A newsletter for our community as we SOAR together
Our Mission
At Douglas Elementary School, we
aspire to cultivate curiosity and a love
of learning in a joyful community,
rooted in inclusivity, diversity, and
respect for every individual. We strive
to provide a quality and equitable
education to all students to equip them
to be brave, compassionate citizens of
the world.
AB Forward
I want to acknowledge the strife that this reorganization process and decision may have unintentionally created across our school communities. There are mixed and complex emotions that all of us are feeling. While C.T. Douglas Elementary School will not exist in its current form beginning June 30, 2026, as we look into this new chapter of the Acton-Boxborough Regional School District, it is full of opportunity for all students, regardless of the building they attend school in.
As challenging as it may be, it is time to repair and heal to ensure we can effectively move forward and plan into next year and beyond. With this decision, there are many questions across the community. Those will be answered over the next few months, as we work collaboratively with the central office, building-based leadership, and staff. We’re committed to hearing your questions and doing our best to answer them. Over time, we hope that this ongoing dialogue helps repair divides in our community as we work together to give our children the best education possible—and to make sure every student, in every school, feels a strong sense of belonging.
We'll address questions from students as they arise, knowing that this is a complicated matter. We will follow the lead of the students and share the facts of the reorganization (see below). We do not plan to have any planned whole group discussions about AB Forward, but rather ensure that adults at home address questions as necessary.
Please use the facts and other linked resources below to support you when you're having conversations with your children. For your convenience, I've also included Superintendent Light's full email to families.
I want to assure you that the principals across all elementary schools are committed to working closely together to ensure that transitions ahead are handled with care, thoughtfulness, and a clear focus on what is best for staff and students.
On a personal note, I want to thank you for welcoming me with open arms into this wonderful community three years ago. I look forward to working collaboratively with you as we begin this new chapter for Acton-Boxborough.
Facts About Option 5v2
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 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.
Students will go to school with other students who live near them. Students will go to school with friends who live near them and other friends who live in the same part of town.
Blanchard stays K-6. The Blanchard Memorial School would not change and would keep students in all grades from Kindergarten through 6th grade.
General Guidance for Talking with Students
Listen carefully
Enter conversations with curiosity.
Attempt to understand exactly what students are thinking or wondering.
Sample: "That sounds like a big thought/feeling. Can you tell me a little more about what you're thinking about?"
Keep it simple and truthful
Share only what’s known; avoid speculation.
Sample: “The district is making changes to help all schools have what they need in the future.”
Center on safety and belonging
Begin every message by affirming that students are cared for and supported.
Sample: “You will still be with teachers and friends who care about you.”
Validate feelings
Acknowledge worry or sadness as normal
Excitement and concern can be experienced at the same time
Sample: “It’s okay to feel confused, sad, and excited when things change. It is normal for different people to feel different things.”
Empower voice and choice
Offer ways to share questions and participate.
Sample: “You can share your thoughts during classroom meetings, with your teacher, or at home.”
Model confidence
Adults should convey stability and optimism.
Sample: “The changes will help our schools stay strong for a long time.”
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.
At Douglas, we celebrate Valentine's Day by focusing on friendship. Some classes may be handing out valentines to each other. Your child's teacher will reach out with specific classroom guidance, but as a school this is what we do:
Valentines' Day cards should not have toys or candy attached to them. Students are exchanging cards, but no other “goodies.” All classrooms will follow this policy.
Reminders
Wednesday, February 4th-All School Community Meeting (Kindergarten & 1)-Focus on Kindness
Join us for a special presentation
Raising Kids in a Digital World
Please join us on Tuesday, January 27th, from 7-8:30 PM in the cafeteria as Bill Bowman leads a talk about children, the internet, social media, and digital citizenship. The evening is open to parents/caregivers of all grades. See details below:
Raising Kids in a Digital World: Practical Guidance for Parents
Smartphones and social media have changed childhood—and parenting—faster than any generation has experienced. Grounded in insights from Jonathan Haidt’sThe Anxious Generation, this talk helps parents understand how today’s technology impacts kids’ mental health, attention, and development. Led by a father of five and a cybersecurity and data-privacy leader with 26 years of experience, the session offers practical guidance on setting healthy norms, building family expectations, and protecting both children and parents from online risks and bad actors. Parents will leave with clear, actionable strategies to navigate technology with confidence—together.
Speaker Profile: Bill Bowman
Bill Bowman and his wife have raised five children in Framingham. Professionally, he is an operating partner, chief information security officer and data privacy officer for a private equity firm in New York. He was the founding president of a non-profit cybersecurity group in Boston and has given over 50 talks to schools and parents on social media.
Spotlight On
Library-Mrs. Anderson
In the fall, we added several new books to the library, including books that have been nominated for the 2026 Massachusetts Children’s Book Awards. We are also in the process of creating a holiday section of books, so that students can easily find books and stories about holidays. This is an ongoing project for the school year.
In addition to checking out books, students have been learned about how the library is organized and where to find their books. The upper grades are using an iPad to access the library catalog. They are also responsible for putting their returned books back on the shelves. Currently, Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grades are learning about different authors, award winning books and folklore. 4th and 5th graders are learning about Media literacy and 6th grade is working on research skills.
I would like to encourage families to help their students remember to return their library books in a timely manner. Returning books on time means everyone has a turn with the most popular books. Please help your student take care of books with routines: put them in a safe place at home where pets and small children can’t get at them; know your student’s library day and help them remember to bring them back, or keep the book in your student’s backpack.
Acton Library Book Sale
Dates:
The Book Sale is officially open to the general public Saturday, January 24th, from 9 AM to 4 PM
Sunday, January 25th, is ‘Half-Price Day’ from 1 PM to 4 PM
Location:
The book sale will be held at the Acton Memorial Library, 486 Main St, Acton, MA
Book Sale Prices:
Most books are $2
Children's paperback books are $1
DVDs are $2
Selection of first editions and signed monographs are individually priced
For more information about the Friends of the Acton Libraries book sales, click here.
What Is the Friends of the Acton Libraries?
"The Friends of the Acton Libraries is a 100% volunteer organization dedicated to funding the town’s elementary, middle, and high school library budgets. We also provide support to the Acton Memorial Library and West Acton Citizens’ Library for programming, museum passes and more. The Friends additionally present scholarships each year to deserving high school seniors." Learn morehere.
Additional settings for Safari Browser.
