The Principal's Perspective

Dear Caregivers-

I recently had the opportunity to participate in a seminar, "Know Your Rights, A Virtual Seminar for Educational Leaders." As I listened to the trainer speak, I along with Directors, Principals, Superintendents, and advocates from many different districts, realized that despite our diverse roles, we were all united by one very simple, yet incredibly important driver: the well-being and safety of our children and our families. Even though there were many different districts, with many different types of populations, we are all faced with similar issues while having to understand the safety challenges set before us in this immediate moment.

The seminar triggered a reflection on the challenging times we are all navigating. I want to share a recent, deeply personal moment, that I believe, reflects the anxiety that many of our children and/ or families might be experiencing. While I was recently downtown in Chicago, two individuals with their faces covered approached me. In that split second, my mind and heart raced with fear. I immediately thought, "How do I prove I belong here? How will anyone know where I am?" They walked past, and I breathed a profound sigh of relief, but the fear was real enough for me to forgo my shopping and to head home. This moment reminded me, with absolute clarity, of the anxieties and fears many in our community carry daily.

We are so incredibly fortunate to be part of the Nichols Community—a truly welcoming, kind, and loving school. I sincerely believe that we are a beautiful painting, a brilliant blend of different backgrounds and beliefs, and in these differences, we find our greatest strength- humanity! We are the oil painting, the chalk drawing, the molded pottery, the code that builds the virtual picture, and the hands that build! We are one community, united in our purpose to nurture the excellence of every single scholar.

Please know this: Nichols will always be a safe, brave, and sacred space for all children and families.

Your scholar's physical and emotional safety is, and always will be, our number one priority. I urge you to reach out to us, without hesitation, whenever a concern about safety, well-being, or mental health arises.

No matter what is happening in the world around us, please remember this truth: Everyone who is a part of the Nichols Community is FAMILY. We need each and every one of you along the way, pressing forward as students reach their highest heights!

With deepest care and unwavering commitment-

Ms. Fishman

Thank you for wonderful conferences this past week. I very much appreciated your flexibility as we navigated several technical issues as the district transitioned from zoom to google meets. If you did not get a chance to meet with your scholar's teachers please email them. Thank you again for your partnership!

Now until December we are having a "Wipes, Tissues, and Paper Towel" drive! Whenever you are shopping at your local Sam's club, Trader Joe's, Jewel, Whole Food, Dollar Tree, or Wal Mart, please consider us in your purchase of household supplies. Any donation is greatly appreciated. Please include the teacher's name on the items that you choose to donate. Thank you!

Are you looking for something fun for your scholar to do outside of school. Something where they can learn and grow from different opportunities? Families of middle school students who are on free and reduced lunch are eligible to access $500 EACH to be used towards registration for approved enrichment programs in the Evanston community. Quality programs such as Camp Kuumba, FAAM, YOU, MetaMedia, and Black SonRISE! Here are instructions as to how to apply. I have attached instructions on how to log in accounts to assist families and also attached this video recording, in the second half there is a tutorial showing you how to log in. ELEADP is housed in DIGITAL BACKBACK.

Late Friday afternoon, I was notified of dangerous and unacceptable activities involving a group of unidentified children on their way home from school at Chicago and Greenleaf. These activities included:

• Running in and out of active vehicle traffic on major roadways.

• Throwing rocks or other items at moving cars.

• Entering a local business (Jewel) and engaging in disruptive behavior, including loitering and acting disrespectfully toward staff, with no intention of making purchases, and even stealing.

These actions pose an extreme risk of serious injury to the children involved and endanger the safety of the public. Due to the severity of these incidents, the callers from Jewel were told to notify the Evanston Police Department (EPD). At this time, we cannot confirm if the children involved are Nichols scholars. However, because the activities occurred directly following school dismissal, we are treating this as an urgent community matter.

The safety of our children is a partnership. We need your immediate assistance to ensure that every student understands the gravity of safe conduct.

We strongly and urgently request that you have a direct conversation with your scholar(s) this evening about safe behavior, particularly when traveling to and from school. Please reinforce the following non-negotiable expectations:

1. Strict Adherence to Traffic Safety: Always use crosswalks, obey traffic signals, and stay on sidewalks. Never run into the street.

2. Respect for Property and Community: Throwing objects at vehicles, buildings, or homes is illegal and extremely dangerous. Our scholars must show respect for all community members and local businesses.

3. Appropriate Public Behavior: Disruptive or disrespectful conduct in stores or public spaces is unacceptable and reflects poorly on our entire community.

We recognize that drop-off routines are challenging, but we need every caregiver to be mindful of our building's supervision schedule.

Please be aware of building times. There is absolutely no supervision available for students dropped off before their official entry time. Staff members are not permitted to allow unsupervised students into the building.

• Students eating school breakfast may enter the cafeteria at 7:30 AM.

• Students in early morning orchestra/band may enter at 7:15 or as advised by the instructor.

• Students in morning mentors will schedule their entrance time with their tutor.

• All other students may not enter the building until 7:50 AM.

Students who arrive early may not wait unsupervised in the office or library unless they are engaging in a specific, staff-supervised early morning activity. Dropping students off early creates an untenable safety risk as they are left outside and unsupervised. Please adjust your schedule to match our entry times when needed.

We have enjoyed the treat of warm weather in October, but that is quickly changing as we all know midwest weather can get dramatically colder in the course of 24 hrs. As many of our scholars walk to school, and because we go outside for recess every single day, proper attire is essential for their health and comfort.

Please be mindful that scholars will be outside unless the weather meets one of the following criteria:

• The temperature (including wind chill) is 19 degrees Fahrenheit or below.

• There are hazardous conditions such as heavy rain, lightning, or ice.

It is critical that your scholar comes to school bundled appropriately for cold, wet, or windy conditions, including warm coats, hats, gloves, scarves, and appropriate shoes/boots. By reinforcing these safety, schedule, and attire expectations at home, we ensure a safer, smoother, and more focused learning environment for everyone. If your child is in need of a winter coat, please let the office know so that we can support you in getting your scholar a coat. Please also take notice of our E-Learning Day Newsletter that went out in June.

Campus tours are offered on select Saturday mornings during the school year (September through April) from 10:00am – 12:00pm. Advance registration is required, and space is limited.

Registration opens approximately one month before each tour date. If your preferred date isn’t available, please check back soon.

Here is the registration link!