Mindess School Weekly Update

Dear Mindess Families,

As we head into Memorial Day weekend, we took time today as a school community to reflect on the meaning of the holiday during a special all-school assembly. It was a meaningful opportunity for our students and staff to honor and remember the brave men and women who have served our country. Photos from the assembly can be found below in the highlights section.

Last night, we had the pleasure of welcoming incoming Grade 2 families to Mindess for our Grade 3 Information Night. It was wonderful to share information about the transition to Mindess and help families learn more about what to expect next year. If you have a child transitioning to Mindess and were unable to attend, you can view the presentation here.

As we begin to wrap up the school year, we are excited to invite Grade 5 families to attend this year’s Grade 5 Clap Out on the last day of school. The Clap Out will begin at 10:00 a.m., with dismissal taking place at 10:40 a.m. Families who would like to dismiss their child directly following the Clap Out can fill out this form. We are also continuing to collect photos for the Grade 5 end-of-year celebration slideshow. We love seeing these special memories and encourage families to submit photos by the May 31st deadline here.

Looking ahead, next week is our annual Science Symposium — one of our favorite traditions at Mindess. This special event brings in community members from a variety of professions to teach our students about their careers, experiences, and areas of expertise. It is always an engaging and inspiring experience for our students, and we are incredibly grateful to the many community members who volunteer their time to make this event possible.

Warmly,

Kate Altman
Principal

Incoming 6th Grade Parent Information Night

Ashland Middle School will be hosting a Parent Information Night for families of incoming 6th graders on Wednesday, June 3rd at 6:00 PM in the AMS Theater.

During this session, I will review the 6th-grade course schedule, discuss the transition to middle school, and provide an overview of what families can expect in the year ahead. There will also be time for questions.

For those who are unable to attend, I will be sure to share the slide presentation following the meeting.

Additionally, we will host a 6th-grade orientation in August prior to the start of the school year for both students and parents. At that time, students will receive their schedules and have the opportunity to walk through their day and locate their classrooms. Much of the same information will be reviewed, and there will be another opportunity to ask questions.

Erin Lachapelle

AMS Principal

Click here to submit photos of your 5th grader for the end of year celebration!

Now is the exciting time of year when students can decide if they’d like to participate in the band program during the 2026-2027 school year! Here is the link to sign up:

https://forms.gle/HfycAyi6tJyrzxBh9

This year-long program is offered to both 4th and 5th graders interested in playing an instrument and performing in a musical ensemble. Students in band receive instrument lessons during the school day that will provide detailed instruction for beginners.

If your student already participated in band during 4th grade and would like to continue in 5th grade, you will still need to fill out the sign-up form. I encourage those students to continue playing the same instrument next year, but if they would like to change instruments please note that in the google form. David French Music will provide further information about your current instrument rentals or returns.

The attached flyer has more detailed information about Mindess band and the required materials, but do not hesitate to contact Ms. Valentin by email (svalentin@ashland.k12.ma.us) if you have any questions. The last day to sign up for band will be Thursday, June 18th; please fill out the google form before that day.

We are looking forward to a new and exciting year in the band room!

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.

May

• Step Up Day - 9am - 10:30am : Grade 5 visit AMS, Grade 2 visit Mindess
• iReady Make-ups for ALL students who missed their assigned day.

Tuesday, June 2

• Grade 5B Field Trip

• Rise Step Up Day - 10am - 11:30

Thursday, June 4

• SPED Parent Coffee for grade 2 parents (incoming third graders) - Upstairs Art Room - 9:30am-10am

Friday, June 5

• Grade 5A Field Trip

Tuesday, June 9

• 3rd Grade Enrichment Program - Upstairs Art Room
  Szumita, 8:55 - 9:55am Gazard, 10:10 - 11:10am McPherson, 12:10 - 1:10pm

• Site Council - 2:30pm

Wednesday, June 10

• AHS Choir Concert - GYM - 8:55-9:25am
  Grade 3 - 8:40. Grade 4 - 8:45. Grade 5 - 8:50

Friday, June 12

• Egg Drop, rain date Monday 6/15

Tuesday, June 16

• 4th Grade Field Trip

Wednesday, June 17

• 5th Grade Send Off - 6pm

• No School

Wednesday, June 24 - Last Day of School

• Cup Stacking

• 5th grade clap out (parents invited)

A note from our school nurses:

As we begin to inch closer to summer, we want to share an important reminder for families of current Grade 3 students. In accordance with state requirements, all students in Grade 4 must have a current physical examination on file with the school nurse in order to begin their 5th grade year (the 2027-2028 school year). If your child will be entering Grade 4 next year, please be sure to schedule their physical with your pediatrician and submit the updated documentation to the health office. Submitting forms early helps ensure a smooth and successful start in September—thank you for your attention to this important requirement!

Massachusetts had historically required school nurses to conduct postural (scoliosis) screenings in public schools in grades 5-9. However, proposed legislation is in progress that may eliminate this requirement, as these screenings are routinely completed during students’ annual physical exams with their healthcare providers.

In light of this pending legislation and to avoid duplication of care, postural screenings will not be conducted routinely for 5th graders in school this year.

If you would like your 5th grade child to receive a postural screening by the school nurse, we are happy to provide this screening upon request.

If you would like to request your child be screened for scoliosis, please fill out the form located here.

This month, our SEL focus is honesty. Students take a "field trip" to Lie Town where

people live on Bold Face Boulevard, White Lie Way, Can't Help It Court (compulsive lying), Added It To It Ave (exaggeration), Took Their Work Trail (plagiarism), or Left It Out Lane (half-truths). Students practice identifying the types of lies and the problems that occur when lies are told.

Classes will take part this month with a restorative circle where students talk about why it's important to tell the truth. They also explore why it is important to follow through on a promise or commitment.

Students also learn:

Before You Speak:

T - is is true?

H - is it helpful?

I - is it inspiring?

N - is it necessary?

K - is it kind?

These rules help students recognize when they talk about others if they are contributing to spreading a rumor.

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.

The Ashland Music Association is excited to partner with Blush Bouquets for our spring fundraiser, Blooms for Tunes! When you purchase a single rose, a mixed bouquet or a half dozen roses for your special musician, the AMA will receive a portion of the proceeds to support the Ashland music programs. Purchase flowers in advance of the May 28th Mindess Chorus Concert and the June 4th Mindess Band Concert for pick-up at the evening’s performance. Blush Bouquets will have flowers available for purchase onsite as well. https://www.blushbouquets.com/collections/flowers/products/ashland-music-association-spring-2026-concerts

Thank you, I appreciate your help!

Diane Umholtz

VP - Ashland Music Association