This Halloween, the second grade students at AE/MS took the stage for a performance that has been a school tradition for at least two decades. Second

grade teacher Gretchen Hildebrand was unsure of exactly what year this adventure began. One thing she does know is why she keeps working on this massive undertaking year after year.  When asked about it she said, “It is the single most effective way to build community, confidence, engage kids in total literacy: reading, writing, listening, speaking, and have fun at the same time as experiencing major perseverance and patience!”

In addition to all of the skills that she mentioned, students need to become aware that practice, practice, practice makes progress. They work hard to read a script as they learn what it takes to make a well formed story (characters/ settings/problems / action… etc). It is truly an all encompassing academic project for these young Andover Eagles.

While the annual event is a huge undertaking for students and staff, it is one that is always anticipated and appreciated by the students, staff, and parents at AE/MS. It’s not truly Halloween in Andover without the second grade play and kindergarten costume parade.