Schools
Natick Public Schools Announces Weekly District Update
Find out the latest information from the Natick Public Schools
04/22/2022
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Non-Discrimination Statement: Natick Public Schools does not discriminate in employment nor in its educational programs, services, and activities on the basis of 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.
Federal and State Legislation Addressing Discrimination in Educational Institutions
Find out what's happening in Natickfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
You will find links to the contacts for each of the following statutes below.
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
April 22, 2022
District Calendar
April
ο»ΏPlease also refer to your school calendar for school-based activities & information.
VIRTUAL COFFEE HOURS WITH THE NATICK SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Profile of a Graduate Conversation Rescheduled for April 29
The Natick School Committee welcomes families and community members to attend Virtual Coffee Hours with us in the coming months! Each session has a topic aligned to the district strategic plan. We look forward to hearing your feedback and questions and sharing from our purview.
Friday, April 29, 12:00-12:45 p.m. (New Date & Time) - Profile of a Graduate
Tuesday, May 17, 6:00 - 6:45 p.m. (Time Changed) - Dismantling Systemic Barriers for Equitable Access to Opportunity
Wednesday, June 15, TBD - Social Emotional Learning and Healthy Living
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 867 2427 5279
Passcode: 013880
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Meeting ID: 867 2427 5279
Passcode: 013880
ThoughtExchange: Give Feedback Directly to Dr. Nolin
We need your input on district priorities
ο»Ώ
As we head into the final 1/3 of the school year and turn our eyes to planning for the 2022-23 school year, NPS wants your feedback on how you feel we should prioritize district resources and grant funding in the coming year. Please fill out this one question survey! It's totally anonymous.
ThoughtExchange: Give Feedback Directly to the Superintendent on District Needs
DESE Conducting Regularly-Scheduled Tiered Focused Monitoring Review
View video of virtual parent orientation now
During the week of May 2, 2022, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Educationβs Office of Public School Monitoring (PSM) will conduct a Tiered Focused Monitoring Review of Natick School District. If you missed the virtual parent orientation held by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, you can watch it online.
View the full press release, with translations, and event information.
COVID UPDATES
DAILY COVID Symptom Screening (Checklist)
Students and staff who are SICK should STAY HOME.
Please monitor for symptoms each morning before school by reviewing the COVID Symptom Checklist (link).
Updated COVID-19 Testing Procedure
Natick Public Schools is no longer pool testing. We have implemented at-home weekly rapid antigen tests. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is providing antigen (rapid) COVID-19 tests for students to use at home with the expectation students test at home once a week.
VIEW THE INFORMATION ON THE NEW TESTING PROCEDURE
FILL OUT THE OPT-IN FORM FOR THE NEW TESTING PROCEDURE
How to Administer the At-Home COVID Test
The test being sent home is the iHealth Labs COVID-19 rapid antigen test kits. The tests can be completed in 15 minutes without the need to send a sample to a laboratory. Mobile phones or computers are not needed for any part of the test.
VIEW SELF-TEST AT-HOME INSTRUCTIONS HERE (MULTIPLE TRANSLATIONS)
4/22/22
No Update due to Good Friday & April Break
Chart Terminology: CC's = Close Contacts
Not seeing the School Newsletters or Community Updates section?
At the bottom of this email, click on "View Entire Message" to see the full Engage newsletter.
ADDITIONAL INFO FOR FAMILIES
School Bus Registration for SY 2022-23 Open
Bus registration for the 2022-23 school year is open. ALL parents and caregivers who want their students to ride the bus for the 2022-23 school year MUST register for school bus transportation. Each child must be registered separately. Sign-up for bus transportation on the NPS website.
The deadline for registration is June 6, 2022. The transportation fee for the 2022-23 school year is $200 per student with a family cap of $400*. A late fee is added to ALL registrations received after June 6, 2022**. If registering a new student in Natick Public Schools after the deadline, late fees do not apply if you register for transportation within two weeks of registering for school. For families with extenuating circumstances, a written request to waive a late fee may be submitted to the Director of Finance.
After you submit your first registration, additional children may be registered by clicking on the βsubmit another responseβ link. Clicking on this link will bring up a new registration page. If a transportation fee is required, you may pay online after completing the registration process.
* An assessed late fee and second bus passes will not be included when determining the family cap of $400. The $400 family cap is for transportation fees only. Registration will not be considered complete until all fees are paid in full.
** A late fee will be assessed to ALL registrations received after June 6, 2022. The late fee schedule is as follows:
Registered between:
6/7/2022 - 6/30/2022 $30 per family
7/1/2022 - 7/31/2022 $60 per family
after 7/31/22 $90 per family
Connolly & Sons Hiring Bus Drivers
Pay starts at $31/hour after completion of training
As NPS prepares to add additional bus routes for the 2022-23 school year, bus drivers are needed. Michael J. Connolly & Sons offers free CDL training, and pay starts at $31/hour after completion of training. All applicants must pass a drug screen, and a U.S. Department of Transportation physical.
Bus drivers have flexibility with part-time hours, morning routes, and/or evening routes. Drivers collect unemployment during school vacation weeks and summer break. Connolly will install car seats or booster seats if you need to bring your young child(ren) with you to work.
If you or someone you know is interested, apply on the Connolly website. Please mention you were referred by the Town of Natick Transportation Department.
MA Approved to Provide Families Additional P-EBT for 2021-22 School Year
Eligible families to receive retroactive payments starting May 25
Starting May 25 Massachusetts will issue P-EBT for children who missed school because of COVID-19 in school year 2021-2022. If eligible, funds will be added to P-EBT or EBT cards starting May 25, 2022. Keep your P-EBT card.
For school year 2021-2022, P-EBT benefit amounts will be determined by the number of eligible COVID-related excused absences a student has in a month. Eligible Massachusettsβ families will receive a retroactive P-EBT payment for September 2021 through April 2022 COVID-related absences on May 25, 2022. The two remaining monthly payments for the school year (May and June) will be made on the 25th of each month.
Eligible families will receive one of three P-EBT amounts per month, per student depending on the number of COVID-19 related eligible excused school absences, as determined by school districts:
- 1-5 absences: $21 a month per student
- 6-15 absences: $71 a month per student
- 16+ absences: $128 a month per student
Families will continue to receive P-EBT on the same card they did in the past. Households who lost their P-EBT card can request a replacement card. Newly eligible students will receive their P-EBT benefits on their EBT card if receiving DTA benefits or will be mailed a P-EBT card if they do not receive DTA benefits.
P-EBT benefits can be used anywhere Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits are accepted, including online from select retailers. More information on P-EBT can be found at Mass.gov/P-EBT and MAp-EBT.org.
Changes Coming to Universal Free Lunch Program
Summer lunch program also ending
As you may have heard on the news, the recent appropriations package passed by Congress does not include extending the current free school lunch program past June 30, 2022. As a result weβre unable to provide universal free meals as we have the last two years, beginning with the 2022-23 school year. What does this mean for you?
NPS will return to the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and our Summer Eats sites will not be available this year. Free and reduced price meals will only be offered to students directly certified for these meals or approved through a household application (available July 1). We understand that this is a big change for all, and weβre notifying you now so youβre aware youβll need to re-adjust to meal charges after such a long time without having to worry about it. Weβll keep you updated on any other developments from our partners at DESE and the USDA.
Daytime Construction on Bacon Street Bridge Has Resumed
Bacon Street Travel Detoured During Project
Roadway and sidewalk construction activities for the Bacon Street Bridge Replacement Project in Wellesley resumed Monday, March 21, and continues for 6-8 weeks. Work hours will be Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM each day.
During this work, Bacon Street traffic will be detoured. A signed detour route will be in place and a detour map can be viewed on the project website. We encourage drivers to avoid the area or seek alternate routes to avoid delays. Variable message boards will also be installed before any major construction and will display the most up-to-date information.
Email updates will be sent prior to future activities that have significant noise or traffic impacts. Please sign-up to continue to receive important updates on this project. Also bookmark the website for additional information and updates.
For questions or to report issues related to construction, please email the MBTA.
Reminders & Resources
Inclement Weather Procedures for Winter 2021/22
Our most current School Cancellation and Delay procedures that will be used in the event of inclement weather is accessible on our website.ο»Ώ
Make Your Voice Heard
Natick Town Seal Review Committee Survey
The Town Seal Review Committee wants your input on creating a new seal for our town that accurately and respectfully reflects our community. Take the survey at www.natickseal.org or find a paper copy at Town Hall, Morse Institute Library, Bacon Free Library, the Community-Senior Center, Natick Housing Authority/Coolidge Gardens, the Natick Service Council, and the Department of Public Works.
Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day on April 30
Tickets must be purchased in advance
Saturday, April 30, 2022
9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Natick Department of Public Works
ο»Ώ75 West Street
TICKETS must be purchased in advance in one of the following ways:
- in person at the Board of Health office, 13 East Central St., Town Hall, 2nd floor with cash or check payable to Town of Natick, you will be given your ticket
- with a check payable to the Town of Natick either via US Mail or via the drop box to the right of the Town Hall front door. Please address envelopes: Board of Health, 13 East Central St., Natick MA 01760. Be sure to include your US Mail address so we can mail your ticket to you. NOTE: if you wish to get your ticket by mail, please have the payment into the Board of Health office by Friday, April 22, 2022.
- Tickets will not be sold on site, vehicles without a ticket will be turned away
- Natick Residents only, $10.00 per car, limited to 300 cars
- View the full list of accepted items on the Town of Natick's website.
NATICK 180
My Teen Wonβt Talk With Me! Strategies for Building Trust and Communicating Effectively
April 28th from 7:00 - 8:15 PM ET | Registration Link
The Addiction Inoculation with Jessica Lahey
May 11th from 7:00 - 8:30 PM ET | Registration Link
Family Promise Metrowest
Walk to End Homelessness Set for May 13-15
Family Promise Metrowest, a Natick nonprofit that helps local families facing homelessness, is holding its 13th annual Walk to End Homelessness on May 13β15, 2022.
We invite you to join over 1,000 people taking walks with family and friends throughout the Metrowest region to raise funds and awareness to support families in need. You choose when, where, and how, and walk 10 minutes or walk 10 miles. Every step you take helps FPM families!
Translating our Newsletter & Website
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Non-Discrimination Statement:
Natick Public Schools does not discriminate in employment nor in its educational programs, services, and activities on the basis of 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.
Federal and State Legislation Addressing Discrimination in Educational Institutions
You will find links to the contacts for each of the following statutes below.
ο»Ώ
- 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
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
This press release was produced by Natick Public Schools. The views expressed here are the authorβs own.
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