Doherty Family Update 2.16.2025

As we approach winter break, I want to thank you for your support. It’s been a productive time, and we appreciate all the efforts that have contributed to our students' success.

Winter break is a great time to relax and spend time with family and friends. I hope everyone enjoys the time off and returns rested and ready to continue the year.

School will resume on February 24. We look forward to seeing everyone then.

Wishing you all a safe and enjoyable break!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Perry

Principal Doherty Middle School

• Winter Recess February 17-21
• February, 26 at 12-12:45 PM Family Webinar MAP FAQ with our middle school instructional coaches
• Monday, March 3 at 6:30 PM PAC Family BINGO Night!
• Tuesday, March 4 at 6:30pm Parent information meeting - Doherty Middle School is sponsoring a trip to Italy for next year’s 7th and 8th graders during February vacation 2026.
• March 12 Early Dismissal 11:30 AM
• Newsies School Play April Friday 4/4 ; Saturday 4/5 ; and Sunday 4/6: 7pm Shows on Friday & Sat ; 2pm show on Sunday.
• April 9 Early Dismissal 11:30

MCAS Dates

April 8 & 10 – ELA *Note the change in dates

May 1 – Civics (8th grade only)

May 5 & 6 – Math

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

What are pig races? Each homeroom who donated the most food during our fall food drive earned a
"PIG" in the race. Thank you to every family that donated. Take a look at these Photos!

8 students from Doherty Middle School participated in the Mathcounts Northeast MA Chapter round on Thursday afternoon, February 13. All the students have been working hard to prepare for the competition and did a fantastic job!

The team competitors earned the 3rd place team this year, and all four team competitors will move on to the Massachusetts State round competition on March 1. Kenny Sun was also individual #2 and countdown round #1.

Doherty Team competitors:

Kenneth Sun

Alicia Zhang

Carmel Kojokaro

Claire Gu

Doherty Individual competitors:

Tyler Hamilton

Vihaan Ravikumar

Ara KoKim

Narayani Tanjavur Govindarajan

Please see some pictures from the Chapter Round competition!

The Student Support Team members thank all families and caregivers who attended the principal coffee and the informational night on February 10th. Please see our student support team member contact information below.

Doherty Middle School is sponsoring a trip to Italy for next year’s 7th and 8th graders during February vacation 2026. There will be a parent information meeting on Tuesday, March 4 at 6:30pm in the media center. Please see the letter below for more information and a link to the itinerary.

Doherty Values Challenge

Student MAP scores were sent home with students on Friday, February 7th.

Hello Doherty families! Andover Public Schools are pleased to host graphic novelist Gene Luen Yang as part of our Cummings Grant Author Visit Series. Your 7th and 8th grade students will have the opportunity to listen to him speak at school on the morning of March 6th.

We have once again partnered with the Andover Bookstore: You are now able to order your book(s) online at the link here: https://andoverbookstore.com/school-orders/.

AYS 2025 Winter Booklet: https://andoverma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/15963/Winter-2025-Booklet-

*NEW* Speech and Debate (free): https://andoverma.myrec.com/info/activities/program_details.aspx?ProgramID=30550

* Deadline to register is coming up- program starting 2/5/2025

Summer program registration: https://andoverma.myrec.com/info/activities/program_details.aspx?ProgramID=30542

All opportunities are available to middle school students, though the booklet will also feature additional programming for high school students. We are offering a discounted membership rate of $175 (down from $300) for access through the remainder of the school year. Additionally, registration is now open for our Summer Programming.

Parents are always welcome to reach out to us directly, or through referral, for any financial aid inquiries.

As we continue the K-8 redistricting process, we are pleased to invite the community to highlight areas of interest (i.e., neighborhoods, streets), with an interactive, online mapping tool - ARCGIS.

This resource will allow the community to review an updated scenario based on the collaboration with the School Committee at its January 9th meeting and community engagement. The updated scenario was presented to the community at a Let’s Talk! session on redistricting held January 16, 2025.

The community can provide visual feedback and written comments to DillingerRAD, the consultant supporting APS with this process. For more information on how to utilize the tool, please check here. Access to this link or the QR code below will close on Friday, January 24, 2025.

In Spring 2025, the School Committee will review the proposed redistricting options and vote on the preferred redistricting plan. The approved redistricting plan will be implemented in the 2026-27 school year. This allows the district sufficient time to operationally plan for the new school zones.

We appreciate your feedback.

• Tuesday, January 14, 2025 - District departments presented their budget proposals.

• Thursday, January 23, 2025 - The School Committee will hold a preliminary vote on the FY26 budget allocation in relation to the overall town’s FY26 budget.

• Thursday, March 6, 2025 - The School Committee will hold a public hearing. Following the hearing, the School Committee will vote on the School Department budget.

• Saturday, March 8, 2025 - The Superintendent will share the FY26 budget approved by the School Committee to the Town of Andover’s Select Board and Finance Committees at the Tri-Board meeting.

• 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

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

The Doherty Middle School Yearbook Club is thrilled to include a special collage page celebrating our 8th graders' unique passions—whether it’s sports, hobbies, music, or quality time with a favorite pet.

We invite you to submit ONE clear, high-quality photo of your student enjoying their activity from their middle school years. The deadline for submissions is April 1st, 2025. Simply use the provided QR code to upload your photo (select “Upload Portrait” and choose “Pre-K” for the grade to help us sort the photos).

Yearbooks are $40 and available for all grades. Reserve yours today at www.YearbookOrderCenter.com (order #13395) or call 866-287-3096.

For questions or scholarship inquiries, please contact faculty advisor, Ms. Bakshi at leela.bakshi@andoverma.us. Let’s make sure every 8th grader is celebrated in this year’s book!

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