AE/MS is already at the halfway point of the first trimester. Progress Reports have been sent home and parent/teacher conferences are underway.

AE/MS students are very busy! Students play soccer, run cross country, play football, and play field hockey. This fall they have visited the Andover Fire Station, the New Hampshire Statehouse, Highland Lake Apple Farm, and New Hampshire Fish and Game. They’ve participated in Walk-to-School-Day, auditioned for Seussical the Musical, and enjoyed Math Night. Some have written, rehearsed, and performed in a Halloween play. All have been amazed by engaging science activities, produced thoughtful writing, learned new songs, and created amazing art work. Of course, lots of reading and math work happens every day. AE/MS continues to be a very busy place!

Welcome Annie Mackenzie! Annie is the newest member of the Andover School Board. Annie will fill out the seat recently vacated by Anne Swayze until the March town elections. Annie brings experience, an educational background, and enthusiasm to the position.

The Andover School Board members and administrators are busily engaged these days. They are in the midst of budget season, teacher negotiations, and the facility study.

Again this year flu immunizations were available for students and staff members. A record number of students participated. Parents and staff members appreciate the convenience of this service and are grateful that Christine Frost has coordinated this effort for AE/MS.

Our soccer and cross country teams are nearing the end of their season. Both teams have been successful by many different measures. A memorable part of the season took place at the home cross country meet when the teams collaborated for the event. The soccer players ran in the event and supported the cross country runners. Coach Reynolds and Coach Makechnie couldn’t be more proud of their enthusiastic team members. So many of the young athletes have met or surpassed their personal goals for the season. AE/MS appreciates the wonderful coaches who share their time, expertise, passion, and nurturing attitude with the students. We are fortunate.

The Homecoming Dance was held in October. This is always a big night. Most of Andover’s ninth grade students return for the dance. The teachers and younger classmates look forward to seeing them and hearing about their high school experience thus far. It is also a much anticipated night for sixth grade students as this is their first AE/MS dance experience. I would say it did not disappoint on either end. It was wonderful visiting with our ninth graders and it was fun watching the sixth graders dance and snack the night away.

The town of Andover is again generously making the ski program available and affordable to Andover families. Sue Norris and Jen Hauser manage the program. The first ski day will be Friday, January 8 and it will run for five Fridays, weather permitting. Students have the opportunity to ski or snowboard at Ragged Mountain. The town provides bus transportation. Rental equipment is made available through Ragged Mountain. 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. The program is dependent on volunteers. Please contact Jen or Sue if you can help. Our students are fortunate to have this amazing opportunity during their school day.

Math Night is almost upon us and excitement is in the air. Math Night has traditionally been the most highly attended event of the entire school year. This year the theme is Minions! There are a minion reasons to love math. There are a minions ways we use math. Teachers from AE/MS and Proctor Academy will come together and offer math centers for families to play with math. Activities are geared K-8. It is always fun and prizes are numerous. Everyone loves math!

We hope to see members of our community at least twice in November. We will be honoring our local veterans on Tuesday, November 10 for Veterans Day and we will be celebrating grandparents and older relatives on Thursday, November 19 for Grandparent Thanksgiving.

Box Tops for Education are still being collected. Box Tops are redeemed for cash which is directed toward the playground. We still have big plans for the playground and skate park and more work to do. There are two points in the school year when they are turned into the company but collection goes year round. Right now we have a push on to get lots collected by the end of October. We will have a pair of Manchester Monarchs tickets for the student who brings in the most Box Tops before October 28.

AE/MS will not be selling holiday wreaths this year. Profits in the past went toward providing decorated wreaths for town buildings. We are exploring other ways to share holiday cheer and appreciation with our town neighbors this year.

Amazing student art work is displayed throughout our building. Stop in and walk through our “art gallery.” I would love to take you on a tour.