Natick Redhawks

Next week, students will take midterm exams and we will move on to Semester 2 after January 20th. Please see the schedule and format below in the Reminders and Important Points.

We look forward to our 18th annual MLK Celebration at Kennedy Middle School on Monday, January 16th. The community celebration begins at 10am with student presentations, speakers, song and dance. Please see the additional information and flyer below.

Take care and have a great weekend.

Jason Hoye

Interim Principal

THE WEEK AHEAD

MONDAY, JANUARY 16 - NO SCHOOL - MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY

TUESDAY, JANUARY 17 - MIDTERMS - EARLY RELEASE @ 11

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18 - MIDTERMS - EARLY RELEASE @ 11

THURSDAY, JANUARY 19 - MIDTERMS - EARLY RELEASE @ 11

FRIDAY, JANUARY 20 - MIDTERMS - EARLY RELEASE @ 11. TERM 2 ENDS

Congratulations to Mr. Morrill and Ms. Burns' 22 students who attended the Senior District Festival last weekend at Boston Latin. The concerts and rehearsals were excellent. Of particular note was a piece by Omar Thomas called "Come Sunday" that Lieut. Darren Lin (from the Presidents Own) conducted: It was programmed by Darren along with band managers Ms. Morrill and Mr. Morrill. If you get a chance, check it out. The whole program and conductors were outstanding, but that piece was new and exciting and ear/mind changing.

1) NO LATE BUSES 1/17-1/20. ALL BUSES WILL LEAVE AT 11:10 THE LATEST.

2) During the exam week, if your student will not be present during a period they are not scheduled for an exam, please call the absence line to report a dismissal or absence.

3) Midterm exams - Format, Expectations, and Guidelines (link)

4) LUNCHES DURING EXAM WEEK - pre order grab and go items (hot and cold!) online using the nutrislice app or the website https://natickps.nutrislice.com/menu/natick-high

5) Parent pick up at the end of the school day - Please do not park in staff or visitor parking when waiting for your student at the end of the school day. There have been an increasing number of parents occupying staff and faculty parking spots when waiting for their children. This presents traffic and safety concerns at dismissal. Thank you for your understanding.

Dear Community Partners and Friends,

Hello! We hope this email finds you well and that you are finding time to be kind to yourself during this busy season.

We are excited to announce that Natick's 18th Annual MLK Day Community Celebration Program and Community Connection Event will be held Monday, January 16th from 10am--12pm at Kennedy Middle School. As many of you know, this event is a powerful and important opportunity to gather, share, and build community connection, as we recognize the enduring work of Martin Luther King Jr. Our Planning Committee, including the Natick Public Schools, the Natick METCO program, the Interfaith Clergy, Natick is UNITED, Natick 180/Board of Health, and SPARK Kindness, is once again thrilled to be joined by student and community groups to share in what will be a very special day.

The MLK Day Community Celebration Program will be held from 10-11am in the Kennedy Middle School Auditorium, with special student presentations, guest speakers, song and dance. Immediately following the program at 11am, we will hold a Community Connection Event (formerly known as the Welcoming Fair) in the Kennedy Middle School cafeteria.

We hope your organization/group can join us to connect with community members by hosting a table and sharing information about the important work of your organization/group! Since there will be many younger community members who will attend their families/caregivers you are welcome to have a “kid friendly” activity, but this is not required.

Please complete this quick online form to let us know if you would like a table. Tables and chairs will be provided, you just need to bring your materials and yourself! If you have questions or if there is any other information we can provide, please don't hesitate to contact us at enolangreer@sparkkindness.org. Please let us know by Friday, 1/7 if you can join us.

As Martin Luther King Jr. once said, "Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, What are you doing for others?" Finally (and most importantly), THANK YOU for doing so much for others and serving our community so well.

To view our Guidance Departments current bulletin please click here.

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

To read the NHS Health & Wellness Departments Quarterly Newsletter, please click here.

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