As apart of our summer learning program the second graders enjoyed a "Book Tasting" this morning. Students read a book of their choice and wrote and drew their favorite part from the book.
When a school bus has completed its life of service to students, it can still have more to give. Deep gratitude to the Bus Project, the Skoolie Foundation, Talent Maker City and the collective partnerships that gave new life to some of our retired busses. Thank you to Transportation Director, Stacy Cheshire, the Ashland School Board and all the participating Rogue Valley school districts, students, volunteers and agencies that collaborated to make these retired school buses into homes.
https://www.mailtribune.com/top-stories/2022/07/29/a-new-home-for-almeda-survivor/?fbclid=IwAR0z7sVubz39bkn0vRAka5DF8uYfsjLx0ht5oFR7727UCIMRrS-2O-BOHHc
Verizon hosts 10th Annual Backpack and School Supplies Giveaway
Jackson County, Ore. — Inflation has taken a toll on families in more ways than anyone could have imagined. But, there are a few things that still have to be done no matter what, like making sure your children have back-to-school supplies.
For parents who are struggling and need extra help with that, the Cellular Connection for Verizon is hosting their 10th Annual Backpack and School Supplies Giveaway.
“Every location we have around the country gets from 150-200 backpacks every year and they come filled with school supplies from folders, rulers, paper, pencils and pens,” said Daniel Varela, District Manager for Southern Oregon TCC Verizon.
According to Varela, they have four locations in Southern Oregon and the event will take place July 31 from 1:00-4:00 p.m.
“We ask that when you do show up that you bring your child with you so we can hand them the backpack," Varela said. "We just encourage everyone to come out, we will have food vendors and games for everyone to enjoy as well.”
The locations are:
Grants Pass
498 Union Ave
142 NE Terry Lane
Medford
1779 N. Riverside
1315 Center Drive
“We have five $10,000 scholarships we will be giving away as well across all our locations," Varela said. "There's a little QR code that we can get them signed up for the potential to win one of these $10,000 scholarships, so when they come get a backpack we’ll help them out with that part as well.”
They will be announcing the winner a few weeks after the giveaway and will contact each person that won.
See the original story here:
https://ktvl.com/news/local/backpack-and-school-supplies-giveaway-verizon-cellular-connection-folders-rulers-pens-pencils-southern-oregon-scholarships
School Board Regular Meeting ON ZOOM TONIGHT
Meeting Link, Agenda, & Public Notice: https://meetings.boardbook.org/Public/Organization/1537
Due to Jackson County's increase in COVID infection rates, this meeting will be virtual and on Zoom.
Familiar Faces in New Places!
In case you haven’t heard, Katherine Holden, the National Association of School Principal’s AP of the Year 2021-2022, has accepted the principal position at Talent Middle School. It is a natural evolution - she is more than ready, and we are grateful for her years of service and contributions to the education of our youth here in Ashland. It’s nice to know she will continue her journey as our neighbor!
We are fortunate to have an existing administrative team of exceptional caliber and will have some familiar faces in new places beginning in August 2022’
AMS Welcomes Rebecca Gyarmathy as Assistant Principal beginning in August of 2022.
If you’ve been in Ashland Schools awhile, chances are you know Rebecca and her passion for making our schools great places to learn and connect. Rebecca hails from the Chicago area. She left Chicago in 2001 to earn a graduate degree and explore the Pacific Northwest. After graduating from SOU in 2003, she worked as a teacher in private setting and in the Ashland School District. Rebecca served as a Special Education Teacher and Reading Specialist for 11 years at Bellview Elementary. In 2016, Rebecca became the principal of John Muir Outdoor School and served there until 2020. For the last 2 years, she has served as an Assistant Principal at Ashland High School.
Rebecca is a proponent of public schools and takes pride in making them great places for students and staff. She feels success when she sees students who have challenges be successful in school. She is looking forward to joining the AMS team!
Rebecca is also the proud parent of two six-year old twin boys and enjoys exploring the Rogue valley with her family.
AHS Welcomes-Back Francisco Lopez-Atanes as Assistant Principal beginning in August of 2022.
Francisco Lopez-Atanes joins the AHS team officially as Assistant Principal after serving as an interim in that position during the 2021-2022 school year.
Francisco was born in Madrid, Spain. He graduated with a B S in Philosophy from Alcalá University and earned his law degree at San Pablo CEU in 2002. His heart called him to the classroom and he earned a teaching certification at Cardiff University, completing a PhD in 2008. Except for a short period of time as a lawyer, Francisco has worked in education since 2003. He has taught subjects including Political Science, Spanish and AP Spanish Literature. Francisco worked in leadership positions in several organizations prior to joining the AHS Spanish department in 2019 where he quickly established himself as a teacher leader. During the 2021-2022 school year, Francisco serves as Interim Assistant Principal at Ashland High School where he also taught Leadership.
Francisco says, “I have found in Ashland High School a place to call home and be part of a thriving community of educators that share a strong passion for education and are committed to all our students. Elisabeth, my spouse, was the first in my family to be part of the District, teaching Spanish at AMS. This year, my daughter is a Helman ‘dragon-to-be’ and is looking forward to kindergarten. My son starts his career at AMS in the fall. Every member of my family is part of the Ashland School District!”
A Welcome Return!
Becca Laroi is returning to AHS as Assistant Principal!
Many of you know Becca Laroi from her time as Equity Director and AHS Assistant Principal in Ashland, or through her work in the valley with the BIPOC community and the Black Youth Leadership summit. Becca most recently served in Medford School District and consulted with Southern Oregon Education Service District on equity issues. We are excited to share that Becca is returning and has accepted a position as an Assistant Principal at AHS for August 2022!
From Becca, “I am first and foremost the proud mother of three awesome humans. I am a product of the public education system in Southern Oregon and I am excited to be representation for students who don’t always see themselves reflected in our systems. I started my path in education as a special education assistant. I earned my Bachelor of Science in Psychology, and focused on health and PE while obtaining my Master of Arts in Teaching. In addition to teaching, I have had the privilege of serving as a department head, instructional leader, softball coach, and community liaison for Black and African American students. While doing work in our community to uplift historically marginalized populations, I pursued my Administrative license. I had the honor of serving as the ASD Administrator for Equity and Inclusion, as well as Assistant Principal at AHS and McLoughlin Middle school in Medford. I’m humbled by the opportunity to come back and serve this incredibly special community in Ashland.”
The Ashland Grizzly Football Team is pleased to bring back its GRIZZLY FOOTBALL KIDS CAMP!
This camp is for kids in 3rd-8th grade.
The camp will be held on the Ashland High School Grizzly Football Fields JUNE 27-30 from 10-noon. $25/player
To learn more click the link below for the brochure, or visit the website & register!
https://5il.co/1bwim
https://ashlandfootballclub.com/
AHSA will be hosting a volleyball camp for boys and girls grades 4th-8th starting August 2-4th from 4-6pm at Ashland High School.
Please see the printable form below to sign up!
https://5il.co/1bwin
At Bellview we celebrate the end of every school year with students by setting up an obstacle course where students can test their prowess, play games, and make lasting memories before the summer. We wish all our graduating 5th graders luck and hope they carry the Bellview sprit with them!
The Ashland School District will be closed
Monday, May 30, in observance of Memorial Day. We take this opportunity to honor and mourn the men and women who have given their lives in performance of their duty while serving in the United States Armed Forces. Their sacrifice made possible the schools in which we have the freedom to teach and learn.
Congratulations to this week's KOOL 103.5 Medford Teacher of the Week, Corey Carnes at Bellview Elementary School. The nomination shares, "He lets the kids have fun while teaching them how to solve academic problems with flexible thinking. He makes each child feel special."
APRIL 11 BOARD MEETING MOVED TO ZOOM
Due to the snow, we are moving the regular Board session to zoom. You may log in to watch the meeting here: https://asdconnect-org.zoom.us/j/96736733936?pwd=czNMRERqbkhXTmFxS2JuV3ZvbWJtQT09
ASHLAND SCHOOL BOARD MEETS IN PERSON
MONDAY, APRIL 11, 2022 at 7:00 pm.
The School Board is pleased to return to in-person meeting on April 11. The Board will meet in the City Council Chamber at 1175 E. Main Street. For more information, please review the announcement and information about submitting public comment to the Board.
To see the full announcement click the link below:
https://5il.co/18ktx
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!
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!
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
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!
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.
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.
Summer Learning Extravaganza Celebrations!
