Week of 5/9/16

Good afternoon & happy Friday-

Thank you to the many families that attending our Summer Kick-Off Event on Tuesday night.  The end of the year season of celebrations is upon us and my greatest wish is that our AHS are safe throughout each event.

Prom is just hours away and I am hoping the rain holds off.  We are looking forward to a fun, special, and safe evening with the Class of 2017 and their guests.  Just a reminder that students must stay at the prom until at least 10pm.  Parents will be notified of anyone leaving any earlier.



Senior exams/Senior Week and Graduation are just around the corner.  The schedules are now posted on the AHS website.  All seniors are expected to attend graduation rehearsals and community service day.  We will be meeting with the class next week to share details, answer questions and share the permission slip.

Seniors will receive their caps, gowns, and invitations on Thursday, June 2nd after rehearsal.  All obligations (return books, parking pass, etc., pay off cafeteria account, etc.) must be met before the can receive the gown. Please contact me at kstcoeur@ashland.k12.ma.us if there is a financial hardship with meeting an obligation.

If you have any special seating needs, such as reserving a spot for a relative with a disability, please contact the AHS front office.

Please mark your calendar for Class Day on June 3rd at 10am.  Families and the community are welcome to attend.  This is a wonderful event celebrating the accomplishments of the Class of 2016 and their opportunity to say thank you to everyone who has supported them along the way.


Student Government has a lot of exciting news to share this week!

Back in the fall, the seniors won a barbecue from the Student Council, for being the most-spirited class during Homecoming week.  Their barbecue will take place on Wednesday, May 18th during their normally-scheduled lunch period.  If any students would prefer a veggie burger to a regular burger and they didn't tell their English teacher, they must let Mr. Wiczer know as soon as possible

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Congratulations to the newly elected Student Council Executive Board for the 2016-2017 school year!

President: Nick Fetherston, '17

Vice President: Kwesi Sakyi, '18

Secretary: Claire Cushman, '18

Treasurer: Alicia Ramones, '17

Historian / Publicity: Kelsey Collins, '17

 I am also excited the share the National Honor Society board for 2016-2017:

President: Caitlin Keaveny

Vice-President: Chrissy Tosti

Secretary: Elizabeth Gleason

Treasurer: Annie Spielberger 

Community Service Coordinator: Olivia Francis-Anspach

It is time to get ready for elections for the 2016-2017 school year.  Please read and share the important information below:

Anyone student interested in running for a class officer or Student Council rep position should pick up a nomination packet from Ms. Twomey, Mr. McGann, Ms. Vargeletis, Mr. Wiczer, or the front office.  Nomination forms are due to Mr. Wiczer or the front office no later than 2pm on Friday, May 27th.

In addition, we are holding elections for the five-person School Committee Advisory Council.  This group, made up of five students, meets bi-monthly with the Ashland School Committe, sharing with them what's going on at the high school and offering opinions on policies that will directly affect students.  In addition, one student from this group will be elected to serve as the "Student Representative" to the School Committee, sitting at the table with the School Committee at all meetings and offering the student opinion on their discussions.  Any student interested in running should pick up a blue nomination form from Mr. Wiczer.  Nomination forms are due by Friday, May 27th.

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State Senator Karen Spilka is creating a "Youth Advisory Council."  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, to discuss matters related to teens. 

Goals of the Council:

• Provide the students with an understanding of the legislative process and state government.
• Maintain an active dialogue among the students, office advisors, and myself regarding current events and topics both on the state and federal level.
• Identify legislative opportunities for student involvement.
• Teach students about the State House and careers in government, for example, taking them on a tour of the building, having them attend committee hearings, and potentially plan a trip to another political institution in the district or a state agency.
• Help students gain valuable skills by holding training sessions on topics such as leadership, public speaking, and/or media relations.

Requirements of Council Nominees:

• Must be in their Junior or Senior year
• Must be able to travel to the State House for meetings.
• Must be a member of Senator Spilka's district 
• Must have a strong interest in the political process and ideally plays an active role in his or her community and/or school.

Requirements of the Council as a whole:

• Students must do their best to make all of the meetings. They will get out what they put into it, and we have many staff members working hard to create a meaningful opportunity for students.
• Students should be aware the program ends in May. We will continue this Council in upcoming years and we want to give this opportunity to as many students as possible!

Any students interested in running for one of the two positions from Ashland should see Mr. Wiczer by Friday, May 27th.

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On Thursday, May 19th, the Student Council will be running a "Voter Registration Drive" during lunch, for the November election.  All students who will be 18 or older by the election are encouraged to register to vote.  They should bring a photocopy of an ID that includes their address.   (Acceptable identifications include a valid driver's license or photo ID, a bank statement, a government check, or any other government-issued document that shows their name and address.)  Ms. Gallant is available to photocopy these in the library, for free, prior toThursday, May 19th.  All students who register to vote will get a cookie (and the satisfaction of performing their civic duty!)

Students who will be out-of-town for the November election are encouraged to request an absentee ballot from the Ashland Town Hall, in the fall.

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The phrase I have heard most this past week is, “May is so busy!”. We’re almost there, folks! Five and a half weeks until school ends. We can make it if we do a couple small things each day to take care of ourselves.

1. Make dinner easier. Grill, make pasta salads, or sandwiches. These can all be made quickly with healthy ingredients.
2. Move your body every day. Exercise can boost endorphins, increase energy, and reduce anxiety. You don’t need to run 5 miles every day, just try to move your body for 20 minutes every day. Go for a walk after dinner or early in the morning, play soccer with your kids, dance in the kitchen, jump rope - do something you enjoy
3. Teacher gifts do not need to be pinterest worthy.  Don’t stress yourself out making, or finding, the perfect gifts for teachers/coaches/instructors. What they really want is a heartfelt note from your child/family.
4. Call a friend. Chatting and laughing with a friend can immediately make you feel less stressed.
5. Relax for 20 minutes every day. Take a bath, do yoga, read a book, meditate, watch a tv show with your spouse or kids.
6. Hug your kids.  Your kids are only this age, in this grade in school, once. Enjoy this time.

News from the AEFI:

Please join the AEFI at Samba next Thursday, 5/19, for our Samba AEFI Kickoff Event .  The Samba restaurant has kindly agreed to support the AEFI with 10% of all of our proceeds.  Samba has also generously agreed to provide the kickoff event attendees with an AEFI support card.  This card will benefit the AEFI with a continued 10% of proceeds on all future purchases.  The more attendees to the event, the more 10% support cards we will be provided to be used for all future purchases.  Looking for forward to seeing everyone!

Have a wonderful weekend!