Doyon News
Friday, October 30, 2026
What a great week at Doyon! It was a busy one, filled with learning, laughter, and lots of fun!
We were excited to welcome Change is Simple, who brought hands-on science experiences to our students and gave them a chance to explore, ask questions, and learn in new ways. We also enjoyed our annual Harvest Celebrations and one of our favorite traditions, the PreK and Kindergarten Costume Parade! Seeing our youngest students proudly showing off their costumes was definitely a highlight of the week!
A big thank you to FRIES for bringing Brazilian Beats to Doyon! Our students and staff had a wonderful time enjoying the music and learning together.
Our DEEP (Doyon Extra Ordinary Enrichment Program) also finished up its second week! It's been great to see students trying new things, discovering new interests, and having fun with their friends.
It was one of those weeks that reminds us just how special our Doyon community is. We are so grateful for our amazing staff, families, and community partners who help make these experiences possible.
Wishing everyone a wonderful and restful weekend!
Warmly,
Mr. Whitehouse-Mullen & Mrs. Benincasa
One of the things we love most about Doyon is seeing our students put our CARES values into action in the little moments throughout the school day. Whether it's in the classroom, on the playground, or in the cafeteria, there are so many opportunities for students to show kindness, make thoughtful choices, and support one another.
This week, we're highlighting how CARES helps us grow as learners and friends:
Cooperation: Working together to solve a problem or complete a challenge.
Assertion: Asking for help when we need it or respectfully sharing our thoughts.
Responsibility: Taking care of our belongings and shared spaces.
Empathy: Noticing when someone is having a tough day and offering support.
Self-Control: Taking a deep breath and trying again when something feels frustrating.
These everyday moments may seem small, but they help build a school where everyone feels safe, valued, and connected. Thank you for helping us reinforce these important values at home. Together, we continue to make Doyon a wonderful place to learn and grow!
Mrs. Lopez-Ryan is excited to share that Max recently competed in the Beestar National Math competition, earning two gold medals in both the second and third grade categories. Please join us in congratulating Max for this impressive accomplishment! Max, your Doyon community is very proud of you! Max is currently ranked in first place for the second grade category in this national competition. Wonderful!
Hello Doyon Families,
Some cases of strep to report this week. Strep throat is an infection in the throat/tonsils caused by group A streptococcus. It is most common in children 5-15 and rare in children under 3 (but possible) . The signs and symptoms include: fever, pain when swallowing, red/swollen tonsils, white patches or streaks in throat, tiny red spots on roof of mouth (petechiae), swollen lymph nodes, headache, stomach pain, nausea/vomiting, and also can present as a fine sand-papery rash. The treatment is antibiotics as well as supportive care including tylenol/motrin, encouraging fluids, soothing foods such as popsicles, and avoiding acidic foods/beverages which can be irritating. In addition, you should discard your child's toothbrush after 48 hours of antibiotic treatment.If you suspect your child may have strep throat, please visit your pediatrician or urgent care facility for a rapid/throat culture.
Just a reminder to please bring in any medication (including over the counter) as well as send along a med order from your child's doctor to accompany it. Thank you!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Mary Sforza, RN, MSN, NCSN
Doyon School Nurse(ph) 978-356-5506 ext 111
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.
The next FRIES meeting is on Wednesday, November 18th, in the Library.
Please check out and join the Doyon FRIES Facebook page for up to date information: facebook.com/groups/doyonFRIES
We have an exciting offering for our Doyon community in collaboration with We Are Family Photography:
🍂FIVE MINUTES OF FALL | A FRIES FUNDRAISER🍂
Five beautiful photographs.
A little piece of this season to hold onto.
And a whole lot of love for the community we call home.🤎
I’m so excited to bring a little something special to our Doyon families this fall!
On Sunday, October 25, We Are Family Photography will be offering sweet and simple fall family sessions, with $20 from every completed session donated to FRIES in support of our school community.
🍁10-minute family sessions
🍁5 professionally edited digital photographs
🍁Online gallery + personal-use print release
🍁$100 per family
🍁Doyon Elementary School, Ipswich
Because sometimes the smallest moments leave the biggest memories.
And when we come together, even five minutes can make a difference.
Booking is officially OPEN!🤎
The library will be open to students on Friday mornings from 8:00-8:40! Students can come to the library before school to read, draw, play with Legos, code, or work on a STEAM project. If your child would like to attend, please sign up below. Space is limited to 12 students per week.
Reach out to Teresa Hohenstein at thohenstein@ipsk12.net with any questions.
October 2026
Saturday October 31: Halloween!
November 2026
Sunday November 1: Daylight Savings; Fall back an hour
Monday November 2: Deep Week 3 Monday classes
Tuesday November 3: Deep Week 3 Tuesday classes
Tuesday November 3: Picture retake day
Wednesday November 4: Deep Week 3 Wednesday classes
Monday November 9: Deep Week 4 Monday classes
Tuesday November 10: Deep Week 4 Tuesday classes
Wednesday November 11: NO SCHOOL; Veterans Day
We continue to maintain a safe and supportive school environment at the Paul F. Doyon Memorial School. Each school year, staff receive training in our emergency procedures in collaboration with our School Resource Officer, Detective Joe Perna. Our procedures now incorporate the Standard Response Protocol (SRP), developed by The “I Love U Guys” Foundation, which provides shared language and clear actions for responding to a variety of situations.
Student safety presentations are conducted annually and are tailored to our students’ developmental ages. The student presentation for the Standard Response Protocol is linked at the bottom of this memo for your review and to support any conversations about school safety that may arise at home. This is produced by the "I Love U Guys" Foundation. A parent handout has also been linked for your review.
The Standard Response Protocol includes five actions:
Hold — In Your Room or Area. Clear the Halls.
Students and staff remain in their classrooms or designated areas while hallways are kept clear. Classroom activities may continue. A Hold may be used during a medical emergency so responders can move through the building and the person receiving care has privacy.Secure — Get Inside. Lock Outside Doors.
Students and staff come inside, and exterior doors are locked because of a concern or hazard outside the school. Activities inside may continue as usual. For example, a Secure action may be used during police activity in the surrounding neighborhood.Lockdown — Locks, Lights, Out of Sight.
If there is a threat inside the school, classroom doors are locked, lights are turned off, and students and staff remain quiet and out of sight. Students follow the directions of the adults supervising them.Evacuate — To the Announced Location.
Students and staff move to a designated location, inside or outside the building, under staff direction. An evacuation may be needed during a fire or another situation requiring people to leave an area.Shelter — State the Hazard and Safety Strategy.
Students and staff follow directions appropriate to a specific hazard, such as severe weather. The announcement identifies the hazard and the protective action to take, which may include moving to a designated shelter area.
Please reach out with any questions, concerns, or suggestions. Mrs. Benincasa and I, alongside our school community, are here to offer help and support. Thank you for your partnership in keeping Doyon a safe and caring place to learn.