Doherty Family Update 5.25.2025

• Monday 5/26 - Memorial Day - No School
• Thursday 5/29 - DMS Open House - 4:30 - 6:00 pm Drop in and visit Doherty classrooms
• 6/3 – Principals Coffee – for incoming 6th grade parents – 9am-10am – Library
• 6/10 Tuesday- Field Day
• Wednesday 6/11 - 8th Grade Field Trip - Canobie Lake - 9:00 - 2:00
• Thursday 6/12 - 6th Grade Field Trip - Bradford Swim - 9:00 - 2:00
• Thursday 6/12 - 7th Grade Field Trip - Canobie Lake - 9:00 - 2:00
• Thursday 6/12 - 8th Grade Dance - Cafeteria - 6:30 - 8:00
• 6/13 – 8th Grade Farewell Ceremony – 8:30am - Doherty Auditorium

• Last Day of School: 6/13/25 - Half day for students

On Monday, May 19th all 8th grade students assembled in the Doherty auditorium to learn about genocide as a concept along with historical events centered around the Holocaust. Then on Wednesday, May 21st , students listened to Magda Bader an Auschwitz Holocaust survivor , who just recently celebrated her 95th birthday. The Lappin Foundation and its executive director, Deb Coltin facilitated this event.

In 2021, Massachusetts State Legislature passed a law requiring all school to teach about genocide, entitled “An Act Concerning Genocide Education”. This law states that, “Every school district shall, for the purpose of educating middle and high school students, provide instruction on the history of genocide consistent with the content standards articulated in the history and social science curriculum framework adopted by the board of elementary and secondary education… Instruction on genocide shall be taught consistent with the history and social science curriculum framework to: (i) promote the teaching of human rights issues in all public schools and school districts, with particular attention to the study of the inhumanity of genocide; (ii) address the history and patterns of genocide that demonstrate how hatred against national, ethnic, racial or religious groups impacts nations and societies; and (iii) reject the targeting of a specific population and other forms of prejudice that can lead to violence and genocide.” This law will be addressed in an experiential manner in 8th grade through these presentations, along with curriculum specific to this in Grade 10 Social Studies in a Modern World History course.

Michael R. McCarthy

This past Wednesday, Madga Bader, a 95 year old Holocaust survivor, shared her story from her early beginnings, growing up in what was then Czechoslovakia, to her and her family’s deportation to Auschwitz when she was 14 year old, the same age as the Doherty 8th graders she spoke to. Madga shared her account of her own survival, the loss of some of her family members, what life in the camp was like, how she and others survived, and how she not only endured this tragedy, but learned to heal, bringing a message of hope, love and resiliency to Doherty Middle School. As Nobel Prize winner Elie Wisel once said, “Whoevers listens to a witness, becomes a witness”.

As we head into the final weeks of the school year, we want to share a friendly reminder about student devices.

Students are expected to bring their fully charged computers to school every day. While we know the end of the year can be a busy time, consistent access to their devices is still essential for their learning in the classroom.

You can really help us with this by reminding your student to charge their computer every night. This simple routine makes a big difference in ensuring they are prepared for class each day.

Thank you for your continued partnership in your student's education.

Our 6th-grade students—Morgan Brown, Lauren Caiazzo, Sam Eldo, and Elias Morillo—along with Ms. Creamer (guidance counselor) and Principal Perry, visited Bancroft School to share insights about middle school with 5th graders.

Next week, 5th-grade students from Bancroft and South Schools will visit Doherty for Step Up Day. Doherty Web Leaders will lead tours and answer questions. Ms. Perry, Ms. Creamer, and former South School students will also visit South School for a similar presentation.

Finally, mark your calendars for our Open House on Thursday, May 29th, from 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM at Doherty. All families, including rising 5th-grade families, are welcome to stop by, see student work, and explore the school!

For Doherty students, inclusion means everyone belongs, feels valued, and has equal opportunities to participate fully. This creates a supportive and positive environment crucial for their growth. It fosters belonging, empathy, and understanding among diverse peers, develops social skills, and improves learning. Prioritizing inclusion at Doherty prepares students for a diverse world and builds a stronger, unified community where everyone can thrive.

See these fliers from the Robb Center – there are some great volunteer/service opportunities for the summer for students ages 13 and up.

It has been a busy week here at Doherty, and I am sure it has been the same in every family’s household too! In our ITT classes this month, we are finishing with students doing final reflections on their school years. (I can’t believe we are having our final ITTs!) It was very meaningful to see students reflect on what they learned about themselves, what they were most thankful for, the people they could always count on, good habits they developed (and habits they want to leave behind!), and goals for next year. I shared with some of the students that my dad recently dropped off a Tupperware bin full of old memories from middle school and high school. It was so fun to take a walk down memory lane. I invited students to put their reflection packets away in a memory box and maybe peek at it at the start of next year, or even five or twenty-five years from now! It is always so fun to look back at what was important to you at a certain time in your life. As always, it’s a joy to work with your students and to see their amazing teachers in action each day.

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.

To be completed if your student will participate in after school Extracurricular clubs. Click here for the form. The form is also available on our website.

Completed form can be dropped off at the Main Office.

List of Clubs and Activities can be found on our website under INFORMATION and RESOURCES