Doherty Family Update 2.2.2025
All Welcome
What do middle school students need to be successful? Our Student Support team will talk about middle school age students and how us, the adults can support them through these transitional years. Coffee and conversation with our assistant principal, guidance counselor, nurse, & social workers.
5 important keys from the Stay In To Win Program
Key #1 - Players Achieve their goals by Staying In The Game. Students Achieve their goals by staying in school.
Key #2 - Players can't win games on their own; they need their teams. Students can't succeed on their own; they need their success teams.
Key #3 - When players make good decisions, they score points and win games. When students make good decisions, they get better grades and succeed in school.
Key #4: Players who work hard achieve high numbers in points, rebounds, and assists. Students who work hard achieve high scores in reading, writing, and math.
Key #5 - Successful players practice to perfect their basketball skills. Successful students get involved to perfect their personal development skills.
Assistant Coach Jimmy Langhurst
Players:
Bryan Etumnu
Matt Becht
Dave Murray
Sean Trumper
Devon Savage
Brandon Legris
Brendan Johnson
To learn more about the Stay In To Win Program click here.
Join us for Curriculum Night, a special event for 8th-grade caregivers! We are excited to invite you to an informative evening where Program Coordinators will share an overview of the courses and academic opportunities available at Andover High School. Don't miss this chance to learn more and prepare for your student's transition to high school!
Event Information:
"Curriculum Night" for 8th Grade Caregivers
When? Tuesday, February 11, 2025, 6:30-8:15
Where? Collins Center, Andover High School, Shawsheen Road, Andover, MA
Kindly RSVP by February 7th
New AYS 2025 Winter Booklet as well as highlight a few upcoming opportunities.
AYS 2025 Winter Booklet: https://andoverma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/15963/Winter-2025-Booklet-
*NEW* Speech and Debate (free): https://andoverma.myrec.com/info/activities/program_details.aspx?ProgramID=30550
* Deadline to register is coming up- program starting 2/5/2025
Summer program registration: https://andoverma.myrec.com/info/activities/program_details.aspx?ProgramID=30542
All opportunities are available to middle school students, though the booklet will also feature additional programming for high school students. We are offering a discounted membership rate of $175 (down from $300) for access through the remainder of the school year. Additionally, registration is now open for our Summer Programming.
Parents are always welcome to reach out to us directly, or through referral, for any financial aid inquiries.
Gene Luen Yang
Hello Doherty families! Andover Public Schools are pleased to host graphic novelist Gene Luen Yang as part of our Cummings Grant Author Visit Series. Your 7th and 8th grade students will have the opportunity to listen to him speak at school on the morning of March 6th.
We have once again partnered with the Andover Bookstore: if your student would like to have Gene Yang personally sign a copy of one of his books, please place your order by February 7 to ensure that your book copy arrives in time for his visit. You are now able to order your book(s) online at the link here: https://andoverbookstore.com/school-orders/.
Hi From the Counseling Corner!
We wanted to share a helpful tip from our Counseling Corner. If your child is experiencing a disagreement or conflict with a friend and they have a phone, consider encouraging them to speak in person rather than through text.
Dr. Geraldine Piorkowski mentions some great points in a recent Psychology Today article, "Trying to Resolve Conflict Via Texting Can Create Confusion." She shares that texting lacks many nonverbal cues, which can lead to misunderstandings, especially in emotional conversations. I've had many discussions with students this year who felt misunderstood or hurt after a text exchange with a friend.
Encouraging them to move conversations from text to face-to-face can greatly improve communication. Nonverbal cues such as tone of voice, body language, and facial expressions are key elements that are often lost in text messaging. Additionally, text messages can easily be shared or forwarded, which can complicate the situation further.
If your child ever needs assistance in navigating an in-person conversation, please know that we are here to help. In the meantime, encouraging them to take their conversations offline can make a significant difference.
Thank you for your support!
DMS Values Challenge 2024-2025
Each month our DMS community will focus on recognizing students who are showing the value of the month. Throughout the month, the main office will incorporate the values into our morning announcements to help get the students aware of the value and ways that they could accomplish the value.
Purpose of Morning Check In:
- Create a unified low-stakes rollout for all three APS Middle Schools
- Begin a student focus on the emotion matters mindset and discussion
- Build student relationships and community
RULER VIDEO and Website
We are excited to announce that the 2024-2025 DMS Yearbook is now available.
Simply scan this QR code and follow the prompts. Yearbooks will be delivered to homerooms the last week of school
You may also call 866-287-3096 or go to www.YearbookOrderCenter.com and use order number 13395
Attention 8th-Grade Families!
The Doherty Middle School Yearbook Club is thrilled to include a special collage page celebrating our 8th graders' unique passions—whether it’s sports, hobbies, music, or quality time with a favorite pet.
We invite you to submit ONE clear, high-quality photo of your student enjoying their activity from their middle school years. The deadline for submissions is April 1st, 2025. Simply use the provided QR code to upload your photo (select “Upload Portrait” and choose “Pre-K” for the grade to help us sort the photos).
Yearbooks are $40 and available for all grades. Reserve yours today at www.YearbookOrderCenter.com (order #13395) or call 866-287-3096.
For questions or scholarship inquiries, please contact faculty advisor, Ms. Bakshi at leela.bakshi@andoverma.us. Let’s make sure every 8th grader is celebrated in this year’s book!
Extracurricular Activity Parent/Guardian Consent Form
To be completed if your student will participate in after school Extracurricular clubs. Click here for the form. The form is also available on our website.
Completed form can be dropped off at the Main Office.
List of Clubs and Activities can be found on our website under INFORMATION and RESOURCES