While students enjoy their well-deserved summer vacations, Andover Elementary/Middle School continues to be a busy building.

Students will come back to new tiled floors in the upper level of the older building. The brightly colored floors are quite a contrast to the old carpet. The carpet looked great for many years, but eventually it became stained and worn. The tile floors will be easier to maintain and will harbor fewer allergens.

New lunch tables will be arriving soon for the cafeteria, and a new stove will be up and running in the kitchen before school begins. Fence repairs will also be done behind the school, and gates will be installed to aid in snow removal.

Summer School ended in late July, and all the students were treated to Musicville at the New London Barn Playhouse. Teachers Amanda Lauster and Kim Tilton have kept students engaged this summer as they mix fun with academics.

A group of ten AE/MS teachers attended the Summer Institute for Educators at New England College this summer. While there, they worked on many facets of planning for the new school year.

Our newest and youngest students, AE/MS kindergarteners, get a head start in the building before the rest of the students arrive. AE/MS Kindergarten Orientation will be held on Monday morning, August 25, at 8:30 AM. The students and their parents will meet teachers, tour the building, and ride the school bus. We have found that having the orientation experience makes the first day of school easier for all.

School Starts August 26

The first day of school for the 2014-2015 school year is Tuesday, August 26. It is a three-day week for students. There is no school on Friday, August 29, because it is a teacher workday, and there is no school on Monday, September 1, because it is Labor Day. This schedule gives our students the opportunity to ease back into the school year with a three-day week, a four-day week, and then finally a full week.

The new Merrimack Valley High School principal, David Miller, has visited AE/MS this summer. We have brainstormed more opportunities to connect our middle school students with MVHS. David is looking forward to meeting Andover families.

As always, we like to celebrate and rock in the new school year! Parents are welcome to join their children for a barbecue and musical entertainment on Thursday afternoon, August 28. New England musician and entertainer Paul Hubert will be performing. Students remember Mr. Hubert from his long-time gig as AE/MS music teacher. Paul Hubert is always a favorite at AE/MS! This will also be the first of several opportunities to meet Mark MacLean, our new SAU 46 superintendent, as well as new AE/MS staff members.

We have gained some new students in several grades over the summer.

It will be fun to have the building filled with students once again. I am looking forward to the new school year!