Update from the Middle
October 23, 2026
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Halloween Costume Guidelines
Students are welcome to wear costumes to school for Halloween on October 28th. We ask that all costumes be appropriate for school and respectful of others. Please keep the following guidelines in mind:
No masks, blood, gore, or real or imitation weapons.
Costumes may not mock, stereotype, demean, or make fun of others, including their culture, race, ethnicity, religion, identity, or personal characteristics.
Costumes must not interfere with students' ability to participate safely in school activities.
All costumes must follow the school's dress code.
Our goal at AMS is to make Halloween a fun and inclusive experience where all students feel safe, respected, and welcome.
November 11: Veterans Day (No School)
Please check your email for conference sign-up information and appointment forms.
As we wrap up Principal Appreciation Month, we'd like to recognize our wonderful leadership team, Principal Steve Retzlaff and Assistant Principal Rebecca Gyarmathy!
During the week of October 26–30, we invite students, families, and staff to help us show our appreciation for all they do for AMS.
Capitol Dental will visit AMS November 3–5 and November 9–10 to provide dental screenings and sealants for students with parent/guardian permission. Sealants help protect molars from cavities and are painless to apply.
Please complete the attached permission form and return it to the AMS office by October 28, whether you select yes or no for your student’s participation.
Hey, Cubs! Ready to show your AMS spirit at the Ashland Monster Dash? Sign up now for this fun community race on Saturday, October 24 that raises funds to support our AMS students. ashlandmonsterdash.com
Run, walk, or pounce over the finish line, and get creative with the costume contest—the more monstrous, the better!
Past Monster Dash funds have helped bring amazing resources to AMS, including video production equipment, garden tools, classroom books, student club funds and more. When you participate, you're directly supporting hands-on learning for our AMS community!
Parents, your help is also needed to make race day magical. Sign up to volunteer and be part of the action. ashlandmonsterdash.com/volunteer
Let's rally together and show what AMS pride looks like!
Our AMS Band will lead Ashland’s annual Children’s Halloween Procession through downtown! Come cheer on our talented musicians as they kick off the festivities and perform “Thriller” near the Plaza!
The procession begins at Gresham and E. Main Street, with children and families following the band downtown. Enjoy costumes, music, dancing witches, and trick-or-treating at participating businesses.
Come support our AMS Band and celebrate Halloween, Ashland style! 🧡🖤
Ashland School District invites ELL students and their families to a fun evening of food, games, and community! Enjoy a FREE catered dinner, learn more about the English Language Development (ELD) program, ask questions, and connect with other families. There will also be games and prizes!
Wednesday, November 4
Time: 5:00–6:30 p.m.
Location: Ashland Middle School, Room 69
Please RSVP by October 28 with the number of adults and children attending so dinner can be reserved for your family.
Questions? Contact Dylana Garfas, Allen Lambert, or Kathleen Martin.
Student photos are ready!
Visit JostensPix.com and use:
Event Code: FE182726
Online, you can:
- View your student’s photos
- Personalize picture options
- Order prints
- Have photos shipped directly to your home
We’re looking for gently used scooters, skateboards, longboards, and helmets to help keep our AMS courtyard stocked with fun activities for students.
Have something sitting in the garage that’s no longer being used? We’d love to put it to good use!
Donations can be dropped off in the AMS main office.
Thank you for helping us keep this fun opportunity available for our students! 🛴
Get Ready for Winter Sports!
Girls’ Basketball, Grades 7–8 & Boys’ Wrestling, Grades 6–8
These seasons begin after winter break, but we need to know now who plans to play! Early registration helps us hire enough coaches and plan the upcoming seasons. No experience is necessary! Invite your friends, including those attending TRAILS, Willow Wind, or the Siskiyou School, to join you. Parents and guardians can register online through Arbiter.
Boys’ Basketball, Grades 7–8 & Girls’ Wrestling, Grades 6–8
Both seasons begin October 26! Please register now and make sure your student is cleared to participate before the season begins.
Sports Physical Required
All athletes must have a current sports physical on file before participating. Please check your student’s physical status and schedule an appointment if an updated physical is needed.
Get ready for some spooky fun! The Ashland High School Thespian Troupe #4630 is hosting its annual Haunted House fundraiser at ScienceWorks!
October 23: 6:00–9:00 p.m.
October 25: 12:00–3:00 p.m.
Admission: Adults $10 | Kids $7
Come support our AHS student performers and enjoy some frightfully fun entertainment!
Want to get involved and support our students and staff? We’d love to have you volunteer!
Volunteers are an important part of our school community and help make many of our activities, events, and student opportunities possible.
Ashland School District website has information about becoming a school volunteer, including the steps needed to get started.
👉 Learn More & Become an ASD Volunteer
Thank you for sharing your time and talents with our schools!
FACTS
- Regular attendance is correlated with higher achievement rates.
- Regular attendance allows students to stay on grade level, keep up with work, and understand assignments.
- Being at school opens up students to new opportunities to learn academic as well as social skills.
- Attendance helps kids feel connected to their school community.
- Regular attendance sends a message that education is important.
PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT
It is important to take an active role in your children's lives. Checking homework, talking about school and making education seem important all lead to good attendance and school success.
Help your student get to school on time every single day by creating a morning routine.
ROUTINES THAT MAKE THE DIFFERENCE
WHAT YOU CAN DO - Set a regular bedtime • Create a solid morning routine • Lay out clothes and pack backpacks the night before • Get an alarm clock for yourself and your child • Wake up with plenty of time to have a stress-free morning • Don’t let your child stay home unless they are truly sick • Complaints of a stomach ache or headache can be a sign of anxiety and not a reason to stay home • If your child seems anxious about going to school, talk to teachers, school counselors, or other parents for advice on how to make them feel comfortable and excited about learning • Develop back-up plans for getting to school if something comes up. Call on a family member, a neighbor, or another parent • Avoid medical appointments and extended trips when school is in session • Make school and education seem of utmost importance to your child
Free E-Bike & E-Scooter Safety Course for Teens
Does your teen ride an e-bike or e-scooter? Aceable offers a free online safety course covering riding with traffic, navigating intersections, using hand signals, and allowing enough room to stop.
The course takes less than 30 minutes, can be completed on a phone, and includes a certificate of completion.
Día Familiar Latino at SOU
Join Southern Oregon University for Día Familiar Latino (Latino Family Day) on Saturday, October 24! This event welcomes Latino families with students in grades 7–12 to explore community resources, tools for academic success, and ways to build leadership and healthy life skills.
Parent sessions will be offered in Spanish, and student sessions will be offered bilingually or in English.
Questions? Contact SOU Youth Programs at 541-552-6452 or youthprograms@sou.edu.
ScienceWorks Monster Ball
Saturday, October 24 | 4:00–8:00 p.m.
Monsters of all ages are invited to a spooky night of Halloween fun! Enjoy aerial performances, a haunted house, dancing, science demonstrations, karaoke, crafts, a community ofrenda, and more. Costumes encouraged!
Admission: $19 youth/students | $21 adults | Ages 2 & under free
All activities except food and drinks are included with admission.
Pumpkin Carving Contest at Callahan’s Mountain Lodge!
Get creative this Halloween! Callahan’s Mountain Lodge is hosting its First Annual Pumpkin Carving Contest. Whether your pumpkin is spooky, funny, or a masterpiece, everyone is invited to participate!
Drop-off Deadline: Tuesday, October 27
Judging: Friday, October 30
Location: Callahan’s Mountain Lodge, 7100 Old Highway 99 S, Ashland
Prizes: A two-night lodge stay, dinner for two, and a $50 gift card for the top three winners!
Bring your best creation and join the fun!
An Inspiring Evening with Scarlett Lewis
Join the Southern Oregon community for a free evening with Scarlett Lewis, founder of the Choose Love Movement. Hear her powerful story and learn practical ways to build resilience, connection, compassion, and hope.
Wednesday, October 28 | 6:30–8:00 p.m.
GPHS Performing Arts Center, Grants Pass
This event is free and open to the entire Southern Oregon community. Seating is limited, so please RSVP.
Winter Ready: Free Family Safety Fair!
Get ready for winter with a fun, FREE family event hosted by Jackson County Emergency Management! Explore emergency vehicles, meet local first responders, watch live safety demonstrations, and learn how to prepare for winter storms and flooding. Enjoy games, activities, and giveaways!
Saturday, November 7
Time: 11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Location: Jackson County Expo
Admission is FREE! Bring the whole family for a fun and informative day.
Ashland Middle School
Email: kerri.mallory@ashland.k12.or.us
Website: http://ashland.k12.or.us/ams/
Location: 100 Walker Avenue, Ashland, OR, USA
Phone: 541-482-1611
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Ashland-Middle-School-143374639027500/