Nichols News
An Eighth Grade Exchange Edition #21
Greetings 8th Grade Families!
Can you believe the home stretch of this amazing school year is in reach? The energy in our hallways is electric (on all sides of the coin) as our students eagerly anticipate all the special events coming their way!
With Mother's Day today, I want to take a moment to celebrate not just the biological mothers, but all those who embrace the spirit of mothering – the aunts, grandparents, guardians, and caregivers who nurture and guide our students. Whether you're caring for children, pets, or simply spreading love and support in our community, we honor your dedication and the countless ways you make a difference in young lives. Thank you and we celebrate YOU!!!!
The countdown has officially begun!
- 8 days until the Boat Dance
- 12 days until our Annual 8th Grade Picnic
- 14 days until the final day for our 8th graders
- 17 days until GRADUATION!
It's hard to believe how quickly this year has flown by. Our students have grown so much, and we're incredibly proud of each and every one of them. As we enter these final weeks together, let's make every moment count and create memories that will last a lifetime.
As we approach these exciting milestones, we kindly ask for your partnership in helping our scholars maintain their focus and momentum through the finish line. Please continue having regular conversations with your students about staying engaged academically and maintaining appropriate behavior. With so many wonderful events ahead, we want to ensure everyone can fully participate and celebrate together. Your support in encouraging punctuality, preparedness, and positive choices during these final weeks makes all the difference!
Best,
Ms. Ernvall
📚 Graduation Bound 📚
Attached below is the link for the Graduation Live Stream on June 4th!
🎫 Needing More Than 6 Graduation Tickets...? 🎫
🚨 Permission Slips 🚨
Attention parents of soon-to-be graduates! Please make sure students return their permission slip (front and back) for the picnic and boat by FRIDAY (5/16)!
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🚨 End of the Year Tech Updates! 🚨
Google Takeout for 8th Graders
- Students can preserve their digital work using Google Takeout (bit.ly/d65googletakeout)
- Tech Collections: Students will return devices on May 27th, no exceptions!
- Important deadline: 8th graders lose access to Google Drive on June 5, 2025
🎊 Meet Children’s Book Author Pam Muñoz Ryan 🎊
At The Book Stall
On Monday, May 12th at 4:30 PM, The Book Stall (811 Elm Street in Winnetka) is thrilled to host award-winning author Pam Muñoz Ryan as we celebrate the release of her new novel for young people, El Niño, an enthralling aquatic adventure from the beloved, New York Times bestselling author of Esperanza Rising and Echo. In a starred review, The School Library Journal says, “With poetic and evocative prose, the book captures the ache of loss and the hope that lingers even in the most unpredictable currents. . . More than a novel, this is a journey into the heart of a boy searching for answers and a lost piece of himself, and a story that will linger with readers."
Aimed at readers ages 8 and up, this event is free with registration. To register, please CLICK HERE.
More About the Book: Sometimes the only way to hold onto what we love is to let go. Kai Sosa is so passionate about swimming he is practically a fish. This summer, he's determined to become the athlete he once was on an elite invitational team. But something invisible holds him back. His race times are off. Dreams of his sister Cali haunt him. And he hasn't found her missing gold cuff, her last request. Mom is still talking about grief, even though it's been two years.
When Kai discovers a library book Cali had checked out multiple times-about an underwater realm and a mysterious place called the Library of Despair and Sorrow, details from the story begin to appear in his own life: dolphin pods, imposing rock towers, unusual sea creatures, and even Cali's beloved bracelet. As myth and reality collide, El Niño unleashes its fury, and Kai is swept up in a storm of events that will change his understanding of love, death, grief, and how best to honor those we've lost.
* Nichols Spirit Wear *
🎭 We are Off to Meet the Wizard! 🎭
Find your next adventure with Digital Backpack 65
We are excited to announce the launch of a new and improved Digital Backpack 65! On this platform, families can find all of Evanston’s programming in one place, including after-school programs and summer camps.
How Digital Backpack 65 Can Help You
Find programs near you – Digital Backpack 65’s explore page allows you to filter opportunities based on your school and ward, making it easier than ever to find programming in your own backyard.
Explore programs that match interests – With Digital Backpack 65, you can search for programs based on a number of themes, such as “Sports & Wellness” or “Community Engagement & Action.”
Learn about new programs – The team at Digital Backpack 65 is actively working to find new programming in Evanston so that you don’t have to! On the platform, you can find new programs and those that you may be familiar with all in the same place.
Digital Backpack 65 is a collaboration between District 65 and Northwestern University’s Office of Community Education Partnerships.
Encuentra tu siguiente aventura con la ‘Mochila electrónica 65’
¡Nos emociona anunciar el lanzamiento de una nueva y mejorada versión de la ’Mochila electrónica 65’. En esta plataforma, las familias pueden encontrar toda la programación de Evanston en un mismo lugar, incluyendo programas después de clases y campamentos de verano.
Cómo puede ayudarlo la Mochila electrónica 65
Encuentre programas cerca de usted - La página exploradora ‘Mochila electrónica’ le permite filtrar oportunidades tomando en cuenta su escuela y el distrito en donde vive haciendo más fácil que nunca encontrar programas lo más cercanos a usted.
Explore programas que se ajusten a sus intereses- Con la ‘Mochila digital 65’ usted puede buscar programas tomando en cuenta varios temas, tales como: “deportes y bienestar” o “participación y acción comunitaria”
Aprenda acerca de nuevos programas - El equipo de la ‘Mochila electrónica 65’ está trabajando activamente para encontrar nuevos programas en Evanston para que usted no tenga que hacerlo! En la plataforma, usted puede encontrar nuevos programas incluyendo aquellos que tal ves le son familiares, todo en el mismo lugar.
La ‘ Mochila digital 65’ es una colaboración entre el Distrito 65 y la oficina de colaboraciones educativas para la comunidad de la Universidad Northwestern.
Student artwork on display: Mark your calendars for YEA!
The annual YEA! (Young Evanston Artists) Festival is quickly approaching! From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 17, Raymond Park will be full of student art from nearly every school in D65, hands-on art-making opportunities, live music performances, and food trucks. All are welcome!
All K-8 students in D65 participate in visual arts, music, and drama classes; depending on the grade/school, students also participate in media arts, instrumental music, and dance.
BUTTON: View this year’s YEA! exhibition map
Piezas de arte en exhibición: Aparten la fecha en sus calendarios para YEA!
¡El Festival anual YEA! (Artistas Jóvenes de Evanston) se acerca rápidamente! El 17 de mayo de 10 a.m. a 3 p.m., el parque Raymond estará lleno con las piezas de arte de los estudiantes de casi todas las escuelas del D65, oportunidades para hacer piezas de arte, música en vivo y camiones con comida. ¡Todos son bienvenidos!
Todos los estudiantes desde kinder hasta 8vo grado en el D65 participarán en clases de artes visuales, música y teatro; dependiendo del grado escolar o de la escuela, también participarán en arte de los medios, música instrumental y danza.
- Immigration Seminar -
My name is Hannah Johnson, I am a senior on the Northwestern Women's Lacrosse team and work for Evanston Accessible Recreation. I am reaching out to you about an exciting event that I am hosting at NU for the special needs community on June 7th! This will be a free event for participants of all ages and is designed to give individuals with disabilities the opportunity to learn from and play alongside Northwestern Student Athletes. We would love to have your students and people from your community attend this event!
Flyer/Registration Link:
