Update from the Middle
April 30, 2021
Covid Update from District Office
Today, Jackson county is back in the "extreme risk" category. This affects restaurants, businesses, gyms, etc. most heavily. At this time, the change in risk category does not impact our ability to conduct school as we have been for the past week, or our ability to hold sports practices and competitions that are approved by the OSAA.
Schools will not be required to change their instructional model for the rest of this school year, unless there is school based spread of Covid-19 confirmed by the local health authority. Each time there is a case, we work closely with the LHA to determine whether or not the case and/or any spread is determined to be generated from the school. To date, that has not been the case with any of the staff or student cases that have occurred.
The state has also released new county risk guidance this week that has allowed for more participants in activities even at the "extreme risk" level, which will effect sports and extracurricular event planning. See the attachment above.
Help with AMS Traffic
As you may have noticed, with an increased number of students on campus, the AMS traffic in the morning during drop-off is still working relatively well, however, we need your help to make sure the afternoon pick-up is as smooth as possible.
Please help us with the following things:
- 6th Grade Pick-up is in the ScienceWorks parking lot. Please use the ScienceWorks parking lot to pick up your 6th grader at the end of the school day.
- Do not stop along Walker Avenue to wait for your 6th grade student. This is creating a real traffic problem during pick-up.
- 7th/8th Grade Pick-up is in the main parking lot. It is likely that we will need to start using traffic dividers to help with the flow of traffic on Walker Ave. during pick-up. This means cars traveling south (uphill) on Walker Avenue will not be able to turn left into the main parking lot. Cars traveling north (downhill) will be able to turn right into the parking lot. Cars exiting the parking lot will need to turn right and continue downhill.
- Students who are transporting themselves off of campus (walking, bikes, scooters, etc.) must leave campus as soon as they have exited the buildings. Please encourage your student to do this safely by walking their bikes/scooters on the sidewalks and using the crosswalks.
Thank you for your patience and cooperation with this as we work together to improve driving and safety conditions for everyone!
Teacher Appreciation Week May 3rd-7th
Yearbook Deadline Extended to May 19th
The 2020-2021 school year has been the strangest ever, and many people have asked if we are going to have a yearbook this year. The answer is yes! Absolutely! It wouldn’t be a school year without a yearbook.
Yearbooks will now be delivered sometime this summer. This means there is still time to submit photos or purchase a yearbook. We are looking for pictures of student on campus and at home to commemorate this unusual year. The deadline for photo submisstions is May 19th.
Also, 8th grade parents…we are going to have a section dedicated to our graduates heading to high school next year. The yearbook club has decided on baby pictures! This is a fun way to see how far they have come.
Please send photos to Christopher.plouhar@asdconnect.org.
Call the office today to purchase your PANDEMIC YEARBOOK. 541-482-1611
GREAT NEWS! Free Meals
The Free Meals for all students has been extended through June 30, 2022!
Press Release
All children ages 0-18 years will be served breakfast and lunches at no charge. All meals will be served onsite at each school beginning April 26th .
It is very important to note that families should still fill out the free and reduced meal forms. That information is used for reduced fees, fines, and tuition in the district. Some utility and cell phone companies that give cost breaks for families that qualify by income for free meals. There is also scholarships for places like the YMCA as well. Last year , Oregon gave out EBT cards to families that qualified for either free or reduced meal and added funds to those that already receive EBT funds.
SOU Summer Better Than Others
Day Camps and Classes for Youth Ages 7-15
June 21-25, June 28-July 2, July 5-9, July 12-16, July 19-23 and July 26-30, 2021
Serving Up Confidence
YMCA VOLLEYBALL CLINIC - Flyer
grades 6-8
MAY 10 -13 4:30p-6:00p
$27 Y-members/$47 Community
Includes a $5 non-refundable non-transferable deposit
Coach Natalie, former SOU volleyball player, will work with players on individual skills.
Focus will be on building players core skills such as serving, passing, setting, conditioning, and more.
The clinic will include small scrimmages. All participants must wear a mask and bring a water bottle.
Pre-registration is required online or with Member Services.
Defensible Space - How to Protect Your Home
Visit: fireadaptedashland.org
Ashland Branch Library
Ready to Roll: A Hands-On Bicycle Repair Workshop
Date: 5/11/2021
Time: 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Location: Ashland Library
Audience: Teens & Adults
Celebrate Bike to Work Month with a series of bike repair workshops. Learn the basics of bike repair with a local bike mechanic so you can be ready to roll to work, the coffee shop, or one of the many bike trails throughout the Rogue Valley.
This program will take place outside with social distancing measures in place.
SOU Academy 2021
A Residential Camp for Academically Talented Highly-Motivated Students Who Love to Learn, Completing Grades 5-8
June 28 - July 2
Newsletter Translation
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).