As we approach the end of the school year, I want to take a moment to extend my heartfelt thanks to the entire West Elementary community for making my first year in Andover such a meaningful and memorable one.

To our incredible educators—thank you for your dedication, your collaboration, and your unwavering commitment to our students. To our families—thank you for your trust, your partnership, and the warm welcome you extended to me from day one. And to the greater Andover community—thank you for your support and for embracing both long-standing traditions and the spirit of new ideas.

Together, we've celebrated the best of West El while building new memories and moments for our school. I am truly grateful to be a part of this community and look forward to what lies ahead.

Warmly,
Mary Ellen Carideo-Cobbs
Principal, West Elementary School

Get ready for the first West El Ice Cream Social at our new school! Dylan & Pete's Ice Cream Truck will be there with lots of yummy treats. We will also have a DJ, photo booth and air brush tatoos!

When: Tuesday, June 10th 5:00-7:00 pm

Where: Outside in the back of West El

Price: $10 per child (this includes a ticket for 1 ice cream) $40 family max - no charge for adults

* Additional ice cream can be purchased

As always, we need YOUR help to make this a success! Please sign up to help. It's easy and fun! https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0F4EA9AC23AAFE3-57183314-west#/

Thank you!

The Andover High School Music Department is hosting an exciting Instrument Petting Zoo for elementary students in grades 2 through 5 from 4:00 to 6:30 PM at the AHS Cafeteria. This hands-on event provides young musicians with the opportunity to try out and explore a diverse range of musical instruments in a fun and welcoming environment. Students will have the chance to discover which instruments spark their interest.

Grade 3 - String Instruction

Students may begin string instruction in Grade 3, when they have the option to play a string instrument (violin, viola, cello, or bass). This will be a regularly scheduled part of their music curriculum, and string instruments must come to school for weekly lessons. Students who do not opt into this program will receive other additional music instruction. We ask that you consider this with your child and make the selection by July 1st, 2025 - if possible. Families who do not wish to participate in the strings program do not need to respond to the form below:

Grade 3 Strings Registration

Grades 4 & 5 - Strings and Band

We welcome new and returning 4th and 5th grade students to our program in both Strings and Band. Next year, Strings and Band students will receive one 30-minute weekly group lesson that will occur within the typical school day. Band instruments, such as flutes, clarinets, brass, and saxophones, are available starting in grade 4. Percussion begins in grade 5.

Band

Strings

Important Notes

• String instrument education begins in grade 3, so second and third graders can get a head start exploring violins, violas, cellos, and basses at the Instrument Petting Zoo
• Whether your child participated in previous years or is starting an instrument for the first time, all students must obtain one of the required instruments and purchase the appropriate lesson book
• All lessons are integrated into the regular school day schedule

Additional Information can be found here: https://sites.google.com/andoverma.us/the-arts-in-andover/elementary-instrumental-music

Your child’s end-of-year MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) and Dibels mCLASS results will be sent home on Thursday, June 12th with your child. These reports provide valuable insights into your child’s growth and progress in reading and math over the school year.

Click the links below to learn more about how to interpret and understand your child’s MAP and DIBELS (mCLASS) assessment and results.

MAP

Dibels mCLASS

If you have any questions after reviewing the report, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your child’s school administrator, Dr. Cobbs or Ms. Tintle.

June 13 - LAST DAY OF SCHOOL - Early Dismissal at 12:15

2025-2026 School Year Opening Dates:

Wednesday, August 27: First day of school, students grades 1-12

Friday, August 29 and Monday, September 1: No School: Labor Day

Tuesday, September 2: First day of school for Kindergarten

Wednesday, September 10: Back to School Open House Night - get it on your calendar and plan for your child care now! :)

Andover Public School 2025-2026 Calendar

Summer Possibilities

Memorial Hall Library’s Summer Reading Program, "Level up at Memorial Hall Library," is described in this Summer Reading Video. Memorial Hall Library will launch their summer reading program on June 16th. Register online for the program after June 16th. The Children's Room will offer awesome summertime activities. Once registered, children will be able to 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 "Level up!” 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 (2026). There will be a voting party in the Library for our MCBA voters in early April. MCBA books are perfect for summer reading!!

The bus pass registration for the 2025-2026 school year will be open June 1, 2025 through July 25, 2025.

Please note that the process for registering a grade 6 student for transportation has changed. Moving forward we will no longer use paper request forms; an online Google form is available on the APS website.

To learn more about the bus pass information, please visit the APS transportation page, scrolling down to the bottom tab called "Grade K-12 Bus Pass Information."