Ashland Schools Community News

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Email: Jacqueline.Schad@ashland.k12.or.us
Website: ashland.k12.or.us
Location: 885 Siskiyou Boulevard, Ashland, OR, USA
Phone: (541) 482-2811
Facebook: facebook.com/ashlandpublicschools/

Superintendent Smore Newsletters: https://www.smore.com/

• Superintendent Update

• Start of School Celebrations
• High School Bond Project
• Almeda Fire - Three-Years Out
  
• Director of Equity and Learning Hiring Process
• Clean Air Policies
• Innovation Committee
• Ashland YMCA Preschool Partnership
• Safety and Security Updates
  
• National Hispanic Heritage Month
• Facility Rental

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Ashland Families, Students and Community Members,

I am thrilled to welcome you all to the beginning of the 2023-2024 school year. Each new school year holds tremendous promise. We have much planned for the year ahead and many celebrations to share.

Last Friday night, September 1, our Ashland High School Grizzlies roared into action clinching their first victory of the season against Eagle Point High School. Good sportsmanship, hard work, and a passion for the game are hallmarks of our student athletes and coaches. If you haven’t been to a game in a while, plan to. Our sports schedule is located here. Go Grizz!

Our partners in the high school Science Building project, HMK project management and ADROIT construction, completed the construction of new stairs at the AHS Science Building just in time for the return of students. This work is a continuation of ongoing improvements to the AHS campus through the bond. Read more about the projects here.

We are looking forward to the modernization of the Humanities Building and the new elevator that will provide access to all students to the third floor of the building. Our bond team is also completing additional HVAC and safety and security facility enhancements district-wide. Last year, we opened the newly renovated Ashland Middle School and Walker Elementary, as well as the new TRAILS Outdoor School campus. The Helman Elementary project is wrapping up its final landscaping. There will be additional tour opportunities for public viewing this year. We can't wait to show you our bond-funded upgrades to our schools!

I want to acknowledge the incredible work of all the district staff engaged in the bond projects and the leadership and coordination provided by Steve Mitzel, Executive Director of Operations, Rebecca Bjornson, Bond Administrator, and Robby Moles, Facilities Manager. We are incredibly grateful for these gifts from the community that provide exceptional spaces to learn and teach.

As we began this school year, we celebrated our incredible staff at the Mountain Avenue Theater with an all-staff breakfast for 450 individuals that make our schools special. The Welcome Back event featured inspiring performances by Bekkah McAlvage as well as the AHS Jazz Band, led by Ivan Olinghouse. AHS student body co-presidents, Noah Cott and Hank Stringer, rocked a speech to welcome staff to the new school year.

We continue this year with a professional learning roadmap for staff focusing on universal design – strategies that respond to individual student needs and support all learners in every classroom, as well as continuing work on equity and inclusion to support our important goal of making schools welcoming places for our entire community.

I am delighted to welcome two new ASD school board members, Dan Ruby and Russell Hatch. The Board and district leaders recently spent two full days delving deep into important challenges and opportunities for the year ahead.

We are excited to partner with the Ashland YMCA to provide two preschool classrooms located at Helman and Walker Elementary schools. The Y is also continuing after-school programs at Bellview, Helman, and Walker Elementaries. We are committed to partnerships that will grow opportunities for our community’s youngest learners.

A change in leadership is on the horizon as well. I will retire as superintendent from the district next June. It has been my great joy and honor to serve in Ashland Schools since arriving in this beautiful valley in August 2001. I am fortunate to have raised my two now-adult children here - graduates of the classes of 2012 and 2017. We have an incredible community and a district that is a destination for families and great educators. I am so proud of our schools and the amazing staff that serve here. I am deeply thankful for the rich long-term relationships and collaborations with so many in our schools and community. The experiences of our children are made much stronger through the continued engagement of the community and collaboration of our many partners in the important work of our schools. In the Ashland School District, our north star is always what is best for kids and learning. Our collective commitment to this focus has made our schools great places to work, grow, learn, and connect.

As we look to the future, our school board is planning the search for the next superintendent and eagerly anticipates involving our community members, partners, staff, and students in this vital selection process. More details will be available in the coming weeks.

We have much to do between now and June and my focus is on the year ahead. I want to express my gratitude for all that work to contribute to our schools and our students. Together, we make the difference for kids.

With gratitude,

Samuel

Samuel Bogdanove

Superintendent

Ashland School District

Class of 2023 graduate, Amelia Wilkinson, nominated AHS Teacher Lindsay McNeill for the Yale Educator Award. We couldn't think of a more deserving teacher, Amelia!

From the Yale website: The Yale Office of Undergraduate Admissions has the distinct pleasure of recognizing the following educators as recipients of the 2023 Yale Educator Award. The Yale Educator Recognition Program recognizes outstanding educators from around the world who have supported and inspired their students to achieve at high levels.

https://admissions.yale.edu/educator-award

AHS Humanities Upgrades: In June, the Ashland School District and KNO Construction (KNCC + Outlier LLC Construction) began the multiple-phased high school modernization project. The Humanities building has seismic upgrades to the foundation stair towers, and a new elevator tower is located on the north side of the building. Construction on the Humanities building will be in three phases, moving floor to floor, stretching over the next 12 to 18 months. Humanities improvements will include a new fire alarm system and sprinklers, upgraded HVAC and ventilation, new lighting, and access controls to keep our students and staff safe.

Our goal on this project is to maintain a safe environment for our students, staff, and community. We will keep the campus open during the school year, meaning noise-creating activities will occur after students are not in school. We respect our neighbors and would like to assure everyone in the immediate community that we will be closely coordinating construction activities to remain within the City of Ashland noise ordinance hours.

Kudos to the "H Building" staff and our construction team as we navigated through the first school days on campus. Stairways and new routes are open for student use.

AHS ADA Commons and Science/Library Stair Replacements: The project has been substantially completed. This means all the intended ADA concrete ramps, concrete stair sections, and rails have all been installed and can be used throughout the campus. All three stairscases are open and operational.

August 2023 Bond Newsletter

We want to acknowledge the remembrance date of the horrific Almeda fire. So many of our students, families, and staff were impacted in that tragic event and many continue to be. Some of those impacted have had supports and services to recover but not all have had that same opportunity. If your family is still being impacted, please contact your school counselor so that we can know how we can help.

We currently have an opening for the Director of Equity and Learning. This position supports sites in equity and inclusion activities, as well as curriculum and learning strategies for all learners district-wide.

Do you know a qualified candidate that can help our schools serve all students better?

The Director of Equity and Learning position is open for applications through September 22. Qualified job applicants may apply by clicking here: Director of Equity and Learning Application

Want to get involved in the hiring process?

The Ashland School District is committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable environment within our schools.

We need volunteers to assist in screening and interviews! We are seeking broad community and staff representation in the hiring of this important position. There are two ways interested individuals may participate:

• Screening committee - meets and reviews applications, and recommends candidates for interview. We anticipate six openings for the screening committee.

• Interview Committee - conducts interviews and recommends the top three candidates for superintendent review. This includes a review of a performance task. We anticipate 12 openings for the interview committee, three of which will continue from the screening committee.

If you are interested in serving on either committee, please submit a Volunteer Committee Application by September 22.

Important Dates:

• September 22 - job posting closes Director of Equity and Learning Application
• September 22 - last day to apply for the screening and interview committees Committee Application
• September 26 - You will be notified if you are selected for a committee.
• September 27, 28, 29 - Dates for paper application screening. Applications will be available to review at multiple times during the week.
  
• October 2 and 3 from 3:00 pm - 5:30 pm - Interviews and Task Performance

Questions? Please contact Jay Preskenis, Director of Human Resources

Our current Director, Andrea Townsend has accepted a position with SOESD as the new School Improvement Coordinator focusing on programs for English Learners, Migrant Education, Indian Education, and the Black and African American Students Success Grant. Andrea is stepping into the role of Charlie Bauer who is retiring this month from the SOESD after many years of service to districts in Southern Oregon. We are excited to continue to work with her in her new role. Thank you, Andrea!

With all the smoke, learn about how the District addresses air quality and responds on days when the Air Quality Index is unhealthy or worse.

https://www.ashland.k12.or.us/page/clean-air

We are so excited to announce a new opportunity to continue to be responsive to our students and families!

The charge of the Ashland School District Innovation Committee is to gather information and advise the Board of Education on ideas and possible solutions regarding some of the most pressing issues facing the Ashland School District.

The COVID pandemic provided many challenges for students, families, and educators. It also created an opportunity for a shift in thinking and left us with additional educational tools and approaches that could be used to build in flexibility for students and staff. We want to build on this!

For the 23-24 school year, the committees will focus on three areas:

1. Calendar and Schedule
   

2. Re-imagining High School
   

3. Enrollment: Attracting New Children and Families to Ashland

Want to know more? Want to keep up with the committee?

Check the web page:

https://www.ashland.k12.or.us/o/school-board/page/pud

The Ashland School District is thrilled to partner with the YMCA to offer preschool programs at both Walker and Helman. The YMCA preschool program is designed to encourage the development of the whole child. The YMCA licensed teachers provide experiences that nurture a positive self image, socialization, creative thinking and a love for life and learning. There are a variety of offerings, ranging from a partial day schedule all the way to full day wrap around care. For more information or to schedule a visit, please read more here.

Our schools have adopted The “I Love U Guys” Foundation’s Standard Response Protocol (SRP). Students and staff are training, practicing, and drilling the protocol.

Want to know more? Click Here.

National Hispanic and Latin American Heritage Month is observed each year from September 15 to October 15 by celebrating the histories, cultures, and contributions of people whose ancestors came from Mexico, Spain, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.

Why do we use the term Hispanic to celebrate this month? To get a brief insight into how the term came to be, here is an article from NPR that explains how the term was chosen and the similarities and differences with other terms used. However, which one is best? We should ask people we know which term they use to identify themselves.

If you would like to learn more about the culture, contributions, and history of over 62 million people in the US, the NYC Department of Education has curated many resources for families and educators.

UPDATED FEE SCHEDULE AND APPLICATION FOR NEW AGREEMENTS BEGINNING JULY 1, 2023

NEW Fee Schedule July 2023

Facility Rental Application July 2023

Rules and Regulations for the Use of District Facilities

Questions? Please contact Scott Chadick at Scott.Chadick@ashland.k12.or.us

https://www.ashland.k12.or.us/page/facility-rentals

Ashland School District uses the Safe Oregon tip line system.

A link to the tip line is located at the bottom of every school web page.

Who receives tips to the School Safety Tip Line? Specially trained technicians field incoming tips 24 hours a-day, 365 days-a-year for all public schools Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade. The Oregon State Police provides this service through a contracted vendor.

For details on how the tip line works, click here.

This fall, we implemented Peachjar. Peachjar provides a tool for parents to connect with vital resources they need to develop their children’s social, emotional, and academic skills.

The Ashland School District Peachjar site

Please Note: Flyers 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 Peachjar. If you have questions regarding this policy, please contact your child’s Principal.

ASD Web SIte: https://www.ashland.k12.or.us/

Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ashlandpublicschools

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.

Name: Samuel Bogdanove, Superintendent
Address: 885 Siskiyou Blvd..
Telephone: 541-482-2811
Email: Jacqueline.Schad@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).