Doherty Family Update 10.26.2025

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

• Tuesday 10/28 - Merrimack Men's BBall Team to visit 7B - AYS - 8:20
• Thursday 10/30 7th and 8th Grade BIMAS Screening Mental Health
• Monday 11/3 - Start of Second Quarter Integrated Arts Rotation
• Tuesday 11/4 - No Classes - Teacher Professional Development Day
• Wednesday 11/5 - Picture Retake Day for students who would like a retake or who were absent on picture day
• Tuesday 11/11 - No School - Veterans Day
• Wednesday 11/26 - Early Release Day - 11:30
• Thursday - Friday 11/27-11/28 - Thanksgiving Recess

Selected Doherty students had an exceptional opportunity to participate in the district's foundational Vision of the Graduate (VOG) work. This select group was composed of six students in total—two from each middle school grade level—ensuring comprehensive student insight.

This was not a standard school meeting, but a high-level feedback session held at the Central Office on October 20th. During the 90-minute session, the student joined a select group

high school students to directly engage with the VOG committee.

The core of the experience involved the student:

• Providing Direct Insight: Students were given a dedicated platform to share their thoughts, insights, and perspectives on the essential qualities and skills a successful graduate of the district should possess.

• Influencing Foundational Work: By participating, students ensured the critical middle school perspective was included in the development of the VOG, helping to shape the future direction and goals of the entire school district.

• Receiving Special Recognition: The selection itself was an honor, highlighting the students' value as a representative voice.

Ultimately, the students' participation was a highly valuable experience where their voice directly contributed to a significant, district-wide initiative.

You can find more background information on the Vision of the Graduate work on our district website HERE.

On Tuesday, we welcomed incredible student-athletes from the Merrimack Men’s Basketball Team to speak with our 7th graders. Coach Jimmy Langhurst, along with student-athletes Malik Edmead, Jaylen Stinson, Andres Marrero, Aliou Cisse, Tye Dorset, and Brandon Legris, shared an inspiring and relevant message from the NABC's Stay In To Win Program. Our 7th graders were locked in as they heard these fantastic role models speak about topics ranging from time management and attendance to having a success team (family, coach, teacher, etc.) help them reach their goals and dreams. Ask your 7th grader who is on their success team! Merrimack will be back this Tuesday to visit with the rest of our 7th graders. A special thank you to Assistant Coach Langhurst and the Merrimack Men's Basketball Team for taking the time to share this important message with Doherty! And thank you to the Andover Youth Center for being so generous in hosting us!

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.

We were thrilled to have Merrimack Men's Basketball Team members visit our 7th grade this past week!

🎃 Halloween is Friday, October 31 and is a fun day at school! Students are invited to come to school in costume if they are interested. For students planning to dress up, please follow our costume guidelines.

Costume Guidelines:

1. Costume clothing should be appropriate to wear to school
2. Costumes should not have masks that cover the entire face
3. Outfits that depict another person's culture are not considered costumes
4. No weaponry of any kind
5. No blood or gore
6. Students should be able to sit comfortably while wearing their costume

👻🎃👻🎃👻🎃👻🎃👻🎃👻🎃👻🎃👻🎃👻🎃👻🎃👻🎃👻🎃👻🎃👻🎃👻🎃👻🎃

AHS - Programs at-a-Glance – November 13, 2025, 6:30–8:00 PM

Each Friday we will be pulling names from the Kindness Cauldron of students who have earned raffle tickets for showing kindness! Here are some photos of a few of our winners this past week!

Reminders from the clinic

Principal's Coffee: Monday, November 3rd 9:00 -10:00 AM Doherty Media Center

The next coffee will take place on Monday, November 3rd at 9:00 AM, and the topic will be the transition to high school. We are excited to announce that our special guests for this coffee will be our Andover High School Principal, James D'Andrea and the 9th Grade Coordinator Holly Breen. However, there will also be time for questions and open conversation. All families are welcome to attend. Please RSVP here.

As many of you know, October is National Bullying Prevention Month. All students have been engaging in bullying prevention lessons in their advisories. Please ask them one thing they learned! Also, Ms. Thero’s values challenge has been wonderful to see in action this month, with a focus on kindness. Feel free to ask your student if they have received a raffle ticket for kindness yet this month!

Upcoming High School Open Houses

Andover High School – Discover AHS: Programs at a Glance

Thursday, November 13, 2025 - 6:30–8:00 PM

Join us for an engaging evening designed to give prospective students and families an in-depth look at AHS.

• Begin with our Clubs, Activities, Athletics, and Fine Arts Fair, where you’ll meet current students and learn about the many opportunities to get involved.
• Then, gather in the Collins Center for a presentation from AHS administrators and students, who will share insights into academics, extracurriculars, and student life at AHS.

Greater Lawrence Technical School (GLTS) – Open House
Sunday, November 2, 2025

GLTS Open House is on November 2nd.

GLTS visits Doherty on November 5th.

The GLTS application is online and opens on November 1st.

GLTS offers students hands-on learning through career and technical education combined with a full academic program. Students have the opportunity to explore career pathways such as health and medical assisting, information technology, culinary arts, engineering, construction trades, and more. These programs prepare students for both college and career readiness.

• Note: GLTS will also be visiting our middle schools this fall to share information directly with students. Dates will be announced soon.

Saturday, November 22, 2025

Essex North Shore - Agricultural and Technical School Visit with 8th Graders!

On Thursday, Essex North Shore visited Doherty to meet with 8th graders interested in learning more about Essex North Shore. Our 8th graders did a great job listening and learning about the exciting and unique offerings provided.. The online application opens on November 1st. Please note that the Open House is on November 22nd, and every person attending must RSVP.

If you have any questions or need additional information about the high school transition, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our school counselor Ms. Creamer at marymargaret.creamer@andoverma.us. Thank you for your continued support!

8th Grade Families interested in the Private School Process see form below:

The Village Food Hub is preparing Thanksgiving meals for families in need. Please see below link:

Thanksgiving meal tickets

We’re excited to offer a wide variety of after-school programs and clubs here at Doherty Middle School! These activities provide students with opportunities to explore new interests, develop skills, and connect with peers in a fun and supportive environment that promotes community.

Please note: A completed permission slip is required for students to participate in any after-school club or program. Be sure to submit the form to ensure your child can join in on the fun!

Dylan Birch Clubs Organizer

Mondays:

Anime Club Ms. Physic – Room 221

Board Games Ms. Hudak – Media Center

Dateline Doherty Ms. Angis – Room 222

Tuesdays:

Arts and Crafts Club Ms. Abernathy and Ms. Leyne - Room 123

Make it or Bake It Club Ms. Bergin – Staff Lounge/Kitchen

Thursdays:

Homework Hang Ms. Creamer - Room 138

Math Team Ms. Tyrell - Room 207

Robotics Club Mr. Schack – Room 135 (starts 3rd Quarter)

Student Council Ms. Heintzelman – Room 122

Yearbook Ms. Bakshi – Room 211

Math Team Information The Doherty math team competes in the Intermediate Mathematics League of Eastern Massachusetts, information about the league can be found at http://www.imlem.org/ Doherty’s Math team practices on Thursdays from 2:50-3:45(rm 207), except on meet days. Meet days involve competing with our geographic cluster, which includes West Middle School in Andover and Wynn Middle School in Tewksbury. Meet days take longer, and students should bring snacks and homework, as there is some down time during the competition. Math Team Meet Dates and locations, as well as information about pick up times Meet #1 October 23 @ Doherty, Parent Pick up at 5:30 Meet #2 November 20 @Wynn Middle School Tewksbury, Parent Pick up at Doherty 5:30 Meet #3 January 15 TBD Meet #4 Feb 26 TBD Meet #5 March 26 TBD Math Team advisor- Elizabeth Tyrell Room 207

Throughout the 2024-2025 school year, the Teaching and Learning office has conducted a deep analysis of the uses and impacts of AI on teaching and learning that has included:

• An examination of existing AI policies and guidelines from other districts in Massachusetts, other states, educational organizations, colleges and universities

• APS secondary faculty focus groups

• APS secondary student surveys

• APS superuser team review

We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has contributed to this year-long process. While this work will continue to evolve, just as technology evolves, we would like to share the Andover Public Schools Teaching and Learning Guidelines for the Use of Artificial Intelligence for the 2025-2026 school year.

• Sunday, December 7, 2025
• 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
• Reading Gymnastics Academy, North Reading, MA
• Recommended for ages 3–13
• $60 / $50 siblings
• AHSGymnasticsTeam@gmail.com
• Registration: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfZJXW7nRBUqL8VjjCKMZEYe_ZGz5oXd-ZezJDjPUBIWudIoA/viewform

*Sponsored by Andover/North Reading Gymnastics Team Booster Club

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.