Principal's Message

Last night, the school committee voted to move forward with Reorganization Option 5v2: Moving to K-3 and 4-6 schools at the Boardwalk Campus and Parker Damon Buildings, while maintaining Blanchard as a K-6 school. The vote also determined that we will move to a geography-based enrollment model for all students beginning next year.  As a Gates and Acton Boxborough community we are all deeply impacted by this decision, and have mixed and complex emotions regarding this change.

In the weeks ahead, the district will share more information about next steps, timelines, and opportunities for feedback and engagement. As we learn more, we will communicate updates as clearly and transparently as possible

I want to assure you that the principals across districts are committed to working closely together as a leadership team to ensure that transitions ahead are handled with care, thoughtfulness, and a clear focus on what is best for students. Our shared priority is supporting students academically, socially, and emotionally, while also supporting our staff and families through any changes that may occur.

As a community we will work together to support one another this school year and into next.   I share the deepest gratitude to families, staff and students for living our values of kindness, respect, and inclusivity through this change thus far.  Our values will forever be a part of us when we remember Gates. ♥️

As we move through this process as a Gates and Acton Boxborough community I wanted to share information with you on how we are preparing to answer student questions.  To be clear, we will not be having any organized student led discussions at school.  We will respond to students' questions as they occur naturally with supportive and truthful answers.  We recognize the importance that parents/caregivers have these discussions with students first.  At this time, I do recommend being mindful of what you share with your student, as there are still many unknown details to our upcoming change.  Please use the information provided below to help guide home conversations, as this is the resource we will be using as well. 

Grade Banded Schools in Acton

Acton Schools (Conant, Douglas, Gates, McT, and Merriam) will close. There will be newly formed schools with one K-3 and one 4-6 school at the Parker-Damon Building and one K-3 and one 4-6 school at the Boardwalk Campus.

• One physical building will close: The Conant building will no longer be used as an elementary school.

• Classes will be a little bigger. There will be fewer classrooms in the district, which means most classes will have a few more students than they do now.

• You will still have "Specials." No matter which plan is picked, students will still go to Art, Music, PE, and Library.

• Lunch and recess may be busier. Because there will be more students in each building, more friends will be eating lunch and playing on the playground at the same time.

• Some students and staff will be welcomed into new schools.

• Schools for younger and older kids. In Acton, schools would be split into Lower Schools for grades K-3 and Upper Schools for grades 4-6, one each at the Boardwalk and Parker Damon campuses.

• Students will go to school with other students who live near them. 

• Students will stay on the same campus, K-6. Once students join their school for next year, those attending a Lower School (Parker Damon or Boardwalk campus) will continue at the same physical building when they transition to the Upper School in 4th grade.

Blanchard stays K-6. The Blanchard Memorial School would not change and would keep students in all grades from Kindergarten through 6th grade.

The most important thing for us all to remember is that we need to follow the lead of our students. When they ask a question, make sure you understand what they are asking vs what you think they are asking.  Adults have a more complex understanding of change, and their question is likely less complex or completely different from what we thought.  Below are best practices when speaking with children about change: 

• Listen Carefully - enter the conversation with curiosity

  • "That sounds like a big feeling/thought.  Can you tell me a little more about what you're thinking about?"

• Keep it simple and truthful - share only what is known; avoid speculation

  • "The district is making changes to help all schools have what they need in the future."

• Center on safety and belonging- begin the discussion with students are cared for and supported

  • "You will be with teachers who care about you."

• Empower voice and choice - Offer ways to share questions and participate.

  • "Please continue to share your thoughts and feelings, they are very important."

• Model confidence - adults convey stability and optimism

  • "The changes will help our schools stay strong for a long time."

I hope everyone has an opportunity to get some rest this weekend and spend time with family or friends.

Kindly,

Allison

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Message from Superintendent Peter Light:

AB Forward Update

January 23, 2026

Dear Acton-Boxborough Community, 

Last night, the school committee voted to move forward with Reorganization Option 5v2: Moving to K-3 and 4-6 schools at the Boardwalk Campus and Parker Damon Buildings, while maintaining Blanchard as a K-6 school. The vote also determined that we will move to a geography-based enrollment model for all students beginning next year. 

This has been an incredibly challenging process that has deeply impacted many in our community and will continue to do so for some time. I want to recognize that our community is likely feeling a wide-range of emotions, all equally valid. I also understand the feelings of uncertainty for many people as well, and that you will need rapid answers to a wide-range of questions.

You will begin to receive more information in the coming days, including surveys for both staff and families to collect your questions and concerns about the option we will now implement. 

We will also kick off a regular series of Zoom meetings designed separately for families beginning next Tuesday, January 27. These bi-weekly meetings are optional and take place every other week from 7:00-7:45 p.m. The purpose of the meetings is to hear updates, ask questions, and provide feedback focused on the implementation process. We will make detailed notes from all of the meetings available to members of the community. Our first meeting next week will focus on the implementation timeline and planned strategies to help students through this process. You will receive a link to the first meeting early next week.

At the bottom of this message is a fact sheet about the reorganization option that was selected by the school committee. The content was developed by our leadership to respond to students' questions. This information is provided to help guide home and school conversations and is not intended to be read directly to your child. We want to ensure that you are aware of how our staff may respond as students naturally ask questions. 

Additionally, we have published resources for helping you navigate conversations with students and access mental health supports, if needed. I encourage you to visit our AB Forward Community Wellness Page at: https://www.abschools.org/abforwardcommunitywellness

I understand that many in our community may feel the need to pause for a period before re-engaging with us around this process, and it is my sincere hope, now that a decision has been made, that we can begin a healing process that can focus us on making this transition happen as smoothly as possible for our students, staff, and families.

Thank you for all you do to support our students.

Sincerely,

Peter LightSuperintendent of Schools

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