Friday 1/10 - Friday 1/24 - MAP Testing Window (See more information on the MAP Test Below)
Wednesday = PAC Meeting January 15 at 7PM in the DMS Media Center
Monday 1/20 - MLK Day - No school
Wednesday 1/29 - Early Release Day - 11:30

MCAS Dates

April 14 & 15 – ELA

May 1 – Civics (8th grade only)

May 5 & 6 – Math

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

Team building activity-

6B did an awesome team building activity to start off 2025! Students had to work together to navigate different challenges while holding on to one string each to stack their cups! As part of the activity, students reflected on how they felt in the moment when the activity didn’t go their way and this also helped build on our RULER, emotions matter mindset, that we are continuing to work on this year! Go 6B!

All places of the building are now open, including our elevator. Check out the pictures!

The Doherty PAC is hosting its winter meeting on Wednesday, January 15 in the media center. APS superintendent Dr. Parvey will join us for a presentation on the school budget with Q&A. Immediately following will be a tour of the Doherty recently renovated area with principal, Rebecca Perry.

Each testing session lasts from 45-60 minutes. Testing days are at the discretion of individual schools, within the testing window. The results of these tests assist teachers in informing instruction, personalizing learning, and monitoring the growth of individual students. Principals and administrators can use the data to assess performance and progress at each grade level, school, and district. It will help us learn more about where students may need interventions and identify what those supports might be at the classroom, school, and district level.

MAP Growth tests are responsive and adapt to your child’s answers to measure your child’s knowledge. If your child answers a question correctly, the next question is more challenging. If they answer incorrectly, the next one is easier. These results will provide a more complete picture of where your child is on their learning journey. Since MAP Growth tests provide immediate and accurate information about your child’s learning, it’s easy for teachers to identify students with similar scores in similar skills and topics and then plan instruction accordingly.

MAP Growth reports also provide typical growth data for students in the same grade and subject with the same starting performance level.

We look forward to supporting you with information about your child’s progress. In early February, parents and guardians will receive a Family Report summarizing each child’s winter benchmark results. Results will be sent home with your child. Principals will communicate a reminder about results in their school newsletters.

MAP Dates:

6th Grade :

Tues. 1/14 period 1 & 2

Wed. 1/15 period 3 & 4

8TH Grade :

Thur. 1/16 period 1 & 2

Fri. 1/17 period 1 & 2

7th Grade :

Wed. 1/22 period 1 & 2

Fri. 1/24 period 2 & 3

From the desk of Ms. Creamer, DMS Guidance Counselor

I am writing to share an update about an exciting upcoming event at Andover High School. On Monday, January 27th, at 6:30 PM, 8th grade students and families are invited to Andover High School's Programs at a Glance event! This event is designed to introduce 8th grade students and their families to all that AHS has to offer.

The event will feature:

• An in-depth look at Andover High School's Academic Programs

• Opportunities to meet some of Andover High School's talented students
• A special performance from the Fine Arts Program
• Music from the AHS Band
• Information on Andover High School's diverse student clubs, sports teams, and extracurricular activities
• A chance to learn about valuable resources at AHS

Additionally, Andover High School will be providing other ways for families to learn more about the school. Please see the Roadmap below.

Doherty Values Challenge

Each month our DMS community will focus on recognizing students who are showing the value of the month. Throughout the month, the main office will incorporate the values into our morning announcements to help get the students aware of the value and ways that they could accomplish the value. The bulletin board in the hallway outside the music room will also be used as a community builder for the values! Our Values Ambassadors selected Integrity for the month of January.

• Tuesday, January 14, 2025 - District departments will present 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.

As district continues its work on the K-8 redistricting process in partnership with DillingerRAD, we are pleased to offer a virtual "Let's Talk!" community forum on the APS Redistricting Process on Thursday, January 16, 2025 from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. The community is welcome to join the conversation with DillingerRAD at any time using this link.

The redistricting process is a work in progress to develop a long-term plan for the future. The plan is intended to help address anticipated growth in Andover that could impact our students’ educational environment for years to come.

• 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.

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.

Further details are available at the Doherty Drama Club webpage:

https://sites.google.com/a/k12.andoverma.us/dms-drama

Questions? Contact Ms. Kennedy (elizabeth.kennedy@andoverma.us)

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

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