The Common
Hello Nashoba Community,
This week I am excited to share the launch of the Nashoba Regional School Committee’s new website. Last spring, the Communications Subcommittee of the Nashoba Regional School Committee surveyed families across the district to learn more about what type of information they were looking for from the School Committee, along with the best ways for it to be communicated.
The survey results were used by the School Committee to reformat their website to ensure more intuitive navigation, along with helpful updates to content. Updates include newly added buckets to help the school community more easily access meeting dates, agendas, recordings, Superintendent evaluations, annual hearings, and more. We encourage you to take a minute to explore the page.
In addition, we have developed a section in The Common called, “The School Committee Corner”. Each week upcoming meeting information will be posted, along with a link to the Planning Calendar so that our community can easily keep up with the School Committee meeting agendas week over week. This section will also feature the latest School Committee meeting recording.
With the School Committee’s updated website, and our commitment to a weekly feature, we are confident that our school community will find it easier to stay informed, connected, and engaged with the ongoing work across our district!
Peace,
Kirk Downing
Superintendent
Annual Sense of Belonging and Engagement Survey, Final Day to Opt-Out Today (4/3)
Last winter, we conducted surveys with students in grades 3-8 to better understand their social-emotional needs and how connected they feel within our school communities. The results helped shape our school improvement goals in the months that followed.
This April, we'll be asking students in grades 3-8 to take part in the survey again. This annual survey gives us the chance to check in with our students and see how well the supports we put in place last year are working. The upcoming survey will also include a section on students’ Sense of Belonging, and we expect it will take about 10-15 minutes to complete. Just like last year, the survey is anonymous. A separate survey will be given to our 9-12 students later in the month, more information will be available shortly.
Our Spring Surveys will be given over the course of the next two weeks. After the surveys are completed, school principals will summarize the results and share them with the school community, along with the next steps.
We hope all of our students will participate, as every voice matters. While our goal is 100% participation, we understand that some parents or caregivers may choose for their children not to participate. The survey is completely voluntary, and students can skip any questions or choose not to participate at all.
If you would like to see the survey in advance, feel free to reach out to your child’s school principal. The survey for grades 3-8 will be available for preview starting Monday, March 30, 2026. If you prefer your child not to take part, please complete the Opt-Out Form by Friday, April 3, 2026.
Nashoba Community Partnership, FREE Weekly Playgroups
The Nashoba Community Partnership for Children is now accepting registrations for FREE weekly playgroups for children ages 2–5 and their caregivers. Playgroups will be held in Bolton, Lancaster, and Stow from January to June 2026. For more information on the Playgroup times, dates, and locations as well as the registration, click here, or on the button below.
These playgroups are funded by the Department of Early Education and Care’s CFCE grant and are designed to support young families in our communities with fun, hands-on learning and social opportunities. Spaces are limited!
Have Questions About Special Education? The NRSD SEPAC Can Help!
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.
Upcoming Meetings
Meetings will be held on the following dates: 2/25, 3/,18, 4/29, 5/20, and 6/17. SEPAC Officers meet at 7pm followed by a Listening Session at 7:30. Open to anyone who wishes to discuss special education matters. All meetings are virtual and links can be found here (passcode: NRSDSEPAC).
Nashoba SEPAC Presents: Supporting Executive Function at Home: A Guide for Parents of 6th-12th Grade Students
Join us for a practical session on helping your middle and high schoolers thrive at home by strenghtening their executive functioning skills. Executive functioning refers to the mental processes that support goal-directed behavior, including organization, planning, emotional regulation, and time management.
Many students in grades six through twelve struggle in these areas, which can affect life at school and at home. In this talk, Dr. Lauren Lukasik and Dr. laura Austin wille xplain what executive functioning is, outline the key skill areas, and describe how challenges often show up at home. They will also share evidence-informed ways to support routines, build organization habits, and encourage independence in daily life.
This session is designed for parents and caregivers seeking both understanding and practical tools.
Event Date: Thursday, April 16, 2026
Time: 6:30pm
Format: Virtual
Meeting ID: 880 2668 6357, Passcode: 706090
Cold and Flu Season, Still Here!
The colder months are still here and with them we are in the season of stomach viruses, colds, flu, and other respiratory illnesses. Here are the best ways for students and families to reduce their risk of contracting and spreading illnesses in school and within the community:
Key Points to Prevent Illness
Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially before eating.
Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.
Avoid touching your face.
Use hand sanitizer when soap and water aren't available.
Stay home if you're sick.
Get vaccinated against common viruses like influenza, Covid, pertussis, and RSV.
To learn more about illnesses that are common during this time of year, please see the following links: Stomach Virus, Common Respiratory Illness, Strep.
Free Breakfast and Lunch Will Continue, Community Support and Resources Available
The district wants to reassure families that free breakfast and lunch will continue to be available to all students at every school, and these meals will not be affected by the shutdown.
In addition to school meals, families can access support through Project Bread’s FoodSource Hotline, provided by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). Hotline counselors are available in 180 languages to connect families with programs such as WIC and local food pantries.
The district’s Department of Health and Wellness has also compiled a list of local resources for families who need assistance or want to help others in the community. These resources include food assistance programs, holiday gift aid, general support services, and utilities help. The community has a strong network of partners dedicated to ensuring that no family goes without essential resources.
Extended Learning Lottery for 2026-2027 Now Open!
We’re excited to announce that the lottery for the 2026-2027 Extended Learning Program is now open! If you're looking for before and after school care for your K-5 child, you'll find all the details on our Extended Learning Program website.
The Extended Learning Program looks forward to continuing to support your children with a safe, engaging, and fun environment. Be sure to apply to the lottery for a chance to secure your spot for next school year.
Registration Open: April Vacation Camp!
The Extended Learning Program had a successful February Vacation Camp. Thank you to everyone who joined in, it was great to see so many happy campers! We're excited to share that registration for our April Vacation Camp is now available!
Our April Vacation Camp will offer an array of enrichment experiences including: Buildwave, Play-Well TEKnologies, Art-Ventures, and Drama Out of the Box! Our vacation camp is packed with activities designed to keep kids engaged, active, and learning!
Camp will run Tuesday, April 21st, and Friday, April 24th, and will be held at The Center school in Stow. These camps will be open to any K-Grade 5 student in the district. To learn more about our April Vacation Camp offerings, and to enroll your student click here.
NEW DATES! LBMS Drama's Alice in Wonderland Jr.
LBMS Drama is excited to present Disney's Alice in Wonderland Jr.! The show is based on the 1951 Disney film Alice in Wonderland and the Lewis Carroll novels: The Adventures of Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass. Tickets will be available at the door ($8 for seniors, $10 for students and adults).
Shows will run in the Mary Rowlandson Elementary School Auditorium on, Friday May 1st, at 6:30pm, and Sunday, May 3rd, at 2:00pm.
Open for the 2025/2026 School Year!
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!
