Mindess School Weekly Update

Dear Mindess Families,

As we head into the final days of the school year, we would like to remind families that there will be no school on Friday, June 19th, in observance of Juneteenth. Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in the United States and serves as an opportunity to reflect on our nation's history, celebrate freedom, and honor the ongoing pursuit of equality for all.

This week at the School Committee meeting, we had the privilege of recognizing three beloved Mindess educators who will be retiring at the end of the school year. Mrs. Stephanie Balukonis (34 years of service), Mrs. Portia Pisello (27 years of service), and Mrs. Mary Soderberg (30 years of service) have dedicated their careers to supporting the students and families of Ashland Public Schools. Collectively, they have contributed an incredible 91 years of service to our community. We are deeply grateful for their commitment, compassion, and impact on generations of students. Please join us in congratulating Stephanie, Portia, and Mary on their well-deserved retirements and wishing them all the best in this next chapter.

Our third-grade students enjoyed a successful walking field trip today! Students had a wonderful time exploring, learning, and spending time together outside the classroom. Most importantly, everyone made it back safely—and before the day became too hot. Fun was had by all!

Today was also the annual Grade 5 Egg Drop Challenge. Students worked in teams to design and build containers to protect their eggs from a high-altitude drop. A huge thank you to the Ashland Fire Department for bringing their ladder truck and helping make this exciting STEM experience possible. Mrs. Kelly and Mr. Savage bravely rode in the bucket and dropped each team's egg while fifth-grade students watched eagerly to see whether their designs would survive the fall. It was an exciting morning filled with creativity, problem-solving, and plenty of suspense!

Finally, a reminder that next week is Spirit Week at Mindess! We encourage students to participate if they would like. Please see the schedule below for each day's theme. We look forward to ending the school year with lots of school spirit and fun memories.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Warmly,

Kate Altman
Principal

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.

June

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)

Our Grade 5 students put their engineering skills to the test during today's Egg Drop Challenge! Students worked collaboratively to design and build protective containers with one goal in mind, keeping their egg intact after a high drop from the Ashland Fire Department's ladder truck. Through creativity, problem-solving, and perseverance, students applied the engineering design process while having a lot of fun. We are grateful to the Ashland Fire Department for helping make this memorable learning experience possible. We are proud of our students' innovative designs and willingness to learn from both successes and failures!

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.

Click this link for more information and how to register.