Office of the Principal

North Andover High School

November 18, 2016

Dear Parents and Guardians:

Greetings from NAHS.  This week, I would like to share some student celebrations, an important note about a concerning cell phone application, and upcoming dates/events.  

Good news first: Although I get to see our NAHS students doing great things every day, I could never share with you all their successes.  However, I would like to offer a (non-exhaustive) list that paints a bit of a picture and to offer my congratulations:

• This fall, we celebrate 6 twelfth graders as National Merit Scholars commended students.  Students are commended based on their PSAT scores taken during their junior year.

• This week we honored our 94 twelfth grade John and Abigail Adams Scholars.  Scholars are named based on their MCAS scores taken in the ninth and tenth grades, and this qualifies them for a college scholarship at a Massachusetts public college/university.

• Congratulations to NAHS Chorus students Emily Cummings and Will Ferguson, who traveled to Texas last weekend with Ms. Sara Durkin to perform with the National Association for Music Education’s All-National Honors Choir.  Ms. Durkin reported that it was intense and amazing for her, Emily, and Will.

• Out of 700 students in the region, freshman Jacob Boylorn was recently in first place in the Boston Globe Stock Market Game in Mr. Pete Concannon’s class. Go Jacob!

• 18 NAHS students completed our food service training class and recently earned their SERVSAFE certification from the National Restaurant Association.

• The girls volleyball team clinched the league title earlier this month. The following players were honored at MVC Volleyball Night: Natasha Stewart- Player of the Year; Rachel Davies- League All-Star; Sophie Meyers- League All-Star; Kathryn Farnum- All-Conference Player; Megan McNally- All-Conference Player; Abigail Keiver- Unsung Hero Award

• Senior Sam Caron was the MVC Open Champion for Golf.

• Sophomore Kaitlyn Parks recently emailed President Barack Obama expressing her desire to work in the government some day, and she received a long letter back from the President.  Nice networking, Kaitlyn!

• Junior Katherine Colwell is currently doing a semester abroad in Finland, and we look forward to hearing about her many adventures.  

Next, it’s important that I share with parents/guardians our concern about a cell phone application called “After School,” which our students brought to our attention. It allows posting of anonymous comments, and we know that there has been some negative use of this “app” by NAHS students over the last few days.  It is frustrating that, in many ways, this type of anonymous digital platform is beyond school and parent control.  Nevertheless, we are constantly working with our students around appropriate use of technology and digital communication.  This weekend, I encourage all parents to ask your children about this “app,” its use, and talk about appropriate digital communication and the importance of putting one’s name behind one’s statements whether in the virtual world or the face-to-face world.

Sincerely,

Deborah Holman

Interim High School Principal

NOVEMBER - DECEMBER DATES and INFORMATION

November 20 – “Shortsfest” One Act Festival - 2:00 pm in the auditorium. Students write, act, and direct.

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

November 24 -- Thanksgiving Football game at Andover High

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

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 ends 9:15 and makeup exams

December 2 – Winter Coffee House  - held in cafeteria  7 p.m

December 6 – School Picture Retakes during all 3 lunches

December 10 – ACT Practice Test 8:45 a.m. – 12:30.  We encourage sophomores and juniors to take the free ACT practice test to see if it might be a good alternative to the SAT.  Registration:  click here.

December 15 - Winter Concert in auditorium AT 7:00 p.m.