Natick Redhawks

Dear Natick High School Families,

It was wonderful seeing so many of you at Open House last night. Open House is one of my favorite evenings of the year; there is always such a positive buzz in our hallways, and that energy serves as a powerful reminder of the value of our continued partnership on behalf of our students' learning. I also wanted to take a moment to give a special shout out to our students who supported the evening; from helping families navigate the hallways to running the lights and sound in the auditorium to making the announcements on the PA, we could not pull off this night without our student volunteers.

This week was also a big week for our 9th graders, who had their club fair (some pictures are below!) during CDS. If your 9th grader hasn't found something outside the classroom that is of interest, I would encourage you to ask them about the club fair. Our 9th graders also had class elections. We had over 25 students running for the four spots in class office! If your child ran for class office, and was not voted in, please stay tuned. There will be other upcoming leadership opportunities in the future, like Student Council.

Lastly, I wanted to mention that we are almost halfway through term 1. This is generally a good time to check in with your NHS student to see how their academics are going, and to log into PowerSchool to check their grades. Teachers are available to help students who are struggling or have questions. Please reach out to them by email if you have any concerns.

I hope you have a great weekend!

Kind Regards,

Josepha Blocker

Principal, Natick High School

10/3 - No School - Rosh Hashanah

10/14 - No School - Indigenous Peoples' Day/Columbus Day

10/16 - 10/17 - Grade 10, Hearing and Vision Screenings by the Nurses

10/21 - 10/31 - Grade 10, Height and Weight Screenings by the Nurses

10/23 - Early Release @ 11:00 AM

10/26 - PSATs, 7:30 AM to approximately 11:30 AM

This Wednesday at sundown, marks the beginning of the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah. We have no school on Thursday to allow our Jewish staff and students time to celebrate. I hope that all of you who celebrate have a sweet new year!

All students are required to pay class dues, a one-time fee during their four years which supports class events. Those dues are required to attend class events, including the Junior Boat Cruise and many of the senior activities. It is essential that students pay dues early so we can begin planning the events with the necessary deposit funds. Class dues are $100 for the Classes of 2025, 2026 and 2027, and are $150 for the Class of 2028 and onward. Information on how to pay dues for 9th, 10th and 11th graders is below. Most seniors have paid dues already, but if you do not think you have, please reach out to class advisors, Mr. Donohue and Ms. Keefe.

Class of 2026

Class of 2027

Class of 2028

If your family requires financial assistance in paying class dues, please fill out the district's financial assistance forms to qualify.

Natick High School will be hosting the ASVAB Exam, or Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) for any JUNIORS AND SENIORS that are interested in taking the exam. This test is optional, free, and administered during the school day to students who register for it. The ASVAB test is coordinated by College and Career Counselor, Jon Nardi, and administered by local military representatives. It is an excellent way to learn how your skills may be used in the workforce and to learn which careers best match your skills and interests.

Test Date and Time: Monday, November 4, 2024 from 8:10am - 11:10am

Test Location: Natick High School

If you would like to register for the exam, please follow this link to sign up by Wednesday, October 23rd: https://forms.gle/WZSRCA7ZaosE8GsX7

Please note that this is a hard deadline for all who would like to test. The ASVAB will not be administered to those who do not register and complete the requisite waivers.

To learn more about the test and see practice questions, please check out the test's official website:

https://www.officialasvab.com/

The ASVAB Career Exploration Website (test takers are given access after they finish the test):

https://www.asvabprogram.com/

If you have any questions about the test or registration process, please reach out to Mr. Nardi in Guidance: jnardi@natickps.org

The Guidance Department maintains a website full of useful information geared towards each grade. It changes regularly, and highlights some of the information that is shared with students during their guidance seminar. Parents and guardians are encouraged to look at the site and bookmark it for future reference.

Note for Senior Families: Students are invited to attend sessions with college representatives during CDS and at 2 pm regularly. Please see the Guidance website for details.

AP® (Advanced Placement ) Exam Registration Now Open

• Register before November 4th to avoid late fees.

Here is the link to the 2024-2025 AP Exam Registration Site

Note: These exams are intended for students who are currently enrolled in an AP course at Natick High School or have prepared for exams independently.

A provision of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, a federal law, requires secondary schools, upon a receipt of a request, to release the names, addresses, email addresses and telephone numbers of students attending the high school to United States military recruiters.

If you wish to have your student’s name removed from this reporting list, please fill out the Military Exempt Form by October 20, 2024 and return it to Mrs. Slattery in the NHS Guidance Office via email at dslattery@natickps.org.

You can purchase your 2024-2025 yearbook here!

Please visit the Natick High School Yearbook's website for further information about:

• Senior photos
• Senior quotes
• Senior surveys,

• Purchasing an ad in this year's yearbook

Any questions related to yearbook orders should be directed to Yearbook Advisor Jonathan Fleming at jfleming@natickps.org.

Families planning to attend are invited to enter via the Main Entrance to the Stadium and to use the main restroom area as needed. Tickets can be purchased here, which we suggest that you do in advance. There is no option to purchase tickets for cash at the gate. We kindly ask any non-NHS students to attend with as adult, and to sit in the main area for spectators. There is a separate section that will be reserved for NHS students. Our expectations for student behavior were reviewed in a Senior Class assembly

Natick is a community that enjoys a rich tradition of excellence in athletics. Thank you for supporting all of our teams. Please access the following website during any season to view a full slate of our athletic contests:

View the 2023-2024 Natick High School Athletic Schedules.

An email was sent out earlier in the week to students reminding them how to purchase tickets for upcoming athletic events as well as expectations for student's behaviors while at these events. To see more information regarding this information please click here.

Vision and hearing screenings for all students in Grade 10 will occur on October 16th & 17th during the school day.

Please remind your child to bring their glasses to school.

Height and weight screenings will take place during PE classes the following 2 weeks.

If you would like to opt your child out from the mandated screenings, please fill out this Opt-Out Form no later than Friday October 11th @ 2pm, or email Nursing Director Nicole Marcinkiewicz at nimarcinkiewicz@natickps.org

Parents of Grade 11 students need to be sure you have provided the health office with a recent copy of your student's physical. This needs to be received no later than September 29th. This may be emailed to highschoolnurses@natickps.org or faxed to 508-651-7167.

Parents of Grade 11-12 students, if your student is age 16 or over, the health office must have proof of Meningococcal conjugate (MenACWY) vaccination on file per Massachusetts State requirements. If you have already provided documentation (included with Physical Exam) please disregard. This may be emailed to highschoolnurses@natickps.org or faxed to 508-651-7167.

Additionally we would like to stress the importance of completing the on-line PowerSchool Emergency Forms for your student(s). This needs to be completed each school year. We access important health information, contact numbers as well as permission for Tylenol/Ibuprofen and other over the counter medications. These medications will not be given without a signature from a parent/guardian.

Questions? Please contact the Natick High School Nursing Team:

Nicole Marcinkiewicz, RN

Carrie Harding, RN

Kelly Keene, RN

Julianne Geremia, R

Please click here for information on all of the following:

• Student parking
• School buses
• Food services, including how to order lunch ahead of time
• Junior and senior "priv"
• Our cell phone use practices
• How to call your student in absent
• CORI checks for parent volunteers
• Joining the PTSO

Thank you to our librarians for helping us celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with this beautiful display!

During CDS this week, 9th graders visited our club fair, led by their student mentors. Thank you to all of the student club leaders, who represented their clubs and to the mentors for supporting our 9th graders while they learned about opportunities available at NHS!

In partnership with the Natick Board of Health, we are able to provide flu shots to NPS students during the afternoon of the early release day. To register for this clinic, please visit: bit.ly/nps_fluclinic

SPARK Kindness is excited to announce our next event: Managing Anxiety In Our Children (And Ourselves) with expert Lynn Lyons on 10/8 at 7pm at Natick High School. This is an essential program with important resources for parents, caregivers, educators, and community members supporting children of all ages! We appreciate you sharing this important program with your community. Please see the details and event poster below:

Managing Anxiety in Our Children (And Ourselves) with Lynn Lyons, LICSW

Tuesday, October 8th at 7pm at Natick High School Auditorium

A FREE community event for parents, caregivers, educators, and community members supporting children of all ages. News of the mental health crisis in young people is overwhelming. How can we help our children manage anxiety without being swept up by fear and confusion ourselves? In this program, national expert Lynn Lyons will offer practical strategies to reduce anxiety and promote resilience in children, as well as their caregivers. Topics will include:

• How to teach young people to manage emotions in an effective way

• Strategies for helping a child suffering from anxiety-related matters including school refusal

• How to help children cope with social pressures, including social media and screens

• Resources available for support

Co-sponsored by The Resilience Project.

Registration Link: https://sparkmanaginganxiety.eventbrite.com

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 of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990
• Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990
• Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
• Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972
• MGL, Ch.76, Section 5: Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 76, Section 5