All Around APS
News from the Andover Public Schools - March 4, 2022
APS PRIDE
March is Music in our Schools Month!
APS celebrates “Music in Our Schools” month which highlights the importance of music education for our students.
AHS interns at West Elementary
Andover High School eco interns, Luca Pillidge and Sarah Long presented to West Elementary students on February 17th. Luca and Sarah offered information on our new West Elementary and Shawsheen School project, focusing on the goal of creating an eco-friendly, “green” school.
Sarah and Luca taught the students about the solar panels which will be installed at the new West Elementary/Shawsheen schools and the positive impacts on the environment – leading us all to a healthier, cleaner, and more sustainable future. Many thanks to Joel Blumstein, WESP School Building Committee Chairman and Steve Fink, eco intern mentor, for organizing this amazing opportunity for our students.
AHS students reach quarterfinals on WGBH Quiz Show
Andover High School Quiz Team Club students have reached the quarterfinals in season 13 of WGBH’s High School Quiz Show, beating Lincoln Sudbury on February 19th. This year’s teams are competing virtually, and the AHS Quiz Team Club will face off against Belmont on Saturday, April 9th at 6PM on WGBH 2. In 2018, AHS students were the season 9 champions. This will be AHS Quiz Team’s sixth appearance in the competition.
From the desk of Dr. Parvey
Women’s History Month is observed in March, commemorating the vital role of women in American history. It is a time to reflect on the courage of women in past generations and to acknowledge their bravery and efforts to help make the world a more inclusive place for women. Since 1987, the United States Congress has formally recognized Women’s History Month; this year’s theme designated by the National Women’s History Alliance is “Providing Healing, Promoting Hope.”
At Bancroft Elementary, a group of future female leaders from the “I Can Crew” team recently read the book, The Strong Girls’ Guide to Being by Lani Solversides, who happens to be a former Bancroft parent. They focused on service, empathy, and other leadership qualities.
In the spirit and celebration of the “Providing Healing, Promoting Hope” theme for this year, we look to pay tribute to the many women who offer counsel, compassion and kindness to all and for their strength and resilience.
Dr. Magda Parvey, Ed. D.
Superintendent
District Updates
COVID-19- Mask Mandate
At Thursday's School Committee meeting, the Committee voted to revise the mask policy (EBCFA) to lift the mask mandate in Andover Public School buildings and on school transportation. Beginning Friday, March 4th at 5 p.m., masks in school buildings and on school transportation will be optional for students, staff, and visitors.
While we are encouraged with an overall decrease in cases and high vaccination rates, positive COVID-19 cases remain in our community. In collaboration with the town of Andover’s Director of Public Health and APS’s Director of Nursing, we will continue to monitor evolving situations in our district and make appropriate decisions in the best interest of our school community.
Families are encouraged to have conversations with their children before school begins on Monday, March 7th about the choice that best fits their family’s needs. The entire message sent to families and staff on Friday, March 4th can be found here.
Kindergarten Registration
Historically at APS, kindergarten enrollment began in February. This year, due to necessary updates to our registration technology, the ‘official’ kindergarten registration period for the 2022-23 school year began on Tuesday, March 1st.
Should you need to register your child, please access the Kindergarten Student Registration link on our website.
For your reference, student eligibility requirements are as follows:
- Kindergarten: Children who will be 5 years old on or before August 31, 2022 and entering Kindergarten in the Andover Public Schools for the first time.
- First Grade: Children who will be age 6 on or before August 31, 2022 and enrolling in the Andover Public Schools for the first time.
We look forward to meeting all of our incoming students and families in the new school year!
Upcoming District Dates
School Calendar
- Early Release Day – Friday, March 18th
Holidays and Observances
- National Women’s History Month – March
- Music in Our Schools Month- March
- Holi – Friday, March 18th
Upcoming MCAS Dates – exact dates will be confirmed by your principals
Grades 3 – 8 Testing Windows:
- English Language Arts: March 28 – April 29
- Math: April 25 – May 27
- Science Technology Engineering (grades 5 & 8): April 26 – May 27
High School Testing Windows:
- Grade 10 English Language Arts: March 22 & 23
- Grade 10 Math: May 17 & 18
- Science Technology Engineering: June 7 & 8
School Committee
- The School Committee will hold its next regular meeting and public budget hearing on March 17th. The agenda will be posted up to 48 hours in advance on our website.
Community Updates
Calling all teen writers!
Memorial Hall Library is holding its 18th annual Teen Poetry Contest. They are accepting submissions from now until March 21st. Students interested in submitting up to three original poems, log onto to poetry.mhl.org
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 of each month from 9A-11A at the Robb Center at 30 Whittier Court.
Upcoming dates for 2022: 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
Andover Public Schools
Email: APScommunications@andoverma.us
Website: www.aps1.net
Location: 30 Whittier Court, Andover, MA, USA
Twitter: @AndoverPS