Latest News
District
- Superintendent
Office of the Superintendent
January 24, 2023
Dear Parents, Guardians, and Staff:
As I have already shared before, Jessica Beattie, formerly chosen 2020-2021 Assistant Principal of the Year by the Massachusetts School Administrators’ Association, is currently our Interim Student Services Director. Jess has been doing a phenomenal job in this role, and I would like to be able to appoint her permanently to this position. With her long term commitment to Holliston Public Schools in her roles as adjustment counselor, assistant principal, and now interim director, she has exemplified incredible leadership and work ethic in all of her roles and is an asset to HPS. In the short time that she has been in this new role, she has demonstrated an ability to quickly acquire new skills and adapt to the demands of a central office leadership position that services students and staff in PreK-12+. I am pleased to have her as a member of my central leadership team.
Due to the possibility of inclement weather, I will be holding a Q & A with Jess via Zoom on Wednesday, January 25, 2023 from 6:00 to 7:30 pm that I will be attending as well. I am also sending out a link to a feedback survey, which be completed no later than the end of the school day on Friday, January 27, 2023. While I would love to have you join us on Wednesday night, your feedback is appreciated even if you are unable to attend.
I am very excited to meet with you and Jess to talk about all that is happening to support students within the Office of the Student Services Director. Thank you for your support!
Regards,
Susan E. Kustka, Ed.D.
Holliston Public Schools Superintendent @SKustka
- Superintendent
Office of the Superintendent
January 11, 2023
Dear Parents, Guardians, and Staff:
As many of you know, Jessica Beattie, formerly chosen 2020-2021 Assistant Principal of the Year by the Massachusetts School Administrators’ Association, is currently our Interim Student Services Director. Jess has been doing a phenomenal job in this role, and it is my intention to appoint her permanently to this position. With her long term commitment to Holliston Public Schools in her roles as adjustment counselor, assistant principal, and now interim director, she has exemplified incredible leadership and work ethic in all of her roles and is an asset to HPS. In the short time that she has been in this new role, she has demonstrated an ability to quickly acquire new skills and adapt to the demands of a central office leadership position that services students and staff in PreK-12+. I am pleased to have her as a member of my central leadership team.
Jess Beattie will be presenting student services updates next week at the school committee meeting on Thursday, January 19, 2023 after 7:00 pm. I encourage you to watch or attend this meeting, in order to get to know her better and see her in action. Additionally, we will be holding a Q & A with Jess at the high school library on Wednesday, January 25, 2023 from 6:00 to 7:30 pm that I will be attending as well. I will be sending out a feedback survey after the event, which will help inform my decision-making.
I am very excited to meet with you and Jess to talk about all that is happening to support students within the Office of the Student Services Director. Looking forward to seeing you at one or both events.
Regards,
Susan E. Kustka, Ed.D.
Holliston Public Schools Superintendent @SKustka
- Superintendent
Office of the Superintendent
January 3, 2023
Dear Parents, Guardians, and Caregivers:
Welcome back to our students and staff! With the increased spread of COVID, flu, and RSV, please see some important reminders shared out by the state recently:
“On December 9, 2022, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) expanded the use of updated (bivalent) COVID-19 vaccines for children ages 6 months through 5 years. Now virtually all children across the Commonwealth are eligible to get the updated vaccine.
The Department of Public Health and the Massachusetts Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics remind you to have your child vaccinated. The COVID-19 vaccine has been shown to be safe and effective in protecting against serious illness, hospitalization, and death.
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is also alerting residents that flu activity is much higher than usual for this time of year – in the Commonwealth and nationally – and urging residents of all ages to also get vaccinated against influenza. DPH and AAP remind you that COVID and flu shots may be given in the same visit.
While families may feel most comfortable getting their youngest children vaccinated by their primary care provider, please note that some retail pharmacies are also able to vaccinate children ages 3 and older. More information is available at www.mass.gov/
As a reminder: the COVID vaccine is safe, free for all, and no ID or insurance is needed to be vaccinated.
Getting your family vaccinated against COVID and flu is the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones. We appreciate your help to keep our communities safe and healthy.”
Additionally, mask wearing is always an option for both staff and students as a mitigation tool to prevent the spread of COVID, flu, and RSV. Disposable masks are available upon request at school! Other mitigation tools include handwashing and staying home if you are sick. Your school nurse is also a great resource if you have any questions. Be well in 2023!
Regards,
Susan E. Kustka, Ed.D.
Holliston Public Schools Superintendent @SKustka
Placentino ES
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Tuesday, November 1st and Wednesday, November 2nd
Our school book fair will be held Tuesday and Wednesday of this week from 4:00-8:00pm in the Placentino library.
Please click for our flyers: English, Portuguese, Spanish.
Our Unified Arts Back to School Night will be held on Tuesday, November 1st from 6:00-7:30pm. Students and families are welcome to attend to meet their UA teachers (art, music, physical education, science, and world langugage)
Please click for our flyers: English, Portuguese, Spanish.
Holliston Public Schools will be following the state's COVID-19 Isolation and Exposure Guidance for Children and Staff for the upcoming 2022-2023 school year.
You can view this guidance on the state website by clicking the following link: Mass.gov - COVID-19 Isolation and Exposure Guidance for Children and Staff in Child Care, K-12, Out-of-School Time (OST) and Recreational Camp/Program Settings
OR you can read the guidance policy below:
Overview
Effective August 15, 2022, children and staff in child care, K-12, out-of-school time (OST) and recreational camp settings should follow the below guidance.
- A rapid antigen test, such as a self-test, is preferred to a PCR test in most situations.
- To count days for isolation, Day 0 is the first day of symptoms OR the day the day positive test was taken, whichever is earlier.
- Contact tracing is no longer recommended or required in these settings, but schools or programs must continue to work with their Local Board of Health in the case of outbreaks.
- The Commonwealth is not recommending universal mask requirements, surveillance testing of asymptomatic individuals, contact tracing, or test-to-stay testing in schools. While masks are not required or recommended in these settings except for in school health offices, any individual who wishes to continue to mask, including those who face higher risk from COVID-19, should be supported in that choice. For those who need or choose to mask, masking is never required in these settings while the individual is eating, drinking, sleeping or outside.
- All individuals are encouraged to stay up-to-date with vaccination as vaccines remain the best way to help protect yourself and others.
Isolation and exposure guidance and protocols
Guidance for Children and Staff in Child Care, K-12, OST, and Recreational Camp Settings:
- Quarantine is no longer required nor recommended for children or staff in these settings, regardless of vaccination status or where the exposure occurred. All exposed individuals may continue to attend programming as long as they remain asymptomatic. Those who can mask should do so until Day 10, and it is recommended that they test on Day 6 of exposure. If symptoms develop, follow the guidance for symptomatic individuals, below.
- Children and staff who test positive must isolate for at least 5 days. If they are asymptomatic or symptoms are resolving and they have been fever free without the use of fever-reducing medicine for 24 hours, they may return to programming after Day 5 and should wear a high-quality mask through Day 10:
- If the individual is able to mask, they must do so through Day 10.
- If the child has a negative test on Day 5 or later, they do not need to mask.
- If the individual is unable to mask, they may return to programming with a negative test on Day 5 or later.
- If the individual is able to mask, they must do so through Day 10.
- Symptomatic individuals can remain in their school or program if they have mild symptoms, are tested immediately onsite, and that test is negative. Best practice would also include wearing a mask, if possible, until symptoms are fully resolved. For symptomatic individuals, DPH recommends a second test within 48 hours if the initial test is negative.
- If the symptomatic individual cannot be tested immediately, they should be sent home and allowed to return to their program or school if symptoms remain mild and they test negative, or they have been fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and their symptoms are resolving, or if a medical professional makes an alternative diagnosis. A negative test is strongly recommended for return.
Note: At this time, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved or authorized any at-home rapid antigen test for use in children under 2 years of age. However, at-home rapid antigen tests may be used off-label in children under 2 years of age for purposes of post-exposure, isolation, and symptomatic testing. It is recommended that parents or guardians deciding to test children under 2 years of age administer the at-home rapid antigen test themselves.
COVID-19 symptoms
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Miller ES
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Friday, January 27, 2023
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Fred W. Miller Elementary School |
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Holliston Public Schools will be following the state's COVID-19 Isolation and Exposure Guidance for Children and Staff for the upcoming 2022-2023 school year.
You can view this guidance on the state website by clicking the following link: Mass.gov - COVID-19 Isolation and Exposure Guidance for Children and Staff in Child Care, K-12, Out-of-School Time (OST) and Recreational Camp/Program Settings
OR you can read the guidance policy below:
Overview
Effective August 15, 2022, children and staff in child care, K-12, out-of-school time (OST) and recreational camp settings should follow the below guidance.
- A rapid antigen test, such as a self-test, is preferred to a PCR test in most situations.
- To count days for isolation, Day 0 is the first day of symptoms OR the day the day positive test was taken, whichever is earlier.
- Contact tracing is no longer recommended or required in these settings, but schools or programs must continue to work with their Local Board of Health in the case of outbreaks.
- The Commonwealth is not recommending universal mask requirements, surveillance testing of asymptomatic individuals, contact tracing, or test-to-stay testing in schools. While masks are not required or recommended in these settings except for in school health offices, any individual who wishes to continue to mask, including those who face higher risk from COVID-19, should be supported in that choice. For those who need or choose to mask, masking is never required in these settings while the individual is eating, drinking, sleeping or outside.
- All individuals are encouraged to stay up-to-date with vaccination as vaccines remain the best way to help protect yourself and others.
Isolation and exposure guidance and protocols
Guidance for Children and Staff in Child Care, K-12, OST, and Recreational Camp Settings:
- Quarantine is no longer required nor recommended for children or staff in these settings, regardless of vaccination status or where the exposure occurred. All exposed individuals may continue to attend programming as long as they remain asymptomatic. Those who can mask should do so until Day 10, and it is recommended that they test on Day 6 of exposure. If symptoms develop, follow the guidance for symptomatic individuals, below.
- Children and staff who test positive must isolate for at least 5 days. If they are asymptomatic or symptoms are resolving and they have been fever free without the use of fever-reducing medicine for 24 hours, they may return to programming after Day 5 and should wear a high-quality mask through Day 10:
- If the individual is able to mask, they must do so through Day 10.
- If the child has a negative test on Day 5 or later, they do not need to mask.
- If the individual is unable to mask, they may return to programming with a negative test on Day 5 or later.
- If the individual is able to mask, they must do so through Day 10.
- Symptomatic individuals can remain in their school or program if they have mild symptoms, are tested immediately onsite, and that test is negative. Best practice would also include wearing a mask, if possible, until symptoms are fully resolved. For symptomatic individuals, DPH recommends a second test within 48 hours if the initial test is negative.
- If the symptomatic individual cannot be tested immediately, they should be sent home and allowed to return to their program or school if symptoms remain mild and they test negative, or they have been fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and their symptoms are resolving, or if a medical professional makes an alternative diagnosis. A negative test is strongly recommended for return.
Note: At this time, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved or authorized any at-home rapid antigen test for use in children under 2 years of age. However, at-home rapid antigen tests may be used off-label in children under 2 years of age for purposes of post-exposure, isolation, and symptomatic testing. It is recommended that parents or guardians deciding to test children under 2 years of age administer the at-home rapid antigen test themselves.
COVID-19 symptoms
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Adams MS
RAMS Student of the Month RecipientsEach month at Robert Adams Middle School, we will be choosing one student per team in each grade, including World Language & Unified ARTS who have proven to represent our RAMS CARE values. For December, we would like to recognize the following students:
Grade 6: Marcus Burian, Allie Barrett, Vivian Frease Grade 7: Vishak Raja, Jack Whitten, Ariana Bergmann Grade 8: Alex Bergmann, Ruby O'Brien, Michael Vaz Rocha Unified Arts: Elizabeth Guan, Abby Barry, Gabrielle Truax World Languages: Avery Marion, Molly Wade, Shriram Karthi
Great work, we are so proud of you!
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Local Author Shawn Peters at RAMS!This past Friday, local author Shawn Peters met with sixth grade teams to share his books "The Unforgettable Logan Foster" and "The Unforgettable Logan Foster and the Shadow of Doubt". Students learned about an author's process, the beauty of neurodiversity, and that we are all superheroes in our own special ways.
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RAMS is Putting the FUN back in Executive FUNctioning!Attention Parents: Our Study skills and executive functioning skills groups are ongoing. We wanted to also provide families a regular, and useful executive functioning tool which be may be helpful for your RAMS student(s)!
Getting Stuck Stinks Here is one tool you can use to help figure out what is interfering with your child getting their work completed.
Use it as a conversation guide or fill it out together!
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7th Grade Health Screenings - 1/26Dear Parent/Guardian,
The Robert Adams Middle School will be conducting its annual vision, hearing and height and weight screenings for all 7th grade students on 1/26/23. These screenings are mandated by the state. If you choose to opt out of these screenings for your child, please contact the health office by e-mail at butlerd@holliston.k12.ma.us to reach Denise Butler or at pisellia@holliston.k12.ma.us to reach Amy Piselli.
Stay healthy and be well,
Denise and Amy
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Tiered Focused Monitoring Review Site Visit InformationDear Families,
During the week of February 13, 2023, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Office of Public School Monitoring (PSM) will conduct a Tiered Focused Monitoring Review of the Holliston Public Schools. The Office of Public School Monitoring visits each district and charter school every three years to monitor compliance with federal and state special education and civil rights regulations. Areas of review related to special education include student assessments, determination of eligibility, the Individualized Education Program (IEP) Team process, and IEP development and implementation. Areas of review related to civil rights include bullying, student discipline, physical restraint, and equal access to school programs for all students.
In addition to the onsite visit, parent outreach is an important part of the review process. The review chairperson from the Office of Public School Monitoring will send all parents of students with disabilities an online survey that focuses on key areas of their child’s special education program. Survey results will contribute to the development of a report. During the onsite review, the Office of Public School Monitoring will interview the chairperson of the Holliston Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC). Other onsite activities may include interviews of district staff and administrators, reviews of student records, and onsite observations.
Parents and other individuals may call Corey Steinman, Public School Monitoring Chairperson, at (781) 338- 3742 to request a telephone interview. If an individual requires an accommodation,such as translation, to participate in an interview, the Department will make the necessary arrangements.
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Buildwave Engineering ProgramBuildwave Engineering Program
Want to foster your child's interest in STEM, while igniting their creative spark at the same time? Buildwave is a creative building program that feels like a video game!
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HEF Bowling FundraiserBOWL for the Holliston Education Foundation (HEF) for 1-hr with your family or group of friends for $15/person! Support excellence, creativity, innovation, and inclusivity in our children’s education in Holliston. - Thursday, January 26.
HEF Bowling Fundraiser Registration
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Safe Routes to School Winter Walk & Yard Design ContestIn collaboration with Safe Routes to School, RAMS will be participating in our annual Winter Walk To School Event on Wednesday, February 1st. The purpose of this event is to promote students to walk to and from school. Walking not only has an impact on one's physical health, but is a wonderful way to engage in positive self care. We will be hanging a banner in the front of the school entrance for students to sign as a way to celebrate their participation.
Remember we also have 3 Park & Walk lots, where you can drop your child closer to RAMS and they can walk or ride from there; CVS, St. Mary’s Church, Baptist Church (High St).
Our Fall SRTS was a great success, and we look forward to this event in another few weeks.
Additionally, the SRTS is supporting a Yard Sign Design contest for students as a way for them to demonstrate their creativity to promote safe roads for pedestrians and cyclists.
Please see each flyer for more details.
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RAMS Therapy Dog Announcement & Opt OutWe are very excited to announce that we will have regular visits from therapy dogs available to ALL students at the beginning of the new year. During their visits, the therapy dogs will be available for individual kids and small groups who may need a social or calming visit as recommended by our school counselors or classroom teachers. .
We acknowledge that all students may not want to visit with a therapy dog, and are providing you the opportunity to opt your child out of any visits either individually or when they visit the whole class.
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Read-A-Thon Updates from the PTO!RAMS Read-A-Thon Week 1 Update Congratulations to your students! They have done a great job with the first week of our read-a-thon! Now is your chance to recognize their efforts. Please donate to support the Holliston PTO. Your donations help fund important student events, teacher grants, and school programs throughout the year. Thank you for your support. Online donations are encouraged! RAMS 2023 Read-A-Thon Donation We now accept Venmo! @HollistonPTO (note student’s name/grade in comments) Checks made payable to: Holliston PTO
January 25 BAZEL’S PIZZA NIGHT Wednesday, January 25, 2023 from 4-8p; Print this page and bring to Bazel’s and PTO receives a portion of the proceeds
January 26 PTO JUMP NIGHT Thursday, January 26, 2023 from 4-8p at Urban Air in Bellingham; Mention you are with the Holliston PTO when buying your ticket and Urban Air will donate 10% of the proceeds to Holliston PTO
Townwide PTO Meeting Our next Townwide PTO meeting will be Monday, February 13 at 7:00pm at the HHS Library. We look forward to having you there.
Join the MS PTO!
It’s easy – visit www.HollistonPTO.org to join! Just $25 to support your child, their teachers and many school programs.
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MS PTOMSPTO Middle School PTO Meeting Our next Middle School PTO meeting will be Tuesday, January 10th at 9:00 am. Please email hollistonpto@gmail.com if you would like to be on the distribution for meeting details.
Join the Middle School PTO! It’s easy – visit www.HollistonPTO.org to join! Just $25 to support your child, their teachers and many programs within the school.
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PowerSchool Parent AccountPowerSchool Parent Account
If you still need help setting up your parent account in PowerSchool, please contact Tina Cortis at cortist@holliston.k12.ma.us.
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Track and Field RegistrationSome families have recently inquired about track and field registration for the spring. We are still quite a ways out from that. However, if you would like to mark your calendar now, please be advised of the following pertinent details: Track and Field Registration for current 7th and 8th Grade Students Opens March 21 @ 8AM Closes March 25 @ 3PM
Track and Field Registration for current 6th Grade Students Lottery sign up March 21 @ 8AM through March 25 @ 3PM
Practice starts on April 4
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WANTED - ParaprofessionalsRobert Adams Middle School is seeking paraprofessionals to be part of our school community! If you are interested or know someone who might be, please contact David Jordan (jordand@holliston.k12.ma.us) or Jesse Conant (conantj@holliston.k12.ma.us). In our school, paraprofessionals will work with children individually or in small groups, providing instruction on reading, writing, math, and other education related activities.
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WANTED - Bus MonitorsRAMS is seeking bus monitors to help assist our student needs regarding the transportation of students to and from RAMS. Please reach out to David Jordan (jordand@holliston.k12.ma.us) or Jesse Conant (conantj@holliston.k12.ma.us) if interested.
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A Window Into RAMSWe would like to share a handful of recent photos which we hope to help provide a nice window into RAMS!
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RAMS CalendarJanuary 16 - No school - MLK Day 25 - RAMS Middle of the Middle for 7th Grade 26 - 7th Grade Health Screenings 26 - Safe and Supportive Lesson #4 (Understanding Anti-Semitism) 27 - No school - Professional Development Day for Faculty
February 1 - Winter Walk, Bike, Roll to School Day 8 - Early Release Day (PD Day for Staff) 20-24 No school - February Vacation
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RAMS Quote of the Day"Behind every child who believes in themselves is a parent who believed first." -Matthew L. Jacobson
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Contact RAMSCheck out all the great things our students doing on our Instagram! @ramstagramhpsEmail: conantj@holliston.k12.ma.us |
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RAMS is Putting the FUN back in Executive FUNctioning!Attention Parents: Our Study skills and executive functioning skills groups have recently started. We wanted to also provide families a regular, and useful executive functioning tool which be may be helpful for your RAMS student(s)!
Executive Function Tips STUDY BINGO This is a collection of study ideas. Rereading is a popular but ineffective way to memorize and prepare for assessments. Try some of the ideas linked below to see what works!
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RAMS Therapy Dog Announcement & Opt OutWe are very excited to announce that we will have regular visits from therapy dogs available to ALL students at the beginning of the new year. During their visits, the therapy dogs will be available for individual kids and small groups who may need a social or calming visit as recommended by our school counselors or classroom teachers. .
We acknowledge that all students may not want to visit with a therapy dog, and are providing you the opportunity to opt your child out of any visits either individually or when they visit the whole class.
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Read-A-ThonRobert Adams Middle School students are invited to join in our PTO Read-A-Thon during the month of January. Not only does the event inject a bit of fun and challenge into the student’s reading requirements, but the funds raised by the Read-A-Thon support ongoing PTO activities, family events and teacher grants throughout the school year. Please see the attached informational flyer for more details!
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MS PTOMSPTO Middle School PTO Meeting Our next Middle School PTO meeting will be Tuesday, January 10th at 9:00 am. Please email hollistonpto@gmail.com if you would like to be on the distribution for meeting details.
Join the Middle School PTO! It’s easy – visit www.HollistonPTO.org to join! Just $25 to support your child, their teachers and many programs within the school.
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PowerSchool Parent AccountPowerSchool Parent Account
If you still need help setting up your parent account in PowerSchool, please contact Tina Cortis at cortist@holliston.k12.ma.us.
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Track and Field RegistrationSome families have recently inquired about track and field registration for the spring. We are still quite a ways out from that. However, if you would like to mark your calendar now, please be advised of the following pertinent details: Track and Field Registration for current 7th and 8th Grade Students Opens March 21 @ 8AM Closes March 25 @ 3PM
Track and Field Registration for current 6th Grade Students Lottery sign up March 21 @ 8AM through March 25 @ 3PM
Practice starts on April 4
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Buildwave Engineering ProgramWant to foster your child's interest in STEM, while igniting their creative spark at the same time? Buildwave is a creative building program that feels like a video game!
Please see this promotional flyer for more details!
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WANTED - ParaprofessionalsRobert Adams Middle School is seeking paraprofessionals to be part of our school community! If you are interested or know someone who might be, please contact David Jordan (jordand@holliston.k12.ma.us) or Jesse Conant (conantj@holliston.k12.ma.us). In our school, paraprofessionals will work with children individually or in small groups, providing instruction on reading, writing, math, and other education related activities.
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WANTED - Bus MonitorsRAMS is seeking bus monitors to help assist our student needs regarding the transportation of students to and from RAMS. Please reach out to David Jordan (jordand@holliston.k12.ma.us) or Jesse Conant (conantj@holliston.k12.ma.us) if interested.
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A Window Into RAMSWe would like to share a handful of recent photos which we hope to help provide a nice window into RAMS!
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RAMS CalendarJanuary 3 - No school 16 - No school - MLK Day 25 - RAMS Middle of the Middle for 7th Grade 27 - No school - Professional Development Day for Faculty
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RAMS Quote of the Day“You can get excited about the future. The past won’t mind.”—Hillary DePiano, playwright and author
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Contact RAMSCheck out all the great things our students doing on our Instagram! @ramstagramhpsEmail: conantj@holliston.k12.ma.us
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Holliston HS
- Announcements
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