Ashland Middle School Staff Update

Good Morning AMS Team,

I know some of you are not ready to think about school yet, and that’s okay—please feel free to skip this email until you are in the mindset to return. For those of you who are looking for updates, I wanted to check in and share some important information before we’re back together.

I’ve had a wonderful summer and am looking forward to beginning my second year as your principal. I feel so grateful to work alongside such an amazing staff. While we have many changes ahead this year, I’m hopeful for a less eventful year than last!

A huge thank you to our incredible custodial team, who have worked tirelessly to prepare the building for the new year. The transformation from June to now is remarkable! With so many classroom moves this summer, Mark and his team did an amazing job.

They’re still finishing some areas on the first floor, so if your classroom is there, please check in to be sure it’s accessible before coming in early. If you are missing any furniture or need additional desks, please submit a SchoolDude request so the custodians can track and address needs efficiently.

We’re excited to welcome several new colleagues to our AMS family:

• Tess Anketell – 8th Grade ELA Teacher

• Punam Bhagia – ESP

• Cat Brunell – Art Teacher

• Deb Izen – RISE Special Education Teacher

• Jack Macken – ESP

• Allison Shapinko – 6th Grade Writing Teacher

• Jared Swartz – Wellness Teacher

• Amy Westerlind – ESP2

• Carly White – Special Education Teacher

As you know, our schedule has changed for this year, along with some teaching roles and curriculum adjustments. I’ll share more on our opening day, but my personal themes for the year are: positivity, flexibility, and grace. The mindset we bring as adults will set the tone for our students, if we approach changes with optimism, they will follow our lead.

Students who require support have been scheduled to ensure access to services while still maximizing opportunities in UA/Wellness. This also allows for smaller, more targeted groupings where needed.

Many of you are eager for the schedule rotation and block times click here for the document, which also includes the lunch rotation schedule. Mike is still finalizing lunch duty assignments, which we’ll share closer to the first day.

The website is currently under construction as we have switched to a new service provider. Linked here is the district calendar for the 2025–2026 school year. If you scroll to the bottom there is a printable PDF version. I will send another communication to all staff next week with our professional development schedule for August 25th and 26th

While I’m still waiting for new staff to be loaded into iPass, the rollover is complete. If you have access, you should be able to view your schedule, please email me if you cannot.

Traci, Caroline, and Maddie did an incredible job with scheduling, though some balancing will continue right up to the first day of school. I recommend holding off on printing class lists until then.

I am back in the office full time until school begins, though I’ll be at administrative meetings all day this week on Wednesday and Thursday. If you need to connect with me in person, email is the best way to make sure we can find a time that works.

As we prepare for the year ahead, I encourage all of us to keep my guiding words of positivity, flexibility, and grace at the forefront of our minds. Change is inevitable, but how we navigate it together is what makes AMS such a special place for both staff and students. I can’t wait to see each of you, hear about your summers, and kick off another great school year together.

Erin