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  • Superintendent's Update- November 15, 2024

    November 15, 2024 In This Update: Congratulations! Rep. Jim McGovern Visits ABRHS Updated District Protocols for Responding to Hate & Bias Incidents School Resource Officer Website November Holidays & Dates 1/2 Day Release Times November 5th Professional Day Vision of a Graduate Elementary Budget Task Force School Visits Congratulations! At the November 14th School Committee, Chairperson Adam Klein and I had the privilege to recognize our ABRHS student, Aaryan Arora, for his work on the Acton 250 Gr. 5 Learning Experience. Aaryan created a Scavenger Hunt for our students and presented it to all six elementary schools.  We also recognized the work that Kate Crosby, Energy Manager, has done in the district. We are excited to announce that we have received $200k in funding for electric school bus deployment from the US EPA Clean School Bus Program. The district was also recognized as a 2024 MASS Save Climate Leader. Kate has been recognized as the   2024 Change Agent of the Year  by the  Massachusetts Chapter of US Green Building Council .  Congratulations to  Girls Swim and Dive who won their third State Championship in four years.  Congratulations to ABRHS Varsity Volleyball player Chloe Heitman, Class of 2025, for officially becoming the first player in A-B history with 1000 kills! We celebrated 9 student-athletes for their commitment to continue their academic and athletic careers at the next level - representing some of the most prestigious NCAA DI and DIII institutions in the nation - on National Signing Day. The list is already growing for our second Spring signing ceremony later this year. Congratulations to these accomplished Class of 2025 student-athletes! Congratulations to the A-B Marching Band, USBands, Group V A, State Champions! Rep. McGovern Visits ABRHS On October 28, U.S. Representative Jim McGovern and staff from the office of U.S. Representative Lori Trahan visited the Acton-Boxborough Regional High School to highlight the District’s expanding farm-to-school program, joined by State Senator Jamie Eldridge, State Representative Simon Cataldo, Deputy Commissioner Winton Pitcoff of the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR), and Rob Leshin, Director of Food and Nutrition for the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), and School Committee members Adam Klein and Ginny Kremer. Participants toured the school cafeteria, enjoyed lunch featuring local vegetables from Massachusetts farms, and discussed the federal and state investments in school meals and local agriculture that have made this program so successful. Updated District Protocols for Responding to Hate & Bias Incidents Last night, we presented our updated Protocols for Responding to Hate & Bias Incidents in our schools to the school committee.  The document is designed to provide the community with a transparent set of expectations for how the district works through these challenging incidents.  The document includes information about how we ensure safety and ongoing support for students, expectations for how and when we communicate with the community, and how we work to investigate incidents in our schools.  I would like to thank members of our Leadership Coalition to Combat Hate and Bias Speech and the various students and staff groups who provided input throughout the revision process.  You can review the updated Protocols for Responding to Hate & Bias Incidents at the links below and on our  District Website : Protocols for Responding to Hate and Bias (Updated Nov. 2024) 应对方案  涉及事件  仇恨或偏见 PROTOCOLOS DE RESPOSTA A INCIDENTES ENVOLVENDO ÓDIO OU PRECONCEITO PROTOCOLOS DE RESPUESTA  A INCIDENTES QUE IMPLICAN ODIO O SESGO ПРОТОКОЛЫ ДЛЯ ОТВЕТА К ИНЦИДЕНТАМ, СВЯЗАННЫМ НЕНАВИСТЬ ИЛИ ПРЕДОСУДИМОСТЬ ПРОТОКОЛИ РЕАГІВАННЯ ДО ІНЦИДЕНТІВ НЕНАВИСТЬ АБО УПЕРЕДЖЕННЯ School Resource Officer Website The district has launched a new  School Resource Officer website . Here you will find information about our two SRO’s, more about the program as well as how to contact our SRO’s. November Holidays & Dates  Native American Heritage Month- This month is a time to celebrate rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories and to acknowledge the important contributions of Native Peoples. It is an opportune time to educate the general public about tribes, to raise a general awareness about the unique challenges Native Peoples have faced both historically and in the present, and the ways in which tribal citizens have worked to conquer these challenges. Veterans Day-November 11  is intended to thank and honor all those who served honorably in the military – living and dead – whether in wartime or peace. In fact, Veterans Day is largely intended to thank living Veterans for their service, to acknowledge that their contributions to our national security are appreciated, and to underscore the fact that all those who served - not only those who died - have sacrificed and done their duty.  Thanksgiving-November 28 After several years of grueling Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed the last Thursday of November 1863 to be set aside as a day of Thanksgiving in order to create a sense of unity in the broken country. The tradition became widespread in the 1870s, and to this day, people all across the United States celebrate Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday of November. (Library of Congress) ½ Day Release Times Breakfast and lunch are available every school day for all students at no charge. For the RJ Grey and High School students, there will be a sign-up for their lunches on the ½  days. Elementary students will follow the normal early release schedule and will have lunch in the classroom. Students will be released at the following times: Wednesday, November 27, 2024 CHECP 11:00 am/ no pm CHECP RJG 11:10 am ABRHS 11:22 am Elementary 12:50 pm Friday, December 20, 2024 CHECP 11:00 am/ no pm CHECP RJG 11:10 am ABRHS 11:22 am Elementary 12:50 pm November 5 Professional Learning Tuesday November 5th's day of professional learning featured school-based learning experiences and collaborations targeted towards school improvement plan efforts.  Highlights included sessions on trauma-informed practices, culture, and climate, and supporting and elevating the achievement of diverse learners.  All educators also participated in the Vision of an AB Graduate exercise which asked them to contribute thoughts about the skills and experiences we want to prioritize for our students on their educational journeys.  Many educators facilitated thoughtful learning and collaboration for their peers throughout the day.   Vision of a Graduate Our smaller working group met on October 22, 2024, to discuss and plan for a large community workshop to take place in January. Our next Steering Committee meeting is December 3, 2024. We will be reviewing faculty/staff survey responses and begin to identify themes/trends. Elementary Budget Task Force We have met several times and have reviewed data collected from our Elementary Budget Community Survey and our consultant’s findings on the study of our elementary schools. Our next meeting will be December 3, 2024. School Visits I’ve had multiple opportunities to visit grades PreK-8 across the district and spent time with our chorus students at ABRHS. Next month, I will be visiting classrooms at ABRHS and will have some opportunities to read to elementary students.

    Friday, Nov 15 2024

  • Superintendent's Update- October 25, 2024

    October 25, 2024 A-B's Weather & Emergency Communication Procedures Our goal is to ensure that our school campuses and facilities are safe for students to attend each day. There will be times when conditions beyond our control, including weather or other factors, might cause us to delay or cancel school, or in rare circumstances release students on a different schedule. I am providing the information below to help you understand how delays, cancellations, and early dismissals work.  The Decision-Making Process The Superintendent is responsible for deciding when to cancel, delay, or close our schools. Before making a decision, our team consults with our weather service, the Departments of Public Works in Acton and Boxborough, local public safety officials, and our own facilities and transportation offices.  Communication We try to notify staff and families by 5:30 a.m. about any school closure or delays for the day.  If schools are closed or delayed, the information will be shared with you in the following ways: By  text, automated phone call, and email   through ParentSquare:  https://www.parentsquare.com Posted on the  District website :  www.abschools.org Local media : Channel 4 WBZ; Channel 5 WCVB; Channel 7 WHDH; Channel 10 NBC Boston; and FOX 25.    To update your ParentSquare contact details, log in to your account, go to My Account, click on Edit Account, and select “edit.”  For technical support, access EDTech assistance by selecting the “email icon” located in the top-right corner of the district website.   School Closure/Cancellation If we decide to cancel school for the day,  all schools and programs will be closed .     For closures/cancellations, the following will apply: All PreK-12 classes and school activities will be canceled for the day.  This includes all before and after-school activities, sports, and extracurricular events.  All after-school and evening meetings will be canceled unless an exception is made.  All Community Education programs will be canceled.  Transportation of students to out-of-district schools will be canceled. All offices will be closed. Delayed-Opening Sometimes, we need extra time to clear roads or sidewalks. In this case, we may call for a delayed opening.    For delayed openings, the following will apply: Transportation will begin picking students up on the same delay as school begins. For example, if a bus run begins at 6:45 a.m. on a regular school day and a two-hour delay is called, that bus will then aim to pick up students at 8:45 a.m.  Schools will be dismissed at their regular times.  Breakfast and lunch are available on delayed opening days. AM sessions will be canceled at the Carol Huebner Early Childhood Program. PM and All Day sessions will begin at 12:00 p.m.   Community Education Extended Day will open on a delayed schedule.  After-school activities and programs will operate under their normal schedule.  School offices will open the same amount of time later as the delay announced.  Emergency Release Once students arrive at school and the buildings are open, we make every effort to operate a normal schedule and release students at the normally scheduled time. However, in the event of severe weather or other emergency conditions, it may be necessary for us to release students on a different schedule. If such a decision needs to be made then the automated notification system will be used to alert parents and guardians. Please have a plan in place with your child who might arrive home early on these unusual occasions. Special Note on Weather Conditions and Student Drivers Our goal is to be open every day and we base our decision around our ability to have our schools appropriately staffed and for our buses to navigate the roads.  We recognize that student drivers have a range of abilities and experiences and not all conditions may be appropriate for young drivers.  It is a family’s decision if weather conditions are safe for student drivers.  If you believe conditions are unsafe, please make alternate arrangements for your student to get to school.

    Friday, Oct 25 2024

  • Superintendent's Update- October 11, 2024

    October 11, 2024 In This Update: A-B Schools Named a 2024 Mass Save Climate Leader Congratulations! Spring 2024 Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) October Holidays & Dates EEE Update & District-wide Activity Modifications Principal Spotlight Vision of a Graduate Elementary Budget Task Force School Visits DiwaliFest A-B Schools Named a 2024 Mass Save Climate Leader Acton-Boxborough Regional School District has been named a 2024 Mass Save Climate Leader! This distinguished recognition honors 19 entities across Massachusetts for their ongoing efforts to curb energy use, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and guide the Commonwealth to a net-zero future. The 2024 Mass Save Climate Leaders represent a range of industries and sectors including museums, grocery, education, healthcare, hospitality, municipalities, and more. Each honoree has shown a deep commitment to addressing the climate crisis by taking significant measures toward a sustainable future through energy-efficient upgrades. Read more  here . A-B Schools awarded $100K Municipal Cyber Security Grant I am excited to share that AB has been awarded $100K a  Municipal Local Cybersecurity Grant .  This grant will allow us to adopt key cybersecurity best practices, modernize our approach to safeguarding district systems, and advance toward a Zero Trust Architecture. These improvements will significantly enhance our ability to protect student and staff data while reducing overall cyber risk across the district. Congratulations! Congratulations to our 10 ABRHS 12th-graders who were awarded the honor of being named National Merit Semifinalists. These students may apply to become a National Merit Finalist and to win a National Merit Scholarship, which will be awarded next Spring. Congratulations to our 54 commended students in the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program. Commended Students placed among the top 50,000 students who entered the 2025 competition by taking the 2023 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship. Acton-Boxborough Regional High School has earned a place on the AP® School Honor Roll for the 2023-24 school year! The AP School Honor Roll recognizes schools that have done outstanding work to welcome more students into AP courses and support them on the path to college success. Spring 2024 Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) The Spring 2024 Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) individual student results will be shared electronically for current Grade 4-9 and 11th grade students between October 15-30, 2024.  You can access information about Acton Boxborough's performance at the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education site by clicking  here.    October Holidays & Dates  Rosh Hashanah 2024 begins on the evening of Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024, through the evening of Friday, October 4, 2024. The two days of Rosh Hashanah usher in the  Ten Days of Repentance , also known as the Days of Awe, which culminate in the major fast day of  Yom Kippur , the Day of Atonement.  Yom Kippur 2024 begins at sunset on the evening of Friday, Oct. 11, 2024 through the evening of Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024.  "Day of Atonement" This is the most solemn of Jewish holidays. Jews fast from sunset until sunset of the next day, and spend much of this observance in synagogue. The holiday concludes at sunset with a "break-the-fast" meal, often with extended families and friends. Indigenous Peoples’ Day is Oct. 14, 2024- On Indigenous Peoples’ Day, our Nation celebrates the invaluable contributions and resilience of Indigenous peoples, recognizes their inherent sovereignty, and commits to honoring the Federal Government’s trust and treaty obligations to Tribal Nations. Halloween is Oct. 31, 2024- Halloween is a holiday celebrated each year on October 31, and Halloween 2024 will occur on Thursday, October 31. The tradition originated with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off ghosts. EEE Update & District-wide Activity Modifications The Town of Acton has been designated at a moderate risk for transmission. The state reached out to all the high-risk communities and stated the following regarding the downgrade to moderate: This removes the recommendation to reschedule evening outdoor events but still acknowledges that some level of risk remains and that personal prevention actions are still recommended. We think this more accurately reflects the actual risk at this time of year and is an evidence-based approach. We encourage students, staff, and families to take precautions. Long-sleeved clothing and pants are recommended. Bug Spray with Deet ensuring to follow the guidance on the product for safety. Principal Spotlight October is National Principal Month. We want to thank our Assistant Principals for all they do and their commitment to our staff and students. I asked Assistant Principals to share one hope they want to share for their students and families and what is something non-school related that they would like to share with the community. This information will be posted weekly on social media. Vision of a Graduate Our Steering Committee met to design the Vision of a Graduate survey and discussed the community engagement process. I remain both hopeful and committed to a Vision of an A-B Graduate that will serve as our anchor for the comprehensive set of skills, knowledge, and habits of mind that students should possess upon completing their education in Acton-Boxborough.  Look for more information in early November on ways you can contribute to this Vision. School Visits I’ve had the opportunity to visit grades PreK-8 across the district. I enjoyed reading to classes at Blanchard Elementary. Recently I sat down with World Language educators and English educators for informal lunch discussions. DiwaliFest We are fortunate to highlight DiwaliFest and hope you can join members of our community: October 20, 2024 12:00-4:30 Sargent Memorial Library in Boxborough Bring the community together to celebrate Diwali (Indian Festival of Lights)

    Friday, Oct 11 2024

  • 5th and 6th grade Blanchard Orchestra Registration

    Good morning, If you receive this, your child participated in the Blanchard Orchestra program last year. We're happy to announce that registration for orchestra is open. Please follow the links and instructions below to register for 2024-2025. Why ensembles? Playing and singing are wonderful experiences and skills in themselves, but participating in a musical ensemble takes them to another level. In addition to performing music, students practice interpersonal skills, self-discipline, listening, connecting, creating, and organization. We are thrilled to offer ensemble music opportunities for all students in grades 5 and 6. What are lessons and ensemble block? All 5th and 6th grade elementary school students in the Acton-Boxborough School District participate in Ensemble Block once per week during their regular school day. During Ensemble Block, students have four choices: band, orchestra, chorus, or staying in class. Students do not miss instruction during this time. Playing an instrument or singing in the chorus is not mandatory, but we encourage all students to participate in a music ensemble. Orchestra Lessons - prior experience needed - $195 + instrument - financial aid available Orchestra begins in 4th grade. 5th & 6th grade students with prior experience may participate in the Ensemble Block program. If your child is interested in learning an orchestra instrument for the first time in 5th or 6th grade, please contact Ms. Rodriguez (mrodriguez@abschools.org) for further instructions. The Ensemble Block Orchestra is only for students with prior experience. There is a $195 fee to participate in the orchestra program, plus the cost of acquiring an instrument. Financial assistance is available . Can my child bring their instrument on the bus? Most instruments fit on the bus, but please keep the following in mind before choosing an instrument: Students must be able to carry their own instruments. The driver cannot assist your child with their instrument. Some buses are very full and require students to keep their instruments on their lap. Cellos are the most common instruments to have bus difficulties. How do I sign up? 1. Fill out the registration form Depending on your device, the link may be on the top or bottom of the page. Click on "Complete and Sign Form." Please fill out the brief form. 2. Submit payment or apply for financial assistance. Depending on your device, a link to submit payment will be at the top or bottom of the page. Click on "Items for Purchase". Payment by credit card is available. If you would like to pay by check, please make a check to ABRSD - print out your registration form, and mail it to: George Arsenault, K-12 Director of Performing Arts: Acton Boxborough Regional High School, 36 Charter Road 01720 To apply for financial assistance, please fill out our form and visit our financial assistance website. 3. Rent or acquire an instrument Renting an instrument is usually the best option for young musicians. David French Music will host an Instrument Rental Pick-Up Night on September 12th in the ABRHS cafeteria from 4:00 - 6:00 PM. Instruments must be reserved online at  www.davidfrenchmusic.com by 9/10 for this event.  Families who qualify for financial assistance will also receive guidance on acquiring an instrument. ABRSD has worked with local vendors to determine suitable places to rent and purchase instruments. We recommend renting from one of our trusted local vendors (see below). They understand our student's needs and provide all necessary books, accessories, and service at our schools. Please do not purchase an instrument from an unknown online vendor that does not specialize in musical instruments. Although it may be a cheaper alternative initially, we have found that some of these instruments break frequently, have little or no warranty, and cannot be fixed. Students who start on these instruments may be more likely to quit after having a frustrating experience. In addition to David French Music , Spencer Brook Strings and Leonards Music also service our schools. Additional information on our websites Orchestra Website When are lessons? Orchestra lessons at Blanchard are on Wednesdays. Beginners at 8:00am Advanced at 9:00am (during Ensemble Block)   Upcoming Music Dates 9/12/24 Instrument Rental Night: 4-6:00 at ABRHS Cafeteria 9/13/2024: Regular Registration Ends 9/16/2024: Late Registration Begins (limited availability) Week of 9/23/24 Lessons begin at all elementary schools Week of 9/30/24 Ensemble Block begins at all elementary schools   Questions or concerns? If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us. You can reach out via the following links: Masami Rodriguez mrodriguez@abschools.org Orchestra Website

    Monday, Sep 09 2024

  • 4th Grade Orchestra Lesson Program Information and R...

    4th Grade Orchestra Lessons at AB What is orchestra? Beginning in 4th grade, students can join the AB Orchestra program to learn how to play violin, viola, cello, or bass. Playing an instrument is an exciting opportunity that reinforces teamwork, self-discipline, reading skills, spatial awareness, fine motor control, and creative expression, all while learning a wonderful life-lon g skill.   Orchestra is an optional program. There is a fee to participate - $195 plus the cost of renting an instrument. Financial Assistance is available . Lessons take place before school from 8:00-8:45 am. Students are expected to practice in between lessons to make progress.  Piano and guitar are not part of our school music program (they are excellent instruments, but not part of school orchestra programs). When are lessons? Gates: Monday - 8:00-8:45am Conant: Tuesday - 8:00-8:45am Merriam & Blanchard : Wednesday - 8:00-8:45am McT : Thursday - 8:00-8:45am Douglas : Friday - 8:00-8:45am Can my child's instrument fit on the bus? Lessons take place before school, so all students require their own transportation in the morning. For bus rides home, most instruments (except bass) will fit on the bus. Please remember that all children must be able to carry their instruments. Bus drivers cannot assist students with getting on or off the bus due to their instruments. How do I register my child?  Fill out the form using this message: "forms." (depending on your device, it will be at the top or bottom of this message) Submit payment with one of the options below: Pay online using this message: "items for purchase" (depending on your device, it will be at the top or bottom of this message),   Pay by check: make out a check for $195 to ABRSD. print out a copy of your registration form. Put your child's name and school on the check. Mail within seven days to Acton-Boxborough Regional High School, ATTN: George Arsenault, Director of Performing Arts 36 Charter Road, Acton MA 01720. Your child's school office will not accept this check. If your family qualifies for financial assistance, please follow this link to apply  for financial assistance . Acquire an instrument How do I acquire an instrument? You may rent an instrument anywhere you like. However, the school district has done a lot of work for you. Every string instrument comes in a variety of sizes. Violin, for example, can be found in 7 different sizes! Students need to play on the correct size instrument, and they will likely go through a few sizes as they grow. For this reason, we strongly recommend renting a quality instrument from a trusted local vendor that will service and warranty it and exchange it for a new size when it is time to move to a larger one. Please do not purchase an instrument from an unknown online vendor, particularly one not specializing in musical instruments. It is an expensive mistake to make. Your child's learning may be impacted by playing on an instrument that is the wrong size or not in a good playing condition. Many students in this situation lose motivation and stop playing.   David French Music will host an Instrument Rental Night on September 12th in the ABRHS cafeteria from 4:00 to 6:00 PM. Instruments must be reserved by 9/10 for this event. When you reserve the instrument online, select a 1/2-size instrument. We will adjust at the rental event or during the first weeks of lessons.  In addition to David French Music , Spencer Brook Strings and Leonards Music also service our schools. Upcoming Music Dates 9/12/2024: Instrument Rental Night: 4:00-6:00 pm at ABRHS Cafeteria 9/13/2024: Regular Registration Ends 9/16/2024: Late Registration Begins (limited availability - some classes may be full) Week of 9/23/24: Lessons begin at all elementary schools Have questions or need more information? Orchestra Website Katherine Greene - Orchestra Director - kgreene@abschools.org George Arsenault - Director of Performing Arts - garsenault@abschools.org - 978-264-4700 ext.42101 [Monday, Sep 9 at 3:12 PM] Good afternoon, This is a friendly reminder that registration for the AB 4th grade elementary string program ends on Friday, 9/13. If there are remaining spots in lessons after this date, we will accept them via a late registration process. If you have already registered and paid, you should have received confirmation via ParentSquare. Instruments: www.davidfrenchmusic.com David French Music will host an Instrument Rental Pick-Up Night on Thursday, 9/12, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. in the ABRHS cafeteria. To pick up an instrument at this event, you must reserve one online by tomorrow, Tuesday, 9/10. You do not have to attend this event to rent an instrument or participate in the program. Instruments reserved after the cutoff date will be delivered to the school. Please select a 1/2-size instrument unless you are certain your child needs a different size. We can adjust the instrument later if the 1/2-size does not work. Please reach out if you have any questions or concerns. George Arsenault garsenault@abschools.org K-12 Director of Performing Arts [Monday, Sep 16 at 11:11 AM] Good morning, Registration for the AB 4th grade orchestra has been extended. Please see our original post for more details, register, and pay. If you rent early this week, rental instruments should be delivered in time for the first lesson. www.davidfrenchmusic.com Are you trying to register but see this sign below when you hover your cursor over "Select Child"? You may be logged into ParentSquare with an email address not associated with your child's AB account. We suggest trying the ParentSquare app on your device and trying again.  For questions, please contact: George Arsenault garsenault@abschools.org K-12 Director of Performing Arts

    Wednesday, Sep 04 2024

  • AB 5th and 6th Grade Elementary Music Registration I...

    ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ REGISTRATION EXTENDED TO 9/27 ​ Limited percussion availability. ​ ​ ​ ​ 2024-2025 - Acton-Boxborough Regional School District: 5th and 6th Grade Instrumental Lessons and Ensemble Block ​ ​ ​ ​ Why ensembles? ​ Playing and singing are wonderful experiences and skills in themselves, but participating in a musical ensemble takes them to another level. In addition to performing music, students practice interpersonal skills, self-discipline, listening, connecting, creating, and organization. We are thrilled to offer ensemble music opportunities for all students in grades 5 and 6. ​ ​ ​ ​ What are lessons and ensemble block? ​ All 5th and 6th grade elementary school students in the Acton-Boxborough School District participate in Ensemble Block once per week during their regular school day. During Ensemble Block, students have four choices: band, orchestra, chorus, or staying in class. Students do not miss instruction during this time.  Playing an instrument or singing in the chorus is not mandatory, but we encourage all students to participate in a music ensemble. Band Lessons - $195 + instrument - financial aid available - before-school lessons Students learn band instruments (flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, French horn, trombone, percussion). No prior experience is necessary. There are lessons for first-year and second-year players (students may begin a band instrument in 6th grade). Please refer to the lesson schedule below for more information. There is a $195 fee to participate in the band program, plus the cost of acquiring an instrument. Financial assistance is available. Lessons take place before school, Band rehearsal during Ensemble Block. Chorus (Acton & Boxborough) - No Fee Each school has an Ensemble Block Chorus. Participation in this chorus is free. There are no before-school lessons. There is no registration necessary for chorus. Orchestra Lessons (Acton & Boxborough) prior experience needed - $195 + instrument - financial aid available Orchestra begins in 4th grade. 5th & 6th grade students with prior experience may participate in the Ensemble Block program. If your child is interested in learning an orchestra instrument for the first time in 5th or 6th grade, please get in touch with Mrs. Greene (kgreene@abschools.org) for further instructions. The Ensemble Block Orchestra is only for students with prior experience. There is a $195 fee to participate in the orchestra program, plus the cost of acquiring an instrument. Financial assistance is available. ​ ​ ​ ​ Can my child bring their instrument on the bus? ​ Most instruments fit on the bus, but please keep the following in mind before choosing an instrument: Students must be able to carry their own instrument. The driver cannot assist your child with their instrument. Some busses are very full and require students to keep their instrument on their lap. Percussion kits and cellos are the most common instruments to have bus difficulties. ​ ​ ​ ​ Are there class size limits? ​ Each instrument and group has different size limits. Percussion and Brass lessons tend to fill quickly. For beginners, we suggest registering early for those classes. If they are full, we suggest selecting your next favorite. Any skills learned on one instrument would transfer nicely if your student decides to try a different instrument in the future. ​ ​ ​ ​ How do I sign up? ​ ​ ​ ​ 1. Fill out the registration form ​ Depending on your device, the link may be on the top or bottom of the page. Click on "Complete and Sign Form." Please fill out the brief form. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Trouble? ​ Are you trying to register but see this sign below when you hover your cursor over "Select Child"? You may be logged into ParentSquare with an email address not associated with your child's AB account. We suggest trying the ParentSquare app on your device and trying again.  ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 2. Submit payment or apply for financial assistance. ​ Depending on your device, a link to submit payment will be at the top or bottom of the page. Click on "Items for Purchase". Payment by credit card is available. If you would like to pay by check, please make out a check to ABRSD - print out your registration form and mail to: George Arsenault, K-12 Director of Performing Arts: Acton Boxborough Regional High School, 36 Charter Road 01720 To apply for financial assistance, please fill our the form, and visit our financial assistance website. ​ ​ ​ ​ 3. Rent or acquire an instrument ​ Renting an instrument is usually the best option for young musicians. David French Music will host an Instrument Rental Pick-Up Night on September 12th, during which you can pick up an online reservation in person at the ABRHS cafeteria from 4:00 - 6:00 PM. Instruments must be reserved online by 9/10 for this event.  Families who qualify for financial assistance will also receive guidance on acquiring an instrument. ABRSD has worked with local vendors to determine suitable places to rent and purchase instruments. We recommend renting from one of our trusted local vendors (see below). They understand our student's needs and provide all necessary books, accessories, and service at our schools. Please do not purchase an instrument from an unknown online vendor that does not specialize in musical instruments. Although it may be a cheaper alternative initially, we have found that some of these instruments break frequently, have little or no warranty, and cannot be fixed. Students who start on these instruments may be more likely to quit after having a frustrating experience.   In addition to David French Music, Spencer Brook Strings and Leonards Music also service our schools. ​ ​ ​ ​ Additional information on our websites ​ Orchestra Website Band Website ​ ​ ​ ​ When are lessons? ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ Upcoming Music Dates ​ 9/12/24 Instrument Rental Night: 4-6:00 at ABRHS Cafeteria 9/13/2024: Regular Registration Ends 9/16/2024: Late Registration Begins (limited availability) Week of 9/23/24 Lessons begin at all elementary schools Week of 9/30/24 Ensemble Block begins at all elementary schools ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ Questions or concerns? ​ If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us. You can reach out via the following links: Kristen Dye (band only) kdye@abschools.org Michael Soo (band only) msoo@abschools.org Katherine Greene (orchestra/strings only) kgreene@abschools.org Orchestra Website Band Website ​ ​

    Tuesday, Sep 03 2024

  • Superintendent's Update- August 23, 2024

    August 23, 2024 In This Update: Welcome Back Congratulations! First Day for Staff First Days for Students Extended School Year (ESY) Update Community Education & Extended Day Human Resources Update Facilities Update     Congratulations! Congratulations to Brian Dempsey who was recognized as a Junior Science and Humanities Symposium Teacher Award winner! First Day for Staff Our first day back for staff is Monday, August 26th.  We start the day with a continental breakfast at 7:30 a.m. in the high school commons.  The official start of the day begins promptly at 8:15 a.m. in the high school auditorium for our opening ceremony.  The ceremony concludes at 9:30 a.m. and educators return to schools for meetings and preparation for the year! First Days for Students Our first day of school for students in Grades K-7 and 9 is Wednesday, August 28th.  As a reminder, this is an early release Wednesday for students in grades K-6.  For students in Grades 8 and 10-12, the first day is Thursday, August 29th, and is a full day for everyone.  Here is a link to the  full school calendar. ESY Update We had a very successful Extended School Year program (ESY) from July 1 to August 8.  Over 170 students participated in programming with over 84 teachers, tutors, assistants, and related services staff supporting them. Thank you to our staff and families who supported our students in the ESY program this summer. Community Education & Extended Day Community Ed. had a busy summer, with 2,884 enrollments in 273 classes and activities.  Looking to the school year, Comm. Ed. is currently focused on the Extended Day program, where interest is high yet staffing challenges persist. Interested candidates can visit our  employment opportunities website  to apply. Human Resources Update The District has hired over 40 certified professional staff for the upcoming school year.  We also continue to fill open positions in all of our schools.  Certified staff members participated in a series of orientation activities starting Wednesday, August 21st  that included district-wide and building-based meetings and workshops to prepare for the year, and welcome our new colleagues to the District.  Some positions continue to be unfilled and we are working diligently to identify candidates to hire.  Facilities Update The Facilities department was busy this summer, undertaking over 58 room moves, painting more than a dozen rooms, recarpeting ten, and making major modifications to six rooms. In-house staff handled most of these, saving costs on contractors. Key highlights: Construction of a new outdoor freezer near Leary Field Ballfield fence installation on Elm Street Kitchen improvements, including Blanchard's new floor and Junior High upgrades Expansion of the AB Exchange for more student and family necessities Trades employees kept up with annual maintenance, like mechanical repairs, fixture replacements, and safety checks. Two new programs are launching: partnering with Recycleworks for food waste recycling and forming an Indoor Air Quality team to collaborate with the EPA. Finally, procurement is done and work is scheduled for refurbishing the high school tennis courts. Charter Road Permanent sidewalks and curbing on Charter Road should be completed between Charter Road and Rte. 27 by the time school starts. If that plan changes, the Town will be posting a pedestrian detour map on the  actonma.gov/kc  website and we will send notice to all AB families. Central Office Department Relocation This summer our Educational Technology has moved in. With this move, we have centralized the district functions and freed up valuable space in our schools for student programs and services.

    Friday, Aug 23 2024

  • Superintendent's Update- March 8, 2024

    March 8, 2024 In This Update: Congratulations! Women's History Month National School Breakfast Week March Holidays School News FY25 Budget AB Resource Center - Suicide Prevention Training Community Coffee with Superintendent and School Committee Chairperson Congratulations! Our AB Science Olympiad Team came in 1st place out of 63 teams from across the state at the Massachusetts Science Olympiad hosted by the Wentworth Institute of Technology.  The twenty students pictured here will be going to Michigan State University from May 23 - May 26th to attend the Science Olympiad National Tournament. Congratulations to our 2024 Regeneron STS Scholars Timucin Erbas and Haruki Ohara!  Society for Science recently announced the top 300 scholars in the  Regeneron Science Talent Search  2024, the nation’s oldest and most prestigious science and math competition for high school seniors. The Regeneron Science Talent Search provides students a national stage to present original research and celebrates the hard work and novel discoveries of young scientists who are bringing a fresh perspective to significant global challenges. The 300 scholars and their schools will be awarded $2,000 each. I was able to view Timucin’s project is titled Autonomous Precision Rocket Landing Algorithm and Haruki’s project titled Bio-Physical Sensing of Feeding Patterns on Squid and Applications for Smart Recreational Fishing. Great news for these ABRHS student artists whose work was selected to receive a 2024 MAEA Recognition Award! Davis Publications Award, Lilac Shi, Anxious Hands, (Painting); Blick Art Materials, Ashley Gu, Luminescence, (Drawing); Blick Art Supplies, Vaishnavi Murthy, Self-Reflection, (Painting); MAEA Art Educator Award, Kal Sundberg, The Kitchen, (Digital/Graphic Design). Our ABRHS Drama team of 40 students had an excellent day at our Festival, and they will be moving on to the Semifinal Round next week! From the 100+ schools in the festival, we have now moved into a pool of 42 schools. Several students were recognized individually for their work on stage and behind the scenes winning awards in Acting, Costume Design, and Set Design. Congratulations to ABRHS Girls Basketball who won the DCL Championship and ABRHS Girls Gymnastics who won the DCL Meet. Congratulations to Blanchard 5th Grade Student, Annabelle Wu, who was selected as a Top 5 student in the 2024 National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) New England Regional Student Auditions. She has been invited to the National Round (NATS NSA National Student Auditions). The final Placement Rankings Award will be announced in two weeks. We wish Annabelle lots of luck!   Women’s History Month Women’s History Month is a celebration of women’s contributions to history, culture, and society and has been observed annually in March in the United States since 1987. Women’s History Month 2024 will take place from Friday, March 1 – Sunday, March 31, 2024.  Women’s History Month is a dedicated month to reflect on the often-overlooked contributions of women to United States history. From Abigail Adams to Susan B. Anthony, Sojourner Truth to Rosa Parks, the timeline of women’s history milestones stretches back to the founding of the United States. In 2024, the theme of Women's History Month is  “ Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion .” The theme recognizes women throughout the country who work to eliminate bias and discrimination from our lives and institutions   National School Breakfast Week We kicked off National School Breakfast Week celebrating one of the most important meals of the day! You may have seen all of the decorations and fun menu ideas for the students this week in the Cafe. We are thrilled to celebrate the incredible impact of FREE school breakfast.  We are so happy to play an important role in feeding our students each day. Join us in spreading the word about the importance of school breakfast this week!   March Holidays Ramadan begins at sundown on March 10, 2024 and ends at sundown on April 9, 2024. Good Friday is March 29, 2024 and Easter is March 31, 2024.    Youth in Philanthropy Club   We are very proud of our ABRHS Youth in Philanthropy Club for their efforts to award two grants this year. The recipient organizations were  English at Large  and  Doli Atamian .  Red Cross Club The Red Cross Club students volunteered at a blood drive with the American Red Cross in Westford. They helped take care of 50 donors, great work Red Cross Club!  Asian Culture Club and Badminton Club hosted events last week to celebrate the Lunar New Year. Also, t here was a Valentine’s Day Photo Booth set up for the AB Girl Up/UNICEF/Human Rights event on February 14th and 15th during all lunches. Students were able to visit the Girl Up photo booth where all proceeds went to the United Nations Initiative for Gender Equity. Blanchard Elementary hosted 242 students and families for STEAM and Literacy Night. STEAM and Literacy Night is an opportunity for students and their families to come back to school at night to take part in creative and fun learning experiences together! Read together, write your own books, put on a puppet show, design a flying machine, play a math game, take on a math challenge and so much more! Activities included a Wind Tube Design Challenge, Not a Box Design, Vertical White Board Math Tasks, Fast and Slow Sleds, and a Frog Launch! The winner of our estimation jar received a four-pack of tickets to the Discovery Museum!  Douglas Elementary had 15 counties represented as they celebrated their festival of cultures!  Douglas welcomed Boxborough author Jarrett Lerner and students learned all about the Douglas Candyland March reading challenge. Students are being challenged to read 300,000 minutes throughout March! STEAM Learning in the New Literacy Curriculum - Project-Based Learning in Action at Conant This week, the sixth graders at Conant Elementary School completed a windmill building challenge using the design thinking process   to design windmills that could use the energy from wind to perform a task. Students learned about ancient and modern windmills and wind turbines, built on their understanding of wind and energy transfer, applied their understanding of rotational symmetry, and connected their learning to their recent reading of the book,  The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind  and the essential question of how you can use design thinking to solve a critical problem.  Special thanks to sixth grade teacher Sara Wilcox and her class for the amazing demonstration of this work.   FY25 Budget We have updated our  Budget Website  with information about the FY25 Budget. I encourage you to visit the Budget Website for more information. Our complete  FY25 Budget Binder  is now available online. To ensure our communications comply with Massachusetts campaign laws, we will post all of our updates to the  FY25 Budget Page  on our website. Please check the website frequently for information.     AB Resource Center-Suicide Prevention Training AB Cares will be offering QPR Gatekeeper Training at AB Resource Center next Tuesday evening, March 12 at 7:00 PM.    Community Coffee with Superintendent and School Committee Chairperson Chairperson Adam Klein and I hope you can join us for our upcoming Community Coffee chat at KJ's Caff é  in Acton. There will be no formal presentation, but rather a chance to discuss and inquire about the FY25 budget. Friday, March 15 at 8:30 a.m. at KJ’s Caff é  in Acton

    Friday, Mar 08 2024

  • Superintendent's Update- February 16, 2024

    February 16, 2024 In This Update: Congratulations! FY25 Budget Youth Risk Behavior Survey School Visits Acton Senior Center Visit AB Resource Center Cartwheel Webinar- Breaking Generational Cycles: Rewriting Parenting Patterns Community Coffee with Superintendent and School Committee Chairperson Boy's Winter Track Team Congratulations to our Boy’s Winter Track team who are MIAA Div. 1 Indoor Boys Track and Field State Champions! Last week was National School Counseling Week. Thank you to our School Counselors for all the work they do. We are so fortunate to have such an amazing group of counselors to support our students. Congratulations Blanchard for a successful SOUPer Bowl Fundraiser. During their 10-day SOUPer Bowl Food Drive, Blanchard 6th grade students collected 84 cans of food, 5 boxes of rice, 4 boxes of pasta, 12 fruit cups, 23 packs of Mac and Cheese, and peanut butter for the Acton Food Pantry!   FY25 Budget We have updated our  Budget Website  with information about the FY25 Budget.  Last night we presented our Recommended Budget to our school committee.  Through our proposed restructuring of health insurance, we were able to restore several special education positions while also reducing an additional $1M as our school committee requested at the Budget Saturday workshop.  I encourage you to visit the Budget Website for more information. Our complete  FY25 Budget Binder  is now available online. To ensure our communications comply with Massachusetts campaign laws, we will post all of our updates to the  FY25 Budget Page  on our website. Please check the website frequently for information.    Youth Risk Behavior Survey The Emerson Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), conducted biennially for the past 20 years, is a tool used by public schools to identify and understand students' health risks. The survey employs about 80 questions, carefully drafted by school leaders and researchers, covering a variety of health topics. The YRBS is administered to students in March to grades 6, 8, and 9-12. Families are informed about the survey and can choose to opt their children out. The most recent survey included topics like resiliency, technology habits, stress, demographics, body image, social media behavior, depression, substance use, support systems, bullying, and sexual activity. The data gathered helps schools identify trends in risky behaviors, providing information on how to best mitigate these risks. The survey also aids in debunking myths about teen behaviors, such as substance use or sexual activity. The YRBS FAQs page can be reviewed  HERE . Additional information will be shared with families in the coming weeks.   School Visits As a district, some of our elementary schools celebrated the 100th day, World Read Aloud Day, and the Global Day of Play.  It was great to see so many of our students enjoying their day of play!   Acton Senior Center Visit Town Manager John Mangiaratti and I met with senior citizens at the Acton Senior Center. We discussed the budget and shared an opportunity to get involved in our school district's Senior Reading Program.  This program brings senior citizens into our classrooms to read to elementary students. I look forward to welcoming our seniors back into our elementary schools for our Seniors Read program which runs mid-March through mid-April.   AB Resource Center Last week, the AB Resource Center hosted a welcome dinner for our newest families residing at the Minuteman Inn. Through generous donations and volunteers, we provided dinner and desserts to all shelter staff and school staff who support these individuals and families. Additionally, the AB Resource Center and AB Exchange staff and volunteers helped to provide resources, support, and clothing items.  It was a great opportunity for our community to welcome our newest neighbors.   Cartwheel Webinar- Breaking Generational Cycles: Rewriting Parenting Patterns Mar 7, 2024 at 12:00 PM in Eastern Time (US and Canada) Intergenerational trauma occurs when the effects of trauma are passed down between generations. As adults, we may unconsciously repeat unhealthy patterns that we witnessed or experienced as children. These patterns may be especially present in our parenting. How can we stop the transmission of trauma between generations? What can we do to break generational cycles, end unhealthy patterns, and heal, so that we do not repeat these patterns with our children? Join Cartwheel and Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart for a discussion on intergenerational trauma and steps that we can take to ensure that we rewrite, rather than repeat, parenting patterns from our past. Can't make it?  Register  and we will be sure to email you a recording of the session. This virtual event is part of Cartwheel's free webinar series for parents, caregivers, and school staff in our community. Please feel free to share this email broadly and access  English ,  Spanish , and  Portuguese  flyers here.   Community Coffee with Superintendent and School Committee Chairperson Adam Klein and I had a very successful Community Coffee this past Monday with over 40 families and community members signing on to ask questions about the FY25 Budget. We hope you can join us for our upcoming virtual Community Coffee chat. There will be no formal presentation, but rather a chance to discuss and inquire about the FY25 budget. Friday, March 15 at 8:30 a.m. You can participate through the following  Zoom link .  

    Friday, Feb 16 2024

  • Superintendent's Update- February 2, 2024

    February 2, 2024 In This Update: Congratulations Black History Month Lunar New Year FY25 Budgetary Concerns AB Resource Center Kindergarten Tours Cartwheel Care Webinar-Recognizing and Treating OCD and Tic Disorders in Children and Adolescents Community Coffee with Superintendent and School Committee Chairperson Congratulations I am pleased to announce that team members Theresa Nintzel, Wilson Korneev, Zayd Dhasthageer, and Ishaan Verma, along with alternates Joel Abraham and Sneha Iyer, successfully participated in this year's GBH High School Quiz Show. Stay tuned for more details regarding the airing of the episodes in the upcoming weeks. ABRHS Interview Fair On Thursday, January 25th, the Public Speaking classes hosted AB's first Interview Fair! Students have worked since Thanksgiving contacting colleges and local businesses to learn about their hiring and interview practices, wrote their own interview scripts, and acted as a variety of schools and job opportunities AB students may be interested in. Over 70 students registered for the Interview Fair, where they participated in mock interviews, played cornhole, and "Pin the College on the Map"!  ABRHS Winter Solstice The AB ASHA Club hosted a Winter Solstice fundraising event on Friday, January 26th, that featured fun activities, creative competitions, delicious snacks and drinks, and henna drawings. Asha, which means "hope" in Hindi, is a school organization that supports the education of underprivileged students with no or limited access to education.   Black History Month Black History Month commemorates the remarkable achievements of African Americans and highlights their impactful contributions to U.S. history. Other nations like Canada and the United Kingdom also dedicate a month to honor Black history. It’s important to acknowledge that learning about Black history, experiences, and people should extend beyond the days in the month of February. Every day presents an opportunity for individuals to explore the rich history and accomplishments.      Lunar New Year   Lunar New Year is a celebration of the arrival of spring and the beginning of a new year on the lunisolar calendar. February 10th, 2024 with celebrations culminating on February 24th, 2024. It is the most important holiday in China, and it is also widely celebrated in South Korea, Vietnam, and countries with a significant overseas Chinese population. While the official dates encompassing the holiday vary by culture, those celebrating consider it the time of the year to reunite with immediate and extended family.   FY25 Budget Our complete  FY25 Budget Binder  is now available online. Our school committee will hold a day-long  Budget Workshop next Saturday, February 10th  in the Administration Building from 8:30-3:30 p.m.  The complete agenda for the day can be found on our  School Committee Meetings Website . To ensure our communications comply with Massachusetts campaign laws, we will post all of our updates to the  FY25 Budget Page  on our website. Please check the website frequently for information. I’ve posted my recent budget presentation.  We will be presenting the FY2025 budget on Saturday, February 10, 2024. You are welcome to attend in person at the ABRSD Auditorium or view the workshop on Acton TV.   AB Resource Center The AB Resource Center held a successful clothing giveaway this week. Of the 138 families that visited, 57% were from Acton and 13% were from Boxborough. The AB Exchange has had 150 visits from 106 AB families (153 adults/ 202 children). They have given out more than 215 winter coats, 66 backpacks, and more than 1,000 other pieces of clothing. I want to thank the staff and all of you for your generous donations to make this possible for our AB families.   Kindergarten Tour Information Kindergarten Information Night is scheduled for Wednesday, February 28th from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. This will be in the form of an online webinar. For those who may not be able to attend, the webinar will be recorded and posted on the  Kindergarten Enrollment website  the following day. Kindergarten tour nights have been scheduled at our six elementary schools. Blanchard- Tuesday, March 19 at 7:00 p.m. Conant-Tuesday, March 5 at 7:00 p.m. Douglas- Tuesday, March 12 at 7:00 p.m. Gates- Tuesday, March 12 at 6:00 p.m. Merriam- Tuesday, March 26 at 6:00 p.m. McCarthy-Towne- Tuesday, March 26 at 7:00 p.m.   Cartwheel Care Webinar Cartwheel Care Webinar: Recognizing and Treating OCD and Tic Disorders in Children and Adolescents Date: Tuesday, February 6, 2024 Time: 7:00-8:00 PM Registration:  LINK Tics can be the tip of the iceberg of other co-occurring conditions (including OCD, anxiety, and ADHD) that may affect children’s ability to live to their full potential. Join Cartwheel and Erica Greenberg, MD to learn how OCD and tic disorders present in youth, how symptoms can be impairing (or not), how to seek professional help, and best practices for treatment.  Can't make it? Register and we will email you a recording of the session. This virtual event is part of Cartwheel's free webinar series for our community's parents, caregivers, and school staff.  English ,  Spanish , and  Portuguese  flyers here.   Community Coffee with Superintendent and School Committee Chairperson We hope you can join us for our upcoming virtual Community Coffee chats. There will be no formal presentation, but rather a chance to discuss and inquire about the FY25 budget. Monday, February 12 at 7:00 p.m. Friday, March 15 at 8:30 a.m. You can participate through the following  Zoom link .  

    Saturday, Feb 03 2024