The Common

Dear Nashoba Families,

We've been working hard to continuously enhance our communication with the families and communities of our district. At the beginning of the year we launched our new web platform featuring app access, and last week we announced updated website menus to improve our user interface, and to strengthen our outreach efforts.

We also understand that communication is a two-way street. Hearing and valuing the insights and feedback of our district communities is paramount to our ongoing success. That being said, we are currently exploring different tools for feedback collection that will allow us to receive input in a clear, accessible, equitable, and actionable way! Please take a look at the Teaching and Learning section, below, as we pilot one of these communication and engagement tools, ThoughtExchange.

We look forward to testing this tool and others, and hearing your input, over the course of the year as we continue our mission of building clear and effective lines of communication both out, and in!

Peace,

Kirk Downing

(He/Him)

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

Since our previous communication in The Common regarding literacy, the K-5 ELA Curriculum Review Committee has diligently continued its work. We are excited to bring you updates on our progress and to invite our families to participate in the process by sharing their feedback and unique perspectives.

In terms of progress, the Committee has examined the Massachusetts Core Literacy Block, a framework that underscores the importance of explicit and systematic literacy instruction. Through this examination, the Committee has developed an updated instructional vision for literacy that is aligned with this foundational framework and rooted in Nashoba's vision for learning and mission. To gather further insight, the Committee has distributed surveys to our K-12 staff, conducted an in-depth analysis of data from both state and district assessments, and reviewed various samples of student work across grade levels.

These steps are crucial for understanding our curriculum's effectiveness: How are our literacy teaching methods, materials, and curriculum supporting student learning? How are we building a strong literacy foundation for all our students? The answers to these questions guide us as we decide whether to adjust our curriculum to best meet our students' literacy development.

We are now at an important juncture where we would like to extend an opportunity to our families to share their thoughts and perspectives.

To solicit this feedback, we are using a new tool, ThoughtExchange. ThoughtExchange will provide families with a chance to share their perspectives in an open-ended format so that we can better understand what is most important to our Nashoba families when it comes to literacy.

What is your next step? PreK-5 Families, please be on the lookout for an email this afternoon with the link to ThoughtExchange to share your thoughts and perspectives. We will use the main themes gleaned from the Exchange to inform our next steps. We will also share these themes with families once the Exchange is closed. Stay tuned!

The students in the Integrated Preschool and Little FRIENDS program at the Mary Rowlandson Elementary School participated in a traveling science workshop from the Discovery Museum in Acton, MA. The hands-on workshop gave the students a chance to test their bubble knowledge, make observations, investigate, and make predictions! It was a great educational experience sponsored by the Mary Rowlandson Elementary School PTO.

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 engineers in the Great Paper Roller Coaster Challenge

Florence Sawyer students learning about pedestrian safety

from Massachusetts Safe Routes to School

Cafe staff at Mary Rowlandson ES made some delicious pizza for their students

Mary Rowlandson Fun Day

Halloween Parade with students from the Emerson Wing of the Florence Sawyer Campus

Florence Sawyer School Student Council organized the "Beast of Bolton Halloween Bash" for 7th and 8th graders.

Hale had its opening night of the Legend of Sleepy Hollow. There are two more shows - tonight at 7pm and tomorrow at 11am!

Hale MS Halloween Dance