Mindess School Weekly Update
September 25, 2026
Happy Friday, Mindess Families!
It’s hard to believe we are already wrapping up another week at Mindess! As we settle into the school year, thank you for your continued patience, flexibility, and partnership. We have a few important reminders and updates to share this week.
PowerSchool Emergency Contacts
Please take a moment to log back into PowerSchool and review your child’s Emergency Contacts. The issue we were experiencing, where the box allowing an emergency contact to dismiss your child was grayed out and could not be selected, has now been fixed. You can now check this box for any emergency contact you would like to have permission to dismiss your child from school.
Our office staff is currently working through and approving the Emergency Contact forms that have been submitted. Each student must have at least one emergency contact listed other than a parent/guardian. If you submitted the form without adding an additional emergency contact, the form will be rejected and you will receive an email letting you know that it needs to be updated and resubmitted. Thank you for taking a few minutes to make sure this important information is complete and accurate!
We REALLY Need Subs!
We continue to desperately need substitute teachers at Mindess, and we would love to have members of our community join us! You do not need to be available for an entire school day to make a difference. Even if you can only commit to an hour, a couple of hours, or a half day, we would be incredibly grateful for the help! Subbing is also a great way to spend time at Mindess, get to know our wonderful students and staff, and help us keep classrooms running smoothly when staff members are absent. If you are interested, please apply here! We would love to have you!
Kids Night Out Is Coming!
Our first Kids Night Out (KNO) of the year is coming up next month! This is always a fun and exciting evening for our students. Please scroll down in the newsletter for more information about this special event and how to participate.
School Meal Price Update
The Ashland School Committee recently approved an increase in school meal prices. As a reminder, the first lunch continues to be free for all students. At Mindess, students do have the option to purchase a second lunch; however, the second lunch is not free and will be charged to the student’s meal account. Please scroll down for information about the updated meal prices.
Thank you, as always, for your continued support of Mindess. I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!
Warmly,
Kate Altman
Principal
Our first KNO is Next Month!
Kids can wear costumes. Please no masks or weapons.
Detailed information about KNO can be found in the PDF's below:
A Message from the School Nurse
3rd Grade: vision, hearing
4th Grade: vision, BMI
5th Grade: vision, postural (postural to be completed in Spring 2027)
While vision and hearing screenings are required by state law, parents may choose to opt their child out of BMI screenings. If you'd like to opt out of BMI, please fill out this form to make the nurses aware of your decision to opt out.
Please see the letters below for more information on BMI screenings (grade 4 only):
BMI letter - English
BMI letter - Spanish
BMI letter - Portuguese
If you have any questions, please reach out to our nurses at mes_nurses@ashland.k12.ma.us.
Important Reminders/Updates
September
Monday, September 28
Grade 5 iReady Math
Tuesday, September 29
Grade 3 iReady ELA
Wednesday, September 30
iReady Make-Ups
October
Thursday, October 1
Grade 4 iReady Math
Friday, October 2
Grade 3 iReady Math
Grade 4 and 5 iReady Make-Ups
Monday, October 5
Grade 3 iReady Make-Ups
Wednesday, October 7
Walk to School
Thursday, October 9 - Early Release - 10:40am Dismissal
Monday, October 12 - NO SCHOOL - Indigenous Peoples’ Day
Wednesday, October 21
Unity Day - Wear Orange (everyone, staff and students)
Tuesday, October 27 - Conferences - Early Release - 10:40 Dismissal
Wednesday, October 28 - Conferences - Early Release - 10:40 Dismissal
Thursday, October 29 - Conferences - Early Release - 10:40 Dismissal
Friday, October 30
Spooky Run
KNO - 6pm
November
- November 4: Picture Day
- November 10: Early Release/ Dismissal at 10:40
- November 11: No School
- November 25: Early Release/ Dismissal at 10:40
- November 26 and 27: No School
i-Ready Dates
BOY=Beginning of the Year
MCAS Dates 2026-2027
Highlights from the Week!
This week, some of our 4th grade band members played all together for the very first time! It was so exciting to hear our young musicians come together as a full ensemble. We can’t wait to hear how much they grow throughout the year!
Lunch Menu
Community Bulletin Board
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.
Design and Architecture: A Makerspace Program
Prepare to build! Utilizing equipment and provided materials, participants will learn the general fundamentals of architecture. Following the direction of their mentors, participants will exercise the necessary skills of stability, creativity, and collaboration. Throughout the program, the creative freedom and critical thinking of the participants will be brought to action! Sign up today for design & architecture!
- Dates: (Every Wednesday) September 30th; October 7th, 14th, and 21st
- Time: 2:50 - 3:50 pm
- Seats: 20
- Participants will be bussed from the Mindess School to AHS
- Participants must be picked up at 3:50 pm at AHS (no late bus available)
- $60 fee
