ANDOVER ELEMENTARY MIDDLE SCHOOL
October 10, 2013
Dear AEMS Family,
Our week started with Fire Prevention Day on Monday. There were informative presentations all day at the Andover Fire Station. Eighth grade students even had the opportunity to use the hose and put out a real fire. Everyone enjoyed trying on the heavy gear and learning the details of fire fighting. We very much appreciate the time and expertise shared with all the students by Andover firefighters Jeff Miller and Andy Guptill.
“Walk to School” morning was invigorating! It was a cool but sunny morning as students walked back to AEMS from different sections of the Rail Trail. Orange slices, water, music, and fanfare greeted the walkers as they returned. Our mascot Ernie the Eagle impressively hiked back to AEMS all the way from Switch Road. After the walk the kindergarten students were introduced to Ernie the Eagle. Kindergarteners took turns fist bumping and high five-ing Ernie.
We are now in the midst of the NECAP state assessment with 3rd – 8th grade students. Most will finish at the end of next week.
At the end of the school day we dismiss the bus students first and then we wait until buses depart before dismissing the cyclists, the walkers, students transported by parents, and those students who stay for after school activities. We dismiss in this order for safety reasons. Please remember to send in a note if your child is doing something other than his/her regular routine after school.
The Eagle Store is stocked and opening for business today. 1st and 2nd grade students will be the first customers. Thank you to Emi Abrahamson for organizing and pricing items in the Eagle Store and thank you to Joane Champagne who will run the Eagle Store this year. Students receive eagles for making good choices and can then purchase items with their eagles. All school staff members and bus drivers have eagles to distribute. The younger students use paper eagles and the older students have their planners eagle-stamped. When an entire class exhibits exemplary behavior they are sometimes “flocked” by a school staff member. After receiving several flocks a class earns a party. The party is often an opportunity to have extra reading and special refreshments.
The AEMS 7th and 8th grade Soccer Jamboree is this Saturday at Proctor Academy on the turf fields. Come out and see your Andover Eagles play from 9:00-3:00. The snack bar is run by parents and is our biggest fundraiser for AEMS sports.
Progress Report information will be sent home with all students next week.
In the past there was a special recognition opportunity for 7th and 8th grade students who were named to high honor roll while playing a school sport. This year we are raising our expectations and looking for Triple A students – Academics, Athletics, and Arts. The Arts includes school drama productions and/or the school band. We have lots of potential Triple A students out there!
Math Night is coming! Please join us for math games and activities on Thursday, October 24th at 6:30 pm. There will be math stations for all grades, K-8. There will be refreshments, lots of prizes, and as always a fun and energized crowd for Math Night. Profits from the refreshment table benefit the drama program.
Please bring a food item with you to Math Night to donate to the Andover Food Pantry. We will actually turn this into an estimation activity so at the end of the night take a guess as to how many food items have been collected. We’ll count the items the next day and announce the winner. The Andover Food Pantry shelves are a bit bare so we would like to help stock them up before winter. Anything you could donate would really make a difference. You don’t need to wait until Math Night to bring in food items. We have a collection bin available every day and bring it to Food Pantry when full.
The Book Fair will be here the week of October 21st! Book Fair hours will be extended until 8:00 pm on Math Night.
As soccer winds down it is time to think about basketball. AEMS will have three 7th and 8th grade basketball teams this year. The form is attached to register for the town basketball program. Teams are forming now. Andover Recreation Department members will be in the lobby during Math Night to register students for the Ragged Mountain Ski and Snowboard program and 3rd – 6th grade basketball teams.
Charlie Darling is looking for a home for a spinnet piano from the 1980’s. It is in perfect condition. He also has two electronic organs (keyboards) to give away. Please contact him if interested, at cdarling@nulltds.net.
Coming soon is our Veteran’s Day celebration. We will have a special ceremony at 9:00 am on Wednesday, November 6th. We send invitations to all our Andover veterans. Please feel free to invite any veterans you know.
Enjoy the four day weekend with your children. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to call.
Sincerely,
Jane Slayton
AEMS EAGLE CODE
Always Be Respectful
Everyone is Responsible
Make Good Choices
Safety, First, Last and Always