Natick Public Schools: Weekly District Update For February 11

Press release from Natick Public Schools:

February 11, 2022

Translation Support: Visit our page for assistance. 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

February 11, 2022

District Calendar

February

• Feb. 1-28: Black History Month
• Feb. 1-15: Lunar New Year
• Feb. 21-25: February Break (Schools Closed)
• Feb. 21: Presidents Day (Central Office Closed)
• February 21-25: Public Schools Week

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

Superintendent Memo

Dear Natick Community:

It's been a very busy week but we are starting to see signs of more and more normalcy in our world. Arts performances are back in full force, internships begin again and more and more of our work transitions to "old-fashioned/pre-pandemic" challenges like student behavior or staff support issues. It feels go to turn our attention most fully to our students and their development and recovery needs.

It is also budget season, so we are busy with the review of our budget by the finance committee and its education subcommittee. The town administrator and I have, however, come to an agreement on how to balance the budget and have done so from the start of the budget season. That partnership serves all of Natick well.

The big news for all of us is that the state school mask mandate will be removed as of February 28 in schools per DESE, will remain on buses and all student transportation per federal order.

The Natick Board of Health will be voting on the status of the Town-wide mask mandate on February 15th and we cannot take up anything until that occurs.

We will address our plans at our 2/28 meeting and I see us moving in the direction of a flex mask culture in the near future.

Other mitigation strategies such as increased disinfection, hand sanitizer use, hand washing, mandatory staff and extracurricular vaccination, air flow and purification, masking on buses (federally mandated), our antigen testing program, and COVID isolation strategies (per DESE and MA DPH) will remain in place.

To support our students prior to any change to making, our principals and staff will begin to have conversations and trainings with students about masking choices, seating choices and any other topic or procedure that was previously restricted or dictated in pandemic safety precautions and might be causing students anxiety. For example we have 2nd graders who have never had the option of choosing their own lunch seat!

While these matters may seem small, they are the little but pivotal types of learning that school as a social training support provides to students. Even the act of choosing your seat or which friends to sit with is big and will need some support.

Start talking to your children about their concerns and celebrations as COVID restrictions change.

As a family, you will also have to make some decisions about masking and you will need to direct your child about your choices. Should the mask mandate be lifted, the school staff will not be keeping track of which parents and children prefer masking and which do not. Families will need to guide their children.

Parent Coordinating Council

The PCC and I met after a COVID hiatus to discuss the development of collaborative activities across the school system to help parents and our community start to come together again--reconnecting, socializing and getting back to the community traditions we once held as a townwide school community. Have ideas for us? give me an email annolin@natickps.org and I'll share it with the PCC.

Finally, our thanks to all the PTOs and parents who have been donating goodies to keep our staff going. These staff carts with snacks and coffee mean the world and are a total boost to the schools. Thanks for the warm embrace. Enjoy this lovely weather...see you next week!

Parent homework: please consider doing our Panorama survey which was emailed to the address listed in your powerschool account. This year, unlike prior years, we have changed the setting so you can fill out one for each of your children--recognizing the feedback that your children may experience our district differently thus you have differing feedback for us.

Natick Human Resources Department

Upcoming searches:

• Director of Social Emotional Learning & Equity
• Director of Security and Safety
• Natick High School Principal. (INFO BELOW)

Info on all searches coming soon.

Enjoy your weekend,

Anna

ANTIGEN TESTING PROCEDURE DURING FEBRUARY BREAK

Please administer test 2/27 before returning to school on 2/28

Families who have opted in for at-home antigen testing will receive their next set of tests on Thursday, February 17 or Friday, February 18. Please administer the first of these tests on Sunday, February 27, prior to returning to school from February break. This will ensure all students are healthy and safe to return to school. We are asking the same of our staff. The second test should be used on Wednesday, March 2.

The next set of tests will be sent home on Tuesday, March 8 to be used on Wednesday, March 9.

NHS PRINCIPAL SEARCH

Timeline Available Online Now

Natick Public Schools seeks a dynamic and innovative leader to guide teaching and learning at Natick High School, beginning July 2022. The Principal fosters a culture of respect, equity, inclusiveness, and academic excellence for all students. We challenge our students to work hard, to engage deeply, to build authentic relationships, and to thrive in all aspects of high school. You can review more information on the NHS Principal search, including our timeline of interviews and meetings with staff and the community, on our website.

SCHOOL SURVEY SENT OUT

Survey Emailed to Inbox Wednesday

Natick Public Schools has partnered with Panorama Education to survey families about experiences and perceptions at your child’s school. These surveys arrived via email on Wednesday. Please note that this year, you are able to complete a survey for each child in your household. Responses remain completely confidential, which means no one at the school sees your individual responses. The results of this survey help school administrators better understand the perceptions of families at each school. Survey data will be used by administrators to identify strengths and areas for growth.

Panel Discussion: IEP Transition Process

The Chris Walsh Center for Educators and Families of MetroWest is hosting a panel presentation to explain the process that students with an IEP go through from the age of 14 until they graduate from High School or turn 22. This event is designed to give parents the information they need to support their children through this process.

The free, virtual Panel Presentation: Understanding the Transition Process takes place on Wednesday, February 16 from 7:00 – 8:30 pm.

New Resource Page on Special Education from DESE

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has a new resource page on special education referral, evaluation, and eligibility. Although we practice this guidance here in Natick as written, DESE has put this into a very user-friendly format that may come in handy for your reference.

ASAP/ Early Risers & New Family Registration

Between March 14 and April 8, 2022, new families may register online for ASAP and Early Risers 2022-23.

For more information about our programs, go to www.natickps.org/programs/asap.

For details about the registration process, see the Registration tab on our web page or click here. If applications exceed the space available, placement will be determined by lottery. All registrations received between March 14 and midnight on April 8 will be entered into the lottery.

Please note:

• ASAP (after school) is offered at all five elementary and middle schools in Natick Public Schools.
• Early Risers (before school) is offered at elementary schools only.

Questions? Check out our general information, frequently asked questions, family handbook, and activity calendars on our web page. Still no luck? Email us at asap@natickps.org. Thanks!

Johnson Transition Grade Level Community Meetings

We have been meeting with Johnson incoming K, K, and Grade 1 Meetings and have met with approximately 68 families. To give families the chance to talk together, now that their individualized conferences have occurred, the following parent facilitated meetings will be held. Reminder to families who are considering a transition this year, we need to know this by March 6th.

VIEW THE MOST RECENT TRANSITION MEETING & PRESENTATION HERE

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

As you may be aware, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has provided new guidance for testing for all K-12 schools. We wanted to provide you with an update on how these changes affect your child and how Natick Public Schools plans to conduct COVID-19 testing moving forward.

WHAT’S CHANGING?

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.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE INFORMATION ON THE NEW TESTING PROCEDURE

CLICK HERE TO 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 HERE

WEEKLY SCHOOL NEWSLETTERS

Please click on the school name below to read the newsletter for this week.

NATICK PRESCHOOL

JOHNSON SCHOOL

KENNEDY

ADDITIONAL INFO FOR FAMILIES

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, February 15, 8:30 a.m. - Financial Planning
Wednesday, March 16, 12:00 - 12:45 p.m. - Communication and Engagement
Thursday, April 14, 6:00 - 6:45 p.m. - Profile of a Graduate
Tuesday, May 17, 8:30 -9:15 a.m. - Dismantling Systemic Barriers for Equitable Access to Opportunity
Wednesday, June 15, TBD - Social Emotional Learning and Healthy Living

Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86724275279?pwd=aUYzNHpYY3V5UWVaSjNsOVZyeVllZz09

Meeting ID: 867 2427 5279
Passcode: 013880
One tap mobile
+13126266799,,86724275279#,,,,*013880# US (Chicago)
+16465588656,,86724275279#,,,,*013880# US (New York)

Dial by your location
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 720 707 2699 US (Denver)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
Meeting ID: 867 2427 5279
Passcode: 013880

Find your local number: https://us06web.zoom.us/u/kmSsV0H2N

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 at https://www.NatickPS.Org/About/Cancellations_Delays.

Language Lessons with Global Child

Your journey into world languages and cultures begins with a global child.

Join their fun and academic in-person or virtual classes. Classes are available for one-on-one/private or group sessions. They now offer classes for adults & children in:

• Arabic
• ASL
• Chinese
• French
• Italian
• Portuguese
• Russia
• Spanish

Click here to more about Global Child and connect with them for lessons and information today!

Jeff’s Place Program Updates: Counseling and Support

We are so glad to continue offering our virtual Young Adult Support Group for individuals 18-25 years old who have experienced the death of an immediate family member. If you or someone you know is interested in joining, click apply here with this link.

Requests for Individual Counseling services have been increasing throughout the pandemic. They are pleased to announce that they are accepting new clients. Apply here with this link.

Season's Breathing: Jeff's Place Yoga

This month Jeff’s Place offered its first yoga class as part of the Coping with the Holidays workshop series. Yoga offers many benefits including supporting a grieving heart by helping us loosen the emotional and physical tightness in our bodies caused by grief.

This form of self-care isn’t about physical flexibility, it is a way to find peace and stability during a time when this is missing from our lives. It is a practice that allows you to show up as you are and can be a great companion for your overall health and healing.

For more information about yoga at Jeff’s Place, learn more by clicking this link.

Caring for Our Community

Our current landscape has been challenging, and the holidays can be hard for many on top of it all. To that end, we wanted to remind the community of two resources for counseling and emotional support. Both of these resources are free to you.

Interface Counseling Referral Services

The District is in partnership with William James College and shares these resources for your family if you need support.

Community Hub & Care Navigator

Provided by Behavioral Health Partners of MetroWest (BHPMW)

Our knowledgeable and compassionate Care Navigators are here to listen and then to match you to the best services for yourself, your family member, or—if you are a health care or other service provider—a person in your care. There is no charge for this service.

The Navigation Line supports the following languages:

Arabic, English, French, Moroccan, Portuguese, Spanish

How to Request Services or Make a Referral
1-844-528-6800

Call our toll-free number Monday-Friday for a free consultation with one of our Care Navigators.
(a Care Navigator will return your call within 24 hours, Monday through Friday)

Or visit the Care Connection Referral website.

NATICK 180

Natick Health Department Focus Group

The Natick Health Department is looking for community participation in an upcoming focus group on youth substance use. The focus group will be with parents and caregivers of middle and high school youth. This focus group will provide valuable insights which will help Natick promote a healthy, caring, and safe community for all.

Translating our Newsletter & Website

Translation Support:

Visit our Translation Help page for assistance.

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

NATICK PUBLIC SCHOOLS
natickps.org

This press release was produced by Natick Public Schools. The views expressed here are the author’s own.