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Ashland Police Department Press Release:

Ashland, KY — September 13, 2024 — The Ashland Police Department (APD) has made two additional juvenile arrests in connection with two separate threats involving Ashland schools. These arrests are a direct result of a focused investigation by the APD School Resource Officers, Patrol Officers, and Cyber Crime Unit, which has been working closely with the Ashland Independent School District's IT department and major platforms such as Snapchat, Google, and Facebook.

We want to be very clear: online threat, whether made in jest or in anger, are taken seriously. They disrupt our schools, frighten our community, and put students, staff, and parents on edge. APD is committed to ensuring that those who make such threats are held accountable, no matter the platform used.

Ashland Family,

 This morning, I posted a letter to parents and staff outlining the training and security measures that our District has in place to ensure the safety of our students and staff members.  Since then, we have learned of a posting on social media identifying certain Blazers students by name.  The parents of those students have been notified, and Ashland Police Department is actively and diligently investigating the posting.  Based on discussions with Ashland Police Department, we have no reason to believe that there is a credible threat to the safety of our schools, and we continue to take necessary steps, as outlined in my previous letter, to ensure safety of staff and students. We will continue to make information available as we receive it from the APD.  We of course will not hold classes if there is information suggesting a credible threat to students or staff.

Dear Ashland Families,

 Given the recent unfortunate events that have occurred in our school/community/nation, I know that you are very understandably concerned when you send your precious children to school each morning. We live in a society with a 24/7 news cycle and social media outlets that allow users to instantly share misinformation that can sometimes exacerbate stories regarding our schools. Regardless, there is a lot that keeps you on edge about the safety of your loved one(s) while at school and I would like to address your concerns. What we can do is assure you that we are continually taking steps, and have been for years, to increase the security of all aspects of our campuses. Your children and our staff mean everything to us. Therefore, there is no length to which we will not go to protect this school environment from danger.

The following is from the Ashland Police Department as it relates to our schools:

APD has received a series of calls and messages concerning the threats to local schools including Ashland schools.  Officers and detectives have been following up on each call and coordinating with nearby law enforcement agencies.  With our partnership with the Ashland School System, we have a School Resource Officer in each school.  In addition, we have doubled the patrols in and around the schools as well while our officers and detectives continue to take calls and follow up on any leads. The Kentucky Fusion Center notified us yesterday of a known series of threats mentioning schools. Our area soon started to see posts on Snapchat and various other social media.  Students and parents began notifying us, and our teams follow up on each call overnight. 

To date, no credible threat has been found. 

 If you are a parent and wish to add money to your child’s account you can do so through the Parent Portal either online or through the IC Parent App.

• https://kyede1.infinitecampus.org/campus/portal/parents/ashland.jsp 
• Process works the same.  Select FOOD SERVICE from the menu bar on the left.  Enter an amount for each child, add the amount to your cart and check out.  Remember, you will be charged a $2.00 service fee for each transaction.

Kentucky Directors of Pupil Personnel (KDPP) Announce Update to School Attendance Law for Families with School-Age Children 

 Frankfort, KY – The Kentucky Directors of Pupil Personnel (KDPP) are committed to ensuring the academic success of all students in the state. We are writing to inform parents and guardians of an important update to Kentucky’s School Attendance Law (KRS 159.150), which will come into effect starting the 2024-25 school year. This update specifically impacts all families with school aged children in the Commonwealth, as outlined in House Bill 611.

 Under the new legislation, the Director of Pupil Personnel will now be required to notify the County Attorney’s office when a student accumulates 15 or more unexcused absences throughout the academic year. This change is part of ongoing efforts to emphasize the importance of regular school attendance and to provide additional support to families to help prevent chronic absenteeism.

The Ashland Independent Food Service Department is excited to announce that each of our elementary schools have been awarded the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable grant!  Review the grant award for more information.

Click here to view the grant award.

The Ashland Independent School District Food Service Department is excited to kick off the 2024 – 2025 school year! We have adjusted all school menus to include tastier versions of entrees while staying within the United States Department of Agriculture’s nutritional guidelines. The Food Service Department will continue to follow guidelines set forth by the Kentucky Department of Education, the Kentucky Public Health Organization, and our local Health Department. In addition, all Ashland schools will be participating in the National School Lunch and Breakfast Program. As part of this program and the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). ALL Ashland schools will offer healthy meals every school day at NO Cost to the students during the 2024 – 20245 school year. ALL students will receive ONE FREE breakfast and ONE FREE lunch at no charge each day.