The Buzz October 2025
October 2025
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From theSuperintendent's Desk |
Dear Carlisle Families,
Autumn has arrived in all its beauty - apples, pumpkins, autumnal leaves, cross country, field hockey, 5th Grade softball and so much more. Be sure to check the district calendar on our website for upcoming field hockey games and cross country meets and all our other activities so you can cheer on and support our students in all of their endeavors. The field hockey team is looking to build off its first tie and goal of the season this month while the cross country team prepares for its invitational meet to be held at Great Brook Farm on October 21. You’ll also find information on the district website calendar about the wide range of clubs that are now underway.
The 6th grade students have a busy month ahead with Outdoor Education scheduled for the week of October 13 (Indigenous Peoples’ Day) and the Spaghetti Supper, scheduled for Thursday, October 23. From October 14-17, students in grade 6 will be attending Outdoor Education in Groton, MA. Students will be staying overnight and taking part in a variety of hands-on activities focused on the natural world.
Of course, October in Carlisle wouldn’t be complete without the annual Spaghetti Supper scheduled for Thursday, October 23 - It’s time to Ciao Down! This year is especially meaningful, as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of this beloved tradition. For five decades, our 6th graders, their families, and the community have gathered to share a meal, raise funds, and honor the community and spirit of Carlisle Public School. Don’t forget to purchase your tickets online for this always well-attended event.
Later in the month, we also look forward to another cherished tradition, the Halloween parade, scheduled for Thursday, October 31.
While it may feel like the school year has just begun, September and October are key months in our budgeting process, and we are already hard at work planning for the 2026-2027 school year. The first hearing of our proposed budget will be held on Wednesday, November 12 at the School Committee meeting
Throughout October, there are additional dates to keep in mind. School will be closed on Monday, October 13, in observance of Indigenous People’s Day. We will have an early release on Thursday, October 23, and no school on Friday, October 24, for parent conferences at the elementary level and professional development for middle school teachers.
This season also brings significant religious and cultural holidays and observances in both October and early November. We recognize the challenges that can come with students missing school for these important occasions and want to assure you that we will do everything possible to provide support. Please reach out directly to your child’s teachers to make them aware of any cultural, religious or family events that you may have coming up. To assist families, I am sharing our District Policy on Accommodations for Religious and Cultural Observances. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns as we want to ensure that school does not become an issue when families are contemplating their holiday and cultural observations.
Finally, it was great to have so many folks turn out for our ‘Listening Session for Jewish Families’, last week. It was such a special opportunity to listen to and learn from our friends, neighbors, and community members, and in turn we are looking to learn more from all of you about your experiences and your child or children’s experiences in the Carlisle School Community. To that end, I am working with our DEICAC on developing and sharing a ‘Belonging Survey’ for families, very similar to the one we had our students fill out in the spring of last year. Please keep your eyes open for that, as we will be sharing it in the days to come.
Warm Regards,
Jim O’Shea
Superintendent
School Events and Information
SCHOOL CALENDAR
Click here to view and download the 2025-2026 calendar
OCTOBER LUNCH & BREAKFAST MENU
Click here to view the October 2025 Lunch menu
Click here to view the October 2025 Breakfast menu
BACK UP PLANS
Please make sure you have back up plans that your child is aware of, should after school activities suddenly be canceled. During cancelations or emergencies, the Main Office phones are usually busy and not available to call home or relay messages. Please go over with your child ahead of time what they should do in case their activity is canceled.
CARLISLE SEPAC
Carlisle has a robust SEPAC (Special Education Parent Advisory Council). The SEPAC is a resource for support, advice, and navigation for families in our district. They can be reached by email at carlislemasepac@gmail.com. You can also sign up for their email list to be kept in the loop on events and information for families with special needs.
CHILD FIND NOTICE
Carlisle Public Schools, is dedicated to meeting the needs of all students. In accordance with IDEA and Massachusetts Chapter 71B, all public schools must provide special education for children determined to be educationally disabled. The law requires a school district to identify such children from age 3 to 21 years of age and applies to all children, including those in non-public schools, pre-schools, and hospital settings. In addition, children of migrant or homeless families are also entitled to public education. The Carlisle Public Schools is responsible for students from age 3 throughout their 8th grade year.
Parents or service providers with concerns that a child might have an educationally disabling condition are encouraged to contact Student Support Services. Carlisle Public Schools will provide parent support and arrange for the screening and evaluation of any student who is not able to progress effectively in general education due to a disability.
For more detailed information about the policies, procedures, and services available at Carlisle Public Schools for special education, please contact Val Gransewicz, Director of Student Support Services, at vgransewicz@carlisle.k12.ma.us or 978-369–3758.
Are you without a home or do you know a homeless family?
EDUCATIONAL RIGHTS OF HOMELESS CHILDREN
Carlisle Public Schools is committed to ensuring that any student who meets the criteria of a homeless student is protected under the rights set forth by the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. This federal law is designed to ensure that homeless children and youth have the same access as other children to public education, including public preschool programs. To obtain a brochure or the Homeless Education Manual, or if you have any questions about the McKinney-Vento Act, please contact Val Gransewicz, Director of Student Support Services, at vgransewicz@carlisle.k12.ma.us or 978-369-3758.
ATHLETICS
MIDDLE SCHOOL BASKETBALL SIGNUPS
Grades 5-8
Girls’ basketball and Boys’ basketball sign-up sheets are up in the Corey Gym. Please sign up if you are interested in playing. The commitment is Monday-Thursday 3:05-4:15 PM for practices. Games start at 3:30 PM and 4:45 PM and generally end around 5:45pm.
The basketball season will start December 1st and run through February 5th.
All players must have a current physical (within the calendar year) on file with the nurse’s office.
Fee: $250.00 check made out to the town of Carlisle or online payment is available on the Carlisle Public Schools Website on the homepage under Information.
TWO INTRAMURAL FALL PROGRAMS OFFERED!
Unified Backyard Games -- Grades 4-8
Anyone interested in participated in back yard games. We will have bocce ball, corn hole, Kan Jam. Please, sign up outside the gym.
Who: All levels welcome
The program will start October 29th
Wednesday-Thursdays
Dates: October 29 & 30. November 6, 12, 13, & 20.
Time: 3:05-4:15 PM
Where: Corey Gym
Cost: $55.00 made out to the Town of Carlisle
See Mrs. Carmel for more details, lcarmel@carlisle.k12.ma.us
Intramural Volleyball -- Grades 5th-8th
Who: All levels welcome
The program will start November.
Monday – Tuesdays
Dates: November 3, 4, 10, 17,18, 19, 24 & 25.
Time: 3:05-4:15 PM
Where: Corey Gym
Cost: $55.00 made out to the Town of Carlisle
See Mrs. Carmel, lcarmel@carlisle.k12.ma.us, or Ms. Buchanan, rbuchanan@carlisle.k12.ma.us, for more details.
UPDATES FROM THE PTO
HAPPY FALL! The PTO has some exciting upcoming events! Save the dates for the following:
Trunk or Treat: October 17th - The more TRUNKS the merrier! Please consider signing up for one if you have not! We are hopeful for at least 5+ more sign-ups to make this event a success!
Sixth Grade Spaghetti Supper: October 23rd - Check out all the amazing raffle prizes and get your dinner tickets to help support this important sixth grade fundraiser!
Please visit carlislemapto.org for even more information, or consider joining our monthly meetings held the first Thursday of every month on Zoom (link found on the website).
Other Items of Interest
Gleason Public Library
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For all registrations, please visit gleasonlibrary.org/events. For more information about any of these events, email childrens@gleasonlibrary.org.
42ND ANNUAL GREAT PUMPKIN SPECTACLE -- Tuesday, October 21
We are delighted to host our 42nd annual Great Pumpkin Spectacle on Tuesday, October 21st.
3:00–5:00 PM Pumpkin Registration for Grades K-4 at the Gleason Public Library
To register, bring your pumpkin to the front lawn of the library between 3:00-5:00 PM on Tuesday, October 21. Pumpkins will be judged separately by grade, with three winners in each grade level, K-4. There will also be two “lucky” winners, one drawn from lower elementary and one drawn from upper elementary. Those who opt out of having their pumpkins judged may bring them to our “display only” table. There will be seventeen (17) winners total.
5:00-6:00 PM Pumpkin Viewing
Come by the front lawn to see all of the BOO-tiful pumpkins on display!
6:30 PM AbraKidabra! Spooky, Kooky Halloween Magic Show with Mike Bent
Join us for a spooky Halloween Magic Show with Mike Bent at the Corey Auditorium at CPS!
It's a 45-minute show of fun Halloween magic!
7:30 PM Great Pumpkin Spectacle Award Ceremony
After the magic show, we will walk back to the Library Lawn for our Great Pumpkin Spectacle award ceremony at 7:30 PM. We ask that all participants pick up their pumpkin by 9:00 PM that evening. We will place the remaining pumpkins on our front steps for ease of pick up.
This fun annual event is made possible by the Friends of the Gleason Public Library.
Read to Rudy -- Tuesday, October 28 | 5:45–6:45 PM
Come to the library to read to Rudy, a certified reading therapy dog! Read to a dog programs help kids develop literacy skills and build confidence & self-esteem. Rudy is looking forward to sharing a favorite book with you! Therapy dogs provide warm and non-judgmental reading companions for new or experienced readers. Children, ages 5-10, will enjoy one-on-one time reading aloud to this gentle, comforting, 6-year-old black labrador as they practice their fluency and strengthen their confidence in reading. Children may bring their own book from home or choose to read one from the library collection. Register for your 15-minute session on our website, and please arrive 5-10 minutes before it is scheduled to begin. Rudy is a member of Dog B.O.N.E.S. Therapy Dogs of Massachusetts.
Elementary and younger:
STORY TIMES
Baby Lapsit - Tuesdays, October 7–November 25 (not November 11) | 10:30–11:00 AM
Baby Lapsit is a 20-minute interactive story time experience for our youngest library users and their caregivers. Join us for stories, songs, rhymes, and bounces that are developmentally appropriate for children from birth to when they start walking. Come prepared to sit on the floor one-on-one with your baby in your lap. This program is designed for newborn through pre-walking baby. Please register for each session individually.
Fall Story Time - Fridays, October 3–November 21 | 10:30–11:15 AM
Join us Friday mornings from 10:30-11:15 AM for a fun story time. This event is chock full of interactive stories, rhymes, fingerplays, songs and a small craft. Our story time program promotes reading readiness and early literacy skills. Please register for each session individually.
KIDS BOOK CLUBS
1st and 2nd Grade Book Club: Barkus by Patricia MacLachlan -- Tuesday, October 7, 4:00 PM
Registration full at this time; email childrens@gleasonlibrary.org or visit gleasonlibrary.org/events to add your child to the waiting list.
3rd and 4th Grade Book Club: Clementine by Sara Pennypacker -- Thursday, October 9 | 4:00 PM
Registration full at this time; email childrens@gleasonlibrary.org or visit gleasonlibrary.org/events to add your child to the waiting list.
For Middle School:
Middle School Book Club -- Thursday, November 6 | 4:00 PM
Come for a book discussion and activity! Each month we will read a book and talk about it, then we will do a short activity or craft. November’s book is The Sea in Winter by Christine Day. Copies are available for checkout at the Library. Registration is required; participants only need to register once for the entire school year.
Clay Candy Corn with Pop Up Art School -- Friday, October 24 | 4:00 PM
Learn how to sculpt and paint two whimsical candy corn figurines using air dry clay. Create your own unique candy corn characters—like a witch, ghost, mummy or any creature you can imagine! Finish your pieces with colorful acrylic paints before you leave the program. For grades 5–8. Registration required as space is limited.
Early Release Day Movie -- Thursday, October 23 | 1:15 p.m.
Middle schoolers can join us in the Hollis Room every Early Release Day at 1:15 PM for a movie and snacks! This month's movie is rated PG and has a runtime of approx. 1 hr 44 min. Early Release Day movies are sponsored by the Friends of the Gleason Public Library.
TEEN WEEKEND READING KIT -- Friday, October 24 | 10:00 AM
Grab a kit that has everything you need for a book-lover's weekend. Each kit will include a random YA novel for you to keep (genres and reading/maturity levels will vary), a craft or activity, a snack, a little bookish accessory, and a hot beverage to make at home. Registration is required to reserve your kit, and pickup will be Friday, October 24 through Monday, October 27. These kits are for grades 7-12. Teen Weekend Reading Kits are sponsored by the Friends of the Gleason Public Library.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU DIAL 911?
Tuesday, October 28th, 7:00-8:30PM in the Community Room in CPS.
Carlisle Firefighter's Relief Association is pleased to sponsor an emergency response informational session. Carlisle citizens of all ages are encouraged to join us for a fun filled event where you will learn about how first responders in Carlisle support you in your time of need.
CHEERLEADER FOR A DAY - OCTOBER 10, 2025
PK DANCE CENTER: TRY A FREE CLASS WEEK & BIRTHDAY PARTIES
There is still time to register for fall classes (for ages 4-18) at PK Dance Center (located at 191 Sudbury Road in Concord). They are holding a "Try a New Class Week" October 6-10 and are welcoming anyone to come in and try a class - if you sign up after class then October tuition is free! View the class schedule here. PK Dance Center is also a fun place to hold a birthday party - learn more here.
FAMILY PORTRAITS AT THE NORTH BRIDGE BY COLE AND KIERA PHOTOGRAPHY – OCTOBER 11
Register for a mini photo session with Cole and Kiera Photography and help raise funds for Milldam Nursery School while getting some great holiday card shots. Sessions are 15 minutes long on October 11. Grab a slot today before they fill up!
CONCORD CARLISLE YOUTH HOCKEY: IN-TOWN REGISTRATION OPEN FOR 2025-2026
Registration is now open for Learn-to-Skate, Learn-to-Play, and Hot Shots.
· Hot Shot Hockey is for Girls and Boys 8-15 yrs old who are looking for a fun, learning-focused, no-pressure hockey experience. Hot Shots includes 14+ weeks of games and practices starting on November 16th.
· The Learn-to-Play program is considered our "Hockey 101" program and is geared for Girls and Boys who were born between 1/1/2017 and 12/31/2020.
· Learn-to-Skate is for children 3yrs and up and teaches skating fundamentals.
· Learn-to-Skate and Learn-to-Play begin the 15th/16th of November at the Middlesex School rink.
Please visit www.ccyh.org for more details and to register your child.
Next Buzz Issue
The next issue of The Buzz will be published in November 2025. Please email your submissions to Mary O'Regan at moregan@carlisle.k12.ma.us by 9:00 AM on Friday, October 31, 2025. Please attach information to the email in a Word file. Thank you!
The next issue of The Buzz will be published in November 2025. Please email your submissions to Mary O'Regan at moregan@carlisle.k12.ma.us by 9:00 AM on Friday, October 31, 2025. Please attach information to the email in a Word file. Thank you!
