Doherty Family Update 4.27.2025

• Wednesday 4/30 - 7B Spanish Field Trip - Casablanca

• Monday May 5, 2025 – Fri, May 9 Teacher Appreciation Week

• Wednesday 5/7 - Early Release Day - Dismissal at 11:30

• Thursday 5/8 - Mental Health/SEL Screening - 7th & 8th Grades
• Friday 5/9 - DMS Talent Show - Auditorium - 10:00 - 11:50
• Monday 5/12 - Friday 5/30 - MAP Testing Window
• Monday 5/19 - Friday 5/23 - Grade 8 Spanish STAMP testing - during Spanish classes
• 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
• 6/4 – Faculty Meeting
• 6/11 – TAC Meeting
• 6/13 – 8th Grade Farewell Ceremony – 8:30am - Doherty Auditorium

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

May 1 – Civics (8th grade only)

May 5 & 6 – Math

May 15 & 16 – STE Science Technology Engineering (8th grade only)

Within the next few weeks, students in grade 6-12 will have the option to participate in a voluntary survey about their experiences with using AI tools. The data collected will share valuable insights to inform AI Guidelines for Teaching and Learning. At the time of survey administration, students will be reminded that participation is optional and not required, but their responses will help shape the future of AI integration in our schools. As always, please feel free to reach out with any questions.

On Tuesday, April 15th, 8th graders from Doherty joined 8th graders from West and Woodhill to experience our first-ever district-wide Middle School Career Fair! We were absolutely thrilled to have over 50 incredible professionals attend from various and diverse careers. What was so special was that these professionals were our students' and staff's parents, friends, and neighbors.

A few weeks before the Career Fair, students from all three middle schools completed a Career Day Prep Lesson. In this lesson, they learned about the Holland Code/RIASEC Theory and then completed a Career Interest Survey. The inventory helped students discover careers and fields that they might like to study based on their answers to questions about their aspirations, activities, skills, and interests. Students then wrote down three careers they would hope to explore at Career Day. In addition, students downloaded their results into their MyCap Career Folder in their APS Google Drive, which they will be able to add to and build on as they continue on at Andover High School.

Thanks to a wonderful grant from MyCap, students from Doherty took buses to Andover High School. When they arrived, they received a swag bag, MyCap career day folder, and career day passport. Students used this passport to receive stamps from each career professional they visited and learned from. Our career presenters were amazing, sharing about their everyday life, educational background, and real-life experience, not to mention many of them giving out some very fun swag! We are so grateful for our presenters.

At the end of the Career Day, students turned in their career day passports to be entered into a raffle. Each school offered a raffle for a basket worth over $50. We would like to thank the Doherty PAC for their generous contribution!

Next month, students will follow up on their career fair experience in a targeted lesson.

We were blown away by our amazing volunteers and presenters from our community. Thank you!! We would also like to thank the MyCap team, our dedicated administration teams, the high school counselors, all of our amazing office executives, and the absolutely incredible 8th grade teachers for chaperoning the trip and doing all the little things behind the scenes that make a day like Career Day happen.

7A Spanish classes, taught by Señora Shields, Señora Monrreal and Señora Bakshi, recently took a flavorful field trip to Casa Blanca Restaurant in downtown Andover as a culminating activity for their food, family and culture units. Students had the chance to apply what they’ve learned in class by interacting with the restaurant staff in Spanish, making real-world connections through language. They enjoyed the sunny walk over, the comida deliciosa, and ended the visit with a special treat: warm cinnamon churros served with rich chocolate and caramel sauce. ¡Gracias, Casa Blanca, for an unforgettable experience! 7B Spanish classes will make the trip after April Break to practice their skills as well !

Señora Shields, Señora Monrreal and Señora Bakshi and their students

Doherty Values Challenge

What does determination mean for a middle schooler?

For someone in middle school, determination means not giving up even when things get hard. It's about pushing through challenges—whether it's a tough homework assignment, learning a new skill, or dealing with a difficult situation at school. It’s that inner drive that helps you stay focused on your goals, even when you feel frustrated or discouraged.

The math team at Andover High School has organized a math competition for the Andover Public Middle Schools and we would love the opportunity to invite students from Doherty Middle School to join. This tournament follows a format similar to the regional mathematics competition that AHS students participate in, so we hope that this experience can provide the students with a sense of how fun and challenging problem solving can be while also inspiring them to further explore their interest in math.

The tournament will be on Thursday, May 8th from 3:30 - 5:00 PM at the Andover High School cafeteria. https://tinyurl.com/Andover-Math

Interested in being a WEB Leader next year? WEB Leader applications are open and due on Wednesday, April 30th. If you choose to apply, join the WEB Leader Application ‘25-26 Schoology course using the code posted on your team’s Schoology page and in the hallways and complete/submit the application. Please see your team leader, Mrs. Carlton in room 234, or Ms. Murphy in room 207 if you have any questions!

WEB is a transition program designed to help 6th graders adjust to life in middle school by creating connections, community, and support from the very first day of school. Selected 8th graders participate in the WEB Leadership Academy training to become WEB Leaders, and then they serve as mentors for 6th graders throughout the entire school year. WEB exists to support a school climate Where Everybody Belongs.

For interested 7th-graders (rising 8th-graders), WEB Leader applications are due Wednesday, April 30th by the end of the school day. If students choose to apply, they must join the WEB Leader Application ‘25-26 Schoology course using the code posted on their team’s Schoology page and around the hallways, and they must complete/submit the application. If students have questions, they can reach out to their team leader, Mrs. Carlton in room 234 (kate.carlton@andoverma.us), or Ms. Murphy in room 207 (shannon.murphy@andoverma.us).

This has been observed annually since 1992. The month aims to raise awareness and encourage discussion around stress management strategies. Stress can be both positive and negative. Positive stress can help us focus, motivate, and improve performance. Negative stress can lead to anxiety, health problems, or decreased productivity. Having healthy coping mechanisms can be a great tool.

One of our amazing 8th-grade teachers and RULER team members, Shannon Murphy, put together a fantastic slideshow to help students destress before MCAS. In her slides, she provides students and staff with 12 activities to cope with stress. Feel free to check them out and ask your student which coping strategy is their favorite! You can also use these strategies with yourself or your kids if they get stressed during break or as they continue through the school year. Remember, you can always reach out to the wellness team if you think your student could use some extra support managing their stress.

We are excited to be partnering with Andover High School’s National Honor Society. This past Thursday, we had one of Andover High School’s National Honor Society students here to tutor students from 3:20 to 4:00 PM. We will try to keep this going every Thursday, depending on the high school students' availability. Please feel free to have your student come to room 201 on Thursdays after school if they would like to get some homework help.

The annual Clown Town carnival will be held in downtown Andover on May 16 through May 18th this year. Each year, Andover schools award families with the Andona sponsorship for Clown Town. This packet includes rides, tickets and vouchers for Andona activities at Clown Town.

If you would like support, please fill out the google doc form below.

Clown Town Sponsorship- Due May 7

We are excited to announce the 2025 Andona Campership program, which provides subsidized recreational, sports, and creative arts camp experiences for children in Andover with financial need.

Andona will cover up to $300 per child for participating summer camps. Families are responsible for any costs above $300, as well as field trips and transportation not included in the camp fee.

You can select from the following camps, or choose any camp with prior authorization from Andona confirming they will accept payment directly:

1. Andover Recreation - Website (https://andoverma.myrec.com)

2. Andover Youth Services - Website (https://andoverma.gov/1043/Youth-Services)

3. Andover/North Andover YMCA - Website (https://mvymca.org)

4. Merrimack Valley YMCA Camps - Website (https://camp.mvymca.org)

5. SHED Children's Campus - Website (https://www.shedchildrenscampus.org)

6. Kaleidoscope Kids - Website (https://www.kaleidoscopekids.com)

7. EJ Perry Football Camp - Website (https://ejperryssportcamp.com)

Please complete and submit the attached form by May 15, 2025, to secure your child's campership. Failure to submit may result in forfeiting the campership.

Register your child directly with the camp and inform them of the Andona payment. After you submit your form, we will coordinate payment with the camp.

If you need camperships for more than four children, please reach out to us at the email below.

For questions or concerns, please contact camperships@andona.org (mailto:camperships@andona.org).

• Tuesday, April 29, 2025 - The school budget will be presented as part of the total town budget for a vote at the annual town meeting.

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.

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

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