HUDSON: The Hudson Cultural Council, appointed by the town’s Select Board, is looking for new members to help support the arts, humanities and interpretive sciences in our community. The Council’s Mission is to promote Hudson’s diverse heritage and to enhance cultural opportunities by supporting activities that enrich the lives of Hudson residents of all ages. The function of the board is to review grant applications and to award funds for projects that take place in Hudson and the surrounding area.
Following local and state guidelines the HCC recently awarded 17 grants totaling $23,247 to area organizations like the Boys and Girls Club of MetroWest, Symphony Pro Musica, the Hudson Cultural Alliance/Armory on the Assabet as well as to municipal agencies that include the Library, Division of Recreation, Public Schools and Health Department. Visit www.hudsonculturalcouncil.org or scan the QR code for details.
The Council meets five or six times a year during the evening with its next meeting scheduled for March 16, 2026 at 7:00 PM via Zoom. All are welcome to attend the meeting which will be posted on the town website.
Ready to join the Council? Please fill out an interest form  via this link or pick one up at the Town Clerk’s office.  As a voting member, you will share your ideas and knowledge to help shape and enrich Hudson’s vibrant cultural scene.
Email the council at hudsonculturalcouncil@gmail.com with any questions about becoming a member.

Many of us can identify common trees by their leaves, but what about when the leaves fall off for the winter? On January 25, 1-3 pm, join the Westborough Community Land Trust to learn what other clues we can look for to tell our native trees apart. We'll look for clues like the tree’s shape, the color and texture of the bark, and the appearance of the buds that are forming for next spring. A walk in the wintry woods becomes more interesting when you can recognize the trees you see around you! Our walk leader will be Kyle Grendell, Westborough’s Tree Warden.
About 1-2 miles on uneven woodland terrain. Traction devices attached to boots are highly recommended.

The walk is free, open to the public, no reservation needed.
The location will be the Libbey-Wile Forest. Park at the end of Carroll Drive in Westborough, on one side of the street only. Trail map: https://westboroughlandtrust.org/maps/LW
Before leaving check https://westboroughlandtrust.org/ for cancellations.
For questions contact: events@westboroughlandtrust.org

By Andrew Campanella

All parents in Massachusetts and across America want their children to thrive in learning environments that reflect their diverse interests, talents, and individual challenges.

That’s why one in five parents last year enrolled at least one of their children in a new K–12 school. In fact, the process of moms and dads actively choosing how and where their children learn—often referred to as school choice—reached a five-year high in 2025.

Meanwhile, more than 60% of parents say they are likely to consider a new school for at least one of their children in 2026—suggesting another active year for families making enrollment decisions. What that means for your family depends, in large part, on where you live.

In Massachusetts, parents have more education options than they may realize. In addition to assigned traditional public schools, the Bay State has taken steps in recent years to give families more flexibility in choosing schools.

Within the public education system, tuition-free schooling options include charter schools (available in some areas), theme-based magnet schools (available in select communities), and full-time online schools with district approval. In some districts, parents may also be able to send their children to traditional public schools outside of their zones, if seats are available.

Parents can also consider private schools, which charge tuition and sometimes offer scholarships to help make private education more affordable. Finally, Massachusetts moms and dads have the freedom to educate their children at home, and some families pair homeschooling with learning pods or Montessori-style microschools.

If you want to explore these education options in advance of the 2026–27 school year, the time to begin that process is now. National School Choice Week begins January 25, with 265 school events across Massachusetts, including school fairs, open houses, parent nights, and information sessions.

Before starting your search, it can help to pause and write down your goals for your child and what you want in an ideal learning environment. Doing so helps center the process on what—and who—really matters: your daughter or your son. When possible, visit schools and schedule tours or meetings with staff. Research shows that parents who visit schools in person are twice as likely to enroll their children in a new school as parents who search without touring or visiting.

During those visits, ask questions. One of the most common mistakes parents make is accepting education jargon—of which there is plenty—at face value. If you do not understand a term, a reference to curriculum or instructional methods, or a school policy, ask for clarification until you do. You may also want to talk with other parents about their experiences, while keeping in mind that their perspectives are shaped by their own child’s unique needs.

And remember: you know your child better than anyone else. When it comes to your child’s well-being, you are the expert. Finding the right school is not about choosing what works for everyone—it’s about choosing what fits your daughter or son best.

To access a free guide to K–12 school choice options in Massachusetts, visit https://myschoolchoice.com/massachusetts.

Andrew Campanella is the CEO of the National School Choice Awareness Foundation, the nonprofit organization that coordinates National School Choice Week, Navigate School Choice, and Conoce tus Opciones Escolares. He is also the author of The School Choice Roadmap: 7 Steps to Choosing the Right School for Your Child.

Program Highlights:

• “Hallelujah!” The Nashoba Valley Chorale is celebrating its 50th Anniversary Season with a concert on Sunday, January 18, 2026. The performance will include music by Bach and Britten and will close with Beethoven’s magnificent Mass in C, featuring four professional vocal soloists and full orchestra. The concert’s repertoire “reflects the different aspects of our history and showcases where we are now,” says Anne Watson Born, the group’s musical director. 

Event Details:

• January 18, 2026, 3pm at the Groton-Dunstable Performing Arts Center (344 Main St., Groton, MA) 

Ticket Information:

• Pay-what-you-can; available at www.nvcsings.org   

The Nashoba Valley Chorale is well known throughout Central Massachusetts and draws singers from towns in the heart of Nashoba Valley, as well as from all over the metro-west Boston area and southern New Hampshire. For more information about the Nashoba Valley Chorale and our season concerts, visit https://nvcsings.org/