Message to NAMS Families 10/18/24

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!

Student Pictures and IDs will be 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.

NAMS Picture Retake Day is 10/30/24

There is no pre-ordering for retakes. Please read below for more information on how orders are processed from this day.

This notice is to let families know about the upcoming date of the NAMS Picture Retake Day.

Picture Retake Day is for new students and staff members, transfer students, or for anyone who may have missed the initial picture day,

OR

for anyone who was unhappy with their original picture and would like to give it another try. If a student would like the retake photo to replace the original photo, please have the student return the original picture package to the photographer on picture day. We will replace the original package at no additional cost.

If this is the first time being photographed, just have the student/staff go to the camera and we’ll create a proof for them that will be sent to the school (and/or to their family email if we have that information). These proofs will be delivered approximately 4 weeks after picture day. An order code will be on the proof along with ordering instructions.

• Our Annual NAMS Fundraiser is scheduled to begin on November 13th and conclude on November 22nd.
• The Booster Bash is scheduled during RA classes for each grade on Friday, November 22, 2024.
• Our goal is to raise $35,000! If we all hype up the fundraiser, we should be able to meet our goal!
• The money raised during this fundraiser is used 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).

We have scheduled the annual Grade 8 Presentations for students to learn about...

• Greater Lawrence Technical School (GLTS)
• Essex North Shore Agricultural & Technical School (Essex Tech)

GLTS - Monday, October 21st 8:00 a.m. (RA1 - Day 2)

Essex Tech - Tuesday, October 22nd 8:00 a.m. (RA1 - Day 1)

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.

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:

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