Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving! 



While our very short half days always seem to make some question "why even bother?" today for me was a reminder of the amazing students we have in the Ashland community   I stood in the gym this morning reading the banners that described the community service done by our clubs, activities, and sports teams I was humbled by the generosity of these adolescents.  Ashland High has a truly amazing group of young people!

       
         A few of the banners are depicted here.


Students had a chance to see the banners during
our Annual Thanksgiving Rally.
Over the past few years student council
has worked to make the rallies about all
students and to showcase our
community as a whole.
Kudos to StuCo for always thinking about all students at AHS!




Interested in learning more about the MetroWest Adolescent Health Survey and AHS?

We will present the results of the 2014 survey on Wednesday, December 2nd at 6:30pm in the AHS auditorium. 
STAND campaign

The presentation will cover the middle and high school results. We will share details on the survey findings as well as some of the steps we have taken to address areas of concern.  


If you find the time over the next four days please check out this parent
Parenting for Prevention: Marijuana


Congratulations to the Academic Decathlon team for their outstanding performance at the competition in Natick on Saturday! Out of a total of 22 schools competing, Ashland took the 1st place trophy for the small school division and placed 3rd overall! A total of 22 individual medals were won by Swathi Gorantla, James Lee, Richie Abbott, Arthur Wang, Eric Zhou, and Gahl Efroni.


Ashland Computer Science students Visit the State House
On November 17th, a group of four students traveled to the State House to be part of the Computer Science in Massachusetts event organized by Senator Karen Spilka. The students, Doug Mawrey, Sabrina Liu, Conrad Tulig, and Sanjana Mandala, had a chance to meet with Senator Spilka along with other legislators and their guests to explain some basic principles of programming and the types of projects they do at AHS. Photos of the event can be found here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B_k_uhOPvRbBaFNOWEpXNnBMd3c

First Ever Robot Rodeo is a Huge Success!
The AHS Robotics Club held its first Robot Rodeo on Saturday, Nov 21st. This event was an opportunity for the Robotics Club students to share their love of all things robotics and computer science. Kids from all schools around Ashland and beyond were welcome to come in and get hands on experiences with the robotics, programming, and engineering equipment that was on hand. The event was a huge success and students are looking forward to doing this again next year. See photos here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B_k_uhOPvRbBTzhLanh2NUxRaUk


Two great ways to support AHS Robotics!
1. Order your holiday gifts from Eduporium using the coupon code AHSRobotics on their website: https://www.eduporium.com/
2. Donate used Legos by the bag, bucket or barn-full to the club. We use these to supplement our supplies and sell at Robotics events, and then turn those funds into great opportunities for the Robotics Club. Drop at the AHS main office anytime.

Friday, November 20, 2015

Week of 11/16/15




Good afternoon and happy Friday!

Wednesday I had the pleasure of going to the Hanover Theater in Worcester with almost 40 of our students (and 3 other faculty members) to see Mike Smith (see picture).  He is an inspirational speaker who has designed a character education program we are using at AHS.  Mike spoke to 1500 high school students from around Massachusetts and encouraged them to think about who is invisible at their school and how can they reach out to them.  He challenged them to think about what their legacy at AHS will be.  We came back to school with students energized and ready to continue the work of making sure Ashland High School is a safe, welcoming place for all students.  I can't wait to see the great things they do!  

Check his message out at MikeSmithLive.

A very special thank you goes out to the Ashland PTO and Decisions at Every Turn for funding this trip!



The AHS band performed with the 8th grade band performed this past Wednesday night. It was a beautiful concert.  Kudos to all of the musicians.  


Last weekend members of the Academic Decatholon team had a successful tryout for WGBH's High School Quiz Show.  They will find out Monday if they made the show, which will be filmed at the end of January.  We are keeping our fingers crossed for them!


Yesterday AHS donated 57 overflowing baskets to the Ashland Food Pantry.  This is the 2nd year Student Council has organized this food drive.  Our students and faculty did an amazing job coming together to support those in need in our the community and we hope they have a wonderful Thanksgiving.  


Next week Student Council is hosting Spirit Week, an opportunity for school-wide fun and friendly competition between the classes.  There will be fun games and competitions at lunch on Monday and Tuesday.
We will have Spirit Week dress up days.  Monday is Groutfit day (that means wearing all gray, I had to Google it.)
Tuesday is school pride day and everyone is encouraged to wear their Ashland gear.  Finally Wednesday is class color day.  
Students will spend Tuesday afternoon decorating the halls for the annual Hall Decorating contest.  Classes will decorate from 2-7pm and judging will be at 7:30pm.  
On Wednesday we will have our Thanksgiving Spirit Rally at 9:30am.  Students have done a great job planning a rally that focuses on everything they have to be thankful for!  


Come one, come all! The Robot Rodeo is here! Join the AHS Robotics Club as they help you learn about robots, programming and engineering! Kids of all ages can learn the basics of programming while playing with Lego Mindstorms, or learn how Scratch works, or even test the Sphero in our amazing obstacle course! Can you go the fastest? Entry is $5 per participant and the money helps support the high school Robotics Club. Get more details at http://www.tinyurl.com/robotrodeo

Have a wonderful weekend!

Sunday, November 15, 2015

Week of 11/9/15

Good evening and Go Pats!

I am just back from an amazing trip with our Make-A-Wish Club.  We spent three days volunteering at Give Kids the World in Orlando and every moment was truly awesome.  I am so proud of these kids!
Most of our volunteer time was spent entertaining children and families that were at the Village as a part of their Wish.  We were so lucky to meet some amazing and strong children who were an inspiration to us all.  

What a reminder for us to be thankful for what we have as we get closer to Thanksgiving.  

Grades will be available on iParent/iStudent shortly after 2pm on Tuesday, November 17th.  Please go to the AHS website to sign up for an iParent account if you don't have one it.  E-mail Linda Chaney at lchaney@ashland.k12.ma.us if you need a hard copy.  

You are cordially invited to attend
Ashland Music Department's

Band Night Concert  

It will be held in the High School Auditorium
on Wednesday, November 18 at 7:00.  

On the evening's performance is:
Eighth-Grade Band
High School Concert Band**  
Combined Eighth-Grade and High School Band

**Special Feature:  The High School Band will be performing preeminent
20th-century British composer Ralph Vaughan Williams' English Folk Song Suite.
This work has been a cornerstone in the high school and collegiate
wind band repertoire since its publication in the 1920s. 
  

Please come out and support the Music Department
and hear the result of the all the students' hard work!!

BEST!!!
Brian Koning and Darren Maule, directors

The AHS School Site Council will meet Wednesday, November 18th at 4pm in the main office.  All are welcome.

As always, check out the parent fliers for fun, important events coming up around town!

The AHS Campus store is extending the time you have to order your Ashland Clockers Nike special order sweatshirt. Orders will now be taken through November 20 and will be guaranteed in before the holiday break. Order forms can be picked up in the Clocker Club Store or on the Clocker Club website. Questions can be directed to Lisa Massauro at clockerstore@clockerslub.org

Please join ASHPAC for the following lecture/workshop:

The Typical and Atypical Reading Brain

By Nadine Gaab, PhD

Boston Children's Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Gaab Laboratory for Developmental Neuroscience

Wednesday, November 18th, 2015 at 10:00 AM

Dr. Gaab will share the significant implications of neuroscience research on the reading brain, including current research and interventions related to dyslexia that will address the following:

  • Does learning to read change the brain?
  • Does the brain of a struggling reader work differently?
  • Can reading interventions rewire the brain?
  • Are music, language, and reading skills connected?

For more information about Dr. Gaab's work, see  http://thegaablab.com/index.html

Friday, November 6, 2015

Week of 11/2/15-11/6/15

Good afternoon-  

What a beautiful day it is today!  Our French visitors will be leaving us tomorrow believing that Fall in New England is usually in the 70's.  They have commented frequently on how warm it is here.  We are sad to see them go and wish them safe travels.  


It is hard to believe but first term comes to a close on Tuesday, November 10.  Grades will be available in iParent/iStudent around 2pm on November 17.  If you haven't signed up for an account yet please do so in the next week.  Students have accounts already.  Students can see Ms. Chaney in the front office if they need their account reset.  Parents can sign up using the link on the AHS website.

There is No School on Wednesday, November 11, 2015 in honor of Veteran's Day.

Don't forget to check out what's happening around town under the Parent Flyer's section link!

It's not too late to get tickets for this weekend's performance of The Girl From Maxim's!

The production runs Friday, November 6th and Saturday, November 7th at 7PMSunday, November 8th at 2PM. Patrons may buy tickets in advance online at ahsts.com. AHSTS offers discounted tickets purchased online. All seating is reserved. For more information or tickets, visit ahsts.com.


We hope to see many football fans at tonight's Sectional Semi-final game against Cardinal Spellman High School in Brockton, MA at 6pm.

Congratulations to the Volleyball team on last night's win against Groton-Dunstable  They will play Westborough High School  in the D2 Central Quarterfinals at Westborough on Monday, November 10 at 6pm.  


If you have an Athlete that plans on playing a winter sport please sign them up as soon as possible.  The registration portals will close and remain closed on:

Monday 11/16 at noon for High School Students

and 

Monday 11/23 at noon for Middle School Students

Please click on the link below to register within FamilyID.


If you have any questions please feel free to reach out to the Athletic Director.




The Robot Rodeo is only days away!

On Saturday, Nov 21st, the AHS Robotics Club will be hosting a family friendly robotics event, the Robot Rodeo! This event is sure to please girls and boys of all ages as they get a chance to play with robots, build robots, and even BE a robot! Kids can earn badges by completing events and could even walk away with prizes for creating designs with Legos! Buy your own interactive robotics kits and toys from Eduporium, just in time for the holidays! Activities begin at 10:30am in the high school cafeteria and go until 3pm. Come for the whole day or just stop by for a brief visit. $5 entry fee. Additionally, we will be offering an affordable pizza lunch option.

List of Activities and Events:
Meet Lego Mindstorms - Play, build, and program these amazing robots!
Learn to control Sphero in the Robotics Training Center
Get the best time in our Sphero Obstacle Course
Battle MiP Robots!
Learn about electricity with Snap Circuits
Programming for everyone at our Human Robot booth
Program and play with Scratch and the Makey-Makey
Learn about our demo bots and 3D printing!
Be a part of the Lego Building competitions! What can you make?
Meet and greet with our high school Robotics Club students!
and more...

Questions? Contact Chad McGowan cmcgowan@ashland.k12.ma.us and visit our website http://sites.ashland.k12.ma.us/robotrodeo
Proceeds from tickets and a portion of Eduporium sales go to support the AHS Robotics Club

Shop with Eduporium at the Robot Rodeo to help the Robotics Club
It's easy to support the Robotics Club! Shop for the holidays with Eduporium and the AHS Robotics Club will earn a portion of the proceeds. What is Eduporium?
Eduporium, your startup neighbor in Watertown, is a vision-driven technology reseller. We view technology skills as necessary literacy in the 21st century. However, the virtual reality created by modern technology can be addictive and oftentimes tends to replace the real world. In order to bring students back to reality, learning to improve it inventively, Eduporium specifically selects technologies that enhance the 21st century skills commonly referred to as "The 4 C's": Creativity, Critical Thinking, Collaboration and Communication. We search all over the world for the best and newest innovative technology. Our mission is to promote and deliver exciting new technology to students and to the entire K-12 school community.