Ashland Connect

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!

This year we’ll once again be using i-Ready to get to know your student and what they know and don’t know, so we can help them on their learning path! Learn more about i-Ready here: i-Ready.com/Tour.

A Message from Amanda Groover: "Hello families and welcome to the “real” week 1 of Ashland Connect! A few updates and reminders: - All classes go live tomorrow, September 8th- woohoo! You likely will not be able to see courses until tomorrow morning. Family Orientation Night, with an Edgenuity trainer, is tonight! K-5 is at 5:30 and 6-8 will be at 6:30, both via zoom. I emailed a link to this last week and it can also be found in our Friday newsletter that Maddi sent out. Let me know if you didn’t get it and nee the link! I’ll also send the recording for those unable to attend. I have kept my schedule clear of all family meetings tomorrow and the rest of this week, other than initial meetings, so I can be available to help troubleshoot any issues that arise in our first few days. Unfortunately, there is a delay in our K-5 workbook delivery. However, all of the workbooks are available digitally to you. Students can either fill them out digitally or print to use. If you are unable to do either of these options, please let me know asap and we will print the first several days of lessons in each core subject for you today. They will be ready for pickup this afternoon. My apologies abut this delay. We do expect this will be solved this week and I will be in touch when the full workbooks are here. I am so excited to start the year and this special journey with you all- please feel free to reach anytime as needed!"

A Message from Brian Ruby (Special Education Teacher) Please join us in welcoming Brian Ruby to Ashland Connect! When we learned that Rebecca was not going to be able to join us at JMOS and Ashland Connect (as her responsibilities at the high school shifted) we went on a search to fill her big shoes. We are excited to have found that person. Brian will be joining us as our Special Education teacher and we couldn't be more excited for him to join our team! "Hello everyone, I am so excited to join Ashland Connect and Ashland School District. I come to Ashland from the Portland area where my wife and I recently moved from with our youngest child. Moving to Ashland is a bit of a homecoming for me as I lived here for almost ten years prior to moving away. I am a SOU graduate and have spent the last three years teaching special education. I have experience teaching English, history, math and special education. I have also had careers as an investigative social worker and a clinical teen counselor. I enjoy coaching and outdoor activities like paddle boarding and hiking. My teacher wife and I love to travel and explore new things. We both now work in the district and cannot be more pleased with the Ashland community and the people at the Ashland School District.

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.