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NPS Engage News
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January 26, 2024
SUPERINTENDENT'S UPDATE
Dear Natick Public School Students, Families and Staff,
Congratulations to the Johnson Elementary School celebrations working group for the launch of the Johnson School Legacy Project on January 16. In attendance was a broad representation of our Johnson School community and several alumni speakers were highlighted. We enjoyed engaging presentations and many inquisitive questions from the Johnson students. The Legacy Project, which celebrates and commemorates the history of the school, will continue through the spring this school year.
While the weather may be blustery, there are many opportunities to cheer on our talented students (indoors!) at this time! Check our website for the calendar of athletic and performing arts events. Tomorrow, January 27 at 7 p.m. at Natick High School is the fabulous Choral Kaleidoscope that will feature chorus students from grades 4 to 12. Next at the high school on February 3 at 6:30 p.m. NPS Live! will present Band Jam 2024 with students from grades 5-12. They are excited to premiere “Anthem for the Modern Age,” commissioned by the NPS Music Department, written by composer William Owens.
Starting tomorrow evening there are three chances to catch a performance of “13 the Musical” at Natick High School this upcoming weekend. 13 was notable for being the only Broadway musical with a cast and band made up entirely of teenagers. Apropos, these performances are completely Natick student run from start to finish.
Come support our student events and enjoy the weekend!
Bella Wong
During School Board Recognition Month, we'd like to take a moment to commend the hard-working Natick Public Schools School Committee for their contributions to NPS. During hybrid meetings (as pictured above) and all throughout the year, these elected officials are committed to preserving the excellence in education that we see in our community every day.
Members (front L-R): Matt Brand, Catherine Brunell, Dr. Shai Fuxman (Chair), Cathi Collins, Elise Gorseth (Vice Chair); (on screen/back L-R): Kate Flathers, Julie McDonough (Clerk).
Upcoming Special Education Parent Programs
The Office of Student Services continues to offer educational 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.
Attend the following transition events to learn more about special education services and supports at each level.
- PK-K: Tuesday, January 30, 6 p.m. in the Johnson Elementary School Library.
- Elementary (Gr 4) to Middle School (Gr 5): Tuesday, February 6, 6:30 p.m. at Kennedy Middle School.
- Middle School to High School: Thursday, February 1, 6:30 p.m. in the NHS Library.
*All sessions will have a virtual option with links to come. Flyers with specific information will be coming to families soon.
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Resource to share: Newsletters from the Federation for Children with Special Needs.
Tufts Study Shows METCO Brings Students Success in School
Several outlets covered recent findings on the impact of METCO provided by Elizabeth Setren, a Tufts University economist. Her presentation to The Boston Foundation from mid-January is located here.
- Story from WBUR News, January 16, 2024: A new study highlights the long-term benefits of METCO participation. According to WBUR's Max Larkin, "By linking data from METCO, the Mass. Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and other state agencies, [Elizabeth] Setren reviewed the long-term experiences of approximately 20,000 Boston students who applied to METCO between 2005 and 2017."
- Natick '96 alum, author Natascha Faye Saunders, was featured in the Bay State Banner article about the study.
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.
More information on METCO in Natick is on our website. Resource: Sign up for statewide METCO updates.
School Newsletters: Click the Image for the Latest Issue
Natick School Committee
Next meetings: Feb. 5 & 26
Location: The third floor meeting room at Natick Town Hall and through hybrid virtual viewing or on Pegasus local access TV.
NPS Music Events
Choral Kaleidoscope
Saturday, Jan. 27, 7 p.m., Natick High School
Band Jam '24
Saturday, Feb. 3, 6:30 p.m, NHS Gym
NPS Athletics
The faces of the second, third and fourth grade students at the Johnson School Legacy Project kickoff event on the morning of January 16 were full of anticipation for their future discoveries. While it can be challenging to imagine life before 2024 even when reading a historical news article or story, there’s no doubt that hearing from folks who experienced life as a Johnson elementary school student many decades ago had significant impact on these students.
The five-month-long student learning project is managed by Charleen Belcher, Library Media Specialist at Johnson, and Grace Magley, Director, Digital & Personalized Learning. Belcher remarked on the rare opportunity the current Johnson students had to reach future generations by encapsulating memories of a place that was so special to so many. The project is truly project-based-learning in action: students will ask alumni and experts questions about Johnson’s past—in many cases in live interviews--and compile their learnings. The school has been part of the fabric of Natick for 75 years as of this year.
“We’re hoping that this is one of those things they never forget.” Maybe they’ll look at the Johnson legacy website in the future and say “I did that. I was part of that.”
Belcher said the students would be using the Book Creator program, Google Slides and creating interactive digital timelines to “show the evolution of the school and what’s taken place [there].”
At the kickoff event the students gathered in the gym and heard from alumni speakers that included Cricket Lemon (now at Syracuse University), retired Natick postal carrier John Murphy and Natick Police Sergeant Edward Arena.
JOHNSON SCHOOL LEGACY PROJECT: Johnson School turns 75 years old this spring and students want to celebrate its legacy by sharing the stories of those who have taught and learned within its walls.
YOU CAN HELP: If you are interested in sharing your stories, photos and/or other media--or are able to be interviewed--please contact project coordinator: Charleen Belcher via email: cbelcher@natickps.org.
DEADLINE EXTENDED: January 31, 2024
This archival photo is from September 19, 1949, the opening day of Johnson School.
Enjoy Choral Kaleidoscope & Band Jam 2024!
This weekend: Choral Kaleidoscope
Please join us for our Choral Kaleidoscope at Natick High School this Saturday, January 2 at 7 p.m.!
What's Choral Kaleidoscope? Chorus students from grades 4-12 will come together to share their joy of music with each other and the greater Natick community.
We hope you can join us for this incredible event, showcasing our talented chorus students and ensembles.
Next weekend: Band Jam 2024
NPS Live! is proud to present Band Jam 2024!
What's Band Jam? It's an annual celebration of concert band music featuring musicians from grades 5-12. Special for 2024 and something to not miss: this year, we are excited to be premiering "Anthem for the Modern Age", commissioned by the NPS Music Department and written by renowned composer William Owens.
The Band Jam concert will be held in the Natick High School gymnasium on Saturday, February 3 at 6:30 p.m. Band Jam is open to the public, so share this weekend entertainment option with friends and neighbors. The Parent Music Association will be collecting a suggested $5 donation at the door to support music programs in Natick.
The Natick High School Theatre Company is putting on the student-run "13 the Musical" this Fri., Jan. 26, Sat., Jan. 27, and Sun., Jan. 28. Go to: https://sites.google.com/nati.../natick-high-drama-club/home for tickets.
Be Prepared: Inclement Weather Cancellations and Delays
Question: How will I find out about school cancellations or delays related to inclement winter weather?
Answer: A notification will be sent to each family's primary contact via our mass notification system (SchoolMessenger Communicate). In addition, announcements will be carried starting at 6 a.m. by radio stations WBZ (AM 1030) and WRKO (AM 680) as well as by television channels 4 (WBZ), 5 (WCVB), 7 (WHDH), Fox 25, and CW56. A pop-up message will be posted on the Natick Public Schools website. The following news webpages may also list school closings:
boston25news.com/weather/school-closings
wcvb.com/weather/closings
whdh.com/storm-closings-delays
www.cbsnews.com/boston/school-closings
NPS Registration at Community-Senior Center
Registration appointments will be available four days a week at the Natick Community-Senior Center. 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 p.m.
For appointments, please contact Lynda Berg, Registrar (pictured), at 774-721-7500 or lyberg@natickps.org. Registration information can be found on our website.
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. Parent Guides and additional information about how to use this resource are available online.
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Parent Academy
Transparency Center
SPARK Kindness Free Virtual Event: Real Self-Care
Real Self-Care: A Revolutionary Approach to
Taking Good Care of Yourself
Event Date: Wednesday, February 14 at 12 p.m. ET
Event Description: SPARK Kindness presents a virtual “lunch and learn” program. In this Q&A “fireside” chat, author and psychiatrist Pooja Lakshmin, MD, offers an inclusive and affirming approach to prioritizing your own well-being. Her approach shifts self-care from a task on your 'to do' list (that you feel guilty about not achieving) to a values-based practice of setting priorities and taking action. Dr. Lakshmin will share accessible, science-based strategies to help you shift your relationships, nurture yourself, and find ownership over your life. Participant questions will be welcomed before the program. Live ASL Interpretation will be provided.
Registration Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/788550524847?aff=oddtdtcreator
The Morse Institute Library is having a two-day Book Sale on Sat., Jan. 27 starting at 8:30 a.m. & on Sun., Jan. 28, starting at 12 noon. The event allows for opportunities to browse and buy from a selection of more than 25,000 good-condition used books. Music CDs, vinyl records and baked goods will also be for sale. Proceeds help the Friends of the Morse Institute Library support the library’s programs and purchases.
Learning to Speak English: Conversational and Fluency Course
Wednesdays | January 10 - February 28, 7 p.m.
Join Kathy Wick in a supportive and inclusive environment, tailored to accommodate all proficiency levels on the path to mastering the English language. Class is held at the Natick Community-Senior Center, 117 East Central Street, Natick. Center phone number: 508-647-6540.
Natick Public Schools Mobile App
NPS' mobile app is available for Android and Apple devices in the Google Play Store and the App Store. We welcome feedback about this app and about our website.
Have a story idea to share? Submit it here.
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.