Warrior Wednesdays
News from the Andover Public School District
Tuesday, September 18, 2018- Special Edition
Superintendent's Message
Dear Parents and Staff,
You may notice a few changes to this Warrior Wednesday than previous editions. First, we are sending this a day early due to school being out on Wednesday. Second, we want to acknowledge the misfortune, disruption and tragedy of the last week, and express our gratitude to the town, our staff who responded to aid others, and our community’s first responders.
The events of last Thursday have affected all of us. Some of our families experienced fires in their homes. The school department, principals and social workers have reached out to those families and offered support as they work to make their lives whole again.
We are grateful that parents were able to send their children to school on Monday, enabling students to return to their established routines and learning experiences. These familiar routines give students a sense of physical safety, emotional security, and predictability.
Dr. Ryan Fielding, clinical director for Andover Public Schools, brought a group of therapeutic comfort dogs from Lutheran Charities to the district to support students. These dogs are specially trained and have responded to crises in schools. They were a welcome respite for the children and staff.
We appreciate the concerted efforts of multiple agencies and individuals that brought the recovery to this point. Cafeterias, school buses and other services operated seamlessly. A special word of thanks goes to our caring and dependable custodial staff who were in the schools on Sunday making preparations for the students’ return.
We want to express our deepest gratitude to those on the front lines of this crisis, our police and fire departments, gas company workers, community services staff, and maintenance staff. While the area was being evacuated, these teams were our first responders and remained throughout the crisis to ensure public safety. First responders always face unknown dangers, and last week is a great example of the personal risks they take to ensure our community is safe.
Many of our teachers, administrators and school committee members immediately volunteered their time and worked tirelessly over the weekend alongside the Red Cross in the Senior Center and Youth Center. I am so proud of their commitment to the community.
As a community, the coming weeks and months will be about working toward recovery, both physically and emotionally. At our schools, our primary focus is on the students and their well-being. We recognize that the effects of traumatic experiences aren’t always visible or immediate. If you or your child finds they need assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out. The key is to communicate with each other.
Earlier this week, Governor Charlie Baker met with town managers, Andrew Flanagan and Andrew Maylor, and the Lawrence Mayor to announce the formation of a fund to provide humanitarian assistance to those in need. The Greater Lawrence Disaster Relief Fund is part of the Essex County Community Foundation. If you would like to donate to this Relief Fund, more information can be found here: http://www.eccf.org/LawrenceEmergencyFund
Our first home varsity football game will be with Lawrence High School this Friday, September 21st at 7 p.m. at Lovely Stadium. We plan to offer a moment of reflection and honor the first responders from both communities before the game. We hope you can join us.
We wanted to share some photos of the great work of our town’s first responders, students and community. Thanks to all who have contributed to the effectiveness of the response to this crisis.
Sincerely,
Shelley Berman
Superintendent
APS COMMUNITY NEWS
AHS Facility Study Committee Community Meeting- October 2nd
The Andover High School Facility Study Committee continues to examine options for a building renovation that will address the capacity and condition of the school and the quality of the learning environment. The mission of the High School Facilities Study Committee is to review the facility needs at Andover High School and recommend potential renovations to update building systems, relieve overcrowding, and improve instructional program capabilities.
At 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 2, the Committee will brief parents and the community on the various options they have been studying. There will be a tour of the building at 6pm prior to the meeting. We hope you will be able to attend this very important meeting at the Collins Center. The Committee has developed a “Frequently Asked Questions” document that can be found at www.aps1.net
The Biden Center for Cancer Research comes to the Andover Portal- September 21st
In cooperation with the Biden Cancer Initiative, the Andover Portal and Shared_Studios is hosting Cancer Fierce, a series of open conversations at their first ever Summit with patients, researchers, doctors, caregivers, medical students, and the friends and family of those impacted by cancer.
The Biden Cancer Initiative, founded by former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden and his wife Jill, is a non-profit organization that seeks to accelerate progress in cancer prevention, diagnosis, and care.
We want to connect participants at the Summit to people who work to treat, or are affected by, cancer around the world. If you’re a patient, doctor, student, or family or friend of someone who has dealt with cancer, please join us at the Andover Senior Center on Friday, September 21st at 2:30PM to share your perspective.
For more information on participating in this unique opportunity; please contact Steve Chinosi at stephen.chinosi@andoverma.us
Andover Public Schools
Email: nicole.kieser@andoverma.us
Website: www.aps1.net
Location: 36 Bartlet Street, Andover, MA, USA
Phone: 978-247-7000
Twitter: @AndoverPS