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March 19, 2009 The Ashland TAB, Page 3

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QUESTION & ANSWER WITH STEVE BARONI

Meet the soon-to-be new principal at the Warren School

Steve Baroni, the man named to to lead the Warren School for a year. replace Interim Principal Jane Mason at the Warren School next year, left a career What made you decide to apply for as a restaurant manager and chef to the Warren School principal job? become an educator. I didn’t apply for the position; I was Baroni ran Chances Are restaurant in recruited, went through the interNorthborough for nine years before view process, and was offered the positeaching third grade in the same town for tion. a dozen years. He was hired last summer as assistant principal at the Mindess Do you have any specific goals School, replacing Mason when she left heading into that position?

Q: A:

Q:

High school works for accreditation By Aaron Wasserman STAFF WRITER

Ashland High School began the process of renewing its accreditation with the New England Association of Schools and Colleges Saturday, when a group of 15 educators from the region started a four-day visit. The visiting review panel was expected to spend its time listening to presentations by high school staff, visiting classes, meeting students and interviewing district officials. On Wednesday, they planned to give an initial impression of the school’s performance and issue a full report a few months later. Ashland High faculty have been preparing for the review for about two and a half years, assessing the quality of their performance and collecting samples of students’ work. “I think it’s a validation of the work that we do,” said Marybeth Gallant, a high school librarian and one of the people overseeing the preparation for the review. “It’s a confirmation for us that we’re doing this correctly, and a chance to see where we might improve.”

The New England Association of Schools and Colleges, founded in 1885, is a private organization of more than 2,000 schools that sets educational standards across all educational levels. Its standards encompass a school’s expectations for students, the curriculum, the instruction, assessment of students’ work, its buildings, budget and community involvement, and guidance counseling, special education and library, Gallant said. High School Assistant Principal Christopher Cummings said preparing for the accreditation review has helped teachers reflect on their recent work. “The purpose of the evaluations is to review and determine, from an outside professional viewpoint, the extent to which the school is meeting standards for accreditation,” Cummings said. “It’s helpful to know the great things we are doing — and we are doing many great things at Ashland High School — and also the things we can improve upon.” (Aaron Wasserman may be reached at 508-626-4424 or [email protected].)

The Ashland Middle School Wind Ensemble will have its premiere performance Thursday, March 19, at the High School auditorium. The wind ensemble is an extracurricular group of top musicians from the grades 6-8 bands. The concert will include performances by the 8th-grade band, high school band and high school wind ensemble, as well as a piece featuring the 8 th grade band performing with the high school band. There will be a bake sale in the high school cafeteria from 6 p.m. until the concert starts at 7 p.m. Admission is free. The 6th- and 7th-grade bands will perform Tuesday, March 24, in the Ashland Middle School’s Little Theater. The concert begins at 7 p.m. and is free.

parents and students. Another priority will be to get a handle on the curriculum. do you want Warren parents to know about you? Q: IWhat would like Warren parents to that I am passionate about A: know

in Ashland High School’s Ruthfield Theater. This is a must for all students from the Class of 2010 and their families. Parents should look for a mailer in the next week with more details and contact Brian Garrigan with any questions.

Sha’arei Shalom Hebrew School tours

The Hebrew School of Sha’arei Shalom is opening enrollment for the 2009/2010 school year, pre-school through Grade 7. Classes are held at Ashland Middle School. Prospective families from MetroWest are invited to tour the school by appointment during regular Sunday morning sessions on March 29, April 5 (mock Passover Seder for all grades), May 3 (celebrating Israel Independence Day) and May 10. There will be an opportunity to meet school administrators, teachers and children and to observe classes. Sha’arei College night for Shalom member and non-memAshland juniors ber rates are available. For more College Night for juniors and information or to schedule a their families will be held on tour, call 508-231-4700 or email Wednesday, March 25, at 7 p.m. [email protected].

education. I think parental involvement in their child’s education is paramount and view parents as an asset and not a liability. I consider myself a life long learner committed to staying current with the profession and I have a strong work ethic. I will work hard to keep the lines of communication open with parents while maintaining an open door policy. — David Riley

FILE PHOTO

Steve Baroni

Pi in your face

STAFF PHOTO BY ART ILLMAN

Ashland Middle School last week celebrated Pi Day — or March 14, or 3.14, which is the numerical value of the mathematical concept of pi. Students baked pies and had a pie-throwing contest using sponges topped with whipped cream. Above, teacher Terri Henry takes aim.

LIBRARY

Library Friends’ Documentary Series

BRIEFS

Ashland Middle School wind ensemble makes debut

My initial goal at this early juncture is to work constructively A: building relationships with teachers,

Tuesday, March 24: “Escape from Suburbia: Beyond the American Dream.” As energy prices skyrocket and the Oil Age draws to a close, what will you do? In “Escape from Suburbia,” director Greg Greene takes us “through the looking glass” on a journey of discovery — a sobering, yet vital and ultimately positive exploration of what the second half of the Oil Age has in store for us. The clock is ticking. “Escape from Suburbia” asks the tough questions: Are we approaching Peak Oil now? What are the controversies surrounding our future energy options? What are ordinary people across North America doing in their own communities to prepare for Peak Oil?

Friday Night Films March 20, “Me and Mrs. Jones”: Reporter falls in love with Madame Prime Minister. March 27, “The Last Musketeer”: Would-be Olympic fencer hides out at girls’school. April 3, “WALL*E”: The highly acclaimed director of “Finding Nemo” and the creative storytellers behind “Cars” and “Ratatouille” transport you to a galaxy not so far away for a new cosmic comedy adventure about a determined robot named WALL*E. (Rescheduled because

of March 6 book sale.)

Children’s events Saturday, March 21, 11 a.m.: Join us for “A Walk in the Wild,” an hour-long program about the habits and habitats of reptiles, amphibians and bugs. The program will include live animals and an appearance by an endangered species. The program is free but space is limited. Tickets will be distributed starting at 10 a.m. the day of the show. Saturday, April 4, 11 a.m.: Mark your calendars now for our April Young Family program, when Adrienne Fawkes and Carrie Rowan will offer an hour of singing, dancing, and making music for little ones. Both Adrienne and Carrie have plenty of experience with preschoolers, so this program is sure to get your children grooving and crooning.

and modern Spanish guitar music (flute and guitar). All pieces are arranged by Eric and Patricia Anthony. Together since 1979, The Anthony Duo has performed in a variety of venues, from college recitals to public radio. Eric Anthony is a classical guitarist and Renaissance lutenist. He holds a bachelor of music degree in guitar performance from the New England Conservatory of Music and has studied in Spain and in Paris with Narciso Yepes. He has performed with the Ramon de los Reyes flamenco dance group and the “vigorous and improvisational” Renaissonics, a group that performs Renaissance

dance music the third Friday of each month in Cambridge. Patricia Anthony has music degrees from the Eastman School of Music and Boston University School for the Arts. She studied flute with Joseph Mariano, Samuel Baron, Philip Kaplan, Julius Baker, and Boston Symphony Orchestra principal flutist Doriot Anthony Dwyer. Ms. Anthony has performed as a soloist and ensemble member in Europe, Canada, and the United States. The concert is funded by a generous grant from Target. For more information, call 508-881-0134 or visit friendsoftheapl.com.

GRAND OPENING

Library friends present free concert The Friends of the Ashland Library will present The Anthony Duo in concert Sunday, March 22, at 2 p.m. in the Ashland Public Library’s Community Room, 66 Front St. The concert will be followed by a reception, and is free and open to the public. The Sunday program is a mixture of Renaissance arrangements for lute and flute and lute solo and late Romantic-era (guitar solo)

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LEGAL NOTICE TOWN OF ASHLAND NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING The Ashland Planning Board will hold a Public Hearing on Thursday, March 26, 2009 at 8:00 PM in the Selectmen’s Meeting Room in the Ashland Town Hall, to consider amending the Zoning Map, Town of Ashland, originally dated May 15, 1972 [effective date 9/7/1972], with the latest revision date June, 2008, by changing the zoning classification of the following affected area which includes the south side of Pleasant Street, west side of Forrest Avenue, and both sides of Metcalf Avenue as indicated from Industrial to Downtown Mixed Use District (DMUD), Sub Area "A"" for following lots on Assessor’s Map 13: 13-087 13-088 13-089 13-090 13-091 13-092 13-093 13-094 13-095 13-096 13-097 13-098 13-099 13-100 13-101 13-102 13-103 13-104 13-105 13-106 13-107 13-108 13-109 13-110 13-111 13-112 13-113 13-114 13-115 13-117 and change lot 13-116 on the south side of High Street from Residential "A" to Ashland Downtown District, Sub Area "A." Said zoning map amendment is available for review in the Planning Office between 8:00AM and 3:30 PM Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and 8:00 AM and 7:00 PM on Wednesday or by appointment at 508 881-0100 x 651. The Town Hall is closed on Friday. Preston Crow Chairman, Planning Board