Superintendent's Update- May 8, 2026

May 8, 2026 In This Update: Congratulations! AB Forward Parent/Caregiver Updates Budget & Finance Update Interrupting Hate & Bias AB Unified Games May Holidays Electric School Buses Doli Atamian Campership Program Around the District Congratulations We are proud to celebrate several members of our community who have recently been honored for their outstanding contributions to students and athletes. Sarah Turner has been recognized with the  Girl Scouts of the USA Volunteer of Excellence Award , a testament to her dedicated service and commitment to young people. Girls Swim & Dive Coach Kristi Pucillo earned the title of  Dive Coach of the Year  at the EMISCA Banquet and Awards Celebration, reflecting her exceptional leadership and expertise on the diving board. Coach Mae Shoemaker received the prestigious  Priscilla Davis Silver Service Award  in recognition of 25 years as an EMSOA Hall of Fame swim official — a remarkable milestone that speaks to her lifelong dedication to the sport. And Athletic Trainer Peter "Mr. C" Cacciola has been named the  MSSADA District 4 Yoshitaka Ando Athletic Trainer of the Year , honoring his tireless work keeping our student-athletes healthy and game-ready. AB Forward Parent/Caregiver Updates ⭐ Webinar for All Families — Tuesday, May 12 at 7:00 PM ⭐ This special event will feature Dr. Julianna Chen, Chief Medical Officer at Cartwheel, who will share practical, home-based strategies to help your child navigate this transition with confidence. Dr. Chen's presentation will focus on building resilience, supporting emotional understanding, and using age-appropriate communication — giving you real, actionable tools you can use right away. Look for the link emailed to you next week. Budget & Finance Update Thank you to the residents of Acton for passing our budget at Monday’s Town Meeting.  We look forward to presenting our budget to Boxborough on May 19, 2026. Interrupting Hate & Bias On April 28, 2026, the "Interrupting Hate and Bias: The History and Impact of the N-word" presentations were held at ABRHS. Dedicated staff members alongside student leaders from the Black Student Union (BSU) led this educational initiative. As part of the presentation, a community agreement emphasized, in the BSU’s words, “If one person feels unsafe, we are all unsafe.”  If we allow one student in our school to be marginalized, the community is less safe for everyone. We appreciate everyone’s continued partnership in making our community as inclusive and supportive as possible.  AB Unified School Day Games We had a very successful event on April 29 at Leary Field. This was AB’s 7th opportunity to participate in the Unified School Day Games. Students from  ABRHS, RJ Grey JHS, and the elementary   schools participated as athletes supported by staff members and HS student volunteers. Thank you to Faith Jarger, Anne Dempsey, and Kathleen Knight for your hard work in making this day a memorable event for our student-athletes and staff.  May Holidays Asian American and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month  is a month-long commemoration of the history and achievements of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders in the United States. AANHPI Heritage Month takes place each year in May, which was permanently designated for the commemoration in 1992 by President George H.W. Bush. (Brittanica.com).  Jewish American Heritage Month  recognizes Jewish contributions to American culture, history, military, science, government, and more. Jewish identity can include: Religion (Judaism) Culture and traditions Ethnicity and shared ancestry Not all Jewish people practice Judaism, and Jewish Americans represent many racial, cultural, and linguistic backgrounds. Memorial Day-Monday, May 25, 2026 ( No School) ,  is an American holiday, observed on the last Monday of May, honoring the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. Originally known as Decoration Day, it originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971. Many Americans observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries or memorials, holding family gatherings and participating in parades. Unofficially, it marks the beginning of the summer season. (History.com) Eid al-Adha, May 27, 2026 ( No School)   (Arabic: عيد الأضحى, “Festival of the Sacrifice”), is one of the two major Islamic holidays. It commemorates the willingness of the prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son in obedience to God, before God provided a ram to be sacrificed instead. The holiday is observed by Muslims worldwide with communal prayers, charitable giving, and the ritual sacrifice of an animal (such as a sheep, goat, or cow), with the meat traditionally shared among family, friends, and those in need. It takes place at the end of the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca and falls on a different date each year based on the Islamic lunar calendar.  Other Recognitions: Mental Health Awareness Month  School Principals May 1 National Lunch Hero Day May 1  Teacher Appreciation Week May 3-9 School Nurse Day May 6 National Speech-Language-Hearing Day May 18 MASS Clean Energy Center & Frontier Energy Visit On April 15, representatives from the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) and Frontier Energy visited Acton-Boxborough to tour our new electric buses and net-zero school building. The group boarded one of the electric buses for a firsthand look at the Boardwalk Campus, then participated in a question-and-answer session with district staff. The visitors were impressed with the district's accomplishments in clean energy and sustainability. Doli Atamian Campership Program, Inc. The Doli Atamian Campership program provides scholarships to summer camp and activities/classes for students/children in Acton and Boxborough based on family income. The application process is simple, and each child/student may receive up to $300 towards a summer camp program, activity, or classes of the family's choice.   For more information about the Campership scholarship and an application form, go to  http://www.doliatamiancampership.com/   or call 978-515-3227. Around the District Our 32nd Annual Community Service Breakfast & Day was a wonderful success. Thank you to everyone who contributed and stepped up to support these events.  Recently, I visited Merriam Elementary as a guest reader. Spending time with our students in this way is a wonderful reminder of the joy that reading can inspire — and the lasting impact a great story can have.  Project Graduation - Caregiver Volunteers Needed AB Project Graduation 2026 is busy planning an all-inclusive, substance-free celebration for our seniors. Project Graduation needs parents and caregivers of students in all grades to keep this tradition going for the 37th year! Visit our  website  or email  abprojectgraduation@gmail.com  if you would like to volunteer or learn more.

Friday, May 08 2026

AB Forward Family Update- Supporting Your Child Thro...

Dear ABRSD Families, As we look ahead to the AB Forward reorganization and the start of an exciting new school year, we want to share an important update on how we are supporting students through this transition — and how you can be part of that process. We are pleased to share that the vast majority of students are expected to transition to their new school successfully and without the need for a formal individual plan. That said, we are committed to making this a positive, connected experience for every child and family in our community. Supports and Strategic Planning for All Students Every school is taking thoughtful steps to ensure students feel welcomed, known, and supported from day one. Key initiatives include: Continued social-emotional learning through the Second Step curriculum Year-end celebrations and fall community-building activities to foster belonging Staff collaboration to share important student information with receiving school teams Building tours to help new families feel at home Introductory letters and communications from the 2026–2027 school staff and leadership ⭐  Webinar for All Families — Tuesday, May 12 at 7:00 PM  ⭐ We warmly invite all families to join Superintendent Light's Family Webinar on Tuesday, May 12, at 7:00 PM. This special event will feature Dr. Julianna Chen, Chief Medical Officer at Cartwheel, who will share practical, home-based strategies to help your child navigate this transition with confidence. Dr. Chen's presentation will focus on building resilience, supporting emotional understanding, and using age-appropriate communication — giving you real, actionable tools you can use right away. A recording of the webinar and the accompanying slide deck will be made available on the district's AB Forward website ( https://www.abschools.org/read-the-plan ) following the event. Watch for a reminder link as the date approaches! For additional family resources available now, please visit the AB Forward Community Wellness site:  https://www.abschools.org/abforwardcommunitywellness AB Forward Individual Student Transition Plans For students who may benefit from extra support, we are developing short-term AB Forward Transition Plans. These personalized guides are designed to outline specific assistance for a student's first six weeks at their new school. Please note that these plans are supplementary in nature and do not replace any existing legal documents, such as IEPs or 504 plans. Determinations for support or monitoring follow a review of risk factors across six domains: attachment security, safety and predictability, school stability, trauma triggers, developmental regression risks, and mental health history. If a transition plan is recommended for your student, the development and sharing process is highly collaborative and includes the following steps: Drafting:  Mental health staff develop the initial plan in partnership with educators. Review : A multidisciplinary team — including administrators, the school nurse, and mental health staff — reviews and approves the plan. Family Engagement : A dedicated contact reaches out to share the plan, gather your feedback, and obtain consent. Sharing : The finalized plan is sent to the receiving school to ensure seamless continuity of care. We are currently working through this multi-stage process. If your student is being recommended for an individual transition plan, you can expect to receive an invitation to join that conversation by early June. Our commitment to a purposeful, student-centered transition is at the heart of everything we do. For questions about your student's transition, your school's psychologist or counselor is the best first point of contact and will be happy to help. With care and excitement for the year ahead, The ABRSD Elementary Leadership and Mental Health Teams   For AB Forward Updates, visit our AB Forward Website at https://www.abschools.org/read-the-plan

Tuesday, May 05 2026

Integrated Monitoring Review Notification

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Office of Public School Monitoring (PSM) will conduct an Integrated Monitoring Review of  Acton-Boxborough Public School  during the week of  May 25, 2026.  Each school district, charter school, vocational school, and virtual school undergoes an Integrated Monitoring Review every three years. The areas addressed during an Integrated Monitoring Review are organized into two groups, known as Group A Universal Standards and Group B Universal Standards.   Acton-Boxborough Public Schools  will be undergoing a  Group B  monitoring review that focuses on special education student identification and special education eligibility timelines; Individualized Education Program (IEP) development; programming and support services; procedural requirements for suspensions and equal opportunity. For additional information please also see  Integrated Monitoring Parent and Family Orientation . The process includes interviews with school staff and administrators, a review of student records, policies and procedures, and school building visits. The process may also include parent/caregiver, student and teacher focus group meetings to gather additional information. Interpretation will be provided, if needed. The Department will also send a parent survey, in multiple languages and formats, as needed, to parents /guardians of special education students to gather key information on the special education processes and procedures. Parents/guardians and other stakeholders may call Corey Steinman, Monitoring Review Chairperson, at (781) 338-3742 or  Corey.E.Steinman@mass.gov  to request a telephone interview. If anyone requires an accommodation, such as translation, to participate in an interview, the Department will make the necessary arrangements. Within approximately 60 business days after the onsite visit, the review chairperson will provide the (district or charter school) with a report that includes information on further actions that may be required. The public can access the report at  https://www.doe.mass.edu/psm/tfm/default.html .

Wednesday, Apr 29 2026

AB FY27 Budget Book for Town Meetings

April 16, 2027 We are pleased to share the  Acton-Boxborough Regional School District's FY27 Budget Booklet for Annual Town Meetings .  Click the image above to access the budget book, or use the link below: FY27 AB Budget Book for Town Meeting Questions can be directed to: Sheri Matthews, Director of Finance & Operations by email at smatthews@abschools.org or  Peter Light, Superintendent of School by email at plight@abschools.org.

Thursday, Apr 16 2026

Superintendent's Update- April 10, 2026

April 10, 2026 In This Update: Congratulations! AB Forward Parent/Caregiver Update ABRSD 2026 Student Opportunity Act (SOA) Progress Report Out of the Darkness Campus Walk Revised 2025-26 School Calendar April Holidays School Visits Congratulations Our Blanchard Elementary Band earned its 16th consecutive gold medal at the MICCA Concert Festival. Congratulations to our young musicians, Music Teacher Chris Baird, and  K-12 Director of Visual and Performing Arts, George Arsenault! Congratulations to the Math Team for their first-place finish at the Massachusetts Association of Mathematics League (MAML) State Championship! Congratulations to our AB Speech and Debate for their third-place finish in the sweepstakes category at the Massachusetts State Debate Tournament.  AB Forward Parent/Caregiver Updates This week’s AB Forward Family Webinar is scheduled for Tuesday, April 14, at 7:00 pm. The webinar link will be emailed to families next week. These 45-minute sessions provide parents and caregivers with the latest information and a clear overview of any new developments. Please see the  AB Forward website for up-to-date information. ABRSD 2026 Student Opportunity Act (SOA) Progress Report Submitted ABRSD 2026 Student Opportunity Act (SOA) Progress Report Submitted An annual requirement through the Department of Elementary and Secondary is for school districts to provide the public with access to their progress within identified areas of focus of their Student Opportunity Act plan.  ABRSD's Student Opportunity Act plan is aimed at reducing chronic absenteeism through a comprehensive, multi-tiered approach. Key efforts this year include improved attendance tracking and communication systems, standardized intervention planning, regular reporting to families, and the establishment of school-based teams to monitor and respond to attendance data. Staff have also received targeted training to better support students experiencing school refusal. While it is still early to determine the full impact, initial data shows encouraging trends, with modest improvements in overall attendance and among several student groups previously identified as having higher rates of chronic absenteeism. The district remains committed to ongoing collaboration with families to support consistent student attendance and success. Families and community members can find a full summary of the 2026 ABRSD Progress Report  here. Out of the Darkness Campus Walk - April 11 at 10:00 a.m. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s Out of the Darkness Campus Walk on Saturday, April 11, is designed to engage youth and young adults in the fight to prevent suicide, a leading cause of death. Registration at ABRHS will begin at 9:00 a.m., followed by the walk at 10:00 am. Register here:  www.AFSP.org/Acton   Revised 2025-26 School Calendar We have added three elementary early release days (May 22, June 22, and June 23). You can find the updated information on the  Calendar page  under the Families section of our website. April Holidays Evening of Wednesday, April 1, 2026-Evening of Thursday, April 9, 2026 Passover, or  Pesach   in Hebrew, is one of the three major  pilgrimage festivals  of ancient Israel and commemorates the Exodus from Egypt. Its name comes from the miracle in which God “passed over” the houses of the Israelites during the tenth plague. Centered on the family or communal celebration of the  seder  (ritual meal), Passover is one of the most beloved of all Jewish holidays. (My Jewish  Learning.com ) Passover celebrates the freeing of Jewish slaves from Egypt. The holiday lasts for eight days, usually in March or April. During Passover, Jews eat matzo (unleavened bread) because those fleeing from Egypt did not have time to allow their bread to rise. People mark the holiday in a special prayer service at home. Lent 2026 began on Wednesday, February 18, 2026 (Ash Wednesday) and ends on Thursday, April 2, 2026 (Holy Thursday), leading into Good Friday and Easter Sunday. April 3, 2026 (Good Friday) NO School April 10, 2026 (Orthodox Good Friday) April 5, 2026 (Easter) April 12, 2026 (Orthodox Easter) April 13, 2026  (Orthodox Holy Monday) Good Friday is the day Christians believe that Jesus died. Three days later, on Easter Sunday, they celebrate their belief that Jesus rose from the dead after being executed by Roman soldiers. Good Friday is marked with prayer; Easter is celebrated with feasting. Both holidays are observed during early to late spring. ( Learning for Justice ) Lent is a 40-day period of fasting, prayer, and reflection observed by many Christian denominations in preparation for Easter. It symbolizes Jesus’ 40 days of fasting in the wilderness. Patriots' Day is a state holiday in Massachusetts commemorating the first battle of the American Revolution on April 19, 1775.  Patriots' Day occurs annually on the third Monday of April. Patriots' Day was proclaimed in Massachusetts in 1894 by Gov. Greenhalge, replacing Fast Day as a public holiday. (National Parks Service)  School Visits I had the chance to visit two Conant Elementary classrooms as a guest reader. We focused on perseverance and a growth mindset, talking about how effort and learning from challenges help us grow. It was great to spend time with our youngest learners and see their engagement and enthusiasm firsthand.

Friday, Apr 10 2026

Important Update: School Committee Vote on Geographi...

Dear Acton-Boxborough Families and Community Members, We are writing to share the results of the School Committee’s vote regarding the reorganization of our elementary schools. After careful planning and community feedback, the Committee has reached a final decision on the new geographic boundaries and enrollment policies that will shape our district’s future. The Final Plan: Scenario 7 The School Committee has officially adopted  Scenario 7  as our new elementary school geographic boundary map. These new boundaries will go into effect on  July 1, 2026 . This plan was selected to better balance student enrollment and ensure that every school in our district has the resources and space needed to provide a high-quality education. You can view the new boundaries and search for your specific address using our interactive map here: ABRSD Geographic School Zones Enrollment Policy and "Flex Zones" To maintain balanced class sizes over time, the district is introducing  Flex Zones . These are specific geographic areas where new students may be assigned to one of two schools based on where space is available. Purpose:  Flex Zones allow the district to manage enrollment year-round and avoid overcrowding at any single school. Placement:  Every home in a Flex Zone has a "geographic default" school. If a change is needed to balance class sizes, the district will first look for families who volunteer to move to the alternate school. Siblings:  The district remains committed to keeping siblings together. Siblings will not be separated unless a parent specifically requests it. Additional details about the Flex Zone Logistics are available on the  AB Forward Website Grandfathering for Current Students We understand that stability is important for our students. The Committee has approved a grandfathering plan to minimize disruption: Eligible Students:  1. Acton students currently attending Blanchard and 2. Students in the Scenario 7 Expanded Blanchard zone will be grandfathered into their current schools. Scope:  This applies to students currently enrolled in grades K-5 during the 2025-26 school year. New Students:  Grandfathering does not apply to incoming Kindergarteners or new students registering after June 30, 2026. These students will be assigned based on the new geographic maps. Note for Impacted Families:  Families who fall into these grandfathered groups will receive a separate, direct email from the district with specific details regarding their student’s placement.  Please look for this follow-up communication, as you will need to respond to that email by Thursday, April 16th. Extraordinary Circumstances We recognize that some families may face unique or extraordinary circumstances they believe the district should consider while finalizing school placements. To ensure a fair and consistent process, we have provided a guide outlining what may qualify as an extraordinary circumstance and instructions on how to submit a formal request for consideration. Detailed information about submitting an Extraordinary Circumstances Request can be found on the  AB Forward Website  and a specific form will be sent to you through ParentSquare Later today, all elementary families will receive a link in ParentSquare to submit a request for extraordinary consideration if needed.  Requests are due by May 1st and will be processed by June 1st. Looking Ahead We are committed to a transparent and supportive transition. We have a  family webinar scheduled for Tuesday, April 14 th  and will provide additional updates at that time.  A webinar link will be sent to families on Tuesday afternoon.  If you would like to submit a question in advance of the webinar for our consideration, you can use the link below.  In the interest of time during the webinar, we will be focused on questions related to implementation of the reorganization.  We recognize some families may have questions or concerns regarding the process of arriving at this decision and those questions may be directed to either the Superintendent or School Committee directly. Submit a Question for the April 14th Webinar These changes are a significant step in ensuring long-term stability for our schools. We are committed to supporting our families through this transition over the coming year. Thank you for your continued engagement and support of our students. Sincerely, Peter Light Superintendent of Schools   For AB Forward Updates, visit our AB Forward Website at https://www.abschools.org/read-the-plan

Friday, Apr 10 2026

AB Forward Update: Final Scenarios Posted and Feedba...

The School Committee agenda and packet have been posted and include the final scenarios for AB Forward. The School Committee is scheduled to vote on the final geographic boundary scenario and set the boundary maps at their next meeting on April 9. To provide feedback, see the links in our  message from March 31 . We had planned to send out a survey soon to ask for your permission to share your contact information for AB Forward. We're postponing that survey for now. This delay will  not  affect our ability to share your child's school and grade assignment. Right now, we want you to focus on giving us feedback on the geographic maps.   For AB Forward Updates, visit our AB Forward Website at https://www.abschools.org/read-the-plan

Friday, Apr 03 2026

AB Digital Backpack- April 1, 2026

Acton Candidates Forum - Wed 4/8 7 p.m. Town Hall  - You'll hear from all School Committee candidates at this event! 

Wednesday, Apr 01 2026

Celebrating Arts in Our Schools Month

March is a special time of year when arts organizations and school systems around the United States celebrate the contributions of student artists in their school communities. At AB, every month feels like Arts in Our Schools Month, but it's worth noting the particularly high number of performances, accomplishments, and presentations of our hard-working AB artists. Please see our March 2026 Visual and Performing Arts Newsletter here. This is just a small sample of the amazing work our young artists and dedicated faculty engage in every day at school.  Warmly, George Arsenault K-12 Director of Visual and Performing Arts

Tuesday, Mar 31 2026

AB Forward: Final Geographic Scenarios, Flex Zones, ...

Dear AB Families, I am writing to share an update on our ongoing work and to present the  two final geographic scenarios  under consideration.  The school committee is scheduled to vote on a final scenario at their next meeting on April 9. Over the past several weeks, Dillinger RAD has worked to refine options based on feedback and analysis. At this point, they have narrowed the work to two final geographic scenarios. These represent the most viable approaches moving forward and will be the focus of discussion at the upcoming meeting. Our goal in sharing these scenarios is threefold: To keep you informed of the final options under consideration To invite your feedback To help prepare for discussion and an anticipated decision at the April 9 School Committee meeting To help you understand the scenarios and the factors involved, we are sharing the following resources: Final Scenarios: Video Explainer Slides Flex Zone FAQ We invite you to provide feedback on the final scenarios through  this survey .   The survey will be open through Monday, April 6.   If you have questions or would like clarification, please send them to Nick Stellitano at Dillinger  nstellitano@dillingerrad.org  and we will work to address them as part of the April 9 discussion. Thank you for your continued engagement and thoughtful participation in this process. Sincerely, Peter Light Superintendent of Schools   For AB Forward Updates, visit our AB Forward Website at https://www.abschools.org/read-the-plan

Tuesday, Mar 31 2026