Doherty Family Update 2.9.2025

Winter Recess February 17-21

February, 26 at 12-12:45 PM Family Webinar MAP FAQ with our middle school instructional coaches

Monday, March 3 at 6:30 PM PAC Family BINGO Night!

March 12 Early Dismissal 11:30 AM

Newsies School Play April Friday 4/4 ; Saturday 4/5 ; and Sunday 4/6: 7pm Shows on Friday & Sat ; 2pm show on Sunday.

April 9 Early Dismissal 11:30

MCAS Dates

April 8 & 10 – ELA *Note the change in dates

May 1 – Civics (8th grade only)

May 5 & 6 – Math

May 15 & 16 – STE Science Technology Engineering (8th grade only)

Doherty Values Challenge

students recognized for Integrity are:

🎉Congratulations! 🎉

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.

February 10th in the DMS library from 5:30-6:30 pm for sixth-grade parents and from 6:30-7:30 pm for seventh and eighth-grade parents.

No RSVP needed- All are welcome

Our WEB afternoon was Friday January 31. Thank you to our our WEB Leaders for making this special event happen!

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!

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. This event will provide valuable insights to help you, and your student prepare for the course selection process, which will take place in March with School Counselors.

Don't miss this opportunity to gain important information and ensure a smooth 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

RSVP

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.

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: You are now able to order your book(s) online at the link here: https://andoverbookstore.com/school-orders/.

February 10th in the DMS library from 5:30-6:30 pm for sixth-grade parents and from 6:30-7:30 pm for seventh and eighth-grade parents.

No RSVP needed- All are welcome

Also, please join us at our upcoming Coffee Night on February 10th! RSVP Here!

As we continue the K-8 redistricting process, we are pleased to invite the community to highlight areas of interest (i.e., neighborhoods, streets), with an interactive, online mapping tool - ARCGIS.

This resource will allow the community to review an updated scenario based on the collaboration with the School Committee at its January 9th meeting and community engagement. The updated scenario was presented to the community at a Let’s Talk! session on redistricting held January 16, 2025.

The community can provide visual feedback and written comments to DillingerRAD, the consultant supporting APS with this process. For more information on how to utilize the tool, please check here. Access to this link or the QR code below will close on Friday, January 24, 2025.

In Spring 2025, the School Committee will review the proposed redistricting options and vote on the preferred redistricting plan. The approved redistricting plan will be implemented in the 2026-27 school year. This allows the district sufficient time to operationally plan for the new school zones.

We appreciate your feedback.

• Tuesday, January 14, 2025 - District departments presented their budget proposals.

• Thursday, January 23, 2025 - The School Committee will hold a preliminary vote on the FY26 budget allocation in relation to the overall town’s FY26 budget.

• Thursday, March 6, 2025 - The School Committee will hold a public hearing. Following the hearing, the School Committee will vote on the School Department budget.

• Saturday, March 8, 2025 - The Superintendent will share the FY26 budget approved by the School Committee to the Town of Andover’s Select Board and Finance Committees at the Tri-Board meeting.

• Tuesday, April 29, 2025 - The school budget will be presented as part of the total town budget for a vote at the annual town meeting.

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.

What is RULER?

RULER is an evidence-based approach to social and emotional learning (SEL) developed at the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence.

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

YEARBOOK

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

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!

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