KNIGHTLY NEWS

Volume 5 - Issue 3 November 18, 2019

SUPERINTENDENT'S MESSAGE

Welcome to another informative edition of the Knightly News. This issue spotlights a variety of initiatives from around the district and includes information on our LYLEF efforts to ensure all students can access to experiential learning opportunities domestically and internationally. Be sure to also check out how our partnership with Stevens Memorial Library continues to grow with new initiatives such as NAHS’s Independent Reading class and the In Their Footsteps events and activities that are part of NA Reads. Additional features range from student CPR

certification to a focus this month on NAHS as part of the District Spotlight.

I want to take a moment to congratulate the family of Tom McGowan and the late Kathy Iminski and for their induction in the Educator Hall of Fame here in North Andover. Check out excerpts from the nomination papers on both Mrs. Iminski and Mr. McGowan that highlight their extraordinary careers.

did you know

LYLEF Silent Auction and Raffle

The Live Your Learning Education Fund (LYLEF) needs your help! This scholarship fund provides equity and access for all NAHS students by providing scholarships for experiential learning opportunities. We believe that all North Andover students should have access to learning experiences outside of the traditional classroom that foster critical 21st century skills. The Live Your Learning Education Fund supports students who lack financial means to take advantage of these opportunities, both domestic and international. LYLEF opens doors to students, many of whom have not had experiences outside of their own community, who would not be able to participate in these rich educational experiences without financial aid.

Please consider supporting experiential learning for all students by purchasing a raffle entry or bidding on our online silent auction!

Raffle entry order form: www.northandoverfoundation.org/raffle2019

- GRAND PRIZE drawing is for a Peloton Exercise Bike!
- Tickets will be drawn each day in December as listed on the raffle calendar.
- Winners will be announced on Twitter (@liveyourlearn) and contacted via email.
- All raffle winners will still be eligible for the Grand Prize drawing!

Silent auction: www.charityauction.bid/LYLEF - bidding open from Nov. 6-29

- Create a “bidder account.”
- Once logged in, click on “Catalog” to see the auction items.
- Winners will be notified after the completion of the auction

For more information: see the complete flyer, or visit the LYLEF Webpage

Curriculum Corner

NAHS Independent Reading Program

Welcome to Independent Reading, one of the new English department electives at NAHS! Reading is a predictor of academic, social, and personal success, and reading choice promotes student reading ability and ownership. This elective is co-taught by English teacher Christy Morley and Laura Harrington, the NAHS library/media specialist, and was created in partnership with Stevens Memorial Library (SML). Instruction is predominantly individualized and focused on helping students determine their own reading identity and increase their time spent reading each day. Students set personal reading goals and maintain reading logs and journals to track individual progress and thinking, and are challenged to read one book outside their comfort area, whether that be author or genre.

Some highlights from independent reading’s initial offering include First Read Fridays, where an enticing passage, chapter, or short story is shared aloud by a member of the NAHS community followed by a couple book talks—brief verbal exchanges that try to spark readers’ interest in a title. Also, Charlotte Arredondo, Stevens Memorial Library’s Head of Children’s Services, has visited NAHS twice. During her September visit, every independent reading student received a Stevens Memorial Library card for National Library Card Sign-up Month. Her visits also allow students to peruse her suitcase of books and check out their selections remotely. In October, Independent Reading visited the SML to tour, enjoy lunch and meet published author Meg Mitchell Moore. Students prepared questions in class and asked the author about topics ranging from whether she has any say in her books’ cover art to how much time passes from an idea to a published novel.

This course, piloted trimester 1, 2019, aligns with the November 2019 Statement on Independent Reading from the National Council of Teachers of English. Students who have instructional time devoted to independent reading of their choosing build reading stamina that better prepares them to interact with challenging texts they will encounter in college and career.

CPR in Schools

NAHS:

Ninth grade Life Skills class: Every student completes the American Heart Association Heartsaver CPR/AED training class - all classes include a “hands on” component. The training is valid for two years. Lauren McDonald and Sheila Barry are the instructors.

NAMS:

Sixth grade training is held during PE class. Introduction to CPR - “compression only” with focus on education and awareness, calling 911, location of AEDs, how to understand who would need CPR, and how to access help. Kathleen Pease is the instructor.

School Staff:

Crisis-team members, coaches and any staff interested may participate in the training which is offered multiple times/year. (The next training is scheduled for Jan 8, after school).

Community Programs:

All community program staff alternate each year with Heartsaver CPR/AED and first aid. This year it took place on Nov 6 and 7 with 65 staff to be trained. Kathleen Pease, Sheila Barry and Cheryl Barczak were the instructors.

Academic Achievement and Endeavors

Brian Sheehy, a teacher at North Andover High School, traveled to Europe this past summer as part of the 2019 Memorializing the Fallen program which focuses on the legacies of war. His trip was sponsored by the World War I Centennial Commission and the Pritzker Military Foundation and was coordinated by National History Day.®

As part of the program, Mr. Sheehy completed research on a World War I Silent Hero. His research on Private First Class Philip J. O'Connell and a video of the eulogy he gave is posted at https://nhdsilentheroes.org/philip-j-oconnell. Mr. Sheehy also authored a lesson plan, Baseball: Patriotism and Civic Duty. The lesson is posted at www.nhd.org/world-war-i and will be will be featured in the upcoming publication, Great War, Flawed Peace, and the Lasting Legacy of World War I.

DISTRICT SPOTLIGHT

North Andover High School by Chet Jackson, Principal

North Andover High School is home to 1,359 students from North Andover. In 2019, 91.1 percent of our graduating class attended four or two-year colleges. For the third straight year, NAHS had a record number of students take AP exams. 560 exams were completed by NAHS students with 86.25% scoring a 3 or better on the tests. Students and staff have embraced the commitment to improving school culture and attending to the needs of social-emotional learning. We are implementing our Character Strong curriculum to focus on traits that improve social-emotional skills and character development. Students, staff and parents are encouraged to complete positive character dares at regular intervals. Students have multiple opportunities to contribute to the voice of the school with hundreds of extracurricular opportunities to choose from. North Andover High School is a wonderful place where students can experience many safe and fun learning opportunities!

DRAMA - Hairpray - The Musical

DECA

Scarlet and Black Singers

Activities, Athletics, Clubs, Music & Drama

45 Extracurricular Clubs (and growing)
30 Varsity sports, 65 total athletic teams
Award-winning music program
Band & Choir each have over 100 members
DECA - 180 members
Student Government’s Spirit Week
Robotics - 5 straight yrs. in World Championships
Drama - Hairspray - The Musical
12 teams were MVC Champions in 18-19
Super Bowl Champions last fall
Super 8 Baseball Champions last spring
3 Track State Relay Championships in 18-19
Over 50% of the school participates in athletic

Girls and Boys XC Teams

Girls Basketball

Football

Robotics

Wrestling

HEY HEY HEY FROM human resources

by Greg Landry, Director

Hooray!

At the end of last month, in front of over 80 colleagues, friends and family, we inducted two retired NAPS teachers into our NAPS Educator Hall of Fame and recognized 17 new North Andover teachers/counselors/ therapists who all earned professional teaching status. It was a fun night of good stories and appreciation for the teaching profession. We are already looking forward to next year’s “Celebrating Teachers Night.” Hooray for Hall of Famers Kathleen Iminski & Tom McGowan as well as for our wonderful new PTS colleagues!

What's Happening at Stevens Memorial Library?

It seems especially fitting to start a November newsletter with “Thank You.”

This year’s North Andover Reads activities have been so enriched by the participation of so many people. Just some of the people we thank are: Kindergarten through 5th grade students whose poppies make an amazing exhibit at Stevens, their Art Teachers who guided them, and the parent volunteers who strung poppies; the Library Media Specialists at Bradstreet and the elementary schools for sharing inspiring stories and the meaning of the poppy; the NAMS students for the giant poppies and banner, that some carried in the Veterans Day parade; to the Kittredge and Thomson students who sang in Stevens on Veterans Day; the High School History Club students for the Through the Windows of War and Service exhibits; the veterans who joined us. Our final “thank you” goes to all the School District teachers, staff, and administrators who work with us at Stevens to make the 3-Ls (literacy, learning and libraries) part of daily life.

There is still time …

to visit the Poppies and History Club exhibits. Do come see them in person, if you haven’t already.

LTW Exhibit

Wall of Poppies

Veterans Day Choir

to complete your In Their Footsteps Challenge and earn a commemorative pin. For details, check the North Andover Reads website nak12.net/NAReads or call the Reference Desk at ext. 42016.
to hear author Bethany Dorau on December 1st describe how questions about a local monument led to the discovery of the letters and diaries that tell young Eben Bradbury’s World War I story. She will have some of her research artifacts with here.

What’s next?

Stevens is closed Thursday, November 28th and Friday, November 29th for Thanksgiving, so come in early to stock up on books, dvds, and audio books for your holiday drive or the Children’s Room travel activities bags.

Help celebrate Nat King Cole’s 100th birthday December 15th with a concert and stories.

Mark December 21nd to December 31st on your calendars for December Staycation at Stevens, if you are home.

Visit the Library's website and calendar for more events: www.StevensMemLib.orgStevens Memorial Library, 345 Main Street, North Andover978-688-9505

Tweet of the Month

Thank you Pat Grassis (NAHS Main Office) for 21 years of dedicated and loyal service to our students and staff. Best wishes for a happy and healthy retirement! We are lucky to have you in North Andover and you will be missed.

December

School Committee

Meeting Dates

566 Main Street

7:00 pm

December 5, 2019

December 19, 2019

District Calendar

Click here to view calendar

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