The Common

Dear Nashoba Families,

At Wednesday's School Committee meeting, the school district notified the School Committee that we will post a request for proposal (RFP) for the management of our food services department. Notification to the School Committee was the first step in the process.

The most crucial aspect of this change is to ensure that our valuable food services employees remain employed under the umbrella of the Nashoba Regional School District and not the management company, a stipulation that will be included in the design of the RFP. In addition, we will require companies who bid to demonstrate the ability to provide highly nutritional food that tastes great. This move will ensure we are providing our students with excellent meals that meet all of the federal requirements for public schools. It is important to note that this decision is not related to the operational budget. The food services department is 100% supported by federal funds and revenue generated by purchasing.

The RFP process is the methodology we will use to ensure we select a management company that delivers high quality nutritious food to our students and staff. Information will be provided to the School Committee and the community at large as we progress. We have asked our kitchen managers to participate in the vetting process of the applicants to ensure further that our program will only be stronger as a result of this change.

Below is the summary that was provided to the school committee on Wednesday.

I hope you all have a great weekend.

Peace,

Kirk Downing

(He/Him)

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

In December, we provided an update on the progress of our 9-12 Science Curriculum Review. This update can be found here. We are now gathering feedback from students and families to share their thoughts and perspectives as part of the next phase of the process. Students will be surveyed during their science classes next week, and families will be surveyed using ThoughtExchange beginning today. ThoughtExchange was used earlier this fall with strong participation from our PreK-5 families to help inform our curriculum review process for literacy. ThoughtExchange allows families to share their perspectives through a short survey and open-ended exchange format so that we can better understand our families' perspectives and priorities as they relate to curriculum and instruction.

9-12 families are asked to be on the lookout for a direct email this afternoon with the link to ThoughtExchange to share thoughts and perspectives. We will use the central themes gleaned from the Exchange to help inform our next steps. We will also share these themes with families once the Exchange is closed. The ThoughtExchange will be open from March 1st - March 15th.

Take a moment to listen to the newly released second episode of our Great Road Podcast, "Portrait of a Nashoba Graduate." In this episode, we delve into the core competencies that define a Nashoba graduate and explore how these principles are shaping instruction and learning throughout our district and specifically at the high school level. Stay tuned for future episodes that will highlight our EMT program, Robotics, Drama, and Students for Social Justice initiatives.

Listen here! Or, on our District Homepage!

Mark your calendars for our Kindergarten Information Night! Explore our kindergarten program, meet our dedicated teachers, and learn about the exciting spring events ahead. Don't miss this opportunity to see what a day in our kindergarten looks like. Please note, this is an adults-only event geared towards preparing caregivers for the exciting year ahead! Please attend the information night hosted by your child’s future school. Questions? Reach out to Early Childhood Coordinator/Team Chair, Kristen Ryan, kryan@nrsd.net.

The Extended Learning Program is excited to host a variety of fun enrichment options this Spring, all tailored to your Enrichment Survey responses! We're confident there's something in the mix that every student will enjoy. These enrichment activities aren't exclusive to just our Extended Learning Program students; we're opening the doors to K-5 students across the district. Please note, students not currently in the ELP will need to be dropped off by their guardians right in time for the start of their enrichment. Check out our Extended Learning Program website for programming and registration!

Join the Nashoba community on Thursday, March 7th, for the return of Nashoba Jazz Night. Featured will be our jazz bands from all of our schools beginning at 6:30 pm in the NRHS Auditorium. We will then combine all of our students on stage for a performance of "2nd Line."

The event is free and open to the public, with donations accepted at the door.

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 School fifth grade band in action!

Second graders building their math skills

Principal Zavalick participating in Ms. Hass' (Grade 1) class "Stuffy Sleepover" party, students bring in a stuffed animals and they spent the night at school and have adventures, two stuffies speaking with the Principal