Ashland School District - Inspiring learning for life...

🌎✨ Celebrate Earth Day with a twist! Join us at The Farm @ SOU for an extraordinary Rogue Earth Day event! 🚴‍♂️🎭🎨 🗓 Mark your calendars: April 19 | 3:30 PM - 7:00 PM 📍 155 Walker Ave, at the SOU Farm Don't miss out on the fun and the opportunity to connect with the community in celebrating our planet. 🌱💚 For more info, pedal over to 👉 sou.edu/earthday

A Big Grizzly Nation “Thank You” to Our Local First Responders! AHS had a successful lockdown drill to practice a campus-wide emergency response today. Our grizzlies and staff did a great job! We are incredibly grateful to our APD, SOU, AFD first responders, and the City Emergency Response Director for their invaluable support, expertise, and professionalism. By working closely with these community partners, we get feedback on our drill performance and learn how to respond effectively to campus emergencies. Our partners gain greater familiarity with our school and we celebrate together as a community that cares about kids and safety!

PREVIEW NEW ONLINE CURRICULUM FOR SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL LEARNING (SEL) HERE: https://www.ashland.k12.or.us/page/sel-curriculum-adoption The State of Oregon has launched its Transformative SEL Framework and Standards, a pioneering initiative aimed at fostering holistic development in students and educators alike. This comprehensive approach centers around the belief that learning is inherently a social and emotional process, deeply intertwined with the development of healthy identities, empathy, supportive relationships, and responsible decision-making. To align with the state framework, Ashland is preparing to adopt new K-12 curriculum tools. These will be online tools designed to be used in age-appropriate ways at each grade level from Kindergarten through high school graduation. Visit the site in the next 30 days to preview the online tools, read more about top choice WAYFINDER, and register your comments.

Join Oregon's Early Literacy Success Initiative! 📚✨ In 2023, the Oregon Legislature passed a bill to support the development of reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills in young children, both at home and in the community. The Oregon Department of Education (ODE) is partnering with Oregon's Kitchen Table to gather input from families and community groups. We want to hear about: • Activities that help children develop literacy skills • Important topics for community groups • Interests and barriers in early literacy • Hopes for children's literacy development Your feedback will help create a framework and toolkit for community groups to support families. Share your thoughts in this survey by April 10th: https://tinyurl.com/okt-earlyliteracy For more information: https://www.oregonskitchentable.org/news/early-literacy-communities-and-home

🎒 Embark on the Educational Journey: Ashland Schools Kindergarten Registration Now Open for Fall 2024! 🌈 Ashland Public Schools is excited to announce the opening of kindergarten registration for the upcoming school year! We're dedicated to providing an engaging, comprehensive, and inclusive educational foundation for every child. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Join Our Kindergarten Orientation Webinar Save the Date! 📅 Wednesday, April 3rd at 6:00 PM Dive into what makes our kindergarten program a nurturing and formative experience. This webinar is your opportunity to ask questions, and prepare for this significant milestone in your child's life. See link below or scan QR code in image for zoom link. 📌 Click the link to register your kindergartner today and for more information about our orientation session: ashland.k12.or.us/kinder We're eager to welcome you and your kindergartner to the Ashland Schools family, where every student's potential is cherished and nurtured. 🌟

Congratulations to AMS/TRAILS on their ribbon cutting yesterday, Wednesday, March 20th celebrating the completion of its new solar array at the fields for AMS/TRAILS Outdoor School, 158 Walker Avenue. The School District is pleased to share that the new ground-mounted solar array on the campus's southeast corner is operational. It is a substantial accomplishment for the district to honor the commitment to align its 2018 bond with the City of Ashland’s Climate and Energy Action Plan (CEAP). The new structure boasts 288 individual panels that have already produced up to 168 kWh during peak production. The ground-mounted array and location were selected carefully to minimize impact and use district space with minimal use. The Ashland School district is investigating additional solar sites to create other solar generation, lessening their carbon footprint and further aligning with the overarching City’s CEAP plan. Thank you to our Ashland community for your commitment to supporting our schools and our regional partners, True South Solar, HMK Co., and Adroit Construction, for your work! The solar field will provide power to the district’s TRAILS Outdoor School.

🌞✂️🎉 Solar Ribbon Cutting Ceremony - Ashland School District Join us in embracing renewable energy for a brighter future! We're thrilled to announce the grand opening of our very own Solar Array at the Ashland School District. 📅 Date: Wednesday, 3/20 🕙 Time: 10 AM 📍 Location: TRAILS field by the solar array This event is a milestone in our commitment to sustainability and education. Witness the unveiling of a new chapter as we cut the ribbon on this eco-friendly initiative. Highlights: Free and open to all community members A morning filled with inspiring green energy No need to RSVP - just bring your enthusiasm for clean energy! Have questions? Reach out to Rebecca.Bjornson@ashland.k12.or.us. 🌱 Let's nurture our environment together - one solar panel at a time. See you under the sun! #AshlandSolar #RenewableEnergy #CommunityEvent #Sustainability #AshlandSchoolDistrict

📢 Ashland High School Celebrates OBOB Regional Champions! 📢 We are excited to share that our talented team, "Four Birds, One Scone," has emerged victorious at the OBOB Region 5 Championship! Congratulations to team members Finn, Rowan, James, Jack, Noah, and Niko on their remarkable achievement. Their journey of hard work and team spirit leads them next to the State Championships this April. Join us in cheering them on as they prepare to take on this new challenge with the same determination and passion that brought them this far. Stay connected for more updates and stories of their journey. Go, team!

On Sunday, March3, 2024, AHS was proud to host Senator Merkley’s Jackson County Town Hall. AHS Students Owen Taylor,Azalea Davis-Powell, and Ella Robinson asked the opening and closing questions of the Senator. We are grateful to have had the opportunity to host the town hall and for all of the participants. Many thanks to the AHS staff and leadership students that made it possible Owen Taylor, Azalea Davis-Powell, and Ella Robinson. For additional details, see: https://ashland.news/ashland-audience-questions-sen-merkley-on-wide-range-of-topics/

Ashland School District Board of Directors Announces Dr. Joseph Hattrick as Incoming Superintendent Ashland, Ore – The Ashland School District Board of Directors have announced Dr. Joseph Hattrick as the next Superintendent of Schools for Ashland School District. The decision took place during a special board meeting held on Tuesday, February 20, 2024. Dr. Hattrick currently serves as Superintendent of Rainier School District in Rainier, Oregon where he has worked since 2020. He brings a rich background in education having served in the roles of teacher, social worker, principal, and superintendent in public, private, and online schools. In addition, Dr. Hattrick has served as adjunct professor for several colleges and universities as well as a child therapist. Dr. Hattrick holds his National Superintendent Certification through AASA and leads Oregon’s efforts in equity work as the president-elect of the COSA Equity Board. Dr. Hattrick attended Western Washington University and earned his Bachelor of Arts in Human Services. He then earned his Master of Social Work and Public Administration Certificate from Eastern Washington University. Dr. Hattrick earned his Post-Masters Principal Certificate from Western Washington University in 2007 and his Doctorate of Organizational Leadership and K-12 Education from Grand Canyon University in 2019. In addition to his superintendent’s license, Joseph also holds an Oregon School Social Work License. The selection of Dr. Hattrick comes as a result of a nationwide search process conducted by the Ashland School District Board of Directors and Human Capital Enterprises since October 2023. Ashland School District Board Chair Rebecca Dyson shared, “We are thrilled to announce that following a nationwide search that brought us a wealth of extraordinary candidates, the Board has hired Dr. Joseph Hattrick as Superintendent of the Ashland School District! Dr. Hattrick comes to our district with wide ranging experience as well as deep roots in Oregon and we are very excited to introduce him to the Ashland community. We wish also to express our gratitude to all those who helped guide our search through responses to the Superintendent Survey, and especially to those who served on the community panel which interviewed the top candidates and helped inform our final selection. Welcome, Joseph!” “I am deeply humbled and honored to have been selected to join the Ashland School District as your next superintendent. I want to thank the Ashland School Board, staff, students, parents, and community for all of the hard work and trust placed into this process. A good fit is very important for the district and me; and after spending time in, and researching this wonderful community, I believe we have a mutual fit,” shared Joseph Hattrick. “I am sensitive to the current challenges facing the district and commit to leveraging my past experience addressing districts’ financial realities as we collaborate to improve those conditions while limiting the impact on our students. I look forward to being part of this community, joining the Ashland School District family, and calling Ashland home!” Dr. Hattrick will assume his role as Ashland School District Superintendent on July 1, 2024. For questions or more information, please contact Jacqueline Shad, executive assistant and board secretary, at superintendentsearch@ashland.k12.or.us.

On Tuesday, February 20, 2024 the Ashland School District Board of Directors announced Dr. Joseph Hattrick as the next Superintendent of Schools for Ashland School District! Dr. Hattrick will begin his term on July 1, 2024. Please visit https://www.ashland.k12.or.us/o/school-board/page/superintendent-search?fbclid=IwAR28Vx3O4kkh8tI0Sk2SDnK93mwM1TKQXVl1ZGT3tbqPnlD5jU8rSXJoCEU for more information and to read the official announcement.

Please join us in celebrating National School Counseling Week 2024, themed "School Counselors: Helping Students Dream Big." This event, sponsored by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), is happening this week! In Ashland, our Child Development Specialists, Behavioral Health Specialists, and School Counselors profoundly impact nurturing our students holistically. They also play a critical role in guiding students toward academic success and preparing for their future beyond school. Their work is pivotal and our counseling team collaborates effectively to overcome challenges for our children's benefit. We are incredibly fortunate to have such exemplary individuals on our counseling team, whose efforts are essential to our students' achievements. I encourage you to extend your gratitude to our school counselors for their unwavering support of our students and community. Throughout the week, we have been featuring our school counselors on their respective site pages. If you haven't already, please take a moment to learn about them and the vital work they do!

Ashland School District was inspired by the beautiful honoring of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on his birthday at the Ashland Armory. We were so impressed by our students and staff who contributed to such an impactful event, and grateful to the group of dedicated community members who made it all happen

🌟 Celebrating Our School Board Superheroes! 🌟 This month, we're shining a spotlight on the incredible individuals who shape the future of education in our community. Join us in appreciating their dedication and commitment. 🍎 Jill Franko - Position #1: A passionate member of the Budget and Bond Oversight Committees, and a devoted mother, Jill is a beacon of strength and resilience, especially in challenging times. 📘 Dan Ruby - Position #2: Bringing a wealth of knowledge in STEM education and community health, Dan is a visionary leader who values the power of partnership and innovation. 🌱 Eva Skuratowicz- Position #3: With her deep understanding of our local community and a heart for volunteerism, Eva leads with insight and empathy. 🖊️ Rebecca Dyson, Chair - Position #4: A physician and a mother of four, Rebecca's passion for educational excellence and student well-being inspires us all. 🌟 Russell Hatch - Position #5: A small business owner and professional coach, Russell's hands-on involvement and deep community ties exemplify his commitment to our schools. Thank you for your unwavering service and leadership. Here's to building a brighter future together! 🌈 #SchoolBoardAppreciation #EducationLeaders #CommunityHeroes

Ashland School District is so grateful to the Ashland Community Health Foundation (NCHF) for their donation of hat and mittens for our students! Thanks for keeping our students warm. A special thank you to ACHF Community Engagement Coordinator, Nicole Gutrich (left), and NCHF Board Member, Liz Murphy (middle), for making the delivery. We are so excited to get these on the heads and hands of our students!

Greetings, Ashland School District Community! The Board of Directors would like to share a quick progress update in the search for the district’s next Superintendent. The recruitment window for applications ended on December 28th, 2023. In the coming weeks, the Board will review applications and conduct preliminary interviews to determine semi-finalists. These semi-finalists will be invited to interview in-person with the board and the Community Interview Panel later this month. If you haven’t applied for the Community Interview Panel, it’s not too late! This volunteer group of students, staff members, parents, and community members will have the opportunity to interview Superintendent finalists on January 23rd. If you’re interested in learning more or would like to apply, please visit ashland.k12.or.us/supsearch. The deadline to apply is noon on Monday, January 8th. If you have questions, concerns, or input about the Superintendent Search process, the Board wants to know! You can connect with the entire School Board by emailing school.board@ashland.k12.or.us. We hope that you’ll consider playing a role in this critical process for Ashland Public Schools. Thank you!

Don't forget to apply for the Ashland School District Superintendent Search Community Interview Panel! This volunteer panel consisting of students, parents, staff, and community members will assist in vetting and interviewing superintendent finalists. Applications will be accepted through noon on January 8, 2024! Please follow this link to apply: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSefEXi-T2fLan8yDyHc0k675jEVXrqfqpHIfN_CUgabvyoZAA/viewform

Good evening, Ashland School District community! The Board of Directors is currently in the recruitment phase for our next Superintendent of Schools. As the selection phase of the search approaches, the Board recognizes the critical importance of community involvement in the hiring process. The Board has chosen to convene a Community Stakeholder Interview Panel consisting of students, parents, staff, and community members to assist in vetting and interviewing superintendent candidates in January 2024. The Community Stakeholder Interview Panel will consist of 12 individuals, including representation from the following roles in our school community: 1. OSEA Leader, designated by OSEA President (Classified Employee Association) 2. AEA leader, designated by AEA President (Certified Employee Association) 3. Student – HS 4. Student – HS or 8th Grade 5. Licensed Staff 6. Classified Staff 7. Parent 6-12 8. Parent K-5 9. Community Member 10. Principal/Assistant Principal – to be designated by principal/assistant principal team 11. Cabinet - to be designated by cabinet 12. Central Services Staff The Board will begin accepting applications for the Community Stakeholder Interview Panel on December 11, 2023 on the District website. The application deadline is January 8, 2024 at 12:00 p.m. Participants will be randomly selected through lottery (unless otherwise stated above) and will be notified prior by the end of day on January 11, 2024. For questions about the Community Stakeholder Interview Panel, please contact superintendentsearch@ashland.k12.or.us.

🎶✨ You're cordially invited to warm your hearts at "Minka's Sleigh Ride!" - a special evening of music dedicated to supporting our Ukrainian refugee friends. 🇺🇦 📅 Date: December 7th 🕖 Time: 7:00 p.m. 📍 Location: AMS Auditorium Join us for a night filled with enchanting melodies, featuring the talents of our Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, Cadet Band, ASD Choir, YSSO students, and the illustrious Alexander Tutonov. 🎺🥁🎹 From the resonating 'Ukrainian Bell Carol' to the exhilarating 'Minka’s Sleigh Ride' and the stirring 'Hej Sokoly', let’s celebrate the spirit of giving through music. 🎼 Let's come together in spirit and harmony for this noble cause. Your presence and contributions are the best support we can offer to those in need. Donations are warmly welcomed! 💙💛 🤝 "AMS cares for every student!" - let's show the world what our community stands for. See you there!

The Ashland School District Board of Directors has opened the application window for the next Superintendent of Schools. The Superintendent Search for Ashland’s next educational leader is guided by the Next Superintendent Criteria. The criteria was developed using comprehensive feedback gathered through 17 focus groups, leadership interviews, and an online community survey. “The Ashland School District Board of Directors is incredibly grateful for the community’s feedback, which has provided a rich understanding of priorities and desires for our next Superintendent,” shared Rebecca Dyson, Board Chair. “We look forward to the recruitment window and are hopeful to find the right candidate for our unique and thriving school district.” The Ashland School District Superintendent job posting is now open and can be viewed on the Human Capital Enterprises (HCE) website at www.humancapitalenterprises.com/job-openings/ashland-supt/. Applications will be accepted through December 28, 2023. For questions about the Superintendent Search, please contact superintendentsearch@ashland.k12.or.us.