Friday, May 26, 2017

Week of 5/22/17


Good evening & happy Memorial Day Weekend- 

Thank you to all that have served to keep our country safe and free.  

It has been so nice to drive into AHS this week and see this wonderful sign.  A big thank you goes to the Dunn family for their donation of the sign

The Class of 2017 spread out around Ashland today giving back.  Despite the rain they weeded, planted, picked up trash, and more.  They were phenomenal!




Senior Week officially begins on Tuesday, May 30.  Please see the attached letter and schedule for the fun-filled week of getting ready for graduation.   All graduation rehearsals are mandatory and we hope everyone will join in the fun.  
Class Day is on Friday, June 2 at 9:30am in the AHS gym and all are welcome to come support the senior class!




All seniors should submit to ashlandhs2k17@gmail.com 2-3 sentences to be read at graduation regarding future plans and expressions of gratitude.   They can also submit pictures to this address for inclusion in an iMovie to be presented at the Senior Banquet and before the graduation ceremony. Parents are encouraged to send in pictures too!  They would love to have pictures from everyone through the years!




Donate today - The Ashland Innovation Center seeks used and like-new devices, tools, and materials

The Ashland Innovation Center is in the process of collecting gently used/like new items from the greater Ashland community. These materials will be used to help k-12 students throughout Ashland as they participate in makerspace programs taking place in the AIC. Whether crafting with electronics and wood scraps, designing original products to print on our 3D printers, or inventing new devices to help us New Englanders get through another winter, the AIC will support the creative and entrepreneurial endeavors of many students. Our list is posted online here: https://goo.gl/VDrh3l

The materials we are looking for are a mix of arts & crafts, woodworking, sewing, electronics and more. We are not asking for people to go out and make purchases on our behalf, instead we want to take advantage of things that have started collecting dust in your house, garage, attic, off site storage, etc. 

To make a materials donation to the AIC or point us in the direction of a person or business that may be able to help, please contact Chad McGowan via email (cmcgowan@ashland.k12.ma.us) and let him know what you are interested in donating. We will try to keep the online version of this list up to date. Any items we receive, which we no longer have need of, will be returned to owner. If that is not possible, they will be donated or recycled.



Thank you for your support,
The Ashland Innovation Center Committee



Please be sure to check out all of the other important events happening around town in the Parent Flyers!


Thursday, June 1, 2017 7:00 pm -9:00 pm
at the Ashland Community Center

Your input is needed to make the Ashland Multi-Use Trail a success!  Please join Alta Planning + Design and Kleinfelder, trail consultants; and the Ashland Upper Charles Trail Committee on Thursday, June 1, 2017 at 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at the Ashland Community Center in a trail planning discussion on the proposed draft alignments.
At the last Community Meeting maps were laid out and folks were encouraged to markup the maps with their own ideas of where and how this trail should go through Town.  Alta Planning and Design has developed your ideas into a couple of trail options which they will be presenting on June 1st.  Your knowledge and experience is needed as the pros and cons of each alignment are discussed.  This feedback will help determine the most viable trail option.
With the ground work laid by the Ashland Upper Charles Trail Committee, Alta Planning + Design was hired by the Town to plan a viable trail option.  Because Ashland does not have an intact abandoned rail bed, the proposed trial will probably be a combination of on-road and off-road paths



Ashland Raises Healthy & Happy Kids: Four Traits That Put Kids at an Increased Risk for Addiction
New research at The University of Montreal is looking at how a child’s temperament drives his or her risk for drug use. They have identified certain traits that create different pathways to addiction. Recognizing that most teenagers who try alcohol, cocaine, opioids or methamphetamine do not become addicted, this research focuses on what’s different about the minority who do. They have identified four traits that seem to increase the risk for addiction. Luckily these traits can be identified early, and treatment/interventions can start young to, hopefully, decrease the risk of addiction.
  1. Sensation seeking - People drawn to intense experiences will probably like drugs.
  2. Impulsiveness - Many children diagnosed with ADD/ADHD can be impulsive. This can put them at a higher risk for addiction.
  3. Anxiety sensitivity - Children who are overly aware and frightened of physical signs of anxiety could start having panic attacks. They then might turn to drugs or alcohol to “calm down”.
  4. Hopelessness - Hopelessness can lead to depression which can then lead to self-medicating with drugs or alcohol.

Identifying these traits in your children and teaching them healthy coping skills and helping them change the way they think, may reduce their chance of addiction.

Dear High-Schooler,

In its 7th year, Harvard's Youth Lead the Change program for high schoolers (rising 9th to 12th graders) will run for five days from August 21-25, 2017 and will be held on Harvard's campus. Youth Lead the Change is a leadership program led by a team of Harvard undergraduates that seeks to provide high school kids with tangible leadership skills and empower them to be leaders in their communities. The program features guest speakers who are foremost leaders in their fields as well as numerous projects and modules to hone strong leadership skills. More information about the program can be found at http://www.harvardylc.com/The application deadline has now been extended to June 5th.

If you are interested, you can apply here! If you have previously attended a YLC conference and would like to become a Junior Counselor, please apply here.

The program costs $200 for the five days and this fee includes lunch every day as well as all other materials provided throughout the program. Financial aid is available and we are need blind in our application decisions.  The financial aid application can be found here

Please do not hesitate to reach out to me if you have any questions! I can be reached over email at jenny_liu@college.harvard.edu.

Sincerely,
Jenny Liu
Harvard College

Director of YLC Boston


Have a wonderful weekend!

Friday, May 19, 2017

Week of 5/15/17

Good afternoon and happy Friday!

From the sounds of it many of you are getting ready to head off to the movie set! I hope it is a fun evening for the whole Ashland community. Stay cool!


On May 22nd  and 24th, all members of the Sophomore class will receive the Signs of Suicide curriculum in history class. Mental health well being has always been part of the wellness curriculum.  This year we are partnering with Riverside Trauma Center to use a new curriculum.  This is a suicide prevention program that will provide students with information that will help them recognize the symptoms of depression and/or suicide in themselves, friends and loved ones.  The focus is not to determine if they are suffering from depression, but identify if they may have symptoms that indicate a need for further evaluation.  In each class there will be a video, class discussion and for those whose parents have consented to, a screening tool. Their history teacher, a counselor and a Riverside staff person will be present during the class as they receive the program. The program is scheduled for the entire class period.  


All sophomores received a hard copy of the consent form attached here earlier this week and it is posted on the website. Because we are working with an outside agency we are asking that all 10th grade parents sign a form, either consenting for the student to participate in the screening tool or declining their child's participation in the screening tool. Please sign the form and return it to me digitally, if possible, this weekend.  We still have about 50 outstanding forms.  You may also send it in with your student on Monday morning and ask them to bring it to the main office.  

Class of 2017!
Today was the last full official day of classes for the Class of 2017.  We met with them yesterday to discuss the expectations for the next two weeks.  I could not be more proud of this group of students.  They are ready for a great end to their experience as Ashland Public School students.  

Exams are scheduled for the coming week. Seniors do not need to be in school when they do not have an exam based on the schedule attached. If they have any questions about expectations they should check in with me or Ms. Carreiro.  The Senior Week exam schedule is attached here.  

On Friday, May 26 all members of the Class of 2017 will participate in our annual Community Service Day. They will start the day at AHS with a presentation from the Massachusetts Fallen Heroes Program at 8am.  From there students will spread out around town to give back to the community!

Senior Week begins on Tuesday, May 30.  Please see the attached information for the fun-filled week of getting ready for graduation.  Class Day is on Friday, June 2 at 9:30am in the AHS gym and all are welcome to come support the senior class!


News from Student Council:
It's election time at AHS!  Any student interested in running for a class officer or Student Council rep position should pick up a nomination packet from Ms. Graham, Ms. Kulik, Mr. McGann, Mr. Wiczer or the front office.  Nomination forms are due by 2pm on Friday, May 26th to Mr. Wiczer or to the front office.

In addition to class officer elections, we're also running elections for the "School Committee Advisory Council." This five-member group meets once every other month with the school committee to update them on things going on at the high school and to offer opinions on policies that will directly affect students.  One member of this group will be chosen (by the members of the group) to serve as the official student representative to the school committee, attending all meeting and offering the student perspective on various matters.  Any student interested in running should pick up a blue nomination form from Mr. Wiczer.  Nomination forms are due by Friday, May 26th at 2pm.


Please join us as well as several community sponsors at "Courageous Conversations" on Monday, May 22nd, at 6:30pm in the Ashland High School Cafeteria (click on this link to access registration for Free Babysitting during the event). "In the true spirit of community, please join us for a town-wide conversation about how we can work together, united for an inclusive and respectful Ashland."  AHS students will be helping to co-facilitate the discussion and work to help make Ashland the best community it can be.  

Tuesday, May 23rd the Attorney General's office will be at AHS to present Project Safe Childhood for students in grades 9 & 11 during the day and for parents in the evening.  This evening event, open for parents of all grades, will focus on keeping kids safe on the internet and will use actual data collected from AHS students on their internet use! Join us in the AHS auditorium at 6:30pm for this important discussion.  


Please be sure to check out all of the other important events happening around town in the Parent Flyers!

Friday, May 12, 2017

Week of 5/8/17

Good afternoon-

In just about an hour the school will be filled with the community waiting to watch one of the AHS events of the year, the Grand March!  It is such a fun evening and I am thrilled to see the sun coming out to shine.  I was worried about rain dampening the prom finery!  I hope that all prom-goer's have a wonderful, safe, good choices evening.  Tonight is a special evening and I am looking forward to everyone having a wonderful time but it is also a night that many of us in the district spend sleepless, worrying that all of the students are safe. Please encourage your child to make good choices and to have a plan with you if they are in a situation they feel could potentially be dangerous.


A reminder to all 10th grade parents:
Monday, May 15th at 5:30pm we will present information on the Signs of Suicide program. All 10th grade students will participate in this program during the week of May 22nd in their history class.  Please read the attached letter and return the consent form, either a hard copy or digitally, ASAP to the main office.  You can email your consent to Linda Chaney at lchaney@ashland.k12.ma.us.  This is an important program and we strongly believe 10th grade students should participate.

Class of 2017!
Monday is the start of the last full week of classes for the Class of 2017.  Exams are scheduled for the week of May 22.  The Senior Week exam schedule is attached here.  

On Friday, May 26 all members of the Class of 2017 will participate in our annual Community Service Day. They will start the day at AHS with a presentation from the Massachusetts Fallen Heroes Program at 8am.  From there students will spread out around town to give back to the community!

A message from Student Council:
It's election time at AHS!  Any student interested in running for a class officer or Student Council rep position should pick up a nomination packet from Ms. Graham, Ms. Kulik, Mr. McGann, Mr. Wiczer or the front office.  Nomination forms are due by 2pm on Friday, May 26th to Mr. Wiczer or to the front office.

In addition to class officer elections, we're also running elections for the "School Committee Advisory Council."  This five-member group meets once every other month with the school committee to update them on things going on at the high school and to offer opinions on policies that will directly affect students.  One member of this group will be chosen (by the members of the group) to serve as the official student representative to the school committee, attending all meeting and offering the student perspective on various matters.  Any student interested in running should pick up a blue nomination form from Mr. Wiczer.  Nomination forms are due by Friday, May 26th at 2pm.


The last "Career Night" of the year at Ashland High School will focus on construction trades, including electricians, carpenters, plumbers, and heating/cooling specialists; interior designers, and architects.  Join us on Wednesday, May 17th at 7 pm in the Ashland High School auditorium to learn more about these occupations from experts in the field!


​​The Apke family of Ashland are going to Africa on a humanitarian trip to help build a school in Malawi in June. They are collecting​ ​school supplies to ​take with them. D​onation box​es will be​ in ​the school lobby​ at Ashland High School, Ashland Middle School and the Mindess School on ​Tuesday May 9 and remain for two weeks.  Click here for the list of items needed!

Please be sure to check out all of the other important events happening around town in the Parent Flyers!

Ashland Post Office Food Drive:
Attention Ashland residents, please leave a bag of non-expired food out by your mail box for Saturday, May 13th's mail pick up.  The postal carriers deliver this food directly to the Ashland Food Pantry.  The Ashland Food Pantry relies heavily on these annual food drives, these donations will allow the food pantry to serve residents during the summer months.  
Thank you,
Cara Tirrell, Director
Ashland Food Pantry


Ashland Raises Healthy & Happy Kids: Weighty Matters
We live in a fat-phobic society, and obesity in the United States is a big problem with major health consequences. Many parents want to protect their children from getting fat, but sometimes it seems like parents think that their main goal is to control their child’s weight, when that is actually very dangerous. Below are some tips and body image discussion topics.
  1. Genetics drive body size. If you are in a larger body, if your partner is in a larger body, if all of your relatives are in larger bodies, then it is very likely that your children will be in larger bodies. And that’s not something for you to control – that’s just your child’s genetic body type. It is important to discuss this with your children while also encouraging healthy food choices and activity.
  2. Don’t restrict food. When people feel at a young age that there are a lot of food limitations, they often feel that they want to binge more as they gain independence in life. Again, guide kids toward healthy food choices but do not tell them they cannot have a cupcake at a birthday party.
  3. Talk about food. Talk about food preferences, satiety and hunger. Talk about good feelings after eating to demonstrate that food is nourishing, not a reward or punishment. Don’t say things like “I feel so disgusting, I can’t believe I ate that.” Or “I’m going to have to work that off in the gym later.” Enjoy your food and help your children learn to enjoy their food. When they truly feel nourished by food, there is no need to use food against themselves.
  4. Allow food preferences. We all have foods we like and foods we dislike. Encourage children to recognize and honor their own preferences. Show that you trust your child and your child’s body even when it wants different things than yours does.
  5. Work on yourself. Parents need to be aware of their own issues. I cannot emphasize this enough: Kids notice everything! They notice when you pull your shirt out because you feel fat. They know when you are dieting, even if you think you’re hiding it from them. You can’t shield your child from your own eating habits, so it’s important that you work on your own body relationship.
  6. Puberty usually means weight gain. Talk to your children about what will happen to their bodies during puberty. Talk about the very natural fact that most healthy bodies get rounder during pre-adolescence and adolescence.
  7. Fat is not a feeling. The minute a kid says, “I feel fat,” which can start when they are very young, ask them what they are really trying to say. Often it is actually I feel scared, I feel lonely, I feel out of control. Fat is not a feeling. What is your child really trying to tell you?
  8. Toxic Society. Talk to your children and let them know that natural bodies are perfectly acceptable, and there is no need for us to feel that we must live up to the airbrushed perfection presented to us in the media. There are videos online you can watch with your children that show how models are transformed from everyday people to the images we see in the media.

Sunday, May 7, 2017

week of 5/1/17


Good afternoon and happy Sunday!

I hope you are all enjoying the sunshine before more rain heads our way.

After seeing many pictures this weekend of family and friends from other communities I am looking forward to the AHS prom this Friday, May 12.  This year the prom is being held at Lombardo's in Randolph.  The actual Prom is 7-11pm and all attendees are expected to stay at the event for the evening.  Any prom-goers's wishing to leave early will need parent permission to do so.  We always announce the AHS Court towards the end of the evening and the Court is chosen by the chaperones based on who looks like they are having the most fun!  

The Grand March will start at 5:30pm at AHS in the gym.  This is always a wonderful community event and all are welcome to attend to see the students off for a great evening.  It is fun to see how nicely they clean up and their newly learned dance skills. 

May 12 is an Early Release Day for all students.  We dismiss at 11:40am.  Prom attendees are expected to be in school for the day.  

I invite all students and parents, especially those attending Prom or getting ready to graduate to join us for our annual Summer Send-Off on Tuesday, May 9 in the AHS auditorium at 7pm (note adjusted time from last week). 


We will have some great raffle prizes for all that attend!!!!
-Free prom ticket
-Free senior week ticket
-Free parking for the 2017-2018 school year
-VIP graduation seating
-VIP graduation parking
- and more!!!!

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The evening will feature John Morello, actor and headlining comedian most known for creating the critically acclaimed one-man show "Dirt", will be performing for us at 7 pm on May 9th in the AHS auditorium. Dirt is a one-man show that explores the challenges and decisions that young people face every day. Dirt gets to the heart of issues related to drugs, bullying, and self esteem in a manner that resonates with audiences in a real and meaningful way.  Through the portrayal of relatable and memorable characters, John Morello gives voice to those who sometimes feel as though they are not heard and reassurance to those who sometimes feel as though they are not understood. John does not preach, teach, or lecture; instead, he takes students on a journey that challenges them to think about the choices they make and how those choices impact their own lives and the lives of those around them. Prior to John's performance DA Marian Ryan and Ashland Chief of Police Craig Davis will speak about social host liability and other concerns related to prom and graduation season.  

Advanced Placement exams started last week and will continue through this week.  A reminder that students are expected to be in school for the entire day on test days.   

Monday also kicks off the last two full weeks of classes for the Class of 2017.  Exams are scheduled for the week of May 22.  The Senior Week exam schedule is attached here.  

On Friday, May 26 all members of the Class of 2017 will participate in our annual Community Service Day. They will start the day at AHS with a presentation from the Massachusetts Fallen Heroes Program at 8am.  From there students will spread out around town to give back to the community!


​​The Apke family of Ashland are going to Africa on a humanitarian trip to help build a school in Malawi in June. They are collecting​ ​school supplies to ​take with them. D​onation box​es will be​ in ​the school lobby​ at Ashland High School, Ashland Middle School and the Mindess School on ​Tuesday May 9 and remain for two weeks.  Click here for the list of items needed!
Please be sure to check out all of the other important events happening around town in the Parent Flyers!

Ashland Raises Healthy & Happy Kids:
Six Subtle Signs of Depression You Should Not Ignore
Some people with depression may experience very severe symptoms, and seek help. Others may have such subtle symptoms they don’t think depression is the problem.  Like the classic signs of depression — persistent low mood and loss of pleasure — these more subtle symptoms can also affect how well a person is feeling and functioning.
  1. Changes in sleep can indicate depression. For depressed people, sleep is not restorative. People may also experience psychomotor agitation which can cause restlessness and an inability to get comfortable.
  2. A muddled mind. Or a slowness of thinking, forgetfulness or difficulty making decisions can be signs of depression.
  3. Worrying too much and thinking too much. This is called “rumination”. People who ruminate get caught in a loop of replaying negative situations or looking at neutral situations in a negative way, or over-analyzing things. Rumination can increase the chances of becoming depressed and make depression last longer.
  4. Weight changes can be a warning sign of depression. Some people may start to eat too much. Others may lose interest in food. These changes in eating patterns may be accompanied by fatigue and a loss of pleasure.
  5. Not being as engaged or expressive. Social withdrawal and isolation are hallmark symptoms of depression. But another symptom to look out for is a “flat” or “blunted” affect, basically a decrease in emotional expression.
  6. Physical pain. Depression does hurt and may be the cause of many unexplained physical problems, including headaches, digestive issues, and back pain, among others.
If you are worried about these symptoms in yourself or a loved one, please talk with your doctor or seek help from a mental health professional.