Knightly News

"A Strategic Plan built only on our strengths is a fragile one."

Over the past several months, North Andover Public Schools engaged in a comprehensive listening process as part of the entry plan and the development of our Strategic Plan. We did this work intentionally and openly. We gathered this data not to pat ourselves on the back, but to identify where our systems are working well, and where they are strained, so we can strengthen them.

This feedback is already shaping our priorities. Here is how we are moving forward to build a district that is exceptional for all.

We are confronting these findings openly because meeting the needs of all students must be a reality, not just a slogan. This data serves as our baseline. "Naming these tensions honestly is not a sign of weakness; it is a necessary step toward meaningful improvement." We are deeply grateful to everyone who took the time to share their perspectives. This work belongs to all of us, and we remain committed to moving forward with transparency, purpose and partnership.

Update on the FY27 Superintendent's Recommended Budget

This proposal focuses on maintaining our commitment to fiscal responsibility and preserving all current essential services and programs for students while making targeted improvements in several key areas.

Budget Overview: The recommended budget for FY27 is $72,200,000, representing a $3,000,000 increase over the current fiscal year. The total projected cost for the district is $73,705,289, but we are proposing to bridge the gap of approximately $1.5 million by utilizing funds from the "Circuit Breaker" reserves.

Key Priorities & Investments:

• Class Sizes: We aim to maintain equitable class sizes across the district, with a specific focus on slight reductions at the middle school.

• Staffing Enhancements: To support these goals, the budget includes the addition of one elementary teacher, one middle school teacher, and three special education positions. We also plan to add an Assistant Principal for ABECC and three teaching assistants.

• Special Education: We are prioritizing support and programming for our special education students, ensuring staffing aligns with IEP requirements.

• Transportation: We are investing in an additional general education bus to improve route efficiency and reduce crowding.

• Technology & Resources: The budget allocates $175,000 to replace Chromebooks and increases the daily substitute teacher rate to $125 to attract and retain support staff.

  
  

Our Commitment: Overall, this budget reflects a careful balance between fiscal responsibility and our district's educational goals. By prioritizing early learning initiatives, investing in safety and facility maintenance and enhancing support for all learners, we are dedicated to building a strong foundation for every student in North Andover.

North Andover Town Hall

January 20, 2026

3-6pm

As temperatures drop, your child’s safety while walking to school is our top priority. Please review the following guidelines to ensure they stay warm and safe during their morning commute:

Essential Dressing Tips

• The Three-Layer Rule: Use a moisture-wicking base layer (avoid cotton), an insulating middle layer (fleece or wool), and a waterproof, wind-resistant outer layer.
• Protect Extremities: Ensure children wear a warm hat (which prevents up to 40% of body heat loss), insulated mittens (warmer than gloves), and a scarf or mask to protect their lungs from frigid air.
• Safe Footwear: Choose waterproof boots with lugged soles for traction on icy sidewalks.
• Visibility: With darker mornings and snowy conditions, use reflective gear or bright colors so drivers can see them clearly.

Walking Safety

• The Buddy System: Encourage children to walk in groups for added safety and supervision.
• Path Safety: Remind children to stick to cleared sidewalks and avoid playing on icy patches or snowbanks near the road where visibility for drivers is limited.
• Stay Moving: If waiting for a bus or crossing, children should keep moving to maintain body temperature.

Health & Emergency Reminders

• Know the Signs: Be alert for signs of frostbite (pale, waxy, or numb skin) and hypothermia (uncontrollable shivering or slurred speech).
• Hydration & Fuel: Give children a warm snack or drink before they leave to provide the energy needed to stay warm.
• Backup Plan: Establish a "warming house" on the route or a plan for what to do if a bus is significantly delayed.

If your family needs assistance with winter clothing (coats, hats, or gloves), please contact the school office directly; we have resources available to help. Stay warm and safe!

Happy New Year! As we return from the winter break, our educators are re-engaging with a focus on growth and refinement. Our professional learning remains steadfastly aligned with the North Andover Public School District Improvement Plan, specifically targeting our goals for High-Quality Instructional Materials (HQIM) and a Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS). By analyzing mid-year data, our staff is ensuring that every student receives the targeted instruction they need to thrive. Here is an overview of the professional development (PD) focus across our schools this month:

• Elementary Level: Educators are diving deeper into their Eureka Math Squared implementation. Teachers continue to study an upcoming math module in preparation to teach, but they are now also studying lessons to find opportunities to strategically share student work during the lesson to help build deeper understanding for all. In preparation for our upcoming middle-of-year literacy data collection, teachers are being trained to administer the Quick Phonics Screener, which will help educators target specific literacy needs of their students. Our grade 1 teachers continue to participate in The HILL for Literacy’s Science of Reading series and are working to incorporate interactive read-alouds aligned with Wit & Wisdom’s content in their classrooms. These efforts work to further strengthen our use of High-Quality Instructional Materials (HQIM) and Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) at the elementary level. Teachers will also participate in the full-day professional development with information on school safety.

• Middle School: Educators are moving forward in their work with the IMplement MA process to support the district goal for High-Quality Instructional Materials (HQIM). Math teachers have reviewed multiple well-rated math curricula to narrow their focus to a few to study more deeply, to ultimately select one HQIM product that best meets the needs of North Andover students and teachers. Science teachers have narrowed their selection and are now speaking with vendors to deepen their understanding of the curriculum available. Civics teachers have narrowed their selection and are now reviewing materials against DESE’s social studies rubric. ELA and History teachers have been studying their adopted HQIM at the unit and lesson level to prepare to teach. World Language, Health & Wellness, and Related Arts teachers have been looking at the standards to continue their curriculum alignment. Teachers will also participate in the full-day professional development with information on school safety.

• High School 9-12: As the first semester winds down, staff are preparing to give midterm assessments at the end of January. These have been developed collaboratively with all teachers of a course exams and will assess students’ progress on grade-level content and practice standards. Educators will spend time calibrating the grading of mid-year assessments and analyze student work to determine strengths and opportunities for growth. They’ll determine action steps to support grade-level student learning and shifts to instructional practice to support access, growth, and achievement of all learners. The English, Math and Science departments are moving forward in their work with the IMplement MA process to support the district goal for High-Quality Instructional Materials (HQIM). They are reviewing available curricula and meeting with vendors to learn more about the HQIM in order to identify a good fit for our students.

Our commitment to continuous learning ensures that North Andover remains a place where instructional best practices translate directly into student achievement.

As the temperatures continue to drop, schools often see an increase in idling vehicles in the parking lot and pickup/drop off lines on campus.Exposure to exhaust while idling can cause health and environmental concerns. The goal of the Massachusetts Anti-Idling Law is to improve air quality by reducing unnecessary air pollution from idling vehicles. The law limits unnecessary engine idling to five minutes. Signs and materials are designed to raise awareness about simple ways we can help reduce air pollution around our schools and communities.

Leaving your car idling costs money in wasted fuel (a gallon an hour or more for big rigs, less for cars), increases engine wear from incomplete combustion, and harms air quality, adding up to significant annual expenses, as well.

The Youth Center's Brooks Skating program has started our 2026 season! Brooks Skating will be held Sundays from 6:30-8:30pm at the Brooks School rink, through Sunday, February 22nd. This is open to all North Andover residents, and costs $5/skater. Bring your own skates! The Brooks Skating program helps support our annual children's shows and Sunday concerts on the Common each summer!

The Youth Center will be hosting our annual 8th Grade Dress-up Dance on Friday, January 30th from 7:00-9:30pm at the Youth Center. Open to North Andover resident 8th graders. More information, including how to purchase a ticket, are on our website at nayouth.com/dance.

Save the Date: The Youth Center's annual fundraiser, Knight to Shine, will be held on Saturday, March 28th at the Andover Country Club. Funds raised at this event go towards new programs, implementing upgrades to equipment and the building, as well as providing full scholarships to over 100 kids each year who are unable to afford the annual membership or programs like Summer Fun. More information will be available about our Knight to Shine at knighttoshine.org.

Save the Date: Please save the date for our Summer 2026 program registration! Our summer program registration will be available online beginning Monday, April 6th at 9am. Our summer programs are available for North Andover residents, starting with those currently in Kindergarten this school year. More information will be available at nayouth.com/summer in mid-March!

The district is always seeking energetic, caring individuals to join our substitute pool across our seven schools. In 2025, we launched a new program to make the process easier and more efficient for substitutes. Using the Frontline Absence Management platform, substitutes can receive daily coverage notifications via a mobile app, online portal and/or telephone. You can choose to work in all schools or select one or more preferred locations. Before starting, background checks and a new part-time employee packet must be completed. For more details and to get started, please visit the district’s Human Resources webpages.