Dear Middle School Caregivers,
As we navigate the final trimester of the school year, a mix of emotions is natural. Excitement for summer break might be bubbling, alongside perhaps a touch of anxiety about upcoming unit assessments, transitions, and the unknown that lies ahead. It’s in this very space of uncertainty that we have a fantastic opportunity to teach our scholars a vital life skill: finding excitement in the "what ifs."
Often, uncertainty feels uncomfortable. It can trigger worry and a desire for everything to be predictable. However, it’s precisely when things aren't perfectly clear that we are pushed to grow, adapt, and discover strengths we never knew we had. Think of it like this: a smooth, predictable path rarely leads to innovation. It's the bumps in the road, the unexpected detours, that force us to recalibrate our course, to brainstorm creative solutions we would have otherwise never considered, and to seek support from those around us.
This final trimester, with its looming end-of-year projects, changing seasons, and the anticipation of what comes next, presents a perfect landscape for embracing this mindset. Let’s encourage our middle schoolers to view the unknown not as a threat, but as an adventure waiting to unfold.
Here's how we can help them find the excitement in uncertainty:
- Reframe Challenges: When your child expresses anxiety about an upcoming change or challenge, instead of immediately trying to fix it, ask open-ended questions. "What are some different ways you could approach this?" or "What could be a surprising positive outcome of this situation?" This helps them shift their focus from potential negative outcomes to exploring possibilities.
- Highlight Past Successes: Remind them of times they faced uncertainty before and how they successfully navigated it. Point out the skills they developed and the resilience they demonstrated. This builds confidence in their ability to handle future unknowns.
- Encourage Collaboration: Uncertainty often necessitates teamwork. Encourage your child to talk to their classmates, teachers, and even you about their concerns and ideas. Collaborative problem-solving not only leads to better solutions but also fosters a sense of shared experience and support.
The Anchoring Power of Routines:
Amidst the ebb and flow of uncertainty, routines provide a vital sense of stability and predictability. They act as anchors, offering comfort and structure, especially during times of change and transition.
Here’s how we can normalize and participate in building routines:
- Collaborative Creation: Involve your child in establishing daily and weekly routines. This gives them ownership and makes them more likely to stick to them. Discuss consistent times for after school activities, meals, bedtime, and downtime.
- Visual Reminders: Visual schedules or checklists can be incredibly helpful in reinforcing routines.
- Lead by Example: As parents, our own routines can serve as a powerful model. When children see us valuing structure and consistency, they are more likely to do the same.
- Flexibility within Structure: While routines provide stability, it's also important to build in some flexibility. Acknowledge that unexpected things happen, and teach your child how to adapt their routines when necessary without feeling completely derailed.
- Communicate and Adjust: Regularly check in with your child about how their routines are working. Be open to adjustments and modifications as their needs and the demands of the school year change.
Implementing Routines When Change is Imminent:
The beauty of routines is that they equip us to handle change more effectively. Even as we approach summer break and the inevitable shift in schedules, the routines established during the school year provide a foundation.
- Gradual Transitions: As the trimester winds down, discuss the upcoming changes in routine. Instead of abruptly ending all structure on the last day of school, consider a gradual easing into summer schedules.
- Maintaining Core Habits: Encourage your child to maintain some core habits, like a consistent sleep schedule (even if it shifts slightly later) and regular reading time, throughout the summer.
Caregivers, this final trimester is a valuable opportunity to empower our middle schoolers. By helping them find the excitement in uncertainty and by providing the grounding force of routines, we are equipping them with essential skills for navigating not just the end of this school year, but the many unknowns that life will inevitably present. Let’s work together to make this a period of growth, resilience, and perhaps even a little bit of thrilling discovery.
Way to Go Chess Club!!
On Saturday, April 6th Nichols hosted an Evanston Scholastic K-8 chess tournament. We had about 150 players representing 14 Evanston schools. Notable results included:
6th grader Michael Satut who won all 5 of his games to win 1st place in the Bishops section. 8th graders Noah Hargrove and Stephen Davis who won 4 out of 5 games to win 2nd in the Bishops section. Liam Webber (8th) who won 3rd in the Rooks/Queens/Kings section with 2 out of 4 wins and 8th graders Idan Mostovoy and Julian Guerrero who tied for 1st place in the Rooks/Queens/Kings section with 3 out of 4 wins!
Huge thank you to all the parent volunteers and custodian staff who helped set up, clean up, and run everything. Thank you to the ETHS students, (some Nichols Alumni) who volunteered to monitor games and run concessions. Also thank you to 8th grader Owen Grdinic for running the awards ceremony at the end of the tournament.
Our last tournament of the season is at Chute on April 26th!
LGBTQIA+ Info Session
Evanston Township High School is working to increase social consciousness through a variety of summits, events, and programs celebrating our student diversity. Our focus on students who may feel marginalized includes those in the LGBTQ+ community.
If you or a loved one are a new or current ETHS student who identifies as LGBTQ+, you and your family are invited to join us for the LGBTQ+ student information session.
This session is for you if you have questions about topics including but not limited to:
pronouns
locker rooms
who to go to for support
how you will be represented in the curriculum in healthy and affirming ways
LGBTQ+ Info Session
Learn how to navigate ETHS for an affirming school year.
Date: Wednesday, April 9, 2025
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Place: E112, Welcome Center
RSVP required: LGBTQ+ Info Session RSVP Form (due April 7)
Para responder en español, por favor llamen a la Oficina del Enlace latino al 847-424-7166.
Representatives
We will cover a wide range of information at this meeting. The following representatives will be available for Q&A:
ETHS faculty and staff
Student Services
ETHS Gender & Sexuality Alliance student club
ETHS students
Have questions?
Check out Support for Transgender and Gender Expansive Students on the ETHS website.
To develop a gender support plan, please begin with completing the Student Advocacy Form or contacting Maricarmen Cruz, Secretary to Associate Principal & Department Chair, at cruzm@eths202.org. For questions about the info session, contact Alicia Hart, New Student Transition Coordinator, at harta@eths202.org.
Sesión Informativa de LGBTQ+ en ETHS
La Escuela Preparatoria del Municipio de Evanston está trabajando para incrementar la conciencia social mediante una variedad de cumbres, eventos y programas que celebran nuestra diversidad estudiantil. Nuestro enfoque en los estudiantes que pueden sentirse marginados incluye a aquellos en la comunidad LGBTQ+.
Si usted o un ser querido es un nuevo o actual estudiante de ETHS que se identifica como LGBTQ+, usted y su familia están invitados a acompañarnos a la sesión estudiantil informativa LGBTQ+.
Esta sesión es para usted si tiene preguntas sobre temas que incluyen, entre otros a:
los pronombres
cuartos de casilleros
a quién ir para pedir apoyo
cómo va a ser representado en el plan de estudios de manera saludable y afirmativa
Sesion Informativa LGBTQ+
Aprenda cómo navegar en ETHS para un año escolar afirmativo.
Fecha: Miércoles 9 de abril de 2025
Hora: 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Lugar: E112, Centro de Bienvenida
Se requiere la confirmación de asistencia: Formulario de Confirmación de Asistencia a la Sesión Informativa LGBTQ+, LGBTQ+ Info Session RSVP Form (vence el 7 de abril).
Para responder en español, por favor llamen a la Oficina del Enlace latino al 847-424-7166.
Representantes
Cubriremos una amplia gama de información en esta reunión. Los siguientes representantes estarán disponibles para preguntas y respuestas:
el cuerpo docente de ETHS y el personal
Servicios Estudiantiles
Club Estudiantil Alianza de Género y Sexualidad
los estudiantes
¿Tiene preguntas?
Revise el documento Apoyo para Estudiantes Transgénero y Género Expansivo, Support for Transgender and Gender Expansive Students en la página electrónica de ETHS.
Para desarrollar un plan de apoyo de género, por favor comience llenando el Formulario de Defensoría del Estudiante Student Advocacy Form o comunicándose con Maricarmen Cruz, secretaria de la directora adjunta y jefa de departamento, a cruzm@eths202.org. Para formular preguntas sobre la sesión informativa, comuníquese con Alicia Hart, Coordinadora de Transición del Nuevo Estudiante a harta@eths202.org.
Illinois Science Assessment
In compliance with federal testing requirements, we will administer a science assessment to all students in grade 8. The assessment will be administered in an online format and is aligned to the Illinois Learning Standards for Science incorporating the Next Generation Science Standards(NGSS), which were adopted in 2014. This test will take place on Tuesday, April 8, 2025. There is nothing for students to study for. Please ensure that your scholar gets a good night's rest. We know that all scholars will do very well on the assessment!
