Doherty Family Update 9.7.2025

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

Thursday, September 11 for our Back-to-School Night. This event is a great opportunity to experience your child’s schedule and meet teachers. The event starts promptly at 5:00 PM.

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

Water Bottles! Students can bring water bottles to school. Please put your student's name on their water bottle. Water bottles can be left behind and end up in our lost and found. Labeling lunch bags/boxes too!

This past week, our school successfully implemented its first Advisory Block, a dedicated weekly period for all students and faculty. The goal of this block is to create a supportive environment for students' social-emotional growth, prepare them for life after school, and strengthen our school community.

During the Advisory Block, students participate in various activities focused on social-emotional learning, college and career readiness, and community building. The curriculum for these sessions draws from resources such as The RULER Approach, Character Strong, and MyCAP, which is part of the Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority (MEFA).

The positive start to the Advisory Block, alongside our existing Power Block and WIN Block, completes our comprehensive support system designed to help every student succeed academically, socially, and personally. For instance, next Wednesday's 7th-grade session will focus on building relationships and improving listening and speaking skills by having students get to know a peer through guided questions and then introduce them to the advisory. This successful first week marks a significant step forward in our commitment to fostering a holistic and supportive learning environment for all students.

Dear Doherty Middle School Families,

Hello from the Counseling Corner! My name is Molly Creamer, and I wanted to take a quick moment to introduce myself, or reconnect, as a school counselor. I hope you and your family had a great summer! The highlights of my summer were watching my kids play baseball; visiting family in New Jersey, Michigan, and Virginia; and very slowly getting back into running, very slowly.

I am so grateful to be a part of this school community for the second year in a row. From the moment I walked into Doherty last year, it felt like a place with warm welcomes, positive attitudes, excitement for learning, and words of encouragement to ease the nerves on tough days. That is how we want all kids and families to feel when they walk into Doherty, and we are here to help you on your journey. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me if you have any questions or need support. I will do my best to help you or find one of our incredible faculty, administrators, or staff members to help answer your questions or concerns. My email is marymargaret.creamer@andoverma.us and my direct line is 978-274-7428.

The students are doing a wonderful job so far. Our 6th graders have transitioned well into middle school, thanks to our amazing Web Program and 6th-grade teachers. Our 7th graders are already the talk of the town for how respectful they are to teachers and in common spaces, and our 8th graders seem to have really matured and are looking like the 8th-grade leaders of our school!

As a school counselor, I have the opportunity to support students in four main areas: academics, attendance, social-emotional support, and college and career readiness. I am excited to push into classes to teach a variety of lessons as well as run small groups and school-wide activities/events.

In this Counseling Corner, we aim to share tips from our wellness team, highlights of the week, and important upcoming events. One of the things we have been trying to remind the 6th graders, but also all students, is to keep a growth mindset. I was walking by Ms. McIntyre's classroom this week and saw her huge sign, "The Power of Yet." Please keep reminding your kiddo that everything takes time. They might not be great at their locker combination... YET. They might not know exactly where to go.... YET. They might not feel like they have completely found their friend group... YET.

It's early, and they will find their way. Please remind them that there are many people at Doherty here to help, and each kiddo has an amazing source of strength inside them. We can’t wait to see their growth this year, and we are here to support your family every step of the way.

Kindly,

Molly

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

Come celebrate this 100th anniversary at a community festival on Sunday, September 7th 1:00-4:00pm at Lower Shawsheen Field (14 York Street). This will be a family friendly celebration of Andover’s soccer history, Shawsheen Village’s unique role in Andover, and our wonderful community. The festival includes:

• Soccer scrimmages for kids*
• 1:00-1:30pm: Kindergarten & 1st grade
• 1:30-2:00pm: 2nd & 3rd grades
• 2:00-2:30pm: Preschool age
• 2:30-3:00pm: 4th & 5th grades
• 3:00-3:30pm: 6th, 7th & 8th grades
• 3:30-4:00pm: Open Play
• Soccer Skill Stations
• Dunk tank – see if you can dunk Andover’s soccer coaches!
• Activities with Sydney’s Rainbows
• Kids’ Face Painting
• Bouncy Houses
• Brief Dedication Ceremony with Comments from Local Historians
• Food trucks – Ricos Burritos & Najwa's Ice Cream
• Oak & Iron Beer Garden

Interested in buying a T-shirt to support this festival? Visit our online store.

Primary event parking will be at Andover Landing/Brickstone. Handicapped parking will be available in the small lot at the entrance to the field on Balmoral Street.

* Age-specific soccer scrimmages will be played throughout the festival. We encourage parents to bring their children to participate in the scrimmage during the time designated for their age. No soccer experience required! Each scrimmage will be monitored by high school volunteers but will not be a structured game or practice – so parents should plan to stay on the sidelines while their child participates.

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.