.

Dear Spartan Families,

What an incredible time of year for Sparta! Winter sports are in full swing with games, matches, and meets showcasing the hard work and talent of our student-athletes. In addition, our performing arts programs have been shining brightly.

This week, we were treated to amazing performances, including the Orchestra concert and the festive dance recital, both of which highlighted the extraordinary talents of our students and staff. Unified Theatre also brought us joy with their performance of Jungle Book, which always warms our hearts.

We’re proud to share that three programs were honored at the D11 Board meeting on Wednesday:

• Marching Band for their outstanding state performance,
• Unified Bowling for earning state runner-up honors, and
• Our flag football coach Rodney Pierson for being recognized as a Denver Broncos Coach of the Week.

It’s a great time to be a Spartan!

This weekend, don’t miss the Annual Marching Band Craft Fair—a fantastic event that always draws a crowd. Be sure to arrive early! Additionally, our Marching Band and JROTC will proudly participate in the Parade of Lights in Downtown Colorado Springs.

Looking ahead to next week, we have a full slate of activities as we gear up for finals:

• Check the dates and times for upcoming performances and competitions.
• If you have students at Jenkins or Sabin, look out for Doherty’s presence at Passport to Jenkins and Highway to High School nights.
• Cram and Cocoa sessions on Wednesday and Thursday will give students a chance to prepare for exams in a supportive environment.

Speaking of exams, please review the final exam schedule and early release times below. Teachers will administer meaningful assessments, and attendance is required.

As always, we are here to support you and your student. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns.

Go Spartans!

Hillary Hienton

Volunteers are needed!

Please fill out the Community Volunteer Interest Form if you would like to help!

Tuesday 12/10/24

• Swim: Girls Varsity vs Fountain Fort Carson @ Fountain Fort Carson 4pm

Wednesday 12/11/24

• Wrestling: Girls Varsity vs Vista Ridge @ Vista Ridge 6pm
• Wrestling: Boys Varsity vs Vista Ridge @ Vista Ridge 7pm

Thursday 12/12/24

• Cheer: Varsity Championship vs CHSAA @ Denver Coliseum
• Basketball: Boys Varsity vs Rock Canyon @ Sparta 7pm

Friday 12/13/24

• Swim: Girls Varsity vs Cheyenne Mountain @ Cheyenne Mountain TBD

• Basketball: Boys Varsity vs Ralston Valley @ Ralston Valley 2pm
• Swim: Girls Varsity vs Cheyenne Mountain @ Cheyenne Mountain TBD
• Wrestling: Boys Varsity vs vs Lewis-Palmer @ Lewis-Palmer 8am
• Wrestling: Girls Varsity vs Eaglecrest @ Eaglecrest 8am

Tuesday 12/17/24

• Swim: Girls Varsity vs Rampart @ Sparta 4pm
• Wrestling: Boys Varsity vs LIberty @ Liberty 7pm

Thursday 12/19/24

• Swim: Girls Varsity vs Palmer @ Palmer 4pm

Friday 12/20/24

• Wrestling: Boys Varsity vs UNC Christmas Tournament @ Butler Hancock Sports Pavilion - Greeley TBD
• Wrestling: Girls Varsity vs UNC Christmas Tournament @ Butler Hancock Sports Pavilion - Greeley 8am

Saturday 12/21/24

• Wrestling: Boys Varsity vs UNC Christmas Tournament @ Butler Hancock Sports Pavilion - Greeley 8am
• Wrestling: Girls Varsity vs UNC Christmas Tournament @ Butler Hancock Sports Pavilion - Greeley 8am

Final Exams Grab & Go Lunch Plan

To accommodate the schedule change during Final Exams, we will provide a Grab & Go sack lunch for students. Lunches can be picked up in the Cafeteria at 12:00 PM.

We kindly request all students to exit the building by 12:15 PM, as buses will depart promptly at 12:30 PM.

Thank you for your cooperation and best of luck on your exams!

Doherty HS Final Exams Policy

The expectation is that all students will be in attendance for all finals as scheduled This schedule will be over a period of four days in December to allow for all 8 periods to hold final exams. Pre-arrangements for early finals or makeups must be requested in writing by the parent and approved by administration so that the approved documentation can be shared with teachers. We will address emergency absences on a case-by-case basis. The deadline for prearranged requests will be Friday, December 6, 2024.

THE DEADLINE TO ORDER YOUR GRADUATION ITEMS HAS BEEN EXTENDED UNTIL SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8th at MIDNIGHT!!!

If you have not yet ordered your graduation announcements/photo cards/senior apparel/senior keepsakes and most importantly (the one item you must have for graduation), your cap & gown, the deadline is quickly approaching! Visit www.jostens.com to place your order BEFORE SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8th at Midnight.

You can order online at www.jostens.com 24/7 and choose from 2 payment plans: pay in full or divide your purchase in either 3 monthly payments (for orders over $150). All senior orders are due by SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8th at Midnight to qualify for the group discount prices. Click HERE for details on your Custom School items.

After SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8th at Midnight, prices will increase, and several items will no longer be available, all orders will need to be paid in full at the time the order is placed, and your products will ship later than the rest of your classmates. ☹ If you are not sure if you ordered, please email joe.adducci@jostens.com with your student’s name and school and they will check for you.

Available Discount codes:

For Class Ring orders, use Code GIFTRING50 to save $50 on most rings. NOTE-you must order the ring separately from the graduation order to redeem the code. There is no deadline for your Senior Class Ring. You can order anytime during your senior year. Pricing will not change on these, but this discount code is only good until January 30th.

DON’T DELAY, THE DEADLINE IS SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7th at MIDNIGHT!! ORDER NOW, SAVE $$ AND CHECK ONE MORE THING OFF YOUR LIST OF THINGS TO DO BEFORE GRADUATION!!

PRODUCT DELIVERY SCHEDULE:

Senior apparel/tassels/key rings will be mailed to your home in just a few weeks.

Class Rings will be shipped home in 5-6 weeks.

Graduation Announcement/Paper Products orders will be delivered in February/March

Cap & Gowns will be delivered in the Spring, closer to graduation.

HELPFUL PRODUCT LINKS

2025 Graduation Catalog

2025 Class Ring Catalog

2025 Doherty ordering information

2525 Cap & Gown only

The deadline to submit late senior photos is extended to Dec 18th for a $20 late fee. No pictures will be accepted after Christmas Break

Please go to the Doherty High School Yearbook page to submit Senior photos.

8th Graders and Families!

Come explore all the amazing opportunities waiting for you at Doherty High School. Meet our teachers, tour the campus, and learn about our programs, clubs, athletics, and more!

Whether you're interested in academics, arts, or athletics, there is a place for YOU at Doherty!

The 2025-2026 FAFSA has opened. It is an expectation for all graduating seniors to complete the FAFSA.

Please use the following link to help:

https://studentaid.gov/articles/fafsa-for-parents/

Don’t stress if this is an overwhelming task. We will have an evening session available to help you. Date TBA

Once you have completed the FAFSA, your student will need to upload a picture of the completion page on Schoolinks.

A future plan for all students starts with D11 and SchooLinks. SchooLinks is the official college and career readiness platform for District 11 students. It helps students and their families create an individualized roadmap to serve each student's unique skills, interests, and goals for the future.

Tuesday 12/10/24

• Pre FAFSA/FSA ID Workshop @ 11am
• Pikes Peak State College Rep Visit @ 12pm

Wednesday 12/11/24

• Wilfong Scholarship Information Session @ 11:05am (lunch)

Thursday 12/12/24

• Coast Guard Representative @ 11:05am (lunch)
• Air Force ROTC Scholarship Presentation @ 1:15pm

Monday 12/09/24

• Spirit Day: PJ Day w/ Stuffed Animal

Tuesday 12/10/24

• Spirit Day: Anything but a Backpack (Guidelines must be followed!)
• Choir Concert @ 6:30pm Doherty Auditorium

Wednesday 12/11/24

• Spirit Day: Winter Wednesday
• Cram & Cocoa @ 3:30pm, Doherty Cafeteria

Thursday 12/12/24

• Spirit Day: Rudolph (red) vs Grinch (green)
• Cram & Cocoa @ 3:30pm, Doherty Cafeteria

Friday 12/13/24

• Spirit Day: Ugly Sweater Day
• Winter Sports Assembly @ 10:35am, Doherty Gym

Saturday 12/14/24

• JROTC Drill Competition @ 8:30am

Absences can be excused by calling the Doherty attendance office at 719-328-6414 .. You may leave a message. Attendance will be updated within 24 hours of your call.

A student’s absence needs to be excused within 48 hours from the start of the absence. Doherty High School holds the right to ask for documentation before excusal for an absence once a student becomes chronically absent. A student becomes chronically absent once they have missed 10% or more days of school.

Please ensure that your student arrives to class on time. School starts Mondays @ 9:25am, and Tuesday through Friday @ 7:35am. Many students are tardy to class after lunch. Please partner with us to help them arrive on time.

Students are responsible for their behavior while at school and throughout the school day. They are also responsible for their behavior on all district property, at all school sponsored events, and outside of school hours and off property. Disciplinary action can be instituted for all behavior that breaks guidelines in the Student Handbook, breaks District 11 Board policy, or affects the learning environment at Doherty High School.

Doherty High School is a cell phone free campus during school hours. Students are all issued one Yondr pouch that is utilized to hold their cell phone and wearable technology during school hours. This pouch is to be secured upon entering the building and can be unlocked when leaving the building. Pouches can be unlocked during free periods for 10th-12th graders who choose to leave campus for the period. If a student loses or damages the yondr pouch it will be replaced for a fee of $30.

When a cell phone or wearable technology is seen on campus during school hours, it will be locked in a safe in the Student Support and Engagement Office until the end of the day. Repeated offenses will result in the school holding the phone or wearable technology until it is picked up by a parent and possible disciplinary consequences.