Friday, December 16, 2016

Week of 12/12/16

Good afternoon and happy cold Friday!

With one week to go before the winter break student energy continues to be high. Student Council is excited for the fun they have planned for the week.   Friday, December 23rd is "Sweater Day". Students are encouraged to wear a sweater to school -- an "ugly sweater", their favorite sweater, any sort of sweater -- as we celebrate the last day of school before winter break.  We'll be playing Name that Tune at lunch to gear up for Ashland Idol (see commercial below!).

Once we are back from winter break we will quickly approach mid-term exams.  Exams take place the week following the MLK holiday.  Please note that tests do not begin until 8:30am.  We will once again hold our Stress-Busters Mornings for any students that take the bus or want to come early to decompress before their exam.  Our last stress busters included mediation, open gym, coloring mandalas, and much more.  We hope to offer many similar great opportunities for students to unwind and relax before exams each day.

I have attached the exam schedule here.
Mid-year exam schedule


News from the Library

Thanks to the generosity of the Ashland High band community, we now have 25 new books for the AHS library!  These were our "wish list" items displayed at Barnes and Noble during the band's performance of "Polar Express"  on December 2nd.

Purchasing and donating them during the in-store book fair meant they benefitted AHS twice, since a portion of their cost was returned to the band by Barnes and Noble.  We would like to thank those who donated for their kindness.

Please see the photo for the 25 new titles we now own!
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National Honor Society News

This year the National Honor Society has already raised over $4000 for HomeBase Veteran and Family Care.  These funds were collected through bakes sales at Ashland Day and Parent's Night, flag sales, lollipop sales, donations collected at the Thanksgiving football game and a gift-wrapping event at Barnes and Noble.  HomeBase is a program which provides treatment and support to veterans and 9/11 first responders suffering from the "invisible wounds of war" such as PTSD.  It is sponsored by the Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital.  

The NHS Talent Show is scheduled for Friday, March 10, 2017, so be sure to save the date and join us to see our singers, dancers, and amazing musicians and help us reach our goal of raising $5000 for HomeBase.  


The Ashland Business Association member businesses are looking for student interns! We are expanding our Reverse Social Media internship to all for all kinds of If your son/daughter is interested in learning more about a local business and getting some experience encourage them to reach out to Mrs. St. Coeur to get more information. Internships are great way to explore the world of work and future choices as well as an opportunity for students to give back their community!




The Clocker Idol - Year 3
On Thursday, December 22nd, the Ashland High School Student Council will be presenting the third year of "The Clocker Idol" (our version of American Idol) at 7pm in the high school auditorium (65 E. Union St.).  Admission is $5/person and the entire community is invited to watch the show and help vote on who the next "Clocker Idol" will be.


Check out our promotional video online at: https://youtu.be/u2uL9UejK-Q


The ELL teachers in the Ashland Public Schools are pleased to offer FREE ENGLISH CLASSES to the parents and family members of the students in the Ashland school community.


Classes will begin the week of January 23, 2017 and go through the week of April 3, 2017.  Classes will take place at the Ashland Middle School from 7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m.  Babysitting for younger siblings will be provided if needed.



FLASH SALE at the AHS CAMPUS STORE tomorrow, December 17th from 10:30a.m to 2:30p.m (enter through back of building)
**10% off your total purchase (excludes varsity letter jackets)
**FREE gift wrapping with purchase while you wait.
**BOGO 1/2 off second item on "select" items
Avoid the crowds and shop with us knowing that every dollar spent at the AHS Campus Store goes back into funding for our student athletes! The shelves are stocked with a lot of new never before seen merchandise! There really is something for everyone ranging from drinkware, blankets and umbrellas to hoodies, fleeve vests and jackets, knit hats and gloives to pj pants, sweatpants etc (kid sizes are in stock)!


Commonwealth Commitment:

Governor Baker has a message for graduating high school seniors and their families: The state will help them save an average of 40 percent off the cost of a traditional bachelor’s degree if students can attend college full-time and graduate within four and a half years. Through the Commonwealth Commitmentstudents start at one of Massachusetts’ 15 community colleges, then transfer to a state university or UMass campus and continue full time. Students who enroll receive a 10 percent per-semester rebate, a tuition credit worth an average of $1,200, and a freeze on mandatory fees — leading to an associate degree and a bachelor’s degree at an average cost of $28,618 before financial aid. Help spread the word!

Plese see the Parent Flyers for information about what's happening around town,

Ashland Raises Healthy & Happy Kids
Subtle Signs of Depression
Depression rates can increase in the winter and even around “happy” holidays. Please be aware of the subtle signs of depression in yourself and those you love.
  1. Your mind seems muddled - This can include a kind of “slowness of thinking”, forgetfulness and difficulty making decisions.
  2. You worry too much and think too much - The clinical name for excessive worry and over-thinking life situations or events is called “rumination.” Rumination can increase the chance of becoming depressed and make episodes of depression last longer. With rumination, people get caught in a loop of replaying negative situations, looking at neutral situations in a negative way, or over-analyzing things.
  3. Your weight changed - Some people with depression may eat too much. Others may lose interest in eating.
  4. You are not engaged or expressive - People with depression often “pull back” from friends and family. Their affect can also become “flat”, or blunted, showing a decrease in emotional expression.
  5. You physically hurt - Depression can lead to physical symptoms such as headaches, digestive problems and back pain.
If you are concerned about any of these symptoms in yourself or loved ones, please see your physician and/or a professional therapist. You can also contact your child’s guidance counselor if you are concerned your child might be showing signs of depression.  

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