NPS Engage News

May 27: Memorial Day - Closed

May 31: NHS Graduation

June 13: KMS Moving On Ceremony

June 14: WMS Promotion Ceremony

Last Day of School: Friday, June 14. It's an Early Release Day.

Dear Natick Public School Students, Families, and Staff,

At its May 6 meeting, the Natick School Committee approved a new policy to add the appointment of a representative of the Metropolitan Council for Educational Opportunity (METCO) community to join the Natick School Committee as a non-voting member who will be equally able to participate in deliberations. This appointment can be filled by current parents/guardians and/or alumni of the program. At its next meeting on May 20, the School Committee is anticipated to appoint and fill this new seat to be effective for the next fiscal school year.

Natick will join several METCO Communities that hold seats for METCO Community members on their School Committees. This is a momentous occasion in the history of the Natick METCO Community and marks the continuing growth of the program!

The first class of students joined the then John F Kennedy Jr. High School and Natick High school in 1969 with an initial cohort of 20. The program now enrolls 52 students annually and has evolved over time through the district's sustained commitment to the ideals of the METCO program for the benefit of all Natick students and community.

With the strong support of local and METCO program leadership and our state legislators who have successfully lobbied for increased funding and grant opportunities to improve academic and special and emotional outcomes for our students, I bring your attention to the following recent improvements and acknowledgements in this past year.

• Enrollment of new students in the elementary school in addition to the middle and high school

• Additional bus transportation to facilitate access to after school co-curricular programs

• Access to courses at MASS BAY for college credit

• Summer acceleration study programs

• Acknowledgement of the successful effort to place each student in higher level courses at NHS

Finally, I am proud to note the selection of NPS this past November to be one of four school districts to receive personal coaching by renowned equity leader Dr. Darnisa Amante-Jackson to further the district’s goal to achieve equity for all of its students. A leadership team of central admin and building principals have met regularly with Dr. Amante-Jackson for intensive training to this end starting in November and ending next month. She repeatedly reminds us often that making steady growth over time best supports sustainable and equitable outcomes for all our Natick students.

Congratulations to NPS and the Natick community for these special recognitions achieved due to the concerted efforts of its many leaders, staff, families, and students! May the programs continue to grow as we look forward!

Sincerely,

Bella Wong

The Natick Public Schools is in the process of removing outdated files from our Google server for the purpose of digital space reduction as well as legal requirements to destroy certain records within a certain time after the unenrollment or graduation of a student. All files within our system, as well as those in hard copy format, will continue to be held in our possession based on the requirements of the Massachusetts Record Retention Schedule, the Electronic Records Management Guidelines, and other applicable laws. In the coming month our plan is to expunge irrelevant electronic records that are older than 6 years from the date of creation.

This notice is being provided in relation to destruction of temporary student records, such as emails and google documents, that are considered outdated and irrelevant, and that are older than 6 years from their creation. Student records are defined as any document that individually identifies a student that is held by the school district. Because emails and google documents may be considered a student record, this notice is being provided to allow parents and/or eligible students the right to inspect and/or receive a copy of such temporary, outdated, and irrelevant records prior to destruction.

Please be aware that all relevant and important records such as assessments, evaluations, discipline reports, individualized education plans, health records, important communications, grade reports, etc., are kept either in separate electronic or hard copy format in other locations and will not be expunged in this process.

If you wish to inspect and/or receive a copy of the temporary records set for destruction, please contact Marylu Doherty, Administrative Assistant, in the Office of Student Services by email at mdoherty@natickps.org, prior to June 7, 2024. Records will be set for destruction on June 15, 2024.

Review the music department calendar & contact your school’s music department for additional details.

May 22: NHS Spring Instrumental Concert, 6:30 p.m.

May 23: Wilson Pops Concert, 6 p.m.

May 28: Wilson 5th & 6th Chorus/Orchestra Concert, 6:30 p.m.

Wilson 7th & 8th Chorus/Orchestra Concert, 6:30 p.m.

May 29: Kennedy 5th & 7th Choral/Orchestra Concert, 6:30 p.m.

May 30: Wilson 7th and 8th grade Band Concert, 6:30 p.m.

Kennedy 6th & 8th Choral/Orchestra Concert, 6:30 p.m.

Starting TONIGHT! Wilson Middle School puts on "Never Eat a Talking Lobster, Tales of Moral Instruction For Incorrigible Children by Steph DeFerie. Description:

When a narrator displeased with her part tries to ruin the happy endings of five Grimm's fairy tales, a talking lobster must save the day. A charming comedy full of enterprising animals and classic storytelling magic. Buy Tickets Here.

(Natick Office of Student Services & SEPAC-sponsored or recommended events.)

Show Me More Events for Children Held Throughout Massachusetts

Please follow Natick SEPAC on Facebook & contact the Office of Student Services if you have questions about student services-focused events.

Check out the Athletics Calendar!

The 2024 MIAA Unified Track and Field State Championships will be held at NHS on Thursday, May 23 throughout the day.

There are games every day of the week next week. Join us to support our Redhawks! Visit the Natick Pegasus website to watch games you've missed.

Follow our feed for updates.

Click on the school name to access: Preschool • Ben-Hem • Brown • Johnson
Lilja • Memorial • Kennedy • Wilson • NHS

The Natick Education Foundation is pleased to announce the awardees of this year’s grants. NEF awards two kinds of grants each year, Innovation in Teaching and Learning Grants, which seek to support innovative practices and projects in classrooms and school buildings, as well as Professional Rejuvenation Grants, which support teachers’ professional growth and passions. This year NEF funded a total of fourteen grants, totaling $22,000 and 100% of grant applications received funding. Congratulations to our Natick educators—we thank them for their dedication and skill and look forward to seeing the impact these grants have on our school communities! (See the file below for the awardee names and projects.)

Photos provided by NHS Fine and Performing Arts. Professional photos can be purchased from Paradise Photo & Video.

This week, Janet Singer Applefield visited Wilson Middle School to share her harrowing childhood experiences in Nazi-occupied Poland, including her three-year separation from her father.

These photos feature the following: Wilson Winds at the MICCA Festival (Massachusetts Instrumental and Choral Association) annual concert competition. They earned a Silver Medal. The Wilson Jazz Band participated in the MAJE Festival (Massachusetts Association for Jazz Education) annual middle school jazz competition. At MAJE, they were awarded a Gold Medal. Wilson Winds and the Wilson Jazz Band traveled to the annual Music in the Parks Festival in Holyoke. Both groups were awarded a Superior Rating (Gold) and won 1st place in their division.

Members of the Harlem Wizards with NPS staff and students. On May 3, the Kids for Wish Kids club at Natick High sponsored a fundraiser for the Make-A-Wish-Foundation, which brought the Wizards to our court! The Make-A-Wish-Foundation MA/RI received $17,000 from this well-attended and exciting fundraiser!

Are you interested in fulfilling your Community Service Hours this summer and helping make a difference in a child's life? If so, please consider applying to volunteer with the Natick Summer Programs! Please check out the Natick Summer website for more information.

This summer we are offering 5 weeks of classes. Volunteers are expected to be present each day of the week for the session they sign up for. You can earn up to 18 hours of community service per week. The dates are as follows: Week 1: July 8-11; Week 2: July 15-18; Week 3: July 22-25; Week 4: July 29-Aug 1; and Week 5: August 5-8. Read the Volunteer Guidelines to get a sense of the expectations and your daily obligations. If you're ready to apply, complete the Volunteer Application to be considered. Volunteers must commit to an entire week(s) to be selected and earn community service hours!

All students who apply to volunteer must submit a Teacher Recommendation Form. The deadline to apply is Friday, May 24. Contact the Summer Learning Principal if you have questions.

METCO recently joined the MetroWest Anti-Bullying Coalition. METCO’s Chief Enrollment and Student Services Officer Wilmary Tejeda spoke at the Coalition’s recent Forum in Natick, organized by Coalition Founder Christine Guthery. As part of this work, Lawyers for Civil Rights partnered with METCO to host a series of focus groups of METCO students at HQ. They shared their personal experiences related to this topic and provided feedback, which was used to develop a Model Policy for Identity-Based Bullying and Harassment.

Students who participate in the METCO program are thriving from the elementary to high school grade levels. Natick became a partner METCO district in 1969. Learn about METCO's history.

Registration appointments are available four days a week at the Natick Community-Senior Center. Appointment times can occur Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and on Thursdays from 12 noon to 7 p.m. Please call 774-721-7500 or email 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. If you have a comment to share about how Paper has worked for your child, email communications@natickps.org.

THIS WEEKEND: Author/illustrator Jannie Ho teaches elementary students about the creative stages of making a graphic novel and how to create their own. Register for the May 19 event.

To raise awareness, the Town of Natick is sponsoring various events, resources, and collaborations around Natick. Visit bit.ly/mentalhealth_natick for more information. Follow NatickSupportsMentalHealth on Facebook. Events this weekend include: Yoga on Common, Resource Fair for Mental Health Awareness and Hope Blooms Community Event.

May is National Mental Health Awareness Month. In May of 2023 the Morse Institute

Library asked patrons the simple question, ‘How can we support each other?’

In May 2024, artists of all ages are invited to submit an original piece of artwork using the responses from 2023 as an inspiration. (If you would like the 2023 responses as a text file please email jenewman@minlib.net.)

Six winning designs will be featured on limited-edition library tote bags and tees. Access the contest flyer for complete info.

Join us for this unique experience as you are invited INSIDE the belly of the whale! During your

half-hour visit inside Nile, you’ll learn about these majestic creatures, how to protect whales,

and about the crucial role whales play in our ecosystem. Outside of the whale there will be

interactive exhibits and hands-on activities. This program is appropriate for ages 5 and older. (See the flyer below for ticketing information.

Saturday, June 8, 1-3 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 2 East Central St, Natick

• Wednesday, May 22: 99th Transfer of Flags, 6:30 p.m., WMS
• Friday, May 24: Veterans Breakfast, Wilson Middle School, 8:30 a.m. To attend, contact Natick VSO Paul Carew at 508-745-8893.
• On Memorial Day, May 27, 2024, at 8:25 a.m. is the flag raising, followed by the annual parade, which starts at Moran Park.
• Special Rededication Ceremony: The Natick Veterans Council and the American Legion Post 107 will rededicate Memorial Field to honor all wartime veterans killed in action. Observe this solemn, meaningful event on Mon., May 27 at 11 a.m. on Natick High School’s Memorial Field.

Schedule available online

"Family Stress Survival Guide," is an interactive virtual workshop for youth ages 11 to 18 and their primary caregivers (parents, guardians, grandparents, etc.). In collaboration with Families for Depression Awareness and Natick 180 this FREE program will occur in two sessions and each participant will receive their own copy of the Family Stress Survival Guide. Monday, June 3, and Monday, June 10, from 6 to 8 p.m. Advance registration is required.

Show me more about these musical summer programs for kids and teens.

Is someone in your household not receiving the Engage biweekly district newsletter or important notices related to bus transportation? Direct them to communications@natickps.org to let us know. Reminder: Review your school newsletters produced by your principal teams.

Smore.com newsletter HYPERLINK + FILE & ATTACHMENT notice: Files and attachments download best on a desktop computer. These files should be viewable on most mobile devices as well. While images might be hyperlinked, this is done in addition to inserting key links throughout the text. The links and files inserted in the newsletter are included in order to condense the space used.

Our email communication system, SchoolMessenger Communicate, has two APPS in the Apple App Store. They are reported to both be functional. If you want to get notifications on your iPhone about messages from Natick Public Schools, download the recommended SM Home app (newer) or the SchoolMessenger Education app. Also available in the Google Play Store. Make sure you enter your email of record (listed in PowerSchool) to sign up. Email us to let us know more about the performance of these apps.

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 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