Winter Break

Good afternoon-

Just a brief note this afternoon to wish you all a wonderful winter break.  I hope that this time gives you an opportunity to rest, relax, and enjoy time with family and friends.

Many students in the AHS community are experiencing loss and grief this week, some students for the perhaps the first time.  Please know that if you need resources to support your children we have some on hand and are able to provide support and direction.


Please take a moment to review the messages below and as always check out our important Parent Flyers section to see what is going on in the great Ashland community.


National Honor Society

Do you have gently used children's books you no longer need?  Members of the National Honor Society are collecting children's books (fourth grade, with some leeway up or down in reading/interest level) for a school in Mattapan.  One of our 2015 grads is working there with CityYear and asked if we would assist in meeting their need for books for the afterschool program.  If you have any to contribute, please drop off at the AHS library or main office.  

The wish list prepared by the fourth graders included

Graphic novels 

Junie B. Jones books 

Amber Brown books 

Fudge books 

Bone books 

Boxcar Children books

Magic Tree-house books 

Diary of a Wimpy Kid books 

Dork Diary books 

Harry Potter books 

Disney books 

Flat Stanley books 

Books about- space, science, animals, sports

Next AHS meeting is Thursday, January 7.  Food Pantry items that will be collected are:

RICE

PASTA and PASTA SAUCE  (NO GLASS JARS, cans only!)

CANNED VEGETABLES

CANNED TUNA OR CHICKEN

AHS LIbrary

Thank you to the people who donated books to the AHS Library through the AHS Band's in-store book fair at Barnes and Noble.  We have almost 25 new books to share with students thanks to your generosity!  

Week of 12/14/15

Good afternoon-

The year is quickly winding down and it is hard to believe we are three days from winter break.  We have three full days of classes next week before heading off for vacation.  Students return to classes on Monday, January 4.

Please take a moment to check out the Parent Flyers for information about community events!


The Ashland High School Student Council and Choruses are working together to present "The Clocker Idol" (our take on "American Idol") onTuesday, December 22nd at 7pm in the high school auditorium.  This family-friendly event will feature 10 high school students competing for the title of "The Clocker Idol" and the audience will help to choose the winner.  Admission is $5/person and all the proceeds will go to help the Metrowest YMCA.  

Check out our promotional video at:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLD5aios0BQ

If you have questions, please contact Josh Wiczer at jwiczer@ashland.k12.ma.us.

The Freshman Class of 2019 are selling Ashland Fuzzy Socks for $10 a pair! They're the perfect stocking stuffer or holiday gift! They will be on sale during Clocker Idol or contact the class advisor, Ms. Vargeletis at evargeletis@ashland.k12.ma.us to purchase a pair! 












Please take a moment to read the important message below from Decisions at Every Turn and have conversations with your student as we head into vacation.  

Tips for Talking with your Teen (ages 13-18) - The average age kids try drugs for the first time is 13. This is a critical time in helping youth make positive choices when faced with drugs and alcohol. Through the teen years, young people will have to make plenty of choices about drug use and whether they should give into peer pressure or their own curiosity. Your clear and consistent messages about not using alcohol and drugs and your reasons why can help prevent teen use.

Let your younger teen know you respect them as an individual. They need to hear a lot of positive comments about who they are, not just what they do. Positive reinforcement establishes a strong sense of confidence and can lower the risk of drug and alcohol use.  Check in with your teen every day – celebrate their successes and support them through the tough times. You'll earn your child's trust, develop strong communication habits, and pave the way for honest discussions about alcohol and drugs.  Talk with your teen about what they are learning in school about drugs and alcohol and continue the conversations at home. This is a great opportunity to share your values, expectations and concerns about alcohol and drugs and to learn what your teen is thinking.  Older teens need to hear factual, detailed and reality-driven messages. Substance use can put them in dangerous situations, cause serious permanent health consequences, or lead to addiction.  Emphasize that substance use can interfere with your teen’s future goals and plans. Discuss how drug use can ruin your teen’s chance of getting into college or landing their dream job.

http://nebula.wsimg.com/f917960167193af54dc991ffb90ab61f?AccessKeyId=A263E0F7BD258287568C&disposition=0&alloworigin=1

Have a wonderful weekend!

Week of 12/7/15

Good afternoon and happy Friday-

Today was our first try Fun Friday during all three lunches.  Three student groups: Friends of Mike Smith, Peer Leaders, and Student Council helped run an activity that encouraged students to get to know students from different peer groups and grades.  It was nice to see students moving around the cafeteria, excited to meet new people.  We hope fun Friday's will take off as a weekly event that helps students connect with others and move out of their comfort zones.  


We are looking forward to our visitors from South Africa on Tuesday.  We will have 27 students, along with 4 teachers, spending the day learning about education in Ashland and sharing their experiences as students in South Africa.  We are all looking forward to this exciting visit.


Ashland High School in partnership with Hopkinton and the Boston Children's Hospital are running the Keep Smilin' for Abbie toy drive. The toy drive is to give toys for children who have anaphylaxis, which is a severe allergic reaction food items like peanut butter or to products containing latex. There is a drop off box in front of the main office. If students could bring in toys to donate, it would be an enormous help. If you have any questions, contact FetherstonNic@ashland.k12.ma.us to have them answered.

Attention shoppers!  On Thursday December 17th from 3 - 7 pm at AHS,  the Class of 2017 will be hosting its first annual Sample Sale!   Manufacturer samples of the latest trends in dresses, sweaters (galore!), coats and tops -  in a variety of women's sizes and styles - will be sold at wholesale prices.  Hats, belts, scarves, and other accessories will also be available for purchase.  Great for holiday gifts!!  The sale will be located in the Chorus Room, D100.  Look for signs at the school for directions to the room.  Cash only, and all sales are final.  


The Ashland High School Clocker Store is holding a Holiday Flash Sale and all store items (varsity jackets, Nike and prior sales items excluded) will be discounted 10%.  Visit our website at www.clockerclub.org to browse items in advance and then stop by the Clocker Store located in the Ashland High School across from the cafeteria on Saturday, December 12th from 9am to 12pm and get your Clocker Gear. CASH, CHECKS AND CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED and GIFT CERTIFICATES/CARDS ARE AVAILABLE!!!

Week of 11/30/15

Good afternoon-

It seems the holiday season came upon us far too quickly.  If you are in Natick tonight please consider stopping by Barnes & Noble to support the AHS band.  They will be reading The Polar Express and playing music from show. A flyer for the event is posted in Parent Flyers section.  

Thank you to all who attended the MetroWest Adolescent Health Survey presentation this week.  If you are interested in reviewing the results in full they are now posted on the AHS website.  While our results are great overall we still have work to do.  We continue to be concerned about substance use, levels of stress, and cyber-bullying.  We encourage you to have regular conversations with your children about these topics, and the other covered by the survey, and to reach out to us or the Coalition for ideas on how to best communicate with adolescents about this  

Today we had class meetings to discuss Social Media safety.  That is great place to start a conversation this weekend. 

Our visiting students from South Africa are looking forward to spending the day at AHS on December 15.  If your student would like to be a host student for the day they can stop by the office to get their name on the list.

Mid-term exams will begin on January 26, 2016.  Our start time will be 8:30am.  Students will not have to be at school until the start of their exam.  If they take a bus or wish to come in early teachers will be available each morning at their regular time.   A schedule  and more information about the exam schedule will be available shortly.  

  

Have a wonderful weekend!