Doherty Family Update 11.03.2024

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"Taylors" visiting classrooms, aka Ms. Perry and Ms. Thero.

See below for some of the amazing costumes and our amazing teachers and staff!

This month, Spanish students of Señora Monrreal, Señora Shields and Señora Bakshi studied Dia de Los Muertos, a celebration from México honoring loved ones who have passed. Through this project, students learned about the cultural significance of each element including: the monarch butterflies that symbolize the souls of the departed, the cempasúchil (marigolds) that guide them home and the colorful calaveras (skulls) that celebrate life alongside remembrance, reflecting the festive nature of this meaningful tradition. Creating this vibrant ofrenda was a culmination of their language and culture studies that can be enjoyed by the whole DMS community.

Key #1 - Players Achieve their goals by Staying In The Game. Students Achieve their goals by staying in school.

Key #2 - Players can't win games on their own; they need their teams. Students can't succeed on their own; they need their success teams.

Key #3 - When players make good decisions, they score points and win games. When students make good decisions, they get better grades and succeed in school.

Key #4: Players who work hard achieve high numbers in points, rebounds, and assists. Students who work hard achieve high scores in reading, writing, and math.

Key #5 - Successful players practice to perfect their basketball skills. Successful students get involved to perfect their personal development skills.

We were thrilled to have Merrimack Men's Basketball Team members visit our 7th grade this past week!

To learn more about the Stay In To Win Program click here.

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

The AMC 8 is a 25-question, 40-minute competition designed for students in grade 8 and below. The competition focuses on middle school mathematics topics, including counting and probability, estimation, proportional reasoning, elementary geometry (including the Pythagorean Theorem), spatial visualization, and interpreting graphs and tables. Some of the later questions may touch on beginning algebra topics, such as linear or quadratic functions and coordinate geometry. The competition is in January, 2025, please register by December 1st if your student would like to compete.

AMC 8 Sign Up Form

The AMC program is more than just a competition; it’s a national effort to strengthen the mathematical capabilities of our next generation of innovators. By challenging students with engaging problems, the AMC sets the stage for lifelong mathematical exploration, discovery, and achievement.

The next coffee will take place on Monday, November 4th at 9:15 AM, and the topic will be the transition to high school. We are excited to announce that our special guest for this coffee will be our Andover High School Principal, James D'Andrea. However, there will also be time for questions and open conversation. All are welcome to attend. Please RSVP here.

O’Connor Studios will be back on Wednesday, November 6th for students who were absent or for those who want their picture retaken. Please note: retakes are only offered to students who paid for a portrait package or who were absent during the first picture day. Students can use their original order form or pick up a new form from the front office. If they are having their pictures retaken, they need to return the original pictures to the photographer on retake day - no order form is necessary.

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

In partnership with PAC, holiday gift cards (Target, Market Basket, Shaw’s etc.) are being collected to distribute to families needing support this holiday season. If you would like to contribute, gift cards can be brought to the main office. Thank you!

If you would like to request a gift card for your family, please contact one of our school social workers, Colleen LeBeau (978-247-9420) before Wednesday, November 20th. All donations and requests are confidential.

At our second "Let's Talk" session on redistricting, we will introduce DillingerRAD to the community. DillingerRAD is the consultant who will be supporting the district to analyze data in the redistricting process. They will provide recommended redistricting options to the district for consideration and the School Committee for a review and vote.

At this forum, DillingerRAD will:

• Share results from the first community survey
• Review current baseline district data
• Facilitate in-person discussions about challenges with the current school zones
• Encourage further conversation to gather additional feedback from the community

Dillinger Research and Applied Data Inc (DillingerRAD) is a Connecticut-based woman and veteran-led 501(c)3 nonprofit. DillingerRAD partners with youth-centered organizations to leverage data and tools they currently use to help students and youth succeed.

We are pleased to introduce APS' "Let's Talk" series for the 2024-25 school year. These meetings are offered to all members of the Andover community as a way of creating time and space for conversations about timely topics in an informal setting.

Dr. Parvey, members of her team, and consultants (when needed) will share information and facilitate conversations on specific subjects that are of interest to our staff, families, and community. Upcoming topics for this year will include the FY26 Budget and a conversation with the community at the Robb Senior Center. We will share dates as the school year progresses and hope you are able to join us.

APS has partnered with Idioma Consulting & Education to continue offering FREE English classes for parents/guardians. See this link for details: https://secure.smore.com/n/d0gub-appel

APPELL - https://secure.smore.com/n/d0gub-appel

These are in-person classes held at CO in Conference Room A starting on November 12 from 9:30-11am. No sign up necessary.

ESOL Virtual classes - https://secure.smore.com/n/w52nra-esol

Classes meet virtually on Tuesday evenings from 6:30-7:30pm starting on November 6. Participants need to sign up to receive a Google Meeting link by November 1. Limit 25 participants.

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

📱If your student is absent please call our attendance line.

If you need to dismiss your student, please send them in with a note including the student name, date, time. The note should be given to the main office.