Friday, May 24, 2019

May 27, 2019

Happy Memorial Day Weekend-


A request from the AHS Robotics Club for used Legos:
It is that time of year again, when we get ready for summer and consider what lies ahead in the fall. For the AHS Robotics club, that means planning for Ashland Day and the Robot Rodeo! One of our best fund raisers is through the generosity of Ashland families donating used Legos to our club. We then repackage them and sell them at a reasonable price in order to raise the funds needed to go to our annual competition. If you have any Legos to donate, please reach out to Chad McGowan, cmcgowan@ashland.k12.ma.us, or just drop them to the high school office labeled "Robotics" and we will get them. Thank you to all who continue to support STEAM education throughout Ashland.


Here is a list of upcoming important events at AHS:
May 28-31- Senior Week!  A reminder to seniors, permission slips must be in for attendance at senior week events.
June 2- Graduation 1pm- AHS gym
June 4-5- Science MCAS (Biology)


Check out the Parent Flyers  to see what is going on around the schools and town!

Friday, May 17, 2019

May 17, 2019

Good afternoon-
I am sitting here thinking it looks like the rain has finally stopped.  I hope it at least holds off for the next few hours as our junior prom go-er's are out taking pictures.  I am looking forward to seeing the students in their prom finery soon!  I hope they all have a fun evening filled with lots of laughs and good choices.

Today was the last full day of classes for the Class of 2019! Bittersweet but exciting. I heard a lot of "that was my last... class at AHS" in the halls this morning.
Here is a reminder of the senior exam and senior week schedules.  Seniors must have returned a permission slip in order to attend the senior week events.
They will receive their caps and gowns on Tuesday, May 28 at the conclusion of the first graduation rehearsal.  Please review the information carefully and remind your student to be present and on-time for all exam and senior week required activities!

I missed including the Math MCAS in my list of important dates.  All sophomores will be testing on Tuesday, May 21 and Wednesday, May 22.  This is once again a computer based test.  Encourage your student to get a good night's sleep and eat a healthy breakfast on those days!

Are you interested in attending a service and tourism trip to South Africa next February break? If so, there is an informational meeting for students and parents on Wednesday May 22 in Ms. Hogan's room at 7:00 PM. All are welcome!


Here is a list of upcoming important events at AHS:
May 17- Grand March 5:30pm- AHS gym
              Prom - Union Station, Worcester
May 20-24- Senior finals week
May 21-22- Math MCAS (all sophomores)
May 28-31- Senior Week!
June 2- Graduation 1pm- AHS gym
June 4-5- Science MCAS (Biology)



Check out the Parent Flyers  to see what is going on around the schools and town!

Sunday, May 12, 2019

May 12, 2019

Good afternoon-
If you are a mom I hope you are enjoying a restful day!

A message from the Superintendent: As a District one of our goals is to become better communicators with parents/guardians and the community at-large.  In an effort to determine how successful we are and in what areas we need to improve upon, I have created a very short survey which I ask for your participation.  The survey should take no more than 3 minutes and your input will be very helpful.

Should you have any questions or problems with the survey please let me know. The link to the survey is below.



Hello Ashland Families and Community!
American Culture Study Plan is looking for local home stay families to host international students coming from China for the 2019-2020 academic school year.
If you live in the Ashland area, with an open room or two, and would like to earn some money while learning about a foreign culture while sharing our American culture, then please contact American Culture Study Plan.
ACSP will be attending the following Ashland events to search for more host families. If you are thinking of attending these events, then please stop by a say hello or “nihao” to Brennan at the American Culture Study Plan banner.
May 23rd Middle School Band @ Ashland High School 7PM
June 5th Mindess Chorus @ Mindess Auditorium 6PM
June 6th Mindess Chorus @ Middle School 7PM
June 12th Middle School Band @ Ashland High School 7PM
Contact Brennan Benjamin with American Culture Study Plan if you are interested or have any questions
Phone: 619-609-9270

News from Student Council:
Class Officer Elections
Any student interested in running for a class officer position or Student Council rep position should pick up a nomination form from Mr. McGann, Ms. Dicken, Ms. Twomey, Mr. Wiczer, or the front office.  

School Committee Advisory Council:
Does your child want to have a voice on the Ashland School Committee, sharing with them what's going on at the high school and offering opinions on policies that will directly affect students?  They should consider running for one of five positions on the School Committee Advisory Council.  Interested students should pick up a blue nomination form from Mr. Wiczer in B251.  

Youth Advisory Council:
State Senator Karen Spilka is looking for one current sophomore from AHS to serve on her "Youth Advisory Council" (alongside a current junior from AHS who will continue on the council next year.)  This group, made up of 2 students from each town that she represents, will meet once every other month with her at the State House, in Boston, or locally in MetroWest to discuss matters related to teens.  Interested sophomores should pick up an orange nomination form from Mr. Wiczer in B251.

State Advisory Council:
Ashland High School is looking for students interested in running for the State Student Advisory Council for the 2018-2019 school year.  This group, made up of two students from every school in the Commonwealth, meets once a month to discuss issues related to education policy and the impacts on students.  For more information on this group, please see: http://www.doe.mass.edu/sac/  Interested students should pick up a green nomination form from Mr. Wiczer in B251.   



Nomination forms for all of these positions are due to Mr. Wiczer (in B251) or the Main Office by Thursday, May 23rd at 2:50pm.  Late nomination forms will not be accepted under any circumstances.  


Driver's Education:
Recently we have seen a significant rise in students leaving during the school day to do their driving hours.  While we realize the hours can be difficult to book outside of school hours we ask that you encourage your student to book the time after school and on weekends, or at least during their study halls.  Missing class for a driving hour is not an excused absence and we are hearing that students are missing valuable content.  Thank you.


Students interested in taking a College Essay class in June, July or August, registration forms are located in the main office & guidance. 

The next two months are super busy at AHS.  Here is a list of upcoming important events:
May 13-May 17- AP exams (see AHS calendar for schedule)
May 13- Academic Awards Night 7pm- AHS auditorium
May 17- Early ReleaseDay- students dismissed at 12:35pm/lunch is served
              Grand March 5:30pm- AHS gym
              Prom - Union Station, Worcester
May 20-24- Senior finals week
May 21-22- Math MCAS (all sophomores)
May 28-31- Senior Week!
June 2- Graduation 1pm- AHS gym
June 4-5- Science MCAS (Biology)
June 11-17- Final Exams (grades 9-11)


Check out the Parent Flyers  to see what is going on around the schools and town!

Friday, May 3, 2019

May 3, 2019

Good evening and happy May!

This morning I had the great privilege of attending the 2019 Leadership in Diversity Awards which honored one student from each high school in attendance who models and celebrates diversity and works to increase our understanding of the community we live in.  It was an honor to watch junior Natalia Ferraz receive the award.  She is a young woman who goes out of her way to create a welcoming and supportive environment at AHS.  


Students of the Term:
Each term the faculty nominates students who have exemplified the core values over the course of the term.  Our Positive Support team then tallies the results and chooses one student to earn recognition for each value. Their accomplishment was announced today and their picture will hang in our front lobby. We are so proud of these students and the example they set at AHS.
Respect - EJ Smither
Responsibility - Wilson Lin
Integrity - Jessica Rodrigues
Involvement - Allie Chrisafideis
Achievement - Aaron Greenstein

Parents and guardians of Seniors- 
The Senior Class Officers are putting together a slideshow to be displayed during the senior banquet and before graduation begins. In order to make the slideshow a success we need your help! Please send any pictures you may have (from high school or when students were younger) that we can include in the slideshow to this email Clockerseniorpictures2019@gmail.com. We are looking for group pictures and photos from school and community related events. Thank you!  


The next two months are super busy at AHS.  Here is a list of upcoming important events:
May 6-May 17- AP exams (see AHS calendar for schedule)
May 13- Academic Awards Night 7pm- AHS auditorium
May 17- Grand March 5:30pm- AHS gym
              Prom - Union Station, Worcester
May 20-24- Senior finals week
May 28-31- Senior Week!
June 2- Graduation 1pm- AHS gym
June 4-5- Science MCAS (Biology)
June 11-17- Final Exams (grades 9-11)




Is your student interested in Cyber Security, Advanced Cyber Security, Information Systems Technology & Management, Web Design, Web Developer, Technology Support, and/or Information Technology?  MassBay Community College and their STEM Starter Academy is offering a FREE Scripting course to AHS students next fall.  The course is a requirement for all of the above majors and you can complete these majors at MassBay!

The goal of the program is to reach under-represented, first-generation, and/or low-income students. This is a great opportunity to get you to experience a college class while still in high school.  Earn credit while exploring a potential career path.  MassBay will provide academic support and we will provide technology needs.  We are working on transportation for students that may need it.  We are encouraging current sophomores and juniors to apply but MassBay is flexible.  If you are interested let me know!   

Let me know if you have any questions. 

I am attaching the flyer about the class as well as some information about other great FREE summer programs that are available.




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Make this a family fun event while helping clean up Ashland, our community, our home! 

Join Green Up Ashland on May 4 for this annual 'spring cleaning' event to help sustain our neighborhoods free of trash and beautify Ashland. 

This years event will take place on Saturday May4th 9am till noon - registration and bag pickup at the Stone Park Pavilion.


Feel free to sign up through the link provided.