Ashland Preschool Update

This week we celebrated Custodian Appreciation Day! A heartfelt thank you goes out to Eric and Josh for all they do to keep Pittaway running smoothly each and every day. The students showed their gratitude by creating special cards and decorating pictures for them.

In the classrooms, children tapped into their artistic side while practicing cutting, painting, and gluing. While these activities may look like simple art projects, they are actually strengthening important developmental skills such as hand-eye coordination, pincer grip strength, proper hand placement on school tools, and fine motor control. These foundational skills support both creativity and future learning as our preschoolers grow!

You can help support your child’s hand strength and control at home through fun, everyday activities. Invite your child to tear paper for collages, peel and stick stickers, or build with small blocks and Legos. Encourage them to use short crayons, pencils, or markers to strengthen their grasp, or let them string beads, pasta, or cereal onto pipe cleaners or yarn. Games that use tweezers or tongs to pick up small items like cotton balls or pom-poms are also great for building control, while painting with different brushes, tracing around objects, or even using a hole punch all help develop coordination and strengthen little hands.

Best,

Amanda

School Picture Day will be held on October 7. If you have not yet done so, please use the link below to select the background for your student’s photograph.
For any questions, contact Donna at dlowell@ashland.k12.ma.us

This year’s Fall Fest will take place during the week of October 14th–17th. You will receive classroom-specific information directly from your child’s teacher.

Fall conferences will take place in the afternoon on October 28th, 29th, and 30th. Please remember that these are early release days before lunch.

Your child’s teacher will be sending out more information about how to sign up for a conference time. Please note that conferences are designed for caregivers to meet with the teacher and discuss how your child is adjusting to school and the skills they are currently working on. Childcare will not be available during conference times.

Questions? We’re here to help!

• For day-to-day operations, curriculum and assessment, community events, and general communication, please contact Amanda Curley at acurley@ashland.k12.ma.us

• For questions related to evaluations, team meetings, or IEP development, reach out to Sara Davidson at sdavidson@ashland.k12.ma.us

October 7: School Picture Day

October 10: Early Release for Prof. Development 12:15 Dismissal for Full Day - No PM Class or Late Pick-up Program

October 13: Indigenous People Day - No School

October 14-17: Fall Fest Week. Please refer to your child’s individual teacher newsletter or weekly update for the specific date and time for your classroom celebration.

October 20: Diwali - No School

October 23: C.A.R.E.S Team reading to classrooms

October 28, 29, 30: Early Release before lunch - Full Day dismissed at 11:20- No PM Class or Late Pick-up Program

October 30: Character Day. AM classes only

October 31: Character Day PM and Full Day classes

November 11: Veterans Day

November 26: Early Release, No Lunch, No PM or Late Pick-up, Full Day dismissal 11:15 -11:30 AM

November 27-28: Thanksgiving Recess

Looking for something to do in and around our community? Check out our Community Bulletin Board at ashland.k12.ma.us/flyers. From teen trivia nights to musicals to concerts, there's something for everyone!

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DESE Report Card Information- 2024