The Common

Dear Nashoba Families,

I write this week to share exciting news. Earlier this week, the Healey-Driscoll Administration announced that the Nashoba Regional High School is one of 36 schools in the Commonwealth to officially receive Innovation Career Pathway designation. I would like to recognize the hard work of the high school Innovation Pathways Planning team who have worked diligently over the past two years to develop and plan for Pathways and complete the rigorous application process leading to designation. Please take a look at the press release for more information on the Innovation Career Pathway designation. Most importantly, join us in celebrating this truly significant news.

Two Innovation Pathways are headed to the Nashoba Regional High School next fall: Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering and Business and Finance. For students interested in engaging in a pathway, coursework will include a series of technical and advanced courses - within Nashoba’s curriculum - to deepen their knowledge in their selected pathway. The pathway experience will culminate for students in their senior year through a capstone or internship experience.

Combined, these opportunities will provide students with real-world, relevant, experiential learning opportunities to not only help them build transferable life skills but also see the connection between what they are learning and their future selves.

These pathways are more than academic tracks; they are bridges to the future, designed to align closely with real-world demands and opportunities. For additional information on our pathways, please see our Innovations Pathway website.

Peace,

Kirk Downing

(He/Him)

Families of current 8th and 9th grade students interested in learning more about Nashoba Regional High School's Innovation Programming are encouraged to visit our new Innovation Pathways website.

Nashoba will offer two pathway programs beginning next fall: Advanced Manufacturing and Business and Finance. Interested 8th and 9th grade students should complete an application linked on the website. All applications are due by April 12, 2024.

We are currently analyzing major themes from the recent student feedback survey for 9-12 grade science students and the ThoughtExchange for families. This feedback will contribute to the next stage of reviewing our high school science curriculum, focusing on the question: How do our current instructional practices, curricula, and materials support student learning and the vision we have for the future of learning for our students? A total of 591 students completed our student survey, and 125 families took part in the ThoughtExchange. An update on the insights gained, including patterns and trends identified, will be shared in an upcoming newsletter.

In recent weeks, Department Head Linda Peer and English Teacher Kim Earley joined forces to co-teach a bioethics unit using The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lack by Rebecca Skloot as a core text. The unit, which focused on the ethical issues surrounding the non-consensual collection and application of cells for scientific endeavors, created a rich learning experience for students. Students debated and challenged their thinking about the moral and ethical issues regarding consent and compensation while also thinking about the scientific benefits of HeLa cells, such as vaccine creation. By the end of the unit, students were enthused and anxious to hear the court case results settled just last year. A shout out to Ms. Peer and Ms. Earley for their collaboration and for creating a learning experience for students with such authentic, real-world connections and applications.

Athletic Director Tania Rich was recently recognized for her accomplishments by the Massachusetts Secondary Schools Athletic Directors Association, The National Football Foundation, and Joseph R. Mewhiney Central Mass Chapter. Ms. Rich received the District 3 Award of Merit from the Massachusetts Secondary Schools Athletic Directors Association and was recognized for her contributions to Central Mass Football by The National Football Foundation and Joseph R. Mewhiney Central Mass Chapter. These awards highlight Ms. Rich's commitment to high school sports and her significant impact on Nashoba and the wider Central Massachusetts community. Congratulations to Ms. Rich on these well-earned accolades!

Second Annual Nashoba InternationalFest, April 27, 2024

As many know, on Monday, April 8, 2024, Massachusetts will be experiencing a solar eclipse from 2:00 PM – 4:30 PM. The peak of the eclipse for our towns will be at approximately 3:29 p.m. after all schools have dismissed. This is a very exciting event that many in our community will be engaging in. We hope that these solar eclipse viewing tips will promote safe viewing throughout our community as we experience this natural phenomenon that will not take place again until 2044!

Viewing a solar eclipse is very exciting. However, looking at the sun, even during a total eclipse can cause damage to your eyes. All students who participate in school sponsored viewing activities will be provided protective glasses. Athletic practices and games are being adjusted to reflect MIAA guidance. Although staff will be covering eclipse viewing safety as part of the curriculum if the students will be viewing at school, we encourage all families to reinforce these discussions with their children, as the eclipse will still be taking place after school is dismissed and students are heading home.

Here are some basic, safe and effective Do’s and Don’ts during an eclipse viewing:

DO

• Use eclipse glasses or solar viewers that meet the ISO 12312-2 standards (sometimes written as ISO 12312-2:2015).

• Take breaks and give your eyes a rest, even with the eclipse glasses on. Staring continuously can be harmful.

• Use your hands to cast shadows on the ground. Cross your hands with fingers slightly spread to create a waffle pattern. Look down and you will see the spaces between your fingers project a shadow image of the sun in a crescent shape during the partial eclipse stages.

• Look at shadows on the ground, such as beneath a leafy tree, during the partial eclipse to see the crescent sun shadows projected by the spaces between the leaves.

DON'T

• Look at the sun directly.

• Stare continuously at the sun. Even with appropriate eyewear damage can occur with continual watching of the sun.

• Use damaged eclipse sunglasses or solar viewers. If they are torn, scratched, punctured, or coming out of the frames- do not use them. Throw them away.

• Use anything other than eclipse glasses or solar viewers that meet the ISO 12312-2 standards to view the eclipse

• Examples of eyewear that are NOT strong enough for eclipse viewing include but are not limited to: homemade filters, regular sunglasses, welder's glass, a camera viewfinder, binoculars or a telescope.

• View through binoculars or a telescope without the proper solar filter.

• Do not view the telescope using your eclipse sunglasses.

We hope that the weather is in our favor and that safe viewing is able to be enjoyed by all.

Additional resources:

MA DESE Guidance: Click Here.

NASA: Solar Eclipse Safety Tips

NASA's website for comprehensive information about the eclipse.

Exploratorium website contains information about various cultural eclipse narratives and histories.

Episode 3 of the Great Road Podcast focuses on the EMT program at the high school. Hear from Crew Chiefs, Matt Basteri, Brayden Duprey, Max Libby Grantham, who describe the Cadet program, the skills and experiences our own NRSD students share, and the impact within and beyond their academic life. Be prepared to be inspired by these young leaders!

Listen here! Or, on our District Homepage!

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!

Eighth grade students were immersed in the "Race to the Presidency" unit last month at Sawyer School. They researched foreign policy, data privacy, and other current issues and then attempted to garner support for their candidates and political parties through various campaign activities. This resulted in a hotly contested run-off primary election between two candidates from the Y political party. Advice from a former governor of Massachusetts and presidential candidate kicked off the final Race between the Y and Z party candidates. On Wednesday, eighth graders engaged in a debate that resulted in the ‘New York Times’ endorsement, which stated, "What do we need, above most in this world, more than a leader who hears? A leader who can see eye to eye where appropriate? A leader who can push others to get to the heart of what is right and good?" The Race to the Presidency unit cultivates leaders who aspire to make a difference and teaches campaign workers the importance of their role in the success of a campaign. At the same time, all learn the complexity of the election of a US President. The election is on Tuesday and marks the culmination of the project. Good luck to the candidates!

105 Nashoba Singers at Wednesday's Nashoba SINGS Concert

Lancaster, Bolton, and Stow Represent!

Florence Sawyer School Student Council's March Madness Social

Center School staff dressed as their favorite book characters for Spirit Day

Center School second grader during PE with his balancing creation station

Florence Sawyer Grade Two - Four Winds Feathers in a Nest Program