Dear Parents and Guardians,

I hope this letter finds you well and that you had a wonderful Presidents Day weekend with your families. As we return to school, I wanted to take a moment to welcome everyone back and provide some important updates and reminders.

During this time of the year, we are entering a critical phase of our academic calendar, with important assessments, projects, and activities planned. As such, it's essential for students to return to school with a renewed focus and determination to excel in their studies.

Let's work together to make the remainder of the school year successful and rewarding for our students.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership.

Please let your child’s science teacher know in writing before the lessons begin on March 6th, 2024 if you would like to opt your child out. The lessons in science will take place between March 7 - March 22, 2024.

The window for D65 staff and parents/caregivers to complete the 5Essentials Survey is now open! From now through March 29, 2024, staff and families are encouraged to complete the survey, which usually takes about 10 minutes to complete.

Data from the 5Essentials Survey provides our school leaders with valuable insights that are used to develop effective school improvement plans.

Fourth- through eighth-grade students are also encouraged to complete the survey and will be provided time in school to do so during the survey window.

Your identity and survey responses will be kept completely confidential and will never be connected to you. School reports will be available to the public in June and Illinois State Report Card in the fall.

Take the time to complete the 5Essentials Survey and help improve our school communities!

About the 5Essentials Survey

The survey gathers data related to five indicators that can predict important student outcomes, including improved attendance and larger test score gains. These five indicators that affect and predict school success are:

This data is valuable for school improvement planning and ongoing student support. Prior research in more than 400 schools has shown that schools that are strong on at least three of these “5Essential” indicators are 10 times more likely to improve student learning gains in math and reading than those that are weak on three or more Essentials. This research informed the development of our strategic plan and the survey data is used each year for school improvement planning across the District.

For more information about the Illinois 5Essentials Survey, or to view previous years’ reports, please visit https://5-essentials.org/illinois/5e/2023/.

All fourth through eighth grade students, staff members, and parents are encouraged to complete the 5Essentials Survey. Thank you in advance for your participation!

Friday, February 23, 2024

3:15 - 4:15 PM

Save this date to come to Nichols and enjoy family fun with us! We had a fabulous time last year! We have future, current and former Nichols' Lions' families in attendance! We hope to see you there. Here is the Google Form to sign up as a volunteer: https://forms.gle/LMUokHF7X2DmLaf48

Location: The Field Museum

Date of Trip: Mr. Lawrence/Mr. Engelman’s students: Wednesday, Feb. 21st

Mr. Sommer/Mr. Cohen’s students: Thursday, Feb. 22nd.

Depart: 9:15 AM

Return: 1:40 PM

Cost: $5.00 - cash or check(payable to Nichols Middle School)

Additional donations would be greatly appreciated to ensure all students can attend!

Please sign this form and return it to Mr. Sommer or Mr. Lawrence. It can be sent electronically to sommerb@district65.net or lawrencet@district65.net