Many Exciting Plans as AE/MS Wraps Up School Year

Volunteers needed for the coming school year

May 19, 2015 • Saved under AE/MS
By Jane Slayton, AE/MS principal
When the luscious, thick green grass grows in the courtyard area at AE/MS, you can thank the second grade students in Ms. Hildebrand's class. Jon Champagne taught the students the science behind growing grass and showed them the necessary tools for a big project. Ms. Slayton was very impressed with the power sweeper! The students took their jobs seriously, and bright green grass is already filling the courtyard area. We are appreciative to Jon Champagne for the donation of time, expertise, loam, and grass seed. Pictured are Travis French, Jon Champagne, Jacob Demers, Madison Hersey, Drew Labonte, Ben Kelly, Michelle Dudek, Garrett Barton, Julianna Champagne, Abby James Bentzler, and Paige Makechnie. Caption: Jane Slayton. Photo: Charlie Darling
When the luscious, thick green grass grows in the courtyard area at AE/MS, you can thank the second grade students in Ms. Hildebrand’s class. Jon Champagne taught the students the science behind growing grass and showed them the necessary tools for a big project. Ms. Slayton was very impressed with the power sweeper! The students took their jobs seriously, and bright green grass is already filling the courtyard area. We are appreciative to Jon Champagne for the donation of time, expertise, loam, and grass seed. Pictured are Travis French, Jon Champagne, Jacob Demers, Madison Hersey, Drew Labonte, Ben Kelly, Michelle Dudek, Garrett Barton, Julianna Champagne, Abby James Bentzler, and Paige Makechnie. Caption: Jane Slayton. Photo: Charlie Darling

Our courtyard area is going through a transformation. The raised beds received significant damage with the difficult winter. The garden beds have been removed, and we now have vegetables growing in large recycled barrels. The barrels can then be relocated before winter.

Grass was scarce in the courtyard, but Jon Champagne and Ms Hildebrand’s students came to the rescue. Jon made the activity educational and fun, and the courtyard has now been thoroughly seeded and roped off.

Sixteen beautiful window boxes were handmade during SHARE Day workshops with David Bates and Donna Pourby, and the boxes will soon be filled and displayed. In addition, the Andover Girl Scouts have plans to refurbish and replace parts of the Peace Pole. We are going to be looking great when all is complete!

Fourth and eighth grade students took the NECAP Science test in May. This is a state requirement and includes three testing periods.

The second grade classes have a theatrical production coming up in June. I am beginning to hear their beautiful singing voices as they put their musical together.

The eighth grade graduation is Wednesday, June 17, at 6:30 PM. This is a semi-formal occasion and is usually before a standing-room-only crowd. Thirty-four students will move on to the secondary education phase of their lives.

It is a very special evening with student involvement in the program. The ceremony begins with a slide show including baby pictures of the graduates and photos that progress to the present. Gretchen Hildebrand and Heidi Unger compile this sentimental journey every year.

Eighth grade students will be busy in the weeks leading up to their graduation. Thanks to generous community fundraising support, they will be spending two nights in New York City.

The 34 students and six chaperones will tour Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. They will see Wicked on Broadway after having dinner at Planet Hollywood. The students will tour the 9/11 Museum and Memorial and also visit the Intrepid battleship and enjoy a show and meal at Medieval Times. A bit of pool time at the hotel might also be squeezed into the schedule.

The trip will wrap up with riding the roller coasters at Six Flags in Massachusetts on the way back to Andover.

We are on the road again. At this time of year, much learning takes place beyond Andover.

Kindergarten students spend a day learning and exploring at the Montshire Museum, while first grade students enjoy a day at the Billings Farm. Second graders make the long-standing traditional, and favorite, trip to the Harvard Museum of Natural History.

Third grade students take their learning to the ocean and participate in hands-on activities at the Odiorne Science Center. Fourth and fifth grade students go back in time while exploring the Fort at No. 4 in Charlestown. Sixth and seventh grade students take their energy, enthusiasm, and curiosity to the Flume and Cannon Mountain.

The last day of school for students in kindergarten through grade eight is Thursday, June 18. The morning will consist of cooperative and competitive outdoor games. Students, staff, and parents will enjoy the annual barbecue for lunch. The afternoon will consist of entertainment, awards, and closure activities back in the classrooms.

The school year is quickly winding down, and we are already planning for the new school year. We are always looking for new volunteers.

There will be some exciting new volunteer opportunities for next year. We are looking for volunteers to help with recycling and make it both educational and useful for our students and community. We are looking for very active playground help as we add to our equipment. Fundraising and manual labor will be involved. We will also be looking for someone to run and coordinate our Eagle Store. The opportunities to volunteer are endless.