September 24, 2021

Good afternoon and happy Friday,

It was a great first full week of school for the year. I am sure your students are as exhausted as some of us are.

X-block:

We were excited to kick off X-block this week. Students should go in to FlexTime Manager this weekend to choose activities for the coming week. The student training video is attached here. X-block provides an opportunity for students to get what they need to have success in school. It could be extra help, a study session, or a break from academics to do some movement. Our counseling department is offering virtual college and career meetings. The opportunities are endless and we encourage students to bring ideas to their teachers.

Masks:

Please reinforce with your student that masks are required. We are seeing many more students wearing their masks improperly or arriving at school without a mask. Students have had time to learn the expectation and any student who is repeatedly asked to wear their mask will face progressive discipline. This is a state mandate and not optional. Please set an example for your students about how to follow an expectation, even when you don't agree with it.

Reminder of attendance policy for students participating in athletics and activities:

Attendance/Tardiness – School

Any student absent from school may not participate in or attend practice or competition that day, unless prior approval of the Principal has been given. Students must be in attendance at school before 9:33 AM to participate in any meeting, practice or game unless prior approval for absence is granted by the Principal or designee. In addition, student-athletes may not be dismissed prior to 1:49 PM unless prior approval of the Principal has been given.

Driving hours are not an excused absence. Only the permit or driving test are excused. Leaving for a driving lesson is considered unexcused and students will not be able to participate in after school activities. 

I am very excited to share the following event with you. Jennifer De Leon's book "Don't Ask Me Where I Am From" was on the summer reading list. 

Hybrid: Three Questions: An Evening With Author Jennifer De Leon
Tuesday, September 28 @ 7pm

at the Ashland High School

Have a wonderful weekend!

September 17, 2021

Good evening-

Back to School Night - CHANGE TO SCHEDULE- will now be a fully virtual event. Teachers will share video introductions and slides of their courses. You will be able to click on the teacher name to find their course your student(s) is taking and get more information. The presentation will be emailed to all parents on September 22nd at 6pm but you will be able to view it on your own time.

X-block:

We will be starting our X-block schedule on Monday, September 20. Students will learn how to use the scheduling software at the end of their 2nd period. From then on, they will either be invited by a teacher or be able to schedule themselves for "what I need" during the x-block time (10:39-11:05). Students can see a teacher for extra help, join a study group, make up a quiz, get out some energy with a game in the gym, play a board game in a teachers classroom, learn to sew, and the list goes on. We are looking forward to this time where students can get support and have some downtime. It is all about what they need to be a successful student who is learning to balance academics and their social-emotional needs. 

Building expectations:

After 18 challenging months we have fully expected to spend some time rebuilding our culture and learning expectations. Recently the cafeteria has been left filthy after the 5 minute break.  Students need to take responsibility for their own trash and picking up after themselves or the cafeteria will only serve breakfast before school and will be closed until lunch.  It is a bonus that they serve breakfast and snacks through 11:15am but not a requirement. Please encourage your student to clean up after themselves if having access to the cafeteria during break if something they would like to see continue. 

Masks on buses: 

The transportation department reached out because students have been getting on buses without a mask and asking the driver to provide one. We also have students who have been coming to school without a mask. We all forget sometimes but please remember that it is your responsibility to have a mask with you when getting on school transportation and in school.

Devious Lick trend- I invite you to Google it if you have not heard of this yet. AHS has been among the many schools where bathroom destruction and stealing has become a form of entertainment for students. We are actively investigating recent incidents and students who are found responsible for the property destruction and theft will be faced with school consequences as well as restitution. 

Rotary Club Innovation Challenge flyer

Baseball/softball fundraiser

Please come out and support Ashland Youth Baseball and Softball at a family-friendly jamboree fundraiser in honor of Coach Andy Lymburner.  Although the event runs from 11-6, game slots are for 1.5 hours, and you can select your preference of timeslot when you register.  Individuals and families can register separately and will be paired with others to form complete teams, or if you have a group of 8 you can register as a team.  Please click on the link (https://bit.ly/AndyLymburner) for more important details about the event and registration.

September 10, 2021

Good evening-

It's hard to believe week 2 is over. Today was our 7th day of classes meaning students have completed a full cycle of classes. Our last day to make schedule changes is Wednesday, September 15. Students should reach out to their counselor ASAP if they would like to make a change.

Picture day is Monday!

Please return Health Emergency Forms as soon as possible so we have accurate information in case we need to reach you. We have a new system to connect with parents and need accurate phone and email addresses. Students can drop them at the front office.

AHS Student Handbook 2021-2022 : Please review the AHS Handbook with your student(s) and sign off on the attached form. 

A reminder that students MUST be in their seats for the start of the school day at 8:30am. We recognize the challenges of current construction projects and traffic and encourage everyone to add a few minutes to their commute time. 

Back to School Night- September 22nd from 6-8pm. This evening is a chance to hear from your student(s) teachers about their curriculum and expectations. 

September 2, 2021

It was a great first week with students. I hope they came home excited to be back in school. Today we had our all-school PBIS (positive behavior interventions/support) event. Students worked in cross-grade teams to complete a scavenger hunt. Following the scavenger hunt the seniors received the key to the school at their convocation. We are so appreciative of our partners, Ashland Police and Ashland Fire, who helped create a fun event for the students. 

As a reminder, we have no school Friday, September 3 through Tuesday, September 7. Enjoy the long weekend. Happy Labor Day and shana tova to all that celebrate Rosh Hashanah.

Mark your calendars for Back to School Night on Wednesday, September 22nd from 6-8pm. This will be an in-person event where you can follow your students schedule and hear about their classes. I will share more details about the schedule in the coming weeks.

Yesterday we held class meetings with all classes. It was exciting to have the students together and take about our hopes and expectations for the coming year. We ask that you support our expectations at home by reviewing the AHS Student Handbook with your student. The slides from our meetings are attached here and were shared with all students. A sign-off sheet will be shared next week.

If you need a schedule change: Please email your counselor or stop by the counseling office ASAP. The Add/Drop period for classes ends on September 15. 

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 and charger each day. If they have a problem with their Chromebook they can get a loaner in the front office. Issues should be reported through the link on the AHS website main page. 

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. Please do not stop on East Union to pick up your student after school. This is a safety issue!

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.