Doherty Blast Oct 2, 2026
Key Dates
Friday, Oct. 2 — Between The Pages Author Visit
Wednesday, Oct. 7 — Parent Association Board Meeting, 8:30 a.m.
Thursday, Oct. 8 & Friday, Oct. 9 — No School. Fall Break
Monday, Oct. 12 — No School. Records Day
Tuesday, Oct. 13 — No School. Faculty Professional Development Day. LEAD Together Event: “Neuromyths: False Ideas About the Brain and Learning,” 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 14 — Doherty PA Meeting, 8:30 a.m. Board of Trustees Meeting, 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 15 — Picture Retake Day for Pre-k-Grade 5 and Picture Day for PK2
Saturday, Oct. 24 — Doherty Lotspeich Combined Trunk or Treat, 4-6 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 30 — Halloween Parade, 8:40 a.m.
Photos of the Week
Doherty kindergartners build a fort out of sticks and logs during their trip to the Cincinnati Nature Center.
Listen to The Blast
Click the play button below to listen to this week’s Doherty Blast, read by an automated reader. Please note that the Key Dates section is not included in this audio.
What to Know Now
Announcement Labels:
ES – Pre-kindergarten families
LS – Kindergarten through fifth-grade families
ES/LS – Pre-kindergarten through fifth-grade families
LS: “Between the Pages” Author Visit — TODAY, Oct. 2
We are excited to welcome multi-award-winning author Andrea L. Rogers to the Lotspeich Library on Oct. 2! Fifth grade students from Doherty and Lotspeich will have the opportunity to meet Ms. Rogers and discuss her work, including her short story from “Ancestor Approved,” which students read in preparation for her visit. We look forward to sharing this special experience with our students! Please email Middle and Upper School librarian Megan Whitt with any questions!
ES/LS: Upcoming LEAD Together Event: “Neuromyths: False Ideas About the Brain and Learning” — Tuesday, Oct. 13
Our next LEAD Together event takes place on Tuesday, Oct. 13, starting at 5:30 p.m. in the Young Family Library. Come hear from Tracey Tokuhama-Espinosa, Ph.D., a leading voice in mind, brain, and education, about “Neuromyths: False Ideas About the Brain and Learning.” Tracey will be working with our teachers throughout the school day, and this evening event is an opportunity for parents and caregivers to learn from her as well. Parents and caregivers of children of all ages — from pre-kindergarten through grade 12 — are welcome. Sign up for the event to let us know you’re coming. Need childcare? No problem! Sign up by Oct. 6 to secure childcare.
ES/LS: Picture Retake Day for Pre-k-Grade 5 and Picture Day for PK2 — Thursday, Oct. 15
Picture Retake Day
We expect to send school picture packets home before Fall Break. Retakes are available for students who were absent on the original picture day or whose photos were affected by a photographer error, such as glare or an out-of-focus image. If you simply prefer to have your child’s photo retaken because you are not satisfied with the original, you may do so; however, please note that there will be a charge for the new photo package.
If your child is having a retake, please send their original picture packet back to school with them on Thursday, Oct. 15.
Picture Day for PK2
For our pre-kindergarten for 2-year-olds, Thursday, Oct. 15, is picture day, so we hope everyone comes ready with their biggest, brightest smile!
Once you receive your child’s photos, if you decide you’d like a retake, you will need to contact the photographer directly to arrange a session at her studio. Her contact information will be included in the photo packet. There will not be another retake day at school.
We can’t wait to capture some sweet smiles and special memories of your little ones!
Parent Association News
ES/LS: Fall Garden Meetup — Tuesday, Oct. 6, at 8:30 a.m.
Interested in helping refresh the school garden? Meet in the garden (between the gym and Faran Hall) after drop-off to weed, plant, and prune the garden. If you’re interested in joining or want more information, contact Lauren Burns.
ES/LS: Mark Your Calendars: Our Next Doherty Parent Association Gathering — Wednesday, Oct. 14, at 8:30 a.m.
Our first gathering brought such great energy and honest conversation, and we’re excited to keep that momentum going! No long lectures or formal reports — we’ll be keeping the same small-group setup as last time. We’ll grab coffee, check in on how our upcoming plans are coming together, bounce ideas off of each other, and figure out how to support our event leads without anyone feeling overwhelmed.
Whether you were at our first meeting or couldn’t make it, there’s always a seat at the table for you! Come connect, share your perspective, and help us shape what’s next for our community. The meeting will take place in Jones Hall upstairs in Room 12.
ES/LS: Stinger Strolls Walking Group — Friday, Oct. 16, at 8:30 a.m.
Real community happens in simple, everyday moments. Come walk with us around East Walnut Hills to clear your head, make new friends, and share conversation as we kick off the morning.
- Meeting Spot: In front of Jones Hall
- Future Dates: Oct. 28, Nov. 6, Nov. 18, Dec. 2, and Dec. 11
- Questions? Text or call Shireen Desai (pre-k and kindergarten mom) at 513.560.2248.
ES/LS: Trunk or Treat — Saturday, Oct. 24, on the Doherty Campus
Trunk or Treat is all about opening up our space and having fun together as a big community! Families decorate their trunks and hand out treats in the parking lot to give our kids a safe, fun spot to trick-or-treat with their classmates. See the Trunk or Treat flyer for more information.
Know Before You Go
- Costumes are encouraged but totally optional. Prizes will be awarded for costumes and trunks. Please follow school rules regarding scary costumes and weapons.
- You do not have to decorate a trunk or dress in costume to attend. All Doherty and Lotspeich families are invited.
- Not into decorating your trunk? No problem! Please park in the carpool lanes of Doherty or on Keys Crescent.
- What’s for dinner? LaRosa’s pizza will be available for $1 per slice.
Decorating a Trunk? Please Read Below
- Parking spots are limited! Sign up to decorate your trunk today.
- If you’re planning to participate, please make note of one very important detail: all trunks must be parked and in place by 3:45 p.m. — no exceptions. This is a firm deadline for the safety of our kids and families. We are unable to allow vehicles into the lot after that time. If there’s any chance you can’t make the 3:45 p.m. cutoff, we kindly ask that you hold off on signing up to decorate this year. We want the event to be safe and fun for everyone. Thank you for understanding!
- Passing out nut-free candy as well as non-candy treats is encouraged.
Day-of Hosting Team
An event like this comes together when we build it together! We’re looking for a few hands to help set up the parking lot and welcome families on the day of the event. If you’d like to jump in and help host, email Lauren Bonaminio and Emily Emeneker.
ES/LS: With Sincere Gratitude!
We extend a huge, heartfelt thank you to Sarah Bibler and Barbara Garcia for coordinating such a wonderful conference dinner for our Doherty educators! Thank you to Justine De Monteiro and Courtney Codina for baking such lovely desserts. Thank you to Hannah Feist for your help returning order to the space. Bringing an event together like this takes incredible time, thoughtfulness, and dedication — and our teachers are so deserving of it. We are deeply appreciative of Sarah and Barbara and the teacher appreciation team for stepping in to ensure our faculty felt truly valued.
ES/LS: Want to Jump In & Get Involved?
We believe every family brings something special to Doherty. Building a great community isn’t about filling volunteer checklists — it’s about bringing your unique ideas, talents, and energy to the mix.
If you have an idea to share, a skill you’d love to offer, or just want to help out with an upcoming gathering, please reach out directly to Natalie Martin or Stephanie Helmer, or drop a note in our Community Connection form. We look forward to hearing from you!
Announcements
ES/LS: Halloween Parade — Friday, Oct. 30, at 8:40 a.m.
Join us for our Halloween parade at 8:40 a.m. in the driveway. Come cheer on our pre-kindergarten for 2-year-olds through fifth grade students as they show off their costumes and celebrate Halloween together!
While we understand that most families celebrate Halloween, we do want to acknowledge and respect the fact that other families do not celebrate. If you are a family that does not want your child to participate in the costume parade, please email Tracy Murch, and we will be happy to provide an alternative fall activity for your child.
A Note About Costumes
We ask that students avoid bringing props or costume pieces that we would not permit as play equipment in school (guns, swords, arrows, etc.). When choosing a costume, please also keep in mind that children will need to navigate steps and move along a parade route. We have found that large box costumes or very bulky outfits can make this particularly difficult.
Lastly, please do not send makeup to school or have your child wear makeup, as it may become itchy or distracting throughout the day.
ES/LS: After The Bell (ATB)
ATB Drop-in
We are currently at capacity for ATB drop-in for:
- Pre-kindergarten for 2-year-olds
Stinger Staycation (Formerly Known as Holiday Care)
Doherty and Lotspeich students will join together at Lotspeich for Stinger Staycation.
- Waitlist: Oct. 12 & 13
View all 2026-27 Stinger Staycation dates.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Jill Romerill.