Natick Redhawks

Dear Natick High School Caregivers,

There was so much excitement in the air today as students got ready to head off for the holidays. We started the day with our annual holiday concerts given by our many music groups. It was a great way to start the day. Then, the Speech and Debate team gave mini-performances in the Library in preparation for their Holly Festival, which is taking place this weekend. We will also be hosting a large Robotics competetion here on Sunday. It may be break, but our students are still finding joy in the things they love doing here!

When we get back from break, we will be entering the last two weeks of term 2 and semester 1, followed by midterm exam week. Below, there is more information on what these weeks will look like. Students do not typically receive homework over breaks. However, if you are worried that your NHS student is behind for the term, please check Powerschool, and invite them to use the break to catch up ahead of the rush.

As we close for break, I want to thank our students for always inspiring me, and I wanted to wish those of you who celebrate a very Merry Christmas, a happy Hanukkah, a happy Kwanzaa and a great New Year!

Warmly,

Josepha Blocker

Principal, Natick High School

12/21 - 1/1 - School Closed for Winter Break

12/24 - Christmas Eve

12/25 - Merry Christmas!

12/25 - 1/1 - Happy Hanukkah!

12/26 - 1/1 - Happy Kwanzaa!

1/1 - Happy New Year!

1/7 - Free Senior Photo Day (See below.)

1/15 - Early Dismissal for Students for Staff Professional Development

1/17 - Last Day of Term 2

1/20 - Martin Luther King Day - No School

1/21-1/24 - Midterm Exams for Students - Early Dismissal at 11:00

1/24 - Last Day for Semester 1

Seniors who are still in need of getting a photo, there is going to be an opportunity here at the school on Tuesday, January 7th (snow days Wednesday, 1/8 or Thursday 1/9, if necessary)!

Mr. Glass from Paradise Photo will be set up in the NHS Main Lobby from 11am - 1pm on Tuesday, Jan. 7th to take free senior photos for the yearbook. These photos are free because they will strictly be used for the yearbook page only!

For those of you who still have not gotten a photo taken, but are planning on finding a photo elsewhere (OTHER THAN PARADISE), you should try to have your photo sent to us by or before Jan. 9th. After that date, we will be sending out a Google form to any students we still do not have photos from to find out how you will be getting your photo to us for the yearbook!

Our goal is always to include every student, but time is growing limited.

During the week following Martin Luther King Day, January 21 thru January 24, students will have two blocks per day, with a break in between for exams. Then, they will be dismissed at 11 am. This will allow them time to prepare for the following day's exams. All blocks will meet including study halls, and students are expected to attend classes, even when exams are not given. More information on exams can be found here, and will be sent directly the students also.

Natick High School is going to Germany, Poland, and Czechia in February 2026 for a cultural and WWII-era history tour, and you’re invited!

See our trip itinerary linked here.

Register for our virtual info session on Tuesday, January 14 at 6pm: https://rsvp.eftours.com/j36j45m to learn more about opportunity.

Please reach out if you have questions or cannot attend the interest session but would still like more information! Andrea Rogers anrogers@natickps.org

NHS is hosting the pre-ACT test on Saturday, March 29th. The test runs approximately from 7:30 AM to 12:00 PM.

Please sign up on the Google Form and bring a check for $35 made out to NHS Testing or cash to the Guidance office and give it to Ms. White or Ms. Slattery by Friday, February 7th.

If you have testing accommodations, please indicate whether or not you would like to use them on the Google Form. If you have any questions please contact - Ms. Erving at serving@natickps.org.

pre-ACT Sign up

Help support the NHS mentorship program this holiday season! For every $10 donated to the program, you will receive a car wash voucher to use at any Scrub-a-Dub. The NHS mentorship program will receive 50% of all donations. Fundraising money will be used for supplies and to further enhance activities. This voucher will make a great, easy gift / stocking stuffer for any family member or friend that drives. Treat your loved one with something they desperately need this holiday season, a car wash! The mentorship program appreciates any and all donations. They go a long way in not only making your kids prepared for high school, but helping the mentorship program for years to come.

Happy Holidays!

Please click on this link to purchase your car wash.

Support our school with the "Build-a-Brick" fundraiser!

For just $100, you can personalize a brick with your name and a message, and have it placed on the walkway outside. It's a lasting way to leave your mark and help fund important school projects!

Purchase your brick today!

After a wonderful success last year, the Yearbook staff is continuing a special opportunity for our graduating Seniors who require financial assistance. While most students can afford and enjoy their yearbooks, there are others who are not able to buy their own. This is where we call upon the NHS community this holiday season for help in this manner!

Introducing the Yearbook Angel program:

If you are able, we would love your help in donating extra yearbook purchases to this cause so we can make sure every senior who would like to get a book will receive one before the end of the year! We will be accepting donations from our Yearbook Angels through December 31st!

Here's how it works:

1. If you are interested in purchasing an extra book to donate, go to the NHS store at yearbookforever.com, the same way as when you buy a regular book.
2. Order a basic yearbook with YEARBOOK as the student first name and ANGEL as the student last name. Select STAFF for grade.
3. At check out, use the coupon code ANGEL25 to apply a $35 off coupon to the current price to the book.* Currently, the basic yearbook costs $85, which means the book will cost $50 in total at checkout with the coupon applied (Not including tax). **
4. If you would still like to donate to this cause, but cannot donate the full $50, you may donate however much you would like at the bottom of the school store page in the "Donate a Yearbook" section and just type in your custom amount. This money WILL go towards a yearbook no matter what.
5. Our school staff will make sure these books are delivered to the students who are looking to get them once distribution time comes along in the spring.

* NOTE 1: There is only a limited supply of these coupon codes, so please do not use it for your own book, or we will have to refund the purchase of any book that is not an Angel book.

** NOTE 2: If anyone is so inclined to donate more than one book on the school site, please make each book a separate order so you may use the coupon code on each individual order. If you order more than one book all at once, only $35 will come off the entire order, not each individual book!

Our goal for this year is to get 34 books donated, which is a total monetary donation amount of $1700, almost triple our target goal from last year! With your help, you could really make someone's year!

If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to Yearbook Advisor Jonathan Fleming (jfleming@natickps.org) or Dean Jason Hoye (jhoye@natickps.org) for more information.

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 bookmark the site and review it regularly.

Our nine instrumental and vocal performance groups treats our staff and students to our annual holiday concert complete with decorations and holiday cheer! After performing at NHS, our students hit the road to perform at Kennedy and Wilson Middle Schools

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. Please note that EACH CLASS has a UNIQUE LINK to use to pay class dues. Below, you will find the information needed and who to contact if you have questions.

• Advisors: Neil Donohue (ndonohue@natickps.org) and Brenna Keefe (bkeefe@natickps.org)
• Dues Amount: $100

* Almost all students have paid their class dues. If you are not sure whether your senior still owes class dues, please contact Mr. Donohue or Ms. Keefe.

• Dues Amount: $100
• To Pay:

• Use THIS LINK or
• Write a check payable to Natick High School with your child's name and "Class of 2026" in the memo line
• Advisors: Rebecca Tramontozzi (rtramontozzi@natickps.org) and Jessica Stefanini (jstefanini@natickps.org)

• Dues Amount: $100
• To Pay:

• Use THIS LINK or
• Write a check payable to Natick High School with your child's name and "Class of 2027" in the memo line
• Advisors: Deanna Kanavas-DeRocher (dkanavas-derocher@natickps.org) and Jim Brosnihan (jbrosnihan@natickps.org)

• Dues Amount: $150
• To Pay:

• Use THIS LINK or
• Write a check payable to Natick High School with your child's name and "Class of 2028" in the memo line
• Advisors: Emily Diesl (ediesl@natickps.org) and Kelsey Wiliams (kwilliams@natickps.org)

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

As of today only 58.9% of our students' forms have been completed and submitted. If you have not yet completed your Required Yearly Form (RYF) please do so, so that we have the most accurate information regarding your student(s). These forms allow caregivers the opportunity to update their contact information and invite caregivers to share medical information pertinent to their NHS student. The forms also provide important notices and give caregivers a chance to consent to various school-related activities that may impact their student.

If you have not yet completed your student's yearly forms, here is the link to complete the forms and some important reminders: https://natickps.powerschool.com/public

If you have not yet completed the forms, further instructions were given in this past newsletter.

Please click here for information on all of the following:

• Student parking
• School buses
• Food services, including how to order lunch ahead of time
• Purchasing a Yearbook
• Annual notifications from our nurses
• How to find out about, and purchase tickets for, athletic events
• Junior and senior "priv"
• Our cell phone use practices
• How to call your student in absent
• CORI checks for parent volunteers
• Joining the PTSO

Have you experienced flooding in Natick over the last few years?

Well join the Town's Conservation Agent/Environmental Planner (Claire Rundelli) in an effort to gather data about flooding in our community for an on-going grant project!

We have put together a survey to allow Natick residents, employees who work in Natick or just folks passing through to report where flooding can be reported to help the project team assess potential locations for improved drainage. While the survey is primarily focused on the watershed draining to the Settling Pond (link to map), you can use this survey to report any flooding experienced within Town! The survey will be open until Friday, January 17th!

Please submit one response for each flooding location you are reporting and there are no limits on the number of responses you can submit. Survey is available in English, Spanish, Portuguese (Brazil), and Mandarin. Choose your survey language using the button at the top of the screen when the survey opens.

You can find out even more about the project here: https://www.natickma.gov/2189/PROJECT-Stormwater-Treatment-for-Dug-Pon

Survey Here

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