Wednesday, June 22, 2016

Week of 6/20/16- HAPPY SUMMER VACATION!

Happy summer vacation and congratulations to all students who have successfully completed another great year at Ashland High School!  On behalf of the faculty and staff at AHS thank you to the students and families of Ashland for a wonderful school year. We will miss the student enthusiasm this summer!


Final grades will be available on iStudent/iParent tomorrow by noon.  


Each year brings change and I want to take a moment to say thank you and we will miss you to the staff moving on.  This year we say good-bye to Lynette Bowen (special education), Susan Furste (world language), Andrea Medved (world language), Ed Nelson (math), and Rachel Stevenson (English).  We wish them the best and thank them for their service to AHS!

I wish to say a very special good-bye to two very special retirees.  Jane Holden leaves us after 20-plus years as a special education teacher.  Christine Scott leaves her science position also after more than 20 years serving the students at AHS.  They will both be missed more than they know.


Save the Dates!  

Peer Leader training will be held on Monday, August 22nd from 12-4pm.  We are still looking for seniors willing to serve as mentors to the Class of 2020.  Anyone interested can email me directly.

Student Leadership Summit: August 24th from 10am-2pm....all current student leaders and those interested in being leaders are encouraged to attend.

Orientation for New Students: August 24th from 4-6pm.  9th grade and other new students will have fun, catch up old friends and make new ones while learning about the AHS culture and expectations. All are invited to join in the BBQ at the end of the orientation!  This 3rd and final orientation is for students only!


Summer hours at AHS-  The school building is open daily from 7am until 2:45pm howver the front office will only be open periodically  throughout the entire month of July.  Guidance counselors are here until June 29th.  Please leave a message with Ms. Chaney or email me if you have any questions or concerns.


Summer Reading at APL:  A message from Supt. Adams!  
I hope that each and every family will take advantage of the wonderful opportunity our students have to continue developing their reading habits through the APL's Summer Reading Program and Community Events.  Studies have shown that many students regress academically during the summer months when they are not actively engaged in reading exercises.  Reading is a skill that continues to develop, and the summer is an especially important time to work on it.
The APL teen summer reading flyer is attached.  



Please take a moment to complete this important survey prior to June 24:

Dear Ashland Parent/Guardian,

The MetroWest Substance Abuse Prevention Collaborative (SAPC) is conducting a survey to help us learn more about parent/guardian beliefs and perceptions regarding underage alcohol use. Towns participating in this collaborative with Ashland include Natick, Southborough, Northborough, Framingham, and Hudson.

Your feedback, during this anonymous 1-2 minute survey for parents/guardians with at least one child currently in Grade 6-12, will help us to structure and implement initiatives to improve the health and safety of youth in the MetroWest area. The results of this survey will be shared with you through health promotion activities and community-wide messaging over the next academic year. This survey closes this Friday, June 24th.


If you wish to provide additional feedback to your local substance abuse prevention coalition, please contact Ashland’s Decisions at Every Turn Coalition at coalitioninfo@ashlanddecisions.org or visit their website at www.ashlanddecisions.org.  

Thank you for your time and support.

Jessica Healy, MPH
Regional Youth Substance Abuse Prevention Coordinator
Town of Hudson Health Department
78 Main Street
Hudson, MA 01749
It takes a team and a community to make a difference.

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PH

Disclaimer: This message is intended for the noted recipients only.  Please be advised that all email sent and received by the Town of Hudson may be considered public record.

Please be sure to check out the important Parent Flyers for information about what's going on around the district and town.

Have a wonderful and restful summer break and I look forward to seeing you all in August!


Friday, June 17, 2016

Week of 6/13/16

Good afternoon and happy Friday!

The year is quickly winding down and AHS students are busy taking exams this week.  It is quiet with so few students in the building.  Students should be returning all books to teachers as they report for exams.  If you know that a book has been lost please contact the teacher for the replacement cost.

Please take a moment to check out the survey below from Decisions at Every Turn as well as the Parent Flyers for information about exciting things happening around town.  The Make a Wish Club has started a really fun fundraiser...check it out and get your insurance if you don't want to be flocked!



The Leos Club will be collecting "small travel sized" toiletry items for donations to various family shelters and charities in our area. Please remember to save your "unused" soaps, shampoos, body wash, and lotions that you may have gotten from hotels and motels during your summer travels. We will collect them in the fall. Thank you for your help!




***************************************************************************************
Dear Ashland Parent/Guardian,

The MetroWest Substance Abuse Prevention Collaborative (SAPC) is conducting a survey to help us learn more about parent/guardian beliefs and perceptions regarding underage alcohol use. Towns participating in this collaborative with Ashlandinclude Natick, Southborough, Northborough, Framingham, and Hudson.

Your feedback, during this anonymous 1-2 minute survey for parents/guardians with at least one child currently in Grade 6-12, will help us to structure and implement initiatives to improve the health and safety of youth in the MetroWest area. The results of this survey will be shared with you through health promotion activities and community-wide messaging over the next academic year. 


If you wish to provide additional feedback to your local substance abuse prevention coalition, please contact Ashland’s Decisions at Every Turn Coalition at coalitioninfo@ashlanddecisions.org or visit their website at www.ashlanddecisions.org.  

Thank you for your time and support.

Jessica Healy, MPH
Regional Youth Substance Abuse Prevention Coordinator
Town of Hudson Health Department
78 Main Street
Hudson, MA 01749
It takes a team and a community to make a difference.



Reminder....  The registration portal for Fall Sports is now OPEN.  Please register as soon as possible.  User fees do not have to be turned in the same day you register.  Any questions please email Mr. Grimes at mgrimes@ashland.k12.ma.us. The link below will take you to the registration page on our Athletic Website.  


Please do not forget to send us an updated physical.  If you have concerns or any hesitation that your athletes physical is not up to date, please send us one.  You may scan/email the physical, fax it to 508-881-0186, or mail it to the high school... 
65 E. Union Street 
Ashland, MA 
01721 
ATTN: Athletics

Thank you to everyone who has registered so far...

Enjoy you SUMMER!

Mr. Grimes


Friday, June 10, 2016

Week of 6/6/16

Congratulations once again to the Class of 2016!  We are all very proud of your many accomplishments.  Parents of Class of 2016 graduates, if your senior is done with his/her gown, please donate it back to AHS for use by the National Honor Society next year!  There is a box in the main office to receive them!  Thank you.

The last day of classes for grades 9-11 is Wednesday, June 15.  Final exams begin Thursday.  The schedule is posted on the AHS website.  Grades will close and be posted to iParent/iStudent on Wednesday, June 22nd.

Wednesday we welcomed the Class of 2020 to AHS for the 2nd of 3 orientations.  Please check out the Orientation to 8th Graders and Families Powerpoint found at AHS Guidance for any information you might have missed.


Support the Class of 2019 at Dairy Queen in Ashland this Tuesday, June 14th from 4-8pm!!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Mental Health Benefits of Exercise
We all know that exercise keeps your heart, bones, and muscles healthy and can help keep you at a healthy weight. But exercise also has many benefits for your mental health.
  1. Lifts your mood.
  2. Builds self-esteem.
  3. Improves learning abilities.
  4. Reduces stress.
  5. Improves sleeping patterns.
  6. Alleviates anxiety.
  7. Sharpens memory.
  8. Helps to control addictions.
  9. Boosts creative thinking.
  10. Improves body image.
  11. Gives you confidence.
  12. Improves eating habits.
  13. Fights dementia.
  14. Reduces feelings of depression.
  15. Increases energy and endurance.
  16. Improves concentration.
  17. Helps with self-control.
  18. Lessens fatigue.

Friday, June 3, 2016

Week of 5/31/16


Good afternoon-

This morning at 10am we celebrated the many accomplishments of the Class of 2016 at Class Day.  It was a wonderful celebration with many students recognized for their accomplishments. 
If you are interested in seeing the ceremony please check out this link:  AHS Class Day 2016

We will celebrate the 143rd graduation at Ashland High School at 1pm on Sunday, June 5th in the AHS gym.  If you can not attend the graduation ceremony but would like to watch, we will be live streaming the ceremony:  

We will also have the ceremony streaming in our gym for anyone who would prefer to sit in a setting that is less warm than the gym has the potential to be.

As a reminder, doors open at 11am and seating is on a first come, first served basis.  Someone must be present in seats to hold them.  Parking is very tight.  Cars are blocked in during the ceremony so if you do need to leave quickly please try to find alternate arrangements.  Our facilities department and police work to get everyone out quickly after the ceremony but we ask for patience with the process.  The entire back lot near the gym entrance will be reserved for those with handicap plates.  Students will be available at noon to help with finding seats.  

2016-2017 Bus Registration:
The deadline for bus registration is June 17, 2016.  Registration is required to reserve a seat on the bus and to ensure your student(s) will be picked up beginning the first day of school.  Please mail your bus form to the Superintendent's Office, 87 W. Union St, Ashland, MA  01721.  Call Diane Goudy at 508-881-0150 with any questions regarding bus transportation.

Please be sure to check out the information in the Parent's Flyers section on a regular basis for information about what's happening around the school's and community.

Five Health Benefits of Playing Outside
  1. Improves Vision: A scientific study found that children who spend time outside have better distance vision than those who primarily play indoors.
  2. Promotes Social Skills: Playing outside with other children or going to a playground is not just about running around and being active, it's also about learning social skills, executive functions and behavioral skills through play.
  3. Increases Attention Span:  Studies have also shown that green outdoor settings appear to reduce ADHD symptoms in children. Exposure to natural settings during after-school and weekend activities may be widely effective in reducing attention deficit symptoms in children.
  4. Reduces Stress: Spending time outside playing is a huge outlet for stress, it is relaxing and healing.  Research shows that seeing green spaces can help decrease kids' stress levels.
  5. Provides Vitamin D: According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, many children (especially in northern states) suffer from vitamin D deficiencies. This vitamin has several health benefits, including preventing future bone problems, diabetes and heart disease. The best source of vitamin D is sunlight.

Are you or someone you know having a hard time putting healthy food on the table? SNAP (also known as Food Stamps) helps you stretch your food budget and keep your family healthy. Calling Project Bread’s FoodSource Hotline is a simple and confidential way to find out if you qualify for SNAP. Counselors can assist families in over 160 languages. The FoodSource Hotline is open Monday – Friday 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information on SNAP, call 1-800-645-8333.