Ashland Preschool Update

Hello Preschool Families,

We would like to extend a huge thank you to our amazing PTO and all of the families who helped/contributed to making Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week so special! Our staff felt incredibly appreciated and truly spoiled all week long. From the delicious snacks on Monday, Chipotle lunch on Tuesday, breakfast on Wednesday, and the fun ice cream truck visit on Friday, every thoughtful gesture meant so much to us. We also loved receiving the sweet messages and notes from students and families, which are now proudly displayed on doors throughout the building. One of the highlights of the week was definitely Thursday’s 90’s dress-up day! Not only did the staff have a wonderful time taking a trip back in time, but the students had so much fun joining in the excitement as well, as you can see in the pictures.

This past Wednesday, we were excited to host our Caregiver Coffee for families of our rising Kindergarten students. We would like to thank Pete Regan, Warren School Principal, Katie Bent, Warren Special Education Coordinator, and Christy Arnold, Director of English Language Learners, for joining us and helping answer questions about the transition to Kindergarten. Families appreciated the opportunity to connect, learn more about what to expect next year, and hear helpful information from our district leaders. If you would like to view the answers to some of the questions that were asked during the event, you can access the document here.

Thank you again for all of your kindness, generosity, and support!

-Amanda

We currently have a waitlist for all our classes for the 26/27 school year, except for our 4-day 3-year-old AM class. If you are interested in signing up for this option, please send your application to Donna Pederson dpederson@ashland.k12.ma.us

If your child receives a placement through Special Education, the Teams will be making recommendations during upcoming IEP meetings and will communicate that with you.

Visit the website for registration details. Updated Registration form is available on the website.

Prospective Families Information Session Presentation

Per Massachusetts General Law, and Ashland School Committee policy, Ashland Public Schools provides free transportation to Ashland students in Grades K-6 who reside more than two (2.0) miles from school. Students in Grades K-6 who live two or fewer miles from school and all students in Grades 7-12 may pay an annual transportation fee if they want to take the bus to and from school. Due to limited transportation options, all paid seats will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Students will be assigned to a bus once their full and complete application has been received. Once bus capacity has been reached, a waitlist will be created. Late registrations will be placed on a waitlist and offered a seat if one becomes available during the school year.

Early Registration

Received before June 1st, 2026

$290 per student or $580 (maximum family cap) for 2 or more students in the same family. Registration is required for each student. Submit payments to Ashland Public Schools at https://epay.cityhallsystems.com, select the School Department and the drop-down option for Bus Transportation.

Regular Registration

Received after June 1st, 2026

Registrations received after the due date may be processed on September 1st, 2026. $360 per student or $720 (maximum family cap) for 2 or more students from the same family. Registration is required for each student. Submit payments to Ashland Public Schools at https://epay.cityhallsystems.com, select the School Department and the drop-down option for Bus Transportation.

Registration for Grades K-6 who reside more than two (2.0) miles from school

Register at https://epay.cityhallsystems.com, select the School Department and the drop-down option for Bus Transportation. Please select the option for “Qualify for free bus transportation (grades K-6 living over 2 miles from assigned school).”

Requesting A Fee Waiver (two step process)

A waiver of the bus fee is available to families based on the same guidelines used to determine eligibility for free and reduced lunch. Registration forms must still be received by June 1st, 2026 if you are applying for a bus fee waiver.

Step 1)

Please register for the bus fee waiver at https://epay.cityhallsystems.com, select the school department and the drop-down option for Bus Transportation, and select the box titled “Apply for a waiver of the bus fee.”

Step 2)

Please click on the following links to obtain the forms and follow the instructions provided: English Fee Waiver Application, Portuguese Fee Waiver Application, Spanish Fee Waiver Application.

Notification & Contact Information

Families who registered students for the bus by June 1 will be notified by July 30 on the status of their registration. Registrations received after June 1 may not be processed until September 1.

Call Transportation Coordinator, Tamara Saviatto, at (508) 532-4007 for more information.

Celebrate creativity and community! AREA is hosting a Youth Creative Contest in honor of Juneteenth with the theme “Juneteenth: A Celebration of Legacy, Freedom, and Community.” Students of all grades are invited to submit original writing, artwork, music, or dance pieces during the month of May. Winning submissions will be recognized at AREA’s Juneteenth Celebration at the Ashland Farmers Market in June, and all entries will be displayed at the event. Please see the attached flyer for submission guidelines and details!

May 14: City and Country Day

May 29: End-of-Year/Welcome Picnic 5pm-7pm

June 18: Last day for all students not graduating- Normal schedule for all classes

June 22: Graduation 10:30am

June 23: Orientation for new families 9:00am-10:00am for AM Session and 11:00am-12:00pm for PM and Full Day Session

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!

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

Please remember that all family members who wish to receive the newsletters from me — or any of our other school, department or district newsletters — must subscribe by visiting ashland.k12.ma.us/subscribe. You can also forward them this newsletter and have them subscribe by scrolling down to the footer and clicking the “subscribe” button.

If you have any issues subscribing or unsubscribing, check out Smore: Frequently Asked Questions.

DESE Report Card Information- 2024