Doherty Family Update 6.7.2026
Family Update Week June 7, 2026
A school where everybody belongs.
Typical beginning and ending of the day
School opens at 7:50 for breakfast in the cafeteria- ๐Only the Front Door is open at 7:50
8:05 all doors including the back and side of the build are open
8:05 Bell rings - students can access their lockers
Our school day starts promptly at 8:15
Thursday 6/11 - Field Day - All School - School day (Rain date 6/10)
Friday 6/12 - 7th Grade Field Trip - Canobie Lake Park - School day
Monday 6/15 - 8th Grade Field Trip - Canobie Lake Park - School day
Tuesday 6/16 - 6th Grade Field Trip - Bradford Swim & Rec. Center - School Day
Tuesday 6/16 - 8th Grade Team Day - School day
Tuesday 6/16 - 8th Grade Dance - 6pm -7:30pm
Wednesday 6/17 - 8th Grade Farewell Ceremony - DMS Auditorium - 8:30am
Wednesday 6/17 Last day of School - Early Release Day - 11:30am
๐ Team 8A Shines at the MA DESE Civics Showcase!
Team 8A groups did a fantastic job presenting their projects at the MA DESE Civics Showcase in Worcester.
Monday, June 1- Our students stepped up as true community advocates. They shared their hard work with other student groups, listened to peer presentations, and engaged directly with community leaders. It was a fabulous opportunity for them to sharpen their presentation skills, field insightful questions, and see the incredible work of over 300 students from across the state.
Superintendent Search-Community Engagement Opportunities
The Andover School Committee is excited to introduce Mr. Crozier and Mr. Taverna to the community in the coming weeks. Please see the schedule of events for each candidate below.
If you would like to ask a question of the candidates at their Community Conversation sessions on Monday, June 8th & Tuesday, June 9th, please submit your question here.
Click this button for all links
Team 8A CIVICS Projects
A huge shout-out to the students of Team 8A, who recently gave a fantastic presentation to School Committee members Shauna Murray and Lauren Diffenbach, alongside Interim Superintendent Keith Taverna. Ms. Cherryโs student (picture below) did an incredible job advocating for financial literacy to become a requirement for Andover High School students.
๐จ A Time-Honored Tradition: The 8th Grade Mural Begins!
The halls of Doherty are buzzing with creative energy as our 8th-grade class officially kicks off the traditional 8th-grade mural project! This long-standing Doherty tradition gives our graduating students a chance to leave a lasting mark on our school community, and this yearโs class is already bringing incredible vision and teamwork to the wall.
A massive thank you goes out to Mr. Matteucci and Ms. Nicolas for coaching our students through this process. From initial brainstorming to final brushstrokes, their guidance, patience, and artistic mentorship make this unforgettable milestone possible every year.
We canโt wait to watch the masterpiece unfoldโstay tuned for updates as our 8th graders bring their collective vision to life!
๐ Wednesday Advisory: Teamwork & Fun!
Wednesday morning was bursting with energy as our 6th graders dove into an exciting Advisory lesson focused entirely on team-building and group connection.
Each classroom was absolutely buzzing with laughter, strategy, and friendly competition as students tackled a variety of collaborative games and activities. It was the perfect way to break the ice, strengthen friendships, and kick off the day with a whole lot of fun. Way to work together, 6th grade!
Model UN - 7th Grade
This week, grade 7 students participated in a Model UN simulation with a representative from the United Nations Association of Greater Boston (UNGAB). During the week they learned parliamentary procedure, researched the issue of clean water access across the globe, and represented the concerns of their assigned countries during Friday's simulation. Everyone did a great job!
Next year's WEB leaders start training!
8th Grade Farewell Ceremony
Our 8th Grade Farewell Ceremony will be on the last of school, Wednesday June 17, 2026.
The Ceremony will be held in the DMS Auditorium and will begin at 8:30am.
Lost & Found
The school year is quickly coming to a close, and we have several items on our lost & found shelves. Please encourage your student to check the shelves before the end of the year for any missing items.
Unclaimed items will be donated or discarded after June 17.
Library News
Hello DMS Families,
As we come to the end of the school year, the library has stopped lending books and has started collecting any outstanding and overdue book returns. The last day to check out books was Thursday, May 21st. The school librarian would appreciate any efforts at home to find overdue books and get them in the Doherty Library book drop prior to June 8th. After that date, bills will be sent home to families for the cost of the unreturned items. Thank you so much for encouraging your children to read, to use their school library, and to return their books so they are available to others!
2026 APS Middle School Summer Reading Suggestions
Entering 7th Grade
Wave, by Diana Farid
Fast Pitch, by Nic Stone
Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus, by Dusti Bowling
Alone, by Megan E. Freeman
Star-Crossed, by Barbara Dee
Other Words for Home, by Jasmine Warga
The Fire, the Water, and Maudie McGinn, by Sally J. Pla
Yonder, by Ali Standish
The Bletchley Riddle, by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin
MexiKid: A Graphic Memoir, by Pedro Martin
The Circuit, by Andrew Rostan
The Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World: the Extraordinary True Story of Shackleton and the Endurance, by Jennifer Armstrong
The 57 Bus, by Dashka Slater
Entering 8th Grade
A Good Girlsโ Guide to Murder, by Holly Jackson
Ashes in the Snow, by Ruta Sepetys
Rez Ball, by Byron Graves
They Both Die at the End, by Adam Silvera
Legendborn, by Tracy Deonn
Under a Painted Sky, by Stacey Lee
Truly Devious, by Maureen Johnson
The Summer I Turned Pretty, by Jenny Han
A First Time for Everything, by Dan Santat
Lunar New Year Love Story, by Gene Yang
Free Lunch, by Rex Ogle
Impossible Escape: a true story of survival and heroism in Nazi Europe, by Steve Sheinkin
The Enigma Girls: How Ten Teenagers Broke Ciphers, Kept Secrets, and Helped Win WWII, by Candace Fleming
News from the Clinic
New Medication Order Requirements for the 2026-2027 School Year
Important Update: New Medication Order Requirements for the 2026-2027 School Year
Dear Parents and Guardians,
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health guidelines regarding the administration of medication in public schools has been updated.
To ensure we remain in compliance with these new state regulations, and to provide the highest level of safety for our students, the district has updated its policy regarding the validity period of medical orders.
New Medication Order Requirements:
Effective immediately, all medical orders for both prescription and non-prescription medications for the upcoming school year must be dated within the current academic cycle: July 1st, 2026 through June 30th, 2027.
What this Means for your family:
- Annual Renewals: Any medication orders on file from the previous school year will expire on June 30th. You must provide a new, signed medication order from your childโs licensed prescriber for the upcoming school year.
- July 1st Start Date: We encourage parents to schedule wellness visits or contact their child's physician after July 1st to ensure the paperwork is correctly dated for the full upcoming school year.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our students safe and healthy.
Jeri Quirk-Carr, M.Ed, BSN, BS, RN
Doherty Middle School Nurse
50 Bartlet Street
Andover, MA 01810
978-247-9402 (clinic)
978-824-9790 (fax)
Counseling Corner
Counseling Corner
Dear Doherty Community โ Counseling support will continue to be available for our school community. We are proud of the care, compassion, and strength our students and staff have shown in coming together to support one another during this difficult time. Please see this link provided by our APS mental health team for additional resources and support information.
Summer Opportunities for Students
Extracurricular Clubs
Weโre excited to offer a wide variety of after-school programs and clubs here at Doherty Middle School! These activities provide students with opportunities to explore new interests, develop skills, and connect with peers in a fun and supportive environment that promotes community.
Please note: A completed permission slip is required for students to participate in any after-school club or program. Be sure to submit the form to ensure your child can join in on the fun!
Dylan Birch Clubs Organizer
Schoology our Learning Management System (LMS)
APS Superintendent Search
Redistricting
FY27 Budget Information
Who We Are & Stay Connected
โWho We Areโ
Communication with our families is essential to the success and wellness of our students. To assist our families and help them connect with the appropriate staff who is best suited to answer questions, we have updated our โWho We Areโ page on our website. The information will guide families to resources on how to reach staff with concerns and how to stay connected to news and events across the district.