All Around APS
News from the Andover Public Schools - February 4, 2022
APS PRIDE
Thank you to DPW and APS Custodians
District and school administrators would like to thank Andover’s Department of Public Works and APS Custodians for their hard work during last weekend’s storm. Their efforts and commitment to our schools and community allowed us to safely open school on Monday after the blizzard!
'Pride and Prejudice Day' at AHS
AHS students and staff enjoyed a celebration on the anniversary of the 1813 publication of the classic novel, Pride and Prejudice. The celebration was hosted in collaboration with Memorial Hall librarians, Andover Center for History and Culture and the Andover Bookstore. The day included performances by AHS students, exhibits of historical artifacts, costumes, documents and student work.
Andover Vocal Music Show Choirs
At the Mill City Show Choir Festival, hosted by Lowell High School, the Andover High School show choirs competed against local schools including Waltham High School, Daniel Hand High School and Lowell High School. Back to Bass-ics earned a silver award in the unisex division and Nothin’ But Treble earned a bronze award in the same division. From Start to Finish earned a silver award in the large mixed choir division.
We are proud of the following students for receiving judges’ awards: Anthony Morgante for outstanding vocals, Audrey Fiore for outstanding soloist and Jack Mohr for excellence in singing, dancing and acting. The show choirs also spent some time last week performing for our seniors at the Robb Center.
Elementary Art Show at Central Office
The APS elementary art teachers displayed student work at Central Office on Friday, January 28th, following an afternoon of professional learning on integrating SEL into art & music curriculum. The art will be showcased until mid-March.
The students' artwork is accompanied by a series of QR codes that illuminate assignments, art history, and student videos. Please make sure to scan the QR codes on the artwork when you visit Central Office to hear our students discuss their work and experiences.
"Twosday" Spirit at High Plain Elementary
Some will observe “Twosday” on February 22, 2022 (02/22/22), which falls during our February vacation week. High Plain Elementary students and staff decided to celebrate on February 2, 2022 by wearing any article of clothing with any number on it to display their tremendous Twosday spirit.
From the desk of Dr. Parvey
February 1st marked the beginning of the annual celebration of Black History Month. This month brings us the opportunity to showcase the beauty and diversity of our students and school community. This year's theme is Black Health and Wellness. I encourage our families, staff, and students to embrace this celebration and to the reflect on our commitment to diversity and inclusion in the community.
Our schools across the district are highlighting the impacts and contributions Blacks have made in U.S. history and today. At AHS, students are marking Black History Month each school day. The AHS Diversity Club and Black Student Union are collaborating to educate their peers. These initiatives include H-block announcements and special club meetings where all are welcome to engage in conversation about Black culture and experience.
As we take this time to showcase the beauty of Black history, I want to share the work of AHS junior Kiarra Lucas. Kiarra is a member of the Spoken Word Poetry Club, AHS Diversity Club and the Black Student Union at AHS. Kiarra honored Black History Month during morning announcements, sharing her poem paying tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., earlier this week.
On this day we shall honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
An African American Activist born in Atlanta
He did most of his Work in Birmingham Alabama
In a different world, we would be celebrating his 93rd birthday but instead, we celebrate his legacy
Now I will read a snippet of my poem Dream
Martin Luther King born January 15th
Born with the talents of speech
Used his words to cover the wounds
Of injustice that infected America
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr a dreamer
Dreaming of a future where everyone had the opportunity
To live in their own image
Without the limitations
Of discrimination
For freedom to ring
In the ears of his children
He had a dream for Unity
For man, women and child to stand together
And on this Day we reflect on what
Martin Luther King has done
On This day
Think of a dream you aspire to be reality
Act on this dream
In the way of
Dr. Martin Luther King
Act relentlessly and peacefully
Be true and loud
Courageous and proud
Stand
With your neighbor
So that dreams won’t die
But reignite and survive for generations to come
Because THAT’S what Dr. Martin Luther King would want
As You can kill the dreamer but NOT the dream
District Notes
APS Food Services- online ordering for February
A reminder to APS families to order school lunches online for the month of February. Online ordering helps our Food Services staff tremendously and they are able to prepare the proper number of meals needed in advance. To view the February menus online, visit the Food Services menu webpage. To place your orders; click here. As a reminder, APS will continue offering free meals for all families through June 2022. These meals will be available for all students at all grade levels and include one lunch and one breakfast per-student daily.
DESE’s COVID-19 At-Home test kits
This week, Andover Public Schools received test kits for those students who have opted in to DESE’s At-Home testing program. Kits were distributed at school buildings this week. Many thanks to our TOPs students who helped our Nursing team organize and distribute kits to our schools.
As a reminder, students who participate will receive one kit every two weeks to test at home – each kit contains 2 tests and each individual should test once per week. Individuals can choose which day they would like to administer their weekly test, based on needs or symptoms.
As a result of this new testing program, school administrators and nurses will no longer be performing the Test & Stay option or individualized contact tracing across the district.
For additional information and for families who wish to opt-in to the program; please visit our APS COVID-19 website.
Upcoming Dates
School Calendar
- February recess – February 21–25, 2022
- DESE has extended the ACCESS (ELL) testing window from February 10th to March 4th. Federal and state laws require that English learner (EL) students be assessed annually to measure their proficiency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking English, as well as the progress they are making in learning English. In fulfillment of these laws, EL students are required to participate in ACCESS for ELLs tests.
Holidays and Observances – Black History Month
School Committee Notes
The School Committee will hold its next regular meeting on February 17th. The agenda will be posted up to 48 hours in advance on our website.
Community Updates
Town of Andover COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic
The town of Andover's Health Division has partnered with Remedium Pharmacy of Chelmsford to offer COVID-19 vaccination clinics using the Pfizer vaccine on Thursday, February 10, 2022. This will be a first, second, or booster clinic, depending on what your needs are.
Clinics will be administered by age group.
- Ages 12 years and older – appointments are available between 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
- Ages 5 to 11 years' old – appointments are available between 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
The clinics will take place at the Robb Center (Senior Center), 30 Whittier Court. To sign up for an appointment:
- Go to remediumrx.net
- Click on appropriate button:
- FOR Ages 5 - 11 Pfizer Vaccine click on "Town of Andover AGES 5 – 11 COVID Vaccine Clinic (2/10/2022)"
- FOR Ages 12+ Vaccine click on "Town of Andover AGES 12+ COVID Vaccine Clinic (2/10/2022)"
- Enter password "Andover"
- Select your time slot and answer the questions that pop up
- Once the appointment and questions are answered, click "Sign Up Now" and you're registered.
Please contact the Town of Andover Health Division at 978-623-8640 with questions.
Andover Mobile Food Pantry
The Merrimack Valley YMCA is teaming up with Andover Elder Services to office a mobile food pantry for all ages on the second Wednesday from 9A-11A at the Robb Center at 30 Whittier Court.
Upcoming dates for 2022: February 9, March 9, April 13, May 11, June 8, July 13, August 10, September 14, October 12, November 9 and December 14.
The Food Pantry will distribute bags of non-perishable groceries at this free resource, which is open to all in the community. For more information, visit www.mvymca.org/pantry or William Hernandez at whernandez@mvymca.org or Jane Burns at jane.burns@andoverma.us
West Elementary & Shawsheen Building Committee Community Forum – February 8th at 6 p.m.
On Tuesday, February 8th at 6:00 pm, Andover Public Schools will host a virtual meeting to update the community on the new West Elementary and Shawsheen Preschool.
During the meeting, the community will hear about next steps in the building process, including the changes in traffic patterns and drop off/pick up procedures that will take place during the construction. This is an exciting project which will offer many benefits to our students, families and to the whole Andover community. Our architects and construction manager, as well as representatives from Andover Public Schools, will be at the meeting.
The link to participate in the meeting is here. Registration is required and can be done at any time. If you’d like to learn more about the project, please visit the West Elementary & Shawsheen Building Project’s webpage.
Andover Public Schools
Email: APScommunications@andoverma.us
Website: www.aps1.net
Location: 30 Whittier Court, Andover, MA, USA
Twitter: @AndoverPS