The theme for January is Empathy at NAMS. Empathy is being aware of and considering another person’s situation, feelings or motives before speaking or taking action. It is a very important life skill to be able to recognize how someone else is feeling. Each morning we will be sharing examples or empathy, asking students to show empathy in different ways, and more. Students are invited to recognize classmates for their empathy by completing a brief recognition form outside of the guidance counselor's office. We are asking them to think of someone who is able to support others because they recognize how the person is feeling and always find a way to help. We are hoping to recognize a NAMS student each Friday.

NAMS Geography Bee

Do you have knowledge of cultures, states, countries or animals? Then you would be the perfect candidate to compete in the North Andover Middle School Geography Bee!  All interested students must register with Mr. Poirier (Room S104) in advance in order to compete on Thursday, January 9 at 2:30 p.m. Top ten winners will advance to the final round with one student becoming the NAMS Geo Bee Champion. This winner will have an opportunity to advance to the State Finals in April, with a possible shot at the National Geographic Society’s National Championship round in May.

NAMS Online Literary League Magazine

The fall issue is ready for your review at the following address: https://sites.google.com/northandoverpublicschools.com/literary-magazine-fall/home

Order Your 2019-2020 NAMS Yearbook by clicking on the picture below:

Future NAMS PTAC Meetings (All Tuesdays from 9:00-10:00 a.m. in the Grade 8 Cafeteria)

• January 14, 2020
• February 11, 2020
• March 10, 2020
• April 14, 2020
• May 12, 2020
• June 9, 2020

North Andover Public Schools believes learning can take place beyond the walls of a classroom! We’re excited to share with your our website which describes various learning opportunities. During the 2019-2020 school year, these alternative school days will go into effect after the 3rd school cancellation day. Since we have already needed to cancel school 3 times this year, this plan will go into place after our next cancelled day of school. Our teachers and staff have been working on a wide range of assignments for students to complete on these Beyond the Classroom Days. The following provides some general information. Please visit the Beyond the Classroom website for additional information here or at the following address: https://sites.google.com/northandoverpublicschools.com/beyondtheclassroom/home

Beyond the Classroom General Information

• After the 12/2/19, 12/3/19, & 12/17/19 school cancellation days, our last day of school is currently scheduled for Friday, June 19, 2020 and will not be any later than this date.

• If school needs to be cancelled again this year, students will be assigned independent learning experiences to complete instead of making up cancelled days. These Alternative School Days have been named Beyond the Classroom Days. 

• The website provides specific information about all Beyond the Classroom expectations.

• You can view the FAQ’s for answers to questions you might have.
  Click on your child(ren)’s school for specific assignments. Due to copyright restrictions, students will need to log in using their NAPS login. Directions on how to access this via PowerSchool are also on the website.

• Teachers will be reviewing assignments and expectations with students in advance of another cancelled day of school and will also be sending home hard copies as needed.

Assignments will…

• Provide students with choice in what assignments they complete or how they complete them

• Be both online and offline (traditional paper and pencil) 

• Be consistent across grade level and content areas 

• Be linked to a standard

• Be accessible for all students 

• Be collected and given feedback from teacher

INDEPENDENT school work should be completed within the following time guidelines:

• Pre-K & K: optional

• Gr. 1-2: ~ up to 60 minutes

• Gr. 3-5: ~ up to 90 minutes 

• Gr. 6-8: ~ up to 20 minutes per subject area 

• Gr. 9-12: ~ up to 30 minutes per subject area