October 27, 2017

Happy Friday!

It was a busy week at AHS starting with Courageous Conversations: Love, Inclusion, Trust Tuesday night.  We were so lucky to have Jamele Adams speak to the community and for our panelists, especially the students, to share their thoughts and opinions on diversity and inclusion at Ashland High School.  Some of their stories were powerful.  We have a lot of work to do to make sure AHS is a safe place for all students but we have some committed students, faculty, parents, and community members who are willing to do the work.  We took some more great selfies and had some great conversation about making Ashland High School the best it can be!

On Thursday night the Socios Chapter of the National Honor Society inducted 62 new members.  These students have worked hard to demonstrate the pillars of scholarship, leadership, service, and character.  It was a beautiful ceremony and we are very proud of this hard-working, caring group of 

students.

 

The senior class celebrated Halloween today with their annual costume parade.  The costumes were fantastic and so creative.  Here's a snapshot of a few, even the teachers got in on the fun.

Winter Sports Meeting will be Tuesday, November 7th at 7pm in the Ashland High School Auditorium.  Any student athlete who plans on participating in a winter sports must attend with a parent or guardian.  This year we will be rolling out a new online registration which includes online payments.  We will also have a brief presentation from the United States Attorney's Office regarding social media and teens.

Our first ever Athletic Wellness Summit, sponsored by DAET and Ashland Athletics, will take place November 15th starting at 6:30 in the High School Auditorium.  Any High School Student and their parent or guardian are welcomed to attend.  We will have presentations from local professionals on the following topics: Nutrition, Mental Health, Social Media, Injury Prevention, and Collegiate Sports.  Please plan on attending and making this a GREAT Community Event.  More information to follow.

Please see our first ever Ashland Athletic's Newsletter!  Click on the following link to access the newsletter- Clocktown Sports Volume 1, Issue 1

Is your high schooler interested in improving their global perspective, enhancing their leadership skills, and conducting service abroad? The Cape Connect Service trip to South Africa is open to all AHS students and is run through Hammer & Chisel! It will be from April 12-24, 2018. Participants will receive 25-30 community service hours. If you came to our first info session, please make sure to register at hammerchisel.org using the trip code "Clocker" by Friday, November 3! We encourage sign-ups by this date so we can get an idea of the interest level, although we will accept registrations until November 12. If you are interested and were not able to make it to the first info session, students & parents are welcome to our second info session on Monday, October 30 at 7pm in Ms. Hogan's room (B115)!

Thank you for your interest in the Ashland Public Schools!

To apply as a substitute, please download and complete the attached employment application (below) and mail it, along with your resume, to Ashland Public Schools, Business Office, 87 West Union Street, Ashland, MA 01721. Once your application is reviewed you will be contacted for an interview.       

  

The daily rate for substitute teachers is as follows:

• $75.00/day     Without a Bachelors Degree
• $80.00/day     Bachelors Degree (proof of degree must be provided)
• $85.00/day     Retired teachers
• $11.88/hour    If you are scheduled as a substitute Teaching Assistant or secretary

Paydays are biweekly.  Please call the Business Office at 508-881-0156 if you have any questions.

http://www.ashland.k12.ma.us/home/announcements/ashlandpublicschoolsneedssubstituteteachersclickthislinkformoreinformationregardingthesejobopportunities. 

MCAS Results 

MCAS results for Grade 10 English and Math as well as Grade 9 Biology were received this week and were mailed to families today, Friday, October 27. 

Should you have specific questions regarding your child's information do not hesitate to contact the appropriate school.

http://www.doe.mass.edu/odl/e-learning/mcas-parentguide/content/index.html#/?_k=67mn2v

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

Ashland Raises Healthy & Happy Kids:
Helping Your Children Learn Social Media Wellness

Social media is a fact of life for teens and tweens. And it is not all bad - it provides access to music, shows, TED talks, cute animal videos, and an easy way to communicate and make plans with friends. But we all know it can consume kids. It is important that children understand anything they post on social media can be seen by ANYONE, but scaring them and monitoring them 24/7 is not the solution. We need to teach them to make good choices intrinsically - give them freedom and responsibility, with limits.

1. Check your kid’s phone. This does not mean 24/7 monitoring of every post and text but make spot checks. Know their passwords.  If you find something you do not like that was sent or received, talk to your child about why you find it inappropriate — and then ask them what they think. Once they verbalize their thoughts, it allows them the opportunity to think things through and contemplate the consequences of their online activity.
2. Be app-savvy. You do not need to have every app your children have but know how they work so you can have informed discussions about them.
3. Help kids understand their “why”.  Encourage your kids to ask themselves the following questions:

Why am I picking up my phone?

Am I bored, am I lonely, am I sad?

Am I just uncomfortable because I’m in a room where I don’t know anyone?

Why am I posting this?

Does spending time on this app make me feel energized or drained?

Asking themselves “why” helps them make decisions that reflect  their own values and choices and slows down impulsive online communication.

4. Set clear ground rules. Talk to your kids about appropriate social media use before you give them a phone or allow them to download a new app. Once you hand it over, they’ll be too excited to focus on your instructions.

5. Create opportunities for digital breaks daily. Give your children a voice in when they will take these breaks….before bed, after dinner, in the car, certain times on weekends.  While most kids won’t admit it to their parents, an enforced break from technology could be just what they need. Research shows that 24 percent of our teens feel like they’re online all the time. When parents put restrictions on how much and when kids can use technology, it can be a relief. And remember our community challenge of not allowing your kids to have their phones in their rooms at night!

October 20, 2017

Good afternoon on this beautiful Saturday!  

I just came in from the soccer field and it felt like a summer day instead of October 21.  While the girls didn't win it was a great way to end a week of homecoming sports.  I am looking forward to a great dance tonight after what has been a spirited week that showcased what Ashland High School is all about.  The fun the students had this week, at lunch, sporting events, and the pep rally demonstrated that we are a welcoming, supportive school community.   

This week helped to demonstrate our caring community and the highlight of my week was the all-school presentations by Jamele Adams on Tuesday.  Students seemed excited and energized by his message of Love, Inclusion, Trust.  Tuesday night as I looked through the 437 selfies I received (he had them take selfies and text them to me as part of a conversation on consent), I couldn't help think about what an amazing group of young adults I get to work with each and every day.  The level of respect they show for each other and their teachers makes me proud.  

                              
Spirit week comes to a close tonight, Saturday, October 21st, with the semi-formal Homecoming Dance from 7pm - 10pm in the high school cafeteria.  Tickets will be sold at the door for $10. All guests must arrive by 8pm and we do call home for parent permission for any student leaving before 9pm.

Here's a few of the 437 pictures I received: 

Please consider joining us for community wide Courageous Conversation: Love, Inclusion, Trust on Tuesday, October 24 at 6:30pm starting in the auditorium.  Jamele will do a short presentation, which will be followed by a panel discussion.  We will then transition to the cafeteria for a World Cafe style, small group conversation regarding diversity and inclusion in Ashland, led by our Peer Leaders.  The evening will conclude with refreshments around 8:30pm.   

MCAS Results (from the Superintendent's email)

The Ashland Public Schools will be receiving our MCAS results from Grades 3-8 and Grade 10 in the next week.  We will distribute the results hopefully by next Friday, October 27.  As you may remember the tests in Grades 3-8 were new last year and with that there will be some new reporting methods.  I have attached a letter from the Acting Commissioner of Education, Jeff Wulson, to this email.  Please review the letter and keep it handy when your student's results come home for reference.  I have also include a link below where you can review most of the same information.

What is important to note is that the Ashland Public Schools, while obligated to take standardized state assessments, do not believe these results are the sole indicator of success for your child.  The MCAS can not measure the growth of a child socially or emotionally and we invest a lot of time ensuring each child has the opportunity to grow as an individual not just academically.

Should you have specific questions regarding your child's information do not hesitate to contact the appropriate school.

http://www.doe.mass.edu/odl/e-learning/mcas-parentguide/content/index.html#/?_k=67mn2v

National Honor Society induction is Thursday, October 26 at 6:30pm in the auditorium.

Tickets are now on sale for the AHSTS production of Museum. The production runs Friday, November 3rd and Saturday, November 4th at 7PM, and Sunday, November 5th at 2PM. Patrons may buy tickets in advance online at ahsts.com. AHSTS offers discounted tickets purchased online. All seating is reserved. For more information or tickets, visit ahsts.com.

As we continue the conversation on inclusion, diversity, and trust AHS will host it's first ever Challenge Day on Thursday, November 30.  Challenge Day is a day-long interactive program that provides teens and adults with tools to tear down walls of separation, and inspires them to live, study, and work in an encouraging environment of acceptance, love, and respect.  Using highly interactive and energetic activities, leaders guide the participants through a carefully designed exploration of the ways people separate from each other, and model tools for creating connection and building community.  This powerful day will include 100 students and 25 staff members.  Any student interested in being a part of this day should contact Ms. St. Coeur.  


Is your high schooler interested in improving their global perspective, enhancing their leadership skills, and conducting service abroad? The Cape Connect Service trip to South Africa is open to all AHS students and is run through Hammer & Chisel! It will be from April 12-24, 2018. Participants will receive 25-30 community service hours. If you came to our first info session, please make sure to register at hammerchisel.org using the trip code "Clocker" by Friday, November 3! We encourage sign-ups by this date so we can get an idea of the interest level, although we will accept registrations until November 12. If you are interested and were not able to make it to the first info session, students & parents are welcome to our second info session on Monday, October 30 at 7pm in Ms. Hogan's room (B115)!


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


Ashland Raises Healthy & Happy Kids:

We Need to Talk About Kids and Smartphones

I read three articles last week that validated what I have been seeing in my own children, their friends, and teens in my work. I have included the links to the articles below and really encourage you to read them. Rates of teen depression and suicide have skyrocketed since 2011.  Jean Twenge, is a professor of psychology at San Diego State University and author of the book, iGen, which examines how today’s super-connected teens may be less happy and less prepared for adulthood than past generations. In a peer-reviewed study that will appear later this year in the journal Clinical Psychological Science, Twenge shows that, after 2010, teens who spent more time on new media were more likely to report mental health issues than those who spent time on non-screen activities.Using data collected between 2010 and 2015 from more than 500,000 adolescents nationwide, Twenge's study found kids who spent three hours or more a day on smartphones or other electronic devices were 34% more likely to suffer at least one suicide-related outcome—including feeling hopeless or seriously considering suicide—than kids who used devices two hours a day or less. Among kids who used electronic devices five or more hours a day, 48% had at least one suicide-related outcome. Let me repeat that, ALMOST HALF OF KIDS WHO USE ELECTRONIC DEVICES FIVE OR MORE HOURS PER DAY HAVE AT LEAST ONE SUICIDAL OUTCOME. You may be thinking, “Five hours is a lot, there is no way my child is on his/her phone for five hours per day”. Let’s break it down for a “typical” teenager...half hour on their phone before school at home or on the bus, maybe a half hour at lunch, they get home around 3:15 and go to bed between 9:00 and 10:00, or later. Yes, they are doing homework during some of that time after school but isn’t their phone right next to them?  Aren’t they answering texts and snapchats and looking at every notification that pops up while doing homework?  Add it up...more than five hours. And that is just the 180 days of school, what about weekends, and school breaks, and summers? Now read the statement in capitals above again...scary, huh?

https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2017/09/has-the-smartphone-destroyed-a-generation/534198/

http://time.com/4974863/kids-smartphones-depression/

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/11/magazine/why-are-more-american-teenagers-than-ever-suffering-from-severe-anxiety.html

If these facts and the articles I have included resonate with you and your family, please consider joining in a community-wide challenge to make one small change - Do not allow your children to have their phones in their rooms at night. If you think your child is only using their phone as their alarm or to listen to music, you might be wrong. I see snapchats and texts coming to my children’s phones after 10 or 11 o’clock on school nights from 11 and 12 year olds in Ashland. It is happening. Set up a place in your home where phones can be charged overnight and tell your children a specific time in the evening the phones must be there. A friend chose the kitchen counter but switched to her bedroom after she caught her daughter sneaking down to get her phone from the kitchen. It is too soon to determine if cell phone use is the cause of the increase in teen depression, anxiety and suicide but even the experts who think other factors also contribute to this increase agree that no child or teen should have their phone in their room at night, for physical and mental health reasons.  Try it for 2 or 3 weeks. See if you notice any changes. If phones are already banned from your children’s rooms at night, try another challenge: Do not allow them on their phones before school, or at the table and at restaurants, or have them “turn”  their phones in 30 minutes or an hour earlier than usual. See what they do in the evening if they are not on their phones right up until bedtime. Read? Study more? Hang out with you or their siblings? Or maybe even use the landline to call and chat with a friend (that one is doubtful!). I look forward to tackling this, what some experts are calling a public health issues, as a community.

October 13, 2017

Happy Friday-

I started the morning today once again working with the Peer Leaders.  They are fantastic to work with and I am so excited for the entire school community to hear Jamele Adams speak next Tuesday.  His message of Love, Inclusion, and Trust is powerful and the kids respond so well.  I hope you all join us at AHS on Tuesday, October 24 at 6:30pm for our next Courageous Conversation hosted by Jamele.  It is so inspiring to see the students talk about making Ashland a more accepting, inclusive community.

Wednesday, October 18 is an Early Release Day.  Students are released at 12:35am and lunch is served.

It is also picture retake day.  Pictures & id's were distributed to students on Thursday this week.


The Ashland High School Student Council is getting ready for a full week of Homecoming events on October 15th - October 21st.

Check out the Homecoming commercial!

On Sunday, October 15th, we are running a pancake breakfast from 9am to 11am in the high school cafeteria.  All you can eat pancakes, sausage, juice/coffee/hot chocolate for just $5 per person.  This event is open to the entire community and all are welcome!

Throughout the week, students are encouraged to show their school spirit by participating in our dress-up days:

Monday, October 16th - Pajama Day

Tuesday, October 17th - Superhero Day

Wednesday, October 18th - Disney Day

Thursday, October 19th - USA Day

Friday, October 20th - Class Color Day (Class of 2018: White, Class of 2019: Blue, Class of 2020: Red, Class of 2021: Green)

On Friday, October 20th, the school day will end with a full-school pep rally in the gym, starting at 1:45.

Then on Friday, October 20th, prior to the football game the Student Council is running a  "tailgate" barbecue in the small parking lot outside the stadium at the high school from 4pm - 6:30pm, open to the entire community.  Join us for burgers (veggie burgers available), hot dogs, chips, ice-cream sandwiches, and dessert and chips for $8 per person.  There will also be games (KanJam and SpikeBall) and face painting.  

The Homecoming Football game will be played at 7pm at Millis High School.   (Unfortunately, due to scheduling difficulties, the game is not at home.)    There will be a fan-bus available for students.  Tickets will be sold at lunch for $8 (including the bus ride and admission to the game) until Thursday, October 19th.  A package deal, including the bus-ride, admission to the game, and admission to the tailgate barbecue ahead of time will be sold for $16.

Several other sports will be running Homecoming games next week at home and various clubs and organizations throughout the high school will be sponsoring these games:

Friday, October 20th - Varsity Field Hockey versus Medfield at 3:30pm (sponsored by the Make-a-Wish Club and the JSA Debate Club)

Saturday, October 21st - Varsity Boys Soccer versus Millis at 11am and Girls Soccer versus Millis at 1pm (sponsored by the Academic Decathlon Team and the Class of 2019)

Tuesday, October 17th - Varsity Volleyball Game versus Bellingham at 6:30pm (sponsored by Breaking the Barriers)

The semi-formal Homecoming Dance is on Saturday, October 21st, from 7pm - 10pm in the high school cafeteria.  Tickets will be sold at lunch the week of Homecoming for $8 and at the door for $10.  Students who wish to bring a guest from another school must pick up a "guest approval" form from the main office and return it by Tuesday, October 17th.  All guests must arrive by 8pm.

For more information on these events, check out our website at: https://sites.google.com/ste/stucoashland/homecoming or email Josh Wiczer, Student Council Advisor, at jwiczer@ashland.k12.ma.us

As always, have a wonderful weekend and be sure to check out the Parent Flyers .

October 6, 2017

Happy Family Reconnect Weekend!

The first full week of October finds us really settling in to the new year.  I heard from several people, both students and faculty, that it feels like the beginning of the year growing pains are done and we are in a good place as a learning community.  I have been spending my Wednesday mornings at a desk in the main hallway. It's been nice to chat with students as they walk by and each week I have had a question posted on an easel to help spark conversation.  This week the question was "How Do You Define Learning?" and the answers were more than I could have hoped for.  Learning to me is taking a risk, trying something new, understanding a new concept or an old idea in the same way.  I wondered if students felt the same way and found that most did.  Their answers included statements such as "curiosity, effort, & engagement!", "taking chances", and "gaining new experience".  As I listened to them talk, there was very little discussion about tests, grades, homework, etc. and that was my hope.

I hope you and your families get a chance to "find something new about things and yourself" (another quote from a student about learning) this weekend.  Enjoy the day off on Monday!  

The first Principal's Advisory Council of the year will meet in Monday, October 16 at noon in the main office conference room.  Any student interested in joining and having a voice in making AHS a great school community should email Ms. St. Coeur.


Tickets are now on sale for the AHSTS production of Museum. The production runs Friday, November 3rd and Saturday, November 4th at 7PM, and Sunday, November 5th at 2PM. Patrons may buy tickets in advance online at ahsts.com. AHSTS offers discounted tickets purchased online. All seating is reserved. For more information or tickets, visit ahsts.com.

Please keep some important dates in mind as you plan:

October 9- No School

October 16-20- Homecoming week! More details to follow

October 17- all school assembly to hear Jamele Adams!

October 18- picture retake day & early release for students at 12:35pm

October 24- Courageous Conversations- Love.Inclusion.Trust

October 26- National Honor Society induction

Author Julie Berry will be coming to the Ashland Public Library on Wednesday, October 11 from 6:30 - 7:30 after spending a day at Mindess doing presentations to all grades and creative writing workshops with all 5th graders. The idea for her newest book, “The Emperor’s Ostrich”, was hatched during one of these creative writing workshops at Mindess several years ago.  Those students are probably freshman or sophomores now.  Ms. Berry dedicated this book to the children of Mindess and she wants them to know that it is truly through the creative writing process she taught them that books are born.  Attached is a YouTube clip of “The Emperor’s Ostrich”.  

As always, have a wonderful weekend and be sure to check out the Parent Flyers .

Ashland Raises Healthy & Happy Kids

The Best Ways to Foster Kindness in Your Child

This week we saw amazing acts of kindness when strangers helped the victims of the mass shooting in Las Vegas. One of my first thoughts was, “I hope my children would act in a similar manner”. You certainly can’t control everything your child does or says, but you can help make kindness second nature by giving them chances to practice, both at home and in your community. Here’s how:

AT HOME

Pitch In

Include your children in regular housework such as cleaning and helping with dinner. They will learn to appreciate how tough it is to run a household and will feel good about contributing.

Respect

Don’t accept being tired or angry as an excuse to be disrespectful toward other family members. Explain why those emotions are okay to feel but why it’s not acceptable to lash out at someone. Calmly ask for an apology and brainstorm a healthier solution together.

Be Grateful

Start this tradition: Every day, at dinner or at bedtime, say something you’re grateful for. This practice promotes happiness, self-reflection, and appreciation. It will help make positive thinking a habit.

IN YOUR COMMUNITY

Support

Lend a hand when those around you need it, like when a friend or neighbor is hurt or sick. Include the children by having them make a card, help out with chores, or deliver home-baked cookies or dinner.

Open Up

Expose children to different cultures and backgrounds through books, festivals, traveling, movies and friends. Remind them that our world is full of all kinds of people with similarities and differences to discover and celebrate.

Serve

Volunteer as a family. When youth and teens serve others, they can see firsthand the importance of giving and receiving help and kindness.

September 29, 2017

Good afternoon-

A big thank you to the many parents who made it out for Back to School Night last night.  The teachers were appreciative of your time and flexibility!  I realize the time wasn't the best for all but there is never going to be a time that works for everyone.  I appreciate the comments and feedback. 

It's hard to believe October is here!

Please keep some important dates in mind as you plan:

October 4- Courageous Conversations-Wonder
October 9- No School
October 16-20- Homecoming week! More details to follow
October 17- all school assembly to hear Jamele Adams!
October 18- picture retake day & early release for students at 12:35pm
October 24- Courageous Conversations- Love.Inclusion.Trust
October 26- National Honor Society induction

Author Julie Berry will be coming to the Ashland Public Library on Wednesday, October 11 from 6:30 - 7:30 after spending a day at Mindess doing presentations to all grades and creative writing workshops with all 5th graders. The idea for her newest book, “The Emperor’s Ostrich”, was hatched during one of these creative writing workshops at Mindess several years ago.  Those students are probably freshman or sophomores now.  Ms. Berry dedicated this book to the children of Mindess and she wants them to know that it is truly through the creative writing process she taught them that books are born.  Attached is a YouTube clip of “The Emperor’s Ostrich”.  

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

Ashland Raises Healthy & Happy Kids

Ways to Prevent Obesity and Eating Disorders in Adolescents

Below are some evidence based (scientifically researched) strategies to prevent eating issues, both obesity and eating disorders, in adolescents.

1. Do not diet. Dieting is associated with greater weight gain and increased rates of binge eating in both boys and girls. Dieting is counterproductive to weight management efforts. Dieting can also predispose to eating disorders. In a large study of 14 and 15 year olds, students who severely restricted their calorie intake and skipped meals were 18 times more likely to develop an eating disorder than those who did not diet; those who dieted at a moderate level had a fivefold increased risk.
2. Eat family meals when you can. Eating family dinners most days was found to be protective against purging behaviors, binge eating, and frequent dieting. Theories for why family meals are protective include the following: families will consume healthier foods than teenagers would choose on their own; parents can model healthy food choices; family meals provide a time for teenagers and parents to interact; and parents can monitor their child’s eating and address issues earlier when they are aware of their child’s eating behavior.
3. Do not talk about weight.  Several studies have found that parental weight talk, whether it involves encouraging their children to diet or talking about their own dieting or weight, is linked to children being overweight or having eating disorders. Parents who had conversations about weight had adolescents who were more likely to engage in dieting, unhealthy weight-control behaviors, and binge eating.
4. Focus on healthy eating. If parents talk about healthy food choices, overweight adolescents are less likely to diet and to use unhealthy weight-control behaviors.
5. Promote a healthy body image. Approximately half of teenage girls and one-quarter of teenage boys are dissatisfied with their bodies; these numbers are higher in overweight teenagers. Instead of talking about weight and looks, emphasize what your child’s body can do and encourage healthy eating and exercise.

September 22, 2017

Time flies when you are having fun!  The first 15 days of the 2017-2018 have been full of laughter and learning at AHS.  I had a great time at Ashland Day which is always one of the most fun events of the year.  It was great to see so many people there supporting the great work our students are doing at AHS.  My daughter and I enjoyed the photo booths!

 This year, in a concerted effort to make more opportunities for student voice to be heard, the Deans and I are implementing mobile office hours.  Wednesday morning I spent about two hours sitting at a desk outside the library. It was fun and I learned a lot.  My first lesson was that kids definitely think it's weird for the principal to sit at a student desk in the hallway.  Many got over that and stopped to ask what I was doing and answer a few questions posted on a white board.  A few staff members stopped by for meetings too.  It was the best two hours of my week!

I asked the students "what is your hope for the school year?" and "what could make AHS better?"  Their answers were awesome.  Besides the request for tater tots, tacos, bigger apples and a salad bar (I will share these answers with Nutrition Services) students had some great responses for how to make AHS better.  My favorite? SMILE-I love that and it was written a couple of times.  I also loved "people who encourage greatness, and for the people who do, to keep it up."  Student hopes for the school year were just as inspiring and thought provoking...."for students to use their words and actions to make AHS an accepting, welcoming, clean (!) environment for all", "to create a more accepting school environment, a place where people aren't afraid to have a bad day every once in a while", and finally "to set a good example for younger students in the school!".  This is such a caring community filled with kindness and compassion.  Knowing that the majority of AHS students feel this way is what makes this job so enjoyable.    

Students can have their voice heard several other ways.  Please encourage your student to consider joining the School Site Council or the Principal's Advisory Council.  Any interested student should reach out to Ms. St. Coeur for more information. 

Back to School Night!

The AHS Back to School Night is Thursday, September 28th from 5-6:30pm.  This evening is an opportunity for you to walk through your child's entire schedule, meet their teachers, and here about the course expectations & syllabus.  I look forward to welcoming everyone with a very brief introduction before starting classroom visits at 5:15pm.  I do realize the time is earlier than normal but we are trying to fit in multiple events in a short time period. Thank you in advance for your flexibility. 

News from Student Council:
Just a reminder that the Student Council is running a fundraiser this Sunday at Barnes and Noble in Framingham, where we will get a percent of all proceeds for any purchase made with a voucher.  I've left vouchers in your mailboxes; it's also attached to this email.  

For those of you with little kids, we're running a bunch of activities during the day (so you can drop them off with us, and then have some quiet shopping time!)  They can "make their own Golden Book" from 11:30 - 12:30 with members of the Student Council.  Then from 12:30 - 3:30, we're running story time / game time -- members of the Student Council will be reading and playing board games and group games with anyone there (just over in the children's section.)

At 3pm, Jenn McMahon will be reading from her new book, Inish Clare, and will be discussing the writing process, taking questions, and signing books.  Come on out to support her!

 Vouchers are available on the AHS Student Council website at http://sites.google.com/site/stucoashland/ We will also have them available at the store from 11:30am - 4pm that day while we're running our events.

Finally, the vouchers are good at any Barnes and Noble this Sunday (9/24) as well as online at bn.com (and online, they're good from Sunday 9/24 until 9/28).

Hope to see some of you there!


The entire Ashland community is invited to join “Team Peach” as we walk to honor the memory of Brendan Petry and support the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. The 3-mile walk will take place on Sunday, Sept. 24th from 10am - 12 noon, starting at the Natick High School track, 15 West Street, and proceeding through Natick.  Support the Petry family by wearing the color peach, as a nod to Brendan’s nickname, and walk to save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide. Please also consider making a tax-deductible donation on Brendan’s behalf - even a small amount would be appreciated: https://afsp.donordrive.com/participant/Brendan. For more information, email Sue Sicard at spiraino@comcast.net.

Class of 2018! Grynn & Barrett will be at AHS for Senior Portraits on Monday, October 2nd for anyone that needs their yearbook photo taken.  

Please take a moment to review the Parent Flyers to check out what is going on around town.

Ashland Raises Healthy & Happy Kids:
Seven Phrases To Calm an Anxious Child

It happens to every child (and adult) in one form or another – anxiety. We would like to shield our children from life’s anxious moments, but navigating anxiety is a valuable life skill.  In the heat of the moment, try these simple phrases to help your children identify, accept, and work through their anxious moments.

1. “Can you draw it?” Drawing, painting or doodling about an anxiety provides kids with an outlet for their feelings when they can’t use their words.
2. “I love you. You are safe.”
3. “Let’s count _____.”  Counting the number of people wearing hats, the number of tiles on the floor, or the number of kids in the room requires observation and thought, both of which detract from the anxiety your child is feeling.
4. “I get scared/nervous/anxious sometimes too. It’s no fun.”   
5. “If you gave your­­ feeling a color, what would it be?” Asking your child to say how they feel with a color, gives them a chance to think about how they feel relative to something simple. Follow up by asking why their feeling is that color.
6. “Let’s have a debate.”  Older children especially love this exercise because they have permission to debate their parent. Have a point, counter-point style debate about the reasons for their anxiety. You may learn a lot about their reasoning in the process.  
7. “Let me hold you.”  Physical contact provides a chance for your child to relax and feel safe