Bulldog Bulletin

Only 14 school days left — so much to accomplish in such a short time!

What a fun spirit week, topped off by the visit from our High School Seniors. Once a Bulldog, always a Bulldog!

This week, our fifth graders will have their Move-Up Day on Wednesday, when they’ll get the chance to visit their new middle school. That evening, families are invited to our Orchestra, Band, and Chorus Concert at 7:00 p.m.

Then on Friday, students will enjoy a fun-filled Field Day! Students should wear their fun run shirts. 4th and 5th grade students need to pass in their permission slips for track and field by 5/28.

Mood Meter Update

Our final Mood Meter vocabulary list of the school year. We will end in the green. The Green Quadrant, which represents high energy and high pleasantness. You can practice these words at home.

• Kindergarten – safe

• First Grade – comfortable

• Second Grade – forgiving

• Third Grade – supported

• Fourth Grade – serene

• Fifth Grade – understood

May's Theme of the Month: Self-Control

Here are a few more ways you can practice at home:

1. “Choice Pause” Jar

Create a jar with simple questions like:

• “Is this a kind choice?”

• “What could happen next if I do this?”

• “Is this the best time to say this?”

Have your child pull a question when they’re feeling upset or impulsive. It encourages reflection before action.

2. Mindful Snack Time

Teach kids to slow down and enjoy food:

• Take small bites

• Describe the taste, smell, and texture

• Guess how many chews it takes to finish a bite

This helps them practice patience and awareness in a low-stress setting.

3. “Self-Control Superhero” Role-Play

Create a character together (like “Captain Calm” or “Patience Power”) who uses strategies to stay cool under pressure.
Role-play scenarios where the superhero has to wait, share, or use kind words.

4. Color Your Calm

Set aside time for quiet coloring while playing soft music.
Talk about how it feels to slow down and focus. This builds attention and emotional regulation.

5. Create a Family “Pause Word”

Choose a fun code word like “popsicle” or “freeze frame” that anyone can use when emotions are rising.
When someone says the word, everyone stops and takes a breath. It builds a shared habit of stepping back before reacting.

See more information below from in the PTO notes.

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.

May is Bicycle Safety Month: Bicycle Safety Month is the perfect time to highlight the importance of wearing a helmet when riding a bicycle, skateboard, scooter, hover board, and when rollerblading. Helmets are critical equipment as head trauma is the most common injury in accidents while participating in these activities. In the event of an accident, a helmet can reduce head injury by as much as 85%. Despite this statistic, approximately 55% of children do not always wear a helmet. A helmet is needed for every rider regardless of his or her ability, and even when riding for a short time or in an apparently safe location. Accidents happen when they are least expected.

Choose a helmet that is approved by The Consumer Product Safety Commission. Allowing kids to pick out the helmet or decorate it makes them more apt to wear it.

Check for a proper fit. The helmet should:

• fit snugly on the head,
• sit on the forehead, 1-2 finger widths above the eye brow,
• buckle snugly under the chin.

For more details regarding helmet and bicycle safety contact Lisa Slattery at lisa.slattery@andoverma.us or visit https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/bicycle-safety.

Many times throughout the year students ask if they can bring in their instruments and play for the class. The time has come! Students who take lessons (in school or outside of school) will be invited to play for their class during their regular music time on the date below. Students can also sing if they prepare a song. Each student will be able to perform one song so that everyone who comes prepared can have time to perform. If time, your child may be able to play an additional song. Please look for your child’s class time below. Some classes are not on the grid as they are preparing for concerts the last week of school.

Mrs. Waddell

Andover Coalition for Education’s (ACE) mission is to invest in innovative initiatives that prepare APS students for success both in and beyond the classroom. This spring, ACE awarded over $20,000 in Teaching Innovation Fund (TIF) grants, supporting 11 educator-led projects that bring creativity and fresh ideas into schools.

Looking for a meaningful way to get involved? Celebrate an educator who’s made a difference in your child’s life through our Teacher and Staff Tribute Program. Check this link to learn more about the program to honor an APS staff member. ACE is also growing their team, if you're interested in learning more, please visit their website for details.

Wednesday, May 28 Sanborn Spring Concert (Band/Strings/Orff/Chorus) 7:00pm (band and strings arrive 6:30 and Orff chorus arrive 6:45)

Friday, May 30th: Field Day

Tuesday, June 3rd: Special Olympics

Wednesday, June 4th: 4th and 5th Grade Track Meet

Tuesday June 10 2nd grade Flag Day 9:00am

Thursday June 12: Celebration of Learning 10:00am

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

• Field Day is on 5/30 and we’re looking for a few volunteers to help run games, manage stations, and cheer on our students. This event isn’t possible without your support! Shifts are available for grades 3-5 in the afternoon, sign up here.
  
• Please consider volunteering during our annual Art Show & Ice Cream Social on 6/5 - this is our end-of-year event and a great way to celebrate all the amazing work the kids have put in this year!
• Attention 5th Grade Families! Please check your inbox for emails from your room parents with details about the Celebration of Learning and the IRCC Pool Party. Don't forget to sign the permission form for your child to attend the pool party.
• Sanborn is partnering with School Tool Box again this year to offer an easy and cost-effective way to purchase back-to-school supplies for the fall. Log on to www.schooltoolbox.com, search for “Sanborn” and then locate your child’s grade level list. Each grade has required items, as well as add-on and optional items. Once ordered, the boxes are delivered to your child’s classroom for the first day of school. Supply prices either meet or beat the prices at Amazon, Staples and Target; each box is rounded up to the next dollar to provide a small amount of funds for the school to purchase additional supplies for Sanborn families in need. Please order by July 6 in order to have your supply box delivered in time for the start of school.
• 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.