Update from the Middle

January 20th - MLK Day (NO SCHOOL)

January 27th - Staff In-service Day (NO SCHOOL)

Are you in 6th, 7th, or 8th grade in the Ashland School District?

Then you are invited to join the Ashland School District MIDDLE SCHOOL CHOIR

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Tuesdays 3:15-4:15pm, TRAILS Music Room (for 6th, 7th, & 8th students at AMS, TRAILS, Willow Wind, and Ashland Connect)

For more info, email amy.merwin@ashland.k12.or.us or just show up! It’s FREE!

Ashland Middle School cannot participate this year if they do not have a volunteer coordinator.

FRIDAY NIGHTS IN FEBRUARY

4:30 - 8 PM

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Dates for the AMS program are Friday nights in February 2/7, 2/14 and 2/21 Arriving to Mt. Ashland 4:30-5pm, lessons from 6-8pm The group typically has 80-100 kids participating Two people can co-lead together if that is preferred.

Responsibilities include:

• Communicating information to students and parents
• Organizing transportation and fees
• Attendance
• Recruiting chaperones

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Reach out to Mt. Ashland's School Youth Ski & Snowboard Program Coordinator, Cheyenne at syp@mtashland.com

The ASU students are organizing fun and engaging lunch activities to celebrate Lunar New Year during the week of January 28th.

Here’s what’s planned:

• Tuesday: Learn about the Year of the Snake and create a snake craft.

• Wednesday: Wear red for Red Shirt Day and design your own bracelet with red, gold, and letter beads.

• Thursday: Discover your Chinese zodiac sign and play Chinese Zodiac Bingo.

• Friday: Create your own firecracker craft, and/or make red money pouches with fortunes.

We’re also planning a raffle for students who wear a red shirt on Wednesday! We’re currently seeking a prize item to give away to the lucky winner.

How You Can Help: To make these activities a success and to support future ASU events, we’re asking for donations of specific items. If you’re able to contribute, please check out the list of needed supplies:

• Googly eyes
• Red money pouches
• Chocolate coins
• Bracelet string
• Red beads
• Gold beads
• Letter beads
• Bright red paper
• "Gold" paper
• Monetary donation towards bingo cards or other supplies
• Raffle prize for red shirt day
• Toilet paper or paper towel rolls
• Gold paint pens
• Red ribbon

Thank you for supporting our students and their efforts to bring cultural celebrations to our school community! Please drop off donations by January 22nd and leave your name and address so we can send you a thank you card.

JANUARY WEEKEND SERIES

Join us for our three weekend camp series ran by AHS Girls Varsity Basketball team and coaching staff. Free camp shirt included along with camp prizes!

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Cost goes to fundraising for our program

$75 per weekend

or $150 for all 6 weekend days

WHO BOYS & GIRLS GRADE- 4TH-8TH GRADE

WHERE: AHS LARGE GYM (201 S MOUNTAIN AVE.)

WHEN: JAN 11TH & 12TH, 18TH & 19TH, 25TH & 26TH

TIME: 9AM-12PM

Missing a day of school here and there may not seem like a big deal, but absences add up quickly and can significantly impact your child's learning and experience at school.

Did You Know?

• Missing 2 days a month adds up to 20 days a year—that’s 30 hours of missed instruction in math, language arts, science, and social studies.
• Missing 4 days a month adds up to 40 days a year—that’s 60 hours of lost learning time!

Why Regular Attendance is Important for Your Child:

• Support from Teachers: Teachers want every student to succeed but need them in class to provide the support and guidance they deserve.
• Your Child’s Voice Matters: Every student brings unique ideas and perspectives to class discussions and group activities. When absent, your child misses opportunities to share and contribute.
• Setting the Stage for Success: Consistent attendance improves performance on tests and assignments, helping your child feel more prepared and confident.

Let’s work together to ensure your child attends school regularly and gets the most out of their educational experience. Every day counts!

Southern Oregon University's Latino Family Day (Dia Familiar Latino) will take place on Saturday, January 25, 2025 at the SOU campus.

Latino Family Day is an educational conference designed for Latino/a/x families where participants learn about resources available surrounding familial success. Families, including students in grades 8 through 11, will participate in various topics including tools for academic success, building healthy social/life skills, growing leadership skills, and a ton more! You can learn more about LFD here.

Participants can Register HERE.

If people need assistance registering they can contact our team at 541-552-6991 or this email: latinoprograms@sou.edu

Winter News January

January 14th: Culture Night Medford

January 16th: Culture Night Grants Pass

January 18th: Martin Luther King Remembrance at Grants Pass High School 11AM

January 28th: Culture Night Medford Storytelling Event

January 30th: Culture Night Grants Pass

Can you solve a Rubik’s cube?

Come to Southern Oregon’s first speedcubing competition! This is an official speedcubing competition hosted by the World Cubing Association

Newcomers welcome! If you can solve it in under 10 minutes, you can compete.

February 1st @ the Central Point

Grange Hall #698

Sign up by going to: https://www.worldcubeassociation.org/competitions/CubinginSouthernOregon2025

1/15: Teen Zines, 3-4:30 PM

1/19: Tween D&D, 1-3 PM

1/21: Rogue Reads - Gratitude Journaling, 4:30-5:30 PM

1/29: Diorama Delights, 3-5 PM

1/30: Making Chinese Dumplings for Lunar New Year, 3-4:30

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Snacks provided at all events!

Ashland Mayor, Tanya Graham, is encouraging Ashland's youth to apply for the Oregon mayors Association annual, "If I were Mayor..." student contest for grades 4th-12th.

Deadline is March 10, 2025. Details at: ashlandoregon.gov/OMAcontest

The various programs offered in this email newsletter are distributed to Ashland School District students as a courtesy to parents per board policy. Ashland School District does not endorse or sponsor community activities including any described in this newsletter. If you have questions regarding this policy, please contact your student’s principal.

Email: kerri.mallory@ashland.k12.or.us
Website: https://www.ashland.k12.or.us/o/ams

Location: 100 Walker Avenue, Ashland, OR, USA
Phone: 541-482-1611
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Ashland-Middle-School-143374639027500/

The school district does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability in matters affecting employment or in providing access to programs and services and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following person has been designated at our school to handle inquiries and complaints regarding nondiscrimination policies and to coordinate compliance efforts:

Name: Steve Retzlaff Title: Principal
Address: 100 Walker Ave
Telephone: 541-482-1611 ext. 3109
Email: steve.retzlaff@ashland.k12.or.us

Inquiries or complaints may also be directed to the Student Services Office at 885 Siskiyou Blvd, Ashland Oregon (phone: 541-482-2811)

Complaints may also be directed to: Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue S.W., Washington D.C. 20202, or by calling (800) 421-3481 or (877) 521-2172 (TTY).