Knightly News
Dear NAPS Community,
As we move into April vacation week, I want to take a moment to wish all of our students, families, and staff a restful and well-deserved break. The weeks leading up to this point in the school year are always full and energizing, and this pause offers an important opportunity to recharge before we head into the final stretch of the academic year.
This Monday, we observe Patriots' Day, a day that holds deep historical significance here in Massachusetts. It commemorates the opening battles of the American Revolution and reminds us of the enduring values of courage, service, and community. It is a day rooted in our local history and identity, particularly here in the Greater Boston area.
Patriots’ Day is also synonymous with the Boston Marathon, one of the most iconic athletic events in the world. This year, I am especially excited to be part of the day as a volunteer. Having had the honor of running the marathon in 2014, I have experienced firsthand the incredible energy, determination, and sense of community that define this event. There is truly something magical about the Boston Marathon, the way it brings people together as runners, spectators, and volunteers alike.
This year, I will be stationed at the Pro Hydration area at the 35K mark, supporting runners as they push through the final miles of an extraordinary journey. It is an incredible privilege to witness such remarkable athletes up close and to play even a small role in helping them succeed. The marathon is a powerful reminder of perseverance, resilience, and the strength of community; values we strive to nurture in our schools every day.
Here in North Andover Public Schools, we continue to make meaningful progress in our work. Our Strategic Planning Committee is wrapping up months of thoughtful collaboration, and I am deeply grateful to the caregivers, educators, students, community members, and partners who contributed their time and perspectives. Together, we have developed a clear Vision and Mission, a strong Theory of Action, and a set of key initiatives that will guide our work moving forward.
I look forward to sharing the North Andover Public Schools 2031 Growing Together Strategic Plan (2026–2031) with the School Committee and our broader community in the coming weeks. This five-year roadmap is designed to ensure that every student not only achieves academic success, but also grows socially, emotionally, and is well-prepared for life beyond our schools. It reflects our collective commitment to being rooted in purpose and growing in practice.
As we head into the final months of the school year, I am also looking forward to the many celebrations of learning that take place across our schools. This is a special time of year, filled with performances, projects, milestones, and moments that highlight our students' growth. In particular, I look forward to celebrating with our North Andover High School seniors as they begin to wrap up their time in NAPS and prepare for the next chapter of their journey.
Thank you, as always, for your continued partnership and support. I hope you and your family enjoy a wonderful vacation week, and I look forward to welcoming everyone back refreshed and ready for a strong finish to the school year.
Warmly,
Pamela Lathrop
Superintendent of Schools
Greetings North Andover Community,
Spring is finally here. The bulbs I planted back in the fall (daffodils, crocuses, and alliums) have begun to sprout. I’ve enjoyed the warm weather this past week, and the extra sunlight after dinner.
The first week of May provides us the opportunity to celebrate many in our NAPS community for the work they do to educate our kiddos. I’m grateful for our dedicated and caring staff, and appreciate all of their contributions that make our schools safe learning spaces for our students. Thank you to our Teachers, Nurses, and School Lunch Heroes.
On May 12th, our Annual Town Meeting will be held at North Andover High School. Please make plans to attend. In particular, there are several articles on the warrant that will directly impact the public schools; Article 7 is the Town’s Capital Improvement Plan, which includes funds for several school projects; Article 14 is the Town’s Annual Operating Budget, which includes the operating funds for the public schools.
Lastly, Article 8 will authorize the town to issue a bond for the full construction cost of a New Kittredge Elementary School. The full cost of the building is about $79.8 million. Remember, the project was officially accepted into the MSBA, and as such, the MSBA will reimburse the town for 36.6% of the cost, or about $29.2 million. In May of 2022, Town Meeting voted to participate in the MSBA process and funded the feasibility study. The Kittredge School Building Committee has been working diligently for several years and this is the final vote in the process that will allow this project to become a reality. A new Kittredge building will have a generational impact on our entire education system, and ensure that NAPS is able to provide our community the education our students deserve. It is what is best for our kids.
Warmly,
Joe Hicks
Chair, North Andover School Committee
We are excited to share an exciting update for math instruction at North Andover Middle School. Following a comprehensive review process, the district recommended the adoption of EdGems Math for students in Grades 6–8 at the April 9, 2026 School Committee meeting. After a presentation, thoughtful questions from the committee, and discussion, the School Committee voted unanimously (5–0) to officially adopt EdGems for implementation beginning in Fall 2026.
EdGems Math is a rigorous, engaging, and research-based curriculum designed to support all learners. The Standards for Mathematical Practice are intentionally embedded within each lesson, helping students think critically, collaborate with peers, and apply their learning in meaningful ways. The program balances conceptual understanding with procedural fluency and includes built-in support and spiraled review to ensure all students, including multilingual learners and those needing additional support, can access grade-level content and succeed.
This came about as a result of a thorough, multi-step process followed meticulously by the North Andover Middle School Math Department, which included all nine math teachers, the three Applied Math & Science (AMS) teachers, and many special educators. From June through December 2025, the NAMS staff engaged in professional learning focused on high-quality instructional materials. In January, the team reviewed 14 highly rated programs before narrowing the field to three finalists to explore more deeply.
To deepen their understanding of each of the three curricula, the NAMS Math Department participated in hands-on experiences through curriculum pilots, collaborative review sessions, and site visits to nearby districts already using the programs. Student feedback was also an important part of the process, ensuring the final recommendation reflected both teacher expertise and student experience.
Through this work, EdGems stood out as the best fit for our students, teachers and instructional priorities. Teachers highlighted its ability to promote student-centered learning, spark meaningful mathematical conversations, and engage a wide range of learners. Students shared that they enjoyed the visuals, opportunities to collaborate, and the fun and interactive feel of the lessons.
This adoption reflects North Andover Middle School’s continued commitment to high-quality instruction and equitable learning opportunities for all students. We appreciate the support of the School Committee and our community as we move forward with this exciting work.
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. Please reach out with any questions and make sure to come to Town Meeting on May 12. Thanks for your support!
Our local artists have been busy creating Peep-o-ramas, a book-themed diorama using a candy Peep. They will be on display at the Library starting April 18. When you visit, stop and admire them and vote for your favorite: funniest, scariest, most colorful, etc. The Library has lots planned for April Vacation Week for different ages: drop in to make a Shrinky Dink or a Black Light t-shirt, or build a Lego maze and watch the Hexbug robot run the maze. Use the Library Calendar to find activities to enjoy.
Explore everything else Stevens has waiting for you: books, manga and graphic novels, magazines, DVDs, and music. Books and magazines come in lots of formats today: print, audio-CD, and digital online through OverDrive, TumbleBooks, TumbleMath, and TeenBookCloud, your choice. Use LIBRARY OF THINGS to find the ukulele or the telescope, or STEM kits like OZOBOT EVO, a ZOOMY Digital Microscope, or the Simple Machines Activity Set.
Visit our Digital Display of books. or try the Reader Request form for personalized book recommendations. Indicate your preferred format: print and audiobooks, e-books and e-audiobooks. You should receive a follow up within 2 days and provide you with at least 3 titles. If you don’t find an answer to your question, email or call the Library so we can help. Staff will response when available.
Email: SmlRefServices@NorthAndoverMA.gov
Phone: 978-688-9505, for Children’s ext. 42010, Teens ext. 42032, Reference Desk ext. 42016. The Library is closed Monday, April 20. Our regular hours are:Monday through Thursday 10am – 9pm, Friday 10am – 6pm, Saturday 10am – 5pm, Sunday 1-5pm. Don’t miss any of the fun. Follow the Library on Facebook or the Library’s website www.StevensMemLib.org Stevens Memorial Library, 345 Main Street, North Andover (978) 688-9505
The North Andover Youth Center's Summer Program registration is now available! Please note that all of the Youth Center's programs are open only to North Andover Residents, and the grades listed for each program refers to the child's current grade this 2025-2026 school year. The youngest eligible are children currently in Kindergarten this current school year. The oldest eligible for the middle school programs are children currently in 8th Grade this current school year, and middle schoolers do not need to be a member of the Youth Center to participate in any of the summer programs.
Summer Programs include the popular 6-week half-day playground program Summer Fun! Spend your summer with our amazing counselors, playing sports, games, and lots of fun activities! Summer Fun has 3 sites: current K and 1 students are at Sargent, current 2 and 3 students are at Atkinson, and current 4 and 5 students are at Drummond. There are also 6-week recreation programs for our current middle schoolers: Girl Got Game at NAMS and Sports & Rec at Reynolds Field! Don't wait to register, as these 6-week programs will fill up before the end of the school year!
Visit www.nayouth.com/summer for more information on all of our programs, including even more programs for current middle schoolers, such as Summer League Basketball, Film Week, Book Club, Leadership Lab, Cooking & Crafts, and much more. You don't need to be a Youth Center member to participate in these summer programs, and many have already sold out! If you have questions about any of the Youth Center's Summer Programs, contact Assistant Director, Demi Marsh, at dmarsh@nayouth.com. Thank you!
Substitute Teaching
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.
