Dear Nichols Families,
I hope this letter finds you enjoying a restful and joyful summer! While students and families are soaking up well-deserved break time, I want you to know that the team at Nichols is already hard at work preparing for an incredible 2025-2026 school year.
Here’s a glimpse into what’s happening behind the scenes this summer:
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Master Schedule Planning: We are actively building our master schedule to ensure a smooth start to the year. For students entering 7th grade who are not taking AVID, please note that foreign language requests were due earlier this summer. For any families who did not submit a request, students will be placed based on seat availability.
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Facilities Improvements: Our maintenance team is busy deep cleaning classrooms and making repairs where needed. We’re excited to share that our outdoor basketball court is scheduled to be re-striped, and our field has been newly sodded to encourage healthy grass growth in areas that were worn down.
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School Improvement Goals: The Nichols School Improvement Team is finalizing our school goals for 2025-2027. Families will receive an overview of these important goals during our upcoming Family Town Hall meetings.
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AVID Program Preparation: Our dedicated AVID team is preparing for the annual AVID conference, which will be held in Chicago this year. This professional learning experience will further equip our staff to implement AVID programming that supports student success.
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PTA Planning: Our fantastic PTA is already meeting to plan for the 2025-2026 school year. We are still looking for more members to join the best PTA in America! If you’re interested in getting involved, please email nicholsmiddlepta@gmail.com.
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Culture & Climate Planning: Our Culture and Climate Team is collaborating throughout the summer to develop new ways to strengthen our school climate and continue shifting our culture toward practices that support and uplift our mission and vision. At Nichols, it is our unwavering desire to live up to our creed:
“At Nichols, everyone deserves to feel a sense of belonging. We are a community built on mutual respect and inclusion. We stand firmly against the use of any words, phrases, or actions that demean or disrespect others. Together, we will continue to foster an environment where every individual is valued and supported.”
This belief is foundational to creating the brave spaces necessary for true learning to thrive.
Please also mark your calendars for these important upcoming dates:
✅ 6th Grade Family Town Hall — Thursday, August 7th, 6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.
✅ 7th Grade Family Town Hall — Tuesday, August 5th, 5:30–6:15 p.m.
✅ 8th Grade Family Town Hall — Tuesday, August 5th, 6:30–7:15 p.m.
(More information about these meetings will be shared soon!)
And don’t forget:
🎉 Annual Welcome Back to School Bash — Monday, August 18th, 5:00–7:00 p.m.
Look out for our official Welcome Back Letter coming your way on August 1st. It will include key information about the start of the school year and important procedures for a smooth return.
The Lions staff is genuinely excited for all that lies ahead in the 2025-2026 school year. Let’s make it our best yet — Let’s ROAR!
Enjoy the rest of your summer, and we look forward to seeing you soon!
Warmly,
Ms. Fishman
📋 Student Schedules Coming Soon
Student schedules will be available in PowerSchool on August 6th. Be sure to check them so your child can get familiar with their classes ahead of the first day.
🚸 First Day of School – Monday, August 25
We can’t wait to welcome students back! Doors open at 7:50 AM for all students, and we’ll be ready with smiles and support to kick off a strong start to the year. We will release the grade specific entrances in our Welcome Back to School Letter on August 1st.
📱 We are a Bell to Bell, No Cell school! Phones must be off and away during the entire school day to support focus, learning, and respectful engagement. Thanks for your partnership in helping us to ensure a distraction free school!
📘 Curriculum Night – Thursday, September 18 | 5:00–7:00 PM
Join us at Nichols to meet your child’s teachers, learn about grade-level goals, and see how we’re working together to ensure academic success and student well-being.
🗓️ Fall Parent-Teacher Conferences – Week of October 6
Looking ahead, fall conferences will take place during the week of October 6. We’ll share additional details as the date approaches.
Team Support Structure
Below is the grade-level support team structure for the 2025–26 school year:
6th Grade Team
Administrator: Ms. Erica Brunson (Assistant Principal)
Social Worker: Ms. Lau
School Counselor: Ms. Dortzbach
7th Grade Team
Administrator: Shared between Ms. Fishman (Abr-Eve) and Ms. Brunson (Len-Z)
Social Worker: Ms. Robinson
School Counselor: Ms. DiMari
8th Grade Team
Administrators: Ms. Fishman, Principal
Social Worker: Ms. Drache
School Counselor: Ms. Nelson
We’re excited to continue building strong connections with all of our Nichols students and families. If you have any questions or would like to connect with your child’s support team, please don’t hesitate to reach out beginning August 20th when staff returns. If you need to contact someone immediately please reach out to the grade level administrator.
Principal Fishman: fishmann@district65.net
AP Brunson: brunsone@district65.net
Be in touch!
Email: fishmann@district65.net
Admin Assistant: Ms. Wright wrighta2@district65.net
Website: https://nichols.district65.net/
Location: 800 Greenleaf, Evanston
Phone: 847-859-8650