Update from the Middle

February 17th

Presidents' Day

(NO SCHOOL)

It's hard to believe, but the time to start planning for your child's high school years is here! Below are important details and key dates to mark on your calendar.

2/24 @ 5:30 AHS Informational Meeting for Parents

• This meeting will be held via zoom and hosted by the AHS school counselors and staff.
• Along with a lot of other important info, you will get information about “forecasting” and how to help your child fill out their “forecasting form”
• Here is the ZOOM LINK:

• Join Zoom Meeting. https://asdconnect-org.zoom.us/j/92097410011
• THE MEETING WILL BE RECORDED FOR PARENTS UNABLE TO MAKE THIS TIME.

2/28 @ 1:15 AMS 8th graders visit AHS! (students only)

• New this year! Your student will walk to AHS with AMS teachers and staff for an informational meeting in the North Mt. Theater. They will hear information about forecasting along with a chance to ask questions from real AHS students!
• Your student will walk back to AMS with teachers and staff and be given a Forecasting Form to bring home.
• You and your child will work together to fill this form out. There will be a place for a parent signature.

Week of March 10th-14th

• AHS counselor(s) will visit your child’s Homeroom to help answer any questions and collect forms.
• ALL FORECASTING FORMS DUE MARCH 13TH!

We look forward to helping our Cubs become Grizzlies!

Due to furlough days, spring conferences will not be held this year. Instead, teachers have taken extra time to provide more detailed and thoughtful comments in the Trimester 2 Student Learning Snapshot, which will be available on March 10.

These snapshots offer valuable insights into student progress, strengths, and areas for growth. While teachers are always working to support students in the classroom, we will not be scheduling individual conference meetings this trimester. We encourage families to review the learning snapshots carefully and use them as a tool to guide conversations at home about learning progress.

We appreciate your understanding and partnership in supporting student learning!

Who: All 6th, 7th, & 8th Grade ASD Students

When: Friday, February 21 | 5:30 - 7:00 PM

Where: Ashland High School Small Gym
Tickets: $7 cash (sold at the door)

Get ready to dance the night away at the ASD 6th-8th Grade Winter Dance! This is a No Cell Phone Dance, so all phones and bags will be checked at the door.

Important Reminders:
📌 Bring your school ID and a completed permission form (below). If you don’t have an ID, a guardian must check you in.
🍿 The concession stand will have snacks for $3 or less.
📸 Capture the moment with a Polaroid picture booth – just $1 per photo!

We can’t wait to see you there for an evening of fun, music, and memories!

Every Team Hall at AMS currently has Food Donation Boxes to collect food for the the AMS Food Bank. Now until February 28th, the Builders Club members are asking staff and students to bring non-perishble / shelf stable food to their Team Halls. The donations will be counted daily (by individual item) and delivered to the AMS Food Bank. The Team-Hall that has collected the most items will win a hot cocoa/cookie party, which will take place before Spring Break. If you have any questions about this campaign, please reach out to Jarrett.Davidson@ashland.k12.or.us for further information.

Does your student LOVE math? Are they a 7th or 8th grader? They should try out for the PENTAGAMES Team!

What is Pentagames, you ask?! Pentagames is a one day math competition for 7th and 8th graders. Ashland's team competes locally against most of the other middle schools in the valley. The team consists of the top 4 qualifying students in three levels: 7th Grade, 8th Grade, or any 7th or 8th student in higher math course. Interested students should contact Mrs. Hardy to learn more about Pentagames. The competition will take place Friday, April 25th.

Ashland Middle School, including 6th-8th graders from Trails and Willow Wind

Website - Registration is closed

Program Dates: February 14th, 21st, 28th

Program Times: 4:30p-8:00p

Volunteer School Coordinator Contact Info: Michelle Cruz, 541-261-4060

We are still missing several Cross Country, Boys Basketball, and Volleyball uniforms. If your student participated in one of these sports, please take a moment to look around your home for any uniforms that haven’t been returned.

Important Reminder: Missing uniforms will be charged to the student they were issued to, so returning them as soon as possible will help avoid any unnecessary fees.

Thank you for your help in getting these uniforms back!

FACTS

• Regular attendance is corelated with higher achievement rates.
• Regular attendance allows students to stay on grade level, keep up with work, and understand assignments.
• Being at school opens up students to new opportunities to learn academic as well as social skills.
• Attendance helps kids feel connected to their school community.
• Regular attendance sends a message that education is important.

PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT

It is important to take an active role in your kid’s lives. Checking homework, talking about school and making education seem important all lead to good attendance and school success.

Help your student get to school on time every single day by creating a morning routine

ROUTINES THAT MAKE THE DIFFERENCE

WHAT YOU CAN DO - Set a regular bed time • Create a solid morning routine • Lay out clothes and pack backpacks the night before • Get an alarm clock for yourself and your child • Wake up with plenty of time to have a stress free morning • Don’t let your child stay home unless she is truly sick • Complaints of a stomach ache or headache can be a sign of anxiety and not a reason to stay home • If your child seems anxious about going to school, talk to teachers, school counselors, or other parents for advice on how to make him feel comfortable and excited about learning • Develop back-up plans for getting to school if something comes up. Call on a family member, a neighbor, or another parent • Avoid medical appointments and extended trips when school is in session • Make school and education seem of utmost importance to your child

Ashland Little League is open to everyone ages 4 -13 that lives in Ashland, OR or goes to school in the Ashland School District. No prior experience or equipment needed!

Flyer

Register

Skills Assessment Day for Minors, Majors, and 50/70 is February 23rd - everyone makes a team

Tee Ball Coed 4-6 years $50

Rookies (coach pitch) Baseball & Softball 5-8 years $100

Minors (player pitch) Baseball & Softball 8-11 years $125

Majors Baseball & Softball 10-12 years $125

50/70 Intermediate Baseball 11-13 years $125

2/16: Tween D&D - 1-3 pm

2/19: Rogue Reads Kanopy Kreatures Feature and Popcorn Bar • 3:30-5:30 pm

2/25: Rogue Reads Fandom Collaging • 4 -5 pm

2/27: Tissue Paper Stained Glass Candle Holders • 3-4:30 pm

Curious about lacrosse? Join RVYLA for free clinics on Sundays: February 16th, 23rd, and March 2nd, from 12:00–1:30 p.m. at Ashland Middle School (AMS).

These sessions are open to boys and girls of all experience levels—no prior knowledge of the game is necessary, and equipment will be provided.

Games start in April : Registration

Flyer

Ages 11-17

STARTING THURSDAY MARCH 13TH 4:00 - 5:15PM

Flyer

Register

Learn to play the frame drum!

No musical or drumming experience required.

Drums provided.

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).