@NipmucRegional
Keeping you informed on important dates and information.
May 16, 2022
FAST 2022 - Thursday, May 19
This week our faculty and students will enjoy the return of FAST! For those who are not familiar with Faculty and Students Together (FAST), this event is one of the highlights of the year. Led by our student council, FAST consists of class competitions, fun activities, and the chance to celebrate Nipmuc pride. We typically host FAST on the day before Thanksgiving but have moved it to take place this spring. This is the first time in two years that we’ve held the event. It will look a bit different but we’re excited to bring it back. Here are some details:
Date: May 19 (Rain Date: May 24) - We selected this date so that it occurs after AP testing and math MCAS.
Schedule: We’ll run a modified schedule with classes that are 42 minutes in length. An all-school lunch will take place outside on the front field at 11:30am. FAST activities will take place after lunch through the end of the day.
Locations: Most FAST events will be scheduled to take place outside on the athletic fields and in the courtyard. Minute-to-Win-It competitions will take place in the gym.
Pep Rally: A pep rally will close the day. This will take place outside on the front field.
Class Colors: Most students wear their class t-shirts or class colors during FAST. Class colors are as follows:
Class of 2022 - Purple
Class of 2023 - Pink
Class of 2024 - Red
Class of 2025 - Light Blue
Faculty - Green and White
Students received an email with information about the day on Friday, May 13.
Grade 10 MCAS This Week
We wanted to remind families that our Grade 10 students will be taking their Math MCAS exam this week on both Tuesday and Wednesday. Students should remember to come to school on both days with fully charged iPads. Groups for MCAS testing are posted in the cafeteria so students know where to report in the morning.
If for any reason, a student needs to miss school, there will be MCAS makeup testing days through May 26. We will connect with students upon their return to schedule their makeup testing dates.
Attention Seniors and Senior Parents: Important Graduation Deadline
Nipmuc seniors and families received an email two weeks ago regarding how to claim graduation tickets and the instructions to do so. We wanted to offer a reminder that this form was due this morning. For those who have not yet completed it, please be aware that the form must be filled out using your students’ MURSD account to avoid duplication of entries.
Please plan on filling this form out no later than tomorrow, Tuesday, May 17 by 5pm. We will be going to print with our tickets shortly and need to plan accordingly for the number of guests attending graduation. Here are a few reminders when filling out the form:
- Each student will be given 8 tickets to be seated together and then the opportunity to receive 2 additional tickets which will be seated in the general seating area.
- Seats will be pre-assigned and each ticket will include the name of the guest.
- Reserved seating will be arranged in family pods that are outlined on the front athletic field. These "pods" can accommodate up to eight guests.
- A general admission seating section will be provided for open seating on the athletic field.
- The ticket request form must be filled out in its entirety and to avoid any duplicate entries it must be filled out using each senior's MURSD email. If you missed the timeline of the senior events (linked at the button below) for families we have included it again as it answers many questions.
Senior Surprises
The amazing volunteer parents who have organized the senior surprises were at it again this week with these adorable lollipops that are all dressed up with the cap and gown to celebrate our graduates.Thank you for celebrating our seniors!
Scholarships Are Still Available
Nipmuc Athletics
Congratulations to the Nipmuc BVYLA Graduates
The Blackstone Valley Youth Leadership Academy is a program that helps students realize their leadership potential. Students who are nominated and accepted into this program participate and attend multiple sessions and complete a community service project to put their new skills into place. Session topics include: Defining Leadership, Identifying Leadership Styles, Community Culture & Climate, Community Engagement, Goal Setting, Time Management, Interviewing Skills, Public Speaking, Self-Care/Mindfulness, and Financial Literacy. This year Nipmuc had 7 students that were part of this program. They celebrated their BVYLA graduation on May 3 at Asa Waters Mansion after completing their service projects. Please join us in congratulating the following students: Joseph Fraser, Sofia Geremia, Elizabeth Lange, Ashleigh Lupien, Jack Mattson, Linara Miller, and James Overholt.
Important Reminder - Term 4 Tardies
- Students need to be in their first block class (not simply in the building) prior to 7:30am.
- Students are given 3 tardies per term without consequences.
- Tardies 4 - 6 will result in after school detentions, loss of parking for the remainder of the term (if applicable), and ineligibility for after school activities on that day.
- Tardies 7+ result in a Saturday detention per tardy and ineligibility for that day's after school activities.
- Term 4 began on April 6 and runs through the end of the school year.
We continue to track all students' attendance. You can access this information in PowerSchool.
Notes From The School Nurse
Please review the COVID-19 symptom checklist below and keep your child home if they are symptomatic. We ask that you test them at home, through a local testing site, or through their PCP and report a positive result to the school nurse. Please contact the health office at 508-529-2143, or by email at lmcinnis@mursd.org, prior to sending your child to school with COVID-19 symptoms.
COVID-19 symptoms list:
Fever (100.0° Fahrenheit or higher), chills, or shaking chills
Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
New loss of taste or smell
Muscle aches or body aches
Cough (not due to other known cause, such as chronic cough)
Sore throat, when in combination with other symptoms
Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea when in combination with other symptoms
Headache when in combination with other symptoms
Fatigue, when in combination with other symptoms
Nasal congestion or runny nose (not due to other known causes, such as allergies) when in combination with other symptoms
Hygiene Drive to Benefit Net of Compassion
MAY SEPAC MEETING: Board Vote and Special Guest Speaker
Join us for our May meeting in-person or on Zoom!
When: Monday, May 16 at 6:30pm
Where: Your choice - Either at Nipmuc in person or by zoom which the link can be found here.
We will vote on SEPAC board members for the 2022-2023 school year in this meeting! WE WANT YOU! Want to join the board? Learn more about SEPAC, the process for getting involved and voting in our bylaws document here and come to this meeting. In addition to covering regular SEPAC business, we are hosting a special guest speaker on the 16th (rescheduled from the April meeting), Bonnie Delongchamp (LSW, C.A.S., MMFT).
Bonnie is the Executive Director of The Whole Child in Upton. The Whole Child’s mission is to support the healthy (physical, social, behavioral and cognitive) development of children and empower their families through education, coaching, opportunity and consultation. Bonnie's presentation will begin at 7pm, after we cover regular SEPAC business.
What is the MURSD SEPAC? The MURSD Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) is a group of parents and guardians of children who are supported or who are seeking special education support in the Mendon-Upton school district. Our SEPAC not only provides a support network for other parents, but a forum for open communication about special education in our district, an opportunity for collaboration with district leadership, and more. To be added to the SEPAC email list, please reach out to mendonuptonsepac@gmail.com. More information here: Mendon-Upton SEPAC | Mendon-Upton Regional School District (mursd.org)
Resources from Our Return Support Services
Nipmuc's partnership with Bridge for Resilient Youth in Transition (BRYT) has provided us with more mental health resources to share with our families.
BRYT hosted their "Ready to Launch" Live event last week to discuss supporting seniors in their next steps in life. A recording can be seen HERE.
Please view this Family Engagement Resource form if you have been wondering about different strategies to support your child at home.
BRYT is also continuing to host parent-to-parent support groups. You can find a flier with more information here. This is open to ALL families of students who are navigating mental health difficulties, not just for families of students who are engaged in BRYT services.
Question & Answer Box in the Nipmuc Main Office
Our student representatives to the school committee, Diya Deliwala and Michel Flanagan, have put up a box in the Nipmuc front office. It is a place for students to put in any comments, suggestions, or questions regarding the school and/or the district. Michel and Diya will read the notes and do their best to try and answer them! We are excited to read everyone's input! For any questions please email the student representatives at : deliwalad23@student.mursd.org and flanaganm22@student.mursd.org.
Computer Science Showcase
The computer science students are excited to welcome the school community to Nipmuc's Computer Science Showcase on Tuesday, May 24, from 8 am - 10 am in Nipmuc's Media Center. The showcase will feature student created apps on MIT's App Inventor program as well as independent study work by computer science students. A group of students have also been working on the CubeSAT challenge through MIT's Lincoln Laboratories and these students will provide a demonstration of their work. ***In order to maximize the experience, please download MIT App Inventor's app on your iPads/cellphones in order to access and test student created apps***.
Dog Walk For Hope
Class of 2025
Friendly reminder to our parents/guardians of class of 2025 students. Please submit your student's class dues of $30 as soon as possible. Each guardian has been contacted via email. If you have not received the email pertaining to class dues, please contact edailey@mursd.org or sthompson@mursd.org and we will assist you further. Thank you!
Summer Learning Opportunities
Please find summer courses for your reference. These courses are tuition free with grant assistance from MA Office of Economic Development and would be most appropriate for any graduating seniors who are interested in entering the workforce or trade.