Ashland Schools Set Aug. 31 Start Date, Preschool Orientation Same Day
ASHLAND — Ashland Public Schools will open the 2026-2027 year on Monday, Aug. 31, with David Mindess Elementary's first day of classes and a morning preschool orientation, according to the district's calendar. The announcement comes as Ashland Public Library rolls out a slate of programs and four town boards prepare to meet before the month is out.
SCHOOLS
David Mindess Elementary's first day of school is Monday, Aug. 31, per the Ashland Public Schools website. Preschool orientation for morning classes is scheduled the same day, from 9 to 10 a.m., giving families a lead-in before the full district returns.
COMMUNITY & ARTS
Ashland Public Library's calendar for the coming week is stacked with concrete programming. A virtual discussion on gun control, the Second Amendment and school shootings runs Monday, Aug. 24. Tuesday, Aug. 25 brings a virtual talk on Revolutionary-era sites and remnants in colonial New York City, tied to the nation's 250th anniversary. Wednesday, Aug. 26 pairs a virtual job-search workshop on using AI in the job hunt with an in-person Sensory Safari program for children ages 1 to 3 with a caregiver. Thursday, Aug. 27 closes the week with a virtual art program on the art of wild weather.
The library is also rolling out two new installments of its Teacher Tales series, a program the town's News Flash also covered when it launched this month. Tuesday, Aug. 25 features Mindess Elementary's Ms. Gallinagh for third grade, alongside a joint session with Ms. Tripp and Ms. Wolfram for first grade.
COMING UP
Monday, Aug. 24: The Conservation Commission meets via Zoom, and the library's in-person Monday Knit and Crochet Club convenes.
Tuesday, Aug. 25: The Zoning Board of Appeals meets in hybrid format.
Wednesday, Aug. 26: The Select Board holds a hybrid meeting.
Thursday, Aug. 27: The Planning Board meets in hybrid format.
Compiled from official town feeds, community organizations, and local press. Outside reporting is attributed inline.