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January 1, 2019

Good evening and Happy New Year!

Here we are, almost halfway through the school year.  Thank you all for your commitment to AHS.  I am so privileged to work with each and every one of you and wish you the best in 2019.

Mid-year exams are approaching quickly. Please review the schedule that was sent for teachers last month. Here is the modified schedule to share with students.
Mid-term exams-schedule for students

Attendance- As we start the new year I want to share my expectations for attendance.  Moving forward, please take attendance within the first 10 minutes of each class.  This is a professional responsibility. We have had far too many incidents this Fall in which we were not aware a student was absent until later in the day. As you can imagine, this is a safety issue and we are currently concerned about the accuracy attendance data.  We will, of course, be addressing individual concerns, but the issue is widespread so moving forward the expectation is that attendance is taken and recorded every period at the beginning of class. If a student enters your class late and has been recorded absent please ask for a pass.  If a student does not have a pass please use your classroom management policy to address it. In either case, let the office know you have marked the student absent but they are in fact present in your class by emailing ahsmainoffice@ashland.k12.ma.us.  The exception to using the email is first period. If a student arrives late without a pass please call the front office immediately.  Thank you for your support with making sure we have an accurate understanding of who is in the building at all times.

Please consider joining educators from our area in being creative, innovative, and open to learning from others.....
The Inspired Learning Project team is pleased to announce the second annual Inspired Learning Convention at Nipmuc Regional High School on Friday, March 8th  2018 from 8:00 AM to 2:30 PM. The purpose of the Inspired Learning Convention is to share inspiring project plans and facilitate conversations on how they can be implemented in different school contexts.  This day-long PD event is geared toward teachers and administrators interested in bringing relevant, authentic learning experiences that learners will remember throughout their lifetime back to their classrooms and school communities.

​Join passionate and inspired educators from across New England as we share resources and ideas that transform learning.  Attendees will leave the event with access to all the lessons and/or projects presented at this convention, so they can be brought back to their respective schools and districts and shared with their colleagues.

Our goal is to build a network of educators committed to sharing practices that make learning modern, relevant, and meaningful for students. We hope that you will join us.

Inspired Learning Project- call for proposals

On February 4 we will once again host a Challenge Day. If you are interested in participating please let me know.


This newsletter from Dave Geurin is always one of my favorites, I love his hopeful thoughts for the year....
Future Driven Newsletter
Dear ...,
Happy New Year! We literally get this new beginning just once a year. I want to take the opportunity to cheer you on to the best 2019 ever. Wishing you great health and happiness!
Here are five hopeful thoughts for the New Year:
1. Even if the first half of your school year didn't go as well as you'd like, things can get better.
2. Even if you can't change all the circumstances, you can change how you respond to the circumstances.
3. It's never too late to make a change. Your past does not equal your future.
4. Instead of trying to do more this year, simply be more intentional with what you do.
5. Keep giving generously to others. Your efforts are making a difference.
I know you're the type of educator who really cares about helping your students succeed. Your commitment to raising hope and shaping futures inspires. Press on in 2019!
Here are a few of the best articles I've read recently...
How different is your life, right now, from where you were 12 months ago?
If it’s quite similar, then you haven’t been learning very much. To learn, by nature, is to change and evolve.
The world is changing so fast, even schools who are trying to keep up are falling behind. What is your school teaching? Are you perfecting the past? Or helping create the future?
I shared this post from Jennifer Hogan with our entire staff. It's great inspiration for creating a classroom that is designed with learning in mind. It's time to move past desks in rows. Keep pushing those limits!
Ya'll are world changers.
All the best,
David Geurin


20 Inspirational Quotes to Start Off 2019

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