Doyon News

Dear Doyon Families,

Happy Friday!

What a wonderful (short) week back at school! It was so heartwarming to see all those bright, smiling faces lighting up the hallways! Our students jumped right back into their routines with enthusiasm and were so happy to reconnect with peers and teachers! We have a lot of information in this newsletter so please read all the way to the end.

Our Kindergarteners had an especially exciting few days! They proudly celebrated their 100th day of school on Thursday (complete with special activities and lots of "100" fun 🎉), and they also splashed into swim lessons at the YMCA. What a great way to build confidence both in the classroom and in the pool!

Doyon Devours Books begins on Monday, March 2nd and will run through Monday, March 16th. During this time, students will be invited to participate in Reading Bingo, with a chance to enter their name in a drawing for a special prize. We will also have a spirit week from March 9th-13th and some special school-wide "Drop Everything and Read" time. Please check your child's folder on Monday for more information about the Read-a-Thon. Scroll down for additional details.

Early Act - Cape Ann Animal Aid Collection: The Doyon Early Act Team is collecting items, from now until March 6th, to benefit the Cape Ann Animal Aid Shelter. The collection box is in the Doyon Library. Please see the list of items needed in the flier below. Thank you for contributing and for supporting our 4th and 5th grade Early Act volunteers!

The 46th Annual Elsie Piddock Competition: This annual jump rope competition is being held on Wednesday, March 11, 2026 at the Ipswich High School Basketball Court. Jump ropes will be provided for all students. We ask that the adults who are driving the students to the event stay to help and be a counter for their child. Please see the flier below for more information.

Times:
3rd Grade 6:15pm
4th Grade 7:00pm
5th Grade 7:30pm

Student Theater - Frozen: Auditions for the student production of Frozen are being held after school on March 12th. Please see the flier at the end of this newsletter for more details.

Should you need anything, reach out! We are here for you!

Warmly,
Mrs. Benincasa

We are excited to share a whole-school project that will be displayed throughout the building from Monday, February 23rd through Friday, March 27th.

In January, students across Doyon spent time learning about empathy as part of our CARES connection. As part of this learning, students responded to thoughtful prompts such as “I can show empathy by…,” “Showing empathy helps our school because…,” and “Empathy looks like…” Their responses reflect how students understand caring for others, listening to different perspectives, and helping create a welcoming school community.

This project connects to our district’s vision that a community is stronger when we work together. By sharing their ideas, students are helping to build a culture of belonging and compassion, where everyone feels seen, heard, and respected. Their work highlights the importance of kindness, understanding, and celebrating the diversity of experiences within our school.

We hope you enjoy seeing our students’ voices and reflections on display and celebrating the meaningful ways they contribute to making Doyon a caring and inclusive community.

When the Student Leadership Team (SLT) met before February Break, they discussed ideas about ways students at Doyon show C.A.R.E.S. Beginning next week, SLT volunteers will talk on the morning announcements, bringing their ideas to the whole school community.

Are you looking for me? Please take me home!

Good News - Items that had a name/label inside (thank you!) have been returned to their owner!

✨Doyon Devours Books

March 2 – March 16

Mark your calendars! Our school's biggest reading adventure and fundraiser of the year is almost here! Flyers with all the details will be coming home in your student's folders soon.

Starting Monday, March 2nd, students will track every minute they read (or have read to them). Log those minutes easily in your child's personal Read-A-Thon account, and share their progress with family and friends to inspire pledges and donations.

This fun, literacy-boosting event is one of our largest fundraisers, helping support in-school enrichment programs, field trips, classroom resources and author visits. Every page turned makes a difference!

Encourage your child to grab their favorite books, set big reading goals, and spread the word! Let's read our way to success together!

✨Annual Bingo Night

March 12 | 6:00–8:00 PM

Please register in advance so we can plan accordingly and have an accurate headcount.

✨Looking to Get Involved?

The FRIES Treasurer position will be opening at the end of this school year (2-year term). If you’re interested or would like more information, please reach out to Dougherty.family91@gmail.com.

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.

Friday Morning Library Sign-Up

Dear Doyon Families,

We are seeing a little bit of everything (Flu, COVID ,strep, and GI bug). Cases of strep have been reported in kindergarten and fourth grades, and lots of tummy issues in kindergarten.

Thank you so much for keeping your children home when they are ill and continuing to inform the school as we track trends. As a parent of three little ones myself, I know how difficult it is when one or more of your kiddos is home sick and coordinating childcare and doctor's appointments. I so appreciate you and I am hopeful everyone will be healthy for February break! We are halfway through so let's see who has BINGO!

Mary Sforza RN, MSN, NCSN

Doyon School Nurse

Curious about school safety procedures? Take a peek at the documents displayed below. These documents are shared with students at the start of the school year by Detective Joe Perna, our School Resource Officer. The documents may serve as a guide to support families in discussing school safety. As always, please be in touch with questions around school safety at the Paul F. Doyon Memorial School.

docx

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Grades K-1 Emergency Procedures.docx

Grade 2 Emergency Procedures.pdf