AMS Weekly Update

Good Afternoon,

This weekend marks our first Family Reconnect Weekend of the school year. Your students should not have any homework or major assessments to prepare for when they return on Tuesday. I hope you can take advantage of the long weekend to enjoy some meaningful family time together.

As a parent myself, I often reflect on the saying, "The days are long, but the years are short." Parenting can sometimes feel like a whirlwind, and it's easy to get caught up in the daily grind—work, evening activities, and everything in between. This weekend is a wonderful opportunity to pause, reconnect, and enjoy time with your middle schoolers. While they may seem resistant to family time, I’ve found that students, regardless of age, appreciate time dedicated to being together. They might not always show it in the moment, but it’s meaningful to them, and you might be pleasantly surprised if you give it a try.

Today, we mailed out MCAS parent reports from last spring's testing. You should receive them next week, and I encourage you to review your student's results. While MCAS is only one measure of student progress, it serves as a helpful benchmark to understand where they stand and what areas they can improve.

For our 8th-grade parents, your students received a survey today regarding their preferences for the 8th-grade field trip options in June. Please encourage your child to complete the Google form so we can gather feedback and make plans accordingly.

I’m also working closely with the PTO and grade-based advisors on ideas for fun social events to add into the school year. Stay tuned for upcoming dates and details as we finalize some exciting opportunities for students to connect and enjoy themselves!

Additionally, we conducted our annual bus evacuation drill this morning for those who ride the bus. The students did a great job and were very cooperative.

Please reach out with any questions or concerns. Have a great weekend!

Erin Lachapelle

AMS Principal

Information from School Nurses-7th Grade

Starting on October 21st, we will be conducting our annual height/weight, vision and hearing screenings for 7th graders. Please click the link below for more information and to opt your student out of some of the screenings.

Screening Opt-Out Link

Raptor Technology

We will begin using Raptor Technologies, a school safety software, to screen visitors in all buildings. Starting October 1, 2024, all visitors will be required to present an ID as part of the sign-in process at each school.

Additionally, we will implement a new procedure for parents/guardians to drop off materials for their students during the school day. Instead of being buzzed into the office, parents/guardians will be asked to leave their students' belongings on a table in the vestibule, located between the outer and inner doors.

We understand that this change in routine will be an adjustment for both our administrative assistants and parents/guardians. We kindly ask for your patience as we roll out these new procedures.

Monday, October 14th-NO SCHOOL

Tuesday, October 15th- A Day

Wednesday, October 16th-B Day & Keefe Tech Presentation to 8th Grade during Discovery

Thursday, October 17th-C Day

Friday, October 18th-D Day

Friday, November 1st-NO SCHOOL (Diwali)

Tuesday, November 5th-NO SCHOOL (Election Day) Professional Development for Staff

Monday, November 11th-NO SCHOOL (Veterans' Day)

Wednesday, November 27th-Early Release

Thursday, November 28th & Friday, November 29th-NO SCHOOL (Thanksgiving Break)

GIRL POWERED

Girl Powered is a program designed specifically towards females in Ashland Middle School. The focus within this program is to create positive mental awareness utilizing fitness techniques. During this 8 week program, females will be educated, trained, and assisted on basic strength training using free weights, plate weights with bars, body weight activities, cardiovascular activities, along with injury prevention and safety awareness within a fitness facility. They will associate mood and mental health awareness within fitness activities and develop self assessments to regulate mood management. A pre and post assessment will be utilized to determine students mental and physical health during this program. Assessments will be utilized to provide students with individually designed goals related to their mental and physical needs.

Keep a lookout for sign ups!

Please reach out to Dee Mastromatteo, AMS Wellness Teacher or Kelly Roy, AMS Adjustment Counselor with any questions.

Dmastromatteo@ashland.k12.ma.us

Kroy@ashland.k12.ma.us

Unified Sports

AMS is proud to be recognized by Special Olympics Massachusetts as a Unified Champion School. If your child is interested in participating in unified sports please reach out to Kelly Romano at kromano@ashland.k12.ma.us

Best Buddies

Best Buddies is a social club created to foster one-to-one friendships between middle school students with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Through their participation, students with and without IDD form meaningful connections with their peers, gain self-confidence and self-esteem, share interests, experiences and activities. Best Buddies helps to create an inclusive middle school culture for all students early on in their educational development. We meet the first Wednesday of every month from 2:45-3:45 in room 119. Please join by filling out this online form: www.bestbuddies.org/join and contact KellyAnn Romano with any questions at kromano@ashland.k12.ma.us.

AMS Student Council

Student Leaders is now officially AMS Student Council! Meetings will be held Wednesday mornings, at 7:15am in Mrs. Steinbrick’s room. If students are unable to make it, please let Mrs.Steinbrick know. This meeting is for current student leaders. Interested in joining but not a student leader? Stay tuned for more details! "

Math Counts

Club meets on Monday afternoons in Room 222. Please reach out to Karen Bernier with any questions kbernier@ashland.k12.ma.us

Chess Club

The AMS Chess Club meets every Monday after school from 2:45 pm- 3:45 pm in rooms 208, 210, & 211. Please email Mrs. Sadana gsadana@ashland.k12.ma.us or Mr. Van Wyhe rvanwyhe@ashland.k12.ma.us with any questions.

Art Club

Please reach out to Mrs. Micucci with any questions. rmicucci@ashland.k12.ma.us

Diversity Club:

Diversity Club will have its first meeting on October 17th in the Art room. All are welcome! Please reach out to Mrs. Micucci with any questions rmicucci@ashland.k12.ma.us

Drama Club

Drama Club has started !!! AMS Theater Company will be producing

The Seussification of Romeo & Juliet ! It is a comedy.

Only 25 actors will be cast in the roles.

2 audition workshops will be held 10/7 & 10/8.

Formal auditions will be held 10/15 & 10/16

A google classroom has been set up for those interested in being part of backstage or onstage. Students had the chance to join the Google classroom in advisory this week .

Drama club typically meets Mon thru Thurs from 245- 4pm and closer to the show 5pm. It is a large commitment .

After auditions a bi-weekly rehearsal letter will be sent home.

Last, crew will meet now and then to help create the set and props.

Email any questions to : elangmeyer@ashland.k12.ma.us

Yearbook:

Open to all grades. Yearbook will meet on Wednesdays after school in room 142. If you have questions please reach out to Ms. Collins mcollins@ashland.k12.ma.us

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.

"My grandson doesn’t always have much to say about his school day, but he was pretty excited to share the story of Ötzi the Iceman as discussed in social studies. He knew where and when Ötzi was found, his age at death and his intolerance for lactose. Keep it up Mr. Sweeney!"

Additionally, this week, the Ashland Special Education Parent Advisory Council (ASHPAC) hosted its annual Lighting the Way Awards, honoring staff members nominated by parents for their dedication to supporting students with unique learning needs. Kelly-Ann Romano was recognized for her outstanding work with students at AMS.

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 showcase some delightful dishes featuring the wonderful flavor of pears! Be sure to try our Warm Pear Crisp and Roasted Butternut Squash & Pear 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.