Dear WEL Community,

As we head into the final weeks of another wonderful school year, I would like to take a moment to celebrate several recent accomplishments that showcase the spirit, determination, and heart of our students.

This past weekend, we were incredibly proud of our third, fourth, and fifth grade Girls on the Run team as they participated in the 30th Annual Girls on the Run 5K in Boston. Neither rain, powerful wind gusts, nor even reports of meteor activity could slow the drive and determination of these extraordinary athletes! Their perseverance, enthusiasm, and commitment to achieving their goals were inspiring to all who attended. We extend our sincere gratitude to our dedicated coaches—Nadine Juliano, Danielle Cogliano, Katie O'Brien, Colleen Ryan, and Hannah Wunderlich—whose encouragement, guidance, and countless hours of support helped make this experience possible.

Our fourth grade students recently participated in the Andover Pollinator Program, a local conservation initiative dedicated to promoting native plantings and creating healthy, pesticide-free habitats for bees, butterflies, and birds. Through this hands-on learning experience, students gained a deeper appreciation for environmental stewardship and the important role pollinators play in maintaining healthy ecosystems.

We are also proud of our Kindergarten Special Olympians, who joined students from the Shawsheen Preschool at the annual Special Olympics event in North Andover this week. The joy, determination, sportsmanship, and teamwork displayed by our youngest athletes were truly remarkable. We look forward to cheering on our students in grades 1–5 as they participate in their Special Olympics events later this week.

Finally, we are excited to host our Annual Volunteer Thank You Breakfast on Wednesday, June 4, from 9:15–10:00 a.m. WEL runs on love, and our volunteers bring that love into our school every single day. Whether supporting classrooms, assisting with events, volunteering on field trips, or lending a helping hand in countless other ways, our volunteers make an immeasurable difference in the lives of our students and staff. We look forward to celebrating and thanking them for all they do.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support. Together, we make WEL an extraordinary place for children to learn, grow, and thrive.

Warmly,

Dr. Cobbs & Dr. Donaher

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

The bus pass registration for the 2026-2027 school year will be open June 1, 2026 through July 24, 2026. Attached is information for registering your child for transportation. Additional information is also available on the APS website.

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

Here's a concise version that retains the key information:

Medication Order Reminder

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has updated guidelines for medication administration in schools. Effective immediately, all prescription and non-prescription medication orders must be dated within the current school year cycle (July 1–June 30).

Please note:

• Medication orders from the current school year will expire on June 30.

• New signed medication orders from your child's healthcare provider are required for the upcoming school year.

• To ensure forms are valid for the full year, please obtain updated medication orders dated on or after July 1.

If you have any questions, please contact the school health office. Thank you for helping us keep our students safe and healthy.