Mindess School Weekly Update
March 19, 2026
Dear Mindess Families,
As we head into the weekend, I wanted to share a few important updates and highlights from our school community.
As a reminder, there will be no school tomorrow in observance of Eid al-Fitr. We extend our warmest wishes to all who celebrate and hope you enjoy a meaningful holiday with family and friends.
This Saturday, March 21st is World Down Syndrome Day. At Mindess, we will recognize this important day on Monday, March 23rd by celebrating Crazy Sock Day. Wearing fun, mismatched, or colorful socks is a simple and joyful way to show support and raise awareness. We encourage all students and staff to participate—please see the flyer below for more information.
We are also gearing up for our annual Mindess Hoedown, and students have been busy practicing during their PE classes. Their excitement is building, and it has been wonderful to see their enthusiasm and effort. Be sure to check out a photo in the highlights section to catch a glimpse of the fun!
Looking ahead, next Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday will be early release days due to parent-teacher conferences. We strongly encourage all families to sign up for a conference, as this is a valuable opportunity to connect with your child’s teacher and learn more about their progress. Dismissal will be at 10:40 AM, and please note that lunch will not be served on these days. As a reminder, Trimester 2 report cards will be sent home with your child today.
Additionally, we are beginning the process of planning class placements for the 2026–2027 school year. We value parent input as part of this process. If you have a student who will be attending Mindess next year, please take a moment to review the attached letter and complete the Google Form. Please note that we will only consider information submitted through the form when making placement decisions.
Finally, this is an important reminder that school doors open at 7:30 AM, and there is no adult supervision prior to that time. For the safety of all students, please do not drop off your child before 7:30 AM.
Thank you, as always, for your continued partnership and support. We hope you enjoy the long weekend.
Warmly,
Kate Altman
Principal
Important Reminders/Updates
March
Thursday, March 19
Report Cards Go Home
Friday, March 20 - NO SCHOOL - Eid al Fitr
Tuesday, March 24 - Conferences
½ Day Before Lunch 10:40 Dismissal
Wednesday, March 25 - Conferences
½ Day Before Lunch 10:40 Dismissal
Thursday, March 26 - Conferences
½ Day Before Lunch 10:40 Dismissal
Friday, March 27
Hoedown
April
Wednesday, April 1
5th Grade ELA MCAS
Thursday, April 2
½ Day After Lunch 11:55am Dismissal - Professional Development
Friday, April 3 - NO School - Good Friday
Monday, April 6
4th Grade ELA MCAS
Tuesday, April 7
4th Grade ELA MCAS
Wednesday, April 8
3rd Grade ELA MCAS
Thursday, April 9
Math Night - 6:30pm-7:30pm
Tuesday, April 14
Site Council - 2:30pm
Friday, April 17
Mindess Marathon
Monday, April 20 thru Friday, April 24 - NO SCHOOL - April Break
Tuesday, April 28
5 Town Special Olympics Event
Mindess MCAS Dates 2025-2026
Highlights From the Week!
A Message from our Nurses!
A note from our school nurses:
Massachusetts state law mandates that all fourth grade students have a complete physical exam form on file in the school health office. A physical exam done after September 1, 2024 will meet this requirement. Please ensure that the nurses have an up-to-date exam form for your child. You can fax a copy of the form to 508-881-0189 or email it to mes_nurses@ashland.k12.ma.us.
Please call the health office at 508-532-8045 if you have any questions.
SEL Corner - March 2026
March SEL Lessons
Parent Resource:
Institute of Child Psychology, October 2, 2024
In a world full of advice about “anxiety strategies” and coping mechanisms, we can sometimes overlook what children really need when they face tough situations: the knowledge that they are brave, strong, and capable of handling hard things. While breathing exercises and mindfulness techniques are useful, the most important gift we can give our children is the belief that they already have the strength within them to face life’s challenges. Here are some simple ways to foster bravery in your children and help them discover their inner strength.
1. Show Them What Bravery Looks Like
Children learn a lot just by watching the adults in their lives. If they see you being brave—whether it’s trying something new, handling a difficult situation, or admitting when you’re afraid—they’ll understand that bravery doesn’t mean being fearless. It means moving forward in the face of fear. Share with your child moments when you’ve had to be brave and what helped you through it. This shows them that they, too, can be strong when it matters most.
2. Encourage Small Risks
Bravery often starts with small steps. Encourage your child to try new things—like talking to a new friend, joining a team, or learning a new skill. It’s not about pushing them into overwhelming situations but letting them know it’s okay to try, even if it’s uncomfortable. These small risks build their confidence over time, showing them that they can handle challenges and grow stronger with each one they take on.
3. Remind Them They Are Already Strong
More than anything, children need to hear that they are capable. In moments of doubt, remind your child that they are brave and resilient. Let them know they can handle whatever comes their way, even if it feels hard right now. This builds an internal sense of strength that stays with them long after a difficult moment passes. Sometimes, the simple words, “I know you can do this—you’ve handled hard things before,” are enough to help a child push through their fears.
4. Let Them Solve Problems
Being brave isn’t just about facing fears—it’s about believing you can figure things out, even when the outcome is uncertain. Help your child develop problem-solving skills by walking them through challenges step by step. Break down tasks, discuss possible solutions, and let them come up with ideas. By doing this, you’re helping them understand that they’re not powerless, and that they can always find a way through.
5. Praise the Effort, Not Just the Outcome
Sometimes, we get caught up in celebrating only the wins. But bravery is often about trying, even when success isn’t guaranteed. Make sure to praise your child’s effort, their willingness to take risks, and their courage to step into difficult situations—regardless of the outcome. Acknowledging their bravery, even in small actions, builds their self-confidence and reinforces that the process of trying is what matters most.
For example, if your child attempts something challenging, like trying out for a team or giving a class presentation, praise them for putting themselves out there, regardless of the result. This shows them that bravery isn’t about winning; it’s about showing up.
6. Help Them Face Fears Gradually
Children have all sorts of fears, and that’s okay. Whether it’s fear of the dark, nervousness about public speaking, or worry about meeting new people, you can help them build courage by gradually facing these fears. Start small, and let them build up to more challenging situations over time. For instance, if your child is afraid of the dark, you could begin with a nightlight and gradually lower the brightness as they grow more comfortable.
Remember, it’s not about pushing them too fast—it’s about showing them they can face their fears in small, manageable steps.
7. Teach Them to Stand Up for Themselves and Others
Bravery isn’t just about personal fears; it’s also about standing up for others. Teach your child how to stand up for themselves and their friends when they see something unfair, like bullying. Role-play different scenarios to help them practice being courageous in social situations. Let them know that being brave sometimes means speaking up when something feels wrong, even if it’s hard.
8. Create a Safe Space for Honest Conversations
Bravery often starts with feeling safe. Let your child know they can talk to you about their worries without being judged. Create an open, supportive environment where they feel comfortable sharing what’s bothering them. When kids know they have a trusted adult to talk to, they’re more likely to face their fears with confidence because they know they’re not alone.
Ask questions like, “What’s the hardest part for you?” or “How do you think we can work through this together?” to help them reflect on their feelings.
9. Teach Simple Calming Techniques
Sometimes, when children feel overwhelmed, they need tools to help manage their emotions. Teach them simple mindfulness techniques like deep breathing or visualization to calm their minds in stressful moments. This helps them stay grounded and gives them the confidence to face scary situations.
For example, before a big event like a test or performance, guide them through a breathing exercise—inhale for four seconds, hold for four, exhale for four. These small steps can make a big difference when they need to tap into their bravery.
10. Share Stories of Brave Role Models
Kids love stories, and they can be a great way to teach bravery. Whether it’s reading about historical figures, everyday heroes, or fictional characters, stories give kids examples of bravery in action. Talk about what made those characters brave, focusing on how they handled difficult moments and why their courage mattered.
Read books or tell stories about figures like Amelia Earhart or Rosa Parks, and discuss how their bravery wasn’t just about the big things—they made courageous decisions in everyday moments too.
The Power of Believing in Themselves
At the end of the day, what children need most is the belief that they can handle hard things. While strategies and techniques are helpful, the most important thing is nurturing their belief in their own strength and bravery. When children know they are capable of facing challenges, they become resilient, confident, and ready to take on whatever life throws at them.
Bravery isn’t about never being scared—it’s about knowing you can get through it, no matter what. By reinforcing their inner strength and giving them the tools to face tough moments, you’re helping them grow into brave, resilient individuals who believe in themselves.
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.
In Person - 2nd Annual Ashland Library Young Artists Comics Fest!
Saturday, March 21
10:00 AM—4:00 PM
LibraryAshland Public Library66 Front St, Ashland, MA, 01721
With Thanksgiving behind us and winter right around the corner... we've got Spring 2026 on our minds! Register Here We look forward to seeing you on the diamonds next spring and good luck with the raffle! Registration Raffle Drawing Details:
That's right, registration is now open for the 2026 Spring Baseball and Softball season.
Click on the link below to register and enter today!
You can find all of the program descriptions on the AYBS site by visiting the links below:
Baseball Programs | Softball Programs
We've also included tentative program schedules (practice and game days) in the descriptions on our site but we've also included them below for quick reference.
2026 Schedule by Division
Baseball
Tiny Tots (Age 4) - There will be 1 session per week on Saturdays.
T-Ball (Ages 5-6) - There will be 1 practice a week on either Mondays or Wednesdays. There will be 1 game per week on Saturdays.
A (Ages 6-7) - There will be 1 practice a week on either Mondays or Wednesdays. There will be 1 game per week on Saturdays.
AA (Age 8) - There will be 1 practice a week on either Mondays or Wednesdays. There will be 1-2 games per week on Fridays and Saturdays.
AAA (Ages 9-10) - Games and practices will be held on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
Majors (Ages 11-12) - Games and practices will be held on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
Softball
K-Ball (Pre-K and K) - There will be 1 practice a week - day TBD. There will be 1 game per week on Saturdays.
AA (1st Grade) - There will be 1 practice a week - day TBD. There will be 1 game per week on Saturdays.
Minors (U8) - Games are on Mondays and Wednesdays. Practices are on Saturdays.
Majors (U10) - Games are on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Practices are on Saturdays or Sundays.
Seniors (U12 or U14/12) - Games could be on a Tuesdays, Fridays or Sundays. All will depend on # of teams across the League. Practice 1x during the week possibly or weekends depending on game schedule.
Note: Schedules may change depending on number of players and teams. However, we anticipate following the above format for the 2026 season.
One entry per a household.
Having multiple players in AYBS programs will not increase your number of entries or chances to win.
You must have a player registered for an AYBS program by 11:59 PM EST on November 30, 2025 to be eligible for drawing.
Random drawing from all eligible entries will be held on or around December 2, 2025.
We will contact the winner directly to notify them.
No purchase necessary. Email president@aybsonline.org and include "Register Today" in the subject line for alternative form of entry.