Bulldog Bulletin
Week of January 12th
Every Voice, Every Heart, Every Day
We are back! Happy New Year. This time of year always brings a sense of renewal and a fresh start.
Last week was filled with meaningful learning experiences across grade levels. Third grade welcomed the Lexington Symphony Orchestra as a preparation for their upcoming field trip. Second grade enjoyed a visit from the Discovery Museum, where students explored the physical changes of matter connected to their current science unit. Kindergarten was scheduled to visit the Addison Gallery, but due to the delayed opening, the trip was rescheduled and will now take place next week. These experiences are funded by the PTO and your Dance Fit Dollars.
Please mark your calendars. Below you will find the spring MCAS dates for all students in grades 3 through 5. We share these dates early to help families plan and avoid vacations or unnecessary absences during testing
Explorations begin next week!
Electronics at School
As we return from break, we recognize that some students may have access to new or expanded digital features on personal devices. We continue to navigate a rapidly changing digital landscape and value the partnership between school and home in supporting healthy, safe, and respectful technology use. Our elementary schools provide the following guidance to help maintain a focused learning environment and promote responsible digital behavior.
Cell phones must be turned off and kept in students’ backpacks from arrival through dismissal. Smartwatches may be worn as traditional watches; however, students may not use them to text, make calls, access the internet, use applications, take photos or videos, record audio, play games, or access social media. This expectation applies to all internet-connected wearables and similar devices.
Other personal electronics such as tablets, handheld gaming devices, wireless earbuds or headphones, smart rings, AI-enabled devices, and virtual or augmented reality devices should not be brought to school unless explicitly requested by a teacher for a specific instructional purpose.
Location-tracking devices such as AirTags may be kept in backpacks, but students may not access or interact with them during the school day.
If parents or guardians need to reach a child during the school day, please contact the main office. Students may also come to the office if they need to contact someone at home. If a personal device becomes a distraction to learning or interferes with school expectations, an administrator will follow up with families. Andover Public Schools is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged personal devices.
To support healthy digital habits and minimize interruptions to learning, families may find the following tools helpful.
Apple Watch and iPhone
Using Schooltime
Open the Watch app on the paired iPhone.
Select All Watches, then choose your child’s watch.
Tap Schooltime and turn it on.
Select Edit Schedule.
Choose the days and times Schooltime should be active.
Add additional time blocks if needed.
Android Devices and Wearables
Using Google Family Link
Open the Google Family Link app.
Select your child’s account.
Set daily device limits and downtime hours.
Restrict calls, messaging, app access, and notifications during school hours.
Gizmo Watches
Using School Mode
Open the GizmoHub app.
Select your child’s device.
Turn School Mode on or off.
Set a recurring School Mode schedule if desired.
We appreciate your continued partnership in supporting student focus, learning, and responsible digital citizenship throughout the school day.
Carpool Safety Reminder
As a reminder, during afternoon dismissal all vehicles are expected to follow the established carpool procedures and wait for staff direction before exiting. This process is designed to keep students, families, and staff safe as many people are moving through the area at the same time.
We ask that families remain in their designated spots and move only when dismissal flow begins. Backing out or exiting independently can create safety concerns while families are still walking to their cars and staff are managing traffic from the front row.
Thank you for your patience and cooperation. Working together helps ensure a safe and smooth dismissal for everyone.
Wellness Update:
It’s that time of year when we see an increase of illness in our schools and across the community at large. Currently illness across the state includes a variety of respiratory viruses like influenza and upper respiratory infections (colds), as well as gastrointestinal illness. To prevent illness and reduce the spread of infection frequent handwashing, practicing good cough etiquette, and staying home when sick are key practices. Especially important is handwashing with soap and water with gastrointestinal illness as hand sanitizer is not as effective in killing the Norovirus.
Return to school guidance is directed at reducing the spread of illness at school. A student may return to school when they have been fever free without the use of fever reducing medication (acetaminophen or ibuprofen) for 24 hours; no vomiting or diarrhea for 24 hours; and the completion of antibiotic therapy for 24 hours. If you are unsure if your child should return to school, please contact Lisa Slattery in the Sanborn Clinic at 978-247-9702.
Thank you in advance for your help in keeping our school community healthy.
Cold Weather Reminders
As we move into winter weather, we want to ensure a consistent and safe outdoor experience for all students.
Outdoor Clothing Expectations
Students who wish to play in the snow need to come prepared with snow pants, boots, jackets, and gloves or mittens. Those without full snow gear will remain on the blacktop. Please label each item so that misplaced clothing can be returned. If your child is well enough to attend school, they are well enough to go outdoors. We make every attempt to go outside everyday, so please be sure that students dress for the weather even if they do not want to go in the snow.
Outdoor Behavior Expectations
To keep recess safe and enjoyable for everyone, snow and ice will remain on the ground. Students who choose not to play in the snow will stay on the blacktop.
Snow play is a beloved part of winter at Sanborn and these expectations help ensure that all students can enjoy this season safely and comfortably.
RULER Words of the week!
Kindergarten-Lonely
First Grade-Excluded
Second Grade-Rejected
Third Grade-Discouraged
Fourth Grade-Defeated
Fifth Grade-Offended
ACCESS Testing for English Language Students
ACCESS Testing continues throughout the month on January. English Language students in grades 1-5, will take 4 tests: Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing. By Fall of 2024, families will receive Individual Student Reports that provide information about how your child is progressing. Please reach out if you have any questions to Tricia Xavier or Jennifer Bakanosky, our English Language Educators.
Grades 3-5 MCAS Dates
Mark your calendars!
The testing window has been set by DESE and we are planning for the following MCAS test dates. Please note that students will take 2 days of tests per content area. Please refrain from vacations or unnecessary absences on these dates.
Grade 3
-English Language Arts (ELA) Assessments: Monday, March 30th and 31th
-Mathematics Assessments: Thursday, May 7 and Friday, May 8
Grade 4
-English Language Arts (ELA) Assessments: Tuesday, April 7 and Wednesday, April 9
-Mathematics Assessments: Monday, May 11 and Tuesday, May 12
Grade 5
-English Language Arts (ELA) Assessments: Tuesday, April 7 and Wednesday, April 9
-Mathematics Assessments: Monday, May 11 and Tuesday, May 12
Monday, January 19: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - no school
Wednesday, January 18: Early release (12:15 dismissal)
