Doyon News
Friday, October 31, 2025
Dear Doyon Families,
We’ve had another exciting week here at school! Our learners thoroughly enjoyed their Harvest celebrations and loved participating in (or cheering on) our annual Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten Costume Parade.
We’d also like to extend a special thank you to our community helpers at the Ipswich Police Department for supporting us during our Shelter-in-Place drill on Wednesday. As mentioned in our earlier communication, students did a wonderful job following the safety procedures, displaying CARES (and calm).
Another big thank you goes out to the Ipswich Public Library! Our third graders had the opportunity to venture off campus on Monday to explore the amazing world of books right in the heart of our town. We are wishing you all a wonderful weekend and a great start to November! It’s hard to believe how quickly the fall season is flying by. As always, please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or wonderings. We’re here to help!
Warmly,
Mr. Whitehouse-Mullen & Mrs. Benincasa
Doyon CARES
A is for Assertion!
Next week brings a new month and a new CARES focus. We are excited to talk and learn about responsibility together!
Late Arrivals - New Procedure!
In the event of a late arrival, please begin walking your child(ren) into the school building to be signed in with Ms. Digby. Our hope is that this helps us to quickly and safely get students to the classroom. Thank you for your cooperation! We will be implementing this practice, Monday, November 3, 2025.
Revised District Calendar (25-26 School Year)
REVISED 2025-2026 ACADEMIC CALENDAR
Please note that the 2025–2026 school calendar has been updated to include a district-wide Professional Development Day on Monday, March 9, 2026. On this day, there will be no school for students. The revised calendar is attached for your reference, with all changes highlighted in yellow.
The last day of school for students remains the same as originally scheduled.
The last day of school for students will be:
Preschool and Kindergarten: June 11, 2026
Grades 1–11: June 16, 2026
The updated calendar is also available on the district website: https://www.ipsk12.net/domain/413.
School Safety
Curious about school safety procedures? Take a peek at the documents displayed below. These documents are shared with students at the start of the school year by Detective Joe Perna, our School Resource Officer. The documents may serve as a guide to support families in discussing school safety. As always, please be in touch with questions around school safety at the Paul F. Doyon Memorial School.
FRIES Focus
Fall in Love with Reading! Wednesday, November 5, 2025 | 6:00–7:30 PM | Doyon School
Join us for a cozy evening of stories with our special guest readers, Officer Joe and Mrs. Benincasa!
Book Exchange: Clear your shelves and share the joy of reading! Donate your gently used books in the bin located in front of the school or bring them to the event to trade and head home with new favorites to enjoy.
Donation Drive for Local Families in Need: A box will be out front of Doyon this weekend to collect donations for local families in need. Due to the temporary pause of the SNAP program, many families are feeling the impact. If you’re grocery shopping or running errands this weekend, please consider picking up a few extra items and dropping them off on your way home.
Your generosity makes a difference — thank you for supporting our community.
If you are a family in need - please feel free to take from the donation box!
Small FRIES
No Boo’s About It!
The Small FRIES are proud to launch their very first child-led fundraiser—a Band-Aid Drive in support of our school nurse, Mrs. Sforza!
From October 1st – October 31st, families are encouraged to send in a small box of band-aids. There will be a box outside in the front of the school or students are welcome to drop them off to the front desk. It may seem simple, but these little donations will make a big impact in keeping Nurse Sforza’s office stocked and ready for every boo-boo.
Have fun with it—scoop up the silliest, spookiest, or most colorful band-aids you can find!
We are so thankful for even the smallest support—because every single box adds up to comfort, care, and smiles for our Doyon kids.
Together, this small initiative will make a big difference as the year progresses.
Thank you,
Your Small FRIES
Green Team News!
Nurse's Notes
Dear Doyon Families,
A big shoutout and HUGE thank you to our very own Small Fries for the No Boo's About It Band-aid drive! The students love coming in and choosing a fun and fashionable bandaid - it makes everyone smile! Way to go, Small Fries! You truly make a difference!
Also- thank you to FRIES and all you wonderful community members for your donations and purchases of sweatpants and leggings. It is always helpful to have spare clothes here when someone falls in a muddy puddle or is having so much fun learning that we don't quite make it to the bathroom in time. I sincerely appreciate your kindness - our Doyon community is amazing!
I am now fully stocked and ready for any boo boo or spilled milk emergency!
Thank you again!
Mary Sforza RN, MSN, NCSN
Doyon School Nurse
Important Dates
November
- Sunday, November 2: Daylight Savings Time ends. Fall Back an hour!
- Monday, November 3: DEEP - Week 2 Monday Classes
- Tuesday, November 4: Geskus Picture RETAKE
- Wednesday, November 5: DEEP - Week 2 Wednesday Classes
- Wednesday, November 5: F.R.I.E.S event Fall in Love with Reading
- Thursday, November 6: School Committee Meeting 7pm
- Monday, November 10: DEEP - Week 3 Monday Classes
- Tuesday, November 11: NO SCHOOL Veterans Day
- Wednesday, November 12: DEEP - Week 3 Wednesday Classes
- Monday, November 17: DEEP - Week 4 FINAL Monday Classes
- Monday, November 19: DEEP - Week 4 FINAL Wednesday Classes
- Thursday, November 20: School Committee Meeting 7pm
- Wednesday, November 26: Early Release 11:55am
- Thursday, November 27: NO SCHOOL Thanksgiving Day
- Friday, November 28: NO SCHOOL