Mindess School Weekly Update
September 26, 2025
Dear Families,
We are in full swing here at Mindess! All three grades have now held their Back to School Nights, and we were thrilled to see such a wonderful turnout of families. Thank you for joining us to kick off the year together. We also completed Picture Day with great success—despite the rainy weather, our students’ smiles shone through!
All three grades have also participated in the iReady ELA assessment. As a reminder, we will schedule a make-up day for any student who is absent on their assigned iReady day. If a child does not finish their assessment on the scheduled day, they will continue working on it the following day until it is complete. We will also be administering the iReady Math assessment in the coming weeks, and we will follow the same procedures for absences or unfinished work.
On Wednesday, October 1st, the Mindess School will proudly participate in International Walk to School Day. This event is a wonderful opportunity for our students to join in a global movement that promotes healthy habits, safety, and environmental awareness.
Here’s what to expect:
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Bus riders will be dropped off in the morning at the corner of Front Street and Concord Street. From there, students will walk together to the Mindess School, supported and supervised by school staff, administrators, and the Ashland Police Department.
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Students who are dropped off by families will continue with their regular morning routine.
The purpose of International Walk to School Day is to encourage:
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Physical activity through one of the easiest and most accessible forms of exercise.
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Safety, by practicing safe walking skills.
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Community awareness of the walkability of Ashland.
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Reduced traffic congestion, pollution, and speeding near schools.
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Environmental care, by choosing walking as a greener option.
We also want to remind families about safe biking practices. While traditional bikes and scooters are welcome, e-bikes are discouraged from being ridden to school due to safety concerns with speed and traffic around campus. In addition, any student riding a bike or scooter should always wear a properly fitted helmet to protect themselves and ensure a safe ride to and from school.
Finally, a reminder about morning car drop-off: please drop your child off wherever your car stops along the sidewalk—not only in front of the crosswalk. This helps us unload up to 30 cars at a time and keeps traffic moving smoothly. On rainy days, please send your child with an umbrella or raincoat, as they may need to walk a short distance to the door.
Thank you for your continued support and attention to these reminders—whether it’s preparing for special events, encouraging safe habits, or helping with smooth arrivals and dismissals. Together, we are making Mindess a safe, healthy, and welcoming place for all students to learn and grow.
Warmly,
Kate Altman
Principal
