The Common

Dear Nashoba Community,

Good news! Looks like we will avoid a hurricane. Bad news, it’s going to be windy this weekend. Our facilities team is on notice and we will respond appropriately if any weather events over the weekend impact NRSD activities.

On August 15th the state of Massachusetts offered guidance for handling new cases of COVID-19. Here you will find that guidance as well as a link to the information. Here is the summary guidance.

• A rapid antigen test, such as a self-test, is preferred to a PCR test in most situations.

• To count days for isolation, Day 0 is the first day of symptoms OR the day positive a test was taken, whichever is earlier.

• Contact tracing is no longer recommended or required in these settings, but schools or programs must continue to work with their Local Board of Health in the case of outbreaks.

• The Commonwealth is not recommending universal mask requirements, surveillance testing of asymptomatic individuals, contact tracing, or test-to-stay testing in schools. While masks are not required or recommended in these settings except for in school health offices, any individual who wishes to continue to mask, including those who face higher risk from COVID-19, should be supported in that choice. For those who need or choose to mask, masking is never required in these settings while the individual is eating, drinking, sleeping or outside.

• All individuals are encouraged to stay up-to-date with vaccination as vaccines remain the best way to help protect yourself and others.
  
  

The learn more about our Health and Wellness department in Nashoba you can find it in the menu tab at NRSD.net

Have a great weekend everyone. Try to keep your feet on the ground when those winds blow in!

Peace,

Kirk Downing

(He/Him)

“Be your best self. Pave your path. Impact the world.”

Last year, Nashoba built upon its assessment capacity as we added a new tool to our assessment repertoire, Star Assessments from Renaissance Learning. Star Assessments is a comprehensive and adaptive online assessment platform within Renaissance Learning that provides a systematic, aligned, and universal screening approach to the early identification of student need across grade levels. Through the use of Star, Nashoba educators have been able to capture real-time data and use this data alongside classroom data to inform targeted instructional decisions for students.

This year, our commitment to early identification and proactive support remains steadfast as we utilize our universal screeners. Students in grades K-9 will be assessed in mathematics using Star Math, and students in grades K-8 will be assessed in reading using Star Early Literacy/Star Reading.

Integrating Renaissance and Star Assessments into our assessment schedule ensures that we meet or exceed the universal early literacy screening requirements outlined in the Massachusetts Dyslexia Guidelines (2020). These measures strengthen our approach and enhance our response to identifying and supporting learners in need. They also ensure we fully comply with new early literacy screening regulations outlined by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and in effect as of July 1, 2023. These new regulations require early literacy screening for students in kindergarten through third grade at least twice per school year using a valid, developmentally appropriate, DESE-approved early literacy screening tool; addressing needs for students whose screening results fall significantly below relevant benchmarks within the general education setting, and timely notification and follow up with families.

Nashoba's Early Literacy Screening window will take place later this fall. We will share more detailed information with families about our screening and communication process in the coming weeks through multiple avenues. Please be on the lookout for more communication from the Department of Teaching and Learning and our elementary principals.

Universal screening initiates discussions, guiding our proactive and preventative approach. We are committed to supporting all learners and value our partnership with our families. As always, please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions as we move forward.

Nashoba Teaching and Learning is pleased to share the launch of our new middle school applied science curriculum OpenSciEd, implemented across all three towns. The OpenSciEd curriculum engages students as scientists with hands-on, relevant, inquiry-based lessons through a phenomenon-based approach. Through inquiry, students seek and use evidence to explore and analyze phenomena as they build their own scientific thinking. Below, you can view photos of students collaboratively engaging in this process, drawing conclusions on a range of scientific topics.

FLU VACCINE CLINIC

Stay healthy, get your flu shot!

When: Mon. 10/16/23, 3 PM to 6 PM

Where: Nashoba Regional High School (Gym), 12 Green Rd, Bolton, MA

Who: All Ages

Pre-Registration is Required. Visit https://www.nashoba.org/calendar for full clinic schedule, registration links and FAQ. Bring Insurance Card if you have it

Our youngest learners are enjoying learning about the weather during morning meeting at the Florence Sawyer Integrated Preschool Program. This location has a 5-day morning and 3-day afternoon integrated preschool program that serves children from Bolton, Lancaster, and Stow with and without disabilities. Our district also offers free weekly playgroups which are funded through the Coordinated Family and Community Engagement program.

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!

Click here to tell someone they are Nashoba Notable!

Florence Sawyer students practicing their skip counting

Students “making their mark to see where it takes them.” ~ The Dot

Professional Learning Communities (PLC) at work.