October 27, 2019

Good evening-

I hope you had a restful weekend. I spent it moving back into our home, we did a lot of family reconnecting. :)  I am looking forward to getting some stability back.

Picture retakes are Monday. October 28. Please get your picture taken if you missed regular picture day. You must have an updated ID.

We have gone longer than anticipated with the small pilot of eHallpass but I would like to have the whole school roll it out next Monday. The initial survey response for using a school device (such as your desktop or classroom laptop) versus students using their device was 60/40. Given what you have experienced or heard, please let me know (using this form) which device you would want to use moving forward. As you know, this is a pilot and we will look to staff and students for feedback before committing further to this type of pass system.

At Site Council this week we had a good discussion abut NEASC, X-block. etc. This committee does a lot of work on the goals of the school. We are still one faculty member short so please consider joining. Your voice is important! We will be sending out a Portrait of the Graduate survey to all faculty, students, and community members this week. Surveys were developed by the Site Council sub-committee after reviewing work done around the state and reviewed by our working group a few weeks ago. 

If you have questions about the work any of the working groups are doing or recommendations and concerns to be brought forward (X-block for example) please seek out a committee member. They are compiling information and working towards positive implementation of all ideas that support our students!

We are excited for the annual Halloween parade this week. Please review the email sent a few weeks ago by Erin for exceptions for senior as well as for class participation.

It is going to be a big week/weekend at AHS with playoffs starting for several teams and the AHSTS fall play. Get out and support our students!

Club advisors and coaches, please share this flyer with your groups!
MYTT flyer

Two weeks until grades for Term 1 close!

As the term comes to an end please review the policy on students who are struggling and make calls home if you have any student who is failing or you have other concerns about. I have shared the School Committee Policy below. Let's make connections with families and make sure we are all personally reaching out to families of students who are struggling.  Thank you.

SHARED RESPONSIBILITY FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS - WHO ARE STRUGGLING ACADEMICALLY

In accordance with Ashland Public School's Vision Statement and Educational Principles, as well as the Ashland High Schools Statement of Purpose, efforts to ensure the academic success of each Ashland High School student shall be the joint responsibility of the student, the student's parents/guardian, and the school district. Likewise, when there are indications that a student's academic success is in jeopardy, the responsibility for recognizing that struggle and providing remedial assistance is also a shared responsibility.

Warning Signs: When a child is experiencing academic problems at school, there are typically early warning signs that occur long before report cards are issued. Those may include attendance or behavioral issues, problems with completing homework, poor grades on tests and quizzes, and inadequate classroom participation. In each case, it is expected that members of the faculty, the guidance department, and the administration, as well as the parent and the student, will be aware of these warning signs. The progress report and the report card provide further evidence, not the only evidence, of academic struggles.

Shared Responsibility: Given these warning signs, the school, the student and the parents each have responsibilities to address the student's difficulties. The school offers a range of remedial actions; specific assistance to be offered is determined on a case by case basis with input from the parent and student. The range of remedial assistance that the school is responsible for providing is listed below, followed by the responsibilities of the parent and the student.

The High School shall ensure that the following avenues of assistance are available, as appropriate, to students who are struggling academically:

Teachers shall be aware of student needs and high school resources, and make appropriate and timely referrals to services and opportunities available at the high school, including special education, guidance services, and academic support.

When a child shows any of the early warning behaviors described above, the teacher will address the matter directly with the student in an effort to ascertain and address what is causing the academic difficulty.

Teachers are available for extra help once a week on a designated day or by appointment.

Peer tutoring is available through the guidance staff.

When the teacher or counselor deems it necessary, he/she will contact the parent/guardian of a struggling student, and attempt to schedule a conference for further discussion.

Student progress can be monitored by students and guardians using the iStudent/iParent portal, which is updated every two weeks.

The Response to Intervention Team (RTI) is comprised of one member from academic teachers, the Guidance Counselors, adjustment counselors, and the Deans, of which one Dean serves as chair. The purpose of this team is to help AHS students deal with academic, emotional or behavioral problems which may be having a negative impact on grades, discipline, or attendance. The team may refer students to counseling or the Academic Foundations Program, or take other action deemed appropriate. The RTI Team meets on a regular basis to discuss issues of concern and to review referrals. The Team works to develop accommodation strategies to successfully remedy negative patterns. Referrals may be made by teachers, parents, students, or any member of the Ashland High School community. All referrals are confidential.

The Academic Foundations Program is available to all students in need of remediation, enrichment, extra help, homework help and study skill enrichment. Students may access the Academic Foundations Program when assigned by their counselor.

Each student at Ashland High School is assigned a guidance counselor in the ninth grade who will remain with him/her throughout his/her high school years. A student can make an appointment by contacting the guidance counselor. Students with a pressing problem do not necessarily need an appointment. Students with issues to discuss, whether personal or academic, are encouraged to see a guidance counselor.

Special Education is an integral component of services available at Ashland High School. The Special Education Department provides students with special needs successful academic experiences through the development of individualized education programs (IEP). The building staff is prepared to answer questions regarding student referral, evaluation, and service delivery. Parents/guardians are encouraged to contact the student's teacher, special education liaison, guidance counselor, Principal or Special Education Coordinator regarding special education services. 

The Parent or Guardian, in working to assist their child facing academic struggles, has the responsibility to:

Make every effort to provide for the physical needs of the child.

Strive to prepare the child emotionally and socially to actively engage in learning and appropriate interpersonal relationships.

Strive to have the child attend school regularly and on time.

Encourage and lead the child to develop proper study habits at home.

Know school requirements and procedures.

Attend and participate in teacher conferences.

Speak up to prevent misunderstandings.

Discuss problems with appropriate persons.

Determine what non-academic activities, including school-sponsored extracurricular activities and sports, as well as jobs and other activities, are beneficial for their child, without interfering with that child's academic success. Parents are encouraged to consult with teachers, the guidance department, and the administration if they have any questions or concerns relevant to their student's extracurricular participation.

The Student is ultimately responsible for his or her own education. Specifically, they have the responsibility to:

Make decisions about and take responsibility for his/her own behaviors, both academic and interpersonal.

Make every effort to maintain good health.

Be receptive to learning and discipline.

Attend school regularly and on time.

Develop proper study habits at home; complete homework as assigned; properly prepare for tests and quizzes.

Know school requirements and procedures.

Speak up to ask for help.

Discuss problems with appropriate persons.