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NAMS Message to Families 10/21/22

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NAMS Message to Families 10/21/22
NAMS Message to Families 10/21/22

Hello NAMS Families,

I hope that this message finds you and your loved ones well. Our after school clubs and activities have begun. It is wonderful to see so many of our students participating in activities beyond the school day.

Below and on our website, you will find some new information and reminders too.

 

NEW INFORMATION

 

NAMS FALL FUNDRAISER COMING SOON!

Our NAMS Challenge Fundraiser fundraiser will kick off in just 3 weeks on Monday, November 7th. Our goal is to raise $30,000 for extracurricular activities, materials for teachers, furniture, celebrating and recognizing staff and students, and to strengthen our school community. 

KEY DATES TO REMEMBER:

  • REGISTRATION OPENS - Monday, October 24th

  • NAMS Challenge Fundraiser} Kick Off - Monday, November 7th

  • BOOSTER BASH CELEBRATION - Friday, November 18th

Donations will go toward supporting our school and can be given throughout the entire experience. There is no pressure to give, but we invite you to help our school by sharing our fundraiser with your family and friends! Thank you for supporting North Andover Middle School through the NAMS Challenge Fundraiser.

 

Learning Highlights

Mr. McGravey, Grade 8 Civics Teacher, hosted 2 speakers today. Michael Ryan, Communications Coordinator for the Office of Jury Commissioner once again visited NAMS to speak with students about the civic obligation of Jury Duty through his classic game show complete with jokes, music, sound clips, and prizes. Mr. Ryan has been visiting NAMS for the last 6 years and spoke with the morning classes. 

Speaking with the afternoon classes today was Lindsay Rosenbaum, Attorney at Law in Massachusetts, and 2008 NAMS Graduate. Ms. Rosebaum. She practices law for a Boston law firm specializing in Immigration law. Ms. Rosenbaum and Mr. McGravey co-taught the afternoon lessons.

 

Cell Phones/Electronics Reminder

Cell phones, electronic devices, game players, smartwatches, etc. should not be used during the instructional day. If students bring these items to school, they must be turned off and stored in students’ lockers during school hours. Smartwatches should not be used to communicate with other people during the school day, similar to cell phones. We strongly ask that all parents/guardians be aware of their children’s use of cell phones, text messaging, and email with regard to sending/receiving inappropriate or bullying messages. Additionally, we ask that parents/guardians not be in communication via cell phone or smartwatch during the school day. Please understand that students may only be able to see these messages at the end of the instructional day.

 

Students Not Feeling Well

Students should see our nurses if they aren’t feeling well. Students should not call or text their parents/guardians with their cell phones or ask to be dismissed. Students should see our nurses anytime they don’t feel well so that they may receive immediate medical attention.

 

Virtual PTAC Meeting - Thursday, October 27th at 7:00 p.m.

The next PTAC Meeting will be virtual and is scheduled for Thursday, October 27, 2022 beginning at 7:00 p.m. All families will be emailed the link to the meeting on the afternoon of Thursday, October 27th.

 

NA SEPAC T-Shirt Fundraiser

Everyone is encouraged to wear yellow on Friday, November 18th to support the Special Education Advisory Council and the work they do in our schools. Please consider purchasing a yellow shirt from B-Designed and 25% of the profit is donated to the NA SEPAC. The flyer may be found at the end of this message and you may order here or at the following website: https://bdesignedapparel.com/ 

 

Attention Grade 7 Students - Upcoming Screenings

The NAMS health office will be performing state mandated screenings on all grade 7 students. Students will be participating in hearing and vision screenings as well as height and weight assessments and postural screening. These screenings will occur for all Grade 7 students on Wednesday, November 2nd.  Any parent/guardian who wishes to opt their child out of these screenings must do so in writing and should contact the NAMS nurses via email. 

Thank you,

Jessica Wolfe and Kathleen Pease

Kathleen Pease - peasek@northandoverpublicschools.com  

Jessica Wolfe - wolfej@northandoverpublicschools.com 

 

School Picture Retakes - Thursday, November 3rd

Students & staff who would like to have their picture retaken or taken for the first time this year should come to the main lobby on Thursday, November 3rd at the following times:

  • Staff - Anytime

  • Grade 8 Students - Start of 1st Class

  • Grade 7 Students - Start of 2nd Class

  • Grade 6 Students - Start of 3rd Class

No appointments are necessary. Cameras will be set up in the main lobby of the school. Students who would like to have their picture retaken should bring their original pictures to the photographer when having their pictures retaken.

 

Attention Grades 7 & 8 Families - Save the Date 11/16/22

North Andover High School welcomes all 7th and 8th grade families and students to our Fall Open House. Please join us on Wednesday, November 16, 2022 from 6:30-8:00 p.m. to hear more about the academic and extracurricular programs that we offer at NAHS. You may find Principal Jackson’s letter about the event here and the presentation that will be reviewed at the event here.

 

Private High School or Technical High School - Application Process

We understand the importance of finding the right school for your child and will support them throughout this process. If your child is planning on applying to a private high school or technical high school we ask that you familiarize yourself with our process and requirements using the link below. The PROCESS & REQUIREMENTS may be found here.

Please have your child fill out the STUDENT INFORMATION SHEET found here and provide a copy to your child's guidance counselor as well as any teacher who is writing a recommendation.  This information is incredibly helpful as our wish is to provide a comprehensive evaluation of your child's strengths, accomplishments and overall skill set.

We ask parents and students to research private high schools on their own.  The guidance department does not provide information or applications regarding private high schools; however, we will assist your child by writing recommendations and sending all supporting documents.  For online recommendations, the guidance department completes the "school report" (i.e. principal/counselor recommendation and transcript form).  Personal and Special Interest recommendations are generally completed by someone other than the guidance counselor.

Greater Lawrence Technical High School and Essex Tech applications are now generated online, see links below:

GLTS Application

Essex Tech Application

Please Note: Trimester 1 ends on December 2, 2022 which means that transcripts cannot be uploaded prior to this date. All private/technical school applications that have been given to Ms. Nightingale will be uploaded when transcripts are available.  We will make every effort to upload your child's applications by the identified due date.

 

International Learning Experience - Considering Being a Host Family

The North Andover Rotary Youth Exchange Program is looking fo 2 families to host a student this year. A North Andover student is on exchange in Sweden, and Ada is here from Switzerland.  She is a 15 year old sophomore girl at NAHS living with her first host family.  We seek two more loving families to host Ada for just a few months each, all under the guidance and support of the North Andover Rotary Club.

Learn the benefits to your family that come with hosting an exchange student.  See if this program is right for your student.  Contact North Andover Rotary Youth Exchange Officer Bob Ford at rpf@fordlaw.net or 978-681-0066.

You may learn more in the flyer here.

 

REMINDERS

 

Student Safety Reminders

We ask that every parent/guardian exercise utmost care and patience in the drop-off and pick-up areas. If your child walks or rides a bike to school, please be sure to review the safety tips found here.

The streets around NAMS are congested at drop off and pick up times.  We ask that all individuals who drive students to or from school use extreme caution when driving on or near school premises. Drivers, walkers, and riders should always be alert for pedestrians, students on bikes, buses, and other cars. Thank you for your anticipated understanding and cooperation. 

 

Order Your NAMS Yearbook Now!

Our 2022-2023 NAMS yearbook is now available for purchase. You may receive emails from our yearbook company, Herff Jones, letting you know about how to order a yearbook. You can order now here or at the following website:

https://www.yearbookordercenter.com/index.cfm/job/5986

 

October Parents/Guardians Make A Difference Newsletter Available Now!

Each month, our district features a new newsletter for parents/guardians at the Pre-K level, elementary level, middle school level, and high school level. You may find the October newsletter here.

 

Patriots Pen Writing Contest 

Each year, the VFW offers scholarships called Patriots Pen which is a VFW sponsored youth essay competition that gives students an opportunity to write essays expressing their views on an annual theme. The North Andover Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 2104 has invited our students to participate.

This scholarship is open to any students in grades 5 through 8.  This year’s theme is “My Pledge to Our Veterans.”  The requirements for this essay and entry form may be found here. 

A summary of the rules is as follows:

  • Essay must be 300-500 words, typed 

  • Students should not put the name, or any identify information, into the essay.  The entry form is the cover sheet.   

  • Secure the Official Student Entry From with a staple on the top of the essay 

  • Essay must be student’s original work 

The student essays are due by October 31, 2022. Essays can be submitted by emailing them to post2104@vfwma.org or they can be dropped at the VFW located at 32 Park Street North Andover, MA 01845. 

If you have any questions or would like to speak, please do not hesitate to reach out to me at Jeffrey.j.clark@hotmail.com or 508.423.9935.  

Respectfully,

Jeffrey J. Clark 

COMMANDER 

VFW Post 2104 

 

Attention Parents/Guardians/Relatives/Friends!

Are you interested in working at NAMS?

We are in the process of reviewing applications and hiring for the following 3 positions. 

  • ISS (Instructional Support Staff - Building Substitutes) - $100 per day with flexible schedule.

You can apply for this position here. Please select the North Andover Middle School position.

  • Teaching Assistant (7:50-2:20) - Information may be found in the contract here.

You can apply to these 2 positions here.

 

Be well everyone,

Jorge Goncalves

Principal