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Superintendent's Update- 10-24-25

Posted Date: 10/24/25 (4:00 PM)
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October 24, 2025
In This Update:
  • Congratulations!
  • AB Forward Update
  • Special Education Meet & Greet
  • A-B's Weather & Emergency Communication Procedures
  • School Visits

Congratulations!

Last week, the Boardwalk Campus hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to commemorate the installation of a new sunshade. This initiative was made possible by an $8,000 grant awarded by the American Academy of Dermatology, in conjunction with financial contributions from Douglas and Gate’s PTOs.  At the commemoration ceremony, Dr. Christy Williams of AP Derm, a key contributor in securing the grant, spoke about the importance of sun safety. Newly retired school nurse, Diann Oster,  was also present for her contributions in acquiring the grant. State Representative Dan Sena delivered a house citation to honor the new structure, which will help to provide a shaded area for the students while they play on the playground. The sunshade will serve the community year-round for many years to come.

AB Forward Update

Thank you to everyone who has given us feedback on the various reorganization options so far.  Here is the flyer with our list of Community Forums. If you need interpretation services, please contact us.


Reorganization Survey is open! We launched to AB Forward reorganization survey.  We invite all members of the community to Take the Survey.  The survey is open until November 9th.


Thursday, October 30, 2025 AB Virtual Community Meeting Forum Zoom Invite

The Zoom link is here: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84476349685


About 75 families attended the first community forum this past Monday at ABRHS.  The forum provided an overview of the reorganization options, and about 90 minutes of community questions, answers and comments.  You can view the recording of this meeting on Acton TV’s Youtube Channel.


We have held 31 focus groups so far with the remaining groups scheduled for Monday, October 27. 


As a reminder, you can get updates on all things AB Forward on our dedicated page at: https://www.abschools.org/read-the-plan


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Special Education Meet & Greet

The Special Education Leadership Team recently hosted a successful Meet & Greet with parents on October 22, providing an overview of programs, supports, and ways families can engage with our team (presentation). This meeting was a reminder that families are essential partners in supporting students’ academic, social, and emotional growth. We are grateful for the families who collaborate with us every step of the way.

A-B's Weather & Emergency Communication Procedures

Our goal is to ensure that our school campuses and facilities are safe for students to attend each day. There will be times when conditions beyond our control, including weather or other factors, might cause us to delay or cancel school, or in rare circumstances, release students on a different schedule. I am providing the information below to help you understand how delays, cancellations, and early dismissals work. 

The Decision-Making Process

The Superintendent is responsible for deciding when to cancel, delay, or close our schools. Before making a decision, our team consults with our weather service, the Departments of Public Works in Acton and Boxborough, local public safety officials, and our own facilities and transportation offices. 

Communication

We try to notify staff and families by 5:30 a.m. about any school closure or delays for the day.  If schools are closed or delayed, the information will be shared with you in the following ways:

  • By text, automated phone call, and email  through ParentSquare: https://www.parentsquare.com

  • Posted on the District website : www.abschools.org

  • Local media: Channel 4 WBZ; Channel 5 WCVB; Channel 7 WHDH; Channel 10 NBC Boston; and FOX 25. 

 

To update your ParentSquare contact details, log in to your account, go to My Account, click on Edit Account, and select “edit.”  For technical support, access EDTech assistance by selecting the “email icon” located in the top-right corner of the district website.  


School Closure/Cancellation

If we decide to cancel school for the day, all schools and programs will be closed.  

 

For closures/cancellations, the following will apply:

  • All PreK-12 classes and school activities will be canceled for the day.  This includes all before and after-school activities, sports, and extracurricular events. 

  • All after-school and evening meetings will be canceled unless an exception is made. 

  • All Community Education programs will be canceled. 

  • Transportation of students to out-of-district schools will be canceled.

  • All offices will be closed.

Delayed-Opening

Sometimes, we need extra time to clear roads or sidewalks. In this case, we may call for a delayed opening. 

 

For delayed openings, the following will apply:

  • Transportation will begin their schedules and pick-up times as close to the delayed time of opening as possible. For example, if a bus run begins at 6:45 a.m. on a regular school day and a two-hour delay is called, that bus will then aim to pick up students at 8:45 a.m. 

  • Schools will be dismissed at their regular times. 

  • Breakfast and Lunch will be available today.

  • PM and All Day sessions at the Carol Huebner Early Childhood Program will begin at 12:00. AM sessions will be canceled. 

  • AM Kindergarten session will be canceled.

  • Community Education Extended Day will open on a delayed schedule. All after-school activities and programs will operate under their normal schedule. 

  • School offices will open two hours later depending on the delay announced. 

  • If you have a student driver and believe the conditions are unsafe, please transport them to school.

Emergency Release

Once students arrive at school and the buildings are open, we make every effort to operate a normal schedule and release students at the normally scheduled time. However, in the event of severe weather or other emergency conditions, it may be necessary for us to release students on a different schedule. If such a decision needs to be made then the automated notification system will be used to alert parents and guardians. Please have a plan in place with your child who might arrive home early on these unusual occasions.

Special Note on Weather Conditions and Student Drivers

Our goal is to be open every day and we base our decision around our ability to have our schools appropriately staffed and for our buses to navigate the roads.  We recognize that student drivers have a range of abilities and experiences and not all conditions may be appropriate for young drivers.  It is a family’s decision if weather conditions are safe for student drivers.  If you believe conditions are unsafe, please make alternate arrangements for your student to get to school.


School Visits

As part of our continued commitment to fostering open communication and mutual understanding between students and district leadership, I had the pleasure of meeting with Conant Elementary fifth- and sixth-grade students. During our conversation, they shared thoughtful feedback about what matters most to them in their school experience—insights that will help inform our future district goals and priorities.


Outreach to our senior community continues as I had the pleasure of visiting the Senior Center last week, along with Town Manager John Mangiaratti, to hear directly from our seniors about what matters most to them. Next week, we look forward to welcoming Acton and Boxborough seniors to the High School for a tour and a conversation about how school life today compares to their own experiences “back in the day.” This intergenerational connection is a wonderful way to strengthen community ties and celebrate our shared commitment to lifelong learning.