Andover Public Schools Effort Raises $22,000 For Florida, Texas Hurricane Relief

ANDOVER, MA -- Andover Public Schools students and their families raised nearly $22,000 last weeks to support relief efforts in hurricane-ravaged parts of Texas and Florida. On September 20 the schools held "Andover Responds: A United Day of Support." All members of the school community have been asked to make donations for the American Red Cross; to date, students and their families have raised $21,655.

"Our core values call on us to teach our students to feel connected, think globally, believe in their ability to make a difference in the world and take pride in being part of Andover Public Schools," Superintendent Sheldon Berman said. "We’ve all been touched by the images of the devastation left by these hurricanes, and it’s essential that we fulfill our obligation to do what we can to provide a helping hand in their time of need."

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Students throughout the district also wrote notes and made drawings to send to families that had been displaced by Hurricanes Irma and Jose. Teachers also led open circle discussion so students could talk about their feelings related to the storms.

"Every school reached out in its own way, demonstrating that caring truly is at the heart of Andover's culture," Berman said in a letter home to families "Thank you for making a difference—not only here in Andover, but in battered communities hundreds of miles away. The example you set for our students today is shaping the way they will interact with the world tomorrow. We could not be prouder."

Photo by Andover Public Schools.

Dave Copeland can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851.