AVID's mission is to close the opportunity gap by preparing all students for college and career readiness and success in a global society.

💥 AVID Anecdotals will be emailed monthly to all Nichols AVID families. We hope to further clarify the AVID program and provide information to those who are new to AVID. 💥

6th Grade

Ms. Lopez - lopezv@district65.net

7th Grade

Ms. McDermott - mcdermottmeg@district65.net

8th Grade

Ms. Stone - stonec@district65.net

Students have been exploring "Focused Note Taking" and the five different steps involved. They had the opportunity to practice all 5 steps by doing an origami activity, where they had to take notes and then switch with classmates to figure out their notes. This hands on experience has been valuable in helping our students understand the importance of Focused Note-Taking and how it can support their current and future academic success

Students have been immersed in "Focused Note Taking", annotation and organization. In fact, all students throughout Nichols are patterning their organization after AVID strategies. Students are carrying binders to every class and teachers are regularly doing "binder checks" (see photo 1).

Students are practicing Phase 1 of "Focused Note Taking", which is simply...taking notes! They completed a graphic organizer to aid them in taking the notes. The organizer asked 4 questions to aid their thinking. (1) What I know about the topic, (2) What I want to know about the topic, (3) What I've learned about the topic and (4) how will I apply my learning?

Students completed this class assignment and had some time remaining for fun, group activities (see photo 2 & 3).

Students have been learning about creating google form surveys. As Progress Reports are coming out soon, students were encouraged to request feedback about their academics. Each student created their own personalized google form survey to share with their teachers. They will use this information to focus on what is needed in order to improve their grades.

6th Grade

Favorite thing about AVID: I enjoy that we get time to interact with our classmates and pick our seats for some activities

How has AVID helped you as a student: Keeps me in check

Would you Rather win an Olympic medal or an Academy award?: win an Olympic Medal, I like playing Basketball

Favorite thing about AVID: Writing

How has AVID helped you as a student: I am not sure yet.

Would you Rather win an Olympic medal or an Academy award?: win an Academy Award

Favorite thing about AVID:That we focus on our futures

How has AVID helped you as a student: Helps me take better notes

Would you Rather win an Olympic medal or an Academy award?: win an Academy Award

Favorite thing about AVID: It helps me stay on track

How has AVID helped you as a student: keeps me organized

Would you Rather win an Olympic medal or an Academy award?: win an olympic medal for lacrosse

7th Grade

⚽ What I like most about AVID is my teacher Ms. McDermott and my classmates, like Foster.

⚽ AVID has helped me be more organized.

⚽ I would rather win an Olympic medal in soccer than win an Academy award.

👭 What I like most about AVID is the field trips that we get to do because we get to hang out. I also have friends in my AVID class, which is nice.

👭 AVID has made me a better student because it gives me more time to finish work. Like yesterday, I had time to study for a quiz (in AVID) that I had today.

👭 I would rather win an Olympic medal than an Academy award.

🏀 What I like most about AVID is meeting new friends, the teacher, and the activities we do.

🏀 AVID has helped me learn how to take better notes.

🏀 I would rather win an Olympic medal (in basketball) than win an Academy award.

8th Grade

Favorite thing about AVID: being able to collaborate with peers and the overall community is really good.

How has AVID helped you as a student: note-taking in class, getting easier to take notes.

Would you Rather win an Olympic medal or an Academy award?: Olympic medal

Favorite thing about AVID: Getting my work done.

How has AVID helped you as a student: More organized than last year.

Would you Rather win an Olympic medal or an Academy award?: Olympic medal

Favorite thing about AVID: We get to be very organized and to learn about college and high school. Also what we're going to be when we're all grown up.

How has AVID helped you as a student: Helps me be more ogranized and catch up with my work.

Would you Rather win an Olympic medal or an Academy award?: Olympic medal

Favorite thing about AVID: Keeps me organized with the rest of my classes. Sometimes I am missing work in my other classes and I have time to do the work.

How has AVID helped you as a student: Do better in my other classes. Also helps my attention span.

Would you Rather win an Olympic medal or an Academy award?: Academy award.

Here are the ways you can support your AVID scholar at home:

📒Make sure that your child has their binder with them each evening.

📒Check their binder. Look to see if course folders are in order, are papers neat and in the correct class folder, and are notes organized? Discard old papers that are no longer needed.

📒Provide a space for your child to study and keep completed assignments at home.

📒Make sure their device is fully charged for the school day.

October is Bullying Prevention month

Bullying is defined as any unwanted aggressive behavior that involves an observed or perceived power imbalance and occurs repeatedly.

School Counselors foster opportunities for students to learn communication, problem solving and conflict resolution skills that help them achieve their goals and establish successful relationships.

Anti-bullying lessons already began school-wide in September and will continue throughout the school year.