Knightly News
Dear NAPS Community,
As another school year comes to a close, I would like to thank our students, families, staff, School Committee and community members for their partnership and support throughout the year.
This year brought both challenges and opportunities. Together, we continued the important work of supporting students and building a strong foundation for the future. Our district theme, "Rooted in Purpose, Growing in Practice" reflects much of what we experienced together. We remained grounded in our commitment to students while continuing to learn, improve and grow as a school community.
Throughout the year, I had the opportunity to visit classrooms, attend concerts, athletic competitions, performances, graduations and community events. Time and again, I was reminded of the incredible talent and perseverance of our students and the dedication of the adults who support them. I am proud of all we have accomplished together and excited about the future as we begin implementing our new five-year strategic plan.
As summer begins, I encourage families to embrace the many opportunities for learning that exist outside of school. Some of the most meaningful learning happens through everyday experiences.
When you have the opportunity, read together and let your children see you reading. Visit the library. Explore a museum, historical site or nature trail. Take advantage of all that the Merrimack Valley and Massachusetts has to offer. Ask questions, wonder together and talk about what you see.
For our younger learners, summer is a wonderful time to build independence. Let children carry their own backpack, unpack their lunch, open their own snacks or help plan a family outing. These small moments build confidence and self-reliance. For older students, summer jobs, volunteer opportunities, reading for pleasure, learning a new skill or simply taking on greater responsibilities at home can provide valuable life lessons.
And perhaps most importantly, give children time to play, imagine, create and/or to even be bored. Not every moment needs to be scheduled or spent on a screen. Some of the best learning happens when children are given the space to explore their own interests and solve problems. Whether it is running a lemonade stand, helping in the garden, cooking a meal, building a fort or enjoying a day at the beach, everyday experiences can become lasting memories.
Thank you for the trust you place in our schools and for the partnership we share in supporting your children. On behalf of the entire North Andover Public Schools community, I wish you a safe, restful and joyful summer.
Warmly,
Pam Lathrop
Superintendent
Kim Sapienza: ESL Teacher, 27 Years
Gail Sheldon: Administrative Assistant, 16 Years
Michele McHugh: Executive Assistant, 20 Years
Mary Helen Paradise: English Teacher, 24 Years
Charles Anderson: Science Teacher, 21 Years
Paula Sexton: Program Coordinator, 10 Years
Teresa McManus: Teaching Assistant, 11 Years
Karen Murdoch-Lahey: Principal, 26 Years
Beverly McCarthy: Teaching Assistant, 26 Years
Kristie Romano: Teacher, 32 Years
Laura Bajor: Teaching Assistant, 7 Years
Dianne Duckworth: Teaching Assistant, 13 Years
Virginia “Ginny” Burns: Teaching Assistant, 23 Years
Cheryl Barczak: Director, 24 Years
Hello NAPS Community,
I am excited to be the Chair of your School Committee for the coming academic year! We have a lot to celebrate as we wrap up the 2025-26 school year – a balanced budget, vastly improved and transparent financial reporting, progress in teaching and learning, well documented school improvement plans, progress on a new Strategic Plan that should be completed in the fall.
We saw strong community support for the schools as demonstrated at Town Meeting in May that included the approval of the Kittredge Elementary School building project and both the Capital and Operating budgets for next year. We had another successful graduation and SOS party for our seniors as we sent them on their way.
I look forward to continuing this work with our great Superintendent and all of our talented and dedicated staff as we head into next year. We’ll be completing the strategic plan, beginning site work for the new Kittredge Elementary School, welcoming new Principals at the ABECC and Sargent, as well as all the regular (but certainly not ordinary!) district activities that take place. That work will begin over the summer and accelerate as the new school year begins.
On behalf of the Committee, I want to thank all of you for your continued interest in and support of our public schools. Have a restful, peaceful summer and get your students ready and excited to charge into the new school year in the fall.
Sincerely,
Dave Brown
Chair, North Andover School Committee
Scan this QR code for recent information on the Kittredge Elementary School Building Project. The web address is: https://sites.google.com/northandoverma.gov/kittredge. Look for some infographics of the project in and around our schools and public buildings. The new school is scheduled to open September 2029!
Apply through our District Website
The district is always seeking energetic, caring individuals to join our substitute pool across our seven schools. Please continue to check our district website over the summer and Schoolspring to see what might be available. We will need a great pool of substitutes for next school year. The new hourly rate will be $125/day. 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. Principal hire substitutes, so feel free to visit schools directly to get the process started. Have a great summer break!
