Fall kindergarten enrollment
Kindergarten enrollment at Hildreth Elementary School is now open for Harvard and Devens children turning 5 years old on or before Aug. 31. Enrollment is online, and the deadline is March 31. A link is on the enrollment tab at hildreth.psharvard.org. For more information, contact Jessica Reynolds at jreynolds@psharvard.org.
Student registration open for Civics Cup
The League of Women Voters of Harvard will hold its Sixth Annual Civics Cup competition Sunday, March 2, 1 to 3 p.m., at Town Hall (snow date, March 9). Teams from the Bromfield School and Parker Charter School will compete; this year’s theme is “executive branch.” Students can register at tinyurl.com/civicscup.
Feb. 16 forum on NVMC hospital closure to be rescheduled
State Sen. Jamie Eldridge will answer questions and talk about what his workgroup is doing about regional emergency services and patient care in the wake of Nashoba Valley Medical Center’s closure Go to trinitychapelshirleycenter.org or call 978-456-3188.
Guidance on avian flu
State officials are warning that avian flu, which rarely infects humans, is suspected to be the cause of death in cases of both wild and domestic birds in several Massachusetts municipalities. Birds may be infected without showing any signs of illness. The public is advised to refrain from handling birds or other animals that are dead or appear sick and to report suspected cases at mass.gov/reportbirds (wild birds) or mass.gov/reportpoultry (poultry or domestic birds). For public health and other recommendations, visit mass.gov/info-details/avian-influenza.
Devens housing community team seeks resident feedback
A subcommittee of the Devens housing working group seeks input from area residents regarding the construction of additional housing in the area known as the Innovation and Technology Center district, a location that includes Vicksburg Square. Appointed by Secretary of Economic Development Yvonne Hao, the team’s four members represent the select boards of Ayer, Harvard, and Shirley, and the Devens Committee, which represents Devens residents. The team met for the first time Feb. 6 and will meet again Feb. 24, the day before it reports the subcommittee’s findings to the Devens housing working group Feb. 25. Residents living in Ayer, Devens, Harvard, or Shirley are urged to send their written comments, concerns, and ideas directly to any of the community team members:
- Shaun Copeland, Ayer: sccopeland@ayer.ma.us
- Laura Scott, Devens: scottljusa@yahoo.com
- SusanMary Redinger, Harvard: sredinger01451@gmail.com
- Bryan Hildebrant, Shirley: bhildebrant@gmail.com
February break youth soccer clinic
Harvard Park and Recreation is sponsoring an indoor soccer clinic for kids of all skill levels in grades K-6 Feb. 18 to 20 in the Hildreth Elementary School gym. Led by Bromfield varsity boys soccer coach Alex Horne, the program will work on skill-building drills, teamwork, fun mini games, and more. Register at harvardma.myrec.com.
Register to receive town announcements
Blackboard Connect is a service for Harvard residents that allows local leadership to relay emergency or other urgent information directly by email, voice, or text messaging. Sign up at townofharvard.portal.finalsiteconnect.com.
HCC awards grants to local cultural programs
The Harvard Cultural Council, a volunteer committee that is part of a network of local councils across Massachusetts funded by the Mass Cultural Council, has announced its fiscal 2025 grant awards. HCC awarded a total of $6,200 in grants to these local recipients: Bolton and Harvard Open Studios, Jeffrey Boudreau, Clear Path for Veterans New England, Discovery Museum, Bob Eiland, Groton Hill Music, Harvard Historical Society, Harvard Public Library, Harvard’s Cultural Collaborative, Open Door Theater of Acton, Steve Peisch, The Cannon Theatre, The Delvena Theatre Company, The Harvard Town Band, Town of Harvard, and Virginia Thurston Healing Garden. Details are at massculturalcouncil.org/local-council/harvard.
Tom Denney Camp registration open
Registration is open for the Tom Denney Nature Camp in Bolton. The camp is for students entering kindergarten through high school. Activities include swimming, games, arts and crafts, hiking, exploring, campfires, and building shelters. Six weekly sessions run from June 30 to Aug. 8, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; before- and after-work child care is available. Visit tomdenneynaturecamp.org to learn more and register, or email bcttdnc@gmail.com with questions.
Devens noise report
- Throughout February, small arms fire
- Feb. 26, machine guns.
