Coyote Chronicles
April 3, 2023
A message from the principal
April is here and it is time to welcome in our newest group of Coyotes, better known as “The Class of 2036,” to Andover Elementary. As a principal, it is one of my favorite days of the year when I get to see the excitement on the faces of four and five year olds as they enter the school and take their first bus ride.
This year we will hold our Kindergarten Welcome Night on Wednesday, April 5.
I also enjoy this time because of the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCA). Students in grades 3, 4, and 5 will take the MCA in reading and mathematics. Students in grade 5 will also take a science test. The tests are a snapshot of students’ learning based on the grade-level standards. We know how hard the staff and Coyotes have worked this year and it is time to show everyone what we’ve learned.
MCA Testing Dates:
April 18, 19, 20
Grade 3 Reading or Math
Grades 4 & 5 Reading
April 25, 26, 27
Grade 3 Reading or Math
Grades 4 & 5 Math
May 8 & 9
Grade 5 Science
Helpful Tips for Testing Days:
Good attendance is a key factor for overall student success. Please make sure your child is at school.
Get plenty of rest and a good night’s sleep.
Eat healthy, balanced meals, and have a good breakfast.
Remind your child not to get discouraged if they don’t know an answer.
Encourage your child to do their best.
Kindergarten Welcome Night Wednesday, April 5th
Last names beginning with A-K
Register 4:30 - 4:45 PM
Program 4:45 - 5:30 PM
Last names beginning with L-Z
Register 5:45 - 6:00 PM
Program 6:00 - 6:45 PM
Welcome Night will be in the South gym. Park in the South parking lot and enter Door 9. Please bring these items with you to Kindergarten Welcome Night if you haven't already submitted them:
- Copy of your child's birth certificate
- Copy of your child's immunization records
- Copy of the early childhood screening, if screened in another district.
Lost & Found
We have all of our lost and found items on display near the office.
Teachers walk students by the display and encourage them to look for any items that might be theirs.
Please talk with your child(ren) about items missing from home and have them take a close look for their belongings.
We will be donating unclaimed lost and found items. The last day to claim your child's item(s) is the end of the day on April 21st.
Track and Field T-Shirt Ordering Online Store NOW OPEN
Track and Field day is coming on May 18th! (More event details coming in early May.)
Each grade has a designated color to help identify classes on the field during events.
Purchasing a shirt is OPTIONAL. Students who do not wish to purchase a shirt are encouraged to wear the designated class color shirt on Track and Field day.
Shirts will be sent home with students the week of May 8th.
Shirts WILL NOT be available for purchase after the online store closes and we WILL NOT have extra shirts on hand.
Kindergarten - PURPLE
1st grade - LIME GREEN
2nd grade - ORANGE
3rd grade - YELLOW
4th grade - KELLY GREEN
5th grade - GRAY (NOTE: 5th grade may choose to purchase/wear a track and field shirt or the class of 2030 shirt ($11 each), also currently available for sale at the link below)
Shirts $9 each. Please only purchase the color appropriate to the students grade level.
2023 ANDOVER ELEMENTARY TRACK AND FIELD SHIRT ORDER
Online store closes Sunday April 16th, 2023 (11:59PM CDT)
Please contact Kelli Anderson, Volunteer Services Coordinator, with questions:
email: kelli.anderson@ahschools.us
phone: 763-506-1723
5th Grade Class T-Shirts Online Store Now Open
This commemorative shirt has each student's name listed and is typically worn by students on track and field day, end of the year field trips, during the 5th grade party, or during graduation.
Shirts are $11 each and will be delivered to students the week of May 8th.
Please note: 5th grade students may choose to wear a 5th Grade Class of 2030 shirt on track and field day rather than a track and field shirt.
Visit the online store, linked below, to order.
Store closes Sunday, April 16th at 11:59PM. Extra shirts WILL NOT be available for purchase after this date.
5th Grade Class of 2030 Shirt Order
Contact Kelli Anderson, Volunteer Services Coordinator, with any questions.
email: kelli.anderson@ahschools.us
phone: 763-506-1723
Volunteer news
Hello and happy spring. Is it safe to say we've arrived at spring? Regardless of the weather, we have entered the busy spring season at school. Over the next 2+ months of school, we have a lot going on and plenty of opportunities for volunteering.
As always, thank you to the many volunteers who gave time during the month of March! Together you gave over 380 hours to our school. That's amazing!
Here's a look at what's coming up:
MCA Hall Monitors - We have a few spots left to fill. This is an important volunteer role and each spot must be filled. Hall monitors are a visible reminder to our Coyotes that there are classrooms taking tests nearby and they need to be quiet and respectful in the hallways.
Field Trips - Grades K, 2, and 4 will have upcoming field trips that need chaperones. More details will come home with students as the field trips approach. To get a head start, if you think you may be interested in chaperoning, please take a few minutes to complete a volunteer application and criminal record history release form linked below.
Track and Field Day - MANY volunteers will be needed to help ensure the events run safely and on time. A sign up flyer and email will be sent later in April. If you are interested and need to request time off of work, now's the time to start planning! The date for Track & Field Day is Thursday, May 18th. Various shifts will be available between 7:30AM - 12:40PM.
General workroom volunteering: This role has become critical in our building! The volunteers who come in to make copies, work on projects, and complete various clerical tasks for teachers have made a HUGE impact. Thank you to those who regularly sign up! (If the sign up becomes full, and you would still like to volunteer, please contact me. There is always a need!)
Current volunteer opportunities: Volunteer Sign Ups
Volunteer application and criminal record history release: Volunteer App
Kelli Anderson, Volunteer Services Coordinator
email: kelli.anderson@ahschools.us
phone: 763-506-1723
Parent Input Forms for the 2023-2024 School Year
Andover teachers and administrators take a great amount of time and effort in forming classes that benefit all students. The following are some of the areas considered in order to create the best learning situation:
- Self Motivation
- Level of Achievement
- Student Interests & Abilities
- Learning Styles
- Student Maturity
- Special Education Support
- EL Support
If your child has unique educational needs and you wish to provide input into the placement decision, please call the office at 763-506-1700 or email Tammy.Smith@ahschools.us to receive a "Student Placement Form." Specific teacher requests will not be considered due to the factors listed above and the uncertainty of teacher assignments.
Forms are due by Friday, April 28th.
Coming Soon! Our New Playground!
We are very pleased to announce that our new playground will be installed as soon as the ground thaws!
2022-23 Calendar Change New Last Day for Elementary Students
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A change has been made to the elementary school calendar.
The new last day for the 2022-23 school year for students will be
June 7, 2023
Apr. 01 - Parent Input Forms Available
Apr. 05 - Kindergarten Welcome Night 4:30 & 5:45 PM
Apr. 07 - No School for Students - Staff Development
Apr. 16 - Online Track & Field and Gr. 5 T-Shirt Order Deadline
Apr. 20 - APTCO Meeting - N. Media Center - 6:30 - 7:30 PM
Apr. 21 - Lost & Found Items Donated
Apr. 28 - Parent Input Forms Due
May 11 - APTCO Meeting - N. Media Center - 6:30 - 7:30 PM
May 18 - Gr. K-5 Track & Field Day
May 29 - School Closed - Memorial Day Holiday
June 07 - New! Last Day For Elementary School Students
This e-newsletter is published by Andover Elementary School. Questions, comments or concerns about the school e-newsletter? Contact us.