Doherty Family Update 8.20.2025

⛵August 27, 2025 First Day of School⛵

On the first day students should report to the following locations:

6th grade students will be lead to the Youth Center by our WEB Leaders

7th grade students to the auditorium

8th grade students to the cafeteria

Typical beginning and ending of the day

School opens at 7:50 for breakfast in the cafeteria

8:05 Bell rings - students can access their lockers

Our school day starts promptly at 8:15

Thursday, September 11 for our Back-to-School Night. This event is a great opportunity to experience your child’s schedule and meet teachers. The event starts promptly at 5:00 PM.

Wednesday, September 17 we will be taking our annual school photos.

Monday, September 22 9:00 AM- Principal's Coffee- All are welcome RSVP Here

Dear Doherty Middle School Families,

Welcome to the start of an exciting new school year! I hope you and your family had a restful summer. We are so thrilled to welcome our students back to the hallways and classrooms of Doherty Middle School.

As we kick off the new year, I want to highlight some of the key programs that make up our robust support system for students. In addition to our core academic and integrated arts classes, our school is dedicated to meeting the diverse needs of all students—academically, socially, and personally. To accomplish this, we have made a new change to our middle school schedule, and as a result, we will be utilizing three essential blocks of time: Power Block, WIN Block, and Advisory Block.

Power Block

Power Block is a team-based period held four days per week during which students participate in a variety of intervention and enrichment activities. These may include band, orchestra, chorus, interdisciplinary learning experiences, assisted study, directed or independent study, technology-assisted learning, and curriculum extensions. Power Block is designed to deepen understanding, support academic needs, and encourage exploration beyond the classroom.

What I Need (WIN) Block

WIN Block is a school-wide period held once per week for all students and faculty. During this time, students engage in intervention and enrichment activities, which may include small-group tiered support and curriculum extensions. Students remain in the same WIN Block group for an eight-week cycle, allowing for consistency and growth in targeted areas.

Advisory Block

Advisory Block is a school-wide period held once per week for all students and faculty. During this time, students participate in social-emotional learning, college and career readiness activities, and community building. Related curriculum may include lessons from The RULER Approach, Character Strong, and Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority (MEFA) Pathway’s My Career and Academic Plan (MyCAP). Advisory Block fosters a sense of community, supports emotional development, and prepares students for life beyond school.

Together, Power Block, WIN Block, and Advisory Block create a comprehensive support system to help all students thrive - academically, socially, and personally.

We believe these changes to our schedule will create the time and space necessary to help all students thrive. By dedicating these blocks to support, enrichment, and personal growth, we are better able to address the whole child.

This summer we have been busy preparing to welcome everyone to Doherty. One valuable practice at Doherty is the practice of student teaming. Teachers, who know students best, work together with colleagues to place students on teams so that students’ needs, including specific courses, are best met. Student schedules will be posted on ASPEN before school starts. In addition, the student supply list can be found on our website under INFORMATION AND RESOURCES. Back to School Guidelines can also be found on our website. I encourage you to bookmark our website, as it will be updated with information and our calendar of events.

We look forward to a successful and productive year in partnership with all of our families.

Warmly,

Rebecca Perry

Doherty Middle School Principal

Monday, September 22 at 9:00 AM in the Doherty Media Center

Mrs. Perry

RSVP HERE

There are only a few weeks left before the current school year starts! We would like to provide some information about your child’s technology needs as they begin middle school.

In grades 6-8, all students are required to use a Chromebook. Families that choose to purchase a device may select any manufacturer and style of device. We recommend considering ruggedized devices that can stand up to adolescent use, as well as devices with:

• 6-8 hours of battery life

• 4 GB [Minimum] - 8GB [Higher Performance] RAM

• Built-in camera and speakers.

• An 11-15" Screen

Focus on these core items over processors, hard drive capacity, or other capabilities. For example, our current standard model for Chromebooks is linked here:

You do not need to purchase this exact device.

In middle school, all Chromebook devices must be managed by the Andover IT department. A managed device provides a consistent experience for all students during the school day, and offers the following benefits:

• A safer browsing experience during school hours.

• Access to Andover’s Wireless Networks and all required instructional materials.

• During school hours, students are only able to run district-approved applications.

Please enroll your child’s device prior to the first day of school - see below for instructions and additional information:

Chromebook Enrollment Instructions

Help will be available at your child’s school during their first week for those that have difficulty placing their device under management.

Rental Program: If your child is participating in the Chromebook rental program, you may pick up your child’s device at their school office August 19th and 20th from 8AM-12PM . If you cannot make it during these times, your child can pick the device up on their first day of school.

Family Financial Assistance: Families withffinancial considerations who are unable to purchase a device can contact your school principal any time to discuss obtaining a loaner device. Loaner devices will be available to eligible students starting the first week of school. Please contact the main office for your child’s school with any questions about this program.

If you have any questions or need support with this process, please send an email to etech@andoverma.us.

Please also see the attached updated instructions for enrolling Chromebooks in management that we have revised for this year. Please feel free to pass them along to any staff or parents that need assistance, and as always we are available via a helpdesk ticket or etech@andoverma.us should you need further assistance.

Ryan Knowles

Chief Innovation Officer

Town of Andover

Come celebrate this 100th anniversary at a community festival on Sunday, September 7th 1:00-4:00pm at Lower Shawsheen Field (14 York Street). This will be a family friendly celebration of Andover’s soccer history, Shawsheen Village’s unique role in Andover, and our wonderful community. The festival includes:

• Soccer scrimmages for kids*
• 1:00-1:30pm: Kindergarten & 1st grade
• 1:30-2:00pm: 2nd & 3rd grades
• 2:00-2:30pm: Preschool age
• 2:30-3:00pm: 4th & 5th grades
• 3:00-3:30pm: 6th, 7th & 8th grades
• 3:30-4:00pm: Open Play
• Soccer Skill Stations
• Dunk tank – see if you can dunk Andover’s soccer coaches!
• Activities with Sydney’s Rainbows
• Kids’ Face Painting
• Bouncy Houses
• Brief Dedication Ceremony with Comments from Local Historians
• Food trucks – Ricos Burritos & Najwa's Ice Cream
• Oak & Iron Beer Garden

Interested in buying a T-shirt to support this festival? Visit our online store.

Primary event parking will be at Andover Landing/Brickstone. Handicapped parking will be available in the small lot at the entrance to the field on Balmoral Street.

* Age-specific soccer scrimmages will be played throughout the festival. We encourage parents to bring their children to participate in the scrimmage during the time designated for their age. No soccer experience required! Each scrimmage will be monitored by high school volunteers but will not be a structured game or practice – so parents should plan to stay on the sidelines while their child participates.

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 “Who We Are” 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.