Embedded Files
Volume 7 - Issue 5 January, 2022
SUPERINTENDENT'S MESSAGE
SUPERINTENDENT'S MESSAGE
Happy New Year!
As you may already know, on January 13, I presented the Superintendent’s FY23 Recommended Budget to the School Committee. The proposed budget is designed to attend to FY23 needs and beyond. These needs include recovery services as we continue to address interrupted learning as a result of the pandemic, support services for all students including our highest-needs students, and facility improvements that will allow us to address our aging facilities, provide spaces more conducive to learning, and accommodate future enrollment growth in our schools. We believe this proposed budget is reflective of our values, expectations and aspirations as a community and represents our best thinking in order to address the impact of the pandemic and our greatest needs moving forward.
The North Andover School Committee will hold a Public Hearing on the budget next Thursday night (January 27, 7:00 p.m. at 566 Main Street) and Town Manager
Melissa Murphy-Rodrigues will be at the meeting to discuss school building projects and the Facilities Master Plan II timelines. The School Committee will vote on the budget at the February 3, 2022, School Committee Meeting. I feel strongly that the budget, and Facilities Master Plan II, in combination are a positive step forward for our schools. I encourage you to follow the budget process by attending School Committee meetings or watching the meetings on local cable channels (Comcast 99 or Verizon 28). Videos of School Committee meetings are also available to stream from the North Andover Cam website. You can sign up to receive School Committee agendas via email by subscribing to the Town Website.
Dr. Gregg T. Gilligan
Superintendent of Schools
DID YOU KNOW?
DID YOU KNOW?
Steve Nugent named NAHS Athletic Director
Steve Nugent named NAHS Athletic Director
For almost two decades, Steve Nugent has led the NAPS Guidance Department and NAPS Boys' Track Team with extraordinary skill. The care he demonstrates in making every student and athlete feel valued and appreciated has endeared him to both his colleagues and students alike. He sets high standards for himself and is tireless in his efforts to support students.
When the position of Athletic Director opened up last year, Steve was the natural choice to fill the position. He carries with him a wealth of knowledge regarding North Andover and NAHS sports. Steve's ability to think outside the box, his leadership skills, and genuine humility is truly a winning combination, and we are grateful to have Steve fill this important role.
North Andover Parent Resource Network Survey
North Andover Parent Resource Network Survey
The North Andover Parent Resource Network (NAPRN) would like your input as to what topics you would like to know more about and speakers you would like to hear. Would you take a moment to click here to access their survey.
NAHS Seniors Inducted into Johnson Chapter of the National Honor Society
NAHS Seniors Inducted into Johnson Chapter of the National Honor Society
Officers of the Johnson Chapter of the National Honor Society pictured above: President-Ella Slayton; Treasurer, Anye' Kachulis-Moriarty; Secretary,-Zainab Shahzad; Vice President- Kevin Packard.
Congratulations to the North Andover High School Seniors who were recently inducted into the Johnson Chapter of the National Honor Society. The Johnson Chapter of the National Honor Society began in 1950 and is entering its 72nd year at North Andover.
NAPS Health Services Update
NAPS Health Services Update
As DESE/DPH continue to update their guidance concerning COVID 19 protocols, we have provided their most recent recommendations regarding Isolation and Quarantine with the Flow Chart below and DPH's recommendations regarding a booster:
DISTRICT SPOTLIGHT
DISTRICT SPOTLIGHT
North Andover Middle School
North Andover Middle School
by Jorge Goncalves, Principal
by Jorge Goncalves, Principal
Happy New Year Everyone from NAMS!
Happy New Year Everyone from NAMS!
This school year has not been without its challenges, but we have been able to bring back so many opportunities for our students and staff to grow, develop, and shine! I would love the opportunity to share with you some of the amazing things we are doing and have done as NAMS this year, enjoy!
Supporting Students’ Social & Emotional Needs
We began the school year with a focus on supporting the social and emotional needs of our students through team-building activities to build rapport between students and staff every Wednesday during class meetings. We continue to implement various lessons in class meetings to support our RAISE values and support the social and emotional development of our students.
Fall Team Building Trips
Our Grade 6 students were once again able to enjoy a day at Stevens’ Pond and Weir Hill this past fall as did our Grade 7 students who did not have this experience last year. Students participated in team-building activities in hopes of fostering friendships, alleviating anxiety, and strengthening our school community.
Instead of our Grade 8 students going to Nature’s Classroom, we brought Nature’s Classroom to them thanks to the Nature on Wheels Program. Students were able to strengthen their connection with classmates through various activities and challenges.
Fall Door Decorating Contest
All of our homeroom students were hard at work this fall in the hopes of earning top honors and a prize chosen by students. You may find all of the decorated doors here and the winning doors were identified by judges and announced on November 5. You may find the results and pictures of the winning doors here.
NAMS Fall Fundraiser - Enormous Success!
Thanks to our students, staff, parents/guardians, friends, and relatives our fundraiser earned over $35,000! Thank you Maureen Crawford Hentz and Melissa Belbusti, PTAC Co-Presidents, for all of your hard work, time, energy, and support for this most successful and fun event! You may find pictures and videos of our Booster Bash event here and a video of the event here of all of the fun during our fundraiser and Booster Bash.
Socktober Donations
Thanks to donations received by members of our NAMS community, we were able to surpass our goals and collect 811 pairs of socks. These socks benefited the Lazarus House in Lawrence. Thank you all for putting the "S" in Service as part of our RAISE values!
Thanks to donations received by members of our NAMS community, we were able to surpass our goals and collect 811 pairs of socks. These socks benefited the Lazarus House in Lawrence. Thank you all for putting the "S" in Service as part of our RAISE values!
NAMS Art Installation - Wings!
A beautiful NAMS art installation was added to the Stevens Memorial Library as part of North Andover Reads: First Neighbors, Still Neighbors. This installation was created by Sarah Tomkins, Art Teacher, and our NAMS students and was displayed on the top floor of the Stevens Memorial Library, the Reading Room.
Turkey Trot - November 24th
We were able to bring back our annual Turkey Trot the day before Thanksgiving once again this year. The turkey trot is a friendly race where students and some staff members run/walk the course (about .8 miles). Some even dress up in their favorite Thanksgiving themed costumes! Top finishers earned prizes as well as best costume.
The NAMS Drama production of Disney's Descendants
The NAMS Musical this year was indeed a "wicked" good time! Thank you to all of our students under the direction, leadership, and support of Ms. Liacos, Ms. Tomkins, Mr. Ignos, Ms. Tinti, Ms. Antaya, and so many parents/guardians for bringing theater back to NAMS. Check out the program here to see who was in the show and who made this show possible.
Bread & Roses Food Drive
NAMS student leadership delivered a truckload of food along with cash and gift cards totaling almost $3,000 to Bread and Roses in Lawrence. They were extremely appreciative of our school's effort, especially during such trying times. They said the donations are so deeply needed and that our efforts will go directly to helping the lives of so many of our neighbors in need. The 8th grade student leaders who helped with the delivery were superb representatives of our school and its giving spirit. A huge thank you goes out to all of you and our entire NAMS community for once again coming together to so graciously help those in need.
ACADEMIC ENDEAVORS
ACADEMIC ENDEAVORS
We, at North Andover Public Schools, are pleased to introduce our two new parent liaisons who began working with North Andover's bilingual families this fall. Maria Brito-Ferullo is originally from Chile and Victoria Torres is from Peru. Both Maria and Victoria are bilingual and are available to support not only all our Spanish and Portuguese families but English and non-English speaking families.
Maria and Victoria work with the school department staff, including administration, teachers, guidance, nurses, transportation, registration, etc., to establish effective communication between families, schools and the
community, improve community outreach, and facilitate training opportunities for parents or guardians.
Contact information for Maria and Victoria is listed below. Parents/caregivers will find them to be approachable as well as excited to create a more meaningful and inclusive educational experience for your child.
Please feel free to reach us with any concerns/inquiries within the school system or out in the community.
Maria Brito-Ferullo Victoria Torres
britoferullom@naps.com torresv@naps.com
978-984-7842 978-984-7841
A Step Back In Time
A Step Back In Time
Center School was located next to Drummond playground. Built in 1872 and closed in 1948.
Farnam School is located on Rte 114. Built in 1852 and closed in 1952.
Merrimack School was located on Main and Water Streets. Built in 1865; rebuilt in 1914; sold to St. Michaels in 1950.
Union Street School is located at 100 Beverly Street. Built in 1882 and closed in 1948. The building is currently apartments.
Pond School was located at the corner of Winter and South Bradford Streets, Built in 1852 and closed in 1929, it is now a private residence.
The second Franklin School was located on Park Street and is currently used as VFW building. Built in 1905 and closed in 1936.
First Bradstreet School was opened in 1884; second Bradstreet opened in 1912 and closed in 2005.
Kimball School was located on Salem Street. Built in 1902, it was closed in 1933.
Johnson High School opened in 1867 and was located at the site of the current NAPS Administration offices. It closed in 1954.
There was no Facilities Master Plan for North Andover Public Schools a hundred years ago. The schools were built as needed with the larger schools located in the more heavily populated areas where the mills were located. The smaller schools, known as District Schools, were located in the "out-country" area and enrollment in each seldom exceeded 20 children. In fact, when the Kimball School opened in 1902 one child was enrolled and the enrollment increased to three by the end of the year. Certainly, students in the District schools did not enjoy the same advantages as the graded schools. Their classes were heterogeneous, held in one room with one teacher.
Throughout the first half of the 20th century, the issue of centralization of schools continued to frustrate the North Andover School Superintendents. Superintendent George Chickering did not sugarcoat his feelings about out-country schools when he stated in his Annual Report of 1903/04: "The best teachers are not selected for these schools. On the contrary, the District schools are almost universally regarded as practice schools for fresh Normal graduates." But Mr. Chickering's efforts to close these schools were met with resistance by the citizens of North Andover as he lamented: "I am touching upon a delicate and almost forbidden subject. Notwithstanding the fact that such a plan (centralization) has been satisfactory in nearly all other towns where it has been tried, the partial efforts we have made do not seem to meet with popular favor here. I do not, therefore, wish to consider as recommending any further action of this kind."
The Farnam School still stands on Route 114 as a testament to the past.
What's Happening at Stevens Memorial Library
What's Happening at Stevens Memorial Library
January is winding down and days are getting longer a few minutes at a time. On February 2 many people will check to see if Punxsutawney Phil, the most famous groundhog, sees his shadow. Weather folklore says if the day is sunny and Phil sees his shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter. If the day is cloudy, Phil will not see his shadow and there will be mild weather leading to an early Spring. Use “groundhog day” in the Online catalog to find some fun stories.
Whether Phil sees his shadow or not, enjoy some time outside, whether to walk, skate or sled when the conditions are right, or perhaps bird watch. When thinking of inside activities, visit the Library in person or online to find other things to do. New books and movies arrive every week, books and movies that were checked out during your last visit may be back. New events also are being added to the Library’s calendar. February is Black History Month, or African American History Month, and Stevens along with other groups in North Andover are planning ways to celebrate. Virtually, join National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature Jason Reynolds for “GRAB THE MIC: Tell Your Story”
Online Services:
No Library card, or it needs an update? Email Stevens-Circulation @NorthAndover MA.gov
General questions or help? Email SmlRefServices@NorthAndoverMA.gov or call the Library 978-688-9505.
Not sure what to read? Fill out a Reader's request for personalized recommendations or browse our Digital Book Display. Look for more reading recommendations on the StevensMemLib Youtube channel.
Have you looked at Children’s Virtual Room or the Teens Virtual Room for recommendations?
Click on E-Library for 30+ online resources in Art; Hobbies & Crafts; Health/Medical; History; Languages and Literature; Music; Science & Technology.
Find a virtual story time on our Youtube channel.
Your Stevens Library Card gets you thousands of e-books, online magazines and online newspapers, music …
All these services and the latest updates are on the Library’s website www.StevensMemLib.org. Follow the Library on Facebook and Twitter using “StevensMemLib.”
Check if the Library building is open if the weather is questionable. The Library updates its website, Facebook, Twitter and telephone message as soon as any unexpected changes are known. The Library’s resources are available online even when the building is closed.
Visit the Library's website and calendar for more events: www.StevensMemLib.org Follow the Library on Facebook and Twitter using “StevensMemLib.”Stevens Memorial Library, 345 Main Street, North Andover978-688-9505
SCHOOL COMMITTEE CORNER
SCHOOL COMMITTEE CORNER
by Andrew McDevitt, Chair
by Andrew McDevitt, Chair
Greetings,
On January 13, Dr. Gilligan presented the fiscal year 2023 budget to the School Committee. We are excited to see a commitment to our students and staff moving forward with nearly a 5.3 percent increase in funding. We remain committed to advocating for the community to complete the learning process.
On January 27, I invite you to our public budget hearing to provide input and suggestions before our February 3 final vote. At the January 27 meeting, Town Manager Melissa Murphy-Rodrigues will be in attendance to hear the community and discuss the Facilities Master Plan II regarding our school building projects and timeline. Please join us either virtually or in person to provide valuable perspective.
Andrew McDevitt, Chair
North Andover School Committee
Today, Andrew wraps up a tremendous career as a student in the North Andover Public Schools. Congratulations Andrew! You have certainly left your mark here at NAHS and we are proud of your accomplishments!
North Andover Public Schools
Superintendent's Office
566 Main Street
7:00 pm
January 13, 2022
Public Hearing - January 27, 2022
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