• WHOLE SCHOOL ASSEMBLY: WE TAKE CARE FO EACH OTHER: This past Monday we hosted the Lincoln Steppers at our whole school assembly. This dance troop from Lincoln, Massachusetts is a collection of students in grades 2 - 8 from Lincoln Public Schools and Hanscom Air Force Base School. Their message is "Stomping our the isms..." They shared their talents and then taught us all a little bit of what they know.

• INSTRUMENT SHOWCASE for RISING 3RD AND 4TH GRADERS: The Natick Public Schools is excited to be offering orchestra to 3rd and 4th grade students and band to 4th grade students for the 2024-2025 school year! Please find attached a flyer for our annual Instrumental Showcase which will take place on Tuesday, June 11 from 5 - 7pm in the Natick High School Cafeteria. During this time students will have the opportunity to see, hear, touch and play the instruments that will be offered for both orchestra and band. Learn more at: https://www.natickps.org/departments/arts/Instrumental_music_program

• FAMILY FUN NIGHT IS BACK! FRIDAY, MAY 31: Family Fun Night will be held on May 31 from 5:30-7:30pm. In order to put on an event of this size, we will need A LOT of volunteers!! Below is a list of the booths that we would like to have at Family Fun Night, however, we can only offer the activity if we have enough volunteers! Click here to sign up for a spot by 5/17 so we can finalize the activities that will be offered.

• DID YOU KNOW MAY IS MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH: May is Mental Health Awareness Month! To raise awareness, the Town of Natick is sponsoring various events, resources, and collaborations around Natick. All events are FREE & open to the public (some require registration). Scan the QR code or visit bit.ly/mentalhealth_natick for more event information. Follow @NatickSupportsMentalHealth on Facebook to stay updated on mental health resources and events all year round!

• MIDDLE SCHOOL TRANSITION INFORMATION: Step Up Day has been scheduled for TUESDAY, JUNE 4, 2024. Our students will walk to Wilson Middle School with their teachers and support staff to tour the building, meet their new team members, and have their questions answered! Additionally, please take a moment to review the 4th to 5th grade transition timeline of events here!

• REMINDER: NATICK SUMMER PROGRAM REGISTRATION: Students will enjoy week-long courses for enrichment, exploration, and fun–right here in Natick! The Summer Enrichment and Summer Scholars programs will allow your children to explore their interests and help prevent summer slide. Pre-approved students are welcomed into the Extended School Year (ESY) program and the High School Credit Recovery Program. Our Strength and Conditioning Program provides dynamic exercises and drills from some of the best coaches in the area.
  
  Registration through Active.com is open now. Our popular Summer Enrichment program courses include Cooking, Arts and Crafts, Pondology, Chemistry, Sports, and much more. Students from rising Kindergarteners up through rising 8th graders are grouped by grade level.
  
  NEW THIS YEAR: All participants in Summer Enrichment and Summer Scholars will receive a complete schedule of classes (subject to availability) running from 8:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. every day. Access our dedicated website for more information.

  Families looking for financial assistance this summer can complete this form prior to registering to get the process started: 2024 Summer Programs Assistance. Join us this summe

I am writing to let you know that I have made the difficult decision to leave Ben-Hem at the end of this year. This school community has been such an important part of my life for so long. However, it is time for me to make a change and to explore a new path in my professional life. I have been fortunate to have worked with the wonderful students, families, and staff of Ben-Hem. I am truly grateful for all of the opportunities that I have been given in this community. While I am sad to say goodbye, I am also excited for the new opportunities that lie ahead. Please know that I will carry the memories of our time together with me always.

The Ben-Hem community has made a collective commitment to take care of ourselves, to take care of each other, and to take care of the world around us. Please continue to keep this commitment at the forefront of all that you do.

Thank you once again for everything. It has been an incredible journey, and I am grateful to have shared it with each one of you.

With warmest regards,

Ben Gatto

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