The Common, Edition #5
September 23, 2022
September 23, 2022
Superintendent Update
Dear Nashoba Families,
This year, the Nashoba Regional School District will build upon its assessment capacity and add a new tool to its assessment repertoire, Star Assessment, from Renaissance Learning. Star Assessments is a comprehensive and adaptive online assessment platform within Renaissance Learning that will enable teachers to quickly and accurately assess student progress, prioritize student need, and plan for targeted instruction. The bottom line? Teachers will be able to capture real time data with Star and use this data alongside classroom data to inform targeted instructional decisions for their students.
Our fall Star screening assessment window will open next week. Students in grades K-9 will be assessed in mathematics using Star Math, and students in grades K-8 will be assessed in reading using Star Early Literacy/Star Reading. Assessments will be administered as universal screeners three times per year (fall/winter/spring).
Star Assessments meet students at their level of independence, adjusting to students' level of understanding as the student moves through the assessment. As such, Star Assessments are different than classroom-based assessments or high stakes assessments such as MCAS. They provide an indicator of skill development that complements other data sources and student work that is part of a comprehensive assessment portfolio. Throughout the year, when teachers share information about student progress with families, student performance on specific Star assessments will be discussed within a larger set of assessment data. Our assessment approach is driven by context , with multiple data points, and the whole child in mind.
The Department of Teaching and Learning and Department of Pupil Personnel Services have created a Star Assessment FAQ document to help further address questions families may have about our new assessment tool. Further questions may be directed to Laura Friend, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning, or to Joan DeAngelis, Director of Pupil Personnel Services.
As this is the first year of implementation of Star for our district, our learning of how to maximize the data from Star as an instructional tool will develop and strengthen with use and time. We will be certain to keep our families updated throughout the year and thank you for your ongoing support and partnership.
Peace,
Kirk Downing
(He/Him)
News from the Health and Wellness Department
Nashoba Regional High School will be hosting a flu clinic and health fair on Oct. 13, 2022 for all community members. Pre-registration is required using the links posted on the Nashoba Associated Boards of health website at https://www.nashoba.org/calendar. If you are unable to attend this evening, other locations and times are on the website.
Flu Clinic FAQ:
- Because there are different vaccine formulations for different age groups, registration links are divided by age group. Please select the link for the correct clinic location and your age group to register.
- Flu clinics are open to the public (ages 6 months and up). Not all clinics will be open to all ages; some will be designated specifically for adults/seniors, so please check the details of the clinic prior to registering. Residents of Nashoba towns can attend any clinic in the region serving their age group.
- When registering, please note: You may see a list of other clinic locations, but only one can be selected- the “Book Here” button for the correct clinic will be purple, while the others will be greyed out.
- People should bring their insurance cards to the clinic.
- No insurance? No problem. A person that does not have insurance may still receive a vaccination.
- There will be high dose flu vaccine available for those age 65 years and older
- We ask anyone feeling sick to stay home
Flu Vaccine Clinic
https://www.nashoba.org/calendar
Use this link to registration and more information.
NRSD Health and Wellness Fair
This Week at Nashoba
Lots of interest at the annual Activities Fair at the Florence Sawyer School.
Renaissance Learning Champions building skills on our first Professional Development Day
The Teaching and Learning team delivering apples to the AWESOME Center School faculty.
Together, we inspire and challenge all learners to reach their unique potential and become active contributors to their community.