Ashland Preschool Weekly Update

Hello Everyone,

What a fantastic first week of school!

It has been such a joy getting to know your children and watching them settle into their new routines. Already, they are beginning to form friendships, show how creative they can be using art materials, and are practicing important skills like sharing and turn taking. We are off to a wonderful start, and I’m so excited for all the learning, growth, and fun that lies ahead!

Please remember to take a few minutes each week to read the communication coming from your child’s teacher. These weekly updates will give you a glimpse into what your child is learning about in the classroom, as well as reminders about snack, lunch, and any other items they may need to bring to school. It’s the best way to stay connected with your child's classroom, and support their school experience.

A quick reminder: Thursday, September 11th is our very first Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) Bee Day! On this special day, we celebrate the positive choices our students make as they learn what it means to Be Safe, Be Kind, and Be Responsible. To join in the fun, don’t forget to wear your BEE COLORS — black and yellow! (See the PBIS section below for more details.)

As always, please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions, big or small.

Best,

Amanda

Don't forget to wear your BEE COLORS (yellow and black) !

What is PBIS?

PBIS stands for Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports. PBIS is a research-based framework for teaching and supporting positive behaviors for all students. This is a school-wide approach, which creates positive, predictable, equitable and safe learning environments where everyone thrives.

The benefits of implementing PBIS include behavioral, social, emotional and academic growth and a positive school climate.

PBIS in the preschool is based on two expectations, Be Safe and Be Kind.

Be Safe expectations include:

• Listening ears

• Walking feet

• Body to yourself

• Calm body

• Eyes watching

• Quiet voices

Be Kind expectations include:

• Use manners

• Use your words

• Use fair ways to play

• Body to yourself

Throughout the school building, you will see PBIS represented through our bee theme. For example, beehives visually illustrating expectations, beehive classroom reinforcement systems and “Bumbles” our PBIS mascot.

How are the expectations taught?

Students are taught what it looks like to Be Safe and Be Kind in every setting during the school day. Lessons are taught and reinforced throughout the school year. When students demonstrate the Be Safe and Be Kind expectations, they earn bumblebee tokens towards a classroom reward. The expectations go beyond the classroom, where students can earn bee stickers and stamps from teachers and staff throughout the school building.

As parents, you can support PBIS at school by doing the following:

1. Review the behavior expectations with your child.

2. Use the 2 Be’s at home.

3. Provide positive reinforcement at home by rewarding good choices with compliments or quality time.

4. Share your comments and questions with us!

Important Reminders for Arrival

Follow signage and staff directions.

Please do not use cellphones in the parking lot and line.

Do not unload until you're in the active loading/unloading zone (fire lane).

Once in the fire lane, park your car and turn the engine off.

Walk with your student all the way to the gate to cross the threshold.

Return to your car to wait until the line pulls out.

Do not pull out or around other cars. All cars in the active zone are to remain parked until directed by staff.

Take a right out onto Central St. as you leave the line.

You can check out this visual map for our drop-off procedure.

Important Reminders for Dismissal

Follow the same traffic pattern.

Place Name Card on dash.

Staff will call the name card placed on windshield.

Once you pull into the active loading/unloading zone, park and turn off your car and wait outside next to your car.

A staff member will walk your child to you at your car.

Buckle your child in and wait until the line of cars move.

Do not pull out or around other cars. Take a right turn out of the parking lot.

You can check out this visual map for our pick-up procedure.

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

September 8: Lissencephaly Awareness Day

September 11: PBIS Bee Day - Wear Black and Yellow

September 23: Rosh Hashanah - No School

October 1: Custodian Appreciation Day

October 2: Yom Kippur - No School

October 7: School Picture Day

October 10: Early Release for Prof. Development 12:15 Dismissal for Full Day

October 13: Indigenous People Day - No School

October 20: Diwali - No School

October 28, 29, 30: Early Release before lunch - Full Day dismissed at 11:20- No PM Class or Late Pick-up Program

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!

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DESE Report Card Information- 2024