November 9, 2016

Dear Parents and Guardians:

Greetings from NAHS.  I would like to share with you a few “principal thoughts” and a few reminders about upcoming November events.  

As a former U.S. History teacher, my “principal thoughts” this week have centered on this year’s intriguing election season.  The presidential campaign was unlike any in recent memory. However, it was certainly in line with an American political tradition that can waiver from mundane to raucous campaigns. Our students have discussed the election and its issues in many of our humanities courses, and our A.P. Government seniors with their teacher, Dianne Freiermuth, organized our mock election on Monday.  This was an instructive mock election exercise about the presidential candidates and the Massachusetts ballot questions.  These types of activities are essential to the work and mission of a public high school.  We consider it our responsibility to have students learn the value of civic engagement and political participation.  As we join families in discussing and unpacking our political system and this election, we also emphasize the many wonderful aspects of our country, and by extension, of our town and high school.  One American aspect that I emphasize and celebrate often is the multiplicity of views and the diversity of people both in our country and in our school.  And that all of those views and people are welcome and safe at North Andover High School.

In that vein, I made the following announcement this morning to the high school community.  I thought it may be useful to share with families.

Good morning.  I hope students had a great day off yesterday, and I thank faculty for a great professional development day.  So, I am a U.S. History teacher in addition to being principal, and I’d like to comment briefly on the remarkable and challenging presidential election we just witnessed.  You and your families may be pleased with the results.  Or you and your families may be disappointed with the results.  However, I want to remind us that one of the most impressive aspects of the U.S. is that through elections, we transfer political power peacefully.  Some other countries do not do this.  So what does this mean for us?  It means that as a nation and as a school, we discuss political change, political disagreements, and what we think about our presidential candidates in a peaceful and civil manner.  We can disagree energetically and robustly.  But our discourse nationwide and at NAHS needs to be marked by respect for all.  The current great American tradition of welcoming and respecting ALL citizens regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, national origin, language, sexual orientation, or gender identity will continue.  And I am confident that respect will be seen and lived at NAHS.  I look forward to many conversations with you in the days ahead.  Thank you.

And below, please see some dates for upcoming NAHS events.

Sincerely,

Deborah Holman

Interim NAHS Principal

NOVEMBER DATES AND INFORMATION

November 10 – 8:00 – 10:00 a.m.  PICC (Planning and Information College and Career) College Coffee Talk for parents in room 1064.  Please send any questions you have for the agenda to stevensd@nak12.com.

November 11 – No School – Veteran’s Day

November 16 – Seniors measured for cap & gowns for graduation during all lunches

November 16 - John & Abigail Adams Scholarship Recipient Breakfast at 10:00 a.m. for notified juniors.

November 17 – Open House for 7th & 8th grade parents at 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

November 18 – One Act Festival - Auditorium

November 23 – Spirit Rally  - early dismissal  at 11:00 a.m.

Thanksgiving Break

November 30 – Trimester 1 Exams: Periods 1 and 2 exams, periods 3, 4, 5 are regular class

December 1 – Trimester 1 Exams: Periods 3 and 4, period 5 is a regular class (dismissal at noon)

December 2 – Trimester 1 Exam: Period 5 exam and makeup exams (dismissal at noon)