You Belong Here
We had an energetic first school meeting this week, followed by grade level meetings. During the grade level meetings we reviewed Sanborn CARES with all students. Students shared the many ways to demonstrate it at school. Sanborn CARES stands for Cooperation, Acceptance, Responsibility, Empathy, and Stick-to-itiveness. One of my favorite moments was when a few students said, "When you show Sanborn CARES, you feel belonging." As students learn the routines, I have been noticing when they demonstrate responsibility.
I look forward to seeing you all at our Family Fun Night (Open House) on Wednesday from 5:00-6:30, which is the highlight of our September events. It’s always a privilege to engage with and connect with our families.
We also dance on Friday mornings! Starting this year, we’ll be dancing to songs with specific dances, featuring one song each month so students can practice. Our current song is the Cha-Cha Slide, and it’s a great opportunity to practice at home.
Thank you for your ongoing support, and let’s make the most of the exciting school year ahead!
Drop off and Pick Up
Drop Off
-Please do not drop students off until 8:45. We do not have staffing on the playground prior to that time.
Carpool Pick up
Please do not park in the back lot if you are bringing your children to the playground after school. You may park along the fence or in the front loop and walk to greet your child.
PickUp Patrol
This school year we will be 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: In the next few days/weeks you will receive a registration email from PickUp
Patrol with a link to set up your account. The web app is free for parents and you can
use it from your phone or computer. When you receive the registration email, log in
right away to confirm your child’s default plan (The link expires in 48 hours).
Soon after the start of the school year, you will receive an email from PickUp Patrol asking you to confirm your child's default plan.
For the first few days of school, teachers will be using the information in your back to school forms on Aspen. If there is a change, please send in a note with your child before PickUp Patrol is activated.
If you have any questions, please first check the PUP Parent Guide. If you still need help,
contact us here in the office.
Technology at School
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.
Aspen Updates
Andover Public Schools is asking our returning families to verify/update certain pieces of information via a secure online portal called Family Connection. This information includes emergency contacts, medical information, demographics, technology usage agreement, as well as acknowledging other district policies. We hope that this online system will streamline our communication and reduce the amount of paperwork you need to complete. It is important that this is completed before the first day of school, so we have the latest information for your student in case of emergency and so we know how your child is being dismissed on the 1st day of school. Please complete this process even if your students are newly registered.
This system is accessible through the Aspen Family Portal. The Aspen login screen has changed over the summer. Please review the New Aspen and Schoology Sign in information if you have not yet logged in over the summer.
If you need a password reset, please visit our Password Self-Service tool. All other account questions, please email infosys@andoverma.us.
Once you have logged into Aspen, click on the link under the Announcements on the Home page that reads ‘Family Connection – Back to School Forms’. You will be redirected to the Family Connection "Verification Form" page which contains directions on how to complete and submit the forms.
