NPS Engage News
Natick High School has once again received National Banner recognition from Special Olympics North America. According to Special Olympics Massachusetts, the school “has successfully achieved national standards of excellence in the areas of inclusion, advocacy and respect! The athletes, partners, students, coaches, volunteers, teachers, staff and administration at Natick High School have all played key roles in creating a social climate where everyone feels included and respected for who they are."
Special Olympics Massachusetts stated that it was "honored to have such a strong and fully inclusive school as yours be recognized a second time for the hard work and dedication you demonstrate daily to continuously grow and strengthen your program. Your school and leadership team are a model for other schools, and we look forward to new heights you will reach tomorrow and in years to come!”
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. Stay tuned for fundraisers and ways to support your local athletes!
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.
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
On Thursday, October 26, educators across the nation were invited to a webinar entitled "Teach the Legacy of America's Efforts to Integrate Public Schools" held by PBS LearningMedia/WGBH in collaboration with the National Council for the Social Studies. As part of this event, "The Busing Battleground", a program recently produced by AMERICAN EXPERIENCE, was shown. Any viewer is welcome to watch the streamed version of "The Busing Battleground" and explore the roles that everyday citizens, political leaders, and the courts have played in the struggle to integrate public schools throughout the United States, beginning with the California public schools in 1946 and ending with the Boston Public Schools in 1988."
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.
Registration for the Natick Public Schools has moved to the Natick Community 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.
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
District Calendar
Upcoming Important Dates/Holidays & Observances
Nov. 1: Early Release Day: PreK & Elementary ONLY
Nov. 10: Observation of Veterans Day: Schools Closed
Natick School Committee
Next Meetings: November 6 & 20
Location: Town Hall - Third Floor and through hybrid virtual viewing or on Pegasus local access TV.
Fall Sports Schedule
Transportation
View bus routes and get answers to transportation questions.
Speak Up!
Have feedback, concerns, or questions? Speak Up, Natick.
District News
View the latest district news.
Job Openings
Join our team! View open positions.
Parent Academy
Transparency Center
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.
