DATES TO KNOW
November 20 - Picture RETAKE Day
November 27 - Early dismissal at 12:15 for Thanksgiving recess
November 28 and 29 - NO SCHOOL - Thanksgiving recess
Let's Talk Redistricting - with Dr. Parvey
Meet DillingerRAD, our redistricting consultant and learn more about the redistricting process.
Did you know that APS has created informative videos about the redistricting process and has answers to current Frequently Asked Questions? This information is on the APS Redistricting page and will be updated as new information becomes available. APS wants you involved and knows having your input will support a successful process. Become more knowledgeable by visiting the APS Redistricting Process webpage.
FREE English classes
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.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Week of November 11th
This week, all students participated in Parachute games and activities. Students made waves of all sizes, crawled on top of and under the parachute, made a bubble, and played various games using the parachute as a large group. It was a very fun week that also helped develop important skills like cooperation, listening, and motor coordination.
MUSIC
WHAT’S HAPPENING IN MUSIC CLASS 11/12–11/15
Kindergarten and First grade students have been experiencing a singing game called “Somebody’s Knockin’ At My Door.” In this African-American folk song game, students take turns playing an instrument called the temple blocks (upright wood blocks) . Students have their very first experience with improvisation which is making up rhythms on the spot.
Second grade students have been continuing their work with “The Apple Tree” song. In this activity, students work in small cooperative groups and create a “hand clap” to go along with their rhythmic speech pattern. We share our created movement with each other and then we play our rhythms on the tubano drums.
Third grade students are deep into their recorder playing focusing on the notes B, A, and G. We discuss the importance of being respectful listeners as we perform for each other.
Fourth and Fifth grade students used pictograph symbols, their own symbols, poetry, and/or short stories to depict a lesson on gratitude in honor of Native American appreciation month. We listen to authentic Native American music from an album called “Many Blessings.” Some of the songs and artists we discuss and are inspired by through listening are: “The Road Before Us” by Peter Kater, “Wind Spirit” by Tito La Rosa, and “Ladybug Dance” by Mary Youngblood.
ART
November 18
Kindergarten students are learning about the life and art of Alma Thomas. She is known for her colorful abstract paintings and for being the first African American woman to have a solo exhibition at Whitney Museum of American Art. Students explore her signature style in two ways. First, students create a colorful design using torn paper and glue. Then students will use paint to explore color and shape.
First grade students are learning about color field paintings inspired by the American artist, Helen Frankenthaler. Frankthaler’s work is large and abstract. She would not use brushes, instead she would dump a paint mix from the can and spread it on the canvas. Color is the subject of the artwork. It is a type of abstract art that focuses on what color can express without looking like an object, person or place. This art was popular in the 1950’s. First graders experimented with colors and painting techniques to create an abstract artwork.
Second Grade students are participating in a unit all about their identity! Students will first make an “Identity Doodle” where they are asked to create a piece of art using images, words, numbers and colors that are meaningful to them or represent part of their personality or interests. Then, students explore shields from all over the world, and will create a shield that represents them. They can use images and symbols that connect to their identity
Third grade students are learning about parfleche bags. A Parfleche bag is a folded carrying bag made by the Cheyenne Tribe. Parfleche is traditionally made out of rawhide and decorated with geometric designs. Third grade students are creating their own bags inspired by the parfleche designs.
Students in fourth grade have started their first clay project! Students learned about the coil method, and how the Pueblo Tribe of the Southwest have traditionally used this technique to build their vessels. Coils are long tube-like pieces of clay that get stacked one on top of another to build up to a pot. They are utilizing the score and slip method of attaching clay pieces together and building their own pot! Students can use a variety of shapes and coils, so their pots are their own unique design!
Fifth grade students had a visit from artist, Zoe Pettijohn Schade last Friday! We will continue working on our art projects inspired by her work.
For the picture at the top of this art section - Art News: Students from Ms. McCarthy’s 3rd grade & Mr. Scanlon’s 5th grade were invited to come to art during recess to glaze their pieces that they made on the pottery wheel! Next Friday, we will begin to invite students from Ms. McDonough’s 5th grade & Ms. Mallon’s 3rd grade.
LIBRARY MEDIA
Week of 11/11/24
This week, Kindergarten students continued our “Alphabet of Authors” series. Some classes read Children Make Terrible Pets and You Will Be My Friend! by Peter Brown. Other classes read Slowly, Slowly, Said the Sloth by Eric Carle and learned about collage, which Carle used to create his classic illustrations.
First and second graders continued exploring nonfiction books with a focus on biographies. We learned that biographies are books written about a person’s life that contain real pictures or portraits of that person. We read Shark Lady: The True Story of How Eugenie Clark Became the Ocean's Most Fearless Scientist by Jess Keating. We all really enjoyed Eugenie Clark’s inspiring story.
Third graders continued reading How to Save Your Tail by Mary Hanson. We also continued our digital citizenship unit by taking a pledge to be kind, respectful, responsible digital citizens.
Fourth and fifth graders also continued our digital citizenship unit by talking about how we can find balance in our media choices.
I will be sending out library overdue notices to families for books that are more than two weeks overdue by next Friday so that we can make sure all library accounts are squared away before Thanksgiving break. Please reach out if you have any questions.
K-2 families- we are very excited that author Jerry Pallotta- author of the beloved Who Would Win series- will be visiting Bancroft to talk to our students on January 7, 2025. Watch this space in the next few weeks for more information and a book order form for any families wishing to purchase Mr. Pallotta’s books.
Again, 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, but more help is always needed and appreciated! If you are interested in helping out in the library- 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.
Have a fantastic weekend!
Happy Reading!
Miss Carney
School Attendance Letters Sent
As required by the Department of Education, we must notify families multiple times a year of their children's attendance records. For all students, you will find attendance noted on the report cards. Three times a year, we also send letters to families if children reach a certain number of absences. We recognize that sometimes families may not be aware of the cumulative number of absences, and this helps alert you to our commitment to seeing our children in school regularly. Earlier today, letters were sent to a family regarding any student who has been absent 7 days or more.
As part of our engagement in all students' academic success and well-being, we are charged with addressing concerns that may affect our school's overall performance, including attendance data to meet target goals set by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. School attendance matters, and we want to make sure we are partnering with you to help your children stay in school and be active members of our community. We thank you for your continued support and collaboration!
Communication about absences - keeping this for reference.
Pickup Patrol is for DISMISSAL changes only and is not used for absences. You are still required to call the absentee line at 978-247-9501 if your child will be absent. Emailing a teacher does not necessarily get this information to our office because teachers may not have the opportunity to check their email in the morning or during the day. If the absentee line has not been called and your child is marked absent, a robo call will be made to remind you to call the school. We care about your child's safety and need to know if they are absent. If you have an anticipated absence (this is for a vacation or absence due to doctor appointment), you can leave the detailed information on the absentee line or email the office at lucia.rizzo@andoverma.us or laureen.parvin@andoverma.us.
We appreciate your cooperation.
ELECTRONICS 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.
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.
PickUp Patrol is what we are using for DISMISSAL!!
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.
Meals at Bancroft
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.
Transportation Information
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!
Resources
Important Links (APS):
Bancroft Elementary School
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