I hope that your children have enjoyed their first few days of the 2016-2017 school year and are as excited for the year as I am. It has been wonderful to see the enthusiasm and energy in every classroom. As an administration we have worked with our student leaders to promote an experience of inclusion and collaboration across the AHS community. It is my hope that all students feel safe and comfortable, and therefore ready to learn, when they walk in these doors.
We will hold class meetings for all classes on Wednesday, September 7 to review expectations and norms within the building. Seniors will be ordering their caps & gowns at their meeting-June will come so quickly!
You are your child are encouraged to review the AHS Student Handbook this weekend and return the signature page. Please complete and return the Health Emergency Form as well. Your student can return both forms to the front office.
Ninth grade and new students will get the information they need to access their iStudent accounts at these meetings as well.
Parents, remind your students that they must make an appointment with their counselor immediately if they have questions about their schedule or wish to inquire about a change. The last day to adjust schedules is Thursday, September 15th. Students will not be allowed to drop classes after September 15th without penalty.
Friday, September 9 is our annual PBIS Day and Convocation. PBIS stands for Positive Behavior Interventions & Supports. We spend two hours engaged in cross grade, fun activities that teach our core values, expectations, and important information about AHS. We follow this activity with an all school assembly where the senior class receives the ceremonial key to the school.
If you are planning ahead Back to School Night at AHS is on September 29th from 6-8pm. This night is an opportunity for you to walk through your student's schedule and get to hear from teachers about curriculum and expectations.
If your child has a life threatening allergy please provide the school nurse with an Epipen, MD order, and parent consent. If your child uses an inhaler to treat his/her asthma please provide the school nurse with an inhaler, MD order, and parent consent.
The forms can be found on the Ashland Public School website http://www.ashland.k12.ma.us/
The first Student Council meeting of the 2016-2017 school year is on Wednesday, September 7th at 6:55am in the auditorium. The Student Council is open to all interested students; we will spend some time at the first meeting discussing the "Open Enrollment" process for joining the Student Council. The Student Council plans Homecoming week and other major school-wide events during the year, and helps out in various ways around the school. If you or your child have any questions about the Student Council, please contact advisor Josh Wiczer, jwiczer@ashland.k12.ma.us.
Is your child the "Ultimate Clocker"? The Student Council is looking for a student to be "Warren", our electric-clock mascot, at the Homecoming Rally and Homecoming Football game. Students who are interested should see Mr. Wiczer in B251 by Friday, September 9th.
Audition information for the Ashland High School Theatrical Society's 2015 Fall Production of The Girl From Maxim's is now located at ahsts.com. Anyone auditioning will be asked to prepare a monologue in advance. The monologue is available from the production's webpage. Auditions are Tuesday, September 8th at 230PM in the theater.
The PSAT will be administered here at AHS on Saturday, October 15th promptly at 7:30 am. College bound juniors are expected to take it in order to prepare for the SAT. Sophomores currently taking Algebra II who are considering the PSAT are advised to consult with their counselor about the pros and cons of taking it sophomore year. Registration is with Mrs. Hunter in the guidance office until Friday, September 30th. The cost of the test is $20, payable by cash or check made out to "Ashland Public Schools". Students and parents are encouraged to consult their guidance counselor with any questions about the PSAT. Students are reminded to bring #2 pencils and a graphing or scientific calculator on the day of the PSAT.
Parents of seniors - "College Night for Seniors and Families" will be Wednesday, September 14th at 7 pm in the AHS auditorium. College application requirements, procedures and deadlines will be reviewed in detail, from the Common Application to teacher recommendations to tests and transcripts and everything in between.
Check out the Parent's Flyers for information about upcoming events and activities.
Students interested in an SAT/ACT course flyers will be in the Main Office and in Guidance. The class starts 9/7.
The AHS Campus Store will be using Signup.com this year to fill volunteer shifts. We are just starting to add the shifts and many more will be added so we encourage parents to check back often! You can sign up for as many shifts as you would like. It truly takes a village so we hope you will consider signing up. The more shifts we can fill the more the store will be open! Questions can be directed to Lisa Massauro and Vee Dagg at clockerstore@clockerclub.org.
Students from all MIAA Member Schools are encouraged to submit entries. Show your creativity and express yourself in a literary work or multimedia presentation on the following topic:
Choose one or more words from this frequency map that best define sportsmanship, what it means to you, and the role it plays in high school athletics.(Click map for larger view)
· PARTICIPANTS: Contest is open to all students in grades 9-12 at MIAA member schools
· LITERARY ENTRIES: Must be typed, double-spaced, and contain no more than 500 words
· MULTIMEDIA ENTRIES: Must be a video that is no longer than 3 minutes
PRIZES
· First Place ($400) and Runner-Up ($200) for each category (literary and multimedia)
· Contest winners will present their entries as honored guests during the 23rd Annual Sportsmanship Summit at Gillette Stadium on Friday, November 18, 2016
· First Place and Runner-Up literary entries will be published in a compilation entitled “Sportsmanship: A Game Plan for Life, Volume XVI”
· First Place and Runner-Up multimedia entries will be available through the MIAA website
CONTEST DEADLINE AND SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS
· All entries must be received by noon on Friday, October 14, 2016
· Literary entries should be emailed to educationalathletics@miaa.net
· 
Multimedia entries should be emailed to the address above or mailed to:
MIAA Essay Contest, 33 Forge Parkway, Franklin, MA 02038
MIAA Essay Contest, 33 Forge Parkway, Franklin, MA 02038
