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:  

AHS Graduation 2016

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.