Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Which school reorganization plan could reshape Acton’s elementary classrooms next year?

Happening soon: Latkes & Laughter: Concord Chanukah Celebration on the Acton Patch calendar

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Monday December 15th Patch AM
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Cheers Acton! We’re back, helping you stay up to date with what’s happening. Let's take on the day together! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • Which school reorganization plan could reshape Acton’s elementary classrooms next year?
  • How looming deficits could reshape Acton-Boxborough schools and graduation rules
  • How Acton’s drought rules change what your garden needs now

Also on today's calendar: Latkes & Laughter: Concord Chanukah Celebration and 9 more events.

Find out what's happening in Actonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: What did the stop sign say to the yield sign? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Actonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Monday: Brisk and quite cold, with a high of 25 and low of 18 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
  • Tuesday: Partly sunny and not as cold, temps: high: 34, low: 22.
  • Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high of 44 and low of 24 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• The AB Forward Steering Committee forwards four school reorganization scenarios to the School Committee (actonexchange.org) — Acton-Boxborough families face major changes as four elementary school reorganization options, all closing the aging Conant building, move to the School Committee for a January 22 vote. Scenarios range from merging or closing Merriam and McCarthy-Towne to creating larger K–6 schools, with public input invited at a January 8 hearing.
   

• School Committee Update: Nov 20 and Dec 4, 2025 (actonexchange.org) — Acton-Boxborough school leaders are warning legislators that state education funding formulas are squeezing local budgets, even after a 2024 override and planned school reorganization that includes closing Luther Conant Elementary. The School Committee also approved new course-based graduation competency requirements for Acton-Boxborough Regional High School, while voicing concern that evolving state rules may add work without solving long-term equity and funding challenges.
   

• Acton Garden Club Horticulture Hints: December 2025 (actonexchange.org) — Acton gardeners are being urged to protect evergreens and shrubs from harsh winter winds, cold, and hungry deer while still following the town’s strict Level 4 outdoor water-use restrictions. The Acton Garden Club shares practical tips on windbreaks, mulching, anti-desiccant sprays, and deer repellents, all tailored to our local hardiness zone and ongoing drought conditions.
   

📸 Around Acton

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • A vehicle fire against a building at 64 Brentwood St. in Malden, MA, has been reported, with mutual aid on the scene and the fire knocked down.
    8:28PM on Dec 13: Working fire reported at 64 Brentwood Street in Malden, MA. (Nextdoor )
  • Whitsons Culinary Group posted a job opening for Food Service Worker - Maynard School Nutrition in Maynard. Apply here.
  • Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc. posted a job opening for Quality Director, Purification & Pharma Analytics (PPA) in Bedford. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Acton here.

🗞 Nearby News

Bedford

  • The true story of the Yarl's Wood prison breakout from 24 Hours in Police Custody (cosmopolitan.com)

Ok Acton! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don’t know either. They were speaking in sign language.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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