Students are provided or have access to a Chromebook to ensure equity of access and support implementation of one-to-one learning. New or returning students may need to exchange the Chromebook they had last year for a new one with their current school's software.

If a student reports losing their Chromebook, families will be charged for replacement parts on damaged Chromebooks due to the rising costs of parts and the volume of device repairs. The following examples are charges that may be assessed for Ashland Public Schools-issued devices that are lost, stolen or damaged while in a student’s care or as the result of neglect on the part of the student.

• Broken screen: $50
• Broken keyboard: $50
• Replacement of lost or irreparable Chromebook: $225
• Replacement charger: $25

Students are expected to report any damage to their Chromebook as soon as possible and no later than the next school day.

If a student has a broken Chromebook, please complete the Service Request Form. Loaner Chromebooks will only be available to those students whose device is out for repair.

We are excited to share that all students will receive free school meals this school year and in all future years.

We will provide one free breakfast and one free lunch each full school day for your children, supporting them with nourishing and healthy meals to power through the school day! À la carte items and second meals may be available for purchase by students at their school.

Please visit ashland.k12.ma.us/Nutrition for details about payment options, to review our food allergy policy, or to contact a kitchen manager.

Even though free meals are available for all students for the entire school year, families should still submit a household application to determine eligibility for free and reduced-price school meals if they have not received a letter from Ashland Public Schools stating that they have been directly certified for benefits. Students may qualify for additional benefits.

Visit the Nutrition Services page to apply for free or reduced meals or view school menus.

Want to know about upcoming events in your student's school or what they're learning this term? Sign up to receive weekly updates from their principal! You can also sign up to receive the latest news and updates from the district at ashland.k12.ma.us/subscribe.

Did your student graduate? Has your child moved to a different building? If you no longer wish to receive newsletters from a certain department or school, follow our unsubscribe instructions at ashland.k12.ma.us/subscribe.

The sales tax holiday for 2024 will be held on Saturday, August 10 and Sunday, August 11.

Most retail items of up to $2,500, purchased in Massachusetts for personal use on these two days, will be exempt from sales tax. Visit mass.gov for more details.

As we prepare for the school year, it is important to note our expectations for student attendance. School attendance is crucial to learning and is monitored by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, as it relates to our school accountability rating. Please note that family vacations are unexcused absences, and extended absences may result in loss of credit or, in some cases, the need to repeat a course or grade level. Additionally, if families choose to go on vacation, students are no longer required to stay home for five days as a COVID-19 precautionary measure after they return from traveling. These absences will be considered unexcused.

For more information, please review the student absences and excuses policy set by the Ashland School Committee.

Bus routes will posted to our transportation page as we get closer to the start of the school year. If you have not registered yet, please visit ashland.k12.ma.us/transportation to learn more about our waitlist and fees.

For questions or concerns, please call (508) 532-4007 or email transportation@ashland.k12.ma.us.