ANDOVER — Andover Elementary School held an open house Wednesday night that included an assembly on the S.O.A.R. code where students get “caring coins” for being respectful, responsible and honest.

The school of about 30 students in grades kindergarten to five thrives on the code, which stands for Supporting Others Acting Responsibly. 

Karen Thurston, in her fifth year as principal, led the assembly to tell attendees about the program and how the staff will enforce it. When students are observed demonstrating elements of the code they are rewarded with the coins that can be used to buy treasures from the school store. 

This year, Thurston announced, will be the “pilot year” for implementing the common core math curriculum, and the school is counting on feedback from the parents to let them know how students are faring with the new system at home.  The new curriculum puts a greater focus on mixing vocabulary with math, which will expand reading and writing progress as well. 

Andover Elementary also plans to promote reading by recording their work. Students will bring books home to their parents, who can read to or with their children, and keep a written log to track time and progress.

For athletes, Thurston said the school hopes to offer soccer this fall, although they will need community involvement. Anyone wishing to help with the sport must be fingerprinted.

Along with needing more involvement for the soccer program, the PTA is always looking for more volunteers, Thurston said.

“We encourage everyone to be as involved in the school as possible,” she said.

Students can also get excited about the schoolwide field trip next week to the Oxford County Fair in Oxford. 

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