NPS Engage News
NOVEMBER 9, 2023
SUPERINTENDENT'S UPDATE
Dear Natick Families and Students,
Wednesday, November 8th was National Signing Day, which is the first day high school student athletes can sign commitment letters to colleges for a D1 or D2 collegiate sport. In the morning, we celebrated 10 Natick High School student athletes’ signing letters! In the evening, we celebrated the induction of 178 new student members to the Natick National Honor Society. Congratulations to all of the students and their families for these big accomplishments!
Nationally, we will celebrate our veterans across all branches of the military for their past service this weekend. Locally, our students and community members participated in the annual Veterans Day breakfast today at Kennedy Middle School. Students of all ages will participate in the parade that will start at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday in downtown Natick.
At the annual breakfast, students joined the veterans at their tables to ask questions and hear their stories. During the time I visited veterans on Thursday, I ended up finding the one veteran my dad talks about ALL the time. Vartkess Tarbassian and my father, Perry Wong, were in the same homeroom at Boston Tech High School. Seventy-two years ago, shortly after graduation, they were both drafted into service for the Korean War. It was a scary time for both of them and they were relieved to be assigned to basic training together. However, after basic training they received new assignments and didn’t know where the other had been sent.
During the war, while my father was walking within the compound known as the DMZ, he heard the distinct sound of a gun click. Freezing himself, he tilted his head toward the sound to assess the situation. This caused the sun to hit his face and the gunman exclaimed, “Perry, is that you?” It was Vartkess. He thought my father was the enemy. Since he was assigned to an intelligence unit, my father’s uniform was bare of insignia. As my dad describes it, (and Vartkess confirmed for me this morning) they then dropped their weapons, hugged and cried like babies. They told each other that whoever got home would tell the other’s family that they saw the other and how much they loved them. That was the last time they saw each other during the war. Today was the first time I have ever met Vartkess. It was a very special moment neither of us expected to have.
I told him that my dad doesn’t really share much about what he saw overseas. Vartkess admitted that he only started sharing more with his son recently. On Veterans Day, we honor those who have taken on the responsibility of military service. It is a celebration of and for the living who have served. The annual breakfast offers an opportunity to recall the significance of this singular experience as well as time to appreciate former comrades and losses. I am grateful to all of the organizers of this gathering. Hearing the stories underscores that preparedness does not come without the anticipation of sacrifice and reminds us of the importance of achieving alternate pathways to combat when we can.
In celebration and in remembrance,
Bella Wong
Superintendent Search Survey
A reminder that the Superintendent Search survey closes next week on Wednesday, Nov. 15. If you have any questions or comments about the search process contact schoolcommittee@natickps.org. Questions related to using SurveyMonkey should be directed to sbalboni@natickps.org.
Congratulations NHS!
Natick High School has once again received National Banner recognition from Special Olympics North America. NHS was recognized along with 22 other Massachusetts schools and is among 205 schools nationwide to achieve this status for the 2022-23 school year. For more information about
National Banner Unified Champion Schools, visit the Special Olympics website.
ICYMI: A PSA Concerning Cell Phones and Other Electronic Devices
This is a friendly reminder that each school handbook and staff handbook has outlined restrictions on the use of cell phones and other electronic devices in the Natick Public Schools. It is the expectation of the Natick Public Schools that all students and staff will comply with these guidelines. Non-adherence to the guidelines will be subject to consequences as outlined in the student and/or staff handbooks. Please note that these guidelines include the prohibition of taking photos or videos in classrooms with cell phones or other electronic devices, which are not authorized or not part of an educator's professional responsibility.
STUDENTS
High School: Cell phones and personal electronic devices, other than a student’s assigned laptop, must be turned off and must not be visible in the classroom during the class periods. The same devices must be turned off and not visible in all bathrooms during the school day. Cell phones may be used in the dining hall, courtyard, library, and hallways. Electronic devices necessary for a specific educational purpose and/or individual student need may be used in class with the approval of the supervising teacher/staff member.
Elementary and Middle Schools: All electronic devices and components must be turned off and not visible during the school day. Electronic devices necessary for a specific educational purpose and/or individual student need may be used in class with the approval of the supervising teacher/staff member.
STAFF MEMBERS
Most employees will have a cell phone that they use for personal communications and that is expected, since it is how we stay connected to our families and friends. Such use during the school day is acceptable as long as it does not interfere with your professional responsibilities. Use of a cell phone by an employee is permitted only during non-instructional time, unless previously approved by the school principal.
November 14th Caregiver Information Night @ NHS
Upcoming Special Education Parent Programs
The Office of Student Services is pleased to announce that this year we will continue our series of monthly training programs for parents. All of these sessions are held in collaboration with our Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) **Please note that location and dates may be subject to change, but notice will be provided at least a month in advance.
- December 7 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Natick High School
Federation Children with Special Needs Presents; Basic Rights: Evaluation and Eligibility - The month of January: Transition Evenings at each level; PK to Elem, Elem to MS and MS to HS (Dates will be shared by Special Education coordinators.)
- January 18 7-8:30 p.m. in the Natick High School Library
Open parent forum: how to prepare for special education transition. We will be answering all of your questions about how special education services are delivered at each level
News from METCO
Youth Advisory Council Selects Student Reps from Natick
Congratulations to Natick METCO Senior Seniyah Hood and her classmate Hannah Schwichtenberg on their acceptances as student representatives to participate on the 2023-2024 Youth Advisory Council (YAC). The goal of the council is to gain a deeper understanding of the legislative process and in the ways in which legislators address the issues of concern to their constituents. Students will share their diverse experiences and perspectives with Massachusetts Senate President Karen Spilka and her staff as they consider proposed legislation. Seniyah describes YAC as "a kick-start at pursuing a long-term goal of promoting equity in her community and a revolution for young adults to positively shape their communities and cultures."
METCO Directors Association (MDA) High School Conference
This year's MDA Youth Leadership Conference was hosted at Emmanuel College's Center for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in October. The theme of the event was "Acknowledge Your History Through Wellness and Empowerment." Students from Natick, along with their peers from other partner METCO districts, attended the conference, toured the campus and engaged with the college student leaders panel.
Students who participate in the METCO program are thriving from the elementary to high school grade levels. Natick Public Schools became a partner METCO district in 1969. Learn more about the history of METCO here.
For more information on METCO, please click here.
You can view the newly-produced program "The Busing Battleground" from AMERICAN EXPERIENCE.
Sign up for statewide METCO updates.
There are still info sessions available to learn more about MassBay’s STEM Tech Career Academy at NHS. To obtain Zoom links for these sessions, go to https://www.massbay.edu/STEMTech. Contact jmcandrew@massbay.edu for more info.
Your Nurses: A Team for All Seasons
The NPS Nurse Team, in conjunction with the Natick Board of Health, conducted a successful Flu Clinic for students and staff at NHS on October 25th.
School Newsletters: Click the Image for the Latest Issue
NPS Registration Moved to Community-Senior Center
Registration for the Natick Public Schools has moved to the Natick Community-Senior Center. Registration is provided, by appointment only, on Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and on Thursdays from 12 noon to 7 p.m. through December. We are thrilled to offer this evening option for working families.
Beginning in January of 2024, appointments will be available four days a week. Appointments will be provided on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and on Thursdays from 12 noon to 7:00 p.m.
For appointments, please contact Lynda Berg, Registrar, at 774-721-7500 or lyberg@natickps.org. Registration information can be found on our website.
National Family Literacy Month
November is National Family Literacy Month. Check out tips from WETA Learning Media and Reading Rockets on helping your children when they have reading challenges.
Reading Resources:
NPS District Libraries' Catalogs
November Events at Morse Institute Library
Online free tutoring for students in grades 5-12 is available via Paper. Ask your child's teacher about how to access this opportunity or explore by clicking the blue "P" in the Chromebook browser plug in.
District Calendar
Upcoming Important Dates/Holidays & Observances
Nov. 10: Observance of Veterans Day: Schools Closed
Nov. 15: Early Release Day: PreK, Elementary & Middle Schools ONLY
Nov. 22: Early Release Day: All Schools
Nov. 23: Thanksgiving: Closed
Nov. 24: Thanksgiving: Closed
Natick School Committee
Next Meetings: Nov. 20, Dec. 4
Location: The third floor meeting room at Natick Town Hall and through hybrid virtual viewing or on Pegasus local access TV.
Fall Sports Schedule
🔗 QUICK LINKS 🔗
Parent Academy
Transparency Center
Join Natick Is United for 'Being LGBTQ+ in Natick'
"Being LGBTQ+ in Natick," a Natick Is United online panel discussion, will be held on Thursday, Dec. 14 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The discussion will be moderated by OUT MetroWest.
To learn more and to register, visit this Natick ls United link.
6th Annual SPARK Kindness Week
This is SPARK Kindness Week--a time to shine the spotlight on the good that happens every day and inspire people to spread kindness through their own actions and connect with others. Visit SPARKKindness.org to learn more about all the ways our community connects through kindness. Share your pictures, stories, and messages with us at info@SPARKKindness.org or tag us on Facebook @SPARKKind and on Twitter and Instagram @sparkkindness #KindnessConnectsUs #SPARKKindnessNatick
QPR Suicide Prevention Training
Announcing an important educational opportunity for all:
Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR)
Suicide Prevention Training
Tuesday, November 14th | 6-8 PM
Natick Community Senior Center
Room 125
Light dinner will be provided
To register, visit: bit.ly/44WeA04
Learn to: Recognize suicide risks; support those at risk; refer people to appropriate resources.
For Immediate Help 24/7: Suicide Prevention line: 988; Crisis Text Line: Text "HOME" to 741741
Something's Missing from Your Phone: Our App!
The Natick Public Schools mobile app is available for Android and Apple devices in the Google Play Store and the App Store. Having the app at your fingertips will allow you to quickly find school contact info and see important upcoming events.
Natick Public Schools does not discriminate in employment nor its educational programs, services, and activities based on race, creed, color, age, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, physical and intellectual differences, immigration status, homeless status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Please be aware all electronic communication to and from Natick Public Schools is public record and subject to public disclosure per Massachusetts General Law Chapter 66, Section 10.