As we move into the final weeks of the school year, South School continues to be filled with learning, excitement, and special memories. This past week, our kindergarten students enjoyed a trip to the zoo, fourth graders participated in their annual kickball game, and our talented fifth-grade musicians performed at the Band, Orchestra, and Chorus Concert. We also cheered on our fourth and fifth graders as they represented South School at the annual Track Meet at Andover High School.

Looking ahead, we are excited for a week filled with field trips, field days, and opportunities to enjoy the outdoors together. While these end-of-year traditions bring plenty of fun, classrooms remain hard at work. Students are wrapping up important units in both ELA and mathematics, applying the skills and strategies they have developed throughout the year. It has been wonderful to see the tremendous growth our students have made - not only academically, but also socially and emotionally.

As we reflect on the year, we are incredibly proud of all that our students have accomplished. Their curiosity, perseverance, and willingness to take on challenges have helped them make meaningful progress. Thank you for your continued partnership and support as we finish the year strong and celebrate all that our students have achieved.

Warmly,

Brenda Lee, Principal

Olivia Goodrich, Assistant Principal

This week, we celebrate Patty Lovely as she begins her well-earned retirement after a remarkable career in education. Mrs. Lovely began teaching in 1988 at Sanborn School, stepped away to raise her children, and returned 20 years ago to South School, where she has spent the remainder of her career. Throughout her years teaching grades 2 through 5, and finishing in grade 4, she brought kindness, enthusiasm, and a genuine love of learning to every classroom. Mrs. Lovely formed lasting relationships with students, families, and colleagues, and her dedication has positively impacted countless children over the years. As she begins this next chapter, she is looking forward to spending more time with her growing family and enjoying her role as Nana. We thank Mrs. Lovely for her years of service and wish her a happy, healthy, and fulfilling retirement.

We also celebrate Ann LeBlanc as she begins her well-deserved retirement after nine years serving students in Andover Public Schools, including the last eight years at South School. As our head cafeteria worker, Mrs. LeBlanc took great pride in ensuring that every meal served was both nutritious and delicious. She built meaningful connections with students and brought warmth, kindness, and positivity to the cafeteria each day. Mrs. LeBlanc will be remembered for her love of music, her upbeat spirit, and the joy she brought to her work. She often shared that one of the best parts of her job was the memorable conversations she had with children each day. In retirement, Mrs. LeBlanc looks forward to spending more time with her husband, grandson, and family while continuing to enjoy her love of cooking. We thank Mrs. LeBlanc for her dedication and the care she showed our students and school community throughout her years at South.

Massachusetts Department of Public Health guidelines regarding the administration of medication in public schools has been updated. To ensure we remain in compliance with these new state regulations, and to provide the highest level of safety for our students, the district has updated its policy regarding the validity period of medical orders.

Effective immediately, all medical orders for both prescription and non-prescription medications must be dated within the current academic cycle: July 1st through June 30th.

What this Means for your family:

• Annual Renewals: Any medication orders on file from the previous school year will expire on June 30th. You must provide a new, signed medication order from your child’s licensed prescriber for the upcoming school year.
• July 1st Start Date: We encourage parents to schedule wellness visits or contact their child's physician after July 1st to ensure the paperwork is correctly dated for the full upcoming school year.

If your child currently has medication in the clinic:

Please make arrangements to pick up your child’s medication at the South School clinic starting the week of June 15th. Any medication not picked up by noon on the last school day (June 17 which is a ½ day) will be discarded.

If your child has an Epi-Pen or inhaler, please wait until June 16 or the last day of school to pick up these medications. It is against school policy to send home medication with students.

If your child will need any medication for the 2026- 2027 school year, a Medication Administration Consent Form must be completed for each medication. This includes prescription medication as well as over the-counter medication. See above statement for new medication policy)

(Inhalers, EpiPen, lactose medication, daily medications, Tylenol/Motrin etc.)

We will send out our lists for next year this summer; however, if you would like to get a head start and buy the supplies as one package, check out below!

Memorial Hall Library’s Summer Reading Program, "Plant a seed! Read!" is described in this Summer Reading Video. Memorial Hall Library will launch their summer reading program on June 15th. Register in the Children’s Room at Memorial Hall or online for the program after June 15th. The Children's Room will offer awesome summertime activities. Once registered, children keep track of their reading and earn rewards. They will also be able to participate in all the summer reading entertainment and educational programs FREE of charge! Join the fun as children read, sing, laugh, learn, and "Plant a seed! Read!” at Memorial Hall Library Children's Room! For more information on all children’s activities please visit Memorial Hall’s website at www.mhl.org/kids/programs, or call The Children’s Room at 978-623-8401 x39.

Information on the Massachusetts Children’s Book Awards (MCBA) program will be coming home soon for students entering grades 4 and 5. MCBA is a reading incentive program for students in grades 4,5,6, sponsored by Salem State College. Students who read or hear five or more books from a list put together by Salem State College, teachers, librarians, and students, become eligible to vote for the best book in Massachusetts next March (2027). Here is some info about the books selected for this year's list. There will be a voting party in the Library for our MCBA voters in early April 2027. MCBA books are perfect for summer reading!!

All students are able to receive 1 free breakfast and 1 free lunch daily during the 2026-2026 school year. Breakfast will be served in the cafeteria from 8:45 - 9:00 and does not need to be ordered ahead of time.

Lunches will need be preordered. It is very important that our cafeteria has an accurate lunch count each day. Please review with your children each morning what you have ordered for them.

Please click below for the monthly menu and more information about Andover's Nutrition Program including how to sign up.

June Dates:

• Mon., June 8th - Grade 3 field trip - Camp Otter - 9:15am - 2:00pm
• Mon., June 8th - Grade 4 field trip - Pomps Pond - 11:15am - 3:00pm
• Tues., June 9th - All-school assembly - 2:30pm
• Tues., June 9th - Grade 3 Outdoor Classroom
• Wed., June 10th - Grade 3 Outdoor Classroom
• Wed., June 10th - K Field Day - 9:30am - 11:00am
• Wed., June 10th - Grade 2 Field Day - 9:00am - 11:30am
• Thurs., June 11th - Grade 3 Outdoor Classroom
• Thurs., June 11th - Grade 5 Survivor Day
• Thurs., June 11th - Grade 1 Field Day - 10:00am - 11:30am
• Fri., June 12th - Grade 3 Field Day - 2:00pm - 3:00pm
• Mon., June 15th - Grade 5 Celebration of Learning - 9:45am
• Wed., June 17th - Last day of school (1/2 day - 12:15pm dismissal)

Also, as a reminder, CORI Forms need to be filled out every school year to volunteer and participate in school activities, such as chaperoning a field trip. If you would like to fill it out at home before coming over, here is the link to print the form: CORI FORM

Want to stay up to date with all the latest PTO news?

Visit www.SouthPTO.com

Email: brenda.lee@andoverma.us
Website: https://www.aps1.net/405/South-Elementary-School
Location: 55 Woburn Street, Andover, MA, USA
Phone: 978-247-9800
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/southschoolaps