Dear North Andover Community,

Thank you for your continued support of the North Andover Schools, our students, and our staff.  We had an unprecedented year but as a community, we rose to the challenge, and I look forward to our ongoing partnership.  

I’m excited that the FY23 school budget was approved at the Annual Town Meeting allowing for the continuation of many of our recovery efforts as well as increasing staff to support all of the needs of our students.  The Administration is already working on next year’s plans and will continue to do so throughout the summer.

Please see the information below for Summer Opportunities for North Andover students, including my Superintendent's  Summer Challenge. This year’s theme is “Beyond the Beaten Path”. I hope you and your family take some time to explore the offerings.

Have a safe and relaxing summer.

All my best,

Gregg Gilligan

DID YOU KNOW

Summer Learning Opportunities

https://www.northandoverpublicschools.com/academics/summer-opportunities

Please use the Summer Learning Opportunities link above to view a full array of activities geared toward keeping your child engaged and learning over the summer. Activities include:

• Superintendent's Summer Nature Challenge

• Summer Reading Lists for grades K through 12

• Weekly STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) activities

• Excel Enrichment Programs for grades K - 12 through Community Programs 

• A link to Steven's Memorial Library Summer Programs

• Youth Center Summer Programs for all ages, including Steven's Pond Pass and swim lessons

Congratulations to the NAHS Class of 2022

The 356 members of the North Andover High School Class of 2022 persevered through extraordinary learning challenges and graduated at the Joe Walsh Stadium on June 3. Despite the COVID interruption in the their high school experience, 106 students were able to become  National Honor Roll members, and over 223 students were awarded $250,000 in scholarships. Five students plan to enter the military service. 

The last week of school has many parents and children eagerly anticipating their summer vacation travel plans. But did you know that in the late nineteenth century, North Andover was a favorite summer destination for many wealthy and fashionable families from the nearby large cities. The bucolic beauty of Lake Cochickewick surrounded by gently rolling hills provided beautiful vistas for those well-to-do manufacturers who could afford an estate in the country.  Houston House, still located at 580 Osgood Street, was known as "Mrs. Houston's” and catered to ‘First Class Summer Boarders” from the "best families of Boston, Salem, and New York". North Andover's summer visitors found many attractive diversions including walks, drives, picnics, swimming at the pond, lawn parties and afternoon tea. Happily, one of the more beautiful estates, the Steven Coolidge House and Gardens, formerly Ashdale Farm, was bequeathed to the Trustees of the Reservation by its late owner, Helen Stevens Coolidge in 1962, and its beautiful gardens are now enjoyed by many throughout the year.

What's Happening at Stevens Memorial Library

Summer at the Stevens 2022 is officially underway. Events start the week of July 11, but you may start reading and counting them now.  There are programs, activities, and the possibility to earn beads or a prize for all ages: from birth to whenever. Check your students’ backpacks for the Children’s Summer Brochure and the Teens Summer Brochure that came home this week.

Full information about Summer at the Stevens 2022 is online on the Library’s website. Use the Children’s tab to see all that is offered for the youngest to those entering 5th grade in the fall. Use the Teens tab for all that is offered for those entering middle school through their high school years. Use the Adults tab to see all that is offered for grownups in the community. Everyone can participate! Remember to see Superintendent Gilligan’s Challenge. And because it’s the summer, see suggestions to Get Outside.

The Library website has the North Andover Public Schools and the Greater Lawrence Technical Schools 2022 reading lists. Clicking on a book on a list takes you to the Stevens online catalog so you can see if a book is available, reserve a copy, see if it is an e-book, and more. 

Like a paper copy of something? From the Library website, you can print the brochures, the summer reading lists, Children’s Bingo sheets, and monthly activity calendars.

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

Email: SmlRefServices@NorthAndoverMA.gov

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

Staff will respond when available.

The Library’s summer hours are Monday through Thursday 10 am – 9 pm and Friday 10 am – 6 pm. Remember to pick up museum passes for the weekend on Fridays.

OverDrive for e-books, Freegal for e-music, and the E-Library which gets you newspapers, cooking, crafts and more are available all the time with your Stevens library card. If you’re traveling, try audiobooks in the car.

Don’t miss any of the fun. Follow the Library on Twitter @StevensMemLib, Facebook, or the Library’s website www.StevensMemLib.org

Thank you to the Friends and the Trustees of Stevens Memorial Library; the MA Board of Library Commissioners and the Boston Bruins; and the North Andover Cultural Council for supporting Summer at the Stevens 2022. Read Beyond the Beaten Path© iReadprogram.org

SCHOOL COMMITTEE CORNER

by Pam Pietrowski, Chair

Greetings North Andover,

I have thoroughly enjoyed this past year as I became acclimated to being part of the North Andover School Committee, and I am honored to be the chair for this next year.  While I am still new to the School Committee, I am not new to education and have been an educator for over 20 years.  I am eager to continue to bring my experiences to the table and learn from my peers and the leaders of our district.  Thank you to my fellow committee members and school administrators for welcoming me and helping me navigate this new journey.

There are so many exciting things happening in our district and while this year has posed many challenges, it has also been an exciting year for North Andover Public Schools. Our district administration encompasses strong relationships with all the municipal town offices and I truly appreciate the work and transparency of our town manager and select board during this last year.  Because of these relationships, our district is making great strides in 

moving our district forward to get the funding we need.  Thank you to our town manager Melissa Murphy Rodrigues, Selectboard Members, and Financial Committee for your dedication to our schools.

It’s hard to believe that the school year is wrapping up.  I know my family and I are ready for some much-needed rest and relaxation.  I hope that all families, students, and staff are able to enjoy your summer.  Thank you to our teachers and staff for always going above and beyond the call of duty.  Thank you to our families for navigating, yet another challenging school year.  Happy Summer!

Pam