Bulldog Bulletin
Week of October 27th
Every Voice, Every Heart, Every Day
Our annual Spooky Fun Fair was, as always, an incredible celebration of community. Seeing students proudly wear their costumes, cheer for one another at the games, and enjoy time with their families was truly a highlight of the season. Thank you to our amazing PTO and volunteers for making the day such a success.
Student Council is sponsoring a Spirit Week designed to spread school pride and bring our community even closer together. Please see the details below to help your child plan for the week.
A reminder that Picture Retake Day is Monday, October 27.
We have noticed an increase in the use of smartwatches during the school day. Please read below for our guidelines regarding technology use during school hours.
Additionally, there has been an increase in students trading or selling items during the school day. Trading or selling items at school is not allowed. If personal items are brought to school, the school cannot be responsible for any lost, traded, or damaged belongings.
Tuesday, October 28: Arts and Letters ELA Curriculum Parent Information Night, 6:30pm, West Elementary School. Information below.
-Thursday, October 30: Arts and Letters ELA Curriculum Parent Information, 12-12:30pm, Virtual. Information below.
Tuesday, November 4: No school-Parent-Teacher Conferences
Friday, November 7: No school for kindergarten; Kindergarten Parent-Teacher Conferences
Tuesday, November 11: No school; Veterans Day
Technology and Electronics at School
We are all working to manage the age of technology and are looking for support between school and home. Many children have new smart devices and the elementary schools have some guidance. There has been an uptick of students using technology during the school day and on the bus.
A kind reminder to our families that cell phones must be turned off and in students’ backpacks at the start of the school day. Smartwatches may be worn as regular watches, however, students are not allowed to text, communicate with others, use applications, take pictures or videos, or access social media services and websites.
Should parents/guardians urgently need to reach their child during the school day, we ask that you call the main office. Students are also allowed to come to the main office if they need to contact someone at home. If a cell phone or watch becomes a significant distraction, school administrators will reach out to parents/guardians. The Andover Public Schools is not responsible for lost, stolen, damaged, or broken devices.
To promote healthy digital habits during the school day, the resources below may be helpful to use. We appreciate your partnership as we work to keep interruptions to the school day at a minimum.
Resource for Apple Watches:
How to set a School Time schedule
Open the Watch app on your iPhone. Tap All Watches, then tap your child's watch.
Tap Done, then tap Schooltime.
Turn on Schooltime, then tap Edit Schedule.
Choose the days and times when you want Schooltime to be active.
Tap Add Time if you want to set up more than one schedule in a day.
Resource for Gizmo Watches:
How to set up School mode
Open the. Gizmo Hub app.
Tap the. School mode switch. turn on or off. If necessary, set up a School Mode schedule.
In School Devices
K-3 Devices will stay in school.
4-5 Devices can be brought home if directed by the classroom teacher to complete an assignment. Otherwise, they will remain in school.
WELCOME from the Music Room
We are planning a special presentation at our Harvest Festival (a performance in November) to represent all of the voices at Sanborn School. We would like each family to take a picture and make a short video sharing how you would say the word “welcome” in your home language. We would like to have as many languages as possible represented. Please go to this link to find out more and upload your pictures/videos!
Carpool drop off Reminders
Please be sure to pull up as far as you can in the loop.
Please do not pull around the car in front of you.
If you need to go into the building please park in the parking lot not in the front loop because it is an active drop off area.
YOU’RE INVITED!
We are excited to offer two opportunities for parents and guardians to explore Arts & Letters, our new K–5 ELA curriculum.
In-person Evening Session
📅 Date: Tuesday, October 28, 2025
⏰ Time: 6:30pm
📍 Location: West Elementary School
58 Beacon St, Andover
Virtual Lunchtime Session
📅 Date: Thursday, October 30, 2025
⏰ Time: 12:00-12:30 pm
📍 https://zoom.us/j/98465277328?pwd=jG5JaxmuLUunKERQsmy5ZKNr7NpAdR.1
Passcode: 120013
During the session, you’ll:
✅ Learn how Arts & Letters supports your child’s literacy growth
✅ See examples of engaging texts and lessons
✅ Understand how reading, writing, speaking, and listening connect
✅ Ask questions and share feedback
We are excited to partner with you in helping students become confident readers, writers, and thinkers!
Questions? Contact Maura Donoghue, Elementary Literacy Program Coordinator at maura.donoghue@andoverma.us
