Dear WEL Community,

What an amazing week we had at WEL!

One of the most memorable moments came as we welcomed the Senior Class of 2026 back for their final walk through the WEL hallways. Our entire community lined the halls cheering them on with signs, bubbles, applause, and smiles as we celebrated their accomplishments and bright futures ahead. It was a truly special experience for students and staff alike and a beautiful reminder of the lasting connections within our school community.

We also enjoyed a fantastic morning during our annual Andover Police “High Five” Day. We were thrilled to welcome three officers into our building who greeted students with smiles, high-fives, encouragement, and even a hug or two! Their positive engagement helped create a joyful and welcoming start to the day for everyone.

Our fifth graders had an exciting opportunity to connect with students and staff from West Middle School as they continue preparing for this important transition. Meanwhile, our youngest learners enjoyed a very special enrichment experience with Animal Adventures, generously supported by our PTO. There was great excitement and curiosity throughout the building as students learned about and interacted with a variety of animals. All in all, the days were long, but the week absolutely flew by!

As we honor tody, we encourage you to take some time to talk with your child about the importance of Memorial Day as we reflect on the ultimate sacrifice the service men and women in our community have made — and continue to make — in service to our country.

Thank you, as always, for your continued partnership and support. We wish all of our WEL families a safe and meaningful Memorial Day weekend.

Warmly,
Dr. Cobbs & Dr. Donaher

Our expanded learning spaces continue to provide meaningful, hands-on opportunities for students across grade levels. Thanks to the MA Fresh Grant secured through DESE, students and our partners in the Andover Food and Nutrition Department have been actively using the greenhouse to plant and care for supergreens and other crops while learning about composting, harvesting, sustainability, and healthy eating habits. These authentic learning experiences help students make important connections between science, nutrition, and environmental responsibility. This week, our third graders also took advantage of the rooftop deck as an outdoor classroom, where they dissected owl pellets and carefully documented their findings. Through this engaging investigation, students explored what the remains could teach them about the owl’s lifestyle, diet, adaptations, and interactions within its environment. It has been exciting to see these innovative spaces bring learning to life in such meaningful ways.

As we complete our first year with Arts & Letters, our new elementary English Language Arts curriculum, your voice matters! This short survey is designed to gather your thoughts and experiences as a parent or guardian — from how your child has engaged with the material to any changes you've noticed in their reading and writing. Your honest feedback will help us continue to support every learner and make informed decisions going forward. The survey takes approximately 5 minutes to complete. Thank you for being a partner in your child's education!

Click here for Arts & Letters Parent & Guardian Survey

ANDOVER PUBLIC SCHOOLS ELEMENTARY STRINGS PROGRAM - Grade 3

Hello Andover Families,

We are pleased to invite your child to join our elementary instrumental music program in Grade 3. In Andover, 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.

Strings Instruction - Things to consider:

Learning a string instrument is a wonderful way to begin an instrumental music career in school. However, there must be a commitment to home practice and instrument care. Students enrolled in the string program are expected to participate for the whole school year, be prepared for scheduled public performances, and practice regularly. Students and families are encouraged to review policies around instrument rental and care. We are here to support you. The first few lessons will focus on some real basics: unpacking/packing, bow hold, instrument position, and instrument/bow care, but through commitment and regular practice, students will be performing several short, recognizable songs by the end of the year.

We ask that you consider this with your child and make the selection by June 7th, 2026 - 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 - UPDATE

Renting an Instrument:

There are several instrument rental options for the Fall for families interested in string instruction. Below is a partial list of vendors. Families are welcome to explore other rental options. This information will be shared again later in the summer:

Johnson String Instruments of Newton, MA - http://www.johnsonstring.com

Leonards Music of Bedford, MA - http://www.leonardsmusic.com

Spencer Brook Strings of Maynard, MA - http://www.spencerbrookstrings.com

Rowen Strings of Boxford, MA - https://www.rowenstrings.com

Renting a good-quality string instrument has many benefits. Rental companies provide security in terms of repair and size upgrades as your child grows. Instrument pricing, sizing, and rental information for these companies can be found on their websites. We strongly discourage parents from buying an instrument at this time. Grade 3 students will need a smaller instrument fitted to their specific size in order to learn successfully and will need a size upgrade every year or so (free through a rental service) after that.

PLEASE NOTE: Instruments purchased online may be of poor quality. A poor quality instrument will greatly hinder your child’s progress. While buying online may seem like an attractive option, it may cause many unnecessary challenges. Through a generous donation by the Andover Coalition for Education, for beginning Grade 3 string players, we have many high quality, school-owned stringed instruments (violins, violas, cellos, and basses) available for those who qualify for financial assistance. More information will be available later in the summer.

Sincerely,

Julie Diehl, Elementary Strings Instructor - julie.diehl@andoverma.us

Please help us as we begin to plan for our classrooms and scholar supplies for next school year! If your family is moving out of the WEL district, or if your student will be attending a private school next school year, please let us know by contacting our Main Office.

It is critically important information as we plan our classroom placements and scholar supply ordering for next year. The office will prepare records for transfer to the new school, but records will not be sent until we receive a request from that school.