Superintendent

January 5, 2026

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