8/25/2020

Dear Students, Parents, and Guardians:

I hope you are having a wonderful summer to the extent possible. It has been a challenging one to be in education and I look forward to welcoming our teaching staff back to the building on Thursday as we begin our professional development to plan for our new norm of hybrid learning. 

We had a few changes over the end of the year/summer and are thrilled to welcome our new staff to the AHS community:

Carrie Bradley- English

Michael De La Pena- World Language ( Michael was with us as a long-term substitute last year.)

Julie Hamilton- Counseling

Brittany Smeltekop- IEP Coordinator

Brian Cote, Dean of Students for the classes of 2021 and 2023, has taken a new role and is no longer with the district. We will not be replacing this position immediately as we focus our energy on preparing for the school year. 

2020-2021 school year:

AHS Reopening Plan

I am delaying the release of schedules until tomorrow afternoon due to some ongoing adjustments to schedules and cohorts. Counselors are working diligently and some sections needed to be added today. Below is the schedule that will run each term. 

Please note that D block will run for 45 minutes all year.

Term 1/3- C E F will all run for 90 minutes each, the order may be adjusted

Term 2/4- A B G will all run for 90 minutes each, the order may be adjusted

T1/T3	MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY
Students arrive at school 8:20-8:30	Last name A-K		Remote Learning	Last name L-Z
8:35-10:05	C	C	2 hours of Synchronous Learning Groups A & B - Schedule to be Determined	C	C
10:10-11:40	E	E		E	E
11:45-1:45 (30 min. lunch)	F	F	Teacher Planning Time	F	F
1:50-2:35 (runs all year)	D	D	IEP and 504 Meetings	D	D
2:40-2:55	Staggered dismissal

T2/T4	MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY
Students arrive at school 8:20-8:30	Last name A-K		Remote Learning	Last name L-Z
8:35-10:05	G	G	2 hours of Synchronous Learning Groups A & B - Schedule to be Determined	G	G
10:10-11:40	A	A		A	A
11:45-1:45 (30 min. lunch)	B	B	Teacher Planning Time	B	B
1:50-2:35 (runs all year)	D	D	IEP and 504 Meetings	D	D
2:40-2:55	Staggered dismissal

The reopening task force spent considerable hours, taking into account many different options, looking at schedules. It was determined keeping the integrity of the current AHS course schedule, while modifying it to decrease the number of classes meetings each term, was important. We feel the modified block gives an opportunity for students to alternate between courses each term, shortening the time for possible regression. Students have fewer classes, a maximum of 4, to focus on each term. Classes alternate so that curriculum is spread across the year, as opposed to some content being taught until January and being completed. We fully understand there is not a schedule that makes everyone happy and can best meet the needs of every learning style. We commit to evaluating the schedule over the course of the year and making adjustments if needed.

The first day of classes for all students, hybrid and remote, will be Monday, September 14, 2020. Teachers will provide more information to students in the L-Z grouping regarding their assignments prior to September 14.

Schedules for 2020-2021 for all new students will be mailed on Wednesday, August 26 and information on iStudent accounts will be shared via email with new students who have an email.

If you do not receive a schedule please call the AHS main office to request one. New students who have not completed enrollment should contact the Superintendent's Office to register.


It is important to note that the schedules are not 100% finalized and there will be some changes as
we try to balance out class sizes and meet the needs of all students.  The counseling staff and administration have been working tirelessly this summer to produce the best schedule for the
greatest amount of students.  It was particularly challenging this year as we navigated choosing an option that meets the needs for many students. 
If you have not already done so, please visit our website  https://ipass.imgsoftware.com/school/ashland/pamregister.html and sign-up for iParent.


Our counseling staff returned last week and is working to enroll all new students. Due to the nature of the hybrid schedule and groupings all schedule changes are currently on hold. 

 If you would like to discuss a schedule change with your counselor please e-mail your counselor directly. We will be evaluating our ability to make schedule changes once groups have been finalized in all classes. Please keep in mind we can not have more than 15 students in each group.

If you would like to email the main office with any questions please use the following address: ahsmainoffice@ashland.k12.ma.us

All summer assignments are posted at : http://ahs.ashland.k12.ma.us/campus-news/ahssummerassignments

Follow us on Twitter @KStCoeur, @MrsELachapelle and @ClockerAD for updates and information.

Ashland High School does not have a school supply list.  Teachers will share with students what is needed for individual classes over the course of the first couple of days.  Students should plan to bring their Chromebook or other personal device to school this year. Lockers will not be available and students should plan to carry any need materials with them.

Please feel free to reach out if you have questions.

Enjoy the last couple of weeks of summer and we look forward to seeing you soon!