Happy New Year and welcome back! We hope your winter break was restful and filled with fun.

Since returning, students have been spending time reflecting and setting new goals for 2026—both personal goals and school goals. These conversations have encouraged our students to think about who they want to be as learners, classmates, and community members, and to take more ownership of their growth as we move forward together this year.

Grade 1 students have also been exploring the inspiring work of Jane Goodall and her role as a researcher. Through her story, students are learning about curiosity, perseverance, and the power of making a positive impact—big or small—on the world around us. These discussions have tied beautifully into our goal-setting work, helping students see how passion and purpose can shape lifelong learning.

In math, we are still embracing winter-themed learning, using seasonal contexts to strengthen problem-solving skills, number sense, and mathematical thinking. From chilly word problems to snowy scenarios, students are staying engaged while building strong foundational skills.

And finally please read through the information below about our process of Reauthorizing our Strategic Plan. We are seeking community input through survey links and we value your input.

Check out some the photos that follow and Thank you, as always, for your continued partnership and support.

We are excited for all that 2026 has in store for our students and our school community alike.

Warmly,

The Public Schools of Northborough and Southborough is reauthorizing its Strategic Plan, Vision 2026: Educate, Inspire, and Challenge. First approved in the spring of 2021, this plan has guided the District’s priorities and actions over the past several years. As we look ahead, it is time to chart the course for the next six years—and we invite our community to help shape that future.

 

This fall and winter, the District is collecting input from students, families, staff, and community members through multiple avenues, including a community-wide survey. The survey mirrors the version administered in January 2021, allowing for a comparison of new feedback with the original baseline data. These insights will inform the goals, priorities, and key actions that will define the next phase of the District’s Strategic Plan.

 

As part of this process, citizens are invited to participate in one of our upcoming Strategic Planning Sessions. Each session will explore the landscape students will encounter in the future—careers, higher education, and societal expectations. Together, we will identify the habits, skills, and knowledge that will empower our graduates to thrive in a complex, rapidly changing world.

 

Before completing the survey, we encourage all residents to review the current Strategic Plan – Vision 2026: Educate, Inspire, and Challenge .

 

January 12, 2026 | 6:30–8:00 PM | ARHS Library*

January 20, 2026 | 4:00–5:30 PM | Trottier Library

January 28, 2026 | 6:30–8:00 PM | Virtual

Each session offers the same content. Please choose one to attend.

Your voice is essential as we envision the future of learning in Northborough and Southborough. We hope you will join us in this important work.

1/5~ School Resumes

1/12 - 2026-27 Kindergarten registration opens

1/15 - Preschool Screening-No Preschool for the Day

1/19~ No School, Martin Luther King Jr Day

1/23~ Semester Closes

1/30~ Report Cards sent home via ParentSquare at 4:00 p.m.