
The Common

October 6, 2023
Superintendent Update
Dear Nashoba Community,
Next Wednesday, October 11th, Spring 2023 MCAS Parent/Guardian Reports will be mailed home to families. The MCAS Parent/Guardian Report provides families with their child’s results from the Spring 2023 Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) tests in English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science and Technology/Engineering, where applicable.
The MCAS assessment is designed to measure performance based on the Massachusetts curriculum standards and to report the performance and progress, or growth, of individual students, schools, and districts over time. It is important to remember that the MCAS assessment represents only one measurement of achievement. Information about your child’s achievement in the MCAS Parent/Guardian Report should be considered alongside other assessments. At Nashoba, we have multiple measures of assessment data to support our understanding of student learning needs.
As we look ahead, we will continue to work towards continual improvement for all students. We see parents as critical partners in the success of our students and school, and we are grateful for the continued support of our families. The following site contains resources that may be helpful: MCAS Resources for Parents and Guardians.
Peace,
Kirk Downing
(He/Him)
“Be your best self. Pave your path. Impact the world.”
News from the Department of Teaching and Learning
K-3 Early Literacy Screening and Family Communication
Our teachers have many ways to assess students' reading development and growth. One of those ways is through an early literacy universal screening assessment. Early literacy universal screening assessments are brief tests that provide information about a child's early reading skills. Screening makes it possible to see if a student is at risk of developing reading difficulties, including risk of dyslexia. Screening does not diagnose dyslexia or other disabilities, but it does help us understand which students may need additional support to be successful readers. Massachusetts schools must screen students in grades K-3 at least twice per year.
Nashoba's approach includes screening students in grades K-3 twice yearly using the district's universal screener, Renaissance Star Early Literacy and Star Reading. Following the screening, our school-based teams will review each student's performance and use the information to help inform next steps for instruction. If screening results for a student fall significantly below the grade level benchmark, families will receive a phone call and a follow-up letter from their child's school informing them of the results and the school's next steps to address their child's instructional needs. For all other families, Renaissance Star results and other assessment performance data will be shared during our upcoming parent/family-teacher conferences in November. For awareness, students in grades 1, 2, and 3 are currently being screened and will be screened again this winter; students in kindergarten will be screened this winter and again in the spring.
According to the Massachusetts Early Literacy Screening Guidance, "Early literacy universal screening is proactive and designed to gather information on the most predictive literacy skills, making it possible to identify each student's risk of experiencing reading difficulties."
For even more information about Early Literacy Screening and our process at Nashoba, please take a peek at our Explainer Video from members of Nashoba's literacy team.
Looking for Internship Partners for our Future Innovation Pathway Programming
Last week, we shared that Nashoba Regional High School was selected as one of only 31 high schools to be awarded a grant from the state of Massachusetts to establish an Innovation Pathways Program. We are beyond thrilled! Guided by survey results gathered from our community, our Nashoba Innovation Pathways planning team has decided to pursue implementation of two career pathways for the 2024-2025 school year: an Advanced Engineering and Manufacturing Pathway and a Business and Finance Pathway.
An essential element of the Pathways programming is relevant, real-world experience. To that end, we are actively seeking internship opportunities within our local community to support the experiences of this future programming. We believe that internships will not only benefit our students, they will also help create support for the connections we have within our local community. We are seeking potential internship partners and asking our families for help. If you or someone you know can offer a possible internship opportunity in their field for either our Business and Finance Pathway or our Advanced Engineering and Manufacturing Pathway, we ask that you complete this form.
Your support in considering to support internship opportunities for our high school students is invaluable. Please note that completing this form does NOT commit you or your organization to providing an internship; it simply helps us gather information for future planning.
News from the Pupil Personnel Department
The FRIENDS 2 program at the Mary Rowlandson Elementary School is designed to cater to its students' unique and diverse learning abilities. The program is grounded in the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis and complemented by a wide array of research-based teaching strategies with data collection for progress monitoring and related services to foster individual growth and development so that all students can thrive. The students participate in the daily morning meeting. During morning meetings, students practice a variety of skills including reviewing the days of the week, the date, the weather, and the number of the day. The calendar serves as the focal point of morning meetings, a tool that helps students learn about the passage of time and encourages them to engage with the day actively. During "weather," students identify the season and current weather and the weather's impact on their day and foster meteorological awareness and the ability to plan and adapt. The students' favorite element of the morning meetings is the inclusion of dressing the classroom sloth to reflect the day's weather forecast. The number of the day fosters numerical literacy as students discuss and explore the chosen number, later incorporating it into their daily routines, math exercises, and hands-on activities.
A Shout Out to our Nashoba Custodians!
This past week, we recognized our Nashoba custodians during National Custodian Day, which recognizes the hard work it takes to keep our facilities in tip-top shape. A special thank you to our dedicated Nashoba custodians who work tirelessly each and every day to keep our classrooms and schools safe and clean for our students and faculty. We value our custodians as integral members of our community and extend our gratitude to them on National Custodian Day and every day moving forward. Thank you!
Nashoba Notable Award! Thank a Nashoba Employee!
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!
This Week at Nashoba
Assistant Superintendent Friend speaking with first graders about goal setting and perseverance
Thank you, Ms. Hanyaloglu!
zSpace, Virtual Reality Technology and Student Learning
This week, staff and students were able to explore an innovative product called zSpace at NRHS. This unique tool provides an interactive and immersive learning opportunity through virtual reality technology without the use of any glasses or headset. With the use of a stylus, a user can manipulate and examine anything from human hearts, automotive engines, and plant and animal cells. We at NRSD are always on the lookout to take a closer look at vetting innovative technology to enhance and support student learning across all content areas.
Curiosity Cube Visits Luther Burbank!
Sixth and seventh graders at LBMS were able to participate in the Curiosity Cube this week. MilliporeSigma’s Curiosity Cube is a retrofitted shipping container that has been transformed into a mobile science lab. MilliporeSigma’s employees come and provide hands-on experiments, allows students to ask questions and discuss the possibilities of a future career in science, technology and engineering. What an excellent way for our students to extend their thinking and look at that engagement!
Florence Sawyer Dean of Students, Dr. Levine organized a fall walk to school Day in partnership with the Bolton Police Department.
Hale Middle School 6th grade social studies class working on a Stone Age cave painting simulation.
Florence Sawyer School’s AV Club “FSTV” back in the studio
Together, we inspire and challenge all learners to reach their unique potential and become active contributors to their community.