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The Public Schools of
Northborough and Southborough
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"Ten Schools, Three Districts, One Community of Learners" |
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NSBORO News - December 2020 |
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Table of Contents:
Superintendent's Update
Learning and Teaching in the time of COVID - Dr. Stefanie Reinhorn
Mary E. Finn Elementary School - Hello Around the World
Albert S. Woodward Memorial School: Partnering with Southborough Youth and Family Services
Learning at Neary School - Take a Peek
P. Brent Trottier Middle School: We are Family
Fannie E. Proctor School Sustains Partnership with the Northborough Rotary Club: Nutrition 68 - Amazon Wish List
Lincoln Street Elementary School Students Decoding in Physical Education Class
Marguerite E. Peaslee Elementary School - First Graders Explore Sound with Discovery Museum
Marion E. Zeh Elementary School: An Hour of Code
Robert E. Melican Middle School: Supporting the Northborough Community
Algonquin Regional High School - Teaching and Learning Spotlight
COVID-19 Weekly Dashboard
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Dear Parent(s) and Guardian(s):
As our December break begins, I want to wish families Happy Holidays: Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, Happy Las Posadas, Happy Kwanza, and a Happy New Year! I know 2020 has been a unique year, one that required most of us to adapt, adjust, and respond to unpredictability. I’m looking forward to 2021 and placing 2020 in the rear-view mirror and the day when my communications to families are centered on teaching and learning and NOT COVID-19. I remain optimistic that a return to some semblance of normal is on the horizon.
As a learning organization, The Public Schools of Northborough and Southborough has endeavored to support students’ social, emotional, and academic journies. The District will continue to improve the current learning models and ensure that we’re listening to the feedback and input from our students and families. To this end, the District is analyzing the data collected from the Family and Educator surveys, which closed on December 4, 2020. I will share the survey results and analyses with families in January. These data are being used to improve the current learning models and develop a path forward for increased in-person learning for our students.
In January 2021, stakeholders will have an opportunity to learn more about the path forward, ask questions, hear from the District’s Medical Advisory Team (MAT) and District and school-based leaders. The District will utilize local health and safety metrics to ensure that data-based decisions are made based on science.
Our teachers, employees, and students return to school on Monday, January 4, 2021. All PreK-8 students will continue with the Hybrid Learning Model unless enrolled in the Stand Alone Remote Program. Algonquin Regional High School will be remote on Tuesday, January 5, 2021, and Wednesday, January 6, 2021. ARHS students will return to the Hybrid Learning Model on Thursday, January 7, 2021. Lastly, During the December break, the District will not be communicating daily COVID-19 cases. The District Dashboard will be updated on Sunday, December 27, 2020, and Sunday, January 3, 2021. COVID-19 Case notifications will resume on January 4, 2021.
Respectfully,
Gregory L. Martineau
Superintendent of Schools
Quick Links:
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Learning and Teaching in the time of COVID |
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The Public Schools of Northborough and Southborough educators have spent countless hours reimagining learning and teaching for the hybrid and remote models. As a result, students and teachers are playing new roles in the learning process as are parents and guardians. We are seeing all sorts of innovative approaches to teaching high priority skills and knowledge. Science teachers are converting labs to include demonstrations and staged participation for safe hands-on experiments. Musicians from the Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, and Symphonic Band are emerging percussionists, using bucket drumming as a way to exercise their musical muscles. Remote learners are using digital whiteboards so their teachers can see their work during zoom classes. There are abundant examples of students and teachers learning new technologies to support hybrid and remote learning experiences.
While digital technologies have been powerful, educators are also working to find a balance by promoting learning away from the screen. Students are still asked to read, write, and create on paper. Teachers task students of all ages with completing work independently away from Zoom. Students together with their families are developing habits to support learning at home including a productive learning space, strategies for time-management, and organization of resources. In this way, our unique situation is creating opportunities for learning that might not have otherwise been required.
Dr. Stefanie Reinhorn
Assistant Superintendent
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Mary E. Finn Elementary School - Hello Around the World |
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Every culture has a unique way of greeting people and Finn wanted to recognize the many different ways our students say “hello.” This Bulletin Board illustrates the current level of diversity in language and culture taking place at the Finn School. The many different languages listed directly reflect Finn’s student population and were identified through the school’s “All About Me” activities. Learning about the uniqueness each student brings to the Finn School helps the Finn staff make genuine connections and allows us to support students in ways that truly make a difference. |
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Albert S. Woodward Memorial School: Partnering with Southborough Youth and Family Services |
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Despite the challenges we all continue to face, the holiday spirit of giving is alive and well at the Woodward School. In partnership with Southborough Youth and Family Services, the Woodward faculty and staff collectively donated over $1,600 in gift cards to Southborough families in need. If you would like to contribute to community giving, please consider donating to Southborough Youth and Family Services or the Southborough Food Pantry. |
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Learning at Neary School - Take a Peek (Click Image to Play)
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P. Brent Trottier Middle School: We are Family |
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With each day, we see our staff and students returning to what they do best. We’ve been very proud of your efforts, and the students are responding accordingly.
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Fannie E. Proctor School Sustains Partnership with the Northborough Rotary Club: Nutrition 68 - Amazon Wish List
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The Nutrition 68 program run by volunteers through the Northborough Rotary Club, provides bags of food to those families experiencing food insecurities. The Public Schools of Northborough are very fortunate to have a partnership with this amazing organization, with the Proctor School being the base of the operation.
Each week volunteers come to the Proctor School to pack food for those students and families in need. During the pandemic, the need is greater than ever.
The Nutrition 68 program is seeking donations through their Amazon wish list. Please consider making a donation that will support students in our schools.
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Lincoln Street Elementary School Students Decoding in Physical Education Class |
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Ms. Patricia Rollins, physical education educator, students participated in a scavenger hunt. Students then had to decode the secret message. |
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Marguerite E. Peaslee Elementary School - First Graders Explore Sound with the Discovery Museum |
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Marion E. Zeh Elementary School: An Hour of Code |
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Each December, Zeh students join millions of students around the world celebrating Computer Science Education Week with the Hour of Code. An Hour of Code is a simple and fun way to introduce students to computer science.
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Robert E. Melican Middle School: Supporting the Northborough Community |
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Robert E. Meliocan Middle School students collected over $1600 and were able to purchase grocery store gift certificates for Northborough Helping Hands and to support other families in town. Many students participated in our raffle, which accounted for much of what we collected. |
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Algonquin Regional High School:
Teaching and Learning Spotlight
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Students in the Fine and Performing Arts worked this week on a variety of projects, including preparing the materials they will need for next week and following the break: here, students in Danielle DeCiero’s class are preparing clay for the extended time away in remote learning and winter vacation. When we return, this clay will be used to create a mug. Additionally, and fittingly, some students worked on art as gifts for loved ones: below in the middle, Caroline Kent created a cartoon of her sister in Digital Art with Michelle Sheppard. This picture was then printed, boxed, and will be going to her sister for Christmas! Others chose to create a cartoon of themselves, of family members, and of their friends. Here are some other examples of the kids’ fine work: the charcoal sketch combining two Da Vinci rough sketches is by Dana Gaudette, and freshman Cole Walter recently created this picture done with lines and had to include text in Rebecca Duffy’s Art 1 class. By Assistant Principal Andrew McGowan.
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COVID-19 Weekly Dashboard |
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School Committee Information |
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District Policies,
Procedures,
and Notices
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- Annual Notice Regarding Website Accessibility
- Asbestos Policy
- Free and Reduced Meals Information
- Non-Discrimination Notice
- Notice of Destruction of Student Records
- Parents' Right to Know
- Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA) Notice
- Rights Under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act
- Tobacco Ban
- Student Insurance Brochure
- Rights
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Transportation Information |
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The safe transportation of students to and from school is a critical part of The Public Schools of Northborough and Southborough's operation.
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Food Services Information |
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The District is encouraging families to participate in the food services programs as the meals are free of charge until June 30, 2021. The USDA has extended a waiver to schools to give access to food during the pandemic.
If you have any questions, please email Keith Lavoie, Director of Operations, for support (klavoie@nsboro.k12.ma.us).
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Parent and Community Organizations
(Click on images to find out more about our partners in education)
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"Ten Schools, Three Districts, One Community of Learners" |
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