As a result of the snowstorm we have made some changes to our schedule for the week. You can find details about the plans for the week by clicking here.

We have also emailed this information to all students so that they are aware of the adjustments to the schedule including today's remote learning day and the cohort adjustments on Thursday and Friday.

Looking for a way to get involved at Nipmuc? All students in grades 9-12 are encouraged to be a part of Nipmuc's Portrait of a Learner Scholars Program. The commitment is approximately 4-5 hours total over the course of a month. The application is simple and all that apply will be accepted. Applications for the Portrait of a Learner Scholars Program are due by this Sunday, February 7 at 7pm. Don't miss out on this fun opportunity to tell your story of learning.

Learn more about this opportunity, the workshops, time commitment, and the outcomes on the Principals’ Blog. We look forward to working with many of you as the second class of PoL Scholars.

(Please note that you must be logged into your MURSD account to complete the application.)

Mass Insight Education & Research has selected Mr. Jim Gorman from our Science Department as the Partners in Excellence Teacher Award recipient for his exemplary work in their Advanced Placement STEM and English Program. He is one of 16 Massachusetts AP teachers who will be recognized virtually this March for his outstanding contributions to student success during the 2019-2020 academic year. Congratulations, Mr. Gorman!

The Nipmuc DECA program had another stellar showing at their district competition this year. In a year unlike anything we've ever encountered, leading to students competing in a different manner. While their testing portion was similar to the cluster exams administered in past years, students had to analyze their case studies and present their solutions virtually. While the process was atypical, the results were as positive as possible!

Nipmuc DECA has over 100 students moving on and competing at the DECA States virtual competition taking place over February and March. Click here for a list of our competitors and the category they placed in.

Tomorrow, February 3 from 12pm - 12:45pm, Nipmuc will hold its next virtual Food for Thought Lunch. These student feedback forums provide teachers and administrators the chance to hear directly from students about what’s working and how we can make the student experience at Nipmuc the best it can be. They usually include 15-18 students, 3 - 4 teachers, and us. In the past years, we’ve been able to meet with hundreds of Nipmuc students in these sessions.

Sign up using THIS FORM for this upcoming opportunity or to take part in Food for Thought Lunches in the future! (Please note that you must be logged into your MURSD account to complete the form.)

Attention all senior parents! A group of parents, along with the class advisors, are looking into ways to celebrate our senior class and to make this year special. We are unsure how the end of the year will go, so we want to start brainstorming ideas and fundraising opportunities so we can have some special celebrations for them that abide by all regulations. At this meeting, we will brainstorm and get names of people willing to help with these activities.

Meeting time: Wednesday, February 3 at 7pm

The meeting will be held on Zoom at this link.

If you are unable to attend this meeting but would like to be involved, please reach out to Ms. Reardon (kreardon@mursd.org) or Ms. Annunziata (jannunziata@mursd.org) to put your name on the interested list.

The class of 2022 is selling Valentine's Day Cake Pops! Made with cake, frosting, white chocolate, pink drizzle, and festive sprinkles! Each cake pop will be wrapped individually and tied with a bow. Cake pops are $3 each or 2 for $5. Payment in the form of cash or check only, please. Checks can be made payable to MURSD. Payment is due at time of pick-up.

You can place your order by clicking HERE. Orders must be placed by Friday, 2/5, and will be ready for pick-up on Friday, 2/12 from 2:00-3:00pm at Nipmuc. *These will be prepared and made at our school, while abiding by all COVID-19 guidelines. Gloves and masks will be worn at all times.*

Thank you for supporting the Nipmuc Class of 2022!

If you have questions please reach out to the Class of 2022 Co-Advisors

Mrs. Miklavic at lmiklavic@mursd.org or Ms. Beatrice at abeatrice@mursd.org

The Class of 2023 has a special fundraiser with the Dairy Queen in Milford (190 West Street) coming up on Wednesday 2/3. A portion of the proceeds that Dairy Queen makes between 5:00pm and 8:00pm that night will be donated to the Class of 2023, so you can enjoy your chicken fingers and/or your Blizzards and help the Class of 2023 at the same time! There is no form to fill out - it's as simple as craving a soft serve!

Thank you for supporting the Class of 2023, and we hope you have a wonderful transition into Semester 2!

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Beginning January 19th, MURSD will be implementing the BinaxNOW COVID-19 Ag Card test for students and staff who develop COVID-19 symptoms during the school day. Students and staff are not required to participate in the BinaxNOW testing. This is a voluntary program, requiring consent from parents and staff, and conducted by school nurses across the district. Please note - this is not pooled testing that has been discussed recently by Commissioner Riley and Governor Baker.

The BinaxNOW COVID-19 Ag Card is an antigen test. Antigen tests are designed to detect proteins from the virus that causes COVID-19 in respiratory specimens, for example nasal swabs. These are anterior (front of the nose) nasal swabs that cause little to no discomfort. They are not the posterior nasal swabs you may have heard about and/or experienced. Please click here for more information about this test.

The BinaxNOW test:

• requires parents to pre-register and provide consent prior to testing. Additionally, parents will be contacted by the school nurse, prior to testing, to obtain verbal consent. Testing will cease for any student who declines to participate.

• will be offered to students who develop COVID-19 symptoms during the school day. Students who develop COVID-19 symptoms while at home should not report to school to access testing. If your child is ill with COVID-19 symptoms, please keep them home and contact your school nurse or PCP for further guidance.

• requires that all students who are tested during the school day be dismissed home, even if the result is negative. The school nurse will provide follow up guidance on when your child may return to school.

• allows MURSD to begin immediate contact tracing for a positive COVID-19 test.

Nipmuc parents who wish to register their child, please click here.

Please call (508-529-2143) or email lmcinnis@mursd.org should you have any questions about the BinaxNOW testing program in school.

Take care,

Leslie McInnis, BSN, RN

Nancy Robbins, LPN

We wanted to say thank you to our wonderful food services staff who have worked hard throughout this pandemic to ensure students had their meals whether they were here in school or home for remote learning. This past week they had some fun as they waited outside for families to pick up their meals. (Can you find the snowman?) Thank you to Dianne, Karen, Laura, and Maryanne for all you do!