The Buzz January 2026
January 2026
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From the Superintendent's Desk |
Dear Carlisle Families,
Happy New Year!
I hope the new year began on a positive note for you and your family, and that 2026 brings you peace, health, and joy. January is always an energizing time at school as students and staff return refreshed after winter break. We have many events planned this month and hope you and your family will be able to join us.
As we closed out 2025, I was incredibly proud of the generosity and service demonstrated by our students. Our second and fifth grade Pajama Drive collected more than 340 pairs of pajamas for those in need, and the schoolwide Coat Drive successfully provided winter coats to families in Carlisle and surrounding communities. These service-learning opportunities play an important role in helping students develop empathy and civic responsibility, and I am grateful to our professional staff who make these meaningful experiences possible.
Continuing this spirit of giving, our kindergarten students will be collecting mittens and gloves of all sizes for the month of January in conjunction with their annual performances of The Mitten. During the week of January 26, kindergarten classrooms will host performances of The Mitten while donations will be accepted throughout the entire month of January. We are delighted to continue this cherished tradition for our students and their families.
Our 7th and 8th Grade Choir students are hard at work preparing for a special performance. Students from Carlisle, Concord, and Concord-Carlisle High School will come together for a Choral Collage Concert on Wednesday, January 7, at 7:00 PM in the CCHS Auditorium. With more than 200 voices on stage, this promises to be a memorable evening. Thank you to our Choral Director, Erin Lane, for creating this wonderful opportunity for our students.
This month the district is launching a new strategic planning process and we invite community members to get involved. The district is forming a Strategic Planning Steering Committee made up of parents, staff, administration, and community members. Meetings will take place 4-5 times from January through April, with the first meeting scheduled for Thursday, January 8 at 4:00 PM in the Community Room. If you are interested in serving on the Strategic Planning Steering Committee, there is still time to join. All you need to do is fill out the form that is linked here, and attend the first session on Thursday afternoon.
The Carlisle Middle School basketball teams are off to a strong start this season, and we look forward to cheering them on in the weeks ahead. Please check the district calendar on the website homepage for game dates and locations.
Please mark your calendars as Tuesday, January 13, will be an early release day to allow staff to participate in professional development. Also, school will be closed on Monday, January 19, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Looking ahead to February, we are excited to host the annual Multicultural Fair on Wednesday, February 4. More information about this event will be shared over the next few weeks.
Wishing you continued health and happiness in the year ahead.
Warm regards,
Jim O’Shea
Superintendent
School Events and Information
SCHOOL CALENDAR
Click here to view and download the 2025-2026 calendar
JANUARY LUNCH & BREAKFAST MENU
Click here to view the January 2026 Lunch menu
Click here to view the January 2026 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 sepac@carlislemapto.org. 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.
CHORAL COLLAGE CONCERT - Wednesday, January 7th at 7:00 PM
Members of the 7th & 8th Grade Choir will be participating in a Choral Collage Concert on Wednesday January 7th at CCHS. This is a fantastic opportunity for our students to make connections and sing with the High School students at CCHS. Combined with the Concord Middle School Choir and CCHS Choirs there will be 208 voices together on stage! The Concert is on Wednesday January 7th at 7:00pm in the CCHS Auditorium. Admission is free and all are welcome!
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ATHLETICS
Intramural Winter Program
Intramural Floor Hockey
Anyone interested in playing intramural floor hockey.
Time: 3:00-4:15 PM
Dates: February 23-26, March 2-5, 9-12, 16-18
Where: Corey Gym
Cost: $55.00, Checks made out to the Town of Carlisle
See Mrs. Carmel for more information
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Happy New Year from the PTO!
Richard Guerry, award winning internet safety speaker, is coming to Carlisle later this month. On January 30, the PTO is sponsoring an assembly for 3rd to 8th grade students. The night before, he is speaking to Carlisle and Concord parents and middle school students at Concord Middle School at 6:00 PM.
Do you have February break plans? Consider buying tickets to to the Harlem Globetrotters on February 14, or UMass Lowell vs Northeastern hockey on February 21 at the Tsongas Center.
Please visit carlislemapto.org for more information.
Gleason Public Library
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The Gleason Public Library provides an exciting lineup of programs for students and families, including Story Times, Book Clubs, Early Release Day Movies, After-School Hangouts, and many additional opportunities to connect, learn, and have fun.
For all registrations, please visit gleasonlibrary.org/events. For more information about events, email childrens@gleasonlibrary.org.
CCYS WINTER FUTSAL & SPRING 2026 TRAVEL AND INTOWN SOCCER
Registration is open for CCYS Winter Futsal & Spring 2026 Travel and Intown Soccer. Travel soccer is open to players in grades 3 through 8. The travel registration deadline is January 9th. Intown soccer is open to players in grades Pre-K through 4. The intown registration deadline is March 20th. Futsal runs January through March and is open to players in grades 1-7.
More info can be found at: http://www.ccysoccer.org.
TANGLEWOOD MARIONETTES – February 1st
The Tanglewood Marionettes are coming back to Carlisle! Please join the Concord Carlisle Foundation for a performance of CINDERELLA! The show will be on Sunday February 1 at 3:00 PM in the CPS Auditorium. Please buy your tickets here: https://givebutter.com/
Next Buzz Issue
The next issue of The Buzz will be published in February 2026. Please email your submissions to Mary O'Regan at moregan@carlisle.k12.ma.us by 9:00 AM on Friday, January 30, 2026. Please attach information to the email in a Word file. Thank you!
