December 20, 2019

Happy winter break and happy holidays to all who celebrate at this time. I wish you all the best as 2019 comes to an end and a healthy, happy 2020.

Our newly formed TV/Video club had a fun this week creating a Holiday Trivia video. I hope you learn some fun facts!

We return to school on Thursday, January 2, 2020 and it will be a quick three weeks until mid-terms begin.

Mid-terms:
The schedule for Mid-term exams is found here. Exams are scheduled for January 23, 24, 27, and 28, 2020. Students only need to be in attendance for the time of their exams. Teachers will be available during assigned class times for students needing extra help. 

Honor a senior in the yearbook

Parents of seniors, it is not too late to order an ad in the yearbook to congratulate your child for all of their high school accomplishments! These ads will include your chosen photos and text. Visit www.yearbookordercenter.com to place your ad (and buy a book if you need to) ASAP. Space is limited.

Seal of Biliteracy:
Ashland Public Schools is pleased to once again partner with the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to offer the State Seal of Biliteracy as a means to recognize high school graduates who attain high functional and academic levels of proficiency in English and a foreign language. Specifically, proficiency means that students can function in both languages in authentic, real-life situations. The Seal of Biliteracy is a special state insignia that will be affixed to the graduate's diploma. We are inviting all members of the Class of 2020 to register their intent to test of the Seal by Friday, January 3, 2020. The test for language proficiency will be administered during mid-term exams.

2020 Seal of Biliteracy letter (English)

2020 Seal of Biliteracy letter (Português)

2020 Seal of Biliteracy letter (Español)

2020 Seal of Biliteracy letter (русский)   

December 13, 2019

Good afternoon-

The winter break is quickly approaching and you can feel the excitement in the building. As a reminder, next Friday, December 20 is an early release day. AHS students are dismissed at 12:35pm. Students return to class on Thursday, January 2, 2020.

News from Student Council:

The Clocker Idol - Season 6

On Thursday, December 19th, the Ashland High School Student Council will be presenting the sixth 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 all the proceeds will go to the Ashland Emergency Fund.  The entire community is invited to watch this family-friendly event and help vote on who the next "Clocker Idol" will be.

The participants are: Britney Castelly, Caroline Ellis, Leanne Fejer, Justin Galang, Brandon Kohn, Brady McGuire, Jack Nathanson, Emma Pawl and Elisa Torres.  

Maeve McMahon (the season 5 winner) will give a special performance.  

The MCs for the event are: Brigid McSweeney and Jill Sternick

The judges for the event are: Mr. Alberts, Ms. Lachapelle, Ms. Nemeth, Prof. Rufo-Curran, and Ms. Twomey

Check out our promotional video online: https://youtu.be/1x1yyXDqzO4

Have a wonderful weekend!

December 6, 2019

Good afternoon-

If you are attending tomorrow's AHS football championship game at Gillette please review the attached directions and expectations. Hope to see you there. Go Clockers!

Ashland High School hosts exchange students from China each year. Are you interested in welcoming  student into your home? Check out the attached flyer for more information. Click here to read more about the Cambridge Network Host Family Network and referral bonus.

Important Upcoming dates:

December                               

12             Winter Concert                                                                  7:00 – 9:00 pm

19             Clocker Idol                                                                       7:00 – 9:00 pm

20             Early Release                                                                   12:35 pm

Challenge Day : Coming January 29, 2020

Imagine a school where everyone feels safe, loved and celebrated. Imagine enemies finding common ground and making peace; friends healing past hurts and making amends; people igniting their passion for service and leadership; adults and youth working together to create a school where everyone is included and thrives. This is Challenge Day. 

On Wednesday, January 29, 2020 Ashland High School will host its 3rd annual Challenge Day. We invite 100 students who have not participated in the program before to join 25 teen leaders and 25 adults in a day of fun, community building, held in the gym. It is a memorable, life-changing day that helps to build empathy and connectedness. If you are interested please sign-up here. 

I hope you will join us for this amazing experience! We are so grateful for the Ashland PTO for their ongoing support of this event.

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to all! I hope you enjoy a wonderful break. I am thankful to the students at AHS who make this such a great school community. We had a great rally today that was a combination of fun, wishing the football team success, and celebrating the ways that all groups within our school give back to the community.

Each term the AHS faculty and staff recognizes students who go above and beyond to demonstrate the AHS Core Values.  Today we acknowledged the Term 1 students at the Thanksgiving pep rally.
The winners of the Term 1 Core Values awards are:

Respect - Tyler Magyar

Responsibility - Jewel Han

Integrity - Dom Cavanagh

Involvement - Ben Pepper

Achievement - Cristian Sánchez

Congratulations to them on this accomplishment! All students who were nominated will be celebrated at an upcoming breakfast.

Here are some videos and photos of the hallway decorating contest! Always a fun tradition.

Video of the hallways: https://youtu.be/DIhZLwn8k7Y

Photos from the hallways: https://photos.google.com/u/2/share/AF1QipPI24oCNSWOCBdQ3KiKaO5Q1kjWyK4xsEWChhz6bdGE_AL1VCAoBtiHhz2tDCP6Rg?key=U0VxaFZ2b2FpRDNLZkd5Wmp5Uk1XSlp6U1FvOTZB

Here is the information for the football championship games if you are interested

Friday, December 6th :
5:00 p.m			Div. 8 West Bridgewater vs St. Bernard’s
7:30 p.m			Div. 2  Lincoln Sudbury vs Mansfield
Saturday, December 7th  :
9:00 a.m.			Div. 7  Abington vs Leicester
11:00 a.m.			Div. 6 Bishop Fenwick vs Ashland
1:30 p.m.			Div. 5 Swampscott vs Amherst
3:30 p.m.			Div. 4 Melrose vs Plymouth South
6:00 p.m.			Div. 3 Duxbury vs Springfield Central
8:00 p.m.			Div. 1   St. John’s Prep vs Catholic Memorial

Ticket InformationTickets are currently available online via Ticketmaster and will also be available on game day at the Gillette Stadium Ticket Office. Tickets are $17 for adults and $14 for students/senior citizens. Children 5 years old and younger will receive free admission. The ticket price includes parking, admission to all championship games at the stadium on game day as well as a discount of $3 at the Hall at Patriot Place presented by Raytheon. Also included in the price of each ticket is a Town of Foxborough Stadium Use Fee.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving break!!!

November 22, 2019

Good afternoon-

We are looking forward to another fun spirit (short) week at AHS. This week we celebrate the ways in which our teams and clubs give back to AHS and the Ashland community. This season I am grateful for students who care about the larger world around them.

Thanksgiving Pancake Breakfast:

The Ashland High School Student Council would like to invite the entire Ashland community to join us for our Thanksgiving Week Pancake Breakfast on Sunday, November 24th, from 9am to 11am in the high school cafeteria (65 E. Union St.).  This family-friendly event is open to all ages!  $5 for all-you-can-eat pancakes, sausage, bacon, orange juice, and coffee / tea / hot chocolate.  

And check our commercial at: https://youtu.be/8HA7knDUczU

Any questions?  Contact the AHS Student Council at STUCO.ashland@gmail.com.

Hall Decorating:

On Monday, November 25th, all students are invited to join others from their grade and participate in the annual Hall Decorating Contest!  From 3pm - 7pm, students will work together to create a scene in four different hallways, showing off school spirit and creativity.  There will be pizza, chicken fingers, and fries for all participants (arriving around 5pm) and the class that wins will get free tickets to the Thanksgiving Football game (for all students in that grade who participated in hall decorating.)

Thanksgiving Spirit Week:

It's spirit week next week (November 25th - 27th) and the Student Council encourages all students to dress-up for each day!

Monday, November 25th - Pajama Day (wear your comfiest pajamas to school!)

Tuesday, November 26th - Jersey Day (wear a sports jersey or other sports attire to celebrate your favorite team!)

Wednesday, November 27th - Class Color Day (freshmen wear green, sophomores red, juniors blue, seniors white.)

 

Ashland Public Schools are seeking more substitute teachers.  If you are interested please contact Ms. Jaime Patriarca in our Human Resources Department at japatriarca@ashland.k12.ma.us or 508-881-0156 Opt.2



Please consider attending Senate President Spilka’s forum, Strategies for Student Stress for K-12 Parents, on January 14, 2020. Dinner and childcare will be provided. Make sure to register here soon as space is limited. 

Have a wonderful weekend!

November 15, 2019

Good afternoon-

Report cards are available today!  Grades have been published and are open in iParent/iStudent.  The My Documents tab has been updated to include a PDF copy of the Report Card for your convenience.  Please note that for students with Senior or NHS privileges attendance numbers reflect Excused Tardies & Dismissals for students with privileges.

Don't forget to order your 2020 Yearbook at the $85 price! 
The price goes up to $120 after December 15th so save some money and order today at yearbookordercenter.com now.


News from Student Council

Thanksgiving Pancake Breakfast:

The Ashland High School Student Council would like to invite the entire Ashland community to join us for our Thanksgiving Week Pancake Breakfast on Sunday, November 24th, from 9am to 11am in the high school cafeteria (65 E. Union St.).  This family-friendly event is open to all ages!  $5 for all-you-can-eat pancakes, sausage, bacon, orange juice, and coffee / tea / hot chocolate.  

And check our commercial at: https://youtu.be/8HA7knDUczU

Any questions?  Contact the AHS Student Council at STUCO.ashland@gmail.com.

Hall Decorating:

On Monday, November 25th, all students are invited to join others from their grade and participate in the annual Hall Decorating Contest!  From 3pm - 7pm, students will work together to create a scene in four different hallways, showing off school spirit and creativity.  There will be pizza, chicken fingers, and fries for all participants (arriving around 5pm) and the class that wins will get free tickets to the Thanksgiving Football game (for all students in that grade who participated in hall decorating.)

Thanksgiving Pep Rally - Bubble Soccer:

The Student Council is bringing "Bubble Soccer" to AHS for the Thanksgiving Rally on Wednesday, November 27th.  All students wishing to participate must pick up a liability waiver form from a member of the Student Council at lunch (or from Mr. Wiczer in B251) and return this with a parent signature by Friday, November 22nd.  All students who return a waiver will be entered into a raffle and five students from each grade will be chosen (at the rally) to participate!   Any questions?  Contact the Student council at STUCO.ashland@gmail.com

Ashland High School is sponsoring a blood drive on November 20 from 12-5pm!

Click this link and look for the event to sign up: Red Cross

Important Upcoming dates:

November

15             Report Cards
20             Red Cross Blood Drive                                                      1:00-6:00 pm

24             Pancake Breakfast                                                              9:00 – 11:00 am                        

27             Early Release                                                                    11:25 am

December                               

12             Winter Concert                                                                  7:00 – 9:00 pm

19             Clocker Idol                                                                       7:00 – 9:00 pm

20             Early Release                                                                   12:35 pm

Have a wonderful weekend!

                                   

November 8, 2019

Good afternoon-

Today is the close of Term 1. We are already quarter of the way through the year.
Report cards will be available in iStudent and iParent next Friday, November 15 after 3pm.

Thanks to those who have completed the brief Portrait of a Graduate survey already. If you have not please see below:
Ashland High School is in the process of developing a statement that is reflective of our collective vision for a graduate. We are seeking input from parents, students and faculty as we develop this statement. Please complete this brief survey and share your vision for the skills, habits and traits you hope our graduates will possess:
Portrait of the Graduate survey


Our nursing department will be starting postural screenings on all 9th grade students on December 11. Please review the attached letters for information.
Scoliosis letter- English
Scoliosis letter- Portuguese
Scoliosis Letter-Spanish-2019

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HAPPY FRIENDSGIVING FROM THE ASHLAND PTO!

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Have you become a 2019-20 Friend of the PTO yet?  This year the Ashland PTO has committed to spend $70,000 on in-school enrichment programming and field trips, made possible by the support of our Friends. Become a Friend by Thanksgiving and you could win one of two $50 Amazon gift cards! Winners will be announced Dec 2nd. All current 2019-20 members are eligible. Join or donate today at https://ashlandpto.com/join/

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

Ashland High School is sponsoring a blood drive on November 20 from 12-5pm!
Click this link and look for the event to sign up: Red Cross

Enjoy the long weekend and thank you to all of you who have served our country.

November 1, 2019

Good afternoon and happy November!

Seniors had lots of fun with the annual Halloween parade yesterday! It's hard to believe we are already a quarter of the way through the school year. 

Grades close for students this coming Friday, November 8. 
Report cards will be posted in iStudent/iParent the following Friday, November 15.
If you have questions or concerns about your student's academics please do not hesitate to reach out to their teacher or school counselor.


Ashland High School is in the process of developing a statement that is reflective of our collective vision for a graduate. We are seeking input from parents, students and faculty as we develop this statement. Please complete this brief survey and share your vision for the skills, habits and traits you hope our graduates will possess:
Portrait of the Graduate survey

From the Director of Counseling & Social-Emotional Learning

Please view the November 2019 SEL Family Newsletter focused on the competency of Self-Management.

There are lots of exciting things happening at AHS over the next couple of days! Hope to see many of you at the football game. the play, the Robot Rodeo, or the volleyball game Monday night.

Important Upcoming dates:

November

1/2            AHSTS Fall Production                                                     7:00 – 9:30 pm

3               AHSTS Fall Production                                                     2:00 – 4:30 pm

6               MCAS Make-up ELA Comp

7               MCAS Make-up Reading Session 1 & 2

8               MCAS Make-up Reading Session 3

                 Early Release                                                                    12:35 pm

                 Term 1 Ends              

13             MCAS Make-up Math Session 1

14             MCAS Make-up Math Session 2

                 Band Concert Night                                                           7:00 pm

15             Report Cards
20             Red Cross Blood Drive                                                      1:00-6:00 pm

24             Pancake Breakfast                                                              9:00 – 11:00 am                        

27             Early Release                                                                    11:25 am

Have a wonderful weekend!

October 25, 2019

Good afternoon and happy Friday-
I hope you are looking forward to this Family Reconnect Weekend.  

A reminder that Picture Retake day is Monday, October 28. 

News from the Athletic Department:

Winter Sports Registration is OPEN.  

The deadline to register is November 25th at noon.

To register go to:

https://www.familyid.com/organizations/ashland-high-school-athletic-department

Winter Meet the Coaches Night:

Tuesday, October 29th at 7pm in AHS Auditorium

For all MS and HS Students

Fall All-Sports Banquet:

Thursday, November 21st, 6:30PM in AHS Auditorium

For all MS and HS student-athletes & parents

Robot Rodeo 2019!

The AHS Robotics Club invites you and your family to join them for a day of Robot fun at the Ashland High School Cafeteria. Starting at 10:30am, the Robot Rodeo provides an all day experience for kids of all ages to come play with robots, learn about technology, build their own amazing Lego inventions, and have lots of fun! Join us on Saturday, Nov 2nd between 10:30 am and 3 pm. The entry cost is $10 per child and the funds go to support high school students competing in regional robotics competitions. Food will be available for purchase on site (pizza and snacks). Contact Chad McGowan with questions: cmcgowan@ashland.k12.ma.us

Important Upcoming dates:
October

24             NHS Induction                                                                  7:00 – 8:30 pm
28             Picture Retake Day
30             Senior Pictures Due
31             Class of 2020 Halloween Parade

November

1/2            AHSTS Fall Production                                                     7:00 – 9:30 pm

3               AHSTS Fall Production                                                     2:00 – 4:30 pm

6               MCAS Make-up ELA Comp

7               MCAS Make-up Reading Session 1 & 2

8               MCAS Make-up Reading Session 3

                 Early Release                                                                    12:35 pm

                 Term 1 Ends              

13             MCAS Make-up Math Session 1

14             MCAS Make-up Math Session 2

                 Band Concert Night                                                           7:00 pm

15             Report Cards
20             Red Cross Blood Drive                                                     1:00-6:00 pm

24             Pancake Breakfast                                                              9:00 – 11:00 am                        

27             Early Release                                                                    11:25 am

Have a wonderful weekend!

October 18, 2019

Good afternoon-

It's been another spirited Homecoming Week at AHS culminating in a fun-filled pep rally today. Students and teachers alike had lots of fun playing games and showing school pride. We look forward to seeing lots of people at the various games this weekend and are excited for a fun-fill, safe homecoming dance tomorrow.  As a reminder, the dance starts at 7pm and all students must be here by 8pm to be admitted.  The dance ends at 9:30pm and students are not permitted to leave without parent permission before 9pm. Guests are only permitted if a guest permission form was submitted to and approved by the Deans.

Pictures were handed out in homeroom today. Picture Retake Day is scheduled for October 28 if you student missed the original day or you would like to have their picture retaken.  See the attached flyer for details.

Ashland Public Schools is asking that every student bring home a Medicaid release/consent form.  Students received this form in homeroom this morning and can pick one up in the main office if needed. This release/consent form seeks parental consent for the district to bill Medicaid eligible students for services rendered at school which are medically necessary and supported by Medicaid (such as screenings by the nurse, related services). We appreciate your support in this endeavor. If there are any questions please call the Office of Student Services.  

MCAS reports were mailed to all 9th, 10th, and 11th grade students who tested in the district last year. Please see the attached MCAS Accountability letter for information about the state accountability information as well as specifics about Ashland. 

Have a wonderful weekend.

News from Athletics!

October 29: Winter Meet the Coaches Night, AHS - 7pm

November 21: Fall All-Sports Banquet, AHS - 6:30pm

*NEW FOR 2019-2020!!! A chance to celebrate the many accomplishments and highlights with ALL teams. 

Note: This does not replace individual team banquets. 

Winter Sports Registration: OPEN NOW

DEADLINE: November 25th at 12pm

Season Starts 12/2

To register: 

https://www.familyid.com/organizations/ashland-high-school-athletic-department

HS Offerings- Boys Basketball, Girls Basketball, Wrestling, Indoor Track, Cheer, Swimming & Diving, Alpine Ski, Boys Ice Hockey, Girls Ice Hockey (via Medway), Gymnastics (via Medfield)

Please join us at the Delay Your Gray: How to Keep Your Teen Safe and Yourself Sane PARENT WORKSHOP Come to our FREE parent workshop for helpful tips and connect with other parents who have questions about setting limits, adolescent development, risky behavior like vaping, mental health issues and how to deal with intense teen moods.  Date: Tuesday, October 22 Time: 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Place: Natick Elks Lodge HEAR FROM THE EXPERTS! Elizabeth Driscoll Jorgensen, is a nationally recognized expert in adolescent counseling. She is a consultant to schools and treatment centers who specializes in motivating resistant preteens and teens to change. Judy Styer is the Director of Health and Wellness at the Framingham Public Schools. Judy will discuss data regarding vaping, substance use and mental health issues from the MetroWest Adolescent Health Survey. RSVP TO WIN A $100 GIFT CARD! Register and attend our parent workshop and you'll be entered into a drawing for one of three, $100 gift cards! Register Now Natick Elks Lodge 95 Speen St. Natick, MA 01760 Directions Refreshments will be served! For more information email: workshops@waysideyouth.org