GRIZZ-O-GRAM
August 21st, 2020
Ashland High School
Instagram: @ashlandhighschool
Facebook: Ashland High School - Ashland, OR
Past Grizz-O-Grams https://www.smore.com/u/ahs
Website: http://ashland.k12.or.us
Location: 201 South Mountain Avenue, Ashland, OR 97520, USA
Phone: 541 482 8771
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AHS.Ashland.OR/
This week's Grizz...
- Welcome New Staff!
- Bell Schedule Fall 2020
- Parent Night Info & Zoom Links
- Canvas Family Support Webinar Info & Zoom Links
- Attendance Update
- Main Office Updates / Student Registration
- Mental Health Counseling
- Counseling Office Updates & Contact Info
- Fresh Start
- And Updated FAQ!
School Begins on September 8th
Principal's Update
We look forward to welcoming our teachers back on Monday for the start of two weeks of professional development to be ready for this year. We are all ready to get back to work and get trained to make this year the best it can be!
We have been hard at work this week working on the master schedule and making adjustments. As soon as those are complete, student schedules will be available on PowerSchool. We are happy to be able to offer as many electives as possible, including performing arts, via distance learning.
We also want to provide opportunities for families to hear from us about what this upcoming year will look like and to have the changes to our schedule explained. Please see below for meeting dates and Zoom links.
We look forward to working with our families and students to make this a successful year!
Sincerely,
Ben Bell
Welcome New AHS Staff!
Maurice Monteiro - Counselor
My name is Maurice Monteiro and I am one of the new counselors to Ashland HS.
I moved here from Henderson, Nevada where I was a School Counselor there for 20 years and I am super excited to be part of the community and my new position within the high school here in Ashland.
I was born in New York City but moved to the Southwest when I was 12 years old. I attended middle school and high school there, joined the Air Force right after high school and was stationed in Europe and the US.
During my enlistment, I developed a strong love of traveling and have been doing that ever since. I have traveled back to Europe several times, have seen almost every state within the US, also the Caribbean, South America, and now working my way hopefully towards the Far East one of these days.
I also enjoy outdoor activities such as mountain biking, hiking, and skiing.
Additionally, I am the proud parent of a grown son who just completed college last summer and who had majored in aviation science.
Thank you to everyone who has welcomed me so warmly and looking forward to meeting everyone else here in the near future.
Sincerely,
Maurice Monteiro
Jamie Haden - Family Health/Leadership Teacher
Hello Grizz Families! I am Jamie Haden (also known as Mrs. Haden) and I am thrilled to be joining the Ashland High School Community! I am not a new face to the district, but a new staff member at AHS. I have had the privilege to work part-time at Ashland Middle School for the last 15 years teaching Health and Student Leadership classes, coaching volleyball, taking students on Educational Travel to Washington D.C. and New York, running after-school Culinary Club, PBIS (Positive Behavior and Intervention Supports) Site Coordinator, Department Chair, Teacher Rep for Studio to Schools Art Integration Program, and more.
This year, I have landed a full-time position in the district and will be working mornings at AHS as a Family Health Teacher (11th grade) and as the Student Council/Leadership Advisor. In the afternoons, I will continuing teaching 6th Grade Health and Leadership classes at AMS. Over the years have had over 2 thousand Ashland Youth come through my classes. I love the fact that I will have the opportunity this year to continue working with many of my past students now in their high school years!
I am a native to the Rogue Valley, living here for 40 years. I am a North Valley Knight (North Valley High School outside of Grants Pass), SOU Raider where I earned by Bachelors in Health Promotion and Fitness Management, and then my Master's in Teaching. I live life as it is half full and not half empty. I love to create, cultivate and celebrate! What feeds me is working with our youth in helping them find their potential, ask big questions, find purpose in life, spread kindness, help others, and make this world a better place.
In my personal life, I am happily married with 3 children who attend the AHS, AMS, and Bellview. I crave to be outdoors, garden, eat good food, travel and see nature's wonders, and love any kind of water play in lakes, rivers, oceans, streams, pools, etc. I am a country farm girl and we have a small farm here in Ashland. And finally I am an art and activities advocate for our youth. Playing, creating, working hard, expressing self, while balancing self-care is right up my alley!
I am excited to continue to work with all of our Ashland Families. Welcome to new community members if we haven't met yet!
Russel Laubscher - Humanities Teacher
Bell Schedule Fall 2020
Parent Nights
ALL Grizz Families
Wednesday, August 26th @ 5:00PM - 5:45PM
Meet the administrative team and support staff! Get an overview of what this school year is going to look like and information to many questions you might have!
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/95257922943?pwd=Zzg5NjA5OEd5aEJ6RDVkL0VmTEJWUT09Meeting ID: 952 5792 2943
Passcode: 264522
9th Grade Families
Thursday, August 27th @ 5:00PM - 5:45PM
This night is geared just to 9th grade families to help you understand the challenges to already a BIG transition!
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/91954430857?pwd=cHBXL3ljeEQrVEtWQzhvVzhPcWlVUT09
Meeting ID: 919 5443 0857
Passcode: 028478
12th Grade / Senior Families
Friday, August 28th @ 5:00PM - 5:45PM
A night just for our seniors to answer all the SENIOR questions!
https://zoom.us/j/91341162801?pwd=REx3UGV1Z0pCMi9zYjlDaXlTVUladz09
Canvas Family Support Meetings
Ashland School District is moving from Microsoft Teams to Canvas this school year. Canvas is the Learning Management System we are using to for Comprehensive Distance Learning. We are offering support webinars for parents and students to familiarize themselves with the program and learn how to use it.
Wednesday, September 2nd - 7:00PM -8:00PM
This will be hosted on Zoom (webinar style). Teachers, leaders and super users will orient parents/students to the Canvas interference. We can accommodate as many parents as we can get to attend! This would be recorded and posted, for synchronous and asynchronous options! Other sessions for Elementary or Middle School levels will be hosted on September 1st. If you have a younger student and would like to attend this session, please contact their school.
Attendance
Key Information Included Below:
• Actions and activities students will do to be considered present
• The flexibility that exists related to attendance during comprehensive distance learning
• How often attendance will be taken and how parents will be notified of absences
The goal in the Ashland School District is to provide your child with a successful educational experience, regardless of the format. In order to do this, regular engagement and attendance during comprehensive distance learning is essential, as attendance remains one of the most critical factors in academic achievement.
We recognize that during comprehensive distance learning, student engagement and attendance looks different than when learning in person. As a district, following the Oregon Department of Education guidance, we have outlined attendance expectations in a hope to maximize student engagement, and ensure we are supporting those that need it.
Attendance will be taken once each school day at the elementary level, and every class period at the middle and high school level. During Comprehensive Distance Learning, a student could be considered present each day or class period in a variety of ways. The primary way to be considered present is to participate in a video or “zoom” class. Most of these class meetings will also be recorded so that students can access the instruction at a different time. If it is not possible for the student to participate when the class is “live,” the student can demonstrate attendance through communication with that teacher. This could take the form of an e-mail related to the learning, a message through Canvas related to the learning, submitting a completed assignment via Canvas, or participation in that teacher’s office hours.
We are aware that significant flexibility is needed to support families during this time. It is our hope that these multiple ways to show engagement and attendance will be supportive for you and your child. If there is a barrier that is preventing your students from attending, please reach out to your student’s classroom teacher or school principal so they can support you.
As always, there are times that your student will have to miss school. When your student is absent, please contact the school’s main office as soon as possible. If we have not heard from you by the end of the day in which your student was absent, the following day you will receive a phone call informing you of the absence and asking that you call the school to inform them of the reason for the absence.
In order to excuse the absence, the school must be notified within 2 school days of the absence. An absence from school is considered excused under the following parameters:
• Personal or family illness
• Medical or health care appointment
• Death of a loved one or family emergency
• Religious holidays and instruction
• School-Sponsored absence
• Court appearance
• Mental or Behavior Health Absence
• Military Dependent Absence
School contacts to report an absence:
Ashland High School:
Debra Falk, Attendance Secretary
541-482-8782
AHS Main Office Updates
AHS Main Office is open from 8AM - 4Pm Monday through Friday.
AHS Main Office is located on Mountain Ave by the bus ramp.
If you need to stop by, please schedule an appointment. Call 541-482-8771 to schedule an appointment.
Knock on the door or ring the bell when you arrive and we will come to you.
We ask that you stay outside to maintain social distancing.
We apologize if you have had trouble reaching us by phone. We are doing our best to answer and help you. If you haven't heard back from us, please try calling again.
New Student Registration
Ashland School District uses PowerSchool's online registration system (InfoSnap) for student registration. This secure system allows you to enter registration information, upload required documents, and electronically sign annual permission forms - all from home! Registration will be open through August.
Go to following link:
https://ps.ashland.k12.or.us/public/
- Click on the Create Account Tab
- Fill out the Parent/Guardian fields
- For the Student Info you will use the following for your student:
Student Name:
Access ID:
Access Password:
Select your relationship to student
***Note: Access ID and Password are case sensitive."
You should have received a letter in the mail and email that has the access ID and password. If you need help contact: (541) 482-8771 or by emailing AHSPowerSchool@ashland.k12.or.us
Mental Health Counseling Services
AHS's Health Center provides confidential, virtual mental health services Monday-Friday and will do their best to accommodate student schedules. Our Therapist, Kimberly Wasserman, is available for mental health counseling for students and/or families either via phone or virtually. We are here for parents too.
Though your students will be living and processing this experience differently, many will be struggling with their mental health in one way or another. Somethings to look/listen for are:
- Anxiety, panic or excessive worry
- Grief, loss, disappointment and anger
- Family conflict, abuse, neglect or lack of safety
- Substance use or changes in behavior
- Depression, apathy or suicidal thoughts
- Isolation, withdrawal, boredom and loneliness
- Traumatic events including discrimination
To schedule an appointment , students, parents or teachers can call the Health Office between 8:30AM -4:00PM, Monday-Friday at 541-842-7677.
If you need to talk on a "drop-in" basis, you are welcome to call and Kimberly will call back as soon as possible. If your student isn't sure if they want to engage in counseling, they are welcome to call and brief virtual "meet and greet" to see if it's something they might be interested in.
Please note: If you are having a mental health emergency and are in imminent risk of harm, you should call Jackson County Mental Health at 541-774-8201 or 911 since our services may not be immediately available.
Counseling Office
Counselors are here to help your students succeed. Welcome to our new counselors Bryanna Trevino and Maurice Montrero!
If you need to get in contact with your counselor regarding scheduling, academics, etc., you can call the counseling office at 541-482-2278 or email your counselors.
9th Grade Counselor:
Keri Phipps
x2211
10th-12th Grade Counselors:
Diane Berry (Last names A-Ha)
x2115
Bryanna Trevino (Last names He-N)
x2117
Maurice Montrero (Last names O-Z)
x2118
Maurice.Monteiro@ashland.k12.or.us
College & Career Specialist:
Jen Marsden
x2130
Jennifer.Marsden@ashland.k12.or.us
Scholarship Coordinator:
Karyn Barats
x2114
Virtual Fresh Start 2020
Fresh Start held three online Zoom sessions in which students got to know their peers, participated in online problem-solving games, asked life's big questions.
If your 9th grader was not able to make it to a Fresh Start and would like some more information about getting connected with a junior or senior Fresh Start counselor, please email Fresh Start Directors Jake and Nora at FreshStart@ashland.k12.or.us.
FAQ
When will I know my child's schedule?
Is there specific criteria for allowing on-site learning defined by the state?
Yes. On August 12th ODE came out with new guidance that will allow limited in person contact. We are combing through the new guidance and will let parents know when this is an option. This will not occur until at least 2 weeks after the start of school and will be very limited to students on special plans, such as an IEP. Limited in-person instruction has strict guidelines and metrics to be followed to be allowed.
- There have been no confirmed cases of COVID¬19 among school staff or students in the past 14 days.
- The case rate in the county is ≤30 cases per 100,000 population in the preceding 7 days for the past three weeks.
- The test positivity in the county is ≤5% in the preceding 7 days for the past three weeks;
We will keep you updated as we get further into the school year
Will my child be expected to be on a screen for 6 hours a day?
Absolutely not! On-line meetings, class sessions and assignments will be balanced with off line activities and assignments.
Will my child have to participate every day, ever class to be counted for attendance?
Yes, daily participation will be required.
Can my child take more than 6 classes?
Will materials/textbooks be provided for my child? When do we get those materials?
Absolutely! We will have a materials/textbook pick the first week of school. More details to come.
Will there be any clubs, sports, or after school activities?
Not at this time, but we are looking into to creative possibilities!
What if my child is on a TAG plan?
What is the best way for my child to communicate to their teacher, get school updates, etc.?
What about senior projects and community service hours for seniors?
If I do not have functionating technology, will the district be providing it?
Yes, the district can provide devices on loan for distance and hybrid learning if you need it. You will be emailed a form to fill out along with more information about pick up dates and times soon.
How can I return a device from last year?
What if I still need a device for this year?
All devices checked out last year must be returned. Our Tech department is updating all devices for the new school year. You will be able to check out a new device in the coming weeks.
How can I return a textbook from last year?
Where can I drop off physical registration documents?
SAT Cancellations
The next SAT dates are scheduled for:
October 3rd
November 7th
December 5th
March 13th 2021
May 8th, 2021
June 5th, 2021
These are subject to change. Keep updated on College Board at https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat.
School Websites
Ashland School District Website
Parent and Student PowerSchool Portal
Check schedules, grades and pay fees via the PowerSchool website and app: