NSD eNews

Dear NSD Families and Staff,

The anticipation is palpable, but we are still a few months away from opening the doors officially to the new middle school. Much work from many members of our school communities has gone into preparing for the finalization of the six-year, $130 million middle school project, including the now completed renovations at Fairgrounds Middle and Pennichuck Middle Schools. The project will be fully complete with the opening of the newly constructed Brian S. McCarthy Middle School in August 2024.

In the meantime, for greater understanding of the more recent middle school project work, please click here for a presentation that was delivered at the Nashua Board of Education meeting on Monday. The presentation illustrates key elements of a middle school philosophy that is all about teaching and learning of young adolescent students. The presentation includes details about enrollment and teacher team organization at each of the three middle schools, and enrollment projections for both middle and elementary schools.

If you have questions, please be sure to send them to middleschoolproject@nashua.edu. Thank you.

Mario Andrade, Ed.D.

Superintendent of Schools

Nashua School District

At the top of the agenda, the Board welcomed Myra Nikitas, a dental hygienist who is leading the in-school Sealing Smiles Across New Hampshire pilot program in NSD this year.

Sadly, Nashua has the highest prevalence of untreated decay in New Hampshire, according to research.

Ms. Nikitas has screened and treated nearly 600 students in grades K-8 in our schools to date and has applied more than 3,700 dental sealants. She has also referred more than 220 students to a dental provider for further treatment. All families have had the opportunity for their school-aged children to be seen through the Sealing Smiles pilot program, regardless of dental insurance status. We are grateful for this opportunity for our families that eliminates many barriers to care, to help keep our students pain-free so they can focus on classroom lessons.

The Board had a limited agenda and focused much time to an important presentation on the middle school project, highlighting recently adopted planning decisions. Thank you to the following teachers who spoke to provide clarity to the changes recommended by middle school administrators and teachers and members of the Middle School Steering Committee and the ELA Steering Committee:

Middle School Steering Committee representatives:

• Kimberley Elliott, Fairgrounds Middle School; Lynne Roe, Fairgrounds Middle School; and Deneen Robie, Elm Street Middle School.

ELA Steering Committee representatives:

• Carri Wappat Burns, ELA Peer Coach for Middle Schools; Mike Allen, Elm Street Middle School, and Roberta Flanagan, Fairgrounds Middle School.

and Middle School Principals:

• Sharon Coffey, Fairgrounds Middle School; Katrina Esparza, Elm Street/McCarthy Middle School; and Gabriel Falzarano, Pennichuck Middle School.

Committee on Human Resources: The Board approved one personnel action item, hiring a grade 3 long-term substitute teacher at Mount Pleasant Elementary School for the remainder of the school year.

New Business: Ms. Raymond reminded viewers that a rare, total solar eclipse will take place on Monday, April 8 in the afternoon. The path of the eclipse will travel over New Hampshire. According to NASA, it is not safe to view the eclipse without specialized eye protection. When the Moon completely blocks the Sun, NASA also warns viewing any part of the eclipse through a camera lens, binoculars, or a telescope without a special-purpose solar filter secured over the front of the optics will instantly cause severe eye injury.

The next Nashua Board of Education meeting is scheduled to take place Monday, March 25, 2024 at Nashua High School North.

Dr. Andrade Comments at 3.11.2024 Nashua Board of Education Meeting:

Congratulations to the North Boys Basketball Team for a masterful 84-68 game against Bedford High last week, advancing to the Division I championship final at UNH last Sunday. The Titans led by 5 points at the half, but Pinkerton Academy ran a hot streak in the second half of the game and outscored the Titans to win the championship. I am confident the Titans will be back at UNH next year. Go Titans!

Congratulations also to Brynn Tefft, South Class of 2025. If you remember, Brynn placed in the top ten at the NH Meet of Champions to earn a spot on the New Hampshire Women’s Ski Team. The NH Women won first place at the Eastern Region High School Championships last weekend at Attitash Mountain Resort.

National Art and Music in the Schools Month: The art teachers from across the school district graciously invite us all to attend a reception next Tuesday, March 19 at 6 pm at South to celebrate Youth Art Month. (Note photo above.) This is a great event that showcases the creativity of our students, from kindergarten through high school. The main street hallway will be lined with student art. It’s a great event.

We are happy to join members the New Hampshire chapter of the American Choral Directors Association in honoring Sarah Evans, Nashua High South choral teacher and director, and Brianne Biastoff, Nashua High North choral teacher and director. Both were nominated to be NH Choral Director of the Year!

Congratulations to the five North choral students who auditioned and were invited to perform and sing at the American Choral Directors Association festival last month in Providence, Rhode Island. They worked with top industry conductors, premiered a piece of music, met composers, and watched professional groups perform while they were there. It was a great festival. Again, congratulations to Lillian Azevedo, Nathan Delehanty, Molly Dustin, Colin Scribner, and Gabby Wallace.

Meals Matter Empty Bowls 2024

And finally, tonight, great news from the students of Meals Matter. Empty Bowls 2024 was held last month and raised nearly $4,000. All proceeds support our students in need to be sure they have access to breakfast and lunch in school. On behalf of Meals Matter, thank you to all members of our school communities who supported Empty Bowls.

Editor's Note: As you may recall, Joseph Risteen, Nashua HS North Class of 2021 and current UNH student studying communications, is interning this semester in the NSD Office of Communications. One of his goals for the internship is to promote the Nashua Technology Center disciplines, which are the technical and career centered courses of study offered to Nashua HS North, Nashua HS South, and regional high school students.

"My visits to Nashua Technology Center courses continue. Recently, I’ve visited classes such as Automotive Technology, Biotechnology, and Culinary Arts. These very different classes, all provide a curriculum in which students can practice skills that allow them to take first steps in what may be a long-term career path. The programs are built on helping student Learn the information necessary for them to Become, and then have the pathway necessary to Succeed. These courses provide a template for students with all different goals, whether they hope to continue their education or become an entrepreneur."

Thank you...#NashuaSchools now has 1,000+ followers. Once again, we encourage you to follow NSD on Instagram for all important announcements and school highlights!