Friday, April 26, 2019

April 26, 2019

Good afternoon-

This year, Ashland High School’s National Honor Society will be hosting an Out of the Darkness Suicide Prevention Walk to fund-raise and spread awareness about growing mental health problems in our global community.

Below is all of the important information that you will need about our walk…

When: APRIL 27, 2019 @AHS → (Check-In will begin at 9am)
Where: Ashland High School (65 E Union St., Ashland MA, 01721)
Course: The course is about a ½ mile in/around the Ashland High School Campus.

Please see the attached letter for more information: NHS Out of the Darkness Walk

Ashland Town Meeting - Wednesday, May 1 at 7 pm 


Next Wednesday, May 1 is Ashland's Town Meeting.  Town Meeting is held in the Ashland High School Auditorium and begins at 7 pm.  There are many warrant articles that will have a significant impact on the Town, including the approval of the annual school budget.  Please make it a priority to attend and give your valuable input.  Please find attached a link to the Town's webpage where the warrant articles and budget information can be found.  https://www.ashlandmass.com/449/Town-Meeting
Seal of Bi-literacy Diploma Distinction 
The Massachusetts Department of Education (DESE) has recently approved an initiative to identify and recognize high school students who graduate as bi-literate.  We are pleased to partner with DESE to acknowledge these students with a Seal of bi-literacy on diplomas at graduation this June.  Please review the attached letter and express your interest in pursuing this opportunity by completing the survey within the letter.

Seal of bi-literacy information letter- English
Please review the attached senior week schedule and permission slip.  The permission slip needs to be returned to the front office in order for you to attend any of the events.

We will have a class meeting next Wednesday, May 1 at 10:30am to discuss logistics and expectations for exams and senior week.  The next few weeks will fly by and we hope you truly enjoy every moment of it.

Senior Week Schedule



National Teacher Appreciation Week is May 6-10.  The PTO will be catering a lunch and a breakfast during that week because we know middle school and high school parents are busy!  We are hoping, however, you would be willing to contribute desserts, fruit, and seltzer for them to enjoy during the week.  Donations can be dropped off at the main office of the school or sent in with your child.
GUAlogo.JPG
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. 
Participation can be done individually, as a family or group (friends, scouts, sports teams, civic or religious groups etc.) and is a great opportunity to enjoy the community outdoors while contributing to the look and value of your community and teaching our children to respect their environment.

 This years event will take place on Saturday May4th 9am till noon - registration and bag pickup at the Stone Park Pavillion.
Feel free to sign up through the link provided.
Posted by at No comments:

Friday, April 12, 2019

April 12, 2019- Happy April Vacation!

Good afternoon and happy vacation week!

 Report cards/grades are now available in iStudent and iParent.  As a reminder you can find a printable copy of the report card in Your Date in iParent tab My Documents.

 I will be traveling with the group of students heading to Europe for the break.  Check out the blog of their adventures on the AHS website.
This afternoon I shared the schedule for Senior Exam week with the Class of 2019.   Besides your exams they will participate in other activities that are mandatory for all students.  We are so excited to bring Financial Literacy instruction, which will culminate with the Reality Fair (see below) and the Signs of Suicide (SOS) Senior Booster to the students.

The schedule for senior week (May 28-31), which includes mandatory rehearsal time as well as lots of fun, will be shared with the students, and parents, after break.  We will also hold a class meeting with the seniors to explain the activities and expectations for the end of the year some time in early May.

 The Peer Leadership Club is looking for applicants for next year (upcoming juniors or seniors). Interested students should fill out the application. Ask Ms. St. Coeur, Mr. Smith, or Mr. Mackay if you have any questions. Students who are interested should stop by a Friday meeting to see what’s like to be a Peer Leader at AHS! Ask Mr. Smith when the next meeting is happening.
Reality Fair - May 24th, 2019

The planning is well underway for AHS's first "Reality Fair", designed to teach the graduating seniors about financial literacy.  This past week in their English classes, students chose a possible career, and on the day of the fair will get a "paycheck" and a credit score, and will need to navigate various booths to find house, purchase a car, obtain insurance, etc.  We are still looking for a few parent volunteers to help staff the booths (which are being organized by local professionals in real estate, insurance, finance, transportation, etc.)  If you would be willing to help out, we'd appreciate the help!  For more information and to volunteer, please go to: https://sites.google.com/site/stucoashland/reality-fair

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

 Please take a moment to check out this important Decisions At Every Turn newsletter with information on the dangers of vaping.


Are you a 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.




Posted by at No comments:

Friday, April 5, 2019

April 5, 2019

Good afternoon-

 It's hard to believe but as of today we are three quarters of the way through the school year.  Grades closed today and report cards will available next Friday, April 12 after 3pm. As a reminder, April 12 is an early release day for students.  They are dismissed at 12:35pm from AHS.  Teachers will be in professional development for the afternoon.

Information for parents of the Class of 2021:
Starting on Monday, April 29 the Signs of Suicide program will be administered in all Wellness II (sophomore) classes throughout the course of the week.  A separate email will go out to all families of student in the Class of 2021. Students will see a short video on recognizing the signs of depression then complete a short screening tool.  This is the 3rd year Ashland High School will use this evidence-based program when teaching this unit.
I encourage all parents to go to the Mindwise Innovations (formerly Screening for Mental Health) website at:  Mindwise.org
and to go to SOSsignsofsuicide.org
The log-in username is : ashlandhs-par
The password is : ashland1

I encourage you to view the videos your students will see as well as other helpful tools to help discuss mental health with your child.  If you do not wish to have your child participate in the screening please send an email to me at kstcoeur@ashland.k12.ma.us.

The Foundation for MetroWest will again be offering its Youth in Philanthropy program in Hopkinton, Sudbury, and Natick this coming fall. We have been very fortunate to have wonderful students from Ashland High School be a part of the YIP in the past and hope that this year will be no different! Families ad students can find the program flyer and blurb here.



Check out the Parent Flyers  to see what is going on around the schools and town!
Posted by at No comments:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)