Dear WEL Community,

I hope this note finds you safe and warm. I am grateful for a weekend filled with snow fun and a Patriots victory, while also remaining acutely aware of the tumultuous and devastating news of unrest and violence across our nation. On one hand, the country is cheering on “The Walk for Peace,” and on the other, fear and uncertainty permeate the hearts and minds of millions. This mixed wave of messages and emotions is not lost on me, our children, or our community.

During this challenging time, please know that our school community will continue to embrace you and your family and stand beside you in moments of need. Your children and your family are safe, valued, and cared for here. Our core values of inclusivity, love, and respect remain steadfast.

The West community—our staff, families, and students—draws from all over the world and is rich in diversity. This diversity is our strength and a continued hallmark of hope. No one should feel they face challenges alone, and I welcome and encourage you to lean on one another and on me whenever hardship arises.

Warm regards,
Dr. Cobbs

Dear Families of Incoming Kindergarten students:

We share in your excitement for your child to enroll in Kindergarten for the 2026-2027 school year and look forward to them being a part of the West Elementary community in September.

Kindergarten registration will begin on Monday, February 2, 2026 to Monday, March 2, 2026. Please access the Kindergarten Registration link on our website at www.aps1.net/o/aps/page/kindergarten-registration.

Following your registration, please contact us directly to make an appointment to submit your registration paperwork.

For your reference, student eligibility requirements are as follows:

A student must actually reside in Andover, unless one of the exceptions set forth in Policy JF applies. The residence of a minor child is ordinarily presumed to be the legal residence of the child's parent or legal guardian.

Kindergarten:

As per School Committee Policy, children must be 5 years old on or before August 31, 2026 and entering Kindergarten in the Andover Public Schools for the first time.

First Grade: (New to Andover / Andover Public Schools)

Children must be age 6 on or before August 31, 2026, and enrolling in the Andover Public Schools for the first time or transferring from another school district school.

The first day of school for Pre-K and Kindergarten students is Tuesday, September 8, 2026.

MCAS will be held as follows:

English Language Arts:

• Grade 5: April 6, 2026 & April 7, 2026

• Grade 4: April 9, 2026 & April 14, 2026

• Grade 3: April 13, 2026 & April 15, 2026

Math

• Grade 5: May 4, 2026 & May 5, 2026

• Grade 4: May 7, 2026 & May 12, 2026

• Grade 3: May 11, 2026 & May 13, 2026

Science (Grade 5 Only)

• May 18, 2026 & May 19, 2026

Registration for the spring West Elementary Girls on the Run season will open on Monday, January 26 through the Girls on the Run Greater Boston website. This program is offered to female identifying students, grades 3-5.

Girls on the Run is an independently run organization that offers scholarships and sliding-scale fees as part of the registration process. Families can learn more and register by visiting:

https://www.pinwheel.us/register/index/SPRING26Reg

Students who wish to play in the snow need to come prepared with snow pants, boots, jackets, and gloves or mittens. Those without full snow gear will remain on the blacktop. Please label each item so that misplaced clothing can be returned. If your child is well enough to attend school, they are well enough to go outdoors. We make every attempt to go outside everyday, so please be sure that students dress for the weather even if they do not want to go in the snow. Snow play is a beloved part of winter at WEL and these expectations help ensure that all students can enjoy this season safely and comfortably.