Doherty Family Update 8.31.2025

We want to share our deepest appreciation for the amazing start to the school year, made possible by our wonderful 8th Grade WEB (Where Everybody Belongs) Leaders! Their energy, kindness, and incredible work welcoming our new 6th graders made a huge difference. The transition to middle school can be a big one, but because of their efforts, our newest students felt right at home and ready to learn.

The WEB program is a core part of our school community, designed to ensure that Everybody Belongs. This student-led initiative creates a welcoming environment, reduces bullying, and builds a culture of inclusivity and friendship. Our 8th grade leaders embodied this spirit perfectly, guiding tours, leading fun activities, and being a friendly face for our incoming students.

We also want to give a special thank you to our phenomenal WEB teachers, Kate Carlton and Shannon McIntyre. Their dedication and guidance are what make this program so successful, and we are so grateful for their leadership.

The hard work of our WEB Leaders and teachers has set a wonderful tone for the school year. Thank you all for being such a vital part of our school family.

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

Doherty Website- Has all the Information

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

Pick Up Patrol – Absences and Dismissals

Starting this year, we will be using a system called PickUp Patrol to help us track dismissals. PickUp Patrol provides you with a convenient way to report your child’s attendance information.

How It Works

• Absences: When your child will be absent, you will submit a Plan Change via PickUp Patrol to notify the school.
• Missing Part of the School Day: If your child will be arriving late, leaving and returning, or leaving early, you will submit a Plan Change via PickUp Patrol to notify the school.

REGISTER:You should have received an email for PickUp Patrol. The family portal is free to families and can be accessed from your phone or computer.

If you have any questions, please first check the PickUp Patrol Parent Guide & if you need additional assistance, let us know.

If you are going to be dismissing your student via Plan Change on Pick Up Patrol, please make sure your student stops by the main office when they arrive to pick up a pass to give to their teacher.

Now that the first week of school is behind us, we want to thank all APS families who have already verified and updated their student’s information. If you haven’t done so yet, please take a moment to complete this important task through our secure online portal, Family Connection.

This information includes your child’s emergency contacts, medical information, demographics, technology usage agreement, as well as acknowledging other district policies. Using Family Connection helps streamline communication and significantly reduces the amount of paperwork for families. Most importantly, it ensures we have the most up-to-date information for your child in the event of an emergency. This system is accessible through the Aspen Family Portal. Once you have logged into Aspen, click on the link under the Announcements on the Home page that reads ‘Family Connection – Back to School Forms’. You will be redirected to the Family Connection "Verification Form" page which contains directions on how to complete and submit the forms. If you need help, please refer to the – Aspen Family/Student Portal page on the APS website.

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

Mrs. Perry

RSVP HERE

Electric bicycles (e-bikes) are an increasingly popular, sustainable, and enjoyable way to get around. Whether commuting to work, running errands, or exploring local trails, e-bikes offer an efficient and eco-friendly transportation option.

However, their growing use also brings a responsibility to operate them safely and within the law. Many young riders may not have completed driver's education or be fully familiar with traffic laws, increasing the risk for both cyclists and pedestrians.

With school back in session, Andover Police Safety Officer Glen Ota recently shared tips for operating e-bikes responsibly. Families can play a crucial role in guiding their children toward safe riding habits and compliance with local regulations.

• All Fall Events : https://andoverma.myrec.com/info/activities/default.aspx?CategoryID=1541&type=

• Half Days (attached)

• All programs QR codes for easy access (attached)

• Youth Council 6th -8th grade: Contact: Avre.vickers@andoverma.us

• 2025-2025 Membership (attached): https://andoverma.myrec.com/info/activities/program_details.aspx?ProgramID=30641

• Full Fall 2025 Booklet: https://andoverma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/17684/AYS-Fall-2025-Booklet-2

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.