NSPAC honoring those who went “the Distance” this year for special needs students

Above: NSPAC was unable to hold an in-person event to celebrate this year’s Go the Distance award recipients, but they are still publicly honoring them. (image from slideshow)

The 10th annual Go the Distance Awards ceremony would have taken place this spring if it wasn’t for the pandemic. The Northborough Southborough Special Education Advisory Council found another way to honor the winners last week.

An announcement explains:

School staff members and members of the community were nominated by families to celebrate the positive impact they have made in the lives of special needs students. . . A certificate and a copy of the nomination write up will be mailed to each recipient.

Timed for Teacher Appreciation week, NSPAC sent notifications to award winners on May 5th. This year’s recipients included 12 staff members from Southborough schools and six from Algonquin, plus an ARHS student. Others were from Northborough schools, plus an exercise/athletics instructor.

All are acknowledged in a special slideshow the public was invited to view.

The website displays:

10th Annual “Go the Distance Awards”
“Every individual matters. Every individual has a role to play. Every individual makes a difference.” ― Jane Goodall

The COVID-19 pandemic has certainly changed our lives this spring. We have had to adjust to remote learning, empty calendars, and social distancing. We have had to be a bit more creative when shopping, socializing, and celebrating events, holidays and milestones.

As many of our special education students have taught us, strength and resilience results when facing challenges. We find a different way to achieve our goals and we work together more than ever to accomplish them.

NSPAC’s 10th Annual Go the Distance recognition night cannot be held this year, but the district staff and community members who were nominated deserve a moment to know that they have made a positive impact on a special education student this academic year. Certificates and a copy of the written nomination will be forwarded to each nominee in May.