Hello Bancroft -

Can you believe how much warmer it felt today? It was wonderful being able to have recess outside today! Your children really did a nice job handling indoor recess over and over again. We can't remember a stretch quite this cold. Hopefully we won't see that again but if we do see those cold temps, please be reminded that your children need to be dressed for the weather and label whatever you can. Our lost & found is filling up fast with coats, hats, gloves, water bottles, etc. Come on by to take a look if you think something is missing.

There are many time sensitive items below, including:

• Literacy audit - today (January 10th) is the last day to provide your feedback.
• PTO meeting on January 14th
• Redistricting community forum on January 16th
• MCAS dates are listed to mark your calendars for grades 3 - 5

Have a great weekend,

Beth Leavitt, Principal

Kim Rabold, Assistant Principal

beth.leavitt@andoverma.us or kimberly.rabold@andoverma.us

LiteracyAuditParent/CaregiverSurvey

This year, APS is engaging in a comprehensive literacy K-8 review. The goal of this work is to improve our systems so that we can effectively support teachers and families in the hard work of guiding literacy success for all students.

To help inform our strategy, we want to learn more about your family’s experience with literacy curriculum, materials, and assessments through a brief, anonymous survey accessed here: bit.ly/APSfamily. Please complete one survey per household. We hope to have all feedback completed by January 10th. Thank you!

Beloved children's author Jerry Pallotta spoke at Bancroft to our kindergarten, first, and second graders this past week. He attended thanks to a generous grant from the Cummings Foundation and was able to visit all APS elementary schools. He brought forth a message about curiosity and how this drives his writing process. As he explores the world and makes connections about how things work, he becomes inspired to research topics and share his findings with kids through his books. Our kids were fully engaged and left with such a great message to start the new year. May our children's natural curiosity lead down the path of digging into new concepts and sharing their knowledge with others. Most importantly, may our children continue to see the joy in the world around them.

Monday, January 20: No School; Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Thursday, January 23: Heritage Night from 6:00 - 8:00

Tuesday, January 28: Art Show and Chorus Concert (more details to come but mark your calendar! The art show is for K-5)

Wednesday, January 29: Early Release Day - Dismissal at 12:15

Andover Public School 2024-2025 Calendar

Week of Jan 6th

This week, all students participated in review skill stations. This included a chasing and fleeing game called “Spin the Pin”, a kicking game called “Soccer Shootout”, overhand throwing balls against rebounder nets, and a fun game on the rock wall called “Rock wall Twister”.

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN MUSIC CLASS 1/6–1/10

Students in kindergarten and first grade are having fun exploring the childrens’ book “Froggy Gets Dressed” by Jonathan London. In this winter time story, students are able to move to the beat, act out the roles of the characters, and then play instruments to accompany a song that goes along with the story line. Students also take part in working with a partner finding a steady beat through the “Woodpecker Song,” which allows the opportunity for theatrical play, listening for sound cues, and cooperation.

Students in grade 2 are learning about the rhythms of quarter notes and eighth notes. Students are able to read, write, and clap these rhythms. We perform a rhythm play along to Mozart’s Turkish March. We also begin our exploration of creating our own stone soups in preparation for Lunar New Year. In this activity students are given an ingredient list with rhythms written next to them and are able to make a rhythm to correspond with their stone soup ingredients.

Students in grades 3 and 4 are busy at work performing an American folk song called “Tideo.” In this song, students are able to experience all four parts of the song: both pitched and unpitched instruments. All students rotate around our music circle and play the xylophones, glockenspiels, drums, and tambourines.

Students in grade 5 are beginning their ukulele unit. We discuss how to properly hold, what the parts of the ukulele are, and we are just starting to create our own songs using the individual strings of G C E A.

***Attention all grade 5 families! Please read below for a very important letter regarding upcoming performances for your child.

Grade 5 Chorus and Orff Winter Concert at Bancroft School

Dear all 5th grade families,

Your child has been working so hard and doing an amazing job preparing for our upcoming winter concert to be held at Bancroft School on Tuesday January 28, 2025. There will be two performances; 10:15 am for staff and students and 6:30 pm for parents, families, friends. For the evening performance, please have your performer arrive no later than 6:00 pm and report to the music room to allow for warmups and preparation.

(The K-5 Art Show will take place the same evening in the gym from 5:30-6:30, so come early to see your child’s work!)

The performance will take place at Bancroft School in the cafetorium.

• Attire: White top, black pants (as dark as possible), and black/dark shoes. Please reach out if you need help with obtaining the outfit.

• Attendance: This is an expected event for all Grade 5 students. Our choir relies on every single person to be present at rehearsals and performances. Everyone is important to our success. Please notify coaches or other programs to avoid conflicts in advance.

We are hopeful for 100% full attendance to show that we are a team, and we have an attitude of supporting each other, for successful performances of both winter concerts.

Please email me with any thoughts, questions, or concerns at evelyn.casey@andoverma.us

Thank you for all your support. We look forward to seeing you there.

Respectfully,

Evelyn Casey, Music Specialist, Bancroft School

January 13

Bancroft Art Show is January 28th 5:30 - 6:30. All students will have a piece of art on display! Join us before the Winter Concert to celebrate student artmaking!

Kindergarten will be reading the book, Rainbow Fish, by Marcus Pfister. This book is about sharing, and being a part of a community. Students will be creating under the sea collages inspired by the message of sharing and kindness and the beautiful illustrations.

First graders are learning about the art of contemporary artist, Alex Da Corte. He creates art that explores the idea of windows in art, and what they can reveal about one’s identity. Students are creating “windows” drawings. They can draw their windows from one of two perspectives: 1. Students can choose to show the outside of a space, with windows revealing the inside of a place 2. Students can draw from inside a space with windows looking out into another space. Student drawings can be inspired from a place that is real or imaginary.

Second graders are learning about mandalas from all over the world, both contemporary and indigenous. Students will be creating their own collage mandalas in art class.

Third graders are learning about Wolf Kahn, an American artist who creates colorful chalk pastel landscapes features trees. Students will use chalk pastels and create their own colorful landscapes.

Fourth grade students are creating puppets inspired by Lunar New Year celebrations and the Chinese Zodiac animals. Students can choose their zodiac animal, or an animal they feel a connection to! Students will create these puppets using recycled materials and paper mache! Fourth graders will also participate in our annual Lunar New Year parade around the school!

Fifth grade students are creating still life drawings that include flowers. There is a focus on symbolism, and representation in this project. This is the project that will be used for our annual Art to Remember fundraiser this year.

Week of 1/6/25

It was a great first week of 2025. We were so lucky to have a visit from prolific local author Jerry Pallotta. Our K-2 students had a wonderful afternoon. Jerry was entertaining and informative, and there were many laughs had by all! We are so grateful that a Cummings grant funded Mr. Pallotta’s visit.

The 2025 Massachusetts School Library Association bookmark contest is here! All entries are due to me by Friday, January 17th. No late entries will be accepted. This is an optional activity, and students who are interested in participating can pick up an entry from me during media class. You can find the form here as well: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1G7PacrwLWIBvNA-JJAQCdvw_zyEgDfhg7DmK3QuKm-s/edit?usp=sharing

I want to thank all of our wonderful volunteers who help keep the library running smoothly! We have already made some amazing changes in the library, and there is more to come. We have had a great response since the school year began, but more help is always needed and appreciated! If you are interested in helping out in the library after winter break, please log on to the PTO SignUpGenius at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0849A9AC29A1F58-51009581-bancroft and choose a shift. Volunteers help with book checkout; putting away books that students have returned; putting up displays;and other projects around the library. If you have any questions, please reach out to me by email at mcarney@andoverma.us.

Happy Reading,

Miss Carney

As district continues its work on the K-8 redistricting process in partnership with DillingerRAD, we are pleased to offer a virtual "Let's Talk!" community forum on the APS Redistricting Process on Thursday, January 16, 2025 from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. The community is welcome to join the conversation with DillingerRAD at any time using this link.

This session will review the information provided to the School Committee at their January 9th meeting and solicit community input and feedback around one revised scenario. DillingerRAD will be available to answer any questions. The link to join is available here.

The approved redistricting plan will be implemented in the 2026-27 school year. This allows the district sufficient time to operationally plan for the new school zones. We appreciate the continued participation from the community during this process.

See the S'more below for more information and directions on how to use the online mapping tool.

Heritage Night is coming soon! Thursday, January 23rd 6:00 - 8:00pm, join us to collect your passport and learn all about our families' heritages. The PTO will be reaching out to all those who have already volunteered to participate in the next few days to let them know next steps, but in the meantime we're still looking for families willing to help make this night a success:

Host Tables: Morocco, Germany, England, Ghana, India and France (as well as Andover's DEI Commission!) have all signed up to host a table, add to our passport journey and sign up today!

Slideshow Videos: We are looking for short videos made by the kids talking about their culture, demonstrating something special, reading a short story or poem, anything that they want to share with their classmates. These will be compiled and shown to all students during their lunch on the day of the event as well as during the evening. Videos can be uploaded here.

Posters: Help make our space all the more festive for this awesome event! Poster boards are available for pickup in the office now. If you have already picked up a poster board and are currently working on your sign (thank you!!), please return it to the office no later than Tuesday, January 21st. If you'd still like to make a sign, pickup a blank poster board from the office any time.

Potluck Food Items: Provide a potluck dish for our attendees. It can be an entree, appetizer, beverage, or dessert. Thank you to those who already signed up to bring something, and to those who offered to add to our digital cookbook, we'll be reaching out to you all this week with more information!

Stage Entertainment or Demonstrations: If anyone would like to get on stage and share a story, a poem, a dance, or anything that is special about their culture with our attendees, click here and sign up today.

Between January 6th and January 17th, Grades 2-8 students will take a MAP® Growth™ test from NWEA® on the computer during the school day. MAP Growth scores help teachers check student performance by measuring achievement and growth in math and reading. (NOTE: This will be the first time students in Grade 2 will be taking MAP Reading.)

Each testing session lasts from 45-60 minutes. Testing days are at the discretion of individual schools, within the testing window. The results of these tests assist teachers in informing instruction, personalizing learning, and monitoring the growth of individual students. Principals and administrators can use the data to assess performance and progress at each grade level, school, and district. It will help us learn more about where students may need interventions and identify what those supports might be at the classroom, school, and district level.

MAP Growth tests are responsive and adapt to your child’s answers to measure your child’s knowledge. If your child answers a question correctly, the next question is more challenging. If they answer incorrectly, the next one is easier. These results will provide a more complete picture of where your child is on their learning journey. Since MAP Growth tests provide immediate and accurate information about your child’s learning, it’s easy for teachers to identify students with similar scores in similar skills and topics and then plan instruction accordingly.

MAP Growth reports also provide typical growth data for students in the same grade and subject with the same starting performance level.

We look forward to supporting you with information about your child’s progress. In early February, parents and guardians will receive a Family Report summarizing each child’s winter benchmark results. Results will be sent home with your child. Principals will communicate a reminder about results in their school newsletters.

For more information about MAP Growth, visit NWEA.org/familytoolkit or NWEA MAP Assessment | Andover Public Schools

The testing window has been set by DESE and we are planning for the following MCAS test dates at Bancroft. Please note that students will take 2 days of tests per content area. Please refrain from vacations or unnecessary absences on these dates.

Grade 3

ELA: Monday, April 7th and Tuesday, April 8th
Math: Monday, May 5th and Tuesday, May 6th

Grade 4

ELA: Thursday, April 3rd and Friday, April 4th
Math: Thursday, May 8th and Friday, May 9th

Grade 5

ELA: Tuesday, April 1st and Wednesday, April 2nd
Math: Tuesday, May 13th and Wednesday, May 14th

Science: Tuesday, May 20th and Wednesday, May 21st

Communication with our families is essential to the success and wellness of our students. To assist our families and help them connect with the appropriate staff who is best suited to answer questions, we have updated our “Who We Are” page on our website. The information will guide families to resources on how to reach staff with concerns and how to stay connected to news and events across the district.

APS has partnered with Idioma Consulting & Education to continue offering FREE English classes for parents/guardians.

APPELL - https://secure.smore.com/n/d0gub-appel

These are in-person classes held at CO in Conference Room A starting on November 12 from 9:30-11am. No sign up necessary.

ESOL Virtual classes - https://secure.smore.com/n/w52nra-esol

Classes meet virtually on Tuesday evenings from 6:30-7:30pm starting on November 6. Participants need to sign up to receive a Google Meeting link by November 1. Limit 25 participants.

Massachusetts Partnerships for Youth (MPY) is pleased to announce its new MPY Parenting Solutions Library. The MPY Parenting Solutions Library is offered at no charge, in partnership with Peace At Home Parenting Solutions, a non- profit. Peace At Home Parenting Solutions is a dynamic hub of trusted knowledge and compassionate support that inspires parents to create positive change for their children, their families and themselves. Through this new partnership, MPY is pleased to offer proven resources to help students’ families thrive. The video trainings are presented by experts with advanced degrees and present easy-to-use strategies for long-lasting change.

As we enter winter, we want students to have a consistent outdoor experience between grades and classrooms. To support this, we have set guidelines for temperature/weather type when deciding outdoor vs. indoor recess for all classrooms. Below are guidelines for outdoor recess for ‘24 - '25 school year.

• Students will be outdoors if the temperature (including wind chill) is 20 degrees or warmer and it’s not raining, sleeting, hailing, or blizzarding. We use Weatherbug.com to determine the temperature.

• On questionable, cold days the office will make an announcement before the first recess announcing outdoor or indoor recess. If no announcement is made then it is outdoor recess.

• If students want to play in snow, they must be wearing snow pants, boots, jackets, and gloves/mittens. If students do not wish to play in the snow, they will remain on the blacktop.

• With a large amount of students out on the playground at each recess, we need to be extra vigilant about safety. There is no throwing of snowballs or ice. A reflection form will be used to re-teach and discuss the safety concerns if a student does not follow this rule.

• Label each article of clothing so that if something is misplaced, it can be returned to you as quickly as possible.

Please be aware that all students go outside when the weather meets these conditions. Thanks for taking the time to remind students of the winter expectations. Snow play is beloved by many and we want to make sure that everyone has an opportunity to safely enjoy their recess time during these months.

We are all working to manage the age of technology and are looking for support between school and home. Many children have new smart devices and the elementary schools have some guidance.

A kind reminder to our families that cell phones must be turned off and in students’ backpacks at the start of the school day. Smartwatches may be worn as regular watches, however, students are not allowed to text, communicate with others, use applications, take pictures or videos, or access social media services and websites.

Should parents/guardians urgently need to reach their child during the school day, we ask that you call the main office. Students are also allowed to come to the main office if they need to contact someone at home. If a cell phone or watch becomes a significant distraction, school administrators will reach out to parents/guardians. The Andover Public Schools is not responsible for lost, stolen, damaged, or broken devices.

To promote healthy digital habits during the school day, the resources below may be helpful to use. We appreciate your partnership as we work to keep interruptions to the school day at a minimum.

Resource for Apple Watches:

How to set a School Time schedule

• Open the Watch app on your iPhone. Tap All Watches, then tap your child's watch.

• Tap Done, then tap Schooltime.

• Turn on Schooltime, then tap Edit Schedule.

• Choose the days and times when you want Schooltime to be active.

• Tap Add Time if you want to set up more than one schedule in a day.

Resource for Gizmo Watches:

How to set up School mode

• Open the. Gizmo Hub app.

• Tap the. School mode switch. turn on or off. If necessary, set up a School Mode schedule.

This school year we are using a system called PickUp Patrol to help us track

dismissals. PickUp Patrol (PUP) provides you with a convenient way to make changes to your

child’s dismissal plans and help ensure that our students are accurately dismissed each day.

How It Works:

1. Your child’s regular dismissal plan will be entered into ASPEN. This is called their

Default Plan.

2. Whenever your child is following a plan other than their Default Plan you’ll submit the

change using the PickUp Patrol app.

Examples of a plan change:

● Your child has a doctor's appointment and will be leaving early.

● Your child normally rides the bus but is getting picked up today.

● Your child will be arriving late.

● Your child is getting picked up by someone other than yourself.

3. When the change is submitted, the school will be notified and we’ll relay the change to

your child.

4. Register

If you have any questions, please first check the PUP Parent Guide. If you still need help,

contact us here in the office.

All students are able to receive 1 free breakfast and 1 free lunch daily during the 2024-2025 school year. Breakfast will be served in the cafeteria from 8:45 - 9:00 and does not need to be ordered ahead of time.

Lunches will need be preordered. It is very important that our cafeteria has an accurate lunch count each day. Please review with your children each morning what you have ordered for them.

Please click below for the monthly menu and more information about Andover's Nutrition Program including how to sign up.

MOST IMPORTANT - CARS DO NOT TRAVEL FROM THE BANCROFT ROAD SIDE OF THE SCHOOL. YOU ENTER THE CAR LANE FROM WEST KNOLL.

OUR BUSES MUST USE BANCROFT ROAD AND IT IS NOT WIDE ENOUGH FOR CARS AND BUSES. YOUR COOPERATION IS GREATLY APPRECIATED FOR THE SAFETY OF ALL!

When cars are waiting prior to 8:45 and prior to 3:30, they must be TURNED OFF. This is a NO IDLING ZONE as the SIGNAGE INDICATES.

DROP OFF: ALL CARS MUST DRIVE UP WEST KNOLL TO DROP OFF STUDENTS. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE do not get out of the car in the morning to help your child. We have staff on duty to assist and this will hold up the line quite a bit. We know many have to rush off and we want to help in any way we can. This is a way we can help one another!

There is a staff member there to direct traffic and it is a single lane so you may not pass even if your child has exited your car.

PARENT PICK-UP: ALL CARS MUST DRIVE UP WEST KNOLL TO PICK UP STUDENTS. NO CARS WILL BE PERMITTED TO ENTER FROM BANCROFT ROAD.

In order to help expedite the pick-up procedure, please use the provided name cards from the PTO and have it prominently displayed when you arrive to pick up your child. This will expedite the process. If someone else is picking up your child, please have them follow the same protocol. If you do not have the provided tag or someone else is picking up your child, please write your last name ONLY in LARGE, BLACK, BOLD print on a piece of tag board/paper and have it prominently displayed when you arrive to pick up your child

AGAIN . . . DO NOT EXIT YOUR CAR DURING THIS TIME OR PASS CARS!

Thank you very much!

• Bancroft School
• Bancroft PTO

Important Links (APS):

• Andover Public Schools
• Handbook
  
• Elementary School Libraries
• Staff Directory (will be updated this week)
• Bullying Incident Report Form
• Menu
• LINQ Ordering System

_________________________________________________________________________

­Want to stay up to date with all the latest PTO news?

· Click here to subscribe to the newsletter.

· Visit their website.

· Follow them on Facebook.

· Follow them on Twitter (@BancroftPTO).

· Follow them on Instagram (@BancroftPTO)

_________________________________________________________________________

Email: beth.leavitt@andoverma.us
Website: https://www.aps1.net/69/Bancroft-Elementary-School
Location: 15 Bancroft Rd, Andover, MA, USA
Phone: (978) 247-9500
Twitter: @BancroftAPS