At Nichols Middle School we have 4 goals that we are working towards. Earlier in the school year we shared a draft of these goals with families. However, I want to reshare these goals so that you, as parents and caregivers, are clear about what drives our work at Nichols.

Goal 1: Increase proficiency to 80% of all students in all content areas to achieve a “meets” or higher on the Standards Based Grading continuum according to data from the Unit Benchmark Assessments. We plan on accomplishing this goal by building teacher capacity in our professional learning communities; effectively using our WIN time to target specific skills sets in small groups using various data sets to determine student needs.

Goal 2: Implement more inclusivity practices to increase “sense of belonging” and “sense of safety” amongst all stakeholders to improve our rating from weak to neutral on the 5 Essential survey and from 44% to 52% on Panorama. We plan on accomplishing this goal by implementing Character Strong, our SEL curriculum, reinforcing positive attributes and encouraging kind and compassionate acts through our Town Hall Meetings, and finally, through the implementation of relationship building techniques and strategies as taught to teachers through our NEERA partnership with Northwestern University.

Goal 3: Reduce the number of referrals by 15% from 643 referrals to 541 referrals including an 8% decrease in Black student referrals over the course of the 2024-2025 school year. We plan on accomplishing this goal by building staff capacity in the area of classroom management and de-escalation, utilizing restorative circles, and implementing the 4 Step Problem Solving Process during our MTSS meetings and using Branching Minds to develop student plans.

Goal 4: Increase the percentage of Black and Latinx students reaching proficiency or advanced levels on MAP testing by 5 percentage points from Fall to Spring. We plan on accomplishing this by using intervention and WIN time to target deficient skill sets. Additionally, this will be accomplished by using teacher to student relationship building techniques.

I wanted to circle back to these as everything we do has to connect to and support these goals; they keep us focused. To that end, you will see these reflected in our parent newsletter.

In our PLC's this week we will work on identifying student plan goals based on their data and determine the level of support that is needed in order to allow the student to work towards mastery of the identified growth skill . This will allow us to build our student plans within Branching Minds- which is the platform that houses student plans. These goals are critical to our MTSS cycles as teachers are required to progress monitor the students acceleration towards their goal, each week.

Character Strong lessons will take place this Wednesday during ELA. 6th graders will be covering the topic "From Bystander to Advocate" this week in Character Strong. The students will be exploring ways in which they can support those who are being discriminated against or bullied. 7th graders will be covering the topic "Developing Character Habits." The students will be exploring where do habits come from and how might they develop good habits versus habits that are not so good for them. 8th graders will be covering the topic "Connecting Values and Your Future." The students will be defining what a value is and how their personal values might connect to their future and their goals.

Teachers will be introduced to the 4 Step Problem Solving Process. During each discussion we will explore the individual needs of students based on quantitative and qualitative data, develop a goal for the student (which also includes actions for the teacher as well), and create a plan centered around that goal. This plan will be housed in Branching Minds.

Please speak with your children about positive play and proper lunchroom etiquette. During lunch some students try to use that time to throw small pieces of food at their "friend." This can become very dangerous especially if someone slips on food on the floor. Additionally we have students who like to sit on each other's laps. We separate them immediately and explain that it is the expectation that we keep our hands to ourselves at all times.Finally, students are trying to "de-pants" their classmates, take their shoes and hats as a game. We have explained that this is not a game and can become serious really quickly. Please remind your child that they must participate in safe activities.

Just recently we had 3 student-athletes qualify for the state cross country meet this Saturday at Illinois State University. We took 5th place at our sectional meet out of 17 teams, note we have the most difficult sectional in the state.

Dylan Wooller (8th Grade)

Dalston Wooller (8th Grade)

Penelope "Nelley" Patton (6th Grade)

WAY TO GO!

Last year, a few of Ms. Larsen's (then seventh grade) students participated in the recording of a super special episode of RadioLab's Terrestrials Podcast! The students were Ava Gass, Leo Patton, Samanaa Manur, Brooke VanHaelewyn, Miles Johnson, & Jack Henderson.

That episode is now live! The questions ALL of our Nichols students asked shaped the episode in a big way.

Thanks to these kids, who did a truly fabulous job. Great job to all of you who participated in one way or the other!

You can access the episode called: An Ocean in Space, using the link below!

https://www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/radiolab-kids

Sexual Health Overview Night:

• 6th-8th: Thursday, October 24 (6-7pm) on Zoom

Acceleration Overview Night:

• All District 65 families with students in kindergarten through 7th grade are invited to join us to learn more about opportunities for acceleration, and about the process for consideration of grade-skipping. Meeting dates are; 10/23 @ 6:00 pm on Zoom

Picture ReTake Day:

• October 23rd Periods 1-3

It is getting cold!

• Please put away your child's shorts and t-shirts and pull out their winter clothing. They will be less likely to underdress if they do not have access to their summer clothing. All children are required to go outside during recess, even if it is cold. We cannot allow them to sit in the cafeteria unsupervised- so they must go outside with their class.

  
  ESCCA helps D65 students have warm clothes for winter

  ESCCA, the Evanston School Children’s Clothing Association, is hard at work fulfilling its historic mission - to make sure no Evanston child misses school for lack of warm clothing or shoes.If you need winter clothing, please contact the school nurse Evan Castillo.

As you are aware, the district had to make the very difficult decision to send the 7th and 8th graders from Bessie Rhodes to their neighborhood schools in order to provide to them consistent and qualified educators. We will be welcoming some of their students to our classrooms. I am confident, that because Nichols is such as welcoming community, that these students will thrive.

October 26, 1:30PM

Kidical Mass is a hyperlocal family-friendly bike ride that is perfect for meeting neighbors, riding with kids as cargo, and for new two wheeled riders (training wheels not recommended). Bring the little ones and join us for a bike ride tailored for all ages and skill levels, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone. We'll cruise through Evanston's charming streets, creating lasting memories, and promoting a love for cycling among the next generation. Like the Tuesday evening adult rides, these family excursions are free of charge—just bring your helmets and let's roll! REGISTER HERE so that we know how many riders to expect on this date.

Event #1

In celebration of Halloween, bring your kids to Downtown Evanston on Saturday, October 26, 2-4PM for trick-or-treating at local businesses! Stroll around Downtown at your own pace, and stop in at participating businesses for candy and other Halloween goodies. Meet up at Fountain Square (the plaza north of Davis Street) to pick up your official Trick-or-Treat Stroll map and get started.
The trick-or-treating is free, and fun and creative costumes are encouraged!
EVENT IS FREE, BUT PLEASE REGISTER HERE!

Event # 2

Join us for our Hocus Pocus event on Saturday, October 26, from 4-6 p.m. here at First Pres! Kids are welcome to dress up but it’s optional! Enjoy hot dogs, apple cider, pumpkin decorating, and more fun activities. Don’t miss out on this magical afternoon; we can’t wait to celebrate with you!

The Evanston Ecology Center's annual Halloween event highlights the creatures that call Lovelace Park home on October 26 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Learn fun facts and amazing adaptations of animals that live right here in Evanston. You’ll meet these characters (costumed volunteers) outside as you travel around the park. After your adventure, we’ll send you on your way with a fun craft to do at home. Registration is required, register online.

Family Event with Calvin Terrell
ETHS families are invited to an extension of Wildkit Futures Day at 7:00pm on October 23, featuring Calvin Terrell. He is a speaker who inspires students and adults to develop our emotional wellbeing. He focuses on helping students grow academically, socially and emotionally. Additionally, he helps them plan for life after high school. Because Terrell’s work is so powerful, we encourage families to talk with their teens about the thoughts and emotions that they experienced that day or evening. More information about Calvin Terrell’s presentation will be emailed to ETHS families and can also be found on the ETHS website.