Natick Public Schools: Weekly District Update

The following is a press release published by the Natick Public Schools

NATICK, MA - The Natick Public Schools made the following announcements over the past week.

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.
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

District Calendar for May

• May 1-14: National Music Week
• May 2-6: Teacher Appreciation Week
• May 3: Eid Al-Fitr
• May 5: National Teacher Appreciation Day
• May 6: Kindergarten Only - No School
• May 6: School Lunch Hero Day
• Month of May: Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Please also refer to your school calendar for school-based activities & information.

Teacher Appreciation Week National Teacher Appreciation Day School Lunch Hero Day Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

SUPERINTENDENT'S MEMO

Dear Community:

With great pleasure and pride (and deep gratitude to Town Meeting), I share that the Natick Spring Annual Town meeting voted unanimously to support the school budget for the FY23 school year. You can view our Town Meeting presentation online. This presentation includes a video overview of the district (slide 2), and the results of prior investments from Town Meeting. Thank you for viewing!

This budget continues additional reading intervention, screening and support, supports the revision of our math curricula K-12, the deployment of new curriculum in social-emotional learning at the K-4 level, and new social studies units (delayed during COVID) for K-4. This budget enables smaller class sizes across the district, adds special-area offerings and more intervention and special education service blocks to the middle schools. The resources to provide those expanded services should mean that all students, regardless of disability or support need, should experience the full range of world language and arts offerings within their middle school day, should families desire it.

Grant funding is being used in the coming year, just as it was this year, to expand and accelerate our academic and social-emotional interventions for students. These resources and roles will continue to be shared at school committee meetings each quarter as they have been this year. Our vital themes for grant funding use next year include:

• Early elementary and the transition from PreK
• Additional Tier 2 Support K-8, especially to address lagging literacy deficits
• Study hall/CDS supports for students with Ds and Fs
• Executive functioning and behavior/social-emotional learning support for kindergarten
• Maintaining added guidance and social work resources K-4
• Executive functioning and behavioral management supports 5-12
• PK-12 special education supports, particularly for inclusion, testing
• Individual access to on-demand writing support and content-area tutoring supports in multiple languages for students in grades 5-12

This budget, developed by our team in response to our student performance and need data, supported by school committee advocacy, allows for more personalized services for all students. We are grateful to you, Natick citizens, for your ongoing support of the schools.

Anna

Caimano Named Director of Safety & Security
FBI veteran to coordinate emergency management planning throughout school system, town
NPS Superintendent Dr. Anna Nolin and Natick Police Department Chief Jim Hicks have named Jim Caimano as the district's first director of safety & security. This is a two-year position federally funded by the Department of Justice’s COPS grant. The position will audit current town and school building for safety and security protocols. To learn more about Mr. Caimano, read the press release on the NPS website.

Last Day of School Set by School Committee
SY 2022-23 calendar also updated
The School Committee voted Monday, April 25 to approve the last day of school as June 21, 2022 (early release) for all schools EXCEPT Lilja School. Lilja School will have a full day of school on June 21, 2022 and their last day will be on June 22, 2022 (early release).

Also, the 2022-2023 school year calendar was modified. The first day of school is Wednesday, August 31 and there will be a full day of school the Friday before Labor Day, September 2.

External Communications Survey

Reaching an entire school community in today's digital and mobile world requires planning. As a district, we're examining the best methods to connect with families and our community. We’re asking for your feedback via this survey as we evaluate our communications efforts. Please take five minutes to provide your input. Thank you for your insight!

Register for Natick Summer Learning Program

For over twenty-seven years, Natick has offered a summer programs for students entering grades K-12 and beyond that offers week-long courses for learning recovery, enrichment, exploration, and fun! Join us this summer! Natick Summer Programs are self-supporting program open to all students without regard to sex, race, religion, color, or national origin.

View this brochure to learn more about our academic and enrichment opportunities. Additional information is on our summer website. Ready to sign-up? Visit this website to complete your registration.

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)

WATCH THE HOW-TO VIDEO

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.

WEEKLY SCHOOL NEWSLETTERS

NATICK PRESCHOOL

JOHNSON SCHOOL

KENNEDY

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 “submit another response” 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.

VIRTUAL COFFEE HOURS WITH THE NATICK SCHOOL COMMITTEE

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.

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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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 we’re 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 we’re notifying you now so you’re aware you’ll need to re-adjust to meal charges after such a long time without having to worry about it. We’ll 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.

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
75 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

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 13–15, 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!

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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.


• 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 author’s own.