Thank you to out Integrated Arts teachers for making this happen!

• Monday 5/12 - Friday 5/30 - MAP Testing Window
• 5/13 Band, Orchestra, Chorus Spring Concert – 7pm – Auditorium
• 5/14 – 8th Grade class photo
• 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
• 6/10 Tuesday- Field Day
• Wednesday 6/11 - 8th Grade Field Trip - Canobie Lake - 9:00 - 2:00
• Thursday 6/12 - 6th Grade Field Trip - Bradford Swim - 9:00 - 2:00
• Thursday 6/12 - 7th Grade Field Trip - Canobie Lake - 9:00 - 2:00
• Thursday 6/12 - 8th Grade Dance - Cafeteria - 6:30 - 8:00
• 6/13 – 8th Grade Farewell Ceremony – 8:30am - Doherty Auditorium

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

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

I'm still beaming with pride after the incredible talent show we held this past Friday! Our students truly shined, showcasing a wealth of talent in singing, dancing, and instrumental music. It was such a joy to witness these amazing young people confidently share their passions with the entire school community – students and staff alike. The energy in the auditorium was electric, and the level of skill and courage displayed was truly remarkable. As principal, I couldn't be prouder of each and every participant who graced the stage. A huge thank you also goes out to our wonderful student council for their hard work in organizing such a memorable event! - Mrs. Perry

You’re going to compare a cell to a place in the real world—like a school, zoo, sports team, restaurant, or even a magical world! The goal is to show how the cell and its parts (organelles) work together, just like a real system in the world.

On behalf of the teachers and staff at Doherty Middle School, we extend our sincerest gratitude for the wonderful lunch and sweets you provided during Teacher Appreciation Week. Your generosity and thoughtfulness truly brightened our week and made us feel incredibly valued.

The delicious taco-themed meal and the delightful sweets were not only a treat for our taste buds but also a welcome opportunity for us to relax and connect with each other during a busy week. We appreciate the time and effort you put into organizing such a thoughtful gesture. It is heartening to know that we have such a supportive and caring parent community.

Thank you once again for your dedication to Doherty Middle School and for making Teacher Appreciation Week so special. Your support makes a real difference in our work and is deeply appreciated.

Sincerely,

The Teachers and Staff of Doherty Middle School

During April we celebrated the value of determination!

The following scholars were recognized for showing determination within the building!

🎉Congratulations! 🎉

Roughly 50 competitors from all three middle schools attended. This event was wholly planned and executed by AHS mathletes, the result of months of their meticulous planning and hard work.

🎉Congratulations 🎉 to the AHS Math Team for a successful tournament, and to the middle schoolers for their enthusiastic participation.

Top-scoring teams:

1st: Team "Fish" (8, Doherty Middle School): Kenneth Sun, Ryan Zhu, Merson Tang, and

Jackson Straub

2nd (tie): Team "Rad Radicals" (8, Wood Hill Middle School): Aiden Kang, James Qiu, Ryan Xu, and Elmer Yen

2nd (tie): Team "Subscribe to Atulgaming" (8, Wood Hill Middle School): Rohan Kota, John Azzi, Michael Azzi, and Aiden Chidambaram

Top-scoring individuals were:

1st (tie): Kenneth Sun (8, Doherty Middle School)

1st (tie): Ashley Zhu (8, West Middle School)

3rd: Lucas Wang (7, West Middle School)

AHS Math Team Coaches:

Ms. Allison Peters

Ms. Dorothy Power

Special thanks to AHS Instructional Assistant Ms. Sundari Balakrishnan for helping facilitate the tournament.

As we plan for your student’s transition from 6th to 7th grade, we want to provide some information about the Accelerated Math Pathway (AMP) offered at Andover Public Schools. This pathway is designed for students who demonstrate strong aptitude for mathematics and are ready for a more rigorous and fast-paced learning environment.

The AMP curriculum moves at an accelerated pace:

• In 7th grade AMP students will complete the 7th grade math standards and half of the 8th grade math standards.

• In 8th grade AMP, students will complete the remaining 8th grade standards and the Algebra 1 standards, which is typically a high school-level course.

Because of this accelerated pace, AMP requires students to:

• Stay focused and engaged in class, as new concepts are introduced quickly.

• Take responsibility for their learning, including reviewing new material independently, when needed.

• Demonstrate strong organizational and time management skills to keep up with assignments and assessments.

• Seek help when needed, whether through teacher support, peer collaboration, or additional resources.

Students are recommended to either Grade 7 Math or Grade 7 Accelerated Math Pathway (AMP) based on multiple factors including their performance in class, on formal and informal assessments, homework, attendance, and study skills.

Placement decisions are made carefully to ensure students are in the learning environment best suited for their learning needs. Recommendations of either Grade 7 Math or Grade 7 Accelerated Math Pathway (AMP) will be emailed to families by the end of May for your student. If you are unsure about the best choice for your student, please speak with your student about their math class and with their teacher about their performance.

If you have any questions please reach out to your student’s teacher and/or Shereen Rancourt, Executive Director of Secondary Instruction, at shereen.rancourt@andoverma.us.

Thank you for your partnership in your child’s education. We look forward to a great year ahead!

We can’t believe it is May here at Doherty. Time is really flying by working with this awesome community! Students worked very hard on their MCAS tests this week, in addition to their academic coursework. A week like this can be quite tiring! It was fun getting to walk around school to see the different fun and de-stressing activities teachers were doing with students after they finished testing. A personal favorite was seeing some 8th graders do some choreographed dancing before starting their core subjects! Our teachers are really amazing.

As you probably know, May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Dancing is a great way to take good care of your mental health, and there are many other ways to help your student feel good as they head into the final push of the 2024-2025 school year. Check out this article with some more fun ways to help your students take care of themselves!

The Andover SEPAC welcomes Lorraine Connell, a distinguished expert in teen leadership coaching and author, presenting Navigating Peer Relationships for Teens and Tweens: A Parent’s Guide.

Register to join

• Tuesday, May 13, 2025

• 7:00 PM 8:00 PM

Peer relationships play a vital role in the lives of teens and tweens, shaping their self-esteem, decision-making, and sense of belonging. This interactive session provides parents with practical tools and insights to support their children as they navigate the challenges of friendships, social pressures, and group dynamics.

Through engaging discussions and hands-on activities, we’ll explore:

• How to guide your child in building healthy, respectful relationships.

• Strategies for handling common peer-related challenges, like exclusion, conflict, and peer pressure.

• Prompts for opening meaningful, non-confrontational conversations with your child.

You’ll leave with resources, including scenarios and conversation starters, to foster trust and communication while empowering your child to handle their social world with confidence and resilience. Together, we’ll help your teen or tween thrive in peer relationships!

Lorraine Connell is a distinguished expert in teen leadership coaching, and author of A Teacher’s Story How One Act of Leadership Inspired Many and Your Voice Matters: Uncovering Your Unique Leadership A Leadership Workbook. She is the founder of Peers Not Fears, LLC. With over two decades of experience in education and leadership development, Lorraine specializes in cultivating leadership skills in our youth through intentional, research-based programs. She challenges the notion that leaders are born, emphasizing the power of practice, resilience, and deliberate growth.

Andona is seeking student volunteers for Clown Town 2025! On Saturday, May 17th, student volunteers in grades 6 and up are needed for shifts at all Clown Town booths including Face Painting, Kiddie Games/Sand Art, and the Food Tent.

Students can sign up at the following link:https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F49AAAB2FA1FAC07-55737990-clown#/ (this is also linked on the website: andona.org) or they can email the volunteer coordinators at volunteer@andona.org with any questions.

Students will receive certificates for community service hours.

Thank you for your support!

Beth Dunne and Jill DePamphilis

Student Volunteer Coordinators

volunteer@andona.org

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.

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