We would like to welcome all parents, professionals and friends to the 2009-2010 academic year.   As a volunteer organization we count on our members to share valuable knowledge, help keep information current, and increase the awareness of the activities and works of this group to  the whole community. Any effort of interested individuals to participate and give input is much appreciated! We hope you will become involved this year and share your gifts and talents to the benefit of our children.

  Our first meeting of the year will take place on Tuesday, September 15th from 7:00 to 9:00 PM in the Ashland High School Library. The title of the presentation is "Meet and Greet the Administrators". Our guest speakers will include Interim Superintendent Dr. Perry Davis, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Ann Dargon, and Special Education Administrator Mrs.Susan Gala.  Topics to be covered include the "Response to Intervention" (RTI) implementation, plans for Ashland's stimulus fund money and restructure of the Special Education TEAM chairs. Come with your questions, meet these people involved in your child's education and the ASHPAC board members who are here to provide support in regard to the Special Education process.    

  One of ASHPAC's goals for the past few years has been  to help our parents become better organized in order to become better advocates for our children.   Last year, there were two presentations to help accomplish that goal.  In October, Rose McDermott and Carla Binswanger came and spoke about organization of  SPED paperwork.  This accompanied the gift of a binder purchased by ASHPAC to all those parents or guardians with children with special needs on IEP's. The workshop was well received and very helpful in giving tips to prepare for meetings with school staff in a positive and efficient manner.  For those who were unable to attend and are in need of assistance in arranging paperwork, you can go to www.organized4kids.com to look at a binder that will help you to avoid becoming engulfed with all the documentation that comes with having a child on an IEP.  In April, Joan Celebi, a life coach who has a child with special needs, gave us strategies to simplify life, help organize  and confront the demands of parenting a child with special needs. You can visit Joan's website at www.SpecialNeedsParentCoach.com  and sign up for free a twice-a-month newsletter entitled "Overwhelmed No More". She shares many practical  tips and ideas on how to manage some of the stress in our lives.     

  This year, we would like to focus on helping our kids become better organized.  Because  the expectations for 6th grade students to manage their school supplies and belongings are higher than the elementary grades,  ASHPAC identified a locker organizer that was deemed appropriate by both parents and educators.  The LockerWorks (www.locker-works.com) has been made available for purchase by all Middle School students.  This item is still available in the Middle School store but the supply is limited.  Please contact Mary at ashlpac_web@hotmail.com for more information.    

  Study skills is always a favorite workshop topic for parents as we all are invested in helping our children succeed.  We can help our kids to organize if we are given proven strategies from educators. Please join us on Tuesday, October 13th in the Ashland Middle School Activity room from 7:00 to 9:00 pm for a presentation on this topic. Our speaker will be Sandy Gavin, a special education teacher now working in the Franklin school district who many people may recognize from her days of teaching in Ashland. Keep checking this website for more details!