In District 65 we are committed to helping all students reach their full potential and to provide opportunities that accelerate learning. Accelerated learning is available to all students; educators accelerate learning through grade-level differentiation, enrichment, and small group instruction. D65 also offers the possibility of alternate placement - which may grade skipping, single subject skipping or early entrance into grades K or 1st. You can find more information about acceleration HERE.

The window to request an Alternate Placement for the 2024-2025 school year is closing on March 8th. Any requests made after March 8th will not be reviewed until the start of the 2024-2025 school year.

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En el Distrito 65 estamos comprometidos en ayudar a todos los estudiantes a que alcancen todo su potencial y en proporcionar oportunidades que aceleren el aprendizaje. La aceleración del aprendizaje está disponible para todos los estudiantes; los educadores aceleran el aprendizaje a través de la diferenciación a nivel del grado escolar, del enriquecimiento y de la enseñanza en grupos pequeños. El Distrito 65 también ofrece la posibilidad de la colocación alternativa - la cual puede incluir saltarse un grado escolar, saltarse una materia o entrar con anticipación a Kinder o a primer grado. Puede encontrar más información acerca de la aceleración AQUÍ.

El periodo para solicitar la colocación alternativa para el año escolar 2024-2025 se cerrará el 8 de marzo. Cualquier petición realizada después del 8 de marzo no será revisada sino hasta el inicio del año escolar 2024-2025.

The window for D65 staff and parents/caregivers to complete the 5Essentials Survey is now open! From now through March 29, 2024, staff and families are encouraged to complete the survey, which usually takes about 10 minutes to complete.

Data from the 5Essentials Survey provides our school leaders with valuable insights that are used to develop effective school improvement plans.

Fourth- through eighth-grade students are also encouraged to complete the survey and will be provided time in school to do so during the survey window.

Your identity and survey responses will be kept completely confidential and will never be connected to you. School reports will be available to the public in June and Illinois State Report Card in the fall.

Take the time to complete the 5Essentials Survey and help improve our school communities!

About the 5Essentials Survey

The survey gathers data related to five indicators that can predict important student outcomes, including improved attendance and larger test score gains. These five indicators that affect and predict school success are:

This data is valuable for school improvement planning and ongoing student support. Prior research in more than 400 schools has shown that schools that are strong on at least three of these “5Essential” indicators are 10 times more likely to improve student learning gains in math and reading than those that are weak on three or more Essentials. This research informed the development of our strategic plan and the survey data is used each year for school improvement planning across the District.

For more information about the Illinois 5Essentials Survey, or to view previous years’ reports, please visit https://5-essentials.org/illinois/5e/2023/.

All fourth through eighth grade students, staff members, and parents are encouraged to complete the 5Essentials Survey. Thank you in advance for your participation!

Click on this link to check out our new Nichols website: https://nichols.district65.net/

We will be having a Black History assembly on Tuesday, February 20. Each grade level will be able to a part of this incredible assembly celebrating black artists within different genres of music. It will be an exciting time. Your child will not want to miss this experience. Please make sure they are here!

Save this date to come to Nichols and enjoy family fun with us! Be on the lookout for volunteer sign-up for our fun evening. We had a fabulous time last year! We have future, current and former Nichols' Lions' families in attendance! We hope to see you there.

Location: The Field Museum

Date of Trip: Mr. Lawrence/Mr. Engelman’s students: Wednesday, Feb. 21st

Mr. Sommer/Mr. Cohen’s students: Thursday, Feb. 22nd.

Depart: 9:15 AM

Return: 1:40 PM

Cost: $5.00 - cash or check(payable to Nichols Middle School)

Additional donations would be greatly appreciated to ensure all students can attend!

Please sign this form and return it to Mr. Sommer or Mr. Lawrence. It can be sent electronically to sommerb@district65.net or lawrencet@district65.net