Message to NAMS Families 11/15/24

The November issue of the NAMS Library Newsletter is ready for your review here. In this month’s issue, you will find the following information:

• Choose the name of our "book" turkey!
• Top Three Circulating Titles
• Get in the Know this KNOWvember!
• Did you KNOW...
• Books to Celebrate Native American Heritage Month!
• Book Care Video of the Month
• Programming @ Stevens Library
• BOOK SPOTLIGHT
• DATABASE SPOTLIGHT

SAVE THE DATE: North Andover High School looks forward to welcoming NAMS families on Monday, February 3rd for our 8th Grade Open House. During this event, families will have access to a building tour, learn about our academic offerings and course selection, and preview our co-curricular activities like athletics teams and clubs. The high school will send more information to families after the new year. We hope you'll join us!

SEPAC Awareness Day - Wear Your Support on Friday, November 22, 2024

Celebrate Inclusivity and Diversity by Wearing Your Yellow or SEPAC Gear on November 22, 2024.

Orders are due by November 17th and available at bdesignedapparel.com

25% of profits are donated to NA SEPAC

Thank you for your anticipated support!

Upcoming SEPAC Event

Information Session with Chris Marchese,

DDS/Northeast Arc Community Resources Specialist

• Transition Planning & Resources

• Social Service and Consultations

• Learn about E-Community Connections

Merrimack Valley Family Welcome Center

Monday, November 18th from 7:00-8:00 p.m.

Register here or at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfMzMhHZjAeW7EpcIZkjWYZ0NNaIUgLeRan0ZaRu9HnX9ESZw/viewform

Grades 7 (Follow Grade 6 Schedule with RA classes in the middle of the day.)

• Monday, November 25th (Day 1)
• Tuesday, November 26th (Day 2)

Grades 8 (Follow Grade 8 Schedule with RA classes at the beginning of the day.)

• Monday, November 25th (Day 1)
• Tuesday, November 26th (Day 2)

Grade 6 (Follow Grade 7 Schedule with RA classes at the end of the day.)

• Monday, November 25th (Day 2)
• Tuesday, November 26th (Day 2)

Grade 6 Healthy Choices Fair: November 25th & 26th

• Who? Grade 6

• What? Activities including yoga, exercising with a pedometer, creating anti-vaping posters and an exhibition with engaging booths

• Where? Multiple locations: Gym, Fitness Room, RA Classrooms, and the Track

• When?

• Monday, November 25th (Day 2) - During RA Classes

• Tuesday, November 26th (Day 2) - During RA Classes

• Why? Continue to educate and build awareness around healthy choices and anti-vaping

NAMS Annual Turkey Trot - Wednesday, November 27th (Day 1)

Mr. Wood and Ms. Pino are excited for the annual NAMS Turkey Trot on Wednesday November 27th. For those of you who don’t know, the Turkey Trot is a friendly race where students and staff members run/walk the course, which is a little less than a mile. If we have to cancel the event due to weather, students will attend their related arts class instead of participating in the Turkey Trot.

Students are to go to their first RA where their teacher will take attendance and bring them to the gym. Students should sit in the bleachers, by team, which is labeled on the gym wall. We will go over the course route and rules, then start the race. After the race we will announce winners and dismiss students by team.

Students should remember to dress appropriately and wear sneakers! Below is the schedule for Wednesday.

A Parent-Led Discussion on Vaping and Addiction

This will be a small discussion group with limited seating to discuss the series, and to learn from each other how to best help teens/tweens struggling with vaping and addiction. Present will be a mom who has gone through the steps to help her family member with addiction, and can give some insight and guidance to others.

It is scheduled for Thursday, December 5 at 7 p.m.

Registration link: https://www.naparentresourcenetwork.org/events-registration

Massachusetts Partnerships for Youth (MPY) is continuing to sponsor a free Parenting Solutions Library. MPY is offering this valuable resource in partnership with Peace At Home Parenting Solutions, a non-profit organization located in Mansfield, Connecticut. Through this partnership, MPY is providing proven resources to help students’ families thrive.

Peace At Home Parenting Solutions specializes in empowering parents with evidence-based strategies to foster nurturing connections that safeguard their children's mental well-being. The Parenting Solutions Library is easily accessed using the link on MPY’s home page. No log in or passcode is needed.

You can order your NAMS 2024-2025 Yearbook now for $40 at yearbookordercenter.com

Use order number 5986 to find the NAMS Yearbook.

Share why you attend!

To emphasize the importance of attending school, DESE's "Power of Presence" initiative asks you to submit a creative piece of artwork, music, photography, videography, writing, etc. to express why you attend school.

We hope to hear from everyone: Pre-K to adult students, families, school staff, educators, and administrators!

Some examples include a short story about your school community, a painting of your favorite teacher, a photo of your classroom decorations, a video interview of your favorite teacher, a song you've been practicing for the school play, a testimonial about a new skill you learned - we are encouraging you to get creative!

We will choose one entry to be featured this spring, highlighting you and your school community! We can't wait to see what you create and what makes your presence so powerful. This opportunity is open to all students, school staff, educators, and families in Massachusetts public pre-K-12 schools and adult learning classes.

Deadline: December 20, 2024

To Submit:

1. Complete the Entry Form (with included Media Agreement language)

2. Attach your submission to the form.

3. Deadline is Friday, December 20th, by 11:59 p.m.

4. The creator of the entry that will be featured in the spring will be notified on or before January 10, 2025.

You may find the entry form here and at the following address: https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/7940961/The-Power-of-Presence-copy

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.

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.