![page background](https://cdn.smore.com/_fr/BAdxyTaDKUbEV1cgxj3czQ.1db798f1.jpg)
NPS Engage
![NPS Engage](https://cdn.smore.com/u/thumbs/e092/thumb-e5b5ff5a756dc4f98a2d88ef274d0901.png)
COMMUNITY AND STAFF NEWSLETTER FOR THE NATICK PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Originally published on 9/15/23
Click above to translate and view in a new window (translation and high contrast options available)
¿Necesita traducción? Instrucciones aquí. | Precisa de tradução? Instruções aqui.
Нужен перевод? Инструкции здесь. | بحاجة الى ترجمة؟ التعليمات هنا.
צריך תרגום? הוראות כאן. | 需要翻译吗?这里的说明。
翻訳が必要ですか?ここでの説明。 | Cần bản dịch? Hướng dẫn tại đây.
SCHOOL NEWSLETTERS
LOOKING FOR YOUR SCHOOL NEWSLETTER? Click below to access each school's news!
SUPERINTENDENT'S UPDATE
Dear Natick Students, Families and Staff,
In the short time since the start of school we've experienced some amazing swings of weather from high heat and sun to HUGELY wet days! Thank you to everyone for navigating through the weather changes and making it to school on time with such good humor! Hopefully, a glorious autumn is in store.
Back to School Nights started this week and will continue through the end of this month. The Natick School Committee held its first meeting of the school year last Monday and approved the selection of NESDEC to run the search for the new school superintendent. Among other topics, the School Committee will discuss the possible composition of a committee to work with NESDEC to support the preliminary selection process.
Engage will be published biweekly this school year. Enjoy the school newsletters about the opening of schools and other information!
Bella Wong
Superintendent of Schools
NATICK STUDENTS GIVE THANKS AT NATICK DAYS
Natick Public School students were busy at the annual Natick Days event. They produced this magnificent artifact expressing their thanks and appreciation to the schools! We are so happy to have them back in school and will do our best to return their gratitude.
CENTRAL REGISTRATION MOVING TO NATICK COMMUNITY CENTER
Registration for the Natick Public Schools will be moving to the Natick Community Center. Registration will be provided, by appointment only, on Tuesdays from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and on Thursdays from 12 noon to 7:00 p.m. through December. Beginning in January of 2024, appointments will be provided on Monday to Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and on Thursdays from 12 noon to 7:00 p.m. We are thrilled to offer this evening option for working families. For appointments, please contact Lynda Berg, Registrar, @ 774-721-7500 , or Lyberg@natickps.org. Registration information can be found on our website here. Check out all the wonderful offerings the community center has to offer our Natick youth while you're there!
ELEMENTARY MATH UPDATES
Dear Families,
We are excited to share with you that we have adopted a new math curriculum for our elementary schools. After an extensive audit and pilot, we have adopted Illustrative Mathematics for K-4. Our teachers have spent hours this summer training and preparing for this year. Math instruction is going to look different this year and we wanted to let you know why. The approach to math learning is different from the traditional approach, and we are enthusiastic about how this approach will deepen student learning and math experience.
The vision of Illustrative Math is that it is a problem-based core curriculum built on the principle that all students are capable learners of grade-level mathematics. Students learn math by doing math. They are encouraged to use their current understanding of math, their lived experiences, and the world around them as resources for problem solving. By starting with what students already know, teachers invite all students to contribute to mathematical learning, centering student thinking, and being responsive as students develop conceptual understanding.
ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE NEW COACHING STAFF
Junior Varsity Cheer Coach: Ayanna Henry
Ayanna Henry is a 2019 Graduate of Natick High School where she excelled in the classroom and was a 4 year member and captain of the NHS Cheer Team. Ayanna went on to graduate from Westfield State University and participated for 4 years on the WSU Cheer Team. Coach Henry works as a developmental support professional and advocate for people with disabilities, volunteers with the Special Olympics and the Boston Youth Football Cheer Program. We are thrilled to have one of our own return to coach with our Cheer Program.
Boys’ Varsity Ice Hockey Coach: Karl Infanger
Karl Infanger returns to NHS after coaching our Boys’ Varsity Ice Hockey Team from 2007- 2013. Karl is a former NCAA Division 1 Ice hockey player at Merrimack University 1997 where he was a 4 year varsity letter winner in Men’s Ice Hockey. Karl was named to the Hockey East All-Academic Team. After graduation, Coach Infanger played professional ice hockey for many teams including the Providence Bruins of the AHL. After his playing career was over, Coach Infanger became a Physical Education/Wellness Teacher at Medway High School where he is in his 20th year at the school. Karl coached Natick High School’s Boys’ Varsity Ice hockey team from 2007-2013 to many MIAA Tournament Appearances. At this point, Coach Infanger took some time off to coach his growing family in youth ice hockey before becoming the Medway HS Girls’ Varsity Ice hockey Coach in 2015 to 2023 (where he had the opportunity to coach his daughter). We are thrilled to have Coach Infanger return to Chase Arena to lead our Varsity Boys’ Ice hockey Team.
CENTRAL OFFICE NEW APPOINTMENTS
The Natick Public Schools is pleased to announce the following new central office appointments:
Corrie Kerr, Director of Communications: The Natick Public Schools is excited to welcome Corrie Kerr as our new Director of Communications. Corrie joins us with more than 15 years of professional communications experience. She managed content for teacher-focused websites and taught English Language Learning at the high school level. Corrie previously served as the Associate Director of Media Relations at Wesleyan University. Additionally, she worked as a senior PR representative for financial services, government and healthcare clients at a digital marketing services agency. Corrie holds a Master of Arts in Teaching from Simmons University and a Bachelor's in Journalism and Psychology from the University of Connecticut.
Kayla Hurst, Assistant Director of Human Resources: The Human Resource department has hired Kayla Hurst to join their team as the Assistant Director of Human Resources. Kayla received her bachelor's degree from Framingham State University. She comes to us from Ashland Public Schools where she worked for seven years in their payroll and human resources departments. Kayla’s knowledge of FMLA Leaves, adherence to collective bargaining agreements, policy compliance, and familiarity with our many HR softwares will help for a smooth transition into the HR department on Monday, September 25th. Please welcome her!
METCO EXPANSION
Natick Public Schools are making history! Last year, the school committee voted to expand the METCO program to the elementary level. Natick Public Schools became a partner METCO district in 1969. Our youngest students are attending Ben Hem elementary school. We are excited for our new Bobcats and future ones to come. For more information on METCO, please click here.
NPS District Calendar
Sep 25: Yom Kippur - Closed
Oct. 9: Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples' Day - Closed
Natick School Committee
Next Meeting: October 2
Location: Town Hall - Third Floor and Hybrid viewing or on Pegasus local access TV.
Students Grades 5-12 Free 1:1 Tutoring
Ask your child's homeroom teacher about how to access this opportunity or explore by clicking the blue "P" in the Chromebook browser plug in.
🔗 QUICK LINKS 🔗
Transportation
Register for bus transportation, view our bus routes, and get your transportation questions answered on our website.
Speak Up!
Have feedback, comments, concerns, or questions? Speak Up, Natick!
District News
View the latest district news on our website.
Parent Academy
Transparency Center
Feedback Wanted: Town Brand
The Town of Natick is seeking feedback from the public on a new Town Brand. Please see an overview of the process here on the Town Website. Feedback on preliminary logo concepts was due by Wednesday 9/20 via the survey here.
END OF COMMUNITY SECTION
REMINDERS FOR STAFF
- Annual training requirements are due. Please reach out to Rosie Palanukorn @ rpalanukorn@natickps.org if you need assistance.
- Lane change requests are due by November 1, 2023. (Form in TalentEd Records)
- Longevity Step Eligibility requests are due by Nov. 1, 2023. (Form in TalentEd Records)
Living Well at Home Series
Please find attached an updated schedule for the Living Well at Home series. The current schedule details topics for September and October of 2023. As a reminder, this program includes regular sessions of guided mindfulness, Zumba®, yoga, strength training, and rotating health and wellness topics. All sessions are free and available to staff of the Natick Public Schools, not just Tufts Health Plan members.
For links to live sessions, and recordings of previous webinars, please visit https://tuftshealthplan.com/livingwellathome and https://www.youtube.com/livingwellpoint32health
September Wellness: The Importance of Stretching
September is Fruits and Vegetables Month
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.
- Title I: Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990Title II
- Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990Title VI
- Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964Title IX
- Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972
- MGL, Ch.76, Section 5: Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 76, Section 5