Doyon News
Summer Edition
Welcome to the 2026–2027 school year!
As another school year begins to take shape, the excitement is starting to build! While students have been making memories and enjoying a well-earned break, our staff has been busy preparing classrooms, planning for the year ahead, and making sure everything is in place for a fantastic start. I hope your family has had the chance to relax, explore, and make the most of these summer months. In the Whitehouse-Mullen household, Hudson - and now Rory! - have certainly kept us on our toes, and we've loved spending this special time together. While Mrs. Benincasa has been soaking up family time before her son, Travis, heads back to WPI for his third year studying mechanical engineering.
Inside this message, you'll find important information to help your family get ready for the first days of school. We want the transition back to be as smooth as possible, so please take a few moments to review the details. And as always, if there's anything you need, please know that my door, and Assistant Principal Benincasa's, is always open. We're here to help and look forward to partnering with you for another wonderful school year.
Warmly,
Mr. Whitehouse-Mullen & Mrs. Benincasa
School Hours:
The school day begins promptly at 8:40 a.m. Monday through Friday.
Dismissal is at 3:05 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.
On Thursdays, students are dismissed at 1:50 p.m.
Ipswich Integrated Preschool Program:
- Three Year Old Program: 9:00 - 1:30 p.m. (Tuesday, Thursday)
- Four Year Old Program: 9:00 - 2:45 p.m. (Monday, Wednesday, Friday)
Arrival and Dismissal Routines: We continue to work collaboratively as a school to ensure that our processes are as efficient and safe as possible. Detailed information related to our procedures can be reviewed below. As a friendly reminder, it is strictly illegal to pass a stopped school bus that has its red flashing lights activated and stop-arm extended. Thank you for helping us to get everyone in and out of the building safely.
Important Arrival and Dismissal Notes:
Drop off is outside at 8:30 a.m. Staff members are on duty to supervise until 8:40 a.m.
Car Arrivals:
At 8:30 a.m., please enter into the driveway to the right of the school, circle around the side of the building and proceed to the drop off sign where a staff member will be be waiting. Once your student has safely exited the vehicle you may exit out of driveway the same way. Adhere to cones and arrows when they are there. If you arrive after 8:40 a.m., please park in front of the building and escort your child to the front office, where you will sign your child in.
Walking Arrivals:
If you are walking your student to school, please adhere to the pathways and walk to the back of the school at 8:30 a.m. where they can join their peers at grade level areas. If you arrive after 8:40 a.m., please escort your child to the front office, where you will sign your child in.
Breakfast Arrivals:
Breakfast begins at 8:15 a.m.. If your student will have early breakfast, please drop off at the front door no earlier than 8:15 a.m. After 8:30 a.m., please drop off in the car line and your student can head inside for breakfast through the cafeteria door.
Bus Arrivals:
Students will exit the buses at 8:30 a.m. and will walk down the pathway, on the left side of the building, to their assigned grade level areas with adult supervision.
EDP (Extended Day Program):
Students will enter and exit out of the rear cafeteria door at the side of the building. Please contact Alicia Merry, EDP Director, with specific questions around programming and arrival/dismissal procedures.
Car Dismissal:
Students will be dismissed at 3:05 p.m. (1:50 p.m. on Thursdays). If you are picking up, proceed into the car pick-up lane. Please enter into the driveway to the right of the school and circle around the side of the building. Staff will be present to help. Please be sure to have a name sign with your last name on the dashboard of your car. This is how we will call your student. After busses load, you may depart out of the main driveway when directed. You may not leave the driveway when busses are parked or loading.
If there are any changes to your child's arrival or dismissal procedure, please notate this through School Dismissal Manager.
We will continue to - as a school community - embrace CARES moving forward. Last spring, a group of educators volunteered their time to work on bringing our CARES language and practices into our expectations for building-wide procedures. We are excited to share these updated CARES-based expectations with our learners and families when they return!
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.
If you need any assistance with purchasing school supplies, please contact Adam Whitehouse-Mullen at amullen@ipsk12.net or Lori Benincasa at lbenincasa@ipsk12.net.
Happy Summer Reading!
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