This week is American School Counselor Appreciation Week! The Ashland School District has prioritized the social-emotional and behavioral health support and guidance of our young people during these especially challenging times. This past year, Ashland has added new positions and increased existing positions in response to the social emotional needs of our students. Our K-12 Counseling and Behavioral Health team now consists of: 5 Child Development Specialists (elementary schools) 3 Behavioral Health Specialists (one at each level) 8 Student Advocates (5 at elementary, 1 at AMS and 2 at AHS) 1 Student Support Specialist/Dean (AMS) 4 School Counselors (AHS) 1 College and Career Specialist (AHS) 1 Dean (AHS) 1 K-12 Counseling and Behavioral Health Coordinator (district-wide) This hard-working team of smart, creative, and compassionate advocates wear a multitude of hats throughout their days and weeks. These wonderful people listen, reflect, comfort, praise, celebrate, guide, set limits, connect, problem solve and advocate. They are passionately committed to supporting each of their student’s best selves. They are immensely flexible and resilient. They make differences in countless lives every single day. We are so grateful for all they do!
about 2 years ago, Web Admin
ASD School Counselors
Check out Michelle Cuddeback, Helman Principal all dressed up! 3rd grader at Helman Elementary, Vyla Jovick, earned a reward for her whole class by writing a positive note to a classmate, recognizing their hard work. She chose to dress the Principal, and all of her classmates were able to join in the fun!
over 2 years ago, Web Admin
MC Dressing up
MC and student
The Ashland School District celebrates Indigenous Peoples’ Day! We especially recognize our local tribes including the Takelma, Shasta, Modoc, Klamath, and Umpqua as well as the over 160 students in our schools who identify as Native American and their families. We value the individual and cultural traditions and contributions that they bring to strengthen our ASD community. We invite you to consider the resource shared below from the National Museum of the American Indian (part of the Smithsonian Institute). “Many students learn the phrase, ‘In 1492, Columbus sailed the ocean blue’. But Columbus was not the first foreign explorer to land in the Americas. Neither he nor those that came before him discovered America—because Indigenous Peoples have populated the Western Hemisphere for tens of thousands of years. European contact resulted in devastating loss of life, disruption of tradition, and enormous loss of lands for Indigenous Peoples in the Americas. It is estimated that in the 130 years following first contact, Native America lost 95 percent of its population.” https://americanindian.si.edu/nk360/informational/columbus-day-myths
over 2 years ago, Web Admin
Get ready for the 13th Annual Monster Dash Run for Education! This year’s race is back in Lithia Park on Saturday, October 30th, or you can sign up to run the race virtually from anywhere October 22nd – 31st. 1-mile Fun Run/Walk 5k Run/Walk 10k Run Walk, run or zombie stroll for this annual family-fun event that supports grants in Ashland public schools. This one-of-a-kind race is presented by Lithia 4 Kids, the Ashland Kiwanis Club, and the Ashland Schools Foundation (ASF). This year the in-person races at Lithia Park will be modified for COVID safety, with mask requirements, staggered race-wave start times and locations, and limited numbers per race to allow for social distancing. All racers receive finisher’s medals, plus fun-filled race packets and giveaways for youth 18 and under! Register NOW for early-bird pricing for adults (thru Oct 13…kids are always $10) and before the race time you want fills up. Go to www.AshlandMonsterDash.com to sign up the whole family and get more info about this year’s race, online contests, silent auction and prizes!
over 2 years ago, Web Admin
monster dash poster
For more information please visit: http://uneteoregon.org/
over 2 years ago, Web Admin
poster
Our young friends at Willow Wind sent the Phoenix-Talent Fire department this garland as a thank you as we mark one year since the Almeda fire. Students were so excited when the Fire Fighters came to say your welcome in person! What a huge treat for our students. A huge thank you to all of our first responders.
over 2 years ago, Web Admin
Firefighters at willowwind
Firefighters at willowwind
Firefighters at willowwind
Firefighters at willowwind
A year ago, we all experienced and witnessed how wide-spread community service can unite, mend, and restore hope. An ASD parent has initiated an inspiring and uplifting effort to make September 8 a day of community connection and care. Please join in this effort and make this day and many more full of gestures of kindness that ripple across our community and beyond.
over 2 years ago, Web Admin
Rouge Valley Love your neighbor day
Summer Learning Extravaganza Celebrations!
over 2 years ago, Web Admin
Clay Art was a highlight for many of our young learners this summer!
Summer Learning Extravaganza Celebrations!
over 2 years ago, Web Admin
Mr Lambert’s geometry students showed their math and design skills with their display of tiny houses.
Summer Learning Extravaganza Celebrations!
over 2 years ago, Web Admin
Some of our students enjoyed showing their moves in dance class.
Rapid Summer Credit Recovery Celebrations!
over 2 years ago, Web Admin
Jesse Stonewood and his students hit the quad for some fun science experiments.  Credit recovery for Biology, Environmental Science and Earth Science were all offered!
Summer Learning Extravaganza Celebrations!
over 2 years ago, Web Admin
Students braved the heights of Southern Oregon University’s rock climbing wall.
Rapid Credit Recovery Celebrations!
over 2 years ago, Web Admin
Upperclassmen had the opportunity to review some of the math from last year so that they could earn back the credit and prepare themselves for their next class.   Teachers Jennifer Bein, Eric Wolff, Tammy Anderson (and a one-week guest appearance by Brenton Wileman) all worked hard to create engaging lessons for in the classrooms and around campus!
Summer Learning Extravaganza Celebrations!
over 2 years ago, Web Admin
Over 70 of our students were able to participate in a week of golf instruction provided by West Coast Golf Academy!
Summer Rapid Credit Recovery Celebrations!
over 2 years ago, Web Admin
Teachers Isaiah Creel and Alan Parowski brought their classes together to read and interpret the graphic novel The Watchmen.  Students were then challenged to individually create their own comic strips based on a personal moral dilemma.
Summer Rapid Credit Recovery Celebrations
over 2 years ago, Web Admin
Students from Jesse Stonewood’s Science classes peruse the Gift Shop during their field trip to the Crater Rock Museum.  Students got to tour the museum, pan for gemstones and ate pizza and popsicles while learning cool new things about rocks and fossils.
Summer Learning Extravaganza Celebrations!
over 2 years ago, Web Admin
A huge thank to our friends and neighbors for donating to the Ashland Community Hospital’s Patrons Fundraising Campaign for outdoor science kits use each day in Lithia Park by our Kindergarten and 1st grade students participating in Outdoor Education.
High School Rapid Credit Recovery Summer School. Our two sessions of Rapid Credit Recovery have been a great success story. Students are enjoying the small classes, relaxed atmosphere and the ability to come together with peers to have some fun, meet some new friends and earn back those credits lost due to their individual circumstances around COVID closure last year. Several students even CHOSE to come back after the first session to attend the second session just for the fun and friendship!
over 2 years ago, Web Admin
Student gather in the quad at the end of every week for ice cream bars and the chance of winning a $10 gift card to one of our many generous donors including Martolis, Dollar Tree, Dutch Brow and Mix.  Students entered a ticket for every class they attended and gather at the end of the week for the big drawing.
Summer Learning Extravaganza Celebrations!
over 2 years ago, Web Admin
Students in our STEAM class were challenged to work collaborative to design solutions to real world problems.
MESSAGE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT: Governor Requires Masks for K12 Schools - July 30, 2021 Staff, Parents, Guardians, Families and Students; On July 29, Governor Kate Brown announced that she is directing Oregon Department of Education (ODE) and the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) to develop rules aligning to CDC recommendations and requiring masks indoors for K-12 schools during the 2021-22 school year. Read her full statement HERE. This is a change from local decision to state decision making on indoor masking and impacts all K-12 public and private schools. The Department of Education has indicated that the mask requirement will include “all students, staff, contractors, volunteers and visitors.” As of Monday, August 2nd, students and staff in both the K8 and high school summer programs will be required to mask indoors. The masking requirement will continue for the start of the regular school year. As we head into our second three-week summer school session, we are updating our COVID safety practices to include required masking in response to the Governor’s order, local health metrics and recent changes in quarantine rules that can reduce or eliminate the quarantine period for students that wear masks. While no one is excited about the requirement to wear masks in this heat, under the new County Health quarantine protocols for students wearing masks will reduce or eliminate quarantine periods in most cases - meaning more time in school. With four weeks to go before school starts, we continue to plan for full return to on-campus instruction five days a week and a year of on-campus connection and learning. We are continuing to follow COVID safety protocols and work with the Jackson County Department of Health around COVID safety. We recognize that parents and guardians have strong feelings and a range of beliefs around masking and state requirements. Our primary goal is to assure access to school, and the opportunity for learning and connection. Thank you in advance for your flexibility as we work together to keep our kids and staff healthy and in school for the summer and the coming year. Stay cool and enjoy your summer – Samuel Samuel Bogdanove Superintendent Ashland Public Schools Pronouns: He, Him, His
over 2 years ago, Web Admin