August 27, 2021

Good evening -

It's been a great two days welcoming teachers back to the building. We are ready to see the students on Monday and kick of a year filled with joy, laughter, courage, and learning. Please bear with me as there is a lot of information here. Do not hesitate to reach out with questions.

2021-2022 Schedules: a blank schedule can be found here
All AHS students, grades 9-12, are now able to view their schedules on iStudent and iParent. Any AHS student who does not recall how to access iStudent can email the main office to have their 
account reset at ahsmainoffice@ashland.k12.ma.us

Students will go to homeroom first thing Monday morning to receive a printed copy of the their schedule. Homeroom lists will be posted in the halls. As I write, we are still working on changes due to some personnel changes.

Please note the addition of the x-block time period between periods 2 & 3. We will be explaining to students how this time works over the course of the next few weeks. It is a time for students to get what they need in terms of teacher support, a time for them to make up something they missed, a time for a break, if that's what they need, and so much more. We are excited to bring this flexible schedule block to AHS!

If you need a schedule change: Please email your counselor and stop by the office on Monday! Please remember we do not make changes based on teacher preference and all students must follow the credit expectations posted in the Program of Studies.

All summer work is posted at https://www.ashland.k12.ma.us/Page/2686

Please review the page to see if any of your classes require summer preparation. All students must read at least one book from the choices listed so this is a good weekend for reading if you haven't done any yet!

Please see this note from our school nurse's regarding medication drop off and hand sanitizer:
High school medication request

Hand Sanitizer opt-out 

Safety protocols:

All students and visitors are expected to wear a mask when inside AHS. Students will be allowed to remove their mask while eating lunch, even when inside. 

Classrooms will continue to be equipped with air purifiers and hand sanitizer.

Students will eat lunch in the cafeteria, outside in the back area, or in the back lobby of the building. This will allow students to spread out and have the choice to eat at individual desks or regular cafeteria tables.

Students are encouraged to continue to practice social distancing but protocols from last year are no longer in place.

We will work closely with our nursing department to monitor any cases and possible close contacts. 

Chromebooks:

All students are expected to bring their Chromebooks each day. New students will have their Chromebooks waiting for them at school on Monday.

First day of classes - Monday, August 30, 2021.  Our start time is 8:30am.
The first bell will ring at 8:20am.  Students gather in the back lobby/cafeteria area until that time.  
The building will be open and the cafeteria will begin serving breakfast at 7:50am.


All school activity and Class of 2022 convocation -Thursday, September 2. 

Students wear their class colors.
9th grade - green
10th grade - red
11th grade - blue
12th grade - white
Students should check their email as some classes have started ordering shirts.


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 start the year with a notebook and writing utensils (pens & pencils).  Students are allowed to carry backpacks at AHS and all students are assigned a locker.  Students can rent a lock for their locker through the front office for $5 or bring their own lock and provide the office with the combination or copy of the key.

Arrival & dismissal: Bus routes can be found here
Students who take the bus are dropped at the front of the school and are expected to proceed to the cafeteria area until the first bell rings.  Students who are dropped off by parents should be dropped at the back of the building. Parents are asked to pull forward to the end of the back sidewalk. Students who drive should obtain a parking pass from the front office no later than September 24, 2021.  Students who will receive their license during the school year are able to get a pass after the year starts and the cost is prorated each term.

All students who ride a bus should exit at the front of the building when the 2:55pm bell rings. The first wave of buses leave at 3:00pm. Parents are asked to pull around the building past the gymnasium for afternoon pick-up. Student drivers are reminded to follow the rules of the road and exit through the front two exits of the student parking lot. 

Nutrition news: the lunch schedule can be found here

I am pleased to say that this school year we will be offering students one free breakfast and one free lunch each full school day!  This is funded through the USDA, to ensure all children are well fed and support all families through the pandemic.  

Although last year we did not use cash registers at any schools, they will be back which allow a la carte sales.  Students will be required to go through the cashier station, as this is how USDA requires us to ensure each child is only getting one reimbursable meal. 

In order to keep the lines moving quickly, we will not be accepting cash at the register.  Students can prepay for a la carte by going to www.myschoolbucks.com and paying online, or they can drop off cash or a check in an envelope with their name clearly written on it to the cafeteria manager at the start of the school day.  Since breakfast is free as well, this would be a perfect time to drop it off and get a free breakfast!  We hope to soon have drop boxes installed in each cafeteria so they can drop it there anytime.  Again, funds are only needed for a la carte sales, which includes second meals which the USDA will not cover.

If students would like a second meal they will first need to go to the cashier to ensure they have funds on their account.  The cashier will then process the sale, and give them a ticket to take to the serving line to get the meal. 

Students will be able to get a breakfast or purchase a snack through the x-block time period. Vending machines will once again be operable. Bottled water will again be available thru either the vending machines or the kitchen. Students must have money on their accounts to purchase water. 

Community notes:

PTO Membership flyer

PTO Kickoff meeting