Superintendent's Update: Friday, January 28, 2022

An important aspect of the work of the District is to plan and think about future capital projects that support programming across the District’s ten schools. One of the District’s five strategic objectives is to develop, support, and operate sustainable, functional, and well-maintained schools. To this end, there are three focus areas, one in each district, that are being discussed and considered. Here’s an overview of each area and what the community can expect.

The Public Schools of Southborough: School Building Research

Since the fall of 2020, the Town and School District have had continuing discussions about school building use in light of the need to make long-term plans for capital expenditures. The Town of Southborough’s Capital Planning Committee - School Research Subcommittee has worked on several aspects of this analysis, including gathering information about student enrollment projections, commissioning an assessment survey of the Neary School, and reviewing school building use and grade configurations. The Subcommittee has also gathered preliminary information regarding cost and funding relating to the renovation or replacement of the Neary School. In connection with this, the District has submitted a Statement of Interest to the Massachusetts School Building Authority’s Core Building Program for work on the Neary School building.

When is the next important meeting to discuss the next steps?

The Town of Southborough's Capital Planning Committee - School Research Subcommittee will be making a presentation to the School Committee at the next scheduled meeting on February 9, 2022. The presentation will update the School Committee and the public on its work so far, as well as discuss options for moving forward. The meeting will be held via Zoom and will begin at 6:30 p.m. Please join the meeting to hear more about this important topic.

Where can key documents be viewed?

The Public Schools of Southborough’s (PreK-8) Space Needs Analysis and Demographic Report can be viewed on the School Committee’s webpage. In addition, the Town of Southborough’s Capital Planning Committee - School Research Subcommittee information can be accessed on the Town of Southborough’s website.

The Public Schools of Northborough: Grade Configuration Study

The Public Schools of Northborough has established an Elementary Grade Configuration Study Group to:

Evaluate enrollment trends, projections, and current grade level configurations.
Identify opportunities to effectively maximize school facilities and resources to improve educational experiences for students.
Present to the Northborough School Committee its recommendations.

The Study Group has just begun its study and plans to finalize a report to the Northborough School Committee later in the spring. I will provide families with updates as the work progresses.

Algonquin Regional High School - Athletic Campus Improvements

Over the past several years, there have been numerous conversations regarding upgrading the Algonquin Regional High School Athletic Campus. This fall, the District engaged Gale Associates, Inc. to provide Engineering Consulting Services to develop a Master Plan that includes a schematic design. The Master Plan will include the following:

400 M running track, field event areas, and multi-purpose synthetic turf field with athletic lighting.
Multi-purpose synthetic turf JV field and infrastructure for future lighting.
New 1,265 seat grandstand and press box at Stadium Field.
Reconstruction of nine (9) tennis courts.
Renovations to the amenities building to shift concessions to face the track/field.

Gale Associates, Inc. has begun its work and will present a Master Plan to the Regional School Committee at its April meeting. Furthermore, I am working with the Northborough and Southborough Town Administrators to provide Gale Associates, Inc. the opportunity to provide an informational presentation at the Annual Town Meetings this spring.

Why is Algonquin Regional High School in need of an athletic campus upgrade?

Algonquin Regional High School was renovated in 2004. At that time, the athletic campus was partially renovated. The fields continue to provide seasonal use for Algonquin and town athletic programs. Conversely, the stadium received minimal upgrades.

As a result, the track, grandstand, lighting, and grass field no longer meet quality standards. In particular, the track surface and lighting are concerns for participants when competing in different athletic activities. As a result, the Athletic Director, coaches, and the Director of Facilities monitor safety and troubleshoot issues on an ongoing basis. Additionally, the tennis courts are in need of resurfacing and repair and significant cracking of the courts has occurred over the years.

Where can I learn more information?

To get an overview of the scope of the Master Plan, please review the following presentation. ARHS Athletic Campus Project Overview . Additionally, I will communicate to the community key meeting dates and presentations as they are scheduled.

Important Update on New Covid-19 Testing Opportunity

Dear Parents(s) and Guardian(s):

The Public Schools of Northborough and Southborough, in accordance with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and the Department of Public Health (DPH), and in consultation with the Medical Advisory Team, is updating its COVID-19 Testing Program. For more information about this update to the statewide testing program, please click here.

The District is opting into a weekly at-home antigen testing program as an additional testing option to its weekly pooled screening. The District will continue with routine COVID Safety Checks (pooled screening) on Mondays and the at-home antigen tests will be done on Thursdays. This combination of testing programs will increase testing opportunities for our participating students and staff. The at-home testing option will begin the week of February 7, 2022. Again, the District will continue with routine COVID Safety Checks (pooled screening) on Mondays. If you have questions, please contact Mary Ellen Duggan, Health Coordinator and Nurse Leader at mduggan@nsboro.k12.ma.us. To read the full article please visit: New Covid-19 Testing Opportunity

Black History Month - February

In February, the United States celebrates Black History Month or African-American History Month. Throughout the Northborough-Southborough Public Schools, our students and teachers will be recognizing Black History or African-American History Month through writing activities, literature, storytelling, art projects, performance, music, and dance.

Below are some websites you can explore about Black History Month, black authors, and activities you can do at home. We welcome your suggestions for other resources, as well.

Scholastic

Edutopia

National Education Association

Comic Books written by Black Authors:

My Hero Comics

The Max Axiom Book Series

Kindness Week -

Northborough Community Affairs Committee and Southborough

In collaboration with the Northborough Community Affairs Committee (CAC), Southborough will be participating in the first Kindness Week! Our aim is to create communities in which we are all treated with kindness and respect. The CAC is inviting the school district, PTOs/SOS, and any other school groups, non-profits, organizations, or clubs to be involved in this initiative. It will run from February 7th to February 13th - as a lead-up to Valentine's Day. We are starting simple this year as there is a lot going on right now and do not want to overburden anyone with extra work.

Attached you find some “acts of kindness” suggestions for any group that may want to take part in this important week - schools, town agencies, youth groups, the library, senior center, and other non-profits. We would also be happy to brainstorm other ideas! We want all groups involved to make it their own and appropriate for their participants. The CAC will generate attention and PR to the different acts of kindness that will be going on during the week. We’d love to see kindness spread as word of kind acts spread!

The CAC will be hosting a town-wide “live” event on Friday, February 11th from 4:30- 5:30 pm at the Northborough Town Common (rain date - February 12th, same time). During the event, everyone will receive a luminary bag to decorate and write a kind word on it (bags will be available for pick up and drop off too in case someone is unable to make it). All bags will be illuminated at the end. We’ll give out some treats to the children as well.

We are excited about kicking off this initiative in our towns! Please let us know if you have questions or would like further information.

Thank you,

https://bit.ly/SoboKindnessWeek

southboroughcares@gmail.com