Dear NAPS Community, 

The 2022-2023 school year ended on a high note, with 311 North Andover High School seniors graduating on June 2, 2023, after what can only be described as a challenging 4 years at NAHS.  I am extremely proud of this year's senior class, having persevered through very trying times and graduating with their heads held high and bright futures ahead.

Over 85 percent of our graduating seniors will continue their education next year, and I would like to extend my gratitude to those that have chosen military careers.  I wish all the graduates much success and look forward to welcoming the class of 2036 at the ABECC next fall.

The Kittredge and Middle School building projects are on schedule. Thank you to all the community members that voted to approve the budgets at this year’s Town Meeting.  Groundbreaking at NAMS could happen as early as August or September. 

Please visit the school district’s website, northandoverpublicschools.com, for the SY2023-2024 calendar and links for registering for school and transportation. Information for Community Programs may be found below with a direct link to their webpage. Also listed below are direct links to the summer reading lists.

Congratulations to all our students, especially the Senior Class of 2023, have a great summer, you’ve earned it!

Looking for fun activities for your children to try this summer? Take a look at the Community Programs Summer Excel Enrichment Programs offered through the North Andover Public Schools. There are still openings in many of the programs. Here are a few examples:  

• Have a child entering Kindergarten? Try the TipToe into Kindergarten program.

•  How about the Sports enthusiast:  Several Clinics and programs are offered by our own coaches and teachers. Soccer, Lacrosse, Baseball, Basketball, Volleyball, Distance Running, Tennis, and USA Ninja Gym. 

• How about trying Gaga Ball or Summer PE Sport Stars?

• There are cooking programs, craft programs, sewing, reading, Minecraft/Mindstorm, Day Trippers, Kids Fun Camp, and History Camp, just to name a few. 

• To inquire about these programs, click on this link for Community Programs to check out all the Summer Excel Enrichment programs. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to Sharon Karalis @978-794-3080 or karalis6@aol.com for more information.

Community Engagement

North Andover Special Education Parent Advisory Council Vice Chair Sasha Weinreich recently met with Miranda Allan, Director of Program Development and Evaluation at the Greater Lawrence Community Action Council.  The Greater Lawrence Community Action Council is the region’s largest Community Action Agency.   They are conducting a Community Needs Assessment, which is an examination of the causes and conditions of 

poverty in Greater Lawrence. Community voice is one of the most important assessment components, so we are asking everyone who lives, works, learns, etc. in Greater Lawrence to participate in our survey. A full report of findings will be published this summer.  The surveys are listed below and will be closing on June 15.

English: bit.ly/cna_eng

Spanish: bit.ly/cna_esp

Haitian-Creole: bit.ly/cna_hc

This year's summer reading theme is Find Your Voice, and North Andover Public Schools, in collaboration with Stevens Memorial Library, has provided a list of summer reading suggestions for children in grades K through 12, as well as a list of nominees for Massachusetts' Teen Choice Book Award.

A list of children's 2022/23 book award winners is provided for elementary students as well as a list of theme books, including fiction, chapter books, and informational books. Also included is a list of suggestions on how to help your child grow as a reader and how to choose the appropriate book for your child.

North Andover Middle School students will be expected to read at least three books this summer. In addition to providing a suggestion on how to tell if a book is for you, a list of fiction, series and trilogies, nonfiction books, graphic novels, and recommended authors, has been provided.

North Andover High School has provided 14 titles from which to choose, and for each, it has provided a synopsis, the number of pages, how long it will take to read, and whether it's available in audio, as well as a list of similar-themed books.    

North Andover High School Graduation

Greetings,

Summer at the Stevens 2023 kicks off on June 28. Join us at the Library or around Town for

great things for all ages to do this summer. All Stevens Memorial Library events are free;

everyone is welcome. Most events are drop-in and do not require registration.

Click the Summer at the Stevens icon for all the information online or to get printable

brochures, calendars, school reading lists, bingo sheets, and more! Start your summer with Melodious Zach! performing the music of Lennon and McCartney on June 28 at 7 pm under the tent at Atkinson Elementary School. All ages are welcome. Summer reading sign-up begins June 12, and weekly programming begins July 10. Visit the Children’s Room, the Teen Room, or the Reference Desk (adults get to read for prizes, too) to sign-up and track your reading! Are you traveling this summer? Check out one of our Travel Kits for Preschool or Primary aged kids.

Why Reading Matters – Make Reading a Family Affair this Summer

Have you heard the term “summer slide?” This is a concern that reading ability and other

academic skills can decline during the summer when school is out. Studies show that children who read during the summer months have stronger reading and comprehension skills when they return to school in the fall. Reading this summer helps prepare for school in September.

Here are some ways you can help grow as a reader:

• Encourage your child to read for at least 20 minutes a day.

• Let your child make their own selections.

• Show an interest in what they read: talk about what and why they chose something.

• Read yourself to show you enjoy and value reading, too.

• Read anything and everything: books, magazines, newspapers, comic books, both printed books and e-books.

• Listening counts: enjoy audiobooks, e-audiobooks, and read-along books.

Remember, your Library Card gives you access to 1,000s of materials online 24/7 with

OverDrive, Tumblebooks, and the many articles in the E-Library.

Let Stevens 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, 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. Lost your Stevens library card? Free replacement cards

during Summer at the Stevens! (regularly $1).

The Library’s summer hours are Monday through Thursday, 10 am – 9 pm; Friday, 10 am –

6 pm. Closed Saturdays and Sundays. Weekend museum passes should be picked up by Friday.

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.

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/StevensMemLib

Website - https://stevensmemlib.libguides.com/summeratthestevens2023

Library News - https://www.northandoverma.gov/home/pages/connect-us

• Travel Kit Preschool https://mvlc.ent.sirsi.net/client/en_US/northandover/search/detailnonmodal/ent:$002f$002fSD_ILS$002f0$002fSD_ILS:895839/one

• Travel Kit Primary

     https://mvlc.ent.sirsi.net/client/en_US/northandover/search/detailnonmodal/ent:$002f 

      $002fSD_ILS$002f0$002fSD_ILS:895818/one

Overdrive - https://mvlc.overdrive.com/

Tumblebooks - https://www.tumblebooklibrary.com/home.aspx

Elibrary - https://stevensmemlib.libguides.com/az.php

Museum passes - http://www.eventkeeper.com/mars/tkflex.cfm?curOrg=stevensml&curapp=passes&CFID=82034480&CFTOKEN=acf25bd55bbea593-DF424076-D4AE-528A-535047ADB2D3802C

Thanks to the Friends of the Stevens Memorial Library and the Trustees of the Stevens Memorial Library for supporting Summer at the Stevens. Thanks to the MA Board of Library

Commissioners, the Boston Bruins, and the MA Library System for funding the Massachusetts Statewide Summer Library Program iRead Reading Programs®.

SCHOOL COMMITTEE CORNER

Greetings from the North Andover School Committee,

It’s hard to believe that the end of the school year is nearly here.  On behalf of the School Committee, I would like to wish all of the North Andover School Community a healthful and restful summer.   It has been an honor to serve as the Chair of the School Committee this school year.  I have learned a great deal about our school community, administration, and the role and expectations of the School Committee.  

Below are some updates from the School Committee:

• The high school graduation was held on June 2 at 6:00 pm in our auditorium.  Thank you to Dr. Gilligan and the administrative team for making the right call and moving the ceremony indoors.  Congratulations to all the graduates!  

• The North Andover Teaching Assistants have ratified their contract, and it was approved with a 5-0 vote by the Committee.  Some highlights of the contract are a revised step system, paid days, and family-leave time.   The contract includes a 2.5 percent increase in years two and three.  

• School Building projects through MSBA for Kittridge and NAMS continue to be on schedule.  The NAMS project is moving ahead and on schedule to break ground this 

      summer.  The Kittridge project is on schedule with deliverables to the MSBA.   Ongoing 

      updates can be found on the NAPS website.  

• The Committee reviewed and voted to accept the Superintendent’s evaluation with a proficient rating.  

• North Andover High School will be updating the Social Studies course of studies that includes new text resources.  A presentation of the curriculum was presented at our May 25 meeting. 

• The Committee will reorganize the members at the final meeting of the year on June 22.  

Wishing everyone a safe and restful summer!

Warmly,

Pam Pietrowski M.Ed.

North Andover School Committee Chair