On Jan. 8, 2025, instructors and students from the Ashland Public Schools Launch transition program updated the School Committee on activities intended to build independent-living and community-access skills.

The presentation, delivered by program staff and students during the student presentations portion of the meeting, covered weekly visits to the YMCA in Metro West for adaptive exercise and movement classes; joint adaptive classes and social time with transition programs from Westborough, Holliston and Hopkinton; volunteering at the local food pantry; a holiday gift-wrapping fundraiser that raised $76; and a transit-training session led by the Metro West Regional Transit Authority that included planning a bus route and visiting the agency’s Framingham hub.

The program’s instructor said a transit coordinator “planned our route for us and she helped kind of tell us what to do,” describing the training that allowed students to practice boarding and riding public buses. Student Sophia told the committee that her favorite part of recent classroom activities was “cooking,” and described hands-on practice preparing mini pizzas during class.

Presenters described the YMCA activities as motivational for students, noting adaptive bike and interactive equipment and weekly one‑hour sessions that mix music, art and movement. They also described partnerships that let students socialize over lunch and visit other local transition programs. Volunteers recently helped the food pantry by checking expiration dates, organizing shelves by date and filling client orders.

Program staff said the group used the town electric car for most trips and sometimes a staff member’s vehicle; typical round trips cited were roughly 25 minutes, and they said charging and range have so far met the program’s needs. The committee asked about transportation; presenters confirmed they are exploring additional times and routes to expand YMCA access and to use public transit for internships and local destinations.

Committee members thanked the students and staff for the presentation and for the community connections the program is building. The committee did not take any formal action on the program during the meeting.