Dear APS families,
I am heartbroken to be writing to you again on the news of another senseless act of violence in an elementary school in Nashville, which resulted in the loss of young children and educators. The tragedy is becoming all too common and can be felt thousands of miles east in Andover. The information that is uncovered in the coming weeks may bring difficult emotions for many of us.
Our mental health teams are prepared to assist those that may have concerns. We encourage our families to reach out to their school administrators and social workers should they need support.
We also wanted to provide resources for families that may be helpful should you wish to have a conversation with your children. These resources were shared less than a year ago, during the aftermath of the violence in Uvalde, Texas. Sadly, the guidance remains relevant today:
Please know that the safety of our staff and students continue to be our utmost priority in Andover Public Schools. This school year, the district contracted with Guidepost Solutions, who began school security assessments at all our schools. As part of the assessment, Guidepost has been reviewing existing security systems, physical security, security policies and procedures. They are also collaborating with public safety, school administration, and facilities and we anticipate their recommendations by the end of this school year. We believe this assessment is an important step to further protecting our staff and families.
Our staff will continue to work closely with our students and families when they are experiencing difficult situations, and we always encourage all members of our community to speak up when they have a concern. 
Magda Parvey, Ed. D.
Superintendent