Amesbury Public Schools Update
From the Office of the Superintendent - January 6, 2023
Dear Amesbury Families,
Happy New Year! It is now officially 2023 and we have begun a new calendar year. I hope that everyone was able to enjoy some down time and special time with loved ones! As an educator, I always find this New Year less exciting than the one that occurs in early September! In my mind, the end of January measures the midpoint of the school year. Many of you know that my daughter is a senior at AHS - crazy to think that she is almost done with her high school years. I know that I am going to be a mess in June -- but let's save that for later.
Between now and the end of the month, there is a lot happening! The high school's athletic teams are now in full swing - check out one of their games. All schedules can be found on mascores.com. There are many events sponsored by different groups where the community can participate. Some of the highlights include the Yearbook sponsored Ice Cream Social (5 pm on January 9th), Comfort Food Night (5 pm on January 13th), AHS Music Showcase (7pm on January 18th), and Mac N' Monday (5 pm on January 30th). On January 12th there is also a special event provided by MERGE Diverse Abilities Inclusion Consulting that begins at 6 pm. Please see more detailed information in the section below.
We are also entering the time of year where I am in the position of having to call a delayed start or a no school day. When called, we have a two hour delay. Please see the section below with the detailed information for your child's school. If I cancel school for the day, it will be a traditional snow day and will need to be made up at the end of the school year. There are NO REMOTE days permitted per order of DESE. As of today, without having called any SNOW DAYS, the last day of school is scheduled for Tuesday, June 20th. I am sure that will change, but for now, that is the last day.
Take care and enjoy the winter season!
Sincerely,
Elizabeth McAndrews
Superintendent
Kindergarten Information Night
Information Night for Parents/Guardians/Caregivers of Next Year's (23-24) Kindergarten Students
On Thursday, January 19th beginning at 5:30 pm, an information night will be held for parents/guardians/caregivers of kindergarten students for the School Year 23-24. This meeting will take place in the AES school library located at 20 South Hampton Road.
In order to enroll in Kindergarten in Amesbury, children must be 5 years old on or before September 1, 2023. In addition, all potential students must be residents of Amesbury. Of course, next year, all kindergarten students will be attending the new Sgt. Jordan Shay Memorial Lower Elementary School.
If you have any questions, please contact Julie Mitchell, AES Secretary, at julie.mitchell@amesburyma.org or (978) 388-3659.
Guess who attended last night's inaugural celebration?
Yup! Our own 2022 Girls Basketball State Champions were special guests at last night's celebration! Glad so many of them were able to attend!
Inclement Weather Information
Delayed Start Times by School
As mentioned above, a delayed start means that school starts for students at the following times:
AHS - 9:40 am
AIHS - 10:30 am
AMS - 9:40 am
AES - 10:30 am
CES - 10:30 am
If there is no school due to inclement weather, the day will be made up at the end of the school year.
Transportation Survey
Transportation Survey
As you know, we will be opening Shay Memorial at the start of the next school year. In addition, we are shifting grades between buildings. As a result of both of these things, we need to gather more information about who will be riding the bus next year. Your answer to this survey is NOT binding, but will provide us with information to help us design the new routes and to determine the number of buses that we need. Please take a moment to answer this brief transportation survey (less than one minute) for EACH child who will be attending the Amesbury Public Schools NEXT year. Thank you to those who have already completed the form. Survey responses are due by Friday, January 13, 2023.
Thank you!
Community Offerings
Overcoming Hurdles to Inclusion - Strategies for Recreation, School and Community Organizations to Create a Culture for All
Please consider attending this exciting workshop provided by MERGE Diverse Abilities Inclusion Consulting on Thursday, January 12, 2023. This educational community offering is sponsored by Amesbury SEPAC, PACT, Amesbury Recreation & Amesbury Public Schools. Participants will represent recreational, cultural, enrichment, faith based, school, camp or any community organization/business seeking to create a culture of inclusion. Here’s a peek into what you’ll take from this presentation:
WHAT: Learn about the principles of disability inclusion that community-based programs should embrace and implement in order to be authentically inclusive of persons with disabilities.
HOW: Explore Top Ten Tips in creating a culture of disability inclusion.
Learn proper terminology, empowering language and suggested disability etiquette and interactions, to gain the tools and confidence to welcome, engage and support persons with diverse abilities.WHY: Brainstorm together the benefits of disability inclusion for individuals with disabilities, their families, for the general community and for your organization as a whole. Understand the importance of friendships and steps you can take to foster a mutual connection between persons with and without disabilities that may blossom into a reciprocal friendship. Leave with action points to implement back to your organization immediately.
You are invited to join us to strengthen your capacity to be more disability inclusive in your practices!
Your next steps:
REVIEW the attached promotional flyer
REGISTER using this link: https://bit.ly/AmesburyForAll
SHARE with others who may be interested
Hope to see you on January 12th from 6-8pm* at The Costello Transportation Center, Amesbury
**This is a family friendly event, pizza will be served at 5:45pm and childcare is available – you must indicate your request for childcare when you register.
** Please reach out to Lindsay Pouliot (amesburysepac@gmail.com) by 1/4/23 if accessibility accommodations are required.
Keeping Kids Safe and Secure Online: A Project Safe Childhood Presentation for Parents/Guardians
The presentation, entitled Keeping Kids Safe and Secure Online: A Project Safe Childhood Presentation for Parents will bring awareness to the dangers of the internet, including gaming and social media platforms that predators use to groom children with the intent of exploiting them sexually online or for an in person meeting. The presentation will focus on prevention by educating parents and community members how to help keep children safe online. We will be covering the following topics:
Social Media 101 & Digital Footprint
Cyberbullying
Sexting
Gaming
Victim Support
Protecting Against Online Predation
Who should attend: Parents, guardians, local police departments, school administrators, youth program leaders and anyone who would like to learn how to keep children safe from online dangers.
The presentation is free. Registration is required. The link to register is included on the attached flyer and is also included here:
REGISTRATION DETAILS
Please register at the following link: (via Chrome browser))
Event address for attendees: https://usao.webex.com/usao/onstage/g.php?MTID=ec3d8ccd61ccdd26ee39d8c6ffd5c57aa
Password: PSC1
Questions or difficulty registering? Please contact
Karen Legace @ USAMA.PSCOutreach@usdoj.gov
Professional Release Time (PRT) Days
Professional Release Time (PRT) Days for the Remainder of the School Year
On these dates, students will be released from school early to provide time for professional development for teachers.
January 13, 2023
February 10, 2023
March 16, 2023
AHS , AIHS, and AMS are released at 11:30 am
AES and CES are released at 12 noon.
Progress at the Sgt. Jordan Shay Memorial Lower Elementary School
First Floor Elevator Lobby
First Floor Facing Administration Offices
Cafe Facing Stage
Cafe Recycle Room Window
East Elevation Metal Panels
East Elevation Administration
From Access Road via Cashman
Gym Curtain Wall Glazing
Gym Equipment Install
Gym Facing Southwest
Gym From Media Center
Gym looking up at Media Center
Main Corridor Classroom Wing
Media Center from Elevator
Pre-K Classroom Millwork
Pre-K Toilet Room
Project Area Ceilings
Southeast Elevation
Servery Bard Door Steel Supports
School Committee Meeting
Mon, Jan 9, 2023, 07:00 PM
Amesbury High School Library
Overcoming Hurdles to Inclusion
Thu, Jan 12, 2023, 06:00 PM
Nicholas J. Costello Transportation Center, Amesbury, MA, USA
Kindergarten Information Night
Thu, Jan 19, 2023, 05:30 PM
Amesbury Elementary School, South Hampton Road, Amesbury, MA, USA
School Committee Meeting
Mon, Jan 23, 2023, 07:00 PM
Amesbury High School Library
Superintendent