Nashua School District Gateway to Opportunity

Important Program Information for 21st Century Families

The Nashua School District’s 21^st Century Extended Day Program is an out-of-school time program offered through a federal grant administered by the New Hampshire Department of Education. The program offers academic support, academic enrichment, extracurricular enrichment activities, college and career readiness, and recreational opportunities for students who are registered for the program.

Beginning the 2024-2025 school year, we have made some important updates to our registration process to better serve our community and meet our federal funding requirements. Here are the key changes:

• Program Enrollment: Enrollment is on a first-come, first-served basis, while also reserving space for students who are identified by school leadership, teachers and student support teams as most in need of support.
  • Returning Students: We have allocated spots specifically for returning students to ensure they have the opportunity to continue their education with us.
  • Referred Students: In accordance with our federal grant requirements, we will also be allocating registration spots for students who are referred to our program, similar to our practices for our extended summer learning program.
    

• Non-program Days: The 21st Century program will no longer offer complimentary memberships for the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Nashua as an alternative after-school option. While 21st Century will remain closed on non-school days such as Early Release, holidays, and school vacation days, we encourage you to reach out to youth-serving organizations like the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Nashua, Girls Inc., the Police Athletic League, the Salvation Army or the YMCA of Greater Nashua to inquire about your child’s ability to attend their programs on days that 21st Century is not available. Please note that these organizations may have separate costs for membership to their programs. Please be sure to familiarize yourselves with our program calendar so that you are aware of days that the 21st Century program will not be offered.

These changes are necessary to maintain the federal funding that supports our 21st Century program from the New Hampshire Department of Education. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we implement these new registration practices.

Compliance with Nashua School District Policies

The 21st Century Extended Day Program is dedicated to adhering to the policies and procedures set by the Nashua School District’s Board of Education, ensuring alignment with district guidelines and maintaining high standards of educational and operational excellence. This commitment includes integrating activities and curricula with the school-day program to support district academic standards, complying with safety and health regulations, and upholding protocols for student privacy and confidentiality. Staff members undergo professional development training to align with district policies on behavior and professionalism, and the program ensures transparency through meticulous reporting and documentation. By fostering family and community engagement and regularly evaluating and improving the program, our 21st Century Extended Day Program supports the district’s mission, enhances student learning, and upholds the standards established by the Nashua School District.

Our 21st Century Program upholds the Nashua School District’s Student Behavior Policy. If a student has a discipline issue, the parent or guardian will be informed of the incident. Parents will be informed of their child’s behavior and may be asked to participate in a discussion to resolve special situations. Our 21st Century staff are committed to providing a safe, engaging and inviting program and space for all of our participants. The safety of our students and staff is paramount. Parents, guardians and family members are also expected to demonstrate respect for 21st Century staff and students. We reserve the right to suspend or terminate a student from the 21^st Century program immediately if a student’s or family member’s behavior warrants it.

Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with our 21st Century Family Handbook. This handbook provides a comprehensive understanding of the purpose, goals, and benefits of our 21st Century Extended Day Program. It will help you understand how our program can support your child's educational journey.

Program Safety

The safety of our 21st Century students, staff, and families is paramount. Every day, the 21st Century Leadership Team strives to create a safe and enjoyable environment where our students have the ability to engage in fun, educational, and engaging programming. We maintain a ZERO tolerance policy for any inappropriate behavior, including child sexual abuse or misconduct, bullying, aggressive, or intimidating behavior, and we are committed to dedicating professional development and other resources to uphold this policy.

Our 21^st Century program staff complete mandated reporter and First Aid & CPR professional development training. All 21st Century program sites follow their school's Emergency Operation Procedures developed by the Nashua School District's Department of Safety and Security. We also participate in professional development training offered to all Nashua School District employees to ensure that our program staff are updated on safety trends and resources available that align with the Nashua School District's and 21st Century's commitment to the safety of our students.

New Hampshire State Law, RSA 169-C, the Child Protection Act, states that any person who has reason to suspect that a child under the age of 18 has been abused and/or neglected must make a report to the Division of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF). The District’s Suspected Abuse and/or Neglect form located in the Coordinator’s office will be completed and routed through the required offices.