Bulldog Bulletin

Last week, we had a wonderful Read Across America Week, filled with a fun Spirit Week and exciting author visits. On Monday, Rajani LaRocca visited our third through fifth graders as students dressed in workout attire. Tuesday brought Megan Litwin to our kindergarten through second-grade classrooms, with students wearing cozy socks. On Wednesday, Holly Thompson engaged all grades while students sported their favorite hats. Thursday featured Matt Tavares, with everyone enjoying PJ Day. We ended the week on Friday with Community Readers visiting classrooms to share stories, as students showed their spirit in team jerseys and shirts. Rajani LaRocca’s visit was generously sponsored by the Cummings Grant, while the rest of our amazing author visits were made possible by the Sanborn PTO and FunRun dollars—thank you for your support! Check out the pictures at the end of the newsletter!

Next week on Wednesday, band students from across the district spanning grades 4 through 12 will perform together at All Bands Night. The concert will take place at the Andover High School Field House, starting at 6:30 PM. Groups performing include Sanborn's 4th Grade Band and 5th Grade Band. We look forward to a great evening. We will also have our Talent Show on Thursday at 5:30. I am very excited to see Sanborn students show off their talents this week.

We will continue learning about the Mood Meter. Students are learning words from the Red Zone which represents high energy and low pleasantness: You can practice these words at home!

• Kindergarten – Annoyed

• First Grade – Furious

• Second Grade – Irritable

• Third Grade – Competitive

• Fourth Grade – Envious

• Fifth Grade – Exasperated

We continue with our March theme of the month: Problem Solving & Flexibility.

At home, you can support your child’s problem-solving and flexibility skills with these strategies:

• Strategy Board Games – Games like Chess, Checkers, Risk, and Clue encourage thinking ahead.
• Escape Room or Mystery Games – Let them solve logic-based puzzles in apps or physical games.
• Building Challenges – Give them random materials (Legos, cardboard, string) and ask them to build something useful.
• Role-Playing Scenarios – Let them act out different situations and think of multiple solutions (e.g., resolving a disagreement with a friend).

Important Reminders

• PickUp Patrol: We are now only using PickUp Patrol to handle absences, tardies, and dismissal changes. Please use the app instead of calling the absentee line.

Thank you for your continued support in making Sanborn a place where everyone belongs!

Head Lice: Parents are encouraged to check your child’s hair for head lice regularly. If you discover head lice or have any questions please contact the School Nurse at 978-247-9702.

March is National Nutrition Month and I want to take this opportunity to remind parents of the importance of breakfast in the lives of your children. Frequently I see students in the clinic with the complaint of a stomach ache and/or headache who have not eaten breakfast. Hunger can lead to each of these ailments which prevent optimal learning and cause lost classroom time. Mornings can be a challenge to juggle it all, but please make time for your child to eat breakfast, it will set the foundation for a successful day at school.

Another option for the busy household is breakfast at school. Breakfast is available at school each morning free of charge from 8:45 – 8:55 am. Please remind your child of this option if eating breakfast at home is not possible. Lunch is also available free of charge this year and should be ordered in advance on the APS Food Services website at https://www.andoverschoolnutrition.com/

Though meals are free of charge this year, there are benefits to registering for Free and Reduced Lunch, including free or reduced prices with transportation, athletics, and more. If you feel your family qualifies, information and the application are available on the website.

Please contact Andrea Pereira - Andrea Pereira-Piantedosi in the Sanborn Cafeteria at andrea.pereirapiante@andoverma.us

or Lisa Slattery in the Sanborn Clinic with questions at lisa.slattery@andoverma.us

Please mark your calendars . . .

Wednesday, March 12 ALL BANDS NIGHT 6:30pm AHS Field House (5th grade arrive 4pm, 4th grade arrive 5:15pm)

Tuesday, March 18 4th /5th grade ALL STRINGS NIGHT 7:00pm AHS Collins Center (3rd years 4:15-5 rehearsal come back at 6:30; 2nd years arrive 5:00; 1st years arrive 6:00)

Wednesday, May 21 3rd grade Strings/Recorder Performance 10:15 am

Wednesday, May 28 Sanborn Spring Concert (Band/Strings/Orff/Chorus) 7:00pm

Also, our 4th graders have just begun bucket drumming and 5th graders will soon begin Ukulele. If they want to practice at home they can use www.musicplayonline.com and use the code D654018

We share in your excitement for your child to enroll in Kindergarten for the 2025-2026 school year and look forward to them being a part of the Andover Public School community in September.

Kindergarten registration will begin on Monday, February 3 to Monday, March 3, 2025. Please access the Kindergarten Registration Link on our website.

To find which school your child will attend, review our district map at this link. Following your registration, please contact your school directly to make an appointment to submit your registration paperwork.

For your reference, student eligibility requirements are as follows:

Kindergarten:

As per School Committee Policy (Policy JF: Residency, School Admission, Entrance Age), children must be 5 years old on or before August 31, 2025 and entering Kindergarten in the Andover Public Schools for the first time.

First Grade: (New to Andover /Andover Public Schools)

Children must be age 6 on or before August 31, 2025 and enrolling in the Andover Public Schools for the first time or transferring from another school district or private school.

The first day of school for Pre-K and Kindergarten students is Tuesday, September 2, 2025.

We look forward to meeting all our incoming students and families in the new school year!

We want to share these dates in advance as we prepare for the upcoming.

Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) testing.

Grade 3 April 7, 8 (ELA) and May 6, 8 (Math)

Grade 4 April 10, 11 (ELA) and May 13, 15 (Math)

Grade 5 April 10, 11 (ELA) May 13, 15 (Math) and May 19, 20 (Science)

More information will be shared closer to testing time.

Wednesday, March 12th Early Release (Parent Teacher Conferences) and All Bands Night 7:00 AHS Field House

Thursday, March 13th Talent Show 5:30

Tuesday, March 18: All Strings Night, Andover High School Collins Center, 7pm