All Around APS
News from the Andover Public Schools - June 6, 2022
APS PRIDE
AHS student demonstration
On Thursday, May 25th, Andover High School students organized a demonstration to express their concern over recent mass shootings across the country. Students described their grief and highlighted the impacts of gun violence, particularly focused on the incidents in Buffalo, NY and Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, TX. The students worked with the school administration to coordinate an organized and peaceful event.
Memorial Day Observances
In a time-honored tradition, an eighth-grade student from Doherty Middle School is invited to participate in the Town of Andover’s Memorial Day ceremony each year. This year, Jesse Zuniga did an amazing job reciting the Gettysburg Address as part of the community event.
AHS Seniors celebrate final week with a ‘Last Lap’
The AHS Class of 2022 donned their caps and gowns and boarded the buses one last time to visit their elementary schools on Friday, May 27th. Seniors shared high-fives with elementary students and teachers as they celebrated their last week. Graduation is right around the corner for our senior class!
Portrait of a Graduate
Work began last week in developing a ‘Portrait of a Graduate’, a collective vision that articulates the district’s aspirations for every student in Andover Public Schools. Our shared goal is that all of our students have an educational experience that prepares them to be lifelong learners and contributors today and tomorrow. The goal of the district’s Design Team, comprised of students, staff, administrators and families, is the completion of a final PreK-12 district-wide vision and implementation plan for June 2023.
APS HAPPENINGS
Track & Field Day at Lovely Field
Thursday, June 2nd brought the return of the annual Coach Art Iworsley Track and Field event for APS 4th & 5th grade students. Nice to see the students competing in-person this year!
West Elementary & Shawsheen Groundbreaking
A rainy day didn't stop students, local and state officials on Friday, June 3rd, as they celebrated the West Elementary and Shawsheen Preschool project ceremonial groundbreaking. After many years of planning, construction of the new West Elementary and Shawsheen Preschool began during this April’s school recess. 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. This is an exciting project which will offer many benefits to our students, families and to the whole Andover community.
State Representative visits High Plain Elementary
High Plain third graders were lucky to have the opportunity to meet and ask questions of State Representative Tram Nguyen, who represents the Essex 18th District. High Plain students learned about local and state government as Representative Nguyen explained how she listens to her constituents and works on preparing bills that may one day become laws. She shared that diversity in the state legislature is a priority for her. Representative Nguyen is the first Vietnamese American elected as a representative in Massachusetts.
Career Day at AHS
Andover High School presented its first annual Career Day/Speaker Series last week. Open to all AHS students, the day featured almost 40 professionals, who shared their journey to their current careers. Students were encouraged to ask questions, and hopefully, were inspired about their own future career paths.
From the Desk of Dr. Parvey
As the AHS class of 2022 prepares to graduate today, I want to congratulate our students for their accomplishments. I have been honored to spend time with our seniors throughout my first year as superintendent. Their high school experience has been unpredictable to say the least, and their resilience and dedication are values they will bring with them in their future endeavors.
As educators, the work we do is always in service to our students. I can say without hesitation, our students are an impressive group of talented young adults, who are committed to making an impact on the world. I am impressed, amazed and proud at their many accomplishments such as their leadership in social justice initiatives, their achievements in athletics, arts and academics, and their respect for their peers, administrators, and educators. I offer my congratulations to our graduating seniors and families.
For our students and staff who still have a few weeks left in school, I know this has been a challenging year for us all, stay focused – summer is right around the corner!
Magda Parvey
Superintendent
DISTRICT UPCOMING DATES & NOTES
- Last day of school for students (Early Release Day) – Thursday, June 16, 2022
- Shavuot* - Sunday, June 5, 2022
- Juneteenth – Sunday, June 19, 2022
- June is Pride Month
School Committee
The School Committee will hold its next regular meeting on June 16, 2022. The agenda will be posted up to 48 hours in advance on our website.
School Committee Informal Forum – Thursday, June 9th
The School Committee welcomes the community to join an informal forum at Memorial Hall Library on Thursday, June 9, 2022 from 7- 8:30 p.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.
ANDOVER SEPAC Survey
Andover Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) invites you to share your experiences with special education in the Andover Public Schools during the 2021-2022 school year. This survey is anonymous and will be used to guide SEPAC in supporting our families, as well as planning for speakers and events for the upcoming school year. Results will be shared with the SEPAC Executive Board and aggregate data will be presented to APS administration and the Andover School Committee. Please take 5-10 minutes to complete the survey. Questions or comments may be sent to SEPAC Co-Chairs Lauren Kinney (AndoverSEPAC.Chair1@gmail.com) and Melissa Irvin (AndoverSEPACchair@gmail.com).
West Elementary & Shawsheen Preschool Building Project Update
The West Elementary & Shawsheen Preschool Building Committee made the decision at its most recent meeting to reduce some construction features, as well as to move available money within the project’s budget and to use some of the contingency funds. These steps were made in order to address a construction budget shortfall of approximately $5.5 million, due to market conditions including supply chain issues, fuel costs and the war in Ukraine.
While difficult, this decision allows the project to move forward without an impact on education and with only a limited impact on the overall look and feel of the new school. Moreover, the bidding process will be designed in a way that will allow some of the reduced construction features to be restored should future circumstances allow. The meeting’s presentation can be found on our webpage. Andover TV has a recording of that meeting for the public’s viewing.
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. 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.
COMMUNITY UPDATES - From the Town of Andover
Andover Youth Services Steering Committee Seeks Community Input
The Town of Andover’s Andover Youth Services Steering Committee has worked to create an employee profile for the next Director of Andover Youth Services. The Steering Committee is interested in the public’s feedback about how the Selection Committee should prioritize and weigh the different skills, attributes and qualities of the next Director.
Please take a moment to fill out the Committee’s survey which can be found here. Feedback from this form will be given to the selection panel as they begin screening applications and interviewing possible candidates. It is our hope that the results will show the community's priorities in hiring the next director of this important town's resource. You may also submit feedback by emailing NextDirector@andoverma.us
To view Andover Youth Services Steering Committee Meetings, Minutes, and to follow the Committee’s work and progress visit www.andoverma.gov/AYSSteeringCommittee
About Us
Email: APSCommunications@andoverma.us
Website: aps1.net
Location: 30 Whittier Court, Andover, MA, USA
Twitter: @AndoverPS