Doherty Family Update 11.16.2025

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 11/18 - 8th Graders to watch 1776 Performance - AHS - 9:10 - 11:00
• Monday, November 17 Doherty Family Gift Card donations - bring to main office
• Friday 11/21 - 6th Grade Band Field Trip - UNH - 9:00-1:00
• Wednesday 11/26 - Start of Second Term
• Wednesday 11/26 - Early Release Day - 11:30
• Thursday - Friday 11/27-11/28 - Thanksgiving Recess
• Wednesday 12/3 - AHS Warrior visit 8th graders
• Wednesday 12/3 - Early Release Day - 11:30
• Wednesday 12/10 - Band, Orchestra, and Chorus Concert - Auditorium - 7:00
• Wednesday 12/24 - Friday 1/2/26 - Holiday Recess
• Monday 1/5 - Back to School

We are so grateful for the amazing support and participation we have seen with Student Council's fall Cherrydale fundraiser! If your student has not had a chance to participate, it is not too late! You can still register at www.FundPrizes.com and use the information in the packet your student received in Advisory or using the school code LTRC3. Thank you for helping us reach our goal!

Please reach out to Ms. Heintzelman claire.heintzelman@andoverma.us

or have your student speak to a Student Council member.

Middle school students across the district will soon begin developing their own MyCAP (My Career and Academic Plan) using the tools available through MEFA Pathway. This online platform helps students explore their interests, careers, and learning styles, encouraging them to think about their future goals in a meaningful way.

Starting this November, students will engage with MEFA Pathway during select advisory periods, with lessons spread out throughout the school year. Through these activities, students will practice self-reflection, discover their individual learning styles, and begin their journey into career exploration.

Our goal is to help students better understand themselves as learners and to begin thinking about the many exciting paths that lie ahead.

High School Updates:

Andover High School: Thank you to Andover High School for a wonderful Discover AHS - Programs at a Glance Event on Thursday. We look forward to welcoming Andover High School Students into our 8th Grade Advisories on December 3rd to continue to learn about the exciting opportunities at AHS.

CTE High School Update:

Greater Lawrence Technical School and Essex North Shore applications are open! Please note, students should be using their parent or guardian's email account to apply, and there is no teacher recommendation required.

Greater Lawrence Technical School: If your student is interested in applying to GLTS, the application closes February 1st. The application is here:

Essex North Shore Updates:

• The Essex North Shore application closes on January 10th, 2026.

• There is an open-house families can attend on Saturday, November 22nd, 2025 from either 8:30am - 10:30am or 11:30am - 1:30pm. Families MUST register. You can find that link here.

• If your family would like to learn more about Essex North Shore, you can join a virtual information session for families via zoom on Monday December 1st. They have a 12pm zoom available or a 6pm zoom available. Your family must register prior.

Lottery Process: There is a new policy in Massachusetts for CTE schools and programs. The main change includes a lottery-based admissions process. The Essex North Shore Admissions policy is linked here: The GLTS Admissions Policy is linked here

Reminder about School Visits

If your student is missing school because of a school visit, we kindly ask that you notify Doherty and indicate this is the reason they are missing school. This helps us ensure your student’s attendance is recorded accurately. Thank you for your help!

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

Holiday Gift Card Drive is happening again this year- In partnership with PAC, holiday gift cards (Target, Market Basket, Shaw’s etc.) are being collected to distribute to families needing support this holiday season. If you would like to contribute, gift cards can be brought to the main office at Doherty Middle School by Monday, November 17th.

If you would like to request a gift card for your family, please contact Mrs. Perry rebecca.perry@andoverma.us by Monday, November 17th. All donations and requests are confidential.

Your generosity can make a real difference in brightening the holiday season for our families. Thank you for your support of the Doherty community!

Our Lost and Found is overflowing!

Please encourage your student to check the Lost & Found Shelves for any missing items.

Unclaimed items will be donated after the Thanksgiving Break.

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: 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

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.