Doherty Family Update 11.17.2024

Students in 8th grade French are learning about celebrations and holidays in the Francophone world. To acknowledge “Jour de souvenir” (Remembrance Day), students read and analyzed “Au champ d’honneur,” a very popular French translation of “In Flanders Fields” by John McCrae.

Remembrance Day is observed on November 11th to commemorate the end of World War I hostilities, which ceased at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918. The armistice was signed between Germany and the Entente between 5:12 and 5:20 AM on November 11, 1918, and took effect at 11 AM.

The holiday originated as Armistice Day, and was first observed in Great Britain in 1919. During World War II, many countries changed the name of the holiday, with the United States choosing Veterans Day and the member states of the Commonwealth of Nations adopting Remembrance Day.

The poppy is a symbol of remembrance worn around the time of Remembrance Day. During World War I, soldiers saw poppies growing in the fields of Flanders and some even sent pressed poppies home in letters. The poppy symbolizes hope and morale, and is still worn today as a brooch to commemorate those who have lost their lives in armed service.

8th grader, Leo Sassin, is a seasoned member of the Doherty Middle School Yearbook Club. He brings creativity and a passion for photography to the team. He actively contributed to layout, design, writing and formatting throughout his years in the club. Known for his innovative ideas and eye for detail, as well as ability to instruct his peers, Leo has been named the Student Yearbook Editor for the 2024-2025 school year publication entitled "Paint the Future" . This role acknowledges his dedication and leadership in shaping the yearbook's aesthetic and content. Congratulations, Leo!

In our Intro to Chemistry unit, students have been learning about the structure of atoms to the identity of elements and compounds. To deepen their knowledge about the structure of the Periodic Table of the Elements, students selected a unique element in which to specialize – we called it Adopt an Element. Students identified the number and arrangement of subatomic particles their chosen element possesses, as well as information on its discovery, where it can be found, chemical and physical properties, and current uses. Finally, the element blocks are coming together to make a team Periodic Table. We don’t have as many students as there are elements, so there are a few holes. Some students are taking on additional elements in an attempt to complete the table!

Village Food Hub is preparing Thanksgiving meals for those in need. If you would like a meal (s) to be delivered (or for pick up) on Wednesday, November 27th in the afternoon between 1 pm and 5 pm, please use the link below:

For delivery: https://app.aplos.com/aws/events/thanksgiving_meal_2024

For pick up: https://app.aplos.com/aws/events/pick_up_thanksgiving_meals_2024

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. Thank you!

If you would like to request a gift card for your family, please contact one of our school social workers, Colleen LeBeau (978-247-9420) before Wednesday, November 20th. All donations and requests are confidential.

You make us smile! - ACE Board of Directors Another year of scarecrows has come to a close and we are incredibly grateful for your amazing support of the 12th Annual ACE Scarecrow Festival. Thanks to perfect fall weather, the two-week event was one of our most successful yet. This year's theme, "Things That Make You Smile!" encouraged participants to get creative and your enthusiasm certainly brought joy to the event. You make us smile!

Thank you for your continued support and dedication to our mission. A heartfelt thank you to everyone that helped create a scarecrow and shared this beloved event with your school community.

I thought it would be fun to share a few highlights from this year's festival:

• $38K raised to support innovative initiatives in our schools
• 100 scarecrows on Main Street
• 56 sponsors at the Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze levels
• 394 pumpkins sold through our Pumpkin Patch fundraiser
• 143 scavenger hunt forms completed
• 12 years of scarecrows!

We all have a lot to be proud of! I hope you will enjoy the highlight video of this year’s event, thanks to Andover TV.

Wishing you a great rest of the fall,

Best,

Jayashree Mohandas and the ACE Board of Directors

Massachusetts Partnerships for Youth (MPY) is continuing to sponsor a free Parenting Solutions Library. MPY is offering this valuable resource in partnership with Peace At Home Parenting Solutions, a non-profit organization located in Mansfield, Connecticut. Through this partnership, MPY is providing proven resources to help students’ families thrive.

Peace At Home Parenting Solutions specializes in empowering parents with evidence-based strategies to foster nurturing connections that safeguard their children's mental well-being. The Parenting Solutions Library is easily accessed using the link on MPY’s home page. No log in or passcode is needed.

What is RULER?

RULER is an evidence-based approach to social and emotional learning (SEL) developed at the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence.

Purpose of Morning Check In:

• Create a unified low-stakes rollout for all three APS Middle Schools
• Begin a student focus on the emotion matters mindset and discussion
• Build student relationships and community

RULER VIDEO and Website

The AMC 8 is a 25-question, 40-minute competition designed for students in grade 8 and below. The competition focuses on middle school mathematics topics, including counting and probability, estimation, proportional reasoning, elementary geometry (including the Pythagorean Theorem), spatial visualization, and interpreting graphs and tables. Some of the later questions may touch on beginning algebra topics, such as linear or quadratic functions and coordinate geometry. The competition is in January, 2025, please register by December 1st if your student would like to compete.

AMC 8 Sign Up Form

The AMC program is more than just a competition; it’s a national effort to strengthen the mathematical capabilities of our next generation of innovators. By challenging students with engaging problems, the AMC sets the stage for lifelong mathematical exploration, discovery, and achievement.

YEARBOOK

Simply scan this QR code and follow the prompts. Yearbooks will be delivered to homerooms the last week of school

You may also call 866-287-3096 or go to www.YearbookOrderCenter.com and use order number 13395

APS has partnered with Idioma Consulting & Education to continue offering FREE English classes for parents/guardians. See this link for details: https://secure.smore.com/n/d0gub-appel

APPELL - https://secure.smore.com/n/d0gub-appel

These are in-person classes held at CO in Conference Room A starting on November 12 from 9:30-11am. No sign up necessary.

ESOL Virtual classes - https://secure.smore.com/n/w52nra-esol

Classes meet virtually on Tuesday evenings from 6:30-7:30pm starting on November 6. Participants need to sign up to receive a Google Meeting link by November 1. Limit 25 participants.

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

📱If your student is absent please call our attendance line.

If you need to dismiss your student, please send them in with a note including the student name, date, time. The note should be given to the main office.