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March 25, 2018


Good afternoon-

I hope you have had a wonderful weekend!  I have been enjoying the ASCD National Conference happening in Boston this weekend, a great way re-energize as we get ready for the race to the end of the school year and think about what we do at AHS for students.  

Thank goodness we avoided a snow day this past week.  Because of the days we missed this month Term 3 will end April 12. Please share this with your classes.  The grading window will open at 3pm on April 12 and will close on Tuesday, April 24.  Report cards will be issued on Thursday, April 26.


Recently there has been a natural increase in the discussion of school safety.  Please consider attending the student-led Courageous Conversation scheduled for Monday, April 2 at 7pm in the AHS cafeteria. If you are concerned about about a student or have information about their safety, please seek out an administrator.  It is important that we model how to report concerning information to the appropriate people rather than have conversations among our colleagues that may include misinformation.  We are all obligated to share information but must be careful about buying into hearsay.  If you have questions, ask us!  We act on and investigate every report and question that comes our way.  Thank for you this.



Attendance reminders! In an effort to make sure we have accurate attendance data Linda sent an email last week asking everyone to take attendance at the beginning of every block.  We have had an increase in the front office not knowing if a student is absent until the end of the day and need to work together to have an accurate account of who is present.  This is a student safety and accountabillity issue.  

Attendance should be done first thing, EVERY block. Please try to be as accurate as possible.

Once you have submitted your attendance any changes will not be reflected in the main office. If someone comes in with a pass either send an email or call the office we will adjust the attendance.

If you are doing attendance and someone is either marked absent or present and that is not the case, please call or email the office.

Thank you for your help in this matter!


Today is our John Trautwein, of the "Will to Live Foundation" presentation and I am very excited to welcome him to speak to our students, coaches, families, and YOU!   John is a former Red Sox player who lost his son to suicide and shares the important message of being open about mental illness and helping kids be life teammates to their peers.  
He will present at AHS during 3rd & 5th blocks:
F block: grades 11-12
A block: grades 9-10
Please attend with your class.  If you would like to see him and your schedule does not align, let us know so we can look for coverage.  
He will present to coaches at 3:30pm and the community at 7pm in the AHS auditorium.  
Following this event we will begin the process of implementing the SOS (Signs of Suicide) program to the 10th grade.  This is the evidence-based program we began at AHS last school year.  
After following two local stories in the past week about the loss of young people to suicide I can't wait to listen to his message and talk more about how we can help young people realize they have life teammates all around them. Depression is something we need to talk about openly. 


MCAS:   Please make sure to review all of the information Lauren sent last week.  Check the schedule carefully and let her know ASAP if there is a conflict with your assigned proctor times. 

Upcoming Early Release Days:
April 13 - NEASC
May 11 -  Faculty group work time (details to follow)



Ashland Raises Healthy & Happy Kids: Six Ways to Stop the Mental Illness Stigma
Stigma is one of the most challenging aspects of living with a mental health condition. It causes people to feel ashamed for something that is out of their control and prevents many from seeking the help they need. Stigma is not something that will go away on its own, but if we work together as a community, we can change the way we perceive mental illness in our society.
  1. Talk openly about mental health.
  2. Educate yourself and others about mental health.
  3. Be conscious of your language. Try to not use word like psycho, lunatic or crazy when describing people.
  4. Encourage equality in how people perceive physical illness and mental illness. If someone is diagnosed with cancer, friends and neighbors bring meals and gifts. If someone is being treated for a mental illness, people tend to avoid them rather than support them.
  5. Push back against the way people who live with mental illness are portrayed in the media.
  6. See the person, not the illness. A person with depression, Bipolar Disorder, any mental illness, is much, much more than their diagnosis.

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