The Principal's Perspective

Dear Caregivers-

Thank you for entering a new week with us as we head deeper into fall. Although the weather has been warmer than usual, we know change is coming, and thus we prepare. And just as the seasons change we can expect our students to have to adapt; as they are already navigating the many changes within themselves, this can be a challenge. How can we, then, help them along this journey? There are some simple ways that we can prepare them for the shorter, colder, and unpredictable days ahead.

4 Ways to Prepare for Winter:

Establish a Winter Routine: Predictability is key. Setting a regular bedtime and wake-up time, even on weekends, helps their bodies naturally adjust to less daylight and ensures they are well-rested and ready to learn.
Create Indoor Opportunities: As outdoor play diminishes, build family fun into your weekly routine. Try a game night, a family movie night, or a "build your own pizza" night that gets everyone cooking together.
Build a Cozy Reading Nook: This is a wonderful way to encourage relaxation and literacy. In a quiet corner, pile up some pillows and a blanket. Add some hot chocolate with whipped cream and encourage your scholar to curl up with a book (or listen to an audiobook while following along with the text).
Prioritize Healthy Eating: Give your child's immune system a boost! Encourage plenty of vitamin-rich and leafy green foods to help ward off the colds and viruses that often accompany the change in weather.

Routine and stability will be important now more than ever. There is so much happening in the world, in this country, and yes, even in our communities. Making home the safe place, the place where a child can escape from the noise, is so critical. Thank you for giving that space to your scholar(s)!

The lessons of friendship and working together are woven together wonderfully in this scene. While our middle schoolers may not engage so frequently with cartoons, this is still a lovely quick video to watch as a family, or also if you have younger children at home.

AVID Certification for Nichols

We are thrilled to share some incredible news: Our school has officially achieved AVID Certification! What does this mean?

It means that we practice:

Rigor and High Expectations: We are committed to putting students on a college-preparatory path by equipping them with the skills needed for the most challenging courses.
Essential Life Skills: Our teachers are trained to use the WICOR methods (Writing, Inquiry, Collaboration, Organization, and Reading) school-wide. These are the critical thinking, communication, and organizational skills necessary for success in college and any career.
College and Career Readiness: We are building a college-going culture where every student is encouraged to explore post-secondary options, understand the steps to get there, and develop the confidence to achieve their individual goals.

This certification is not just a badge; it is a statement about our instructional practices and school culture. Congratulations to all who have made this a possibility!

FYI, students who are currently approved for Free/Reduced lunch and have NOT completed a new application for this year were dropped from the program on Oct 14th. Their new status became "Paid" and student lunches are charged at full price (either $4.00 or $4.25 depending on grade level). If you were at risk of this expiration you were notified via email, and should have received an additional email and text message reminder. Please contact Nutrition Services office (nutritionservices@district65.net or 847-859-8130) with questions.

The safety of our students is our highest priority, and we need your cooperation to ensure a safe and efficient environment during arrival, during the school day, and during dismissal times.

This notice is a reminder that the staff parking lot is strictly reserved for the use of school personnel or D65 personnel (faculty and staff) only.

Why this is critical for safety:

Hazardous Conditions: The staff lot is not designed for high-volume parent traffic, drop-offs, or waiting. Its concentrated vehicle movement and limited visibility create a significant safety hazard for any students walking through the area or riding their bikes.
Emergency Access: Keeping the lot clear and managed ensures that staff members who require immediate access to the building for duty or emergencies can park quickly.
Operational Necessity: The lot is essential for our staff to manage their work day and fulfill their responsibilities.

Please DO NOT Use the Staff Parking Lot for Any of the Following:

Parking (even for a few minutes)
Dropping off students
Waiting for students to pick them up

Following the school's established lot procedures is the single most important way we can work together to keep every child safe around standing or moving vehicles. We appreciate your cooperation.

Please check out the first edition of The Lion Times here! The students always do such an amazing job at writing!

The fall program of Black SonRISE kicked off this past Saturday as the group welcomed the largest class ever.

The state of our nation and the world today demand that these future leaders prioritize their mental health.

That is the reason for our focus this fall. The Risers considered "the king that resides inside each of them". We defined our emotions after grounding ourselves with the following statement:

"I will listen with respect. I will speak my truth. I know that all of my feelings matter."

The Risers also learned about two giants in the field of mental health. Dr. Solomon Fuller was the first Black psychiatrist in the United States, and published the first comprehensive study of Alzheimer's disease after conducting research with Dr. Alois Alzheimer in Germany. Dr, Francis Sumner is considered the godfather of Black American psychologists and established the psychology department at Howard University.

Special thanks to our Face Liaison, Mr. Brownlee for this initiative! Please connect with him at brownleej@district65.net .