Natick Redhawks

Dear Natick High School Families,

It has been an eventful week at Natick High! Our seniors have been decked out in spirit wear this week, ranging from "decades" day--complete with neon and bell bottoms--to "USA" day with lots of flag-themed leggings. Spirit week ends today with "red out" in honor of our first home football game. We have been working with our students on our expectations for fan behavior at that game, and I'll mention a bit about that later in the newsletter. If your NHS student(s) plans to attend, please take some time to read over those expectations with them.

In the week ahead, our students will have an early release on Wednesday so our staff can engage in some important professional development centered around goal setting for the year. This year, our collective theme is, "How can we help our students be the best versions of themselves?" We will be spending some time on Wednesday, and in the coming months, delving into this question from a myriad of perspectives. We are looking forward to the work and are glad to have the time together to begin that journey.

I hope you had a great weekend!

Kind Regards,

Josepha Blocker

Principal, Natick High School

9/18 - Early Release @ 11 am for Staff Professional Development

9/25 - 9th Grade Class Elections, 7:30 am - 8:15 am

9/26 - Open House, 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm

10/3 - No School - Rosh Hashanah

We are excited to be hosting Needham for the first home football game of the season, which will begin on Memorial Stadium at 6 pm this evening.

We are so proud of the support for our teams by the Natick community, and especially by our NPS students. We are many times the envy of our opponents as they witness the turnout of our students at the games and the loyal support that they provide for our student athletes.

Families planning to attend are invited to enter via the Main Entrance to the Stadium and to use the main restroom area as needed. Tickets can be purchased here, which we suggest that you do in advance. There is no option to purchase tickets for cash at the gate. We kindly ask any non-NHS students to attend with as adult, and to sit in the main area for spectators. There is a separate section that will be reserved for NHS students.

If you have an NHS student planning to attend, we ask that you review these expectations and procedures with them to reinforce positive fan behavior and a safe environment.

1. We strongly suggest that students (and other spectators) purchase tickets before the game. We anticipate a large crowd, and with hundreds of folks trying to buy tickets at once from the field, there are often difficulties with the website. There is no option to purchase tickets for cash at the gate.
2. All students must enter via the student entrance, on the south side of the stadium. Students should bring their phones, with digital tickets, directly to the NHS Student Section Entrance (located on the Natick side of the stadium at the far end of the home stands). NHS Administration, and other staff will be there to greet students.
3. Students will not be permitted to bring bags or drinks (including water bottles) inside the stadium. You should leave backpacks at home, in their lockers, or in their cars. Refreshments are available for purchase at the game.
4. There is no re-entry to the stadium for students. Students should plan ahead and bring a sweatshirt or jacket to the game. As the night wears on, it will cool off.
5. NHS students are not permitted to use the restrooms located at the locker room/ticket area. All NHS students may use the port-a-potties that will be located at the student entrance.
6. Please cheer FOR our team, not AGAINST the other team. Do not call out specific players.
7. All school rules also apply to student conduct at sporting events. Administrators, school resource officers and other members of Natick Police will be in attendance to ensure safety.
8. No devices are permitted that could interfere with game play or other spectator's enjoyment or safety. This includes, but is not limited to, items that release powdered poppers, noise makers, and whistles.
9. As in school, school events are a substance-free environment. This means that no person may use, be under the influence of, or be in possession any substance during the game. The same applies while on school property before or after the game. If we are concerned about a student's wellbeing, we reserve the right to use a breathalyzer to confirm that they are not under the influence of alcohol. In the event that we are concerned about a student's potential substance use, we will call the student's parent or guardian to pick up the student.
10. Attending school events is a privilege, not a right. We reserve the right to maintain a safe and celebratory environment for all in attendance. As such, students who are not complying with these safety provisions and expectations of fan behavior may be asked to leave the game without refund, and their parents will be called.

We are looking forward to a fun, spirited evening, cheering on our football team as we take on Needham! Go Redhawks!

Meet Principal Josepha Blocker, learn about school life, and meet your student's teachers. Open House will be on 9/26 from 6 pm - 8:30 pm.

College representatives are beginning to meet with Natick High students, both in person and virtually. Please visit the Guidance Website for more information on particular college visits. Students are encouraged to attend these visits for colleges that interest them.

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 look at the site and bookmark it for future reference.

The National Honor Society will be sending out invitations to apply to qualifying seniors on Friday, September 13th. To be invited, seniors must have:

• a GPA of 3.4 or better on a 4.0 scale.
• at least 50 hours of community service
• two formal leadership roles.

Seniors interested in applying must attend a mandatory, virtual meeting Tuesday, September 17th at 2:30. Seniors should look for details in their invitation letter.

Applications will be due no later than Friday, September 20th by 2:30 PM. Late applications will not be considered.

Remember to check your inbox on Friday, September 13th.! Please reach out to Mrs. St. Jean or Ms. Marino with any questions.

PSAT Testing

Saturday, October 26, 2023

7:30 AM to approximately 11:30 AM

NATICK HIGH SCHOOL

The PSAT will be administered in digital format, and all students must bring their school-issued Chromebook for this test. This testing opportunity will help juniors practice for their digital SAT.

More information about the digital format and PSAT can be found in the PSAT Student Guide.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact Sarah Erving at serving@natickps.org

We are thrilled to continue to offer this opportunity to juniors at no charge. All juniors are strongly encouraged to attend, as this testing opportunity will help juniors practice for their digital SAT. No further action is required - juniors will automatically be registered for the test.

Students who have already been approved for accommodations through the College Board will have those accommodations in place on the test day unless parents opt out in writing to Ms. Erving at serving@natickps.org.

The PSAT's are geared towards those juniors who would like to compete for the National Merit Scholarships and those who would like to practice for their upcoming SATs. Each year, however, a small number of sophomores request to take the test. We are able to accommodate a certain number of sophomores, on a first-come-first-served basis, for a cost of $35. Please note that all sophomores will be able to take the PSAT next fall.

Sophomores who wish to take the PSAT must:

• Complete this form PSAT registration
• Bring $35 in cash or check. Checks shoudl be made out to "NHS Testing"
• Students should bring their payment to Ms. Slattery or Ms. White in the Guidance Office by the end of the school day next Friday, September 20th.

AP® (Advanced Placement ) Exam Registration Now Open

• Register before November 4th to avoid late fees.

Here is the link to the 2024-2025 AP Exam Registration Site

Note: These exams are intended for students who are currently enrolled in an AP course at Natick High School or have prepared for exams independently.

A provision of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, a federal law, requires secondary schools, upon a receipt of a request, to release the names, addresses, email addresses and telephone numbers of students attending the high school to United States military recruiters.

If you wish to have your student’s name removed from this reporting list, please fill out the Military Exempt Form by October 20, 2024 and return it to Mrs. Slattery in the NHS Guidance Office via email at dslattery@natickps.org.

You can purchase your 2024-2025 yearbook here!

Please visit the Natick High School Yearbook's website for further information about:

• Senior photos
• Senior quotes
• Senior surveys,

• Purchasing an ad in this year's yearbook

Any questions related to yearbook orders should be directed to Yearbook Advisor Jonathan Fleming at jfleming@natickps.org.

Natick is a community that enjoys a rich tradition of excellence in athletics. Thank you for supporting all of our teams. Please access the following website during any season to view a full slate of our athletic contests:

View the 2023-2024 Natick High School Athletic Schedules.

An email was sent out earlier in the week to students reminding them how to purchase tickets for upcoming athletic events as well as expectations for student's behaviors while at these events. To see more information regarding this information please click here.

Parents of Grade 11 students need to be sure you have provided the health office with a recent copy of your student's physical. This needs to be received no later than September 29th. This may be emailed to highschoolnurses@natickps.org or faxed to 508-651-7167.

Parents of Grade 11-12 students, if your student is age 16 or over, the health office must have proof of Meningococcal conjugate( MenACWY) vaccination on file per Massachusetts State requirements. If you have already provided documentation (included with Physical Exam) please disregard. This may be emailed to highschoolnurses@natickps.org or faxed to 508-651-7167.

Additionally we would like to stress the importance of completing the on-line Power School Emergency Forms for your student(s). This needs to be completed each school year. We access important health information, contact numbers as well as permission for Tylenol/Ibuprofen and other over the counter medications. These medications will not be given without a signature from a parent/guardian.

Questions? Please contact the Natick High School Nursing Team:

Nicole Marcinkiewicz, RN

Carrie Harding, RN

Kelly Keene, RN

Julianne Geremia, R

Please click here for information on all of the following:

• Student parking
• School buses
• Food services, including how to order lunch ahead of time
• Junior and senior "priv"
• Our cell phone use practices
• How to call your student in absent
• CORI checks for parent volunteers
• Joining the PTSO

On Tuesday, August 20th, staff at MassBay, along with NHS teacher Gen O’Connell and NHS Science Department Head Dan Hinnenkamp, welcomed a cohort of 31 incoming 9th graders, who are embarking on a four-year journey through a dual-enrollment program with MassBay. Through the program, the result of a $1 million dollar grant secured by Mr. Hinnenkamp and Assistant Superintendent Sue Balboni, students will take courses with Natick High staff and MassBay staff in a variety of STEM areas throughout their four years at NHS. As part of this new program, MassBay has outfitted NHS with new technology including a robotic arm (pictured below) and a number of 3-D printers. These learning tools will not only benefit the Academy; they will allow all of our students to access state-of-the-art resources. Check out this press release for more information!

(Top left: Testing design principles; Top right: Working with a Robotic Arm; Bottom: Students at work stations with circuit boards)

Over 100 juniors and seniors arrived to mentor and welcome our new students and the Class of 2028 for 9th grade orientation on August 20th. After attending voluntary training last year and this summer with teacher Anthony Cuoco, these student leaders worked with guidance counselor Jon Nardi to run a thoughtful welcoming program for new upperclass students and over 90% of the incoming class. Our student mentors will be continuing their work with our 9th graders throughout term 1 during CDS. They will be leading team-building activities, teaching about aspirational goal setting and stress reduction, and orienting our 9th graders to essential building-based logistics. They will also be engaging in fun activities with our 9th graders like walking through a club fair, engaging in Halloween door-decorating competition and leading a highly anticipated 9th grade dodgeball tournament. We are so proud of the work of our student leaders!

Pictured below: The 9th grade class surrounded by our student mentors (in their pink mentorship shirts)

Natick High School teacher Lisa Olivieri debuted her documentary Recovery City, at the Provincetown International Film Festival in June, where it won the audience award for Best Documentary Feature. Recovery City is a raw exploration of what it means to be in recovery as seen through the eyes of four women whose lives share a common thread: addiction. In the working class city of Worcester, Massachusetts, Christine fights to regain custody of her young children while grappling with a traumatic past, and battling stigma from the very systems that are designed to help her. Bridget, who found recovery while in prison, now facilitates peer-led support meetings for women. On the frontlines, recovery coaches Janis and Rebecca navigate the city’s toughest corners offering support and trying to save lives. In this portrait of resilience, grit, and camaraderie, the women use their lived experience to lift up those still struggling while refusing to give up hope.

The film also received an award for Outstanding Documentary Feature at the Shawna Shea Film Festival. Other screenings include The SouthSide Film Festival, Maine International Film Festival and The Women’s Film Festival. Recovery City will be screening at Mystic Film Festival and Monadnock International Film Festival, in the fall!

If you would like to see Lisa’s film, Recovery City, it will be screening at TCAN in Natick on 9/17. The film is 96 min long and will be followed by a Q&A with Lisa, the subjects of the film and an addiction specialist from Newton Wellesley Hospital. Tickets are free, you just have to register for a space. Link for tix: https://tcan.org/events/recovery-city/

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