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February 10, 2019

Good evening-

I hope your weekend was wonderful.  One more week to go before a much deserved break.  I know you have all been working incredibly hard and it always feel a little more hectic in the weeks leading up to break. 

This has been a busy and unusual couple of weeks in the front office in terms of discipline.  We have been faced with situations we have not come across before.  From what I hear there has been a lot of student and teacher, chatter about the discipline decisions being made.  All I can ask that if students are talking about discipline of other students, you redirect them and remind them they do not understand the full context.  If you have a question, please see an administrator. We are always happy to talk about process, even when we can't talk specifics.  The handbook is consistently followed and when new situations arise we often consult legal counsel and following their directive.

A reminder to send students to the counseling office from a study hall after confirming with the counselor or Ms. Hunter that there is room available.  The student should have a counseling related task or permission from their counselor to spend their study hall there.


We would like to collect some data on how you administer and use the information from exams. Please take a few moments complete the attached survey: Mid-term exam survey


Faculty meeting- Thursday, February 14


Please see this message from some parents in the community and share it with our students:
Next Sunday, February 17th is National Random Acts of Kindness Day. This particular day brings to mind one very special person, PJ Ferrier. PJ was selfless, helpful, passionate, and spirited. He was a devoted and loving son and brother, a substitute teacher, a football coach, and a true blue friend to many, including many Clockers. PJ was a young man that we hope our own children will emulate in life; whether in the classroom, on the field, in this community, and out in the world beyond Ashland.

One of the traits that truly defined PJ was kindness so this Friday, February 15th, we will “Remember PJ Ferrier with a Random Act of Kindness Day”.  Let's all wear blue and/or Ashland gear and encourage students and staff to do one random act of kindness in honor of PJ. What can our students do? Thank a bus driver, invite someone to sit at their lunch table, open a door for a fellow student. 
  
For this community that has experienced so much loss, it would be uplifting to see Tweets, pics, and posts to mark the day. What an amazing opportunity to share PJ's legacy and pass on an example of what is truly important. Kindness.


The 4th Annual Clocker Classic is scheduled for Friday, March 8 at AHS.  This is a fun night where the whole community comes together.  Please check out the Sign-Up Genius I forwarded earlier and join your colleagues for a night of laughs. 

An exciting visit from Japanese students:
On Thursday, March 14 we have been asked to host a group of students from Japan, visiting through GPI, a global exchange program. We will have approximately 35 students joining us. As with other visitors they will be paired with a shadow students. They will do a presentation at the end of the day that includes:

l GRP A: My school in Japan
l GRP B: Japanese Culture
l GRP C: Japanese food and sweets
l GRP D: Famous place in Japan
And then they will all come up and do a short presentation or dance together.
What a great way for our students to experience another culture!


Food for thought:
The Apollo School: What 21st Century Learning Looks Like (a model of this is happening down the road from us at a local high school...anyone interested in checking it out in action? Let me know!)
Two Positive Ways to Look at Change

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