Dear North Andover Community,

I am very excited for 2023 here in the North Andover Public Schools. As you may know, I presented the Superintendent’s Recommended Budget for next year at last night’s School Committee meeting. This budget focuses on providing the additional support and positions needed for our students as we continue navigating the lingering effects of COVID-19.  I encourage you to engage in this process by attending a school committee meeting, watching us on North Andover Cam TV, or reading the budget documents posted on the School Committee website.  Specifically, the school committee will be discussing the budget at a public hearing on January 19 and will vote on the budget on February 2. 

Although the conditions of the pandemic have ended, the impact on students and their learning, as well as their social and emotional well-being, is far from over and remains challenging. After two years of reliance on the “pandemic-era” ESSER grant support, these funding sources are largely ending, yet the need for the resources these grants provided has not. The inclusion of  $1,040,000 in additional funding in the FY24 budget offsets the loss of the ESSER grant funding and completes our dependence on funding outside of the operating budget. Next year’s operating budget includes classroom teachers, special

educators, English language learner teachers, reading/math interventionists and coaches, bi-lingual parent liaisons, custodians, social workers/counselors, a school psychologist, and a library media specialist.

Now more than ever, it is critical that we provide our students with a supportive environment where they can each learn to the depth and distance of their abilities and that our faculty are appropriately supported so they are able to focus on the most important work of our schools - teaching kids.

While not a part of our FY24 budget request, I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge the historic choice that the Town of North Andover made at the last Town Meeting to approve Facilities Master Plan II which includes building a 26,000 square-foot addition at NAMS as well as building a new Kittredge School. Reflecting the work of many Town leaders, staff, and volunteers over the past years, the NAMS and Kittredge projects represent a generational investment in the future of our children and community for which we are grateful.   

Thank you, as always, for your continued support of our work.  Happy New Year!

What & Why: All high school students dream of having a perfect semi-formal and/or prom, but these events are expensive! In an effort to help NAHS students attend these events, we are holding a formalwear drive.

When & Where can donations be made?  All donations can be dropped off at NAHS on Friday, January 13, 2022. This is a full professional development day for teachers (no school for students).

• Times  - 7:30 am to 8:30 am and 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm   

• Location  -  NAHS North Entrance (track side)

(Please email knightslocker@northandoverpublicschools.com if you cannot make these times and would like to make other arrangements).

I don't have anything to donate but I still want to help. What can I do?

We will also be accepting gift card donations that we can pass on to the students. Examples of needed gift cards:

• Amazon (purchase of shoes, accessories)

• Local businesses that offer services:  Hair, nails, spray tan, makeup, etc.

NORTH ANDOVER READS 2023 PRESENTS:

Author & Artist Raúl the Third

February 13, 2023 at 9:45 am for all grades

Presented via Live Stream to the 

NAPS Elementary Schools

Brought to our students, in part, thanks to the generous support of the Massachusetts Cultural Council and the North Andover Cultural Council.

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!

Fall Team Building Trips

Our Grades 6 and 7 students were once again able to enjoy a day at Stevens Pond and Weir Hill this past fall. Students participated in team-building activities to foster friendships and strengthen our school community. 

Our Grade 8 students participated in programming through the Nature on Wheels program. Students were able to strengthen their connection with classmates through various activities and challenges.

This winter North Andover Reads celebrates two of our favorite things, food and reading from January 17 through February 17 with Food with Family and Friends: Gastronomical Delights. Join in by reading, sharing, and enjoying a dish with others - it can be as big as a meal or as simple as a cookie.

Did you know that cooking for someone else (reading a recipe, sharing your cooking, and enjoying it with others) is a perfect R.A.I.S.E. activity?

Click the North Andover Reads icon on the Library’s website for book lists for all ages, stories to read, and cookbooks to explore. See what events are planned. Help write the North Andover’s Family & Friends Cookbook!

All of us together will create a one-of-a-kind wonderful cookbook. There’s an online form on the Library website to share your recipe. Everyone can add a recipe - children, parents, grandparents, teachers, neighbors, and friends.  Is there a favorite or special food you like? Is there a story to share with your recipe? For example: Why is this your favorite dish? Did someone special make it for you? Did you have it on special days - like a birthday, a holiday, or at parties? Write a memory of having this dish.  And when we are done, it’s easy to share our digital cookbook with others near or far away. Each recipe added is automatically entered in the Cookbook Drawing.  Prizes are gift cards to local restaurants. The drawing ends on February 17.

Let us help!

If you don’t find an answer to your question, email or call the Library so we can help. Staff will respond when available.

Email: SmlRefServices@NorthAndoverMA.gov

Phone: 978-688-9505, for Children’s ext. 42010, Teens ext. 42032, Reference Desk ext. 42016

Have a library card question or a problem? call 978-688-9505 ext. 42017, or email Stevens-Circulation@NorthAndoverMA.gov.

The Library’s hours are:  Monday through Thursday 10 am – 9 pm, Friday 10 am – 6 pm, Saturday 10 am – 5 pm, Sunday 1-5 pm.

Don’t miss any of the fun. Sign up for Library News – scroll to and click on “Stevens Memorial Library News.”  Follow the Library on Twitter @StevensMemLib, Facebook, or the Library’s website www.StevensMemLib.org

SCHOOL COMMITTEE CORNER

by Pam Pietrowski, Chair

Happy New Year!

It seems like every Knightly News update starts with, “This year is going by very fast,” but as we are halfway through January, this still feels true.   I hope that everyone is settled back into routines well and that you are all ready for winter.  

Below are some updates from the school committee:

• On December 14, the School Committee took part in a Tri-Board meeting with the Select Board and Finance Committee.  

  • I am thankful for the collaborative efforts of the boards in our town and for the incredible work by our boards and Town Manager for the work on our proposed budget.

• The district will run Math Acceleration Academies during school vacation weeks.

• Our School Building Projects at Kittridge and NAMS are both on schedule.  

The Select Board approved ARPA Funds to finance a Special Education Audit/Review at their January 9th meeting.  We are grateful for this opportunity to help ensure our district moves forward in positive and innovative ways to reach all learners and to provide the best educational experiences for all our students.  We are fully committed to working with all necessary stakeholders to make that happen. 

Warmly,

Pam Pietrowski M.Ed.

North Andover School Committee Chair