Doherty Family Update 12.8.2024

Values Challenge has started!

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 have selected Kindness for the month of December.

"New Day, New Lesson, Every Day Counts!" is a powerful mantra that highlights the importance of embracing each day as an opportunity for growth and learning. It encourages individuals to approach every morning with a fresh perspective, ready to absorb new knowledge and experiences. This mindset fosters resilience and adaptability, as it reminds us that every day presents unique challenges and lessons that contribute to our personal and professional development. By valuing each day, we cultivate a habit of mindfulness and gratitude, recognizing that every moment is a chance to learn something new and make meaningful progress towards our goals. This philosophy inspires a proactive approach to life, urging us to make the most of our time and to appreciate the continuous journey of learning and self-improvement.

See the attached letter from our school nurse about attendance.

• 🎶Tues, 12/10: Doherty Band, Orchestra, Chorus Concert @ West Middle School Auditorium 7PM

• Tuesday 12/2 thru Wednesday 12/18 - Student Council Food Drive

• Tues, 12/17-12/19: PAC Grab-a-Gift

• Friday 12/20 - Holiday Recess begins at 2:50
• Thursday 1/2 - School Reopens

The Doherty Student Council is excited to announce a food drive from Monday, December 2nd to Wednesday, December 18th! This is a friendly competition between homerooms to collect the most non-perishable food items.

You can bring cans, pasta, bottled water, protein bars, macaroni and cheese, or any other non-expired items you have. All donations will go to the Bread and Roses food bank in Lawrence to help families in need during the holiday season.

Don’t forget to check the office bulletin board to see how your homeroom is doing in the competition! Let’s work together to make a difference!

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!

All donations and requests are confidential.

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)

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.

Olivia Wright is a 10th grade student at Andover High school and attended Doherty. Olivia is part of a nonprofit organization called Project 351 and represents our town of Andover, along with other middle and high schoolers all around Massachusetts to help make a positive impact within our communities and around the commonwealth as a whole.

Olivia is planning on doing a toy drive just in time for the holiday season! Doherty will be the host site of the toy drive from Monday November 25th to December 9th. Bins are located in the Doherty front foyer and the toys collected from this drive will benefit DCF Wakefield! Olivia sends her gratitude.

For more information on Project 351

You can send in toys and place them in the bins in the front foyer or use this Amazon Wishlist:

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/BKGQKV5F5LX8?ref_=wl_share

Term 2 started on November 27th, marking this week as your student's first full week of the new term. It's a wonderful opportunity for students to reset, reflect, and set goals.

A study conducted by Dr. Gail Matthews, showed that when people write down their goals, they are 33 percent more successful in achieving them than those who formulated outcomes in their heads.

As you are checking in with your kiddo at home, perhaps you can try writing a goal together. A SMART goal is a good strategy for writing down a goal. This means the goal is specific, measurable, achievable, results-focused and time-bound.

For instance, a SMART goal for Term 2 could be:

• "By the end of Term 2, I will increase my Math grade to an 85 by seeking extra help once a week during flex and asking questions during class when I am confused."

Another example could be:

• "I will be on time to school every day this week by setting daily alarms and planning my morning routine."

Molly Creamer

School Counselor

Doherty Drama Club is pleased to announce that our spring musical will be… Newsies! Set in turn-of-the century New York City, Newsies is the rousing tale of Jack Kelly, a charismatic newsboy and leader of a band of teenaged "newsies." When titans of publishing raise distribution prices at the newsboys’ expense, Jack rallies newsies from across the city to strike against the unfair conditions and fight for what's right. This show has terrific musical numbers and featured parts for a multitude of actors.

Based on the 1992 motion picture and inspired by a true story, Newsies features a Tony Award-winning score by Alan Menken (Little Shop of Horrors, Sister Act) and Jack Feldman and a book by Tony Award winner Harvey Fierstein (Kinky Boots). Featuring the now classic songs “Carrying the Banner,” “Seize the Day,” and “Santa Fe,” Newsies is packed with non-stop thrills and a timeless message, perfect for the whole family and every audience. There will be three performances – April 4, 5, and 6 - mark your calendars!

Auditions will take place in early January. Rehearsals will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:00 – 6:00 and on Fridays from 3:00 - 5:00. (Please note the change in rehearsal times from last year’s schedule.)

Further details will available at the Doherty Drama Club webpage in the next few weeks:

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