AMS UPDATE

Good Afternoon,

It is hard to believe we are already approaching the halfway point of the first term. At this stage in the school year, students should be settling into the routines and expectations of both their teachers and the school. It’s normal for the transition into middle school, or into a new grade, to take some time, and most students are now finding their rhythm.

As we move forward, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your child’s teachers if you have concerns about grades or notice your child spending an excessive amount of time on homework. Open communication between school and home helps us best support each student’s learning and well-being.

School Pictures Are Ready!
Families can now view and order school pictures online through LifeTouch.

• Log in or create an account at mylifetouch.com using your student’s ID number.

• All families can also order a FREE Digital SmileSafe card, which provides added peace of mind for student safety.

• Learn more about the SmileSafe program here

This past week included Rosh Hashanah, and next week brings Yom Kippur. We want to take a moment to acknowledge these important observances for those in our community who celebrate.

Thank you, as always, for your continued support of our students and our school community.

Thank you,

Erin Lachapelle

AMS Principal

Schedule for Next Week:

• Monday, September 29th- G Day
• Tuesday, September 30th- A Day
• Wednesday, October 1st- B Day
• Thursday, October 2nd- NO SCHOOL (Yom Kippur)
• Friday, October 3rd- C Day

Upcoming Important Dates:

• Thursday, October 2nd-No School (Yom Kippur)

• Friday, October 10th-Early Release Day -Start of Family Reconnect Weekend

• Monday, October 13th-No School (Indigenous Peoples' Day)

I will update this as I receive information from club advisors:

Art Club

Art club meets on Tuesdays (each group every other week) in room 139. Art Club is a time to work on class projects, free art, or the weekly activity choices. Sometimes we will work on group projects for the community. Any questions, reach out to Ms. Micucci rmicucci@ashland.k12.ma.us

Best Buddies

The Best Buddies After School Club is a fun, welcoming, and inclusive space where students of all abilities come together to build meaningful friendships, promote inclusion, and celebrate diversity. Our club pairs students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in one-to-one friendships with their peers, helping to break down social barriers and create a stronger, more compassionate school community.

Through engaging activities, games, arts and crafts, and group outings, members of Best Buddies enjoy time together outside of the classroom while learning the values of acceptance, kindness, and leadership. We aim to foster a supportive environment where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued.

Whether you're looking to make new friends, be a leader in promoting inclusion, or simply be part of something that makes a positive impact—Best Buddies is the place for you! We will meet the first Tuesday of every month at 2:45. Any question please email Ms. Izen at dizen@ashland.k12.ma.us or stop by room 118.

Chess Club

Do you have what it takes to CHECKMATE your opponent? The AMS Chess Club meets every Monday after school. Participation is free, and all players are welcome. We will have competitive tournaments throughout the year, but we're also helping beginners learn how to play. To join the club, just show up to our first meeting, and you will be invited to join our Google Classroom. Any questions, reach out to Mr. Van Wyhe rvanwyhe@ashland.k12.ma.us

Diversity Club

Diversity Club meets in room 139, and we will meet on the third Thursdays of the month (with a few exceptions). Diversity Club is a safe space for conversations and support for LGBT+ issues and any other issues around DIVERSITY and anti-bullying in our school (race, religion, gender, and social issues). All conversations are age-appropriate. (PG rating only!) ALLIES AND FRIENDS WELCOME! Any questions, reach out to Ms. Micucci rmicucci@ashland.k12.ma.us or Ms. Payne spayne@ashland.k12.ma.us

Drama Club

All students are welcome!!

The Winter play audition process is about to start! Students must register and fill out an application on Google Classroom. The code is ye47hbot

All show info will be found on Google Classroom. Please email the director with questions elangmeyer@ashland.k12.ma.us

IMPORTANT INFO AND DATES BELOW

Mon, 9/29 Audition day 1 from 245 - 430 pm ( by appt)

Tues, 9/30 Audition day 2 from 245 - 430 pm ( by appt)

Wed, 10/1 Call backs from 245 - 4pm ( select few only)

Sun , 10/5 Cast List letter sent to families & schedule

Show dates are planned for Fri, 1/23 & Sat, 1/24

This year's Artistic Season is based upon the theme of" Brave Adventures". Students voted last year to do a Drama.

The drama this year is called The Orphan Trains. It is an ensemble show that highlights a specific historical event in America.

THE PLOT:

During the late 1800s and early 1900s, the United States was trying to solve two challenges. Due to the increase in factory work in the Eastern cities, many poor families were crowding the streets and apartment buildings. Kids (some orphans, but others abandoned or runaways) ended up packed into orphanages in Boston, New York, and Philadelphia. At the same time, the prairies and farmlands of the Midwest were in desperate need of cheap workers. Families trying to make a living needed more help, but didn’t want to pay a lot.

The US government started sending orphans from the Eastern cities on trains westward to be adopted as cheap labor. Some kids ended up in challenging, back-breaking servitude. Others left struggles with homelessness, ending up in loving and supportive homes.

This play follows several children in a train car. Each time the train stops, a new child begins to tell his or her story. These turn into scenes that we get to watch acted out in front of our eyes.

This drama is powerful and moving. We can’t wait for you to join us!

MathCounts

MathCounts is the Ashland Middle School Math Team. We meet every Monday in room 222 to practice for local and national competitions. We work to sharpen our critical thinking, teamwork, and strategy skills. The competitions include AMC 8, MathCounts Regional Competition, Purple Comet and the Math League Contests. Whether it’s cracking tricky puzzles, racing against the clock, or collaborating to solve real-world math problems, our team combines brainpower with school spirit. More than just numbers, we build confidence, friendships, and a love of discovery—one competition at a time!

Yearbook

First meeting for Yearbook will be on September 18th! Any student interested in working on the yearbook is welcome to attend. Meetings will be bi-weekly on Thursdays in room 151. Please reach out to Ms. Collins for more information mcollins@ashland.k12.ma.us

The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts will be hosting a Webex Webinar Keeping Kids Safe and Secure Online: A Project Safe Childhood Presentation for Parents. The webinar will take place on the evening of Wednesday, October 22nd at 6:30 pm in a partnership between the United States Attorney’s Office and Homeland Security Investigations Digital Forensics/Child Exploitation/Cyber Crime Unit. The registration flyer is attached. Advanced registration is required.

The webinar will bring awareness to the dangers children face online today and will educate parents/caregivers how to keep children safe online. The webinar will not be recorded. In the event someone is not able to attend on October 22nd, we hope to host several more throughout the school year.

REGISTRATION DETAILS Event address for attendees (use Chrome!): https://usao.webex.com/weblink/register/r8215d6b4baa3c0ebff54f9844c45790b

Password: PSC1

Questions or difficulty registering? Please contact USAMA.PSCOutreach@usdoj.gov

Webex platform has a maximum capacity of 1000 attendees.

If we have reached registration capacity, please email USAMA.PSCOutreach@usdoj.gov to be put on a waitlist for the next presentation.

I will provide an opportunity in every weekly update for parents and guardians to recognize the amazing work of our faculty and staff. If your student comes home and shares an incredible learning experience or stories about their teachers, please take a moment to fill out the google form linked here. This will allow me to recognize the faculty and staff members and share the positive experiences that students are having with the community.

"We met Mrs. Ferrari by chance right before the start of school, and she was immediately very welcoming & so thoughtful in all the information she shared for an incoming 6th grader! Thank you for taking the time out to chat with my son & me. We left that day feeling confident and prepared for the start of school! "

Dear Parents and Guardians,

As the autumn season settles in, we are excited to share our October menu with you, featuring

the sweet and nutritious Massachusetts Harvest of the Month: Pears!

Pears are a delicious and versatile fruit that will be prominently featured in our meals throughout

October. Locally grown in Massachusetts, these pears are at their peak ripeness, providing an

excellent source of dietary fiber, vitamin C, and potassium.

For more information on the benefits of pears and fun recipe ideas, please visit the Massachusetts

Harvest of the Month page: Massachusetts Harvest of the Month - Pears.

Our October menu will highlight some delightful dishes featuring the wonderful flavor of pears!

Be sure to try our Warm Pear Crisp, Roasted Butternut Squash & Pear Salad, and Kale, Pear &

Cabbage Salad.

We are committed to providing fresh, locally sourced produce to our students, supporting local

farmers, and ensuring the best nutritional quality in our meals. We encourage you to incorporate

pears into your meals at home to enjoy their many health benefits.

Thank you for your ongoing support and for trusting us with your children's nutrition and well-

being.

We look forward to a flavorful and healthy month!

Warm regards,

Regina Wilkinson

Director of Nutrition Services

Ashland Public Schools

Email: rwilkinson@ashland.k12.ma.us Phone: 508-881-0165

Don’t forget to visit ashland.k12.ma.us/Flyers where we feature announcements and events offered by organizations, clubs and teams throughout our community that serve to enrich the lives of our students, families, faculty and staff.