Doyon News
Friday, September 11, 2026
We’re off to a wonderful start! With all of our students now in the building, it has been a pleasure to see our hallways and classrooms filled with energy, curiosity, and connection. Students are settling into their learning, getting to know their classmates and teachers, and becoming more comfortable in their new classroom communities.
During these opening weeks, much of our focus is on helping students feel a strong sense of belonging while also establishing the routines, expectations, and structures that help our school days run smoothly. This work takes time, and we’ll continue to support students over the next several weeks as they grow more confident and independent in their new learning environments.
As part of that shared work, if you have not yet done so, please take a few moments to review our Building Behavior Expectations document with your child, sign it, and return it to school. We appreciate your partnership in reinforcing these expectations as we work together to help all students be safe, caring learners at school.
Thank you for the many ways you continue to support our students, staff, and school community. Please feel free to reach out with questions, ideas, or wonderings at any time.
These messages will continue to arrive on Fridays and will include important reminders, upcoming events, school updates, and other information that helps keep families connected to what is happening here at school. We hope you’ll take a few minutes each week to read through the newsletter and stay up to date on the many things happening across our school community.
Warmly,
Mr. Whitehouse-Mullen & Mrs. Benincasa
Our school community has been working hard on sharing our new common expectations and supporting students in demonstrating these expected behaviors. Next week, all learners will participate in a school-wide assembly, highlighting and celebrating these expectations. The goal of these expectations is to assure that our school community is a safe, respectful, and caring environment for all members. At the heart of all of our expectations is C.A.R.E.S. - Cooperation, Assertion, Responsibility, Empathy, and Self-Control!
We look forward to welcome families to Curriculum Night on September 24 & September 29! Here is our schedule for the evening's events:
Thursday, September 24:
- Second Grade Presentations: 5:15 - 6:00 PM in classrooms
- Third Grade Presentation: 5:15 - 6:00 PM in the Library
- Grades Second, Third, and Fourth General Session: 6:00 - 6:30 PM in the Cafe
- Fourth Grade Presentation: 6:30 - 7:15 PM in the Library
Tuesday, September 29:
- PreK Presentations: 5:15 - 6:00 PM in classrooms
- Kindergarten Presentation: 5:15 - 6:00 PM in the Library
- Grades PreK, Kindergarten, First and Fifth General Session: 6:00 - 6:30 PM in the Cafe
- First Grade Presentation: 6:30 - 7:15 PM in the Cafe
- Fifth Grade Presentation : 6:30 - 7:15 PM in the Library
To help students stay focused, connected, and engaged during the school day, non-school-assigned digital devices are not permitted during school hours. This includes cell phones, smart watches, and other personal electronic devices.
We understand that students who walk or ride their bikes to school may need to carry a device so they can communicate with their families before arriving at school or after leaving for the day. Personal devices are welcome at school for this purpose; however, once students arrive, devices must be turned off and kept safely in their backpacks for the entire school day.
Exceptions may be made for medical reasons or other circumstances approved by the school.
Please note that the school is not responsible for the loss, theft, or damage of personal electronic devices brought to school.
Are you interested in serving as a parent representative on the Doyon School Council? We are anticipating at least one vacancy on the School Council at this time.
What is a School Council?
A school council is a representative, school-building-based committee comprised of the principal, parents, teachers, and community members that work together to establish goals, shape the policies and programs of the school, and improve student achievement. The school council assists the school administration in:
Adopting educational goals for the school that are consistent with local educational policies and statewide student performance standards
Identifying the educational needs of students attending the school
Reviewing the annual school building budget
Formulating a school improvement plan
School councils also serve as a voice and sounding board for the school community. Each member of the council is available to hear concerns and suggestions from parents, teachers, students, and the community at large.
The Doyon School Advisory Council consists of parent representatives, teacher representatives, administrative representatives, and one community representative. The mission of the School Advisory Council is to develop the school improvement plan through monthly meetings with input from all different representatives involved in the school: parents, teachers, administration, and community members.
The Doyon School Council typically meets once per month on a Wednesday at 5:30 PM alternating in-person and via zoom. Our first meeting is to be announced in the Doyon Library. All school council meetings are open to the public and all parents are welcome to attend.
If you are interested in joining the school council, please fill out this Google Form.
Should there be a larger interest than spaces available, elections will be held during Curriculum Nights and the information provided in the Google Form will be made public.
Friends of Ipswich Elementary Schools, aka FRIES, is a parent group of volunteers who support our school community in a variety of ways. Donating their time, ideas and fundraising efforts, this group is inclusive of all families attending the Doyon and Winthrop Schools.
Please check out and join the Doyon FRIES Facebook page for up to date information: facebook.com/groups/doyonFRIES
Hello Doyon Families!
I encourage you to sign up for one of the flu clinics offered through our partnership with Conley's! Let's do all we can to make sure our community is healthy!
That being said---we are already seeing a few cases of strep and some colds/coughs. Please keep your children home if they have a fever or are feeling ill. To return to school, they must be fever free for 24 hours and generally feeling better. I do try and track school illnesses and trends so please let me know.
Other housekeeping notes:
1. Please bring in any medications (including epipens and inhalers). All orders need to be renewed each year with a doctor's signature
2. Preschool and Kindergarten parents- please send in any physicals/immunizations along with proof of a lead test
3, First and fourth graders need a physical done within the past year so please send in or schedule with your pediatrician soon
3. Let me know of any new health issues
As always, I am here to help and answer any questions you may have.
Mary Sforza RN, MSN, NCSN
Doyon School Nurse
September 2026
- Friday, September 18: FRIES Ice Cream Social and Mum pick up (5-7 pm, out front)
- Wednesday, September 23: Geskus Picture Day
- Wednesday, September 23: FRIES Marini Farm event 5-8PM (no rain date)
- Thursday, September: Curriculum Night Grades 2, 3, & 4
- Tuesday, September 29: Curriculum Night Grades PreK, K, 1 & 5
October 2026
Saturday October 3: FRIES Spooky Walk
Sunday October 4: RAIN DATE; FRIES Spooky Walk
Wednesday October 7: Walk, Bike & Roll to School
Monday October 12: Indigenous People’s Day; NO School
Tuesday October 13: Teacher Professional Dev. Day; No School
Monday October 19: DEEP Week 1 Monday Classes
Wednesday, October 21: DEEP Week 1 Wednesday Classes
Wednesday, October 21: FRIES Meeting via zoom
Monday October 19: FRIES Pasta Night at Doyon 5:30 - 7:00 PM