AMS UPDATE

Good Afternoon,

As both a principal and a parent of a 7th grader and a 4th grader, I know firsthand that the start of the school year brings excitement, new routines, and a bit of adjustment for all of us. Whether it’s remembering to pack lunches, navigating new schedules, or easing back into homework time, the first couple of weeks are about finding our rhythm again. I want to thank you for partnering with us during this transition, your support at home helps set the stage for a smooth and successful school year.

It was an amazing first two days here at AMS! The energy on the first day is just as exciting for the adults as it is for the students. Watching students arrive and greet one another with hugs, high fives, and big smiles was truly special. Our 6th graders and new students have done an incredible job finding their way around the building and learning expectations in the cafeteria and hallways. We are thrilled to welcome them to our community. Our 7th and 8th graders have jumped right back into the swing of things, and next week we will hold class meetings with each grade to review expectations.

Important Note for 8th Grade Families
I’ve heard from several students who are considering applying to Keefe Tech or private high schools. Please be aware that these schools review attendance (including tardies), grades, and behavior as part of their admissions process. We will be emphasizing this with students, but it’s important for families to keep in mind as well.

Clubs & Late Bus
I will begin collecting information from advisors regarding first club meetings and schedules. Please note there will be no clubs prior to the week of September 15th. The late bus will begin running next week.

Arrival & Dismissal Reminders
Overall, arrival and dismissal have gone smoothly. Some buses are still arriving close to 8:20, but we expect this to improve as routes settle and construction is completed. For parent pick-up, please pull as far forward on James Jackson Way as possible. If that area is full, you may pull into the lot and park. If you park, please exit via the driveway near the yellow clothing donation bin, as the top exit where I stand is heavily trafficked with students crossing.

Emergency Forms
Forms went home Wednesday. Please have students return them to their advisory teacher as soon as possible so we can update our system with the most current contact information.

i-Ready Diagnostic Testing
This year we are making an important shift in how we administer our i-Ready diagnostic tests in ELA and Math. In the past, students tested across multiple blocks, starting and stopping several times. To provide a more focused and consistent experience, we will hold school-wide testing days. Students will test for three consecutive blocks, with as much time as they need to complete the assessment. Most students will finish within this window, and those who need extra time will be given it.

Why does this matter? The i-Ready diagnostic gives us critical information about each student’s strengths and areas of need. We use this data to make curriculum adjustments, place supports where they are needed most, and guide teachers in tailoring instruction. Much like MCAS, we ask for your support by ensuring students are in school on testing days, rested, and ready to do their best.

• ELA Testing: September 10

• Math Testing: September 17

Other Important Dates

• 6th Grade Open House – September 17

• 7th & 8th Grade Open House – September 18

• School Picture Day (all grades) – September 19

Thank you,

Erin Lachapelle

AMS Principal

Dear Ashland Middle School Families,

I hope everyone is enjoying the final few days of what seemed like an incredibly short summer vacation.

Below is some important information regarding middle school athletics that you should find helpful.

Start Date:

With the exception of middle school football, all middle school sports will start on Wednesday, September 3. Middle school football starts on Monday, August 25. I’ve added an extra day after we return from the Labor Day break to allow for any last minute clerical issues that often arise fresh off of a long weekend.

Registration:

It is extremely important that you register for sports sooner rather than later. The registration link will be listed below. As a reminder, sixth grade students are only eligible to participate in cross country.

Physicals:

No child will be allowed to participate - regardless of any mitigating circumstance - without being registered through the FamilyID portal and with a current physical (valid for 13 months). The physical must be on file with the athletic department. No exceptions. Registration link

Sports Offered (Grades) Head Coach:

Cross Country (6,7,8) - Sarah Dwyer

Field Hockey (7,8) - Erika Dube

Football (7,8) - Mike Capobianco

Boys Soccer (7,8) - Tim Horton

Girls Soccer (7,8) - Randy Stabile

Volleyball (7,8) - Andrea Plichta

Practice Information:

All coaches will reach out to all registered families before Wednesday, September 2 to let them know of their practice plan. Please be on the lookout for that communication.

Remember This:

Competition is important. But your child being a great teammate and you serving as an encouraging presence for your child are paramount. Please remember that as we navigate a season filled with ups and downs and all the emotions that come with being a teenager in today’s society and the enormous pressure they feel.

Fridays Free - For The Most Part:

As a department, we understand that other sports and family commitments arise. My belief is that middle school sports should be a four-day endeavor. Practice twice, maybe three times and then compete. My goal is that those days are Monday-Thursday. There are select Fridays where there are games, but no practices will take place on Fridays.

Thank you for your attention to these details and for your continued support of Ashland Middle School athletics.

Go Clockers.

Best,

Kevin Anderson

kevinanderson@ashland.k12.ma.us

Reminder: There will be NO SCHOOL on Friday, August 29, 2025, or Monday, September 1, 2025, in recognition of Labor Day.

Schedule for Next Week:

• Tuesday, September 2nd-C Day
• Wednesday, September 3rd-D Day
• Thursday, September 4th-E Day
• Friday, September 5th-F Day

Upcoming Important Dates:

• Tuesday, September 3rd – Fall Sports Begin

• Wednesday, September 17th – 6th Grade Open House

• Thursday, September 18th – 7th & 8th Grade Open House

• Friday, September 19th – School Picture Day

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.

Here is a wonderful Shout Out from a parent whose child had Mrs. Sadana last year:
"I am so grateful for Mrs. Sadana’s caring and thoughtful teaching approach. My daughter had lost confidence in herself with math, and Mrs. Sadana built her back up, making it her favorite class. We can’t thank her enough for the impact she had on her."

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Welcome to a brand new school year! I hope you and your family had a relaxing summer filled with fun, rest, and time together. We’re so excited to have your children back in our cafeterias and I’m happy to welcome you on behalf of the entire Nutrition Services team here in Ashland.

Our goal is simple: to serve healthy, tasty meals that help every student feel their best and do their best in the classroom. We know that when kids are well-fed, they’re ready to focus, learn, and grow and we’re proud to be a part of that support system.

This year, we’re rolling out some new menu items we think your kids will love made with fresh, locally-sourced ingredients. We’re always working to make our meals more appealing and inclusive, with options that reflect different tastes and dietary needs. We hope your student finds a new favorite this year!

Thanks to continued support from Governor Healey and state legislators, Universal Free Meals are still available for every student. That means each child can enjoy one free breakfast and one free lunch every school day, no application required. We’re so grateful for this program it ensures all students have access to nourishing meals at no cost.

To help keep the lunch lines moving quickly, we will not be accepting cash at the register. If your student would like to purchase à la carte items, like snacks or second meals they will need to have funds in their account. You can prepay online at www.myschoolbucks.com, or send cash or a check in a sealed envelope (with your child’s name clearly written on it) to the cafeteria manager at the start of the school day. Since breakfast is free, this is the perfect time to drop off the envelope and enjoy a free meal!

If a student would like a second meal, they’ll first need to stop by the cashier to confirm there are funds in their account. Once the sale is processed, the cashier will give them a ticket to bring to the serving line to receive their second meal. Just a reminder the USDA does not cover second meals or snacks, so these are considered à la carte.

If your child brings lunch from home, please be sure to pack any needed utensils, napkins, and condiments like ketchup or salad dressing. Students are welcome to purchase a carton of milk for $0.50, as long as they have funds on their account.

If your child has a life-threatening food allergy, please contact both the school nurse and our Nutrition Services department before they begin receiving meals. This helps us take the necessary precautions to ensure their safety. More information about our allergy policies is available at ashland.k12.ma.us/nutrition.

We’re also bringing back our Harvest of the Month program! Each month, we’ll feature a local fruit or vegetable in our meals to help students explore new flavors while supporting Massachusetts farms. It’s a fun and healthy way to connect kids to their food.

As always, we’d love to hear from you. If you have any questions, suggestions, or just want to say hello, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to support your child’s health and success, one meal at a time.

Wishing you a wonderful, healthy school year ahead!

Warmly,
Regina Wilkinson
Director of Nutrition Services
Ashland Public Schools
rwilkinson@ashland.k12.ma.us
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.