Doherty Family Update 9.14.2025

Families, teachers, and staff came together for a successful Doherty Back to School Night. Families had the opportunity to navigate the school, attend mini-classes, and meet with their students' teachers. It was a great night, and we want to extend a huge thank you to all the families who came and the teachers and staff for making it a success.

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

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

Wednesday, October 8 Early Release Day - 11:30 Dismissal

Monday, October 13 No School - Fall Recess

The presentation is all about helping students succeed by being responsible and respectful members of the school community.

A few key takeaways for parents are:

• Positive Behavior: The main focus is on being safe and kind. The presentation strongly emphasizes that bullying and harassment are not tolerated, and students are expected to use appropriate language at all times.

• Technology Use: The school has a strict "no phone" policy during the school day. Phones should be turned off and stored away to help students stay focused.

• Asking for Help: The school wants every student to feel supported. Students are encouraged to ask an adult for help whenever they need it, whether they have a question or are going through a difficult time.

Overall, the presentation reinforces a positive and safe environment where every student can learn and grow.

What is Schoology & why?

Parent View

Student View

Resources and Support

WIN Block is a school-wide period held once per week for all students and faculty, dedicated to providing targeted intervention and engaging enrichment activities. This structured time allows educators to meet the diverse academic and personal needs of every student. Students remain in the same WIN Block group for an eight-week cycle, allowing for consistency and growth in targeted areas.

To ensure effective placement, teachers utilize a data-driven and student-centered approach:

• Intervention: For students requiring academic support, teachers analyze data from assessments like the Measure of Academic Progress (MAP). In a math example, a teacher might review a student’s MAP results to pinpoint a specific skill gap, such as a lack of proficiency with fractions. This data allows the teacher to place the student in a small-group intervention focused on fractions, providing targeted, scaffolded instruction to help close the gap.

• Enrichment: For students who have demonstrated mastery or have a strong interest in a subject, placement is guided by student interest surveys. Using a math example again, a student who excels in math and expresses an interest in art on their survey might be placed in an enrichment group focused on "Geometric Art and Design." This project would require them to apply their knowledge of geometric principles and measurements to create complex tessellations and symmetrical patterns, combining their artistic passion with mathematical concepts. This approach ensures students remain challenged and engaged in areas they are passionate about.

By combining objective data from assessments like MAP with subjective insights from student interest surveys, the WIN Block becomes a powerful tool for learning, ensuring every student gets exactly what they need to thrive academically and personally.

Our Values Ambassador application is open for 7th and 8th grade students who would like to apply. This a great leadership opportunity for students to assist with our DMS Values Challenges!

Have you ever thought your student might enjoy learning about a trade or a technical high school? Perhaps they are interested in culinary arts, automotive technology, robotics, or carpentry. Our regional technical high school, Greater Lawrence Technical School (GLTS), has those programs and many more. Additionally, it is having its only Open House of the year on Sunday, November 2nd. This is a great opportunity for students to get exposure to careers and high school options. Entire families are welcome to attend, and it would be great to pique kids' interests as early as possible. Stay tuned for the official invitation coming from GLTS soon! Please note that GLTS does not conduct tours throughout the year, so if you want to see the high school, November 2nd would be a great day to attend! Click here for more information!

It is so nice to see all the students back in the halls of DMS! To help everyone start the year off healthy and safe, here are a few reminders from the clinic:

Health Forms & Medications

Please make sure all emergency and health forms are updated.

If your child needs medication during the school day, it must be delivered to the clinic by a parent/guardian with the proper forms signed by you and your child’s healthcare provider. Students should not carry medication unless they have specific authorization.

Immunizations

Check that your child’s immunizations are current. Updated records are required by the district. If you have questions, please contact the clinic.

When to Stay Home

Students should stay home if they have a fever, vomiting, diarrhea, or other contagious symptoms. They may return after being symptom-free for 24 hours without medication.

Healthy Habits for a Strong Start

Encourage your child to get plenty of sleep, eat breakfast, and stay hydrated. These small steps make a big difference in focus and energy throughout the school day.

I’m here to support the health and well-being of every student. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have questions or concerns. Wishing everyone a safe, healthy, and successful school year!

Jeri Quirk- Carr

DMS School Nurse

978-247-9402

jeri.quirkcarr@andoverma.us

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 need assistance please contact Karen Reilly on our main office

phone 978 2479400 or by email karen.reilly@andoverma.us

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

"The transition to middle school and what makes middle school special" will be the topic of our conversation. Our school counselor, Ms. Creamer, and other staff members will be present to provide support and answer any questions you may have about this transition and the expectations of middle school. In addition, we will also be discussing the new middle school schedule change and the potential opportunities it may bring.

This will be an informal meeting, and we kindly ask that you RSVP so that we can ensure there is enough coffee for everyone. If you are unable to attend, don't worry! There will be more "Coffee with the Principal" sessions throughout the year. Looking forward to getting to know you better and addressing any questions or concerns you may have. Please feel free to reach out to me at any time. Best regards,

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

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.