The Buzz November 2025
November 2025
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From the Superintendent's Desk |
Dear Carlisle Families,
As the days grow shorter and the air turns colder, we welcome the month of November and all it brings. The Cross Country and Field Hockey teams wrapped up their respective seasons last week. Congratulations to all our student athletes on a great fall season. Winter sports will start up in a few short weeks. Visit the district calendar on our website for the athletics schedule.
With the current challenges we face across the country, we recognize that some families may be experiencing increased financial or personal stress. Resources are available within our community to assist with essential needs. If you would like help connecting with these supports, please see the message below from the Carlisle Council on Aging and Human resources or feel free to reach out to your school principal or myself.
This month we continue town-wide budget planning, and our team has been diligently preparing the initial FY27 budget proposal, which will be shared at the November 12th School Committee meeting. The Public Budget Hearing for the FY27 district budget will take place at the December School Committee meeting. We encourage community members to attend these upcoming sessions to learn more about the district’s financial planning and priorities.
The Carlisle School is pleased to be one of many community and parent groups sponsoring a community conversation and panel discussion on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, at the Concord Library, titled “The Anxious Generation: Supporting Teens in a Tech-Driven World.” Inspired by Jonathan Haidt’s book The Anxious Generation, this event will explore how smartphones and social media are shaping childhood and adolescence as well as how families and communities can work together to restore balance. Building on last year’s staff and community book clubs, this conversation aims to support parents and teens as they navigate the challenges and opportunities of today’s digital world.
November is also a month of remembrance and gratitude. In observance of Veterans Day, school will be closed on Tuesday, November 11th, as we honor all who have served in the military, past and present. For Thanksgiving Break, there will be an early release on Wednesday, November 26th, and school will be closed on Thursday, November 27th, and Friday, November 28th.
The Thanksgiving holiday offers us a time to reflect on our blessings and express gratitude. I am truly thankful to be part of such a wonderful community here in Carlisle, one filled with dedicated faculty and staff, supportive families, and curious, kindhearted students.
Wishing everyone a joyful November and a warm, Happy Thanksgiving!
Warm regards,
Jim O’Shea
Superintendent
MESSAGE FROM THE CARLISLE COUNCIL ON AGING & HUMAN SERVICES
Due to the federal government shutdown, November SNAP benefits will not be distributed. To help bridge this gap, the Town of Carlisle, through the Council on Aging & Human Services (COAHS), will be providing emergency grocery gift cards to affected Carlisle households.
Program Details:
- Eligibility: Carlisle residents currently receiving SNAP benefits.
- Assistance Amount: $100 per household, plus $75 for each additional household member.
- Verification: Participants must bring their SNAP card and ID for confirmation.
- Distribution Location: COAHS Office, Carlisle Town Hall, 66 Westford Street.
- Hours for Pickup: Monday–Thursday: 8:30 am–5:00 pm & Friday: 9:00 am–12:00 pm
Gift cards will be available beginning Wednesday, November 5, and distribution will discreetly continue while supplies last. Vouchers to the Concord Carlisle Foundation's Community Closet are also available. Please call 978-371-2895 for more information. In addition to the emergency gift cards, COAHS can connect families with other community resources such as local food programs, grocery support, and assistance with basic needs. Families are encouraged to reach out to our office at 978-371-2895 for confidential help or information.
Our goal is to ensure no Carlisle resident goes without food or essentials during this period. Thank you for your continued collaboration and support for our community.
Warm regards,
Geoffrey Kotowski
Director, Carlisle Council on Aging & Human Services
School Events and Information
SCHOOL CALENDAR
Click here to view and download the 2025-2026 calendar
NOVEMBER LUNCH & BREAKFAST MENU
Click here to view the November 2025 Lunch menu
Click here to view the November 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: 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.
NATIONAL DIABETES AWARENESS MONTH
November is National Diabetes Awareness Month. NDAM helps spread awareness of Type 1 Diabetes and celebrates the hard work and resilience of people living with T1D.
November 14th is World Diabetes Day. It honors the birthday of Dr. Frederick Banting who discovered insulin in 1921. Please join us in wearing blue for World Diabetes Day to offer support and spread awareness!
- The Signs of T1D: Frequent Urination - Excessive Thirst - Exhaustion - Unexplained Weight Loss
- Anyone can be diagnosed with T1D. Half of all people diagnosed today are adults – like Mrs. Gilchrist at age 36.
- 93% of new cases of T1D have no family history of the disease.
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.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Meet Miss Jill! -- Friday, November 7 | 3:30–4:30 PM
Stop by the Children's Room to welcome our new Children's Librarian, Miss Jill! Enjoy light refreshments and tell Miss Jill all about your favorite books and library activities, or ask her about hers. If you can't make it to the event, say hi next time you are at the Library—she is looking forward to meeting you!
ELEMENTARY AND YOUNGER
Crafting Felted Owls with Rachel Benson -- Wednesday, November 12 | 3:30–5:00 PM
Join us for a hands-on needle felting workshop with Rachel Benson of the Fiber Web. Participants will create an adorable felted owl and explore the craft of needle felting. All materials will be supplied. This workshop is for children ages 9 through 12. Registration is required as space is limited.
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 caregiver. 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 family story time with Miss Jill. Please register for each session individually.
KIDS BOOK CLUBS
1st and 2nd Grade Book Club: Game Over, Super Rabbit Boy! by Thomas Flintham -- Tuesday, November 4 | 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: The Fantastic Mr. Fox by Roald Dahl -- Thursday, November 13 | 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.
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.
Early Release Day Movie -- Wednesday, November 5 | 1:15 PM
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, November 21 | 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, November 21 through Monday, November 24. These kits are for grades 7-12. Teen Weekend Reading Kits are sponsored by the Friends of the Gleason Public Library.
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 December 2025. Please email your submissions to Mary O'Regan at moregan@carlisle.k12.ma.us by 9:00 AM on Monday, December 1, 2025. Please attach information to the email in a Word file. Thank you!
The next issue of The Buzz will be published in December 2025. Please email your submissions to Mary O'Regan at moregan@carlisle.k12.ma.us by 9:00 AM on Monday, December 1, 2025. Please attach information to the email in a Word file. Thank you!
