Natick Redhawks

This morning during two student assemblies, our choir and band groups performed their annual holiday concert. Shortly after their performance at NHS, they took the show on the road to Wilson and Kennedy MS for performances at each of those schools. We all wish the weather had been more cooperative for today, but they persevered and had three great performances.

Please see Dr. Nolin's LETTER shared this afternoon in response to an act of racism at our school this week. We do not stand for acts of hate, racism, or violence at Natick High School. In my communication to students today I said - "I share this with you because I am incredibly passionate about making this school community one that is accepting, inclusive, and caring for every student here. It is hard work and it takes every student, staff member, and family to commit to this work. I have all faith that we can do this together with effort, courage, and compassion.

I know this is important to our Natick Community. Please continue to have conversations and examples with your high school student about what this looks like, and how you as a family can uphold those same values in our community, homes, and schools.

As hard as this work can be, I am incredibly honored to partner with the community and lead this school through continuous improvement. Please find rest and reflection over this break. Peace, Joy, and Happiness to your families.

Jason Hoye

Interim Principal

THE WEEK AHEAD

MONDAY, JANUARY 2 - NO SCHOOL

TUESDAY, JANUARY 3 - BLUE 2

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4 - RED 1

THURSDAY, JANUARY 5 - BLUE 1

FRIDAY, JANUARY 6 - RED 2

The NHS Speech & Debate Team hosted the 60th Annual Holly Speech & Debate Festival on Saturday, welcoming hundreds of students, coaches, and volunteers from schools across the state. Thirty NHS students participated in the event, and the team had an amazing showing!

The team placed 4th overall out of over 30 schools, and two team members received very special recognition:

First, Connor Federico-Grome received First Place in the Double-Entry Competition. This award is given to the highest ranking student across two diverse events.

Second, JJ Gilbert was the Champion of the student Pentathlon. The Holly is the only high school speech & debate tournament that offers a Pentathlon, a competition that usually only exists at the college level. This special division is open to one student from each school, and that student must compete in five separate events from varying disciplines. The philosophy of the pentathlon is to select a single student who succeeds across a broad spectrum of disciplines. JJ's hard work in five distinct areas earned him top honors among an elite pack.

Other Natick award recipients included:

Lauren Applegate - 4th Place - Children's Literature

Cadoa Aukerman - 6th Place - Novice Prose Reading

Christa Belev & Adam Pochubut - Tied for 2nd Place - Novice Public Forum Debate

Connor Federico-Grome - 2nd Place - Drama Audition

Connor Federico-Grome - 2nd Place - Prose Reading

Chris Gagliardi - Champion - Congressional Debate

JJ Gilbert - Champion - Extemporaneous Literature

JJ Gilbert - 2nd Place - Press Conference

JJ Gilbert - 3rd Place - Dramatic Performance

Ella Kelly - 2nd Place - Novice Prose Reading

Jared Mastromatteo - 6th Place - Children's Literature

Nathan Moldover - Finalist - Congressional Debate

Akshaya Ravi - 2nd Place - Congressional Debate

Ben Scharr-Weiner - Finalist - Congressional Debate

Anastasia Tolstoy - 3rd Place - Extemporaneous Literature

Anastasia Tolstoy - 4th Place - Play Reading

This student-led initiative was a tremendous success, thanks to the hard work of several team members led by Student Chairperson JJ Gilbert. Congratulations to the team!

1) SCHOOL IS CLOSED FOR THE WINER BREAK FROM MONDAY 12/26-MONDAY 1/2. SCHOOL REOPENS ON TUESDAY JANUARY 3.

The winter sports season has started. HERE is a link to the athletic teams schedules.

Here are the details on Girls learn to play hockey.

This is a free invitational skate for any girls interested in learning how to play ice hockey. From first grade up through Middle School.

The Natick high School girls hockey program coaches along with varsity players will be providing on ice instruction.

This is an excellent opportunity to meet wlth the high school hockey program coaches high school players and the Natick comets girls program .

Gear required to participate

Hockey skates or figure skates

hockey gloves or mittens or gloves

Hockey helmet or at a minimum a bike helmet.

Rental skates will be available if needed.

We will provide an assortment of hockey sticks for all ages if needed.

Players that have experience and equipment are welcome to participate. If you have equipment please wear it.

Time and place

William Chase arena Natick

12/29 8:30 a.m. to 9:50 a.m.

Please email me us if you plan on attending.

Hope to see you there!

If you have any questions or concerns feel free to contact me. By email or phone

bihloff@gmail.com

774 270 0710

Varsity coach

Bruce Ihloff

To view our Guidance Departments current bulletin please click here.

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year! May you enjoy a restful break.

Just a reminder, if your child tests positive for Covid-19, they must stay home for 5 days. The day they started symptoms is Day 0, the next day is Day 1, then Day 2, etc. They may return to school on Day 6 and must wear a mask for an additional 5 days. A headache, scratchy throat, congestion/runny nose, cough, and/or fever are some of the more common symptoms of Covid-19.

Siblings and close contacts do not need to quarantine and can come to school as long as they are not having symptoms of illness. However, they must wear a mask for 10 days when around others following a Covid exposure.

Click for more information from the Massachusetts DPH: Covid-19 Isolation and Exposure Guidance

Please read Grade 11 parents/guardians. Very Important!

Grade 11 Screening/Vaccine Requirement

Mr. Fleming has put together a comprehensive website for NHS Yearbook resources. It includes Senior photo requirement guidelines, how to purchase a yearbook, as well as how to advertise. Please see the NHS Yearbook Website here.

Thank you to our PTSO for their ongoing support to our students and faculty. Our PTSO is looking for more volunteers to assist them with their work for the school year. You can learn more about the NHS PTSO, and how to get involved by visiting their website. Thank you in advance for your help!

You can subscribe to their monthly newsletter at the top of their webpage.

PTSO Website and Information

Reminder If you want to volunteer in schools, you must have a CORI check conducted and you must go into the building with identification (drivers license or passport) to do this. Click here for description of what a CORI check is and does. Without a CORI check, you cannot volunteer in the school. Here is the form to fill out for a CORI.

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