NPS Engage News
Dear Natick Students, Families and Staff,
Welcome spring! With all of the rain we’ve been having I am hoping for lots of buds and flowers!
Last Thursday I was able to attend both of the opening sessions at the student-led 2024 Equity Co-op event. I was–and am–so impressed by the remarks of the students and faculty on the keynote panel. The panelists touched upon a wide range of topics to invite our deeper appreciation of what it means to feel included and to belong. They emphasized how belonging supported their capacity to thrive in school. Unfortunately, such understanding was facilitated by their personal stories of isolation and exclusion, sometimes accentuated by the hurtful acts of others. This took no small amount of maturity to share from the stage to hundreds of peers in back to back sessions over almost two hours. Despite the hurt conveyed, the morning sessions left us with hope as each panelist shared how they were able to overcome their challenges. A common essential thread was the importance of nurturing relationships with trusted adults in school and the support of core friendships among peers.
I was also impressed by the array of workshops students had the choice of choosing from for the mid-morning sessions, including one titled ‘The Difference a Good Lawyer Makes’ from the Mock Trial club. What a full service event! It was clear how much effort went into planning topics that would be relevant and engaging. Quiet spaces were also set aside across the building to allow students to reflect on their own.
Congratulations to our students! Well done!
With the advent of spring comes a new season of a myriad of after school activities, sports, exhibitions and performances … and of MCAS. Good luck to our students across all of these endeavors and within the many opportunities they have to engage with one another.
Bella Wong
Looking for financial assistance this summer?
Please complete this form prior to registering to get the process started:
2024 Summer Programs Assistance. Thank you!
Special Education Parent Programs
Natick Office of Student Services and SEPAC-sponsored events.
April 25 @ 6:30 p.m.: Neurodiversity Presentation led by NPS Staff. Live presentation.
May 16 @ 6:30 p.m.: End of Year Wrap-Up/Update Parent Forum. Live presentation. (Virtual presentations will be recorded.)
Parent Workshop From Landmark Learns
Wed. April 24: Building Your Child's Positive Self-Concept - Strategies for Students with Learning Differences. 7 p.m. Register for webinars and access resources from previous events on the Landmark School website.
She Kills Monsters: Young Adventurers Edition
The spring play presented by Natick High School Theater, She Kills Monsters: Young Adventurers Edition by Qui Nguyen, is an action-packed thrill ride. A play that has epic battles, glorious special effects, monsters, weapons, colorful costumes, a pounding soundtrack, highly comedic moments, and an engaging story with honest characters mixed between two worlds: one of dungeons and dragons fantasy and the other of the all too real world of high school in the mid-1990s. Suggested PG-13 rating; not appropriate for young children.
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 METCO's history.
Natick School Committee
Next meetings: Apr. 1, Apr. 22
Location: The third floor meeting room at Natick Town Hall and through hybrid virtual viewing or on Pegasus local access TV.
UPDATE: 2024-2025 School Year Calendar was approved.
NPS Music Events
Coming next week: NHS Honors Exposition, the MICCA Festival and the NHS: West Street Show Choir Performance. Review the music department calendar and contact your school’s music department for additional details.
Athletics
Almost every spring sport is represented in next week's playing schedule! With more than four games each weekday, there's something for everyone. Check out the Athletics Calendar!
Transportation
View bus routes & get transportation answers.
NPS Food Services
Join NPS
Want to Rent a School Facility?
Parent Academy
Transparency 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 registrar@natickps.org. Registration information can be found on our website.
Get free online tutoring for students in grades 5-12 via Paper. Explore by clicking the blue "P" in the Chromebook browser plug in. Access Parent Guides and additional information.
Starts Next Week: Life Skills Series (grades 9-12)
In this series, participants will learn critical lessons for the transition to adulthood.
Held on Thursdays from April 4 - May 2, 6 p.m.-7 p.m. at the Cole Center. Registration is required for this free workshop series: https://tinyurl.com/mr359hrv.
Session Topics:
Session 1 - Own Your Narrative: Crafting Compelling Accomplishment Statements
Session 2 - Financial Literacy 101
Session 3 - Self Care and Caring for Friends pt. I
Session 4 - Self Care and Caring for Friends pt. II
BONUS: Session 5 - Girls Intro to Personal Safety (additional registration required)
Natick Community Organic Farm's 2024 Summer Programs on the Farm
The hands-on programs are open to students ages 3 to 14. For details about scheduling, pricing, and more, visit www.natickfarm.org/summer-programs.
May 17: Natick To Take Over Polar Park
Natick is set to take part in the WooSox Town Takeover series that highlights local communities. The event is scheduled for Friday, May 17 at 6:05 p.m. in Worcester. For more information click here
Is someone in your household not receiving the Engage biweekly district newsletter or important notices related to bus transportation or weather delays? Direct them to communications@natickps.org to let us know. Reminder: Review your school newsletters produced by your principal teams.
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Have a story idea to share? Submit it here. NEXT newsletters: April 12, May 3.