Ashland Connect

02/21/2024

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 [email protected].

11/17/2023

Enroll your K-5th grader in the Ashland YMCA's Afterschool Program for enriching activities like arts, STEM, and active play. Financial assistance available! Learn more and register at ashlandymca.org

11/17/2023

Get your child kindergarten-ready with the Ashland YMCA's Preschool Program! Registration for the 2023-24 school year is now open. Explore the program and sign up today at ashlandymca.org

11/01/2023

Take this survey powered by surveymonkey.com. Create your own surveys for free.

10/26/2023

Ashland School District Board of Directors has launched a search for Ashland School District’s new Superintendent, who will join our district in July 2024. They are committed to finding the right leader for our unique and dynamic community. To lay the foundation for a meaningful search that reflects the needs and priorities of the Ashland community, the Board is seeking input through a Superintendent Search Survey for students, families, staff members, and community members.
To participate in the Superintendent Search Survey click the following link:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SuptAshland

For additional information about the Superintendent search process, click the following link:
https://www.ashland.k12.or.us/o/school-board/page/superintendent-search

10/21/2023

Our Ashland Connect students, families, and staff had an amazing day at the Walker Harvest Festival today! There were games, activities, challenges, food, face painting, a silent auction and more! What a fantastic day celebrating students and school community.

10/19/2023

Middle School Students (grades 6-8) who attend Ashland Connect, AMS, TRAILS, or Willow Wind can all participate in middle school sports at Ashland Middle School. Some important information and dates for the remainder of the year include:

Sign up now for 7/8 Boys Basketball. The deadline to register is prior to October 23rd (first day of practice). Some practices will be held over the conference week.

Now is also the time to register for any AMS sport. Below are the season start dates for the following AMS sports:
Boys Basketball (October 23rd)
Wrestling & Girls Basketball (January 2nd)
Track & Field (March 4th)

We know that students that engage in clubs, school activities, and sports are more connected to their school community and peers. Encourage your student to register today!

10/18/2023

Our lead teacher at Ashland Connect participated in Mathew’s Crafting Your Equity Lens workshop as an extension to our district’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Inservice and we are thrilled that she did. The learning is so powerful!

Ashland High School's Thoreau and Catalyst programs recently had Matthew Reynolds as a guest speaker. Both our students and teachers can't say enough about Matthew's presentation and the impact that it had. We hope to have him back working with our Catalyst and Thoreau programs soon!

"Matthew inspires me to be my authentic self and teaches that each of our authentic selves are beautiful and necessary for true learning, to create our own thoughts and ideas and let our passion direct us. He makes me and countless others feel excited and hopeful for the future of education, organizations and the world." -Raina, AHS Student

“I felt very touched and inspired by your words. I have never been so tuned into someone speaking before. Thank you so much for coming and sharing your bravery and love with us. You radiate hope and kindness.” -An excerpt from a thank you note for Matthew written by an AHS Student

“Matthew’s visit with the class was empowering, profound and impactful. He is a true human being with a collective vision for how to move forward in this world with authenticity, compassion, curiosity, creativity and love. We sat in a healing circle and were in community together. We all need more of his good medicine.” -Jennifer Wahpepah and Reed Sorenson, Catalyst and Thoreau teachers at Ashland High School

10/17/2023

Do you know that the Ashland School District has its own hybrid program for K-8 students?

As a true hybrid program, Ashland Connect, blends the best of both in-person and at-home learning to create a unique experience for each of our students.

We offer:
Personalized approach to education
Access to intervention services, special education services, extension opportunities, TAG services, electives, recess, school meals, and Fun Fridays on and off campus
Asynchronous learning with optional synchronous learning opportunities
High level of support and guidance from ASD Staff
Sports, activities and clubs available to all students

To learn more and apply today go to: https://connect.ashland.k12.or.us/

At Ashland Connect, we blend the best of both in-person and at-home learning to create a unique experience for each of our students

10/09/2023

Today we honor and celebrate the perseverance, rich diversity and contributions of all Indigenous peoples—from the first peoples of this place to those from across the globe who now call Oregon home.

We especially recognize our local tribes including the Takelma, Shasta, Modoc, Klamath, and Umpqua as well as the almost 160 students in our schools who identify as Native American and their families. We value the individual and cultural traditions and contributions that they bring that strengthens our ASD community.

10/06/2023

Today a group of Ashland Connect students came for lunch, Fun Friday activities, and Picture Day! There was origami making, time on the playground, crafts, and smiling practice- complete with mirrors!

09/15/2023

Today’s Fun Friday included art projects, time in the sunshine, and full run of the playground! Our super responsible students even cleaned up after themselves. We love offering these opportunities for our Ashland Connect students to enjoy time together in person.