Message to NAMS Families 10/25/24

Halloween Costume Expectations for Students

• No masks

• No weapons

• No messes

• You must be able to sit in your seats in classrooms and during lunch.

• Cannot create a disruption to the learning environment.

• Must adhere to our personal appearance policy

• Please remember that someone’s Identity is NOT your Halloween Costume.

• If your costume idea is something someone else would identify with/as, including religion, race, ethnicity, culture, gender, sex, or sexual orientation, then it’s time to go back to the drawing board and start brainstorming new ideas.

Thank you to the North Andover Special Education Parents Advisory Council (NA SEPAC) for sharing wonderful ideas for Inclusive Trick or Treating Tips and Considerations. You may find some great resources in the following languages below:

Student Pictures and IDs were distributed on Monday, October 21st.
If you child did not have their picture taken on our Picture Day or would like a retake, please read the information below regarding NAMS Picture Retake Day.

🎉BIG NEWS! 🎉 Our NAMS Challenge Fundraiser fundraiser kicks off soon!

We’re raising $35,000 for school resources to to support staff reimbursement requests, staff appreciation events, school enrichment programs, student activities and trips (evening events, field trips, and end-of-year activities), & school needs (i.e. courtyard seating, recess supplies, and various school needs).Save the date and stay tuned for more details on how you can support our cause. #schoolfundraiser #supportourschool #choosebooster

💻 Sign up online at mybooster.com – 10/30/2024

🎉 Fundraiser Kickoff in school – 11/13/2024

From the Health Office

All students must be seen by the school nurse prior to being dismissed for an illness or an injury. Students should not contact their parents/guardians using their cell phones to be dismissed. Our nurses will evaluate the student first and support the child as needed. If dismissal or follow up is necessary, parents/guardians will be contacted.

Cell Phone Policy

Cell phones and other non-academic electronic devices are not allowed to be used during the instruction day (7:40-2:20 p.m.). Student use of electronic devices for texting, talking, using applications, accessing social media services and websites, and accessing the internet during the school day serves as a significant distraction/disruption to academics.

The expectation is that cell phones and other non-academic electronic devices are turned off and put away in their locker. Lockers must be locked with a school issued lock. If a student is found to be in possession of or using their cell phone or other non-academic electronics the following policy will be followed:

1st offense:

• The cell phones and other non-academic electronic devices will be confiscated and submitted to the main office where the student can get the item back at the end of the day with a warning.

2nd offense:

• The cell phones and other non-academic electronic devices will be confiscated and submitted to the main office where a parent/guardian will need to pick up the item

3rd offense:

• The cell phones and other non-academic electronic devices will be confiscated and submitted to the main office where a parent/guardian will need to pick up the item and the student will be issued an office detention.

4th offense:

• The cell phones and other non-academic electronic devices will be confiscated and submitted to the main office where a parent/guardian will need to pick up the item. A meeting with an Assistant Principal will take place in order to establish a contract where the item can either be dropped off at arrival time and picked up at dismissal, or the item is not allowed in school. The student will be issued 1-3 office detentions.

We respectfully ask for your support in reinforcing the cell phones and other non-academic electronic devices rules. If there is ever a reason for a student to call home, they are allowed to utilize a classroom or office phone with permission. If you have to get in touch with your student, we would ask that you please contact the main office during school hours.

North Andover Public Schools are not responsible for lost, stolen, damaged, or broken devices.

NAMS Dismissal Protocols

When it is necessary to be dismissed early for a doctor’s appointment or other personal business, the student must bring a note from the parent/guardian stating the reason and the time for early dismissal. This note must be brought to the office before homeroom. Parents/Guardians may also send an email to namsattendance@northandoverpublicschools.com by 8:00 a.m. with the name of the student being dismissed, the reason for the dismissal, and the time of dismissal.

If neither a note is brought to the main office or a dismissal email is sent, a parent/guardian must pick his/her/their child up at the office and fill out a dismissal form. Unexpected dismissals may take additional time due to students being outside away from the building for lunch or outside classes.

Due to bus line ups and congested traffic, we strongly discourage parents/guardians from dismissing their child after 1:45 p.m.

You may find information about student dismissals and much more in our NAMS Parent/Guardian Guide 2024-2025.

Thank you for your anticipated support and cooperation.

Students:

If you are taking the path to NAMS from Bradstreet and Tavern Road, please do not walk on anyone's lawn.

Parents/Guardians:

If you are dropping off or picking up your child on Bradstreet and Tavern Road, please do not block driveways or the road. Please also remind your child to not walk across anyone's lawn.

Thank you for your anticipated support and cooperation!

Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School: NAMS Presentation and Open House

Essex Tech Admissions: https://essexnorthshore.org/admissions/

Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical Schools will be holding an Open House Saturday, November 23, 2024. There are 2 session offered and registration is required to attend.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/open-house-essex-north-shore-agricultural-technical-school-tickets-719433443797

Essex Tech will begin accepting applications for the 2025-2026 school year on Wednesday, October 16, 2024. Watch for the “Apply Now” button on their admissions website. For more information please visit https://essexnorthshore.org/admissions/

Deadline for applications is Friday, January 10, 2025.

Youtube link to view the admissions video: https://youtu.be/lxQIa5tifq0

Representatives from Essex Tech will hold a presentation for all 8th grade NAMS students on Tuesday, October 22nd at 8:00 a.m.

Lottery System: This school year will be just as the previous school year, a lottery based process of admissions. If a student passes both 7th & 8th without failing or over our limit of unexcused absences they may qualify for the lottery, otherwise they may not and will be notified. North Andover is a surrounding school meaning all applicants can only participate in one of our 7 Agricultural, Animal and Science programs that we have videos and listing on our website under programs for all to see.

Greater Lawrence Admissions: https://www.glts.net/domain/25

Open House for Prospective Students & Families : November 3, 12:00-2:00 p.m.

Registration for Fall 2025 admissions will open on October 21 and applications will be reviewed after Q1/T1 of Grade 8 is complete for Class of 2029.

Priority Deadline for Class of 2029 - February 3, 2025

GLTS is excited to announce the launch of their online application portal. The online application is available on the GLTS website here: Admissions or students & parents can log in directly to our portal here: https://glts.go2cte.com/

Representatives for GLTS will hold a presentation for all 8th NAMS grade students on Monday, October 21st at 8:00 a.m.

We understand the importance of finding the right school for your child and will support them throughout this process. If your child is planning on applying to a private high school or technical high school we ask that you reference the following link to download all necessary documents as well as to familiarize yourself with our process and requirements.

PROCESS & REQUIREMENTS:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1AnSI7hnkLJF1TDWV-ZdPB50S1zyF5ZQM-qjBl19aa1Y/edit

Please have your child fill out the information sheet and provide an electronic copy to your child's guidance counselor as well as any teacher who is writing a recommendation. This information is incredibly helpful as our wish is to provide a comprehensive evaluation of your child's strengths, accomplishments and overall skill set.

INFORMATION SHEET:

docs.google.com/document/d/1tTmLdhk8avjzr-dhg96Y3f3wvu3Xx6TJE3VtFQkaYaQ/edit?usp=sharing

We ask parents and students to research private high schools on their own. The guidance department does not provide information or applications regarding private high schools, however, we will assist your child by writing recommendations and sending all supporting documents. For "on-line" recommendations, the guidance department completes the "school report" (i.e. "principal/counselor recommendation" and "transcript" form). "Personal" and "Special Interest" recommendations are generally completed by someone other than the guidance counselor.

Please Note:

• Trimester 1 ends on December 6, 2024 which means that transcripts cannot be uploaded prior to this date.
• All private/technical school applications that have been given to Mr. Gosselin will be uploaded when transcripts are available. We will make every effort to upload your child's applications by the identified due date.

Hello NAMS Families,

This year, NAMS is making a special effort to ensure that all students fully benefit from their education by attending school regularly. Attending school regularly helps children feel better about school—and themselves. Consistent attendance will help children do well in high school, college, and beyond.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Starting in kindergarten, too many absences (excused and unexcused) can cause children to fall behind in school.

• Missing 10 percent (or about 18 days) increases the chance that your student will not read or master math at the same level as their peers.

• Students can still fall behind if they miss just a day or two days every few weeks.

• Being late to school may lead to poor attendance.

• Absences can affect the whole classroom if the teacher has to slow down learning to help children catch up.

• By 6th grade, absenteeism is one of three signs that a student may drop out of high school.

• By being present at school, your child learns valuable social skills and has the opportunity to develop meaningful relationships with other students and school staff.

• Absences can be a sign that a student is losing interest in school, struggling with school work, dealing with a bully, or facing some other potentially serious difficulty.

• By 9th grade, regular and high attendance is a better predictor of graduation rates than 8th-grade test scores.

WHAT WE NEED FROM YOU

We miss your students when they are gone and value their contributions to our school. We would like you to help ensure that your student attends regularly and is successful in school. If your child will be absent or tardy, a parent/guardian must call the school at 978-794-1870 then press 2 and provide the student’s name, grade, and reason for the absence or tardiness. The voice mailbox is available 24 hours per day. This call should take place before 7:10 a.m. on the day of the absence or tardiness.

OUR PROMISE TO YOU

We know that there are a wide variety of reasons that students are absent from school, from health concerns to transportation challenges. There are many people in our building prepared to help you if you or your student face challenges in getting to school regularly or on time. Please don’t hesitate to contact our staff:

• Counselors:

• Ms. Nightingale, Grade 7

• Mr. Gosselin, Grade 8

• Ms. Chute, Grade 6.

• Nurses:

• Ms. Wolfe

• Ms. Woodford

• Administrators:

• Ms. Beasley, Teams 6A & 6C and Grade 8

• Mr. Murray, Team 6B & 6D and Grade 7

We will be tracking attendance daily, to notice when your student is missing from class, communicate with you to understand why they were absent, and to identify barriers and supports available to overcome challenges you may face in helping your student attend school.

SCHOOL POLICIES AND STATE LAWS

It is important that you understand our school policies and procedures, as well as Massachusetts State Law, to ensure your child is successful in school. Massachusetts law requires compulsory attendance for all students. Chapter 76, section 1 of the Massachusetts General Laws requires all children between the ages of six and sixteen to attend school. The school must uphold state laws relative to student attendance.

We, the school, are required to take daily attendance. In accordance with Section 315.1 (c) of 603 CMR 28.00: "Any child who is absent without medical excuse for more than fifteen (15) days in any term will be referred by the principal to the 603 CMR 28.00 Chairperson for evaluation.” The school administration will also notify parents of student absences in accordance with M.G.L. c. 76, s. 1B.

We encourage you to review the school and district attendance policies and procedures as outlined in our District’s Student Handbook and our NAMS Parent/Guardian Guide.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

• Set a regular bedtime and morning routine.

• Prepare for school the night before, finish homework, and get a good night’s sleep.

• Find out what day school starts and make sure your child has the required immunizations.

• Don’t let your student stay home unless they are truly sick. Keep in mind complaints of a stomach ache or headache can be a sign of anxiety and not a reason to stay home.

• Avoid appointments and extended trips when school is in session.

• Develop backup plans for getting to school if something comes up. Call on a family member, a neighbor, or another parent.

• Keep track of your student’s attendance. Missing more than 9 days could put your student at risk of falling behind.

• Talk to your student about the importance of attendance.

• Talk to your student’s teachers if you notice sudden changes in behavior. These could be tied to something going on at school.

• Encourage meaningful afterschool activities, including sports and clubs.

Sincerely,

Jorge Goncalves

Principal

Portions of this letter are attributable to Attendance Works http://www.attendanceworks.org/

This Year’s Theme is:

COMMUNITY...

Together We Can Achieve Greatness!

Being an active member of your community means you care about others and helping one another. Unity means joining together to achieve great things. Together you can make a positive impact in your school, neighborhood and community. Together, we can achieve greatness!

The POSTER submission deadline is Friday, January 24, 2025. The PSA submission deadline is Friday, April 25, 2025. For additional information, please contact MPY Executive Director Margie Daniels, at margie@mpyinc.org or Wendy Leone at wendy@mpyinc.org.

Each participant must complete the student application form signed by a parent/guardian consenting to the student's involvement in the Poster/PSA Project. The form is available to download below and can also be found on MPY’s website. School staff are responsible for collecting the permission slip and keeping them on file. When uploading a student’s project, please check the box acknowledging receipt of the signed permission slip.

Each year, the VFW offers scholarships called Patriots Pen which is a VFW sponsored youth essay competition that gives students an opportunity to write essays expressing their views on an annual theme.

On behalf of our Post, I would like to extend this opportunity to your students. This scholarship is open to any students in grades 5 through 8. This year’s theme is “My Voice in America’s Democracy?”. The requirements for this essay are attached, but a quick summary of the rules are as follows:

• Essay must be 300-500 words, typed

• Students should not put the name, or any identify information, into the essay. The entry form is the cover sheet.

• Secure the Official Student Entry From with a staple on the top of the essay

• Essay must be student’s original work

The student essays are due by October 31, 2024. The Official Student Entry Form and detailed information may be found below. Essays can be submitted by emailing them to post2104@vfwma.org or they can be dropped at the VFW located at 32 Park Street North Andover, MA 01845.

If you have any questions please reach out to Commander Clark at Jeffrey.j.clark@hotmail.com