NPS Engage News

May 31: NHS Graduation

June 13: KMS Moving On Ceremony

June 14: WMS Promotion Ceremony

Last Day of School: Friday, June 14 - Early Release Day.

Dear Natick Students, Families and Staff,

I had the privilege of attending the 100th anniversary of the Transfer of Flags at Wilson Middle School last week. This event is the first of Natick’s various annual town events dedicated to Memorial Day. Each student standard bearer from grades 1 through 5, grade 8 and 12 is given the opportunity to address attendees from the stage with a reflection of the past year’s experience. There were several funny stories about dodging thunderstorms. There were also some very deeply reflective narratives of the meaning of the flag. It was a special opportunity for younger students to be a part of and learn from older students in a shared learning experience that was further scaffolded by the opening remarks by a respected Natick Public School alumnus, parent and member of the military service.

I was also able to attend the rededication of the memorial stone at Memorial Field on Monday. The rededication newly expands the memorial to include Natick residents who lost their lives while in service to the Korean War, Vietnam War and in Beirut during the barracks bombing. Natick High School students provided music for this event as Wilson Middle School students did for the Transfer of Flags. Members of both bands were in full attendance outside of school hours on a Wednesday evening and a Monday morning and played beautifully. Several remarks were offered by Natick residents who knew the former residents being commemorated.

Both events represented a wonderful integration of youth and adults to represent the Natick community for Memorial Day in remembrance of lives lost and service. Thank you to veteran Paul Carew, who works tirelessly to organize these events and thoughtfully includes students and schools. The appreciation of sacrifices made and lessons of the past are important remembrances to inform our future.

In regard to the future … I am excited and so looking forward to celebrating the graduation of the Natick High School Class of 2024 this evening!

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The Natick Public Schools is in the process of removing outdated files from our Google server for the purpose of digital space reduction as well as legal requirements to destroy certain records within a certain time after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.

Subject to change. Review the music department calendar & contact your school’s music department for additional details. Please *stay tuned* for details on the remaining events for the week of June 10.

Sunday, June 2 @ 12 noon: Girls Varsity Softball v. Medford High

Monday, June 3 @ 5pm: Boys Varsity Lacrosse v. Bishop Feehan High

Monday, June 3 @ 6pm: Boys Varsity Volleyball v. Springfield Central High

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

Sign up today for Natick Summer Programs and choose the weeks that work for you! Our Summer Scholars and Summer Enrichment programs are open to grades K-8. The summer Strength and Conditioning program is open to grades 6-12. High school students who were recommended by NHS staff can take credit recovery courses. The comprehensive Extended School Year program for qualified students also runs throughout the summer. Registration through Active.com is still open . View our website for more info including contact details for our program leaders. Don't forget—we consider financial aid eligibility, if you complete this form.

DEADLINE: Tomorrow, Saturday, June 1st

Are you interested in LEAVING YOUR MARK on the 2024 Natick Summer Strength and Conditioning Program?

We are looking for talented artists interested in designing our program shirts for the 2024 Summer! If you have an idea that you think would look great on the shirt this year, please complete the form below!

Please complete and submit this form no later than June 1, 2024 so that we have sufficient time to work with our tee-shirt company and make the shirt a reality! Link to Tee-Shirt Design Google Form

• Still looking to register for this summer: Register Here!
• 2024 Summer Strength and Conditioning Hype Video

Wilson 5th grader Charlotte K. sings the national anthem at the Memorial Day event attended by many military veterans and residents.

Pictured above are Memorial Elementary School third-grade students during their recorder concert on Wednesday, May 29.

Our Brown Library Media Specialist has a very useful warning

for those of us needing to give back books!

Natick Public Schools was one of 21 districts who were awarded a total of $300,400 in racial equity implementation grants through funding provided by the state of Massachusetts. Among the projects, partnerships and training that this grant covers are IDEAS partnerships/training; using equity audits to identify racial equity gaps; supporting culturally-responsive learning; trainings on addressing hate in sports; restorative justice and implicit bias work.

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.

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

"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.

The Natick Board of Health wishes to inform its citizens that Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control Project personnel will be in Natick to Respond to residents’ concerns about mosquitoes in their area on the following dates in June: June 5, 6, 12, 13, 20, 26, 27. Please open and read the attached file for further details. Contact info: health@natickma.org.

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.

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