All Around APS
News from the Andover Public Schools - January 28, 2022
TOWN OF ANDOVER STORM CENTER
On Saturday, January 29th, all school and town activities are cancelled including recreation and youth services programs. Memorial Hall Library will be closed.
For the most updated information on the storm, visit the town's Storm Center webpage.
APS PRIDE
STEMpede! AHS Women in STEM Club visits West Middle School
On Thursday, January 27th, almost 100 students at West Middle School had the opportunity to explore the sciences! STEMpede was an event organized by the AHS Women in STEM Club and meant to introduce different scientific disciplines to middle school students. AHS student leaders from each science club (Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science Environmental Science, Math, Medicine, Physics, and Robotics) presented an activity or demonstration in their fields to inspire younger students to participate in STEM.
AHS students receive College Board National Recognition Program Awards
AHS students Kijari Boyd (‘22) and Jeffrey Conners (‘22) are the recipients of the National African American Recognition Award and the National Indigenous Recognition Award, respectively, by the College Board National Recognition program. Kijari and Jeffrey are being honored for their academic achievements in school and outstanding achievements during their high school career.
Annual Shenk Tank Competition at Doherty Middle School
Doherty Middle School 8A students faced off in the 8th annual Shenk Tank competition, created by DMS science teacher Mollie Shenker. A spin-off of the popular TV show Shark Tank, Shenk Tank competitors present inventions that provide solutions to everyday problems. The presentations demonstrate the student's ability to design a device that minimizes or maximizes thermal energy transfer. These amazing students gave us a sneak peak of their futures careers as engineers and inventors.
The 3 finalist groups Pictured from left to right:
Ms. Shenker, Meara Wang, Mattea Lehmann, Celeste Miner, Anqi Pan, Alyssa Nguyen, Mikayla DeLuca, Grace Merenda, Jesse Zuniga, Rose Kiley
From the desk of Dr. Parvey
I am pleased to report to our staff and families that the preliminary operating budget for the 2023 fiscal year was unanimously approved at the January 27th School Committee meeting.
The recommended budget to the town falls below the recommendation from the town manager (3.68% versus 3.75%). My administrative team has worked diligently to meet all obligations, increase budgets for student activities, invest in instructional technology and reduce student fees.
Some of the major initiatives introduced in the FY23 budget will expand supports for students with emotional and behavioral needs, expand instructional support for math in grades K-8, and will begin curriculum development across all grades and content areas.
Additionally, we have set aside funding to add school buses to improve service on routes and have proposed a reduction in the transportation fee for grades 7-12 from $300 to $200.
My presentation to School Committee can be viewed here. Once passed by the School Committee, the budget is reviewed by the town’s Select Board and the Finance Committee before being brought to voters for approval at Town Meeting. This year’s Town Meeting will be held in June.
Magda Parvey Ed. D.
Superintendent
District Notes
COVID-19: DESE’s At-Home testing program at APS
Andover Public Schools will be participating in this new At-Home testing program. DESE will begin delivery of test kits for staff and students in the coming weeks. Once we have the tests on-hand, we will notify staff and families when they can anticipate test kits. Kits will be distributed to students at school buildings.
Students and staff who participate will receive one kit every two weeks to test themselves – 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 these new testing protocols, school administrators and nurses will no longer be performing the Test & Stay option or individualized contact tracing once the test kits are distributed to students and staff. Quarantining will no longer be required for students and staff who may be close contacts in school.
Important information regarding the program:
- DESE’s Weekly At-Home program is optional for staff and students, regardless of vaccination status.
- Families and staff must opt-in to participate.
- Families can opt-in via the Aspen Portal. Parents/Guardians must fill out the form for each child they wish to participate.
- Staff should visit our APS COVID-19 webpage to opt-in to the program.
Please visit the APS COVID-19 webpage for updated information. As a reminder, all students, staff, and visitors at Andover Public Schools are required to wear masks while indoors per the School Committee mask policy. This is regardless of vaccination status and applies to all grade levels (PreK-12).
We encourage you to reach out to our nursing team if you have any questions.
Upcoming Dates & Community Updates
Holidays and Observances
- Lunar New Year – February 1st
- Black History Month - February
Discover AHS – Calling all 8th grade students & families!
AHS administrators are excited to share with 8th grade families an overview of what Andover High School has to offer. We will be hosting our Andover High School At-A-Glance program virtually on Monday, January 31, 2022. We will share a video with families on Sunday, January 30, 2022, along with a google form where you can enter any questions you might have after viewing the video.
To register to attend the AHS At-A-Glance program for rising freshman, please use this link.
Kindergarten Registration begins March 1st
We always look forward to the excitement of kindergarten enrollment and welcoming students into our elementary schools in September. Historically at APS, kindergarten enrollment began in February. This year, due to necessary updates to our registration technology, the ‘official’ kindergarten registration period will begin on Tuesday, March 1st.
Beginning March 1st, please access the Kindergarten Student Registration link on our website. Additional information on registration and kindergarten screening information will be shared in the coming weeks.
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: (New to Andover /Andover Public Schools) - Children who will be age 6 on or before August 31, 2022 and enrolling in the Andover Public Schools for the first time.
Shawsheen Preschool Registration for September 2022
If you are interested in your child attending the Shawsheen Preschool program in September 2022, please email Mary Kay Poe (marykay.poe@andoverma.us). Your name will be added to the prospective parent list, and you will receive information directly about our Spring Open House (March 2022) and Peer Screening appointments for Fall 2022 enrollment.
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
Phone: 978-247-7000
Twitter: @AndoverPS