Doherty Family Update 11.9.2025

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 11/11 - No School - Veterans Day
• 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

AHS - Programs at-a-Glance – November 13, 2025, 6:30–8:00 PM

Discover AHS/Programs at a Glance RSVP

Congratulations to our Kindness Award Winners for the month of October. Each student was nominated for showing outstanding kindness throughout the community. We look forward to highlighting the value of accountability in the month of November.

Grade 8: Elise Fleming, Daniela McDonough, Averill Wenson, Eva Guerette, Alyssa Holland, Chris Schmidt, Jazz Cintron, and Dylan Czepiel

Grade 7: Teddy Zrike, Sam Eldo, Simon Bell, Kinley Kissane, Elora Roberts and Aisling Taylor (not pictured)

Grade 6: Grant Plunkett, Sarahi Aquino Tejada, Brooke Middleton, Bridget McQuade, Lily Hamilton, and Benton Ezell

Congratulations to our 2025-2026 Values Ambassadors. The Values Ambassadors are 7th and 8th grade students who were selected based on their application and being strong role models throughout the building. They will work this year to help select our monthly values and community challenges.

8th Grade Ambassadors (left to right): Elise Thomas, Vish Alagappan, Renee Mei, Finleigh Cash, Kendall Wright, Annie Ren, Kaylie Bishop, Giana Tildsley, Ava Rapczynski, Lily Zacher, Zach Rapczynski, Dylan Czepiel, Mason Middleton, Aidan Sheehan, Parker Kaminsky, Danny Epstein, Thomas Kushman, Brody Angle, and Elias Gallaudet. Not pictured: Alaa Abdelhamid

7th Grade Ambassadors (left to right): Henry Finn, Teddy Zrike, Michael Barry, Dina Gukovsky, Chloe Xi, Ellie Pheiffer, Sadie Hare-Quinn, Maxim Manojumar, Faith O’Connell, Nancy Butler, Sam Eldo, Tyler Hamilton. Not pictured: Narayani Govindarajan, Simi Shah

Upcoming High School Open Houses

Andover High School – Discover AHS: Programs at a Glance

Thursday, November 13, 2025 - 6:30–8:00 PM

Join us for an engaging evening designed to give prospective students and families an in-depth look at AHS.

• Begin with our Clubs, Activities, Athletics, and Fine Arts Fair, where you’ll meet current students and learn about the many opportunities to get involved.
• Then, gather in the Collins Center for a presentation from AHS administrators and students, who will share insights into academics, extracurriculars, and student life at AHS.

High School Applications Open - November 1st.

For students interested in applying to GLTS or Essex Tech - applications open Saturday November 1st.

GLTS Application

Essex North Shore

Deadline is February 1st.

Saturday, November 22, 2025

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!

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.