It is already time to make plans for November and December. There are fall traditions ahead and several opportunities for us to share events with the local community.

Invitations are in the mail to our Andover veterans. All of the classes contribute to the day. Classes will sing, recite poetry, and patriotically decorate the gym. The eighth grade students, with the support of the PTO, will run the Eagle Cafe, which gives the veterans a place to sit and visit with each other after the ceremony while enjoying coffee and treats.

AE/MS staff members and students look forward to celebrating our veterans on Thursday morning, November 6, at 9 AM in the gym.

Later in November, students will share a delicious dinner with grandparents. Grandparents or older family members are invited to AE/MS for a Thanksgiving feast on Thursday, November 20. Regardless of whether a child has a local grandparent in attendance or not, it will still be a fun day for all. We have many “extra” grandparents, and we make sure everyone feels included.

Staff members and volunteers cook and serve the dinner. Students in the primary grades decorate, while older students set up, host, clear tables, and clean up.

We Build It Forward

Thank you to Belletetes’ We Build It Forward event and to David Bates; Donna Pourby; Chris, Betsy, and Hayden Buswell; Misty, John, Tyler, and Nick Sava; Judy Turk; and Gail Parenteau for spending a Saturday replacing the playground structure roofs, building a ga-ga pit, and doing overall playground clean-up. We had a great work crew and accomplished quite a bit. We may add some paint touch-ups in the spring. The fundraising continues so that we can add more equipment to the playground and skatepark.

Ga-ga has been an especially popular game for all ages. The new ga-ga pit is rarely empty. Ga-ga is actually an old game that was originally an Israeli dodge ball game. It became popular at summer camps and now at AE/MS.

Teachers recently spent a staff workshop day learning more about the Smarter Balanced Assessment to be administered in the spring. Writing in the primary grades, a new math program, and student data collection and analysis were all focuses of the day.

In the Amphitheater

An outdoor assembly was recently held. Our amphitheater is off to a good start. We have a cement base for a stage, and electrical access. The sloping grass area provides everyone with a good seat.

On a beautiful fall afternoon, that was all we needed to come together as a school community and share classroom happenings. Classes took turns sharing events with each other. Our Recycling club was thanked for their efforts. Our cross country team was praised for their season and wished good luck for the state championship meet. Third grade students shared what they had been learning in their classroom. Second grade students gave us a sneak preview of their original Halloween play, The Evil Payback. Eighth grade students asked everyone to bring in non-perishable food items for the Andover Food Pantry.

It is always nice to come together and celebrate learning, contributions, and sportsmanship.

Flu shots were recently offered to both students and staff members. A record number of students participated. We also encourage our students to eat healthily, get plenty of daily exercise, and enjoy the fresh air. Hand washing is an important practice at AE/MS. We also encourage students to stay hydrated by having water bottles with them. A healthy breakfast is available at school every morning. The building is disinfected daily, and students are encouraged to stay home when sick.

Math Night

As I write this, excitement is building for the ever-popular Math Night. Math games and activities for all ages will be available. AE/MS and Proctor Academy teachers and older students will run math stations. Most everyone goes home with math prizes. We’re looking forward to the fun on Thursday, October 23.

If you were on the Rail Trail a couple of weeks ago, you might have run into a few hundred students walking toward school. The original day planned for Walk-to-School was rainy, but a week later we were out enjoying ourselves on the Rail Trail. The weather was absolutely perfect, and all students and staff members participated.

Students riding Bus #3 have had their route modified due to the Route 4 bridge closure. Only one school bus route was impacted. We appreciate the flexibility of the families to accommodate the schedule changes. It will all be worth it when we have a new bridge.

Students in grades kindergarten through five and our chorus will perform in a festive concert on Thursday, December 11. This will be our kindergarten classes’ first time performing, and that always makes for a humorous evening. Come out and hear some holiday favorites.

Andover was well represented at a Regional Emergency Management Training in New London. Jane Hubbard, Andover’s volunteer Director of Emergency Management and an emergency management consultant, brought several area towns together to plan for emergencies. Towns will continue planning at future meetings and share resources. Andover had participation from school and Town personnel.

Ski Program

The Town of Andover is once again generously making the Andover Recreation Committee ski program available and affordable to Andover families. Sue Norris and Jen Hauser are managing the program this year. The first ski day is Friday, January 9, and it will run for five Fridays, weather permitting.

Students have the opportunity to ski or snowboard at Ragged Mountain Resort in Danbury. The Town provides bus transportation. Rental equipment is made available through Ragged Mountain Resort. Participating students will be dismissed from school early on Friday afternoons to participate in the Town program. Volunteers transport ski and snowboard equipment to the mountain and back to school again.

I can’t imagine how many Andover residents have learned to ski through this program over the years!

Soccer, cross country running, football, Andover Fire Station visits, Walk-to-School-Day, Annie auditions, incredible science activities, thoughtful writing, a Halloween play, Math Night, Book Fair, flu shots, art projects, publishing, music, and lots of reading and math work. are just some of what AE/MS students have been enjoying this fall. AE/MS continues to be a very busy place!