Andover Townsman, Andover, MA Education

MOTIVATION THAT MOVES: Stunt bike champ speaks against bullying

2012-02-02T15:56:35-05:00

While riding a bike around the gym at South Elementary School, world stunt biking champion Chris Poulos asks the kids what they fear most.
One student describes a TV show he watched, and another mentions a movie that scared her. Towards the front of the gym, a girl says she's afraid of clowns. Students throughout the gym chuckle.

Seifert column: Lessons of kindergarten still do ring true

2012-02-02T15:54:56-05:00

Today at breakfast my head was spinning with topics and arguments: political civil war, too many illegal immigrants, Europe is finished, where will we get oil, windmills are the answer, we need more vacant houses, we have a lousy health system, we must legalize drugs because there's nothing we can do about it, and on and on and on. My God, if I listened to the TV "experts," and believed them, I'd be afraid to get out of the bed each morning.

Local Scholars

2012-02-02T15:42:38-05:00

Jack Lu represents Andover at state service day
Wood Hill Middle School eighth-grader Jack Lu represented Andover at a statewide service project called Project 351.
Gov. Deval Patrick and Lt. Gov. Tim Murray joinedn hundreds of eighth grade "ambassadors" from across the Commonwealth on Saturday, Jan. 14, for Project 351, "a day of service and a celebration of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr."

Revolutionary learning

2012-01-26T05:06:00-05:00

Bancroft Elementary School fifth-graders recently stepped into the shoes - and other clothing - of the nation's first soldiers.
The youth were immersed in the lifes of the Continental Soldier at a Revolutionary War presentation by Hands on History's Denis Cormier. Students dressed in uniforms from George Washington's Army, the British Army of King George III and the French Army; handled artifacts from the 1700s, and walked through drills and procedures, gaining an understanding of what it took to win the freedom of a new nation, according to parent Mary Hall.

Seifert column: Right questions, planning will solve schedule snafu

2012-01-26T05:03:00-05:00

From time to time we hear about "the 800-pound gorilla in the room." The metaphor is used as an example of something that is obvious to most people, but they don't want to talk about it.
For a few years now that gorilla at Andover High School has been the block schedule. It has become so big that it has contributed to a work to rule for all the schools, the School Committee is now against the teaching labor force and the issue could result in a lower rating when the Accreditation Committee presents its final report. Our standing in the valley is not what it could and should be.

Kindergarten registration in one place, Feb. 6

2012-01-26T05:02:00-05:00

The annual kindergarten registration event for the 2012-13 academic school year will be conducted only in one place this year.
A registration event covering all schools in town will be held at the World War I Memorial Auditorium, the auditorium for Doherty Middle School that faces the Park on Bartlet Street. The event will be Monday, Feb. 6 from 6 to 8 p.m.

SHED/Kid's Club to offer preschool program

2012-01-19T17:53:00-05:00

Kid's Club on Phillips Street comes alive during after school hours, offering extended day coverage until 6 p.m. for working parents with young children attending Andover Public Schools.
But the nonprofit and its parent, Shawsheen Extended Day (SHED), with the great location in the shadow of Phillips Academy, has always been quiet during school hours. No longer.

Seifert column: Time for national political 'peace talks'

2012-01-19T17:51:25-05:00

There are those who claim we have never had a major battle fought on our soil. This is not quite accurate. Our history has been filled with a series of confrontations from our European beginning to this very day. Here are just a few.

Teen students: Find summer and gap-year opportunities at PA fair

2012-01-19T17:51:00-05:00

High school and middle school students can get a jump on their summer plans by attending Phillips Academy's 22nd annual Summer Opportunities Fair on Sunday, Jan. 22. The event, to be held in the Smith Center on the Phillips Academy campus in Andover, is open to the general public from noon until 3 p.m.

Phillips Academy seniors perform concertos Saturday

2012-01-19T17:50:11-05:00

The Phillips Academy Music Department will present senior students performing in four concertos with piano accompaniment this Saturday, Jan. 21 at 7:30 p.m. in the Cochran Chapel.
The program will feature seniors playing movements from various concerti: David Ding performing Grieg's Piano Concerto; Jina Lee performing Lalo's Cello Concerto; Hannah Lee performing Vaughan-Williams Suite for Viola and Orchestra, and Marga Kempner performing Saint-Saé´ns Violin Concerto No. 3.