Commissioner Riley requested permission from the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to begin a phased approach to returning all students K-12 to full-time in-person learning. The initial proposal would require elementary students to have an in-person, full-time option, starting on April 5. In his message, he stated that DESE will be providing guidance for reopening secondary schools as well. His request for K-5 will allow districts to continue offering a remote model, but will eliminate any hybrid options. Last Wednesday afternoon, Commissioner Riley held a conference call with Superintendents, further communicating some of the details of his intent. (See 2/23/21 memo).

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) is preparing guidance to assist districts in developing a plan to return students to school for full-time, in-person learning in April. As you can imagine there are many considerations as we prepare our buildings for a safe return for all students. 

Even before the Commissioner’s announcement, our leadership team had been working proactively with our administrators and meeting with our union leadership regarding increased in-person learning opportunities. This has allowed us to identify some of the challenges that we will face and the solutions needed for the future.

At the February 25 School Committee meeting, the district leadership team presented North Andover’s timeline for our return to school, preparations that have already occurred and the concrete steps we are taking moving forward.  

There will be many details to come in the weeks to follow that we will need to discuss and operationalize for this next step to take place successfully. On March 1, we sent a survey to K-5 parents to gather important information to assist us as we prepare to return K-5 students to school for in-person learning on April 5. Your building principal will be reaching out in the near future to provide you with details to make an informed decision. . 

We will be sending out a separate survey on Wednesday, March 3, to parents/guardians in grades 6 through 12. We will add this input to our plans and present our middle school/high school recommendations at the School Committee meeting on March 18.  

The North Andover Public School district is committed to more in-person learning for students, whether the mandate is handed down or not. We will continue working to provide greater in-school time, while also maintaining the Online Learning Academy (OLA) option. In addition, while working to get our students back for more in-person learning this spring, we are also planning for a full return to school in the fall. We will do this work as we always do: thoughtfully and in conjunction with families, the School Committee, staff and the North Andover Teachers’ Association.

We hope you will take a minute to view the latest Healthy Happenings Newsletter which features some self-care tips, the link to the latest vaccination sites in MA,

daily self-checks, and a reminder to send your children to school with extra masks and water bottles. 

A quick Internet search for “March events” lists all kinds of things to celebrate:  the first day of Spring, Pi Day, St. Patrick’s Day, National Nutrition Month, and Women’s History Month.

This year the Library and North Andover Schools teamed up for North Andover Reads in March.

What are we celebrating? Women and Girls, Then and Now.

 Join us to celebrate the scientists, mathematicians, computer programmers, doctors, lawyers, judges, civil rights activists, poets, artists, musicians … who also are sisters, mothers, wives, friends, and co-workers.  Find their stories through the Library’s website North Andover Reads icon.  Read, watch and listen to their stories. Use the Library calendar to register for some special virtual programs like Short Skirts, Oh My!, Yale Needs Women, Images In The Women's Suffrage Movement, and “Lloyd and Moses” about the friendship of William Lloyd Garrison and Harriet Tubman.  Join Teen Librarian Amy to read Moxie by Jennifer Mathieu, see its new movie, and create a zine.  Author Kate Messner will visit the elementary school classes virtually.

If you missed some of February’s programs, go to Libraries Working Towards Social Justice for programs that were able to be recorded. And, check back periodically because more recordings may be added.

The Library website is your gateway. Visit Latest Reopening News for Curbside Pickup and Visit by Appointment information.

All online services are available through the website; support is available via email SmlRefServices@NorthAndoverMA.gov or phone 978-688-9505. Staff will respondas they are available. For remote support hours, visit the Library’s Hours & Directions.

Online Services:

• No Library card, or it needs an update? Email SmlRefServices@NorthAndoverMA.gov or call the Library 978-688-9505 to get started.

• Not sure what to read? Fill out a Reader 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 for virtual field trips or the Teens Virtual Room for webcomics recommendations? Find virtual story time on our Youtube channel.

• School papers and projects? Click on E-Library for 30+ online resources in Education; Health/Medical; History; Languages and Literature; Encyclopedias & Reference; Science & Technology; Test Preparation & E-Learning.  Teen Librarian Amy would love to help, email her at APopoloski@NorthAndoverMA.gov

Follow the Library on Facebook and Twitter using “StevensMemLib” to have the news delivered.

by Helen Pickard, Chair