NSD eNews

Dear NSD Families and Staff,

Thank you to the Nashua High School North students, their families, and staff for their cooperation, patience, and support Monday as we managed a lockdown and early dismissal. Thank you too to the Nashua Police Department who worked with Mr. Burns to lead the investigation into the incident, and then followed up with added support yesterday and today to reassure the well-being of the North school community.

As I said Monday, we want to assure you that student and staff safety is our top priority. We appreciate the level of trust that is required in sending your children into our care, and we want you to know that as educators and parents ourselves, we take that responsibility very seriously.

Once again, thank you, and my hope is that you all have a restful school vacation next week, and return to school refreshed and re-energized. Enjoy vacation and we will see you Monday, March 4.

Sincerely,

Mario Andrade, Ed.D.

Superintendent of Schools

Nashua School District

The Nashua Board of Education approved the upcoming 2024-2025 school calendar.

Schools open on Tuesday, August 27 for the new school year.

The Board approved each motion unanimously, including the calendar for the upcoming 2024-2025 school year. Please note one change from last year is that the school district has split the parent/teacher conference dates next year for elementary schools into two groups on consecutive dates to allow for more flexible scheduling. More detailed information will be sent home from the schools about conferences at the beginning of the new school year.

Committee on Finance and Operations: The Board approved four motions.

• to install a set of swings at Broad Street Elementary School, paid for by the Broad Street Elementary PTO;
• to enter into a contract with Tyler Technologies, Plano, TX, for school bus transportation routing and field trip software with a first-year implementation cost of up to $20,496 and an annual software subscription fee of $17,069;
• to approve FY24 NSD January Budget Transfer Report.

Committee on Policy: The Board approved unanimously six policies, including four at first reading status, two under Fiscal Management and two under Support Services, because of immediate need to apply policies to business practices.

D. Fiscal Management

• DJ Purchasing
• DJB Purchasing Procedure

E. Support Services

• EHAA Employee Use of NRT (network resource and telecommunications) Systems
• EHAB Data Governance and Security

I. Instruction

• IKL Academic Honesty and Integrity
  
• IKL-R Ethical and Responsible Use of Generative AI

Committee on Human Resources: The Board approved unanimously eight personnel action items, including two nominations, one change to full-time status, one leave of absence (military), two resignations, and two retirements.

New Business: Two motions were passed unanimously.

• 2024-2025 calendar, as noted above;
• Special Education and Intensive Needs MOU between the Nashua Board of Education and the Nashua Teachers' Union to recognize and compensate dedicated staff who continue to serve our students with special needs.

Public Comments: Six NSD educators spoke about the Nashua Board of Education recent decision to redistrict middle school attendance boundary lines, questioning a shift in the criteria for the decision and potential impact on school enrollment, class sizes, travel patterns, staff reassignments and potential layoffs, curriculum, and other areas of concern.

The next Nashua Board of Education meeting is scheduled to take place Monday, March 11, 2024 at Nashua High School North.

If you are a parent with a student enrolled in the 21st Century Extended Day Program, please help support the grant application that would fund the continuation of the 21C extended day programs at Birch Hill and Sunset Heights Elementary Schools by participating in a short survey:

21st Century Parent Feedback Survey

The 21st Century Extended Day Program has been part of the Nashua School District for 25 years. If you would like more information on the program, please click here.

Editor's Note: Joseph Risteen, Nashua HS North Class of 2021 and current UNH student studying communications, is interning this semester in the NSD Office of Communications. One of his goals for the internship is to promote the Nashua Technology Center disciplines, which are the technical and career centered courses of study offered to Nashua HS North, Nashua HS South, and regional high school students.

"Over the past few weeks, I have been visiting NTC classes to take photographs and see the students learning. During these drop-ins, I have seen passionate teachers passing down information to eager students. These programs provide opportunities for students with all interests and plans for life after high school, whether they want to go to college, trade school, or become an entrepreneur. NTC teachers standby the three pillars of the program, helping students Learn, spreading the passion to Become, and providing a pathway to Succeed."

Congratulations to New Searles Elementary School for raising $5,000 for the American Heart Association, and embracing the importance of cardiovascular health!

Each year during February Heart Health Month, New Searles Elementary school community participates in the Kids Heart Challenge Program, learning about heart health. Kudos to Dee Lavoie, New Searles Elementary School physical education teacher, for leading efforts!

Thank you to the Newmarket (NH) Hot Shots for visiting yesterday and teaching New Searles new jump rope, cardio moves that they are learning in physical education class! Go Huskies!

In just the few weeks since registration for kindergarten opened, more than 200 families have registered.

This is the third year of online registration and it is working well. Having online registration is a convenient way for families to submit forms and to confirm the spelling of names, addresses, and contact information. Paper packets are also available, if needed.

If you have or know of a family or neighbor who has a child turning five years old by September 30, please ask them to log into nashua.edu to register for kindergarten.

If you have questions about registration, please contact Kathie MacIntyre in the school district’s Office of Student Services. She can be reached at 603 966 1068.

Scale the heights with Shelby Brown, the NSD McKinney Vento Liaison, and help support more than 250 homeless and in-transitional living students in Nashua schools.

Click here to donate to support Shelby as she participates in Over the Edge fundraiser through United Way of Greater Nashua. Shelby will be rappelling from the top of the Brady-Sullivan Building in Manchester this spring to raise funds for a dedicated fund under the United Way of Greater Nashua that supports homeless youth.

At the request of the NSD McKinney-Vento team, the UW fund has purchased internet hotspots, haircuts, holiday gifts, kitchen utensils, gas cards, strollers, and one-time utility assistance for our transitional students, helping them in many ways that our schools cannot.

Please support Shelby and the McKinney-Vento team in continuing to help our students.

The Nashua Lions Club is seeking nominations for the club's 2024 Teacher of the Year. Please click here to learn how to send your nominating letter. Nominations are due Monday, April 1, 2024.

Once again, we encourage you to follow NSD on Instagram! Just so you know, NSD will be utilizing social media, in addition to NSD usual means of communication, to announce emergency messages, including snow days and delayed openings this year.