Natick Redhawks

THE WEEK AHEAD

MONDAY, MARCH 20 - BLUE 2

TUESDAY, MARCH 21- RED 1

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 22 - BLUE 1

THURSDAY, MARCH 23 - EQUITY CO-OP DAY SCHEDULE

FRIDAY, MARCH 24 - RED 2

Congratulations to the NHS West Street Singers, who were named the Grand Champions at the New England Show Choir Showdown on Saturday! The group also received a gold medal and awards for Best Choreography and Best Vocals. They continue their journey at the Lil’ Rhody Rumble on March 25!

Both the Red and Blue days morning broadcast classes have transformed the way we receive updates and announcements, as well as student highlights. On Monday, March 13 the Red day class had a visit from Eliza Kruczynski '16 who is now a weekend anchor at WFSB Channel 3 in the Hartford area. Students had a Q & A session at the end of the production for Eliza about her career path and experiences. Both of the red and blue day broadcast teams are producing shows that are college levels productions!

Please read - Letter to Students and Familes - Equity Co-Op

We are looking forward to our third annual Equity Co-Op school wide conference on Thursday, March 23rd. The Equity Collaborative is a group for students and club representatives committed to furthering school-wide equity, inclusion, anti-racism, and respect. The Collaborative is responsible for planning and executing the Equity Co-op, with the goal of fostering a sense of belonging for all students.

During the school day, students will be attending two workshops on topics of their choosing. These workshops were prepared by many student led NHS clubs and community organizations on a variety of topics. Students will also attend a keynote presentation featuring a six member panel of Natick High School staff, students, and community members. The focus of the keynote will be belonging and bringing awareness to the vast array of experiences on our campus.

Disability Services at the College Level Information Session Monday, March 20th, 1pm-2:17pm (for 11th and 12th grade students only)

Monday, March 20th 1pm- Disability Services in College Presentation RSVP

Join us for a presentation from the director of Westfield State University's Banacos Academic Center and NHS graduates to hear how high school is different from college, especially when it comes to what kind of support you will receive. This event is for 11th and 12th grade students with IEPs and 504 plans.

Did you know that special education and your IEP both end in High School? Did you know that your 504 plan might look different in a college setting? Do you know how to get accommodations in college? Do you know how to access tutoring? It is very different from high school!

This will be considered an "in school field trip" and you will be excused from your Blue 2 Block 4 class.

Location: NorthStar Conference Room, room 125

TRAFFIC

1) There is now a bicycle lane on Campus Drive approaching Pond Street as drivers exit the NHS campus. Vehicles are not permitted to travel in the bicycle lane, which creates an unsafe environment for cyclists and the school buses. Student and parents drivers have impeded bus travel by doing this. Please remain in the driving lane only until the top of Campus Drive has been reached, where right and left turns are permitted.

2) ELA MCAS - 10 GRADE - All 10th-grade students will take the English Language Arts (ELA) MCAS on 3/28 and 3/29. Students must take the test on their school-issued device; the testing platform is not compatible with personal devices. Students will be notified of their assigned testing rooms during the week of 3/20 and should report to those testing rooms on 3/28 and 3/29 at 7:30am.

3)The bell schedules for our Daily Schedule, Early Release Day and 2 Hour Delay have been added to the NHS website, under School Info, Bell Schedules.

March 20th-24th is Disability Awareness Week where Natick High will be celebrating all disabilities, visible and invisible. We hope you are able to join us for Rock Your Socks Day on Tuesday to celebrate Down Syndrome Awareness, sign the "Choose to Include" poster to promote Unified Sports or join the Inclusion in Media panel at the Equity Co-Op on Thursday. Remember to wear your Natick gear on Friday to celebrate Natick Unified!

Join the Access program and the Connections Club in celebrating Down Syndrome Awareness Day on Tuesday, March 21st. Down Syndrome is the triplication of the 21st pair of chromosomes. Show off your craziest socks to support your "homies with extra chromies". Take a group picture with your Red block 2 class and submit it to the Google form below. Pictures will be voted on by students in the Connections Club. The winning class will win a breakfast catered by the Access program.

Photo Submission Link

*INTERACTIVE WORKSHOPS* *ENGAGING DISCUSSIONS LED BY PUBLIC HEALTH EXPERTS*
*Q&A PANELS WITH COLLEGE STUDENTS*

Support the Class of 2024 by getting your car washed at Scrub-A-Dub in Natick. To make your dollars count, click this link to purchase a voucher which will be sent to your email after buying.

You can stock multiple up (they last for 6 months), buy a few as a gift for your family members, friends, or just for yourself! For just $10 you can keep your car sparkling and help the grade vitally in making our class successful. Half of all proceeds will go to 2024 fundraising efforts for prom, boat cruise catering, senior picnic, and important class events.

To read the NHS Health & Wellness Departments Quarterly Newsletter, please click here.

CLICK HERE to view the February Newsletter from the Natick HS Band

To view our Guidance Departments current bulletin please click here.

ALL ATHLETES REGISTERED FOR SPRING SPORTS.

The Athletic Department is sharing with you a google doc with the first day practice sites and times. As with everything this Spring Season, plans can change because of weather so please pay attention to upcoming announcements especially from the coaching staff. See below for tentative first day details for Monday March 20th and for Monday March 27th (for Unified Track and Ultimate). They will be updating this right up to 2pm on Monday 3/20 if the weather dictates. They know this is not ideal but this is what outdoor spring sports provides us.

2023 Spring Sports First Day Sites and Times--

Stopping the Cycle of Anger: How to Navigate Anxiety and Big Feelings with Calm and Compassion

Thursday, March 23 at 7pm via Zoom -- For parents, caregivers, educators, and community members of all ages

In this talk, author Renee Jain, MA, will offer practical, supportive techniques to address anger and other intense emotions in ourselves, our children and our teens with more understanding and less screaming. She will discuss how to uncover what's underneath these big feelings and how to empower individuals, parents, and children to shift to more positive response patterns. ASL interpretation will be provided at this event. Register and learn more about this FREE online program and more upcoming events at www.SPARKKindness.org

Just a reminder, if your child tests positive for Covid-19, they must stay home for 5 days. The day they started symptoms is Day 0, the next day is Day 1, then Day 2, etc. They may return to school on Day 6 and must wear a mask for an additional 5 days. A headache, scratchy throat, congestion/runny nose, cough, and/or fever are some of the more common symptoms of Covid-19.

Siblings and close contacts do not need to quarantine and can come to school as long as they are not having symptoms of illness. However, they must wear a mask for 10 days when around others following a Covid exposure.

Click for more information from the Massachusetts DPH: Covid-19 Isolation and Exposure Guidance

Please read Grade 11 parents/guardians. Very Important!

Grade 11 Screening/Vaccine Requirement

Mr. Fleming has put together a comprehensive website for NHS Yearbook resources. It includes Senior photo requirement guidelines, how to purchase a yearbook, as well as how to advertise. Please see the NHS Yearbook Website here.

Thank you to our PTSO for their ongoing support to our students and faculty. Our PTSO is looking for more volunteers to assist them with their work for the school year. You can learn more about the NHS PTSO, and how to get involved by visiting their website. Thank you in advance for your help!

You can subscribe to their monthly newsletter at the top of their webpage.

PTSO Website and Information

Reminder If you want to volunteer in schools, you must have a CORI check conducted and you must go into the building with identification (drivers license or passport) to do this. Click here for description of what a CORI check is and does. Without a CORI check, you cannot volunteer in the school. Here is the form to fill out for a CORI.

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 1990Title II
• Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990Title VI
• Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964Title IX
• Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972
• MGL, Ch.76, Section 5: Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 76, Section 5