Warrior Wednedsays
News from the Andover Public School District
Wednesday, April 10, 2019 - vol. 29
STEM Goes RED!
Bipasha Ray is not your typical AHS sophomore. She spends her summers in India and Nepal spreading awareness about heart health and helping diagnose rural children with rheumatic heart disease. Last week, Bipasha and her sister, Meghna (AHS ‘16), inspired high school girls to follow in their footsteps at the second-annual STEM Goes Red in New York City. STEM Goes Red is the American Heart Association’s new initiative to empower high school aged girls to pursue STEM careers and become driving forces for health in their communities.
Bispasha was featured on local news segment about her work. Nice work Bispasha!
Students Spotlight- the Warrior Way
On Friday, April 12, 2019, Andover High School students will participate in the 10th annual Warrior Way program. Warrior Way was started in 2009 by AHS Physical Education teacher Carol Martini and her students. The original program brought 50 high school athletes into fifth grade P.E. classes to mentor younger students on the meaning of good sportsmanship and teamwork.
The Warrior Way program has grown significantly in the last decade, and this year’s team will have an estimated 250 team leaders visiting all five elementary schools for day-long mentorship. The program has expanded to include student mentors who aren’t necessarily athletes. Any high school student who exemplifies the mission of the program can participate. AHS students are nominated by their peers and approved by school leadership in order to participate.
This year’s AHS student chairpersons are seniors Matthew Schuhwerk, Nicholas Zalanskas, Matthew Potts, Joanna Archambault, Jordan Clements, Daniella Tagliaferri and juniors Shamus Florio, Libby Pustis, Caroline Frasier, and John Marshall. They fondly recall the program when they were in elementary school, and are thrilled to become role models for younger “Warriors.”
Their mentorship is twofold. As chairpersons, they have the opportunity to meet other high school students who they might not have met if it wasn’t for the Warrior Way program. They know the elementary students look to them as leaders; providing examples of respect for others and all that embodies the Warrior Way. The leadership of Warrior Way say that it’s a great experience and an opportunity to develop leadership skills while providing a strong foundation of character, teamwork, effort and sportsmanship to all students.
Featured Teachers- Warrior Way Advisors
While AHS Physical Education teacher Carol Martini retired last year, the future of the Warrior Way program was never in doubt. Assistant Athletic Director Kerry Cashman and Physical Education teacher Brittany McNally have embraced the program’s mission, and are excited to lead this year’s event.
Kerry and Brittany are committed to maintaining the integrity of the program. As APS assistant athletic director, the Warrior Way program gives Kerry the opportunity to be involved with a broad range of APS students. Brittany is in her first year at AHS, and welcomes the chance to lead the program into its future.
While the genesis of the program was focused on athletics, the program has evolved and is inclusive of students from all backgrounds and talents. Students need to be of high character to be chosen for the Warrior Way program. Brittany and Kerry say it is a great opportunity for building responsibility in high school students, and they look forward to continuing the program for years to come.
Superintendent's Message
The Warrior Way program is one hallmark of what makes Andover such a great community. Service to others is an integral part of APS’s Theory of Action; and one of our goals is to provide children with the inspiration to be connected and compassionate citizens who contribute to a diverse and global society.
We encourage our students to engage in service learning as early as preschool. At Shawsheen, children and parents join the faculty on a Saturday each fall and spring for a Beautification Day, where as a community, they rake, plant and add mulch to the preschool grounds.
Our elementary schools also provide opportunities for our students to take on a larger role in their community. West Elementary has donated approximately $30,000 for their sister school, The Beverly School in Kenya, through their annual Walk to School and Quarters for Kenya. West El’s student council runs 3-5 “Walk to School” events per year, each event’s proceeds going to a different charity. Bancroft Elementary’s “Big B” store raises money for the Special Olympics, and their students fill the police cars for Toys for Tots each year. South Elementary students donate to Tully’s Bikes, founded by South student Tully O’Keeffe. Tully’s charity donates bikes and helmets to girls in Vietnam, so they may have access to transportation to schools. Sanborn Elementary has partnered with Aaron’s Presents, a youth development organization that empowers kids to help others and give in their own unique ways, for the past 4 years. High Plain Elementary collects food donations throughout the school year for Neighbors in Need of Greater Lawrence.
Wood Hill Middle School recently hosted “No One Eats Alone” day, a lunchtime school event created by students that seeks to reverse the trends of social isolation by asking students to engage in a simple act of kindness at lunch. West Middle School debuted the Where Everybody Belongs (WEB) program, every sixth grader is paired with an eighth grader as they navigate their first year in middle school. West Middle recently held their second annual “Cause Day”, culminating a two-week drive for various charities.
With the Red Sox home opener this week, our schools also raised awareness for Dana Farber’s “Strike Out Cancer” fundraiser. The annual event celebrates the start of baseball season, and students and faculty show their support for the team while supporting the fight against cancer.
Most of our schools acknowledge our veterans and their service to our country. Doherty Middle School students participate in town ceremonies by reading the Gettysburg Address on Memorial Day, singing the national anthem for September 11th ceremonies, and Doherty’s orchestra and chorus perform at the Veterans’ Day luncheon.
From the examples of their parents, guardians and educators, APS students have stepped into leadership positions within APS and their community. Our students are active in many extra-curricular activities and clubs that enhance their engagement to their community. Our Student Government Associations represent our students’ interests and encourages civic responsibility. Our middle schools participate in Project 351 each year, a Massachusetts initiative of youth-led service and leadership. Our Global Pathways students participate in community service when they travel to other countries, connecting them to a greater global awareness. Students in our AHS Environmental Club work toward creating sustainable solutions within our community.
Community service teaches us that we can have an impact on making our world a better place. It develops character, leadership skills and a positive attitude toward community engagement. We commend the students, faculty and administrators who step forward each day to be of service to our others and offer a special thanks to those who are participating in Warrior Way this Friday for the example they set.
Shelley Berman
Superintendent
APS Community News
Credit for Life Fair at AHS
Andover High School seniors participated in the third annual Credit for Life fair on Tuesday. This financial program is designed to guide high school seniors to make sound financial decisions as they prepare for life beyond graduation.
The event assigned students a “profession” and a “salary” and students visited vendors to make purchasing decisions within their budget. During the course of the fair, students encountered real-life unexpected occurrences, such as car repairs, medical expenses, and insurance.
The Credit for Life fair is in partnership with the Service Club of Andover. Andover High School offers its gratitude to Fair Coordinator David Floreen and Executive Vice President Brad Heim of the Service Club, along with the countless businesses and organizations from the community who volunteered their time and expertise. Andover High School also received a Financial Literacy innovation Grant from the Massachusetts Office of the State Treasurer to support the event.
Andover Town Meeting- April 29 & 30
Andover Town Meeting will be held Monday, April 29 & Tuesday, April 30th at 7pm at the Collins Center at Andover High School. So that parents may participate in Town Meeting, the Andover Education Association (AEA) will be offering free child care onsite at AHS on April 29th. Andover Recreation will be providing child care for subsequent nights at $5 per child with signup available on their website.
Town Meeting is convened annually to adopt an operating budget and to consider other matters such as zoning changes, town purchases, by-law additions and amendments. The business of each Town Meeting is contained in a document known as "the warrant,” which is mailed to all registered voters as part of the Finance Committee Report.
Every article at Town Meeting is important and will have an impact on the town, but these specific articles have particular bearing on Andover schools, community projects, or general interest.
The 2019 Town Meeting book will arrive at your house prior to Town Meeting, and you can view the warrant on the town website here.
AHS SeaPerch Sharks & Orcas teams to Compete Nationally!
Andover High School SeaPerch underwater robotics teams competed last Friday in the regional competition at the University of New Hampshire. Austin Prep edged out the AHS Sharks for first place, but by coming in second the AHS Sharks earned a spot at Nationals. They will now compete in the SeaPerch Challenge at the University of Maryland, College Park in June. Curtis Lee, Bill Chen, Omkar Savkur, Alex Zeng and Daniel Ivanovich make up the Shark team.
After competing all day Friday, the AHS SeaPerch teams went back to the lab Friday evening and spent several hours tweaking and fixing their Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROV) to get ready for the Northern New England SeaPerch Regional Competition in Brunswick, Maine on Saturday.
The Orcas, another of AHS’s SeaPerch teams, came in second place at the regional competition and also earned a spot in Nationals. Sarvesh Handa, Aadith Arasu, Adarsh Arasu, Henry Chen and Yashas Honnavalli make up the Orcas team.
SeaPerch is an underwater robotics program where students build Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROV) from easily accessible parts, such as PVC pipes and small direct current motors. Students follow a curriculum that teaches basic engineering and science concepts with a marine engineering theme. The SeaPerch Program provides students with the opportunity to learn about robotics, engineering, science, and mathematics (STEM) while building an underwater ROV as part of a science and engineering technology curriculum.
Boston Globe Announces All-Scholastics
Congratulations to the athletes who were honored as winter All-Scholastics by the Boston Globe! The Globe salutes the best high school athletes, and APS athletes made this season’s list. AHS Basketball senior Gia Bramanti, AHS Girls’ Hockey senior Sean D’Urso, AHS Girls’ Indoor Track senior Delia Barbanti, and Boys Ski Team senior Jason Denoncourt were honored.
APS coaches made the list as well. Congratulations to AHS Girls Hockey Coach Kevin Drew and AHS Girls Indoor Track coach Peter Comeau; both nominated as “Coach of the Year.”
Ethan Coyle was also nominated as 2019 Student Athlete Nominee by the Lawrence Eagle Tribune. Check out Ethan’s interview here!
April 8-12 is National Assistant Principals Week!
This week, we celebrate our Assistant Principals and their contributions to student success in our schools. The week was created by the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NASSP) and the American Federation of School Administrators.
APS appreciates our elementary, middle and high school Assistant Principals for their hard work and dedication to providing leadership to their schools and communities for the purpose of improving the education of our youth. For ideas on how to honor an assistant principal, click here.
Community Service Day at Wood Hill Middle School- April 26, 2019
On Friday, April 26th students from the 7 East team of Wood Hill Middle School will take part in a community service day. This day of service aligns with 7 East’s study of the novella Seedfolks, a narrative which tells the story of a community garden and the individuals who founded it.
The students first began their study of community in January. They conducted field work and observed professionals in their fields and asked questions about the daily tasks accomplished by police officers, bankers, teachers, historians, and town officials. These people helped the group to understand how their individual tasks form a community with common goals and missions.
Wood Hill Middle School 7 East Team needs your help! What community projects should the students take on that day? The students need ideas and input. Please contact WHMS Principal Patrick Bucco at pbucco@aps1.net and 7 East teacher Cameron Wood at cwood@aps1.net with your suggestions.
ACE's March Madness
Andover Coalition for Education (ACE) March Madness event was a success, as more than 170 people gathered for the fifth annual event. Through ACE’s online auction and Saturday evening’s fundraiser, ACE raised over $50,000 to support innovative district-wide initiatives.
All five members of the School Committee, Superintendent Shelley Berman and guests were able to travel to Mexico City in the Andover Portal. Guests were also able to visit a “classroom library” and preview the children’s books being introduced into all K-5 elementary classrooms, thanks to funding support by ACE. To learn more about ACE, please visit www.aceandover.org.
April is National Poetry Month!
The Student Government team at West Elementary celebrates National Poetry Month by writing the verses to thank the Warrior Way team visiting West El this Friday!
Our day at West El had just begun…..
The warriors arrived and we had some fun!
These students practice every High Five rule-
They worked well with others in our school.
Every class got not just one warrior, but two!
Warriors who wanted to be with you!
Looking at them, they may be quite a bit taller
But they all know how to make big problems smaller!
They know when to ask for help in any situation-
They have had over ten years of education!
They work well with others and care about classmates-
All those actions are truly GREAT!
To come to WEST and not model good behavior would be absurd!!!
So I am sure you saw them all in control of body and __________!
We are excited that the big kids decided to stop by.
We always welcome to West the Warriors from Andover High!
So maybe one day you all will be the best of the best
You can come back and visit your old teachers at West
So live by the high five rules and be the best you can be
And you will be a model citizen for all to see!
School Bus, Van Drivers and Monitors Needed!
NRT Bus, Inc. is currently looking for drivers and will train CDL and 7D drivers, with bonuses upon completion of training. For more information, please call Beth Paulino at 978-697-1174 or email: epaulino@nrtbus.com
Editor's Note
Contact Us
Email: nicole.kieser@andoverma.us
Website: aps1.net
Location: 36 Bartlet Street, Andover, MA, USA
Phone: 978-247-7000
Twitter: @AndoverPS