All Around APS
News from the Andover Public Schools - May 6, 2022
APS PRIDE
AHS Senior Receives National Merit Scholarship & Student of the Year
Congratulations to Jade Nair, AHS Class of 2022, on receiving a corporate-sponsored merit scholarship from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. National Merit Scholarship candidates are judged to have the strongest combination of academic skills and achievements, extracurricular accomplishments, and potential for success in rigorous college studies.
Jade has served on her Class Board all through high school and is the founder/president of the Lean In Club. She is a member of the Computer Science Club (co-president), Environmental Club (marketing lead), and the Andover Robotics Club. Jade is a volunteer intern for Energize Andover and a member of Merrimack Valley NAACP Youth Council.
In addition to her National Merit Scholarship, Jade will be honored as the Andover Rotary Club’s “Citizens Who Care” Student of the Year for 2022. She will attend Harvard University in the fall.
AHS Junior completes Sled Hockey Season
AHS junior, Brian Donovan, loves playing hockey and has been playing on the Northeast Passage Wildcats Sled Hockey team for the past six years. Sled hockey is an ice sport that allows individuals with disabilities the opportunity to enjoy and participate in the popular winter sport. Each Youth Sled Hockey team is aligned with an NHL team, the Northeast Passage team partners with the Boston Bruins.
This season, Brian has played in multiple national tournaments, including the Disabled Hockey Festival and the NHL Sled Hockey Classic. Brian is looking forward to resuming sled hockey in the fall and hopes one day to play internationally.
AHS DECA Students compete in International Conference
Congratulations to the four AHS students who qualified and recently attended the DECA International Career Development Conference in Atlanta, GA. DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America) is an association of marketing students that encourages the development of business and leadership skills through academic conferences and competitions.
Emily Flanagan competed in an event called Business Services Marketing and finished with a top test score and as an International Finalist. She qualified by placing second at the state conference in Boston. She received a medal for placing in the top 10 for the written exam.
Shawna Chu and Suvir Virmani competed in an event called Independent Business Plan at the conference in Atlanta. They wrote a paper to start a business of a sustainable living community. At the state competition in Boston, they placed second.
Emily Jundi ran a successful campaign last year for state office and has worked diligently all year on the Massachusetts State Action Team. She attended the conference in Atlanta in an advisory capacity as a Massachusetts State Action team member.
APS Announces new Athletic Director
We are pleased to announce that Wayne Puglisi has been chosen to be the new Athletic Director for Andover Public Schools. Wayne has been working as a physical education teacher with APS since 1998. Wayne began his coaching career in 1992. He has served as an assistant and head coach of lacrosse, football and winter track teams in Londonderry, Winchester, Timberland Regional High School and Andover.
In his time at Andover, Wayne has demonstrated strong leadership, earning the esteem of our coaches, parents, student athletes, athletic staff and colleagues across the school district. Wayne’s appointment follows the retirement of Bill Martin. Congratulations to Wayne and we wish Bill the best with his future plans.
APS HAPPENING & UPCOMING EVENTS
SEL in Action- Birds of a Feather
Second grade students at West Elementary recently completed an interdisciplinary art lesson on the saying “Birds of a Feather,” learning how birds migrate and flock with other birds of the same species. With a focus on relationship skills, West El art teachers encouraged groups of students to change the old proverb to be more inclusive: “Birds of ANY feather flock together.” While each lesson was different, students were able to share their stories with one another, which strengthened West El’s second grade community.
Sixth Annual AHS Global Summit
On Friday, April 29, 2022, AHS students in the Global Pathways Program attended the 6th annual Global Summit, funded by the AHS PAC. Students gathered for a day of workshops and design challenges. The theme this year was the Preservation of Language and Culture. Students participated in workshops such as Henna Art, Lei Design, a Portal connection with Rwanda, rock painting and Salsa dance lessons.
All workshops were hosted by our student leaders and community members. The afternoon design challenge was based on Cultural Heritage and Traditions. Students worked in teams to identify different examples of cultural heritage and design ways to preserve these traditions. It was a wonderful and engaging day for our students!
Diversity Fair at AHS – May 17th
The DEI Student Advisory Committee will host a Diversity Fair in the AHS café on Tuesday, May 17, 2022 from 4-6 p.m. The fair is designed to connect middle and high schoolers with opportunities for involvement in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts within a variety of fields and interests.
This fair will be a way for AHS student clubs/organizations to showcase their work and specifically highlight diversity and inclusion efforts within their field to students. The DEI Student Advisory Committee hopes to make this an opportunity for clubs to recruit from a diverse group of students.
Andover Robotics Club hosts 2nd annual Andover STEAM fair – May 19th
The Andover Robotics Club will be hosting its second annual Andover STEAM Fair for middle and high school students on May 19, 2022 from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m., at the Andover High School Media Center. The fair aims to bridge the gap between STEAM courses available to students at school and the professional paths existing in these fields. Many students have yet to discover the opportunities becoming readily available in these industries. The Andover Robotics Club hopes that the STEAM Fair will highlight the accessibility and diversity of STEAM careers and participation.
Community Meeting on the New West Elementary and Shawsheen Preschool – June 7th
On Tuesday, June 7, 2022 at 6:30 p.m., Andover Public Schools will host a virtual meeting to update the community on the new West Elementary and Shawsheen Preschool. Construction began on the project during April vacation. The new West El is expected to open for the start of the 2024-25 school year and the new Shawsheen is expected to open for the start of the 2025-26 school year.
The purpose of the meeting is to update the community, particularly families with students who will attend West El this fall, on the project and what to expect when school starts up again, including the changes in traffic patterns, parking, and drop off/pick up procedures that will take place during the construction.
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.
From the Desk of Dr. Parvey
National Nurses’ Week begins on Friday, May 6th and I had the opportunity to celebrate our APS Nursing Team and recognize them for their commitment to our students and families. I would like to share my thanks to APS’s Director of Nursing, Rita Casper, and her entire team for their care and dedication, especially during the pandemic. Their expertise provided the guidance needed to bring our staff and students safely back to our classrooms.
Nurses Make a Difference is this year’s theme, and we are grateful for our APS nurses who have made a difference in our community!
During this Mother's Day weekend, we wish all mothers a very happy and peaceful Mother's Day.
Magda Parvey, Ed.D.
Superintendent
A Message from the Andover School Committee
Teacher Appreciation Week is celebrated across the country the first week in May and the Andover School Committee extends our deepest appreciation to APS teachers and all employees for your dedication to the education of APS students. The contributions that each of you make provide for meaningful and creative educational experiences throughout our district. The many challenges of the last two years were no match for your commitment to Andover’s children and for that we are grateful.
- Lauren Conoscenti, Emily DiCesaro, Susan McCready, Tracey Spruce, and Sandis Wright.
DISTRICT UPCOMING DATES & NOTES
School Calendar
- Nurses’ Appreciation Week – May 6 – May 12, 2022
- Memorial Day (no school) – Monday, May 30, 2022
Holidays and Observances
- Vesak Day – Monday, May 16, 2022
School Committee
The School Committee will hold its next regular meeting on May 19, 2022. The agenda will be posted up to 48 hours in advance on our website.
School Committee Informal Forum – Saturday, May 14th
The School Committee welcomes the community to join an informal forum at Memorial Hall Library on Saturday, May 14, 2022 from 9:30 -11 a.m. These forums have no set agenda, and the community is welcome to drop in at any time to speak with two members of the School Committee on any topics related to our schools.
Because these sessions are attended by only two School Committee members, they allow an interactive dialogue outside of the Open Meeting Law legal parameters. Issues raised at the forum that might require further discussion with the entire School Committee will be communicated during a regular business meeting.
COMMUNITY UPDATES - From the Town of Andover
DPW announces finalists for the “Name the Plow” contest!
Will it be the Blizzard Wizard, Plowdy Duty, SnowBeGoneKenobi, or one of the other creative names submitted to the town’s Department of Public Works’ “Name the Plow" contest? View the finalists and vote for your favorite here.
Andover Arts and Culture Community Mixer – May 25th
All are invited to attend the Andover Arts and Culture Community Mixer on May 25, 2022. Enjoy informal networking and meeting local artists and those interested in arts & culture. The event is the first of more to come as the town prepares for the fall 2022 Arts & Culture Summit.
For more information and to RSVP, please reach Ann Ormond.
Andover Youth Town Hall – May 19th
Andover DIVERSE is hosting a Youth Town Hall at the Cormier Youth Center on Thursday, May 19, 2022 from 6-8 p.m. State Representative Tram Nguyen will serve as a featured speaker. The event will welcome all Andover middle and high school students to share their thoughts on a variety of town-related topics.
Andover DIVERSE is focused on advancing community-driven initiatives and engagement with the goal of building a more inclusive Andover. For more information visit www.andoverma.gov/diverse
Andover’s Master Plan
The Town of Andover is embarking on an update to the Town’s 2012 Master Plan. We need Andover residents to share their priorities for future policy and decision making that will affect the future of the Town of Andover by our Boards, Committees, and Commissions. This is an important task, and we hope that you will participate. The survey is anonymous, unless you fill in your name and email at the end of the survey. It will only take approximately 12-15 minutes in total. Survey link to participate is here.
About Us
Email: APSCommunications@andoverma.us
Website: aps1.net
Location: 30 Whittier Court, Andover, MA, USA
Twitter: @AndoverPS