The Common
Dear Nashoba Community,
On Wednesday evening, the district administrative team presented our requests for the fiscal year 2027 school district budget at the School Committee budget workshop. This marked the beginning of a four-month process that will culminate in a proposed budget for town residents to approve during their spring town meetings. The workshop is our annual opportunity to demonstrate what the school district requires to execute our vision for a high-quality educational program. It is too early to know which requests will remain in the final budget presented at the hearing on March 4, 2026.
Several significant variables that impact the final budget are currently unavailable to us. Two primary factors include increases in state aid and the cost of employee health insurance. We expect to receive initial state aid figures by the end of January and insurance rates by mid-February. Once these factors are known, we can refine the budget to ensure we are presenting a responsible proposal that maintains and grows our educational vision.
To make it easier to follow along with the budget process, the district has created the FY27 Budget Development page, which includes the FY27 Budget Timeline, our Building the Budget informational video, important meeting dates, recordings of previous meetings, and other budget materials and resources. I encourage you to explore the page and stay informed as the process unfolds.
Peace,
Kirk Downing (He/Him)
Superintendent
Student Career and Academic Planning in One Place: Meet SchooLinks!
As part of Nashoba Regional School District’s continued implementation of My Career and Academic Planning (MyCAP), a state-supported process that helps students identify their interests, strengths, and goals while preparing for academic, career, and postsecondary success, we are excited to introduce SchooLinks, a comprehensive college and career readiness platform for NRSD students in grades 6-12.
We have done important work with platforms like MEFA and Naviance to support students’ MyCAP planning, and now SchooLinks allows us to bring all of our academic and career planning elements together in one consistent, student-centered space. This creates a valuable, personalized resource that grows with each student, supporting reflection, exploration, and informed decision-making throughout middle and high school.
Students have already been onboarded to SchooLinks and have begun completing the first portion of this year’s activities during middle school advisory, related arts rotations, and high school counseling seminars. These activities include short videos, quizzes, and college and career exploration that help students explore their interests, strengths, and goals. Each year, students build on this work, creating a record of reflections and experiences.
The work students begin in sixth grade is intentionally designed to build year after year. By the time students graduate, SchooLinks serves as a comprehensive record of their growth, interests, reflections, and goals, helping them make thoughtful post-graduate decisions related to careers, college, training, or other pathways.
How Can You Learn More?
- Keep an eye out! Next week, our middle schools and high school will be sharing more specific information in their newsletters about SchooLinks and the tools it provides at different grade levels.
- Our Family Information Hub is also being built out with a new SchooLinks page which we'll be launching next Friday, (1/23) and sharing out in The Common. This page will offer a great overview of the program from grades 6-12.
MRE Teacher Back on Little Minds, Big Thinkers Podcast; Talks Building Thinking Classrooms
A new episode of the Little Minds, Big Thinkers podcast featuring MRE’s own Gayane Hanyaloglu is now available, with a focus on what worked in her Thinking Classroom during 2025. In this follow-up conversation, Ms. Hanyaloglu joins host Tammy McMorrow to reflect on the strategies that most effectively supported student collaboration, engagement, and deep mathematical thinking over the past year.
This episode builds on Ms. Hanyaloglu’s earlier appearance on the podcast. In that initial conversation, she shared how her Thinking Classroom journey began after participating in a summer book group led by MRE math coach Karen Boisvert and implementing strategies from Peter Liljedahl’s Building Thinking Classrooms in Mathematics. This approach emphasizes student-centered learning through problem-solving, productive struggle, and peer collaboration.
Together, these two episodes offer a compelling look at how Thinking Classroom practices develop over time. We encourage you to listen to the latest episode, and revisit the first, whether you’re a teacher, parent/caregiver, or student. You’re sure to walk away inspired by what’s possible when students are empowered to think and learn together.
2026/2027 Pre-Kindergarten Lottery Application Open!
The 2026/2027 Pre-Kindergarten Lottery Application is now open. All families interested in enrolling their child in the Pre-Kindergarten program must submit an application by Monday, January 26th. Families will be notified of lottery results by email no later than Friday, January 30th, 2026. Applications submitted after the lottery deadline will be considered for enrollment on a space-available basis. If you have questions, please contact the Student Services Office at 978-779-0539 3023.
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!
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
Cold and Flu Season is Here, What Can You Do to Reduce Your Risk of Getting Sick?
The colder months are here and we have entered the peak season for 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's February Vacation Camp: Registration Now Open!
Consider joining the Extended Learning Program February Vacation Enrichment Camp for four days of fun in February! The camp will offer an array of enrichment experiences including: Buildwave, Snapology, Art-Ventures, Drama Out of the Box and more! Our vacation camp is packed with activities designed to keep kids engaged, active, and learning!
February Vacation Camp will run between Tuesday February, 17th and Friday February, 20th. To learn more about our February Vacation Camp offerings, and to enroll you student click here or use the button below!
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!
