Mindess School Weekly Update

Dear Families,

As we wrap up another wonderful week at school, we are excited to share some highlights and extend our gratitude to so many members of our community.

We ended the week with an exciting handball tournament final! The championship game featured an energetic matchup between the Rams and the Falcons, keeping everyone on the edge of their seats. In a close and hard-fought game, the Rams came out on top with a final score of 11–9. It was truly a thrilling event for students and staff alike. A huge thank you to Mr. Powers and Mrs. Nicholson for organizing such a spectacular tournament and making it a memorable highlight of the season. Be sure to take a look at the photos below in our highlights to relive the excitement!

We would also like to extend our sincere appreciation to Mrs. McGuire, Mrs. Krashin, and Ms. Evans for their incredible work on the Winter Solstice celebration. From the thoughtful presentation to the creation of the luminaries and the beautiful stringing of lights on the trees, their efforts brought warmth and meaning to this special event. We are equally thankful to our Student Council members, who played an important role in decorating the trees and helping with cleanup afterward. Their leadership and teamwork truly shined.

As we head into the holiday break, we hope everyone enjoys a restful and joyful time with family and friends. We wish you a very happy New Year and look forward to all that 2026 will bring. Please remember that school will resume on Monday, January 5th, and we can’t wait to welcome everyone back.

Warmly,

Kate Altman

Principal

DECEMBER

Wednesday, December 24 - Friday, January 2 - WINTER BREAK

JANUARY

Tuesday, January 13

• Site Council - 2:30pm

Friday, January 16 - Professional Development for Staff - NO SCHOOL for Students

Monday, January 19 - NO SCHOOL - M.L.King Jr. Day

Wednesday, January 21

• Grade 5 iREADY ELA

Thursday, January 22

• Grade 4 iREADY ELA

Friday, January 23

• Grade 3 iREADY ELA

Monday, January 26

• Grade 5 iREADY Math

Tuesday, January 27

• Grade 4 iREADY Math

Wednesday, January 28

• Grade 3 iREADY Math

Thursday, January 29

• Heart Challenge Presentation - Cafeteria Heart Challenge (more information to come)

8- 8:30 Grade 4

8:35 - 9:05 Grade 5

9:10 - 9:40 Grade 3

Wishing everyone a happy holiday vacation and a wonderful New Year.

Reminder from the Mindess Health Office

We have seen a significant increase in illnesses, including influenza and strep throat, this week.

To help keep our school community healthy, please check-in with your child each morning and keep your child home if they are showing signs of illness. Students should stay home if they have had any of the following symptoms in the last 24 hours:

• Fever of 100.0°F or higher
  
  

• Vomiting or diarrhea
  
  

• Persistent cough or difficulty breathing
  
  

• Sore throat, especially with fever
  
  

• Rash accompanied by fever or behavior changes
  
  

• Any illness that prevents them from participating comfortably in school activities
  
  

Please ensure your child is fever-free without medication and symptoms are improved for at least 24 hours before returning to school.

Thank you for helping us maintain a healthy environment for all students.

— Mindess School Nurses

December's SEL Theme of the month is Responsibility. SEL lessons in the classroom focus on how to be responsible for your materials, yourself, your actions, and for righting a wrong. At this age students are learning how to take responsibility for their actions by understanding their role in conflicts and how to own up to mistakes. In Restorative Circle Conversations, students are learning how to make things "as right as possible". This is a great age for students to explore the cause and effect of their actions and consequences of their behaviors. This can be a positive consequence for expected behaviors or a negative consequence when they do something unexpected by those around them.

The holidays can be a difficult time for families. If your family needs any support this holiday season, please contact your child's school counselor:

Grade 3 - Amanda Walker awalker@ashland.k12.ma.us, 508-881-0166x3

Grade 4 - Melissa Mespelli mmespelli@ashland.k12.ma.us, 508-881-0166x4

Grade 5 - Meghan McGuire mmcguire@ashland.k12.ma.us, 508-881-0166x5

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.

Tick, Tick, Tick, it’s time for woodworking! Utilizing equipment and provided materials, participants will create their own little clocks! Following the direction of their mentors, participants will learn how to handle various tools in order to precisely cut the wood provided to them. Throughout the program, the creative freedom of the participants will be brought to action. They will design and customize the faces and overall designs of their individual clocks. Ready to get handy? Sign up for woodworking today!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfO8BR_lcgQCQxM2UCKDv-cCLaxBWrj9hVy6W16X9dt_hiSqA/viewform?usp=dialog

Our AMS actors are working hard under the direction of Mr. Langmeyer to bring this powerful historical production to the Little Theater. Performances will be held:

• January 23rd at 7:00 p.m.

• January 24th at 2:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.
  
  

The show explores the true stories of more than 250,000 children who were relocated from Eastern cities to the Midwest in the late 1800s and early 1900s. With themes of resilience, social responsibility, and belonging, the production reflects on the courage of young people and the impact one person can have on others. The show is rated G, appropriate for all ages, runs 1 hour and 15 minutes, and tickets are $10 cash.