Doherty Family Update 3.22.2026
Family Update Week March 22, 2026
A school where everybody belongs.
Typical beginning and ending of the day
School opens at 7:50 for breakfast in the cafeteria- 🌟Only the Front Door is open at 7:50
8:05 all doors including the back and side of the build are open
8:05 Bell rings - students can access their lockers
Our school day starts promptly at 8:15
✨This week is Spirit Week, 3/23- 3/27 here at DMS! Thank you to Student Council for helping select the theme days.
Monday: Pajama Day
Tuesday: Blackout Day
Wednesday: Rhyme without a Reason (think of words that rhyme and dress up as such, example: fairy and scary)
Thursday: Tropical Day
Friday: Stuffed Animal Day
Monday 3/23 - PAC Free Book Fair - ELA Classes
Wednesday 3/25 - 7th Grade Career Day - During Advisory
Friday 3/27 - Trem 2 Report Cards sent out
Tuesday 3/31 - ELA MCAS Testing
Wednesday 4/1 - ELA MCAS Testing
Monday 4/6 - 8th Grade Step Up Day - Andover High School
Wednesday 4/8 - WEB Information Session for 7th Grade Teams during the school day
Wednesday 4/8 - Early Release Day - 11:30 Dismissal
All Strings Performance
At this concert, students from all three middle schools combine and share the stage. Your students performed beautifully and were excellently behaved. I am so proud of them!
Alex Duback, Middle And Elementary Strings Teacher
New England ShowChoir ShowDown - March 21st | Collins Center
NESCS is coming to the Collins Center at Andover High!
New England Show Choir Showdown (NESCS) is the only show choir competition at Andover High School.
On Saturday, March 21st, 17 middle/high school groups will take the stage from 8:30 am until 10 pm. If you enjoy live music and want to see some fabulous singing and dancing, come join us!
This will also be your chance to see Andover High’s own show choirs in a showcase performance.
Tickets can be purchased directly at HERE
Please reach out if you have any questions
sean.walsh@andoverma.us
Attention 7th Grade Families- Students in Grade Level Math
Andover Public Schools is pleased to announce we will continue to offer acceleration opportunities for students in Mathematics this summer. We realize that all students develop their mathematical abilities at different rates, so offering a variety of entry points remains important to us.
We will be offering an Accelerated Math Program (AMP) Summer Enrichment Program for students who will be entering Grade 8 in 2026. The course will be open to students who wish to be placed in the Accelerated Math Pathway for Grade 8. Consideration will be given to students based on their grades and teacher recommendation.
PLEASE NOTE: AMP Summer Math is not intended for students who are currently in the AMP for Grade 7.
The program will run in person from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. each day for a total of 16 contact hours over two weeks.
June 22 - June 25
June 29 - July 2
The cost of the program is $200. Students interested in participating should register below. Payment information will be sent directly to parents/guardians. The deadline to register is May 1st. There is a ten-student minimum to run program. Need-based scholarships are available; please reach me at paige.crowley@andoverma.us with any questions.
Sign-up through google form at: AMP Summer Program Sign Up 2026
Thank you,
Paige Crowley
Math Program Coordinator, grades 6-12
Andover Public Schools
Attention 8th Grade families:
🌟 Math summer enrichment opportunities at the high school this summer.🌟
Andover Public Schools is pleased to announce we will continue to offer acceleration opportunities for students in Mathematics this summer. We realize that all students develop their mathematical abilities at different rates, so offering a variety of entry points remains important to us. We have outlined the summer mathematics programs that would enable your child to participate should they qualify. We will be offering two in-person summer courses at the high school: Algebra 1 and Geometry. Please note that if your student is currently in the Accelerated Math Program (AMP) they are learning both the Grade 8 and Algebra 1 math content.
See details below:
Lost & Found
We have many items on our Lost & Found Shelves!
* Please encourage your student to check for any missing items
* Parents/Caregivers are welcome to come in during the school day to check for lost items.
Any unclaimed items will be donated prior to April Vacation!
Middle School Principal Friendly Sandwich Competion!
Doherty March Madness Attendance Challenge
đź“…Competition Schedule:
Week 1: March 2-6
Week 2: March 9-13
Week 3: March 16-20
Week 4: March 23-27
🏆Championship Round: March 30-April 3
Each week we are recognizing the advisories in each grade that have the top attendance and updating our March Madness Attendance Challenge
For the week of 3/9-3/13 the following advisories were recognized and were able to spin the prize wheel!
🌟6th Grade: Shields & Vella Advisory
🌟7th Grade: Burke & Crawford Advisory
🌟8th Grade: Longbook & Tyrell Advisory
Our March Madness bracket and our new weekly winners will be announced on Monday morning.
Doherty MCAS
March 31 ELA- Tuesday
April 1 ELA- Wednesday
8th Grade Only: April 30 Science- Thursday
8th Grade Only: May 4 Science- Monday
May 11 Math- Monday
May 12 Math- Tuesday
8th Grade Only: May 18 Civics- Monday
Andover High School Transition Dates and Activities
All activities are for all 8th grade students
Questions about the high school process?
* Every Wednesday during eighth-grade lunch, Ms. Creamer will host “open office hours,” for eighth-grade students to stop by and ask questions.
* Parents are also welcome to contact Ms. Creamer with any questions.
* Please feel free to visit the 9th Grade Transition to AHS information Website and feel free to reach out to Ms. Creamer (marymargaret.creamer@andoverma.us) with any questions.
Doherty Yearbook
Attention 8th Grade Families!
DOHERTY MIDDLE SCHOOL YEARBOOK 2025/2026
Submission Request: 8th Grade Yearbook Collage Page
The firm deadline for photo submissions will be April 1st, 2026
Counseling Corner
Course Verification for Andover High School
Hello 8th‑grade families,
Thank you for all your support thus far in the course verification process for Andover High School.
Please note that Monday, March 16, was the due date for parents to verify their students' courses. If you have not yet verified your students courses please do so by Monday March 23. For tutorials, please see here. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Ms. Creamer at marymargaret.creamer@andoverma.us.
If your child will not be attending Andover High School next year and you would like to be removed from future course selection email communications, please click the link below and complete the google survey.
🌟AVID Information Night at Andover High School on March 25th
What: Andover High School will host an AVID Information Night
When: Wednesday, March 25, 2026,
Where: Andover High School library.
Who: Eighth-grade students and families who want to learn more about the AVID program and the application process.
How: Application - https://www.aps1.net/o/ahs/page/avid.
Application Due Date: April 10, 2026
More Info: For more information about this excellent program, please visit this site and watch this video.
🌟Andover High School Students homework help after school
Homework Help with AHS Students
Andover High School’s Junior Board assist Doherty Middle Schoolers with their homework. If you're interested in attending next week’s session, please RSVP. We'll have food available since the club starts at 3:15 PM. Note any allergies or restrictions on the sign-up sheet. Kindly RSVP to plan the number of HS volunteers.
If you are interested in your student joining, please fill out this form. Please note: It does not need to be a weekly commitment, students can come when it works best for their family’s schedule.
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!
Extracurricular Clubs
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
Recognizing the needs of middle school students, the staff members of Doherty Middle School offer a variety of programs to students after the scheduled school day. The following list outlines those programs that are up and running as well as those in the planning process. In addition to these offerings, staff members often provide other informal opportunities for the students.
Mondays:
Anime Club Ms. Physic – Room 221
Board Games Ms. Hudak – Media Center
Dateline Doherty Ms. Angis – Room 222
Veterinarian Club Ms. Bramante - Room 221 Start Date March 9th
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: 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
Robotics Club Mr. Schack – Room 135 (starts 3rd Quarter)
Student Council Ms. Heintzelman – Room 122
Yearbook Ms. Bakshi – Room 211
You can download the the Parent Consent form for clubs below
Schoology our Learning Management System (LMS)
Redistricting
FY27 Budget Information
Who We Are & Stay Connected
“Who We Are”
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.