GRIZZ-O-GRAM
September 10th, 2021
Ashland High School
Office Hours 8:00AM - 4:00PM
Please call ahead to schedule an appointment. Knock on the door if you plan to come to the Main Office. To maintain social distancing, we ask that you stay outside.
Attendance Office:
Deb Falk, Attendance Secretary
541-482-8782
For information on absences, unexcused absences, and more, please read out Attendance FAQ on our website. Click HERE
Registrar:
Jay Villanueva
Janet.Villanueva@ashland.k12.or.us
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/
Red & White Day Calendar
Bell Schedule 2021-2022
This week's Grizz...
- Principal's Message
- Red & White Day Calendar Revision
- School Picture Ordering & Retakes
- CTE Class Insurance Verification Form!
- Calm Mind Group
- Sports/ Clubs & Activities
- Counselor Office
- College & Career Pathways
- Job & Volunteer Opportunities
- FAQ
- School Websites / Social Media
- Campus Map
Principal's Message
Hello Grizzlies!
I want to give a big shout out to our staff and teachers for the big lift that they have put in to get this year up and going. After over a year of distance learning and hybrid schedules, it took a lot to get our programs up and going to full capacity again. Special shout out to our counseling department for handling all those schedule changes. Families and students, we appreciate your open communication and patience with us! We are now ready to start building some momentum this year.
Families, please mark your calendars for Back to School Night on September 21 at 6pm. It will be virtual this year due to COVID. We will share a schedule and more details soon. This is a great opportunity to hear from your student's teachers and learn about their class!
I hope you all of a safe weekend!
Best,
Benjamin Bell
Red & White Day Calendar Revision
School Picture Make Up Day
If your student is in Enginuity or Grizzly Online Academy, you can come and get your pictures done on these days.
How can I order school pictures?
Students will be give forms during their classes to take home and fill out for picture day. Otherwise, you can go to mylifetouch.com and order your student's pictures there. For help, call 800-736-4753.
Culinary, Fiber Arts, Glass & Graphics, Mechanics, any Manufacturing class, or Theatre arts – Turn in your Insurance Verification Form!
If you are taking a Culinary, Fiber Arts, Glass & Graphics, Mechanics, any Manufacturing class, or Theatre arts class be sure to turn in your Insurance Verification Form by this Friday 9/17/21 to your teacher. They will be distributing and collecting these forms this week.
- Why? – Schools are continually concerned about the safety of students. This concern is intensified in those instances where class activities involve the use of power machinery. Teachers in these courses take special care to supervise machine operation, outline prescribed safety procedures, and instruct in the proper use of the apparatus involved. Despite these precautions, accidents can still occur. In recognition of this fact, any student enrolled in a class where potentially harmful machinery is utilized must provide verification that they are covered by insurance that would be applicable in the case of a classroom mishap or accident.
- Where? – Your teacher will be distributing and collecting these forms this week.
- When? – These forms need to be turned in by Friday 9/17/21 to remain in the class. This form must be filled out every year and turned in!
- How? – Do you need help getting insured?
- You can sign up for the school recommended insurance plan for the current school year with Myers-Stevens at https://www.myers-stevens.com/
- You can stop by the School Based Health Center or talk to a teacher, counselor, or other trusted staff about meeting a Student Care Coordinator to help with getting insured.
Calm Mind Group
Many of us are feeling somewhat anxious these days. Anxiety has an important purpose, and it is a common emotion, but it can definitely be distressing. For some of us, feelings of anxiety, stress and worry can be overwhelming and can strongly impact our daily lives. Luckily, we can learn effective ways of preventing and managing it.
A new group is forming at school called Calm Mind to do just that. This group will be full of skills to empower you to effectively work with your anxiety. Group is a wonderful way to meet others who relate to your experience, support each other and know that you’re not alone! The group will be held in the student lounge and all participants will agree to maintain confidentiality.
Please email Kimberly Wasserman at kimberly.wasserman@ashland.k12.or.us to sign up. The time will be determined depending on the schedules of those interested.
Sports
Check out AHS Athletics page on our website to learn more about sports at Ashland High School!
If you are interested in joining, you must register for sports BEFORE you are allowed to begin practice. Click HERE to register. If you have any questions, email Marg.Orlik-Hill@ashland.k12.or.us.
Ski Racing
Clubs & Activities
The Club Fair is on Monday, Sept 20th during Advisory for 9th & 10th graders and Friday, Sept 24th for 11th and 12th graders on the quad. Talk with different clubs and get signed up!
If you have any questions, contact Nora.Godfrey-Dismuk@ashland.k12.or.us.
Truth to Power Club Mural
Since this spring, Truth To Power Club at Ashland High School has been hard at work creating a mural to honor BIPOC leaders in the community, including Aidan Ellison, the young man we lost to racist violence last November. Painting is now underway, and we are excited to get our community involved! Join us from 2:00pm-4:00pm on September 19th to leave your mark in the mural! All you need to bring is a mask; we will provide paint kits, snacks, and a water bottle refill station. We look forward to seeing everyone on South Mountain Avenue next to the Ashland High School theater building on Saturday!
Truth to Power Club Podcasts
AHS club Truth to Power releases "AN UNNATURAL DISASTER", in remembrance and reflection of the Almeda fire and its fallout. This podcast focuses on 4 community member’s stories as they experienced unprecedented tragedy. A special emphasis features reflections about the experiences of our Latinx community. "AN UNNATURAL DISASTER" is part 1 of the Almeda Fire series.
You can listen to "AN UNNATURAL DISASTER" on Anchor and Spotify:
Click HERE for Spotify or Click HERE for Anchor
Stay tuned for part 2, a teen-telling of evacuation, in the coming weeks! And at the end of the month, part 3 of the Almeda Fire series--"THE OVERWHELM"--will continue the story told in "AN UNNATURAL DISASTER".
**This podcast contains wildfire trauma, and profanity**
Counseling Office
High school counselors are educators uniquely trained in child and adolescent development, learning strategies, self-management and social skills who understand and promote success for today’s diverse students. They implement a school counseling program to support students through this important developmental period.
If you need to get in contact with your counselor regarding scheduling, academics, etc., call the counseling office at 541-482-2278 or email your counselors.
Kimberley Wasserman
kimberly.wasserman@ashland.k12.or.us
541-482-8771 Ext. 2291
Karyn Barats
Karyn.Barats@ashland.k12.or.us
x2114
Jennifer Marsden
Jennifer.Marsden@ashland.k12.or.us
x2130
College & Career Pathways: Resources for Students and Families
Seniors are diving into exploration of post high school pathways in their AHS College & Career Readiness (CCR) classes, where they are getting extensive support on finding post high school education and/or career options that are a good fit for them. Jen Marsden (AHS College & Career Specialist) and AHS counselors are providing college and career planning curriculum in CCR classes and are also available to individually help students explore their interests/options, and to assist in navigating the college admissions and financial aid process.
All 9th -11th students will be receiving grade specific career and college exploration and preparation lessons in their Advisory classes this year. Junior and senior students are strongly encouraged to attend upcoming information sessions, watch for updates on the ACT/SAT, learn about our ASPIRE program and check out the AHS College Handbook (more information included below)! We welcome students and parents/guardians to reach out to jennifer.marsden@ashland.k12.or.us or their AHS counselor with questions or to schedule an appointment regarding career and college planning.
Upcoming College & Career Pathways Info Sessions: All sessions will be on zoom from 5:30 - 6:30 pm and can be accessed at the following link: https://asdconnect-org.zoom.us/j/97711618881. The sessions will be recorded and available on the AHS YouTube Channel, where you can already find info session recordings from last year.
Tuesday, September 14 – College Pathways 101: Overwhelmed by the thought of planning for college? Finding an educational pathway that is a good fit takes some planning. AHS counseling staff will present information on college pathways, specifically geared toward junior and senior students and their families. Topics covered will include a general overview of the process of applying to both community colleges and four-year universities, ACT/SAT testing, and how to access financial aid/scholarships.
Wednesday, September 29 – Financial Aid 101: Learn about the pathways to access financial aid and scholarships! We will discuss the process for completing the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), an online application which qualifies students to receive the Federal Pell Grant, the Oregon Opportunity Grant, the Oregon Promise, and government loans. Even if you think your family will not qualify for federal financial aid, it is important to complete the FAFSA. Many colleges will not give students merit aid unless they have a FAFSA on record. We will also briefly cover the CSS Profile, a separate online application many private schools use to determine institutional financial aid.
Wednesday, October 13 - Four Year Colleges and Universities - Navigating the Application Process: AHS Counseling Department staff will present information on how to make the most of the college search process, how to apply to both public and private four-year colleges and universities, ACT/SAT testing, and how to access financial aid/scholarships.
Wednesday, November 3: Community College Opportunities and Pathways: Community colleges offer an extensive array of professional training programs in fields such as Mechanics, Electronics, Culinary Arts, Massage Therapy, Dental Hygiene, Physical Therapy, Graphic Design and more! Students can also complete general education credits at a community college, receive a two-year A.A or A.S degree and then transfer to a four-year university to complete a bachelor’s degree. Learn more about these potential college and career pathways and how to access them! There will also be an overview of the Oregon Promise grant and other financial aid and scholarships available to AHS students.
AHS College Handbook
ACT and SAT Updates
Students planning on applying to four year colleges usually take ACT/SAT tests in spring of junior year and/or fall of senior year. See below for all 2021-22 test dates at AHS. If AHS has no more seat availability, students can look for open testing sites in Medford and Grants Pass. Many colleges are now “test optional” and Oregon’s public universities no longer require ACT/SAT test results for admission, but some do for eligibility for honors colleges or merit scholarships. Check individual universities for current guidelines.
Students register for the ACT and SAT online and those who qualify for free/reduced lunch are eligible for fee waivers for both tests. Please contact karyn.barats@ashland.k12.or.us to obtain a fee waiver.
2021-22 AHS Test Dates (registration deadlines are about one month before the test dates):
ACT: October 23, December 11, February 12, April 2
SAT: October 2, November 6, December 4, March 12, May 7, June 4
ASPIRE at AHS
Job & Volunteer Opportunities
FAQ
How do I get in touch with Tech?
Where can I drop off physical paperwork?
School Websites
Parent and Student PowerSchool Portal
Check schedules, grades and pay fees via the PowerSchool website and app:
Social Media
Youtube
This channel will contain Announcements, Parent Night Webinars, Counseling Office updates, sporting events, etc.