January 19, 2018

Good afternoon-

We have reached the halfway mark and mid-terms are here:  mid-term exam schedule .  Students only need to attend for their exams.  However, the building will be open regular hours and teachers are available outside of exam hours for students needing extra help.  The attached schedule shows regular class meeting times so students can plan when is the best time to me   The cafeteria will be open for sandwiches and salads for any students who will be at AHS for the day.  

Mid-terms can be stressful for students so it is important to remind them that it is just a portion of their grade.  Here are some study tips for a successful exam week!  We encourage students to focus on understanding, not memorizing.  Get a good night's sleep and eat a healthy breakfast.  I hope everyone has a successful end to Semester 1!

Reminders for 2nd semester:
All AHS students are reminded to check their 2nd semester schedules in iStudent right away, and to make certain that 2nd semester half year classes are in order.  See your counselor immediately if you need to discuss a change.

The course selection process for 2018-2019 will be starting in a couple of weeks.  Make sure your iParent accounts are set up and ready to go so you can have a part in approving your students courses.

Course Selection information:

Teachers will begin making course recommendations for the 2018-2019 school year on Monday, January 22nd.  They will have two weeks to discuss recommendations with students and enter them in iPass.  The student course selection window will open on Monday, February 5.  We will hold class meetings with the 9th-11th grades on January 30th to make sure students understand the process and will share more specific information about the parent role in course selection in the coming weeks.  If you have any questions please don't hesitate to reach out to your student's teacher, guidance counselor, or administrator. 

A message from the PBIS Team:

Dear Parents,

Each term, teachers at AHS nominate students who have embodied our school’s Core Values throughout the term.  Last term, we held our first Student of the Term Breakfast to celebrate these outstanding students.  Seeing the joy and pride in our stellar students was one of the most rewarding experiences I have had in my 15 years of teaching.  However, we are not financially able to make this breakfast a continued success without the help of our community.  We are hoping that you will help us to make these breakfasts an ongoing reality.  Our next breakfast is scheduled for February 16^th.  We have created a list of items that we need for the breakfast, and hope that you will help us by signing up to make donations for our breakfast.  If you would like to sign up to bring one or more items, please add your name and email to the list at the following link:

https://goo.gl/7bCRmt

Thank you for your continued support of our students!

Lisa Dunn & The PBIS Team

Tickets are now on sale for the AHSTS production of Pippin. The production runs Friday, March 2nd and Saturday, March 3rd at 7PM, and Sunday, March 4th at 2PM.

AHSTS offers online sales up to two hours before show time. AHSTS discounts tickets purchased online (Adults: $11.99, Students and AHSTS Alumni $8.99), Patrons may buy tickets at the door at full price. (Adults: $15, Students and AHSTS Alumni $10) Visit www.ahsts.com to purchase tickets.

AHSTS is offering a sale on adult tickets purchased online by 2/1/2018 using the code AHSTS. Sale price is $9.99. Enter the code: AHSTS to receive the option of purchasing sale tickets.

Please Note:

-Sale price cannot be applied to prepurchased tickets

-No exchanges or refunds.

For more information or tickets, visit www.ahsts.com.

A message from Decisions at Every Turn:

Dear Ashland Parents and Guardians,

This is a reminder that the Decisions at Every Turn (DAET) Coalition is still collecting information related to parent and guardian perceptions of youth substance use and prevention in the Ashland community through the DAET Coalition 2017 Parent Survey. This survey is part of DAET’s comprehensive Community Assessment necessary to apply for a $625,000 federal grant. The survey will be open until February 9^th; if you have not had a chance to respond yet, your participation is greatly appreciated. 

The survey is anonymous, and though there are questions about demographic information, they will only be used to identify groups, not individuals. The survey should take you about 10-20 minutes to complete. Please only complete the survey once. The survey is distributed online via SurveyMonkey, and is available via the links below in English, Spanish, Portuguese, and Russian. You may request a paper copy by contacting Saumya Sankhavaram, the DAET Coalition Coordinator, at s.sankhavaram@ashlanddecisions.org. You will also be given an opportunity to provide feedback to DAET at the end of the survey; your comments are very important to DAET’s prevention work.  

English: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/C9Z5G5Z

Español: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/C7PKVF3

Português: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/C9RHPNL

Ру́сский: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CVR77MX

Please complete the survey by the end of the day on February 9th; as a reminder, please complete the survey one time only. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Saumya Sankhavaram at s.sankhavaram@ashlanddecisions.org or coalitioninfo@ashlanddecisions.org or by calling 508-881-0177 x8284.

Thank you for taking the time to assist the DAET Coalition by completing this survey!

Saumya Sankhavaram, MPH

DFC Project Coordinator

Decisions at Every Turn Coalition

Ashland, MA 01721

DAET Office: 508-881-0177 x8284

Cell: (317) 385 - 7268 

http://www.ashlanddecisions.org

Enjoy the afternoon and be sure to check out the Parent Flyers .

Ashland Raises Healthy & Happy Kids:

Ways to Reduce School Stress

Results of the Metrowest Adolescent Health Survey show that the number one source of stress for middle and high school students in Ashland is academics. Below are a few ways to help reduce school stress. Share with your children, especially the high school kids who have mid-term exams next week.

1. Take time for self-care. Sleep (more than most kids think they need) and eating healthy are very important in reducing stress. Also, taking breaks to engage in a creative or active activity help digest what you have been learning and process bit.
2. Learn to change your thinking. When thoughts turn to things such as, “I will never finish this paper/project”, or “I am going to fail this test”, come up with specific phrases to combat the negative thoughts.
3. Take assignments one baby step at a time. Make a list of the steps needed to get an assignment or studying done. Breaking things down into chunks make them feel more manageable and less anxiety provoking.
4. Lower your goals. This seems counter-intuitive and does not mean “become lazy”. But taking the pressure off to get a perfect grade can reduce stress and thus lead to better academic success. Instead of setting a goal to get a perfect score, set a goal to put in the effort and feel satisfied you did your best.
5. Stay balanced during exam periods. No matter how hard you push yourself, nobody can maintain constant focus, and you will burn yourself out if you try. Take frequent, short breaks for fun activities so that you’ll be able to go back to your writing or studying refreshed. Do something you loved to do when you were six years old - play outside, do a puzzle, play a game, draw, color - to counter-balance stress and take a little break.

January 15, 2018

Happy Monday!  

I hope you have all enjoyed the Family Reconnect Weekend.  We are lucky to enjoy today off to celebrate the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. but this day does remind me of how much still needs to be done.  Students at AHS are the kindest I have ever worked with, yet we are dealing with regular incidents of discrimination and behaviors that cause hurt to groups that are different, whether it be because of their skin color, religion, sexual or gender identity, and a host of other reasons.  We have always taken behaviors that hurt other students with the utmost seriousness.  As we move into 2018 we will continue to find ways to educate students on how to treat all members of the AHS community with respect and kindness.  I hope today offers you some time to have conversations about positive, kind, respectful behavior with your child as well as how to address hurtful behaviors when they encounter them.  I fear we still have such a long way to go to achieve MLK Jr.'s dreams, but my hope is that AHS students can make a positive impact on the world as we work to build a community of respect.  

Mid-term exams:
Mid-terms are at the end of the month: here is the mid-term exam schedule .  Students only need to attend for their exams.  However, the building will be open regular hours and teachers are available outside of exam hours for students needing extra help.  The attached schedule shows regular class meeting times so students can plan when is the best time to meet with teachers if they need to.  The cafeteria will be open for sandwiches and salads for any students who will be at AHS for the day.

Attention all parents: Exam Care Packages for your child are now for sale! Midterm exams are coming up and the Class of 2020 is offering you the opportunity to send your favorite student a little package of goodies just prior to their first exam to show that you care!  It also contains a note of luck from you letting you know that you are thinking of them. Sending an exam care package costs only $10 per package. You can find order forms on the AHS website or can be found at the main office or guidance office.  If you have any questions, you can contact Mr. McGann at cmcgann@ashland.k12.ma.us.

Reminders for 2nd semester:
All AHS students are reminded to check their 2nd semester schedules in iStudent right away, and to make certain that 2nd semester half year classes are in order.  See your counselor immediately, and no later than January 19th if you need to discuss a change.

The course selection process for 2018-2019 will be starting in a couple of weeks.  Make sure your iParent accounts are set up and ready to go so you can have a part in approving your students courses.

Tickets are now on sale for the AHSTS production of Pippin. The production runs Friday, March 2nd and Saturday, March 3rd at 7PM, and Sunday, March 4th at 2PM.

AHSTS offers online sales up to two hours before show time. AHSTS discounts tickets purchased online (Adults: $11.99, Students and AHSTS Alumni $8.99), Patrons may buy tickets at the door at full price. (Adults: $15, Students and AHSTS Alumni $10) Visit www.ahsts.com to purchase tickets.

AHSTS is offering a sale on adult tickets purchased online by 2/1/2018 using the code AHSTS. Sale price is $9.99. Enter the code: AHSTS to receive the option of purchasing sale tickets.

Please Note:

-Sale price cannot be applied to prepurchased tickets

-No exchanges or refunds.

For more information or tickets, visit www.ahsts.com.


Enjoy the afternoon and be sure to check out the Parent Flyers .

Happy New Year!

Good afternoon!

The snow days have thrown off my schedule but I'm dug out and ready for a great week.  As a reminder, students have another short week as Friday is a Teacher Professional Day.  It is also the kick-off to Family Reconnect Weekend.  I am looking forward to more quality time with my family. 

Mid-terms are at the end of the month: here is the mid-term exam schedule .  Students only need to attend for their exams.  However, the building will be open regular hours and teachers are available outside of exam hours for students needing extra help.  The attached schedule shows regular class meeting times so students can plan when is the best time to me   The cafeteria will be open for sandwiches and salads for any students who will be at AHS for the day.

Attention all parents: Exam Care Packages for your child are now for sale! Midterm exams are coming up and the Class of 2020 is offering you the opportunity to send your favorite student a little package of goodies just prior to their first exam to show that you care!  It also contains a note of luck from you letting you know that you are thinking of them. Sending an exam care package costs only $10 per package. You can find order forms on the AHS website or can be found at the main office or guidance office.  If you have any questions, you can contact Mr. McGann at cmcgann@ashland.k12.ma.us.

Here is the link to the women's lacrosse team store!

https://www.warrior.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-warrior_us-Site/default/Team-MemberOrder?orderId=52153

​The code/password is Ashland

Have a wonderful weekend and be sure to check out the Parent Flyers .

December 22, 2017

Good afternoon & happy Winter Break!

I hope you have a wonderful, restful break with lots of quality family time.  

The AHS office will be closed next week so we can spend time with our family and friends.

Thanks to everyone who came out for Clocker Idol, and congratulations to Adrianna Fawkes, our 2017 "Clocker Idol"!  The Ashland High School Council raised $1225.95, to be donated to the Ashland Emergency Fund.

If you weren't able to make it, WACA-TV filmed the event and as soon as they've finished their work on it, it will be posted online at: https://sites.google.com/site/stucoashland/videos


Snapshots of the day before winter break at AHS....

Mr. Shennett's D block class gave him a ping-pong table.  Great stress relief!

We loved having Gus, the therapy dog in training, visit today.  The holidays and break can be hard for many people.  Gus made a lot of students smile today.

For planning purposes here is the mid-term exam schedule for next month.  Exams are scheduled for the last four days of the semester- January 23-26. 

Have wonderful week and we'll see you 2018!

Have a wonderful weekend and be sure to check out the Parent Flyers .

December 15, 2017

Good evening-

Hard to believe it but there is only one week left until the winter break.  The year is flying by.

As a reminder early dismissal next week is at 12:35pm on 12/22.

For planning purposes here is the mid-term exam schedule for next month.  Exams are scheduled for the last four days of the semester- January 23-26.  

NEASC (New England Association of Schools and Colleges) Accreditation:

NEASC accreditation is a process Ashland High School engages in every 10 years.  Accreditation is a way to show that AHS is doing great work and meeting high standards set forth by the Association.  Thank you to the many families that have completed the survey as well as provided feedback.  
WE WANT AND NEED YOUR INPUT to make ongoing improvements to AHS!  I provided some feedback to NEASC that some of the questions were difficult to answer by parents.  They encourage you to sit with your student(s) and ask for their opinion on questions you aren't sure of.

Parents, please take time to complete the attached survey over the course of the next week:

https://surveys.neasc.org/s3/NEASC-CPS-Family-Survey-Ashland-High-School

We ask that every family complete only one survey. You do not need to complete multiple surveys if you have more than one student in the school. We will close the survey next Wednesday and truly value your input.  

The Clocker Idol - Season 4

On Wednesday, December 20th, the Ashland High School Student Council will be presenting the fourth year of "The Clocker Idol" (our version of American Idol) at 7pm in the high school auditorium (65 E. Union St.)  Admission is $5/person and all the proceeds will go to the Ashland Emergency Fund.  The entire community is invited to watch this family-friendly event and help vote on who the next "Clocker Idol" will be.

The contestants are: Anthony Boccabella, Allen Brodskiy, Lauren Burke, Julia Caruso, Adrianna Fawkes, Anne Fejer, Katarina Gertje, James Lee. 

The event will be MCd by: Kaleigh Donovan and Andrew Dunn.  

The judges are AHS faculty members Aleisha Egan, Mary Nemeth, Sue Reap, Kelley St. Coeur, and Janet Twomey.

Check out our promotional video online: https://youtu.be/_AP5qaW-iJw

Have a wonderful weekend and be sure to check out the Parent Flyers .


Ashland Raises Healthy & Happy Kids: A Few Facts About Vaping

Vaping has increased rapidly among teens across the country and in Ashland and Metrowest according to the Metrowest Adolescent Health Survey.  Many teens, and adults, don’t know the effects vaping can have on emotional and physical health so below are a few facts.

E-cigarettes and other vaping devices are NOT risk-free.

Although it’s generally agreed that these products are less harmful than smoked cigarettes, there is no evidence that they are, in fact, safe. There is a growing body of research to suggest that they may lead to negative health consequences, including: damage to the brain, heart and lungs; Cancerous tumor development; preterm deliveries and stillbirths in pregnant women; harmful effects on brain and lung development, when use occurs during fetal development or adolescence.

They contain nicotine, a highly addictive drug with known health risks.

Using nicotine, regardless of how it is delivered, increases the risk of addiction. Nicotine addiction is notoriously difficult to reverse, and addiction to e-cigarettes can lead to using other nicotine products, including smoked cigarettes, as well as alcohol and other drugs.

Nicotine can affect brain development and functioning in young people.

Young people are particularly vulnerable to using e-cigarettes and vaping devices and to their effects. The younger a person is when he or she tries nicotine, the greater the risk of addiction. The developing brain is more vulnerable to the effects of addictive substances than a fully developed adult brain. Additionally, nicotine can disrupt brain development, interfere with long-term cognitive functioning, and increase the risk of various mental and physical health problems later in life. 

E-cigarettes and other vaping devices are not FDA approved.

Until very recently, manufacturers and distributors of e-cigarettes and other vaping devices were not bound by standards of safety set by the FDA for smoked tobacco products. Despite the new regulations, e-cigarette manufacturers are free to project a risk-free image in their marketing, and offer enticing, candy-like flavors that appeal to children, adolescents and young adults.

There is little consistency across different products.

Until recently, there was limited federal oversight for e-cigarettes and other vaping devices, making it difficult to assess the dangers of any specific product. Across products, there was considerable variation in the nature and concentration of the ingredients, including nicotine and other known toxins.

There is no evidence that the aerosol from these products is safe.

There is limited research into the long-term health effects of aerosolizing nicotine and other chemicals in e-cigarettes and other vaping devices. It is clear, however, that the additives, heavy metals, ultrafine particles, and other ingredients they contain include toxins and carcinogens.

The spread of e-cigarettes and other vaping devices may be re-normalizing smoking behavior.

The increase in nicotine devices and products and their widespread availability is reversing some of the progress made over decades of intense global, national, and local efforts to reduce cigarette smoking, especially among young people.

It’s not always nicotine in those e-cigarettes.

There have been media reports of teens vaping other drugs, such as alcohol. It’s like chugging alcohol. You’re skipping the filtration system in your body and that can lead to alcohol poisoning much faster than drinking. Many teens are also vaping marijuana which is illegal and unsafe.

E-cigarettes are easy for teens to get.

The sale of vaping supplies to minors is banned across the country. But teens have no trouble buying the stuff online.

Share these facts with your teens!

December 8, 2017

Good afternoon-

I hope you have had a wonderful week!  

If you missed the announcement earlier this week please see the attached message.  We are so pleased to announce that Mrs. Lauren Carreiro, Dean of Students, has been named by the Massachusetts School Administrators Association as the 2018 Assistant Principal of the Year.  I couldn't be more grateful to work with such an amazing, caring, and innovative colleague.  






This morning we had a wonderful breakfast hosted by the PBIS team, Peer Leaders and Student Council to honor the 80 students who were nominated by a staff member for continuously modeling the core values. It was a great group!

A few reminders and upcoming dates:
12/13- Winter Choral concert- 7pm
12/20- Clocker Idol - 7pm

Dismissal time on December 22nd- High School: 12:35 p.m. 

For planning purposes here is the mid-term exam schedule for next month.  Exams are scheduled for the last four days of the semester- January 23-26.

NEASC (New England Association of Schools and Colleges) Accreditation:

NEASC accreditation is a system of accountability that is ongoing, voluntary, and comprehensive in scope.  WE WANT AND NEED YOUR INPUT!  

Parents, please take time to complete the attached survey and help provide us with valuable information:

https://surveys.neasc.org/s3/NEASC-CPS-Family-Survey-Ashland-High-School

We ask that every family complete one survey. You do not need to complete multiple surveys if you have more than one student in the school. Thanks for the feedback some of you have provided.  I am sharing with NEASC.  This is a relatively new survey and they welcome any thoughts.  


Have a wonderful weekend and be sure to check out the Parent Flyers .

Enter the PSA and Poster Project Be the Change 2017-2018 PSA & Poster Projects All middle and high school students of member districts and organizations of MPY are invited to submit original Public Service Announcements and Posters to the Annual PSA and Poster Project hosted by Middlesex Partnerships for Youth, Inc.  This year's theme is Be the Change.  Individually, and collectively, we have tremendous power to create positive change in our lives and the lives of others. This theme is about challenging students to step out of their comfort zone to make their schools and communities better places to live and learn. Possible topics for the videos and posters include: Speaking up when you see a wrong Showing respect for all, including those who are different from you Believing you can become anything you wish to be Using your voice to create a positive change Don't just dream it, do it This project is open to all middle and high school students of member districts and organizations of MPY. Students may enter one or both projects.  Click Here for Poster Project Application.  Entries due January 26, 2018. Click Here for PSA Project Application. Entries due May 4, 2018. Click Here for PSA and Poster Project flyer. Please visit our website for the most updated information All posters must be an  electronic file (no hard copies please). All entries can be submitted electronically as .JPG/.JPEG. Upload submission to Google Drive or mail USB drive that can operate with Windows. Electronic (preferred): Enclose your signed application (signature of student and parent/guardian is required), a .jpg/.jpeg file that contains your poster submission, and a list of students who were involved in the creative process and upload to Google Drive. Mail: Enclose your signed application, a USB drive that contains a .jpg/.jpeg file with your poster submission, and a list of students who were involved in the creative process and mail to: Middlesex Partnerships for Youth, Inc., 467 Main St., Wakefield, MA 01880 Videos must be between 30 and 60 seconds long. All PSA entries must either be playable on a standard DVD player or in one of the following computer formats: Windows Media Video, AVI or mp4 video. All entries must be submitted on DVD, CD, USB drive, or electronically through Google Drive or Dropbox. If submitting DVD/CD, the disc must be labeled with the name of the PSA, the participants, and the school it is from.Please see the attached applications for the official rules and submission requirements for each project. Middlesex Partnerships for Youth, Inc.  p: (781) 587-3409| f: (781) 587-3415| www.MPYinc.org  Ashland Raises Healthy & Happy Kids: Add One of These Games to Your Shopping List As you are shopping for holiday or birthday gifts, consider getting a fun, family board game. There are benefits of playing board games for people of all ages: Engage in activities that do not involve staring at a computer screen or a smartphone. Exercise your brain by learning something new. Improve your memory by keeping track of what is happening in the game. Revive your creativity and problem solving skills. Spend time with family and friends. Below are some fun family games: Monopoly Empire Skip-Bo (card game) Pandemic Bubble Talk Telestrations Over Under Ticket to Ride - European Edition 7 Wonders Cranium Hoopla Phase 10 (card game) Sleeping Queens (card game) Tri-ominos Apples To Apples Taboo Quirkle Mad Gab Blokus Last Word Funglish

December 1, 2017

Happy December!
How did that happen?  I am sitting here tonight reflecting on yet another amazing experience with Ashland High School students and thinking how truly blessed I am to work for this community.

Yesterday at AHS we held our first ever Challenge Day.  I spent the day with 70 students and 18 other faculty members having fun, dancing, laughing, getting serious, shedding tears, and making plans for how to make AHS a school community that does more to accept everyone for who they are.  We talked about empathy, respect, kindness, and more.  It was a powerful day for our students and I can't wait to see what they do to keep the ripples of kindness and caring moving forward.

Today was filled with kids sharing their stories and excitement about the day with friends.  I saw kids make sure others weren't sitting alone at lunch, stopping to say hi to teachers, and my favorite thing was the senior who stopped me to say.."Ms. St. Coeur, that was life-changing. I am a different person because of yesterday.  Thank you."  I heard about students who were disappointed to not be a part of the day.  I was sad to hear that students who weren't there expressed anger they weren't invited.  We invited all!  It was posted in the announcements and in this newsletter.  I am looking forward to a day with 100 students next year!

This morning Ms. Gallant, our librarian, was inspired as an adult participant to share this calendar with the school.  She and some students posted this calendar around the building.  Join us in doing an act of kindness each day for the month of December and spread the kindness.

ABA internship opportunity
Each year the Ashland Business Association has a variety of businesses who welcome a student intern.  The program began as a social media internship, with businesses who wanted support in learning how to use social media platforms.  While that is still a main goal of the program the businesses are certainly interested in meeting students who can support other parts of their businesses!  Any student who is interested in pursuing an internship with a local small business should email Ms. St. Coeur.

NEASC (New England Association of Schools and Colleges) Accreditation:

NEASC accreditation is a system of accountability that is ongoing, voluntary, and comprehensive in scope. It respects differences in institutional populations, missions, and cultures, and fosters institutional change grounded in the expertise of practicing educators. It is based on standards which are developed and regularly reviewed by the members and which define the characteristics of good schools and colleges.  Ashland High School will engage in the re-accreditation process in the spring of 2020.  

Parents, please take time to complete the attached survey and help provide us with valuable information:

https://surveys.neasc.org/s3/NEASC-CPS-Family-Survey-Ashland-High-School

We ask that every family complete one survey. You do not need to complete multiple surveys if you have more than one student in the school. 

Have a wonderful weekend and be sure to check out the Parent Flyers .

Ashland Raises Healthy & Happy Kids: Eleven Ways to Spread Kindness With Your Family

1. Say thank you to your local fire-fighters or police officers by surprising them with homemade sweet treats or coffee.

2. In line at the drive-through? Pay for the person behind you before they reach the window (the worker taking your order should be able to tell you the amount).

3. Tape coupons to different products around the grocery store — what parent wouldn't love seeing a coupon for diapers?

4. Hand out rolls of quarters at the laundromat.

5. Write thank you notes to people that you don't say "thank you" to often enough — like your favorite barista who always gets your order right, or your favorite gym instructor for creating a workout you love.

6. Tape up inspiring notes inside of dressing rooms, because when it comes to trying on clothes with full body mirrors and fluorescent lights, everyone can use a vote of confidence.

7. Buy a bouquet of flowers for a friend, just because.

8. Pay the bill for someone sitting alone at a restaurant. Or anyone in the restaurant who inspires you in some way.

9. Feed the parking meters for strangers.

10. Create a diaper-change care package and leave it in a public bathroom. At some point, an unprepared mom in need of a diaper for her baby will love you for this!

11. Next time there's a sale on canned goods, buy extra and donate them to the Ashland Food Pantry.