The Principal's Perspective

Hello Caregivers!

Monday, September 15th is an important day! It is the start of Hispanic Heritage Month. As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, a time to honor the rich cultures and incredible contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans, I'm reminded of a powerful statement that I heard today: "Just because you've had a few bad chapters that does not mean your story can't end well!" This is true for our students, and it's also true for us as adults, as parents, and as community members.

Many of our families, and even some of our staff members, particularly those from immigrant backgrounds, have faced immense challenges—leaving behind homes, cultures, and loved ones to begin a new chapter. The headlines today often tell a story of struggle, and it can be easy to feel defined by the "bad chapters" of hardship, uncertainty, or loss. Every news headline seems to focus on the negatives of the world. But there is hope, there is light, and there is power in oneness! The Latin X community and the true legacy of our Hispanic and Latino families is a story of resilience, strength, and hope. It’s a story about building a new life and contributing to the fabric of our community.

Just like a good book, our lives are filled with all kinds of chapters—some happy, some difficult, but all are a part of our unique narrative. For our students, a bad grade on a test, a disagreement with a friend, or a struggle in a class is not the final word. It's simply a chapter they are writing. We have to continue to remind our scholars of this message. A message of hope and resilience. Our role as professionals and as caregivers is to help them turn the page, learn from the experience, and continue writing a story of success and growth.

At Nichols Middle School, we believe that all are welcome here and all are a part of this rich story. We are a community built on respect and mutual inclusion. We recognize that every student and every family has a unique story, and we are committed to providing a safe and supportive environment for all of them so that the story can be great! Regardless of where your story began, we are here to help you write its next chapters. Let's remember the strength of our own stories and continue to write a hopeful, inclusive, and beautiful one together here at Nichols.

We celebrate and highlight our families who celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month! May this next chapter be as beautiful as your cultures, as bold as the sounds of your lineage, and as bright as the future of our scholars!

Your story continues in spite of it all!

The Spring Reading Challenge was so successful that we are bringing it back. Following is information for the Fall Challenge which runs Monday, September 15th - Friday, November 14th. There will be a new challenge for each trimester. A link to the Reading Challenge Log can be found here or paper copies are available in the Library or your child's ELA teacher. Please sign off in the provided space on the reading log as your child completes each category. One unique title per category! We appreciate your support of the challenge. More details follow below.

Are you up for the challenge?

Dive into epic stories, explore new worlds, and level up your reading game in our Nichols Fall Reading Challenge! Whether you're into fantasy, romance, mystery, or manga — there's something for everyone.

Challenge Dates:

Monday, Sept. 15th - Friday, Nov. 14th

How It Works:

1. Read books using the reading log prompts. One unique title per category!

2. Track your reading by writing down the title for each category and having an adult sign off when you finish.

3. Have your ELA Teacher sign off when you complete all 12 reading prompts and submit your completed log to Ms. Philippe.

4. Finish all 12 reading prompts by Friday, Nov. 14th to win the Fall Prize

Goals:

• Read 12 books by the end of the Fall challenge.
  
  

• Explore different genres, authors, or themes.
  
  

• Build a habit of daily reading.
  
  

Prizes & Rewards:

Participants who complete the challenge will receive a donut in their ELA class the week of Nov. 17th

Look for new challenges each trimester!

Kefira Philippe (she/her/hers)

Nichols Middle School Librarian

847-859-8000 x6605

https://sites.google.com/district65.net/nichols-middle-school-library

Ms. Philippe is currently reading Miss Quinces by Kat Fajardo

Caregivers- please make sure that you know your scholar's schedule as you will be following that schedule during curriculum night. It can be found on powerschool or you can also ask your scholar to write it out for you. We will start promptly at 5:00 p.m. 6th grade families will be in the auditorium, 7th grade families will be in the cafeteria, and 8th grade families will be in the library. Following the grade level overview- parents will travel to classrooms.

5:00-5:15 Grade level overview

5:20-5:27- Period 1

5:30-5:37-Period 2

5:40-5:47-Period3

5:50-5:57-Period 4

6:00-6:07-Period 5

6:10-6:17-Period 6

6:20-6:27-Period 7

6:30-6:37-Period 8

6:40-6:47-Period 9

6:50-6:57-Period 10

If you have not read the 6th grade news, please click here .

Math:

"This past week, we continued to work through our ratios and proportions unit. We are reaching the midpoint of the unit and students have taken, or will take, their first quiz in the coming days. This week, we will continue to work on ratios and proportions. Make sure you check out our one-stop-shop to make sure your child is keeping up with their classwork and homework!"

ELA:

"This past week, we tackled the newness of the STAR test. Despite some anxious feelings, our seventh graders rose to the challenge! The overall consensus was positive, and now that students know what to expect, the winter STAR should be even more successful.

In class, we also reviewed plot elements and what makes a strong summary. Next, we’ll turn our focus to the important skill of revision—because as we all know, writing is a process, and the first attempt is rarely the final draft."

AVID:

"This past week, we worked on creating our AVID posters. Students reviewed AVID vocabulary and reflected on their past experiences with homework, study habits, and tutorials from their 6th-grade AVID classes through Quick Writes and group discussions.

Friday, following our Character Strong lesson on Community, we invited Ms. French Lopez’s class to view and celebrate our posters. It was a meaningful way for students to build and share community authentically!"

Want to keep up on the daily Nichols News? Click here to see the running announcements.

Sept. 17- No school for Scholars

Sept. 18- Curriculum Night 5-7 p.m.

Sept. 23 No School Happy Rosh Hashanah!

Oct 2- No School Yom Kippur