Update from the Middle

February 16th: Presidents' Day (NO SCHOOL)

February 17th-18th: Staff In-Service Days (NO SCHOOL)

February 19th-20th: Parent/Teacher Conferences (NO SCHOOL)

If you do not have a conference scheduled, please email your student’s homeroom teacher directly to arrange one.

We have asked YouthTruth to conduct an anonymous survey of parents and guardians on our behalf.

Please take the survey before it closes at midnight on 2/27/26 by visiting: ytsurvey.org/asdfamily26

Please note:

• The survey needs to be completed in one sitting.
• We ask that one member of each household fill out the survey.
• If you have more than one child who attends the same school, you may respond to the survey multiple times - one time per child.
• If you write any comments, please do not include your name or anything else that might identify you. Your responses are anonymous, and they will be combined with the responses of other parents and guardians before being shared back with school and district leadership.

Thank You! Your response is incredibly valuable to us.

The AMS Orchestras will present their Trimester 2 Concert on February 11 at 7:00 p.m. in the AHS Theater.

Come support our student musicians and enjoy an evening of great music.

AMS students are invited to our Candy Gram Dance on Friday, February 13, from 3:30–5:00 PM.
Flyer
Ticket prices:

• $5 presale (tickets can be purchased in the Main Office)

• $7 at the door

Important reminders:

• Cell phones are prohibited

• Students must bring their student ID for entry

Candy Grams will be available for purchase at the dance for $1 each—a fun way to send a sweet surprise to a friend.

Pizza and snacks are also available for purchase.

Volunteers & Donations Needed:
We appreciate parent support to help make this event a success. Please use the link below to sign up to volunteer or donate: Feb. 13th, 2026 Candy-Gram Dance Volunteer & Donation Sign Up – Fill out form

Due to staff illness and limited coverage, the Dental Sealant Days at Ashland Middle School have been rescheduled.

New dates: February 23–27

We appreciate your flexibility and understanding, and we’re glad to still offer this important service later in the month.

AMS is excited to launch our Bear Cub Winter Olympics, a month of fun challenges woven throughout the school day—academics in the classroom, movement in PE, games at lunch, and a few surprises along the way. Everyone can participate!

Events include:

• 🏅 Attendance Challenge (Jan 26–Feb 26)

• 📚 Reading Olympics — Read it. Review it. Go for GOLD!

Gold, Silver, and Bronze awards will be presented by grade level at our Closing Ceremonies Assembly at the end of February.

Let the streaks begin and the points add up—every challenge brings you closer to the podium.

Don’t miss out on this year’s memories! The deadline to order the yearbook is February 20. Yearbooks are only guaranteed for students who order by the deadline, so be sure to place your order soon.

Registration is open for our Spring Track & Field program! All 6th–8th grade students are welcome to participate. Practices begin March 2.

Students must be registered in FamilyID and have a current sports physical on file before practices start in order to participate.

Spring is a great time to get moving, build skills, and be part of a team! We’d love to see your student out on the track!

We are grateful for the many parents and community members who support Ashland Middle School. If you are interested in volunteering on campus, chaperoning field trips, or helping with school activities, please be sure your volunteer application is complete.

All volunteers must complete the district volunteer process before participating. Directions and requirements can be found here:
👉 https://www.ashland.k12.or.us/page/volunteer-in-the-schools

Thank you for partnering with us to support our students and school community.

ASD middle school students are invited to the Cherry Blossom Dance on Friday, February 27, 2026, from 6:00–7:30 p.m. at the Ashland High School Small Gym. This event is hosted by the AHS Asian Student Union.

Students must have a completed permission form and bring their student ID to attend.

It’s a great opportunity for students to connect, celebrate, and enjoy a fun evening together.

February 7 & 14

Flyer & Registration

Girls in grades 5–8 are invited to attend the Girls Basketball Camp on February 7 and/or February 14, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Ashland High School main gym.

The cost is $50 per day or $80 for both days, and participants will receive a free camp shirt along with other prizes. All proceeds support the AHS girls basketball program.

This is a great opportunity for players to build skills, have fun, and support local athletics.

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 kid’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 bed time • 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 him 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

Get ready to groove for a great cause! The Ashland High School PTO Funkadelic Fundraiser is happening Saturday, March 7, 2026, at the Ashland Elks Lodge. Doors open at 5:30 PM, with the party rolling from 5:30–9:30 PM. This is a 21+ event.

Enjoy a taco bar, dessert auction, silent auction, and a live band with DJ, all wrapped in full-on funk and disco vibes. Funk/disco attire is encouraged—bring the sparkle.

🎟️ Tickets:
$50 per person
$360 for a table of 8
Book early — this event sells out!

All proceeds support Ashland High School students and programs.
👉 Get tickets: https://tinyurl.com/Funkadelic26

Wednesday, February 11

Video Game Hangout — 2:30–4:30 p.m.

Sunday, February 15

Tween D&D — 1:00–3:00 p.m.

Wednesday, February 18
Learn to Sew: Chibi Stuffies — 2:30–4:30 p.m.

Wednesday, February 25
Escape Room! — 3:30–4:30 p.m.

Snacks are provided at all events.
More information is available at jcls.org/teens.

Flyer

Community members are invited to a Lunar New Year Celebration on Saturday, February 21, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Jacksonville’s New City Hall, Community Center, Library, and Art Presence. The event will feature cultural performances and activities including drumming, dancing, martial arts, art, games, exhibits, and hands-on crafts. This family-friendly celebration is organized by the Southern Oregon Chinese Cultural Association.

New Year Celebration

The various programs offered in this email newsletter are distributed to Ashland School District students as a courtesy to parents per board policy. Ashland School District does not endorse or sponsor community activities including any described in this newsletter. If you have questions regarding this policy, please contact your student’s principal.

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/

The school district does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability in matters affecting employment or in providing access to programs and services and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following person has been designated at our school to handle inquiries and complaints regarding nondiscrimination policies and to coordinate compliance efforts:

Name: Steve Retzlaff Title: Principal
Address: 100 Walker Ave
Telephone: 541-482-1611 ext. 3109
Email: steve.retzlaff@ashland.k12.or.us

Inquiries or complaints may also be directed to the Student Services Office at 885 Siskiyou Blvd, Ashland Oregon (phone: 541-482-2811)

Complaints may also be directed to: Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue S.W., Washington D.C. 20202, or by calling (800) 421-3481 or (877) 521-2172 (TTY).