Bulldog Bulletin

The weeks really start to fly by this time of year—it’s hard to believe there are only 24 school days left!

What a wonderful Staff Appreciation Week! Our amazing PTO and families truly went above and beyond to show their gratitude for our incredible educators. Thank you all so much!

Last week was full of excitement. Kindergarten enjoyed an engaging in-school enrichment visit from Animal Adventures, and our fifth graders had a fantastic field trip to the Seacoast Science Center. Both experiences were generously sponsored by our amazing PTO and made possible by your Fun Run contributions!

Third grade did a great job on the Math MCAS—way to go! This coming week, our fourth and fifth graders will take the Math MCAS on Tuesday and Thursday. We know they’ll give it their best effort!

Also on Thursday, we’re looking forward to our Kindergarten Magic Forest Performance at 5:30 PM. Earlier in the day, second grade will enjoy the Animal Engineering program—another enrichment opportunity sponsored by the PTO and supported by Fun Run dollars.

Mood Meter Update

We will continue to explore the Mood Meter at Sanborn School. We are returning to words in the Red Quadrant, which represents high energy and low pleasantness. You can practice these words at home.

• Kindergarten – Nervous

• First Grade – jealous

• Second Grade – embarrassed

• Third Grade – resentful

• Fourth Grade – anxious

• Fifth Grade – self-conscious

May's Theme of the Month: Self-Control

Here are some ways you can practice at home:

🧠 1. Play Self-Control Games

• Examples: Red Light, Green Light, Simon Says, Freeze Dance

• These games build impulse control and listening skills in fun ways.

⏳ 2. Practice Waiting

• Ask your child to wait a few minutes before getting a treat or turn.

• Use timers to make waiting manageable and measurable.

📚 3. Read Books About Self-Control

• Stories help kids see characters managing emotions or making tough choices.

• Great picks: “Interrupting Chicken,” “What If Everybody Did That?” or “My Mouth is a Volcano”

🔄 4. Create a Calm-Down Plan

• Help your child identify what to do when they’re upset (deep breaths, count to 10, squeeze a stuffed animal).

• Practice it together during calm moments.

🎯 5. Set Goals Together

• Help them set a simple goal like “I will use kind words when I’m mad” and track progress with stickers or checkmarks.

Tuesday May 13: Grade 4 & 5 (Math)

Thursday May 15: Grade 4 & 5 (Math)

Monday May 19: Grade 5 (Science)

Monday May 19: Grade 5 (Science)

Thursday June 12: Celebration of Learning

Friday June 13: Last Day of School 12:15 Dismissal

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!

• There are several great Volunteer Roles that need to be filled for the next school year, so we can continue to provide all the great programs and events that Sanborn families love. Please consider taking something on with a friend! We are also looking to fill two remaining positions on the PTO Board: Events Chair and Secretary (email pto@sanbornpto.net to learn more about joining the board).
• Our final PTO Meeting of the year will take place on 5/20 at 7pm and will be virtual and we'll be voting on the incoming PTO Board members! Join here.
• Join us for our final parent social of the school year at Oak & Iron Brewery on Wednesday, May 21st, from 6:30-8:30pm. This event is free to attend and the PTO will provide snacks.
• Attention 5th Grade Families! Please stay tuned for more information regarding the 5th Grade Celebration of Learning and pool party at Indian Ridge Country Club. The celebrations will take place on Thursday, June 12th, the times are still being finalized. There will be a required permission slip for the students to attend the pool party. More information will be coming very soon!
• A few ways to stay up to date on the latest news and offerings from the PTO:
• The Bulldog Spirit is the monthly newsletter from the Sanborn PTO where they communicate about our school events, fundraisers, enrichment activities, etc. Sign up here.
• Bookmark the PTO website!
• For real-time updates during the school year, follow the Sanborn Community on social media: Facebook, Instagram
• Join your child's grade-level Facebook group - this group is just for kids in your child’s grade. Here you can connect, ask grade-specific questions, etc.