Week of 2/29/16

Good afternoon-


New anonymous tip line: If you have concern about safety that you wish to report the school new tip line have been set up for students, staff and parents to report any wrongdoing that impacts our schools.  This line will be monitored by our Ashland Police School Resource Officer and information will be shared with the appropriate principal.
Please call:  508-881-0144

The PTO has put together a brief survey for parents in the district.  Here is the link:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CVXKX6X

Course Recommendations: 
The iParent window for parent approval of courses is now open and will remain open until Saturday, March 12. Please go in to check off your approval of each course your student is choosing for next year.

Please take a few moments to read the important announcements in the Parent Flyers tab.

Tickets are now on sale for the AHSTS production of A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum!

Friday, March 4 and Saturday, March 5 at 7PM, Sunday, March 6 at 2PM.

Patrons may buy tickets in advance online. AHSTS offers discounted tickets purchased online. All seating is reserved. For more information or tickets, visit www.ahsts.com.

Spring Sports Meeting:

Monday, March 7 at 6pm in the AHS auditorium.  The District Attorney's Office/Middlesex Partnership for Youth will present on Social Media/Internet Safety.  The presentation is open to the community.  All are encouraged to attend!

PROM 2016 
Prom tickets will go on sale for $75 each starting Monday, March 1st in the AHS cafeteria during lunch.  Class dues must be paid through junior year ($30 total) in order to purchase a prom ticket; payments may be made to class officers or to the class advisor, Ms. Twomey.  Checks should be made payable to AHS Student Activities.  Prom will be held on Friday, May 13th at the brand new Lakeview Pavilion in Foxboro from 6:00 - 11:00 (http://lakeviewpavilion.com).  Prom will be preceded by the Grand March in the AHS gym from 5:00 - 5:30, to which the public is welcome.  If you have questions or concerns regarding prom tickets and class dues, please contact Ms. Twomey at  jtwomey@ashland.k12.ma.us. 

If Prom is a financial challenge for you or your family, you are encouraged to contact Ms. Shilels at jpaviashiels@ashland.k12.ma.us.  Confidentially, Ms. Shiels may be able to assist you with resources available in the community.

Ashland Raises Happy & Healthy Kids...check out the link to the right for past tips!

Five Quick Ways to Deal with Stress

Everyone has moments of stress or worry, even children as young as preschool age. Below are five easy “in the moment” ways for you and your child to cope with a stressful situation. Teaching kids these types of techniques will help them throughout their life.

1. Take a deep breath: Sit up straight, eyes closed, with a hand on your belly. Slowly inhale through your nose, feeling the breath start in your abdomen and work its way to the top of your head. Reverse the process as you exhale through your mouth.
2. Listen to Music: Research shows that listening to soothing music can lower blood pressure, heart rate, and anxiety.
3. Get moving:  All forms of exercise, including yoga, dancing and walking, can ease depression and anxiety by helping the brain release feel-good chemicals.
4. Do a Full Body Stretch: Stand up, raise your hands over your head, and stretch your body while you take slow, deep breaths.
5. Be Grateful: Thinking about, or saying out loud, one or two things you are grateful for can cancel out negative thoughts and worries.