The summer weeks have flown by, and AE/MS is eager to fling open the doors for a new school year. We are excited to have students back in the building again.

Tuesday, August 26th, is the first day of school! Our first school week will be three days long as we ease back into our academic routine. The first week will end with an outside luau and entertainment on Thursday afternoon as we celebrate a new year. Mr. Hubert will entertain us musically, and there will be announcements and sharing. Parents are welcome to come for lunch and celebrate the start of a new year with us.

Kindergarten students will get a head start to the new year when they attend Kindergarten Orientation on Monday, August 25. Kindergarten students will have the building to themselves as they explore their “big” new school without the older students in the building. They will also have the opportunity for a short ride around the village on the school bus.

Also, we are providing coffee on the first day of school for parents of kindergarten students. The first day of kindergarten is a very special and very big day for children and parents. This will give parents a chance to gather and support each other as we begin our nine-year AE/MS adventure together. There will be laughter, tears, and lots of humorous first-day-of-school stories and photos to share.

Mark MacLean is the new superintendent of schools for SAU 46 (Andover and Merrimack Valley School Districts). This year marks his 21st year in education. From 1996 to 2007, Mark was a teacher, coach, and Area Coordinator at Merrimack Valley High School, teaching Computers and Business Education. From 2007 to 2014, Mark held two administrative posts: Dean of Academics at Alvirne High School, and Assistant Superintendent of Schools at the Kearsarge Regional School District.

Mark brings a collaborative, enthusiastic, and technology-focused leadership style to his superintendency. Among his many goals is strengthening the partnership with Andover students, teachers/staff, and families. Don’t be surprised when you see him at AE/MS! A husband and proud father of two children, Mark prides himself on his open communication and receptivity to feedback. He invites you to contact him should you ever have any questions or concerns. He will become a familiar face at AE/MS, and you will have lots of opportunities to meet him.

David Miller, the new principal for Merrimack Valley High School, is also eager to meet our middle school students and families. We have already made plans for him to meet our middle school students during the first full week in September.

I am also excited that AE/MS parent and community member Katie Keyser now works in the SAU 46 office. I think that will be a great connection for our community.

Brittney Fournier is the new AE/MS music teacher and band and chorus director. She has lots of enthusiasm and great ideas for our music program. She is looking for African drums, if you might have some to spare.

Curriculum work is always a part of summertime, and this year was no different. Common Core Curriculum has been modified to fit our school community. Students in grades three and four will have new math materials this year. After much research, it was decided to pilot the Go Math program for the 2014-15 school year.

More technology has been thoughtfully added to classrooms to improve and enhance student learning. Students will also have increased access to Chromebooks.

Fifth through eighth grade cross country running started in mid-August, and seventh and eighth grade soccer is now in full swing as well. Students who have not been available for pre-season workouts can still come out for the teams and practice when the school year begins. Four of our middle school students will play football for Merrimack Valley Middle School this fall.

We will update our Web site and include game and meet schedules for all three teams.

There has been a lot of work done with the building and grounds this summer to prepare for the new school year. The first and second grade students will be surprised to see new colorful tile floors in their classrooms. This will be much easier to maintain than the carpeting and have less allergens dispersed.

A new weather-resistant carpet has been installed at the main office entrance which will wear better. Screens and window shades were repaired or replaced in several classrooms and in the library. Painting was done throughout the building, and on the outside railings.

A new kitchen range is now ready for fabulous culinary school lunch creations. Joanne Young, kitchen manager, is very excited about the new possibilities. New fencing was installed on the left side of the building. This was a much needed project. The parking lot will be painted by early September. The crosswalks, parking spaces, etc. need to be brightened.

In early October, one of the basketball backboards in the gym will be repaired and replaced. The hand crank system is no longer operable, and an electric model will replace it. We will reuse our existing backboard within the new system. There were many other changes and improvements over the summer. We think you’ll see a positive difference when you are in the building.

Ready, Set, Go! We are off and running into a new school year.