Mindess School Weekly Update

Dear Mindess Families,

I hope you have been enjoying a restful and joyful summer! As we prepare to open our doors for the 2026–2027 school year, I want to extend a warm welcome back to our returning families and a special greeting to those who are new to the Mindess community. We are excited to begin another year filled with learning, growth, and connection.

We are especially excited to welcome our new students! We know that the first day of school can bring a mix of emotions. Please be assured that it will be all hands on deck. Our staff will be throughout the building to greet students, answer questions, and help every child find their classroom with ease and confidence.

PowerSchool and Classroom Assignments

As I shared at the end of last year, Ashland Public Schools is transitioning to PowerSchool. Next week, you will receive an email with instructions for creating your account and logging in. Once you have access, you will be able to view your child’s classroom teacher for the 2026–2027 school year.

You will also receive a welcome letter from your child’s teacher and a classroom supply list next week.

First Day of School and Arrival Information

The first day of school is Monday, August 31. Our school hours are 7:40 a.m.–2:05 p.m.

During the first two weeks of school, we begin dismissal a few minutes early to allow ample time for all students to arrive safely at their dismissal locations.

For families who are new to Mindess, I have included maps of our parking lot below. Mindess has two separate entrances: one for cars and one for buses. If you are dropping off or picking up your child, please enter the parking lot near the school marquee. Please do not enter through the bus loop.

I have included the Ashland Public School 2026-2027 School Calendar. Please review it and make note of all important dates! In the coming weeks I will be sharing important dates for Mindess such as, Back to School Night, KNO and picture day!

Welcome to Our New Staff Members

We are thrilled to welcome several new staff members to the Mindess team this year. Please join me in extending a warm welcome to:

• Ms. Meghan McAuliffe, third-grade teacher
• Ms. Nicole Deady, fourth-grade teacher
• Ms. Claire Turnbull, fifth-grade teacher
• Ms. Kate O’Brien, our new school psychologist, who will work alongside Mrs. Sara Marineau
• Ms. Gayatri Deshpande, ESP in our RISE program
• Mr. Scott Ellison, ESP in our RISE program

Classroom Teachers for the 2026-2027 School Year:

Grade 3

• Ms. Anderson
• Ms. Evans
• Mrs. Forsythe
• Mrs. Gallinagh
• Mrs. Gazard
• Mrs. Greenberg
• Mrs. McPherson
• Ms. McAuliffe
• Mrs. Narreau
• Ms. Szumita

Grade 4

• Mrs. Claffey
• Ms. Deady
• Mrs. DiModica
• Ms. Finger
• Mrs. Fuller
• Mrs. Jordan
• Mrs. Krashin
• Mrs. Tessicini

Grade 5

• Ms. Bouvier
• Ms. Core
• Mr. Crowley
• Ms. Flynn
• Mrs. Hall
• Mrs. Johnston
• Mrs. Kelly
• Mrs. Knox
• Mrs. Pearce
• Mrs. Perry
• Ms. Turnbull

As always, we are committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and engaging learning environment for every student. We look forward to partnering with you throughout the year and cannot wait to see all the wonderful things our students will accomplish.

Enjoy these final days of summer. We will see everyone on August 31!

Warmly,
Kate Altman
Principal

Blue arrows show the entrance and loop for parent pickup and drop off. The red arrows show the entrance for buses only!

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.

August

• August 31: First Day of School
• APS Calendar for the 2026-2027 School Year

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.