At a Natick School Committee meeting conducted on Mon., Jan. 11 via Zoom, SC members, school administrators, faculty members, and families cheered on seniors who won two of Natick High’s most prestigious academic awards. Other agenda items visited included a report on a space and utilization study on 7 out of 8 of Natick’s schools; and talk of naming the new Kennedy Middle School planetarium.

Here are more details on a few things jumped out at us during the 3 1/2 hour Zoom meeting:

Certificate of Academic Excellence

Supt. Anna Nolin presented the Certificate of Academic Excellence from the Mass. Association of School Superintendents to two students. The annual award is given to high school students who have distinguished themselves in the pursuit of excellence during their high school careers.

In presenting to Ryan Scully, Nolin characterized her as,  “A top student, a highly principled and trustworthy individual, and a thoughtful young woman who thinks deeply about ways to make a positive impact on the world.” Nolin noted that Scully was the recipient of the Harvard Book Award; a member of the National Honor Society; continues to participate extensively in community  service projects; and was a captain of the varsity basketball team.

The second recipient was Spencer James Anderson, who was lauded by Nolin for his flawless academic performance and his outstanding character. “Spencer does not wear this outstanding ability as a badge. He is one of the most considerate, hardworking, and humble students anyone can encounter,” she said. Anderson has coached youth basketball; mentored young soccer referees; is a leader in the Natick High Politics Club; and has worked on a local senate campaign.

National School Development Council Awards

In addition, two students were awarded the National School Development Council Awards presented to high school seniors who have consistently pursued a high level of academic effort, and who have also served as positive role models for the student body.

Nolin congratulated Nathan Pravda for his award, noting that, “He has an innate tendency toward helpfulness and doing the right thing.” Pravda carried a demanding course load, and regularly appeared on the high honors roll. He is a recipient of the Yale Book Award; is an instrumentalist in the jazz ensemble; and is involved in taekwando as well as with the youth group at his synagogue. For his Eagle Scout project, Nathan built outdoor seating at the Bacon Free library, designed with accessibility in mind, and with a beautiful view of the South Natick dam.

Hannah Takasaki, “An industrious and disciplined student who is kindhearted, passionate, and trustworthy,” was the second recipient of the prestigious award.” Takasaki’s sincerity and exceptional time management and organizational skills that she used to tackle a rigorous program of study were cited. In addition, she is a member of the NHS gymnastics team, a pole vaulter, and a pianist.

Congratulations to the award-winning students.

Study of space

In an effort to address what one SC member referred to as “early warning data” that space constraints in the schools could become significant problems in the future, the town has contracted with TBA Architects to put together a study on the use and utilization of space in the Natick Public Schools.

Owner and principal Jason Humphreys of TBA  gave a presentation that looked at seven out of eight of of the school buildings (the exception being the newly constructed Kennedy Middle School). The capacity of each school, along with the way the space is currently used, and the space needs now and in the future were included in TBA’s presentation.

Durning a fact-finding phase, TBA toured NHS; Wilson Middle School, and Johnson, Ben-Hem, Memorial, Brown, and Lilja elementary schools. From there, TBA developed diagrams of the existing space use of each room in every school, looking at how the buildings were used all day long. The goal was to figure out if spaces are adequately utilized, or over- or under-utilized.

In general, TBA found that space is tight in a few areas. For example, it isn’t unusual across the board for a school to carve workrooms and offices out of “found” spaces, especially spaces that were originally designed as storage or music practice spaces, as well as corridors.

Johnson, the smallest school in the district, was identified as the “most deficient” when held up to Massachusetts School Building Authority guidelines.

In addition, the ten-year old NHS was called out as overcrowded and over-utilized. “It appears designed for about 3/4 of its current enrollment,” Humphreys said.

Possibilities tossed out for future planning:

Incrementally add on to and/or renovate all schools.

To alleviate the pressing needs at NHS, move the preschool out into another building, freeing up much-needed classroom space.

Perhaps relocate the district-wide IT program offices, now located at NHS.

Construct a new early childhood center, and maybe relocate some schools’ kindergarten classrooms there.

Tear down and rebuild Johnson school.

Expand and renovate Memorial school.

Naming of the Kennedy Middle School planetarium

There is a proposal to name the planetarium at Kenned after Ed Jameson, a longtime and beloved Natick teacher. There are a few administration hoops to jump through, but the idea is popular and expected to pass easily.

Tune in next time

The next School Committee meeting is scheduled for Mon, Jan. 25, 2021, 7:15pm, virtual

More:

Checking out Natick’s new Kennedy Middle School from inside, outside, & above

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Riverbend School the construction zone has made its final leap to becoming Riverbend School, the campus. Located at 33 Eliot St., the K – 8, 200-student Montessori-method institution has finished the Upper School building and the gymnasium, the last of three major building projects that kicked off in 2014. Let’s just say it’s been a busy six years at Riverbend, which has had a presence in South Natick since 1986.

Designed by Piatt Associates Architecture, the Upper School contains three purpose-built lower elementary classrooms, as well as dedicated design and art studios. A stand-alone, full-size gymnasium provides plenty of space for indoor recreation, and will also generate revenue through rentals of the space. Both new buildings are located on the field adjacent to the Middle School, which is part of the historic Peletiah Morse Tavern, on Rte. 16.

“All of the buildings for the campus were intended, as designed, to be respectful of the character of the John Eliot Historic District and I hope the new buildings will be seen that way as well,” says architect Jim Piatt.

The two previous building projects, both also designed by Piatt, were Children’s House, completed in 2014; and the Middle School, attached to the tavern, completed in 2017.

Head of School Whitney Slade took time out of his day to give me a tour of the campus, which he said is “geared toward our kids, Montessori kids, the way they’re taught and the way they learn. In the Montessori method, big open spaces are needed.” Here are a few pics of how that was achieved:

All told, the school has put over $5 million into creating its new campus. The Natick-owned brick building the school worked out of for decades is now vacant. But with grades 4-6 located in Memorial Hall, Riverbend hasn’t completely crossed Eliot Street.

Slade is now focused on what September will look like for Riverbend. “We’re developing protocols to keep everyone separate,” he said. “We’re working with the Natick Board of Health with the goal of providing a safe learning environment for our students, their families, and our staff. We’ll miss out on field trips this year, unfortunately. Maybe we’ll go over to Elm Bank, since we can walk there.”

“And there’s always Forest Friday,” Slade said, pointing to the wooded conservation land the school abuts. “That’s very big here.”

Other sneak peeks:

Sneak peek: we get a look at the Babson College globe

Sneak peek: the renovated Hood Museum at Dartmouth College

Sneak peek: an early look behind Door No. 7 in Wellesley