All Around APS

Dear APS families and staff,

On Friday, February 6th, I held my final advisory council meeting with Andover High School students participating in our Superintendent Student Advisory Council (SSAC). We are in service to the students in our district, and the SSAC was created to provide them with an opportunity to speak honestly, in an encouraging environment, alongside their peers to advocate and elevate student voice. These conversations were especially meaningful to me, as they deepened my connection to the student culture and perspectives at Andover High School.

As I conclude these meetings, I am deeply grateful to the students who so generously shared their time, views, and experiences. They spoke with sincerity, thoughtfulness, and a genuine enthusiasm to help our schools grow. Their reflections highlighted both the strengths of our community and the areas where our systems can better support student well-being, balance, and connection. Students described the academic pressures they navigate, the challenges of accessing support, and the importance of feeling trusted, understood, and connected to caring adults.

Listening to their voices has been affirming and instructive. Student voice matters: it grounds our decisions and reminds us why we do this work. Their willingness to engage openly reinforces the importance of partnership among students, families, educators, and administrators. I will miss my conversations with them. As the district moves forward, it is my hope that student voice remains central to the work and informs how you lead, teach, and support one another.

I am thankful to our staff and families for your dedication, collaboration, and care for our students. It has been an honor to serve this community, and I leave with deep appreciation and confidence in the district’s path ahead.

Dr. Magda Parvey

Superintendent

Although the official start of Chinese New Year falls on February 17th, students in Lin Wu’s Chinese classes at Andover High School were eager to celebrate with the entire school community before February vacation.

In honor of the upcoming “Year of the Horse,” AHS students and staff enjoyed a variety of cultural activities that highlight important Chinese traditions. The celebration included paper‑cutting, ink‑blowing art, Chinese bookmark making, calligraphy, and classic board games.

Food also played a central role in the festivities, as certain dishes are traditionally eaten to welcome prosperity and good fortune in the new year. Students were treated to an assortment of Chinese snacks and a dumpling station. What a delicious way to ring in the celebration!

The APS Visual and Performing Arts department recently launched a district-wide art project this school year, engaging students from PreK through grade 12. The artwork we’ve seen so far is incredible!

In honor of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, students across the district will take part in Declaration of Interdependence: What Does It Mean to Be Connected to Others? During class, each student will create a small 5” x 5” canvas exploring ideas of connection, community, and shared humanity, whether through familiar images or more abstract designs.

When brought together, the individual pieces will form a powerful visual representation of how our students see themselves connected to one another and to the Andover community. The artwork will be displayed in schools and public spaces around town this May, with more details to come.

We are grateful to the Rotary Club of Andover for their generous support of this special project.

Congratulations to Joe Yarid, APS Social Work & Student Supports Program Coordinator, on his retirement after more than a decade of service to our families. Joe has been a member of the APS community since 2014, leading district-wide social work services and mental health supports for students and families.

Throughout his career, Joe has walked alongside students, families, and staff during some of their most difficult and vulnerable moments. He credits the strength of the Andover community and the compassion of APS staff, recognizing how powerfully schools come together to support students and families in need. For Joe, the most meaningful days of his work are those when he sees a student reach a milestone, whether it is earning a diploma, achieving a personal goal, or overcoming challenges that once felt impossible.

Joe is especially proud of the dedicated social work team he has led and the strong partnerships across the district that have made student well-being a visible priority. His leadership helped advance initiatives focused on family engagement, trauma-informed practices, and social-emotional learning.

We are grateful for Joe’s leadership and lasting impact on APS, and we wish him all the best in his next chapter.

District dates:

• Monday, February 16th - Friday, February 20th - Presidents' Day/ Winter Recess – NO SCHOOL

Holidays and Observances:

• Tuesday, February 17th - Lunar New Year

• Wednesday, February 18th - Ramadan*/**

*Holidays begin at sundown the previous day

**Holiday or observance date may vary based on region

Black History Month is a time to reflect, celebrate, and learn about the profound contributions, achievements, and lived experiences of Black individuals throughout history. The 2026 theme, “A Century of Black History Commemorations,” marks 100 years since the first observance of Black history, launched in 1926 as Negro History Week.

This milestone invites us to honor the generations of historians, educators, and community members who have preserved these stories and expanded our understanding of Black history’s vital role in shaping our society. It is also an opportunity to strengthen inclusivity, build empathy, and celebrate cultural diversity. Through reflection and learning, Black History Month encourages students of all backgrounds to value equality, respect, and fairness for all.

We know that families and staff are mindful of recent national events surrounding immigration enforcement and the impact this activity may have on student safety in our schools. APS is committed to ensuring that every student learns in a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment, and we remain steadfast in protecting the rights and well-being of all children in our care.

APS works in close collaboration with the Andover Police Department on all matters related to student safety and has maintained ongoing communication regarding federal immigration policies that might affect our students, communities, and classrooms. The partnership between APS and APD is critical to ensuring our students’ welfare and well-being.

In the past year, district administration and school principals have engaged in continued discussions to review safety guidance and clarify rights and responsibilities under the law should the need arise.

In Massachusetts, school districts benefit from clear guidance from the Commonwealth’s Attorney General and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). APS will follow this guidance, if needed. The AG’s office and DESE have released important information outlining our obligations to protect students and their information. This information is also available to families who have concerns and is also available on our website.

APS has developed a consistent approach across the district in which the Superintendent or designee will address any such inquiries or requests for student information. If ICE were to appear at an Andover school, central office administration would immediately mobilize and lead the response in accordance with DESE guidance.

We remain vigilant and proactive in ensuring the safety of all APS students.

Communication with our families is essential to the success and wellness of our students. To assist our families and help them connect with the appropriate staff who is best suited to answer questions, visit our “Who We Are” page on our website. The information will guide families to resources on how to reach staff with concerns and how to stay connected to news and events across the district.

Due to snow accumulation impacting the event space and parking area at Pomps Pond, Andover Winterfest, originally scheduled for February 1, has been rescheduled to February 15 from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM. With frigid temperatures in the forecast, Pomps Pond should remain frozen through the rescheduled date, which will allow for much of the planned festivities to take place atop the pond.

Winterfest will feature an ice fishing derby, guided hikes around the pond, and a hockey target competition for all ages. Zoo New England will return with a wildlife demonstration highlighting local species found around Pomps Pond. Additional activities and demonstrations will be available throughout the event.

The event will culminate with a live ice rescue demonstration by Andover Fire Rescue, offering residents an up-close look at winter safety techniques.

Winterfest is free and open to all members of the community. Bundle up, round up your friends and neighbors, and join us at Pomps Pond!

Do you have an innovative idea to enhance a public space in Andover, make your neighborhood safer, or expand services offered by the Town? The Participatory Capital Budgeting program is your chance to turn those ideas into reality.

The Participatory Capital Budgeting program was launched by the Town in 2021 to give residents a hands-on role in the Town’s capital planning process. Since its inception, the program has supported a wide variety of resident-proposed projects that enhance public spaces, expand access, and deliver everyday quality-of-life benefits across Andover. From the Memorial Hall Library’s “Library of Things,” to public WiFi in The Park, funded projects are enjoyed by residents every day. The program has also proven to be an effective tool to broaden resident engagement in the Town’s budget process.

The Town of Andover is now accepting applications for projects to be considered in the FY2026 funding cycle, marking the program’s fifth year. The program empowers residents to weigh in on how a designated portion of the Town’s capital funds should be spent by submitting proposals for projects or programs in the community. To learn more, or to submit an application, click here.