Bancroft Bulletin
Family Edition: June 5, 2026
DATES TO KNOW
There are many grade level events being communicated from classroom teachers - be sure to check the grade level newsletter and emails!
June 16 - Grade 5 CELEBRATION at 9:30!!!
June 17 - LAST DAY OF SCHOOL - dismissal at 12:15 HAPPY SUMMER!!
Physical Education weekly update!
Week of June 1st
This week, all students were in review skill stations. Students in grades K-2 reviewed the skills of throwing at stationary targets, hula hoop skills, balance, coordination, and spatial awareness while using the scooters and roller racer bikes! Students in grades 3-5 reviewed the skills of throwing with accuracy, hula hoop skills, and basketball shooting.
Music weekly update!
WHAT’S HAPPENING IN MUSIC CLASS 6/1/26-6/5/26
K, 1 students are having a joyful experience as they perform “The Magic Forest” story dance in music class. We take an imaginative journey using pantomime, rhythm, expressive movement, and singing as we narrate a fairy-tale plot about nature, animals, and enchantment. The story-telling and movement helps students develop motor skills and safely release physical energy.
In grades 2, 3, and 4 students are busy with end of year testing and assessment on singing (matching pitch), rhythm (being able to read and play certain ones), and their general knowledge of our Orff instruments. (safety and care: how we remove the bars, hold the mallets, and play in the center of the bars)
5th grade students are busy with learning their songs for the end of year celebration. They were given a carefully curated list of songs and completed a “rate the song” survey for their end of year ceremony. This process has drastically increased student engagement fostering a sense of ownership and community.
Students are also continuing their experience with ukulele. In addition to the C and F chord, we are currently working on learning our third chord. (a minor) Students are doing an amazing job playing the song “Thunder” by The Imagine Dragons on their ukuleles, as we move forward into the last couple weeks of school.
Library Media weekly update!
Week of June 1st
Students have worked very hard returning their library books this week. Currently, there are 495 books checked out! Students who have library materials currently checked out received a reminder slip. As the library winds down for the year, please have your student check for any Bancroft library materials they may have at home or in the classroom. If there is a library book that is lost, please send Mrs. Hutchins an email (tiffany.hutchins@andoverma.us) or write a quick note so the catalog can be updated.
Even though book check out has ended for the year, students in all grade levels continue to practice their research and library skills. First grade students made their own binoculars this week and are getting ready to go bird watching. Second grade students read a grade favorite If I Built a School and then designed their own school. Third grade students began interviewing their opponents for their Who Would Win research project. Fourth and fifth grade students continued to learn about different fiction genres.
School librarian: Tiffany Hutchins
Librarian email: tiffany.legare@andoverma.us
Hello Andover Families/Caregivers,
We invite your child to join our elementary instrumental music program. We welcome new and returning 4th and 5th-grade students to our program in both Strings and Band. Next year, Strings and Band students will receive one 30-minute weekly group lesson. These lessons will occur within the typical school day. There will be an Instrumental Meet and Greet on June 8th from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m in Andover High School Cafeteria. Whether your child participated in previous years or is starting an instrument for the first time, all students must obtain one of the following instruments and purchase the appropriate lesson book:
Strings
Violin
Viola
Cello
Bass
Band
Flute
Clarinet
Alto Saxophone
Trumpet
Trombone
Percussion (Grade 5 Only, Prior Instrument Experience Encouraged)
Band Instrument Selection Guide
HOW TO REGISTER:
Please follow the links below to register! For our planning purposes, families should register
by June 15, 2026. Information about rentals and materials will be shared upon registration.
We look forward to welcoming your student to the
APS Elementary Instrumental Music Program this Fall!
Please let us know if you have any questions.
APS Elementary Strings and Band Instructors
Strings - Julie Diehl - julie.diehl@andoverma.us
Band - Kaitlyn Sicinski - kaitlyn.sicinski@andoverma.us
Frequently Asked Questions:
What Standards are covered? How do students receive feedback?
We are guided by both the MA State Frameworks and the National Music Standards. Students will learn proper playing techniques and music literacy, such as reading notes in the appropriate clef and key signatures, basic rhythms, and playing together as an ensemble. We also focus on building one’s identity as instrumentalists and helping students perform to convey musical intention. Students will receive progress reports in the middle and at the end of the year.
2. How do I rent an instrument? What books do I need?
Information can be found here. Please click on the link.
Strings: Elementary Strings Supplies List
Band: APS Elementary Band Supply List
3. What are the expectations around commitment and practice?
Students should expect to practice multiple days a week and attend all concerts. There are at least two concerts a year. This is a full-year commitment.
4. What are the class expectations?
Students should come to school with their lesson book and instrument in good repair and ready to play. Students should come ready to work and engage appropriately in the learning environment. Our basic tenet is around respect: respect for themselves and others, respect for their instrument, and respect for their environment.
5. What happens if a student is struggling or expressing disinterest?
Communication is the key. Learning something new can be a struggle. Please reach out if your child is showing signs of struggling or is disinterested. We are happy to help guide your student through the joys and challenges of this new journey.
6. How can parents/caregivers support students in their musical journey?
Students will receive weekly practice logs and homework. We encourage you to help your child create a practice routine, a practice space, and the ability to share music with family members in person or by recording a video. If you have questions about the setup or care of the instrument, please reach out. Learning an instrument is a partnership between the student, the instructor, and the family.
7. What additional music opportunities exist?
Grades 4 and 5 Strings students (with one or more years of playing experience) are welcome to join our Primo Orchestra. This beginning string ensemble rehearses every Tuesday from 4:15 to 5:30, at West Middle School, and performs in three concerts throughout the school year.
Grade 5 Band students (with one or more years of playing experience) are welcome to join our All-Town Band. This group rehearses every Tuesday from 4:15 to 5:30 at Doherty Middle School, and performs in three concerts throughout the school year.
8. Is private instruction available?
Our APS teachers don’t teach private lessons to current or existing students. However, private instruction is a great supplement to your child’s in-school experience. If you are interested in private instruction, please reach out to your instrumental music teacher for more information about local private teachers.
TECHNOLOGY DEVICES 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.
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.
Bobcat to Bobcat
Bobcat to Bobcat is a committee in our school of staff members who work to support families who may need assistance with various needs throughout the year. This includes helping with scholarships for events, holidays, and more. Our work is confidential and financially supported by our PTO as well as our staff and families who donate when needed.
All donations are given anonymously and recipients’ information will be kept in strict confidence.
We have an amazing community here at Bancroft and know that when there is a need, everyone pitches in. We will reach out throughout the year!
If you are a family wanting to be on our list needing support, please email our social worker, Nancy Modlish at nancyjo.modlish@andoverma.us or me, Beth Leavitt at beth.leavitt@andoverma.us.
Meals at Bancroft
All students are able to receive 1 free breakfast and 1 free lunch daily during the 2025 - 2026 school year. Breakfast will be served in the cafeteria from 8:45 - 9:00 and does not need to be ordered ahead of time.
Lunches will need be preordered. It is very important that our cafeteria has an accurate lunch count each day. Please review with your children each morning what you have ordered for them.
Please click below for the monthly menu and more information about Andover's Nutrition Program including how to sign up.
LOST & FOUND
Every year the lost & found racks become quite full of clothes, water bottles, shoes, etc. and you can help by LABELING EVERYTHING!!
PLEASE write your last name on items and this will help us to return things to your child.
Thank you!!
Transportation Information
MOST IMPORTANT - CARS DO NOT TRAVEL FROM THE BANCROFT ROAD SIDE OF THE SCHOOL. YOU ENTER THE CAR LANE FROM WEST KNOLL.
OUR BUSES MUST USE BANCROFT ROAD AND IT IS NOT WIDE ENOUGH FOR CARS AND BUSES. YOUR COOPERATION IS GREATLY APPRECIATED FOR THE SAFETY OF ALL!
When cars are waiting prior to 8:45 and prior to 3:30, they must be TURNED OFF.
This is a NO IDLING ZONE as the SIGNAGE INDICATES.
DROP OFF: ALL CARS MUST DRIVE UP WEST KNOLL TO DROP OFF STUDENTS. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE do not get out of the car in the morning to help your child. We have staff on duty to assist and this will hold up the line quite a bit. We know many have to rush off and we want to help in any way we can. This is a way we can help one another!
There is a staff member there to direct traffic and it is a single lane so you may not pass even if your child has exited your car.
PARENT PICK-UP: ALL CARS MUST DRIVE UP WEST KNOLL TO PICK UP STUDENTS. NO CARS WILL BE PERMITTED TO ENTER FROM BANCROFT ROAD.
In order to help expedite the pick-up procedure, please write your last name ONLY in LARGE, BLACK, BOLD print on a piece of tag board/paper and have it prominently displayed when you arrive to pick up your child. This will expedite the process. If someone else is picking up your child, please have them follow the same protocol.
AGAIN . . . DO NOT EXIT YOUR CAR DURING THIS TIME OR PASS CARS! Every car stays in a single line and waits for the car in front of you to drive off.
Thank you very much!
Resources
Important Links (APS):
Bancroft Elementary School
Email: beth.leavitt@andoverma.us
Website: Bancroft School
Instagram: @bancroftaps
Location: 15 Bancroft Rd, Andover, MA, USA
Phone: (978) 247-9500
X: @BancroftAPS