to come. Below, you will see information on the upcoming Natick Frosty 5K to benefit the Cross County and Track Boosters, our (student only) pep rally and the upcoming National Honor Society Induction.This time of year brings many activities and opportunities to celebrate with family and friends. However, for some, this time of year may also come with less favorable emotions. If your NHS student could use additional support during this time of year, we encourage you to get in touch with their guidance counselor to see how we can help. We also know that some families benefit from extra resources this time of year. If you are in need, I encourage you to check out the Food Resources enclosed in this past district newsletter including those contained in this flyer.

Lastly, I encourage you to take a look at the additional announcements below, including how seniors order their caps and gowns, information on a 10th grade fundraiser and how 9th graders pay their class dues.

Warmly,

Josepha Blocker

Principal, Natick High School

11/14 - Term 1 grades released in Powerschool, 3 pm

11/19 - Virtual Office Hours for Parents to Learn about CD, 12 pm

11/19 - National Honor Society Induction Ceremony, 6 pm

11/19 - Multilingual Learner Thanksgiving, 6 pm

11/19 - 11/20 - Metrowest Adolescent Health Survey (MWAHS) administered

11/26 - Pep Rally

11/26 - Early Release for Thanksgiving break

11/27-11/28 - Thanksgiving Break - No School

12/1 - NILS - No School

12/4 - ELPAC/SEPAC joint virtual meeting about Competency Determination, 6 pm

12/5 - NHS Theatre presents Beetlejuice, Jr., @ 7:30 pm

12/6 - NHS Theatre presents Beetlejuice, Jr.,@ 2 pm and 7:30 pm

12/10 - Caregiver Conferences

All students must have a picture taken annually. Paradise Photos will return to NHS next week to photograph students who did not get their picture taken in September, or who would like to retake their pictures.

Date: Thursday, November 20th

Time: 7:30 am - 1:15 pm

Where: Main Lobby

Earlier today, I sent a separate message about the new Competency Determination requirements required by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. These requirements will impact students moving forward. I encourage you to read through them, and contact us for further support. There is a list in the message of who can assist you and how you can contact them. There is also information on two open meetings that you can attend to learn more and ask questions. Those meetings are:

• A Virtual Lunchtime Open Meeting with Vice Principal of Teaching and Learning Dr. Erica Cole Harms and Principal Josepha Blocker
• When: Wednesday, November 19th at noon
• Link: https://meet.google.com/tgv-ucdv-wgh

• ELPAC & SEPAC Joint Virtual meeting with Director of Student Services Erin Miller, Assistant Director of Multilingual Learners Joseph Santiago-Silvestri and Principal Josepha Blocker
• When: Thursday, December 4th at 6 pm
• Link: To be sent directly to ELPAC and SEPAC members

All National Honor Society inductees and their families are invited to attend this year's ceremony on Wednesday, November 19th at 6 pm in the auditorium. Business attire is recommended. There will be a reception in the cafeteria after the ceremony. Congratulations to all of the Class of 2026 inductees.

If you plan on walking in the graduation ceremony, you need to order a cap and gown. Seniors who are planning to borrow a cap and gown from a past graduate, you should still order a tassel.

To order, visit www.jostens.com.

Deadline: December 19th

Also available: Natick Class of 2026 swag!

A week from Wednesday morning, we will host our annual pep rally for students. Please note that this event takes place during the school day. As such, the pep rally is only for current students and staff; we are unable to accommodate outside guests for this event. Thank you for your understanding!

Help support the Class of 2028 and get into the holiday spirit! Our wreath fundraiser is in full swing - perfect for decorating your home or gifting to loved ones.

Order your wreath from Worcester Wreath and Co. today to save 10%. In return, the Class of 2028 will receive 25% of all proceeds.

Let’s make this season merry, bright, and full of support for our students! Be sure to include the code "NATICK28" in the coupon code box at checkout.

Support the annual Student Council Food Drive for A Place to Turn. Natick High's donation is usually one of the largest that a Place to Turn receives each year. Now more than ever, A Place to Turn is relying on us to help thousands of local families, as one in three households in Massachusetts experiences food insecurity. Our goal is to exceed 5000 items! To support the effort, students can bring non-perishable items to the front lobby.

Class dues, a one-time fee of $150 to pay for class activities, can be paid at any time during a student's four years of high school. We greatly appreciate students who choose to pay this fee early, as it allows us to begin planning our class events early.

Class dues can be paid online or via check.

• Pay online here.

• Write a check payable to "Natick High School" with the student's name and "Class of 2029" in the memo line

If you have questions about the class dues, please contact the Class of 2029 advisors:

Isabelle Scott (iscott@natickps.org) or Alek Fleury (afleury@natickps.org)

Natick High School Theatre Company's production of Beetlejuice, Jr. is offering advertising space in its playbill.

By advertising in our program, you will reach our students, theatre audience, and the MetroWest community while supporting our theatre program. All profits from advertising go directly to supporting this production and future theatre programs. No donation is too small!

To advertise, fill out the form here: Beetlejuice, Jr Advertising Form

You can now purchase your 2025-2026 yearbook HERE.

Any questions related to yearbook orders should be directed to Yearbook Advisor, Jonathan Fleming, at jfleming@natickps.org.

Please visit the Natick High School Yearbook's website for further information about:

• Senior photos
• Senior quotes
• Senior surveys

• Purchasing an ad in this year's yearbook

Thank you in advance for carefully reading the athletic registration information below. We look forward to working with your student athlete this season!

NEW INFORMATION REGARDING PAYMENT

Payment is not needed until teams are made.

Payment Deadline*: Complete payment / Financial Assistance is due on December 15, 2025 @ 12pm

* Payment made after 12/15 at noon will incur a $25 late fee.

* If payment has not been made by 12/22 at 12pm, your student will NOT be permitted to participate until payment is made.

First Day of the MIAA Winter Season: December 1, 2025

The MIAA allows winter athletics to begin as of this date. More information will be shared from the Athletics Department in the coming weeks on specific first-day details for each team, including sites and times.

Registration is a two step process:

• Signing your student up through Arbiter Sports

• Submitting payment through UniPay by credit card or eCheck.

Detailed instructions on these processes are here: Online Registration Instruction Sheet

The athletic fee is $275.00 except for, Boys Swim & Dive which is $325, Ice Hockey which is $500, and Alpine Ski which is $500. There is a Family Cap of $1500.

The series will be held Monday, November 17th to Thursday, November 20th each day after school from 2:17-3:25pm.

The sessions are as follows:

Monday Nov. 17th - Build a Resume that Stands Out! (led by the Natick Service Council)

Tuesday Nov. 18th - CPR and First Aid Skills (led by the Natick Fire Department)

Wednesday Nov. 19th - Stay Safe & Stay You (led by Natick 180)

Thursday Nov. 20th - Personal Finances 101 (led by Natick High School)

Students who want to attend any of the sessions need to complete THIS FORM.

Join us for a fun run around the neighborhood to support our NHS Cross Country and Track & Field athletes. Run, walk, stroll – all are welcome. We will use a USATF Certified 5K course, entirely run by volunteers.

• Dress in your favorite costume.
• Raffles, great prizes, Music, hot chocolate, local vendors will be available.
• NHS’s own a cappella group Seven’s Not Enough will also perform!

This is a really a fun community event and a great opportunity to get outdoors with family and friends.

Sign up: https://natickxcandtrack.org/frosty-5k/

When: Sunday, December 7th at 9am

Where: Start and finish at the High School

Natick High School had 56 students try out for the MMEA Eastern District Senior Festival. Of those who tried out, 19 students were accepted across the four domains of band, orchestra, choir and jazz. Of those students 12 were recommended for All-States.

We are proud of every student who put in the effort to audition, whether or not they were accepted into the festival. Great job and congratulations to all of the students.

Twenty-five students from the Natick Above the Influence (NATI) cleaned up the areas at the Navy Yards and around our grounds at the high school. Thanks to their efforts, several large bags of trash were removed from the sites.

Thank you to NATI and to Natick 180, which supports of our NATI club. Thank you also to the Natick Health Department, which provided the gloves, bags, and tongs to pick up the trash, drove a town bus to take the group over to Navy Field, and provided adult chaperones.

We are grateful to everyone who is committed to the environment in and around Natick!

Natick’s John Bianchi won the state cross country meet last Saturday in Wrentham, leading a strong showing for the Redhawks. The Natick boys placed second overall as a team, adding to a successful weekend for the school. They continue to the MIAA Meet of Champions this weekend.

Girls Swim and Dive concluded their season taking fourth place at the Division 1 state meet at Boston University last Sunday. A special shout out to Georgia Crisafuli for her victory in the 100m butterfly.

Boys and Girls Soccer both continue their winning streaks! Last night, against BC High, the boys won in overtime. Also last night, the girls dominated against Braintree, winning their place in the next round. Good luck and go Redhawks! Dates for the next round will be announced shortly.

Last Friday, Football beat Weymouth to advance to the Final 8! They will continue today at 6 pm at Memorial Stadium versus Central Catholic. They will be joined by our pep band and cheer team. Come cheer on our Redhawks tonight!

Natick's Cheer team is heading into Regionals at Marshfield High School after a strong performance last weekend. Good luck Natick Cheer!

On Wednesday morning, we celebrated five NHS student athletes who signed on to play collegiate athletics as a part of National NCAA Signing Day. Together with their coaches, families and friends, we celebrated the following students:

Lydia Proia - Seton Hall, Soccer

Nicole Proia - Seton Hall, Soccer

Abby McCauley - Fordham University, Soccer

John Bianchi, Boston College, Track

Jasmine Attia - University of North Carolina, Fencing

On Monday night at the School Committee meeting, seniors Grace Zhang and Michael Coppellotti were awarded Massachusetts Assosciation of School Superintendents Award for Academic Excellence. Superintendent Melissa Spash presented Michael and Grace with the award in recognition of their pursuit of excellence during their high school careers.

Regular attendance to school is vital to your student's education. If your NHS student needs to be absent, please email call the absence line at 508-647-6601 before 10 am on the day of your student's absence. Please note that if we do not receive the necessary call from you, you will receive a call from us! Please see the handbook for other attendance related information regarding excused absences.

Reminder If you want to volunteer in schools, you must have a CORI check conducted and you must go into the building with identification (drivers license or passport) to do this. Click here for description of what a CORI check is and does. Without a CORI check, you cannot volunteer in the school. Here is the form to fill out for a CORI.

Thank you to our PTSO for their ongoing support to our students and faculty. Our PTSO is looking for more volunteers to assist them with their work for the school year. You can learn more about the NHS PTSO, and how to get involved by visiting their website and subscribing to their monthly newsletter at the top of their webpage. You can subscribe to their monthly newsletter at the top of their webpage!

Please reach out for more information about volunteering opportunities at natickhighptso@gmail.com.

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