The Principal's Perspective
January 20-24, 2025
"The time is always right to do what is right."
Belonging is at the heart of Dr. King’s message, and it is at the heart of our mission. Every child at Nichols is an important part of our community, and their unique voices and experiences enrich us all. Together, we will continue to foster an environment that reflects Dr. King’s vision of unity and compassion.
As we honor Martin Luther King Jr. Day, let us all recommit to his dream by building connections, extending kindness, and working together to ensure a bright future for our children.
Thank you for being part of our community and for entrusting us with your children.
Monday, January 20 from 10am-1pm and or 2pm-5pm
Join us in the Community Meeting Room, Main Branch to help create reusable sanitary pads for the Girls 4 Girls Ghana organization. More than 20% of girls in Ghana miss school due to lack of supplies for menstrual cycles. All materials will be provided, including scissors and sewing equipment. There are a lot of jobs for everyone, but sewers are also strongly encouraged to attend! Feel free to bring your own sewing machine. For grades 3rd-12th and adults.
If you can't make it, no worries, we welcome people to stop by and show their care with donations of underwear and sanitary napkins. Donations are welcomed from now till MLK Day.
Nichols State of the Union Address- Important SURVEY
We are excited to invite you to our Winter State of the Union Address for Nichols Middle School on February 19th. This event will be an opportunity to connect, learn, and celebrate our collective progress as a school community. This will be an engaging and informative event where you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the incredible work happening at Nichols Middle School. However, WE NEED YOUR INPUT to make this evening relevant to you. Please fill out this survey by January 26th.
We look forward to your responses! More details to follow.
K-8 Comprehensive Sexual Health
As a reminder we will continue with our Comprehensive Sexual Health program. Here are the grade level notices and information on the curriculum. 6th Grade English 6th Grade Espanol 7th Grade English 7th Grade Espanol 8th Grade English 8th Grade Espanol
Our final Info Session for 5th-8th Grade Families is coming up on February 5th (6-7pm): Zoom Link
8th Grade Promotion
We are excited to share that 8th Grade Promotion will take place on June 4th at 5:00 p.m. at Evanston Township High School. We understand that there are conflicting dates with the start time of their summer programs and we don’t have an answer regarding that as of yet; the district is working with the high school on this matter. If you have any questions feel free to contact us.
No School February 14
Friday, February 14th is a student non-attendance day due to parent-teacher conferences occurring throughout the week. This day is a wonderful opportunity to spend quality time with your child and create special memories together. Since school will not be in session, we’d like to share some fun and engaging activities that you can enjoy with your family:
Creative Activities
- DIY Happy Cards: Gather some paper, markers, and stickers to create heartfelt cards for family and friends.
- Bake Sweet Treats: Make heart-shaped cookies, cupcakes, or other goodies together. Decorating them can be just as fun as eating them!
- Crafts Corner: Try making paper flowers, friendship bracelets, or love-themed decorations.
- Self-Love Letters: Have your scholar write a letter to themselves naming all of the great things that they love about who they are. Then fold it up, add to it a letter to them about what makes your scholar amazing, put both letters in an envelope and mail it back to the scholar.
Outdoor Adventures
- Nature Walk: Take a walk in your neighborhood or a local park and enjoy the fresh air. Consider looking for natural "hearts" in the environment, like heart-shaped rocks or leaves.
- Playtime in the Snow (if applicable): Build snowmen, have a snowball fight, or make snow angels.
Quality Time Indoors
- Movie Marathon: Choose a family-friendly movie with a love or kindness theme and enjoy it with popcorn and blankets.
- Game Night: Play your child’s favorite board or card games for a fun and laughter-filled evening.
Teach Kindness
- Kindness Project: Spend time creating care packages or writing kind notes for neighbors, friends, or local charities.
- Read Together: Pick books that emphasize love, kindness, or friendship and read aloud together.
No matter how you choose to spend this day, the most important part is the time you share with your loved ones. We hope your day is filled with joy, laughter, and meaningful connections.
Debate Tournament - Go Lions!
D65 Middle School Debate Tournament
January 25th, 2025
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Nichols Middle School, 800 Greenleaf St, Evanston, IL 60202, USA
Teams from D65 schools participate in the Illinois Middle School Debate League.
Freshman Course Request Night
January 22nd, 23rd
Freshman course request night this week.
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Evanston Township High School, 1600 Dodge Ave, Evanston, IL 60201, USA
For more information about Incoming Freshman Course Request Night, please visit www.eths.k12.il.us/Page/2887 or contact ETHS Student Enrollment Specialist at enrollment@eths202.org or 847-424-7915.
Progress Reports
Term 2 progress reports will be sent out on January 22, 2025.
Mental Health
Mental Health Caregiver Event (Action Required for Middle School Only)
Mental Health and Mental Toughness Middle School Caregiver Event is 1/21 on Zoom from 6:30-7:30. This event is open to any middle school caregiver. Please see the attached flyer .
Mandatory Parent Supervision at After School Athletic Events
For the safety and well-being of all students, caregivers are required to accompany their child to after school athletic events.
Our primary concern is ensuring that every student is supervised and safe while on campus during non-school hours. Requiring parental supervision helps us:
- Ensure a safe environment for all participants.
- Avoid situations where students are left unsupervised.
- Provide additional support for activity leaders and staff.
We kindly ask that parents or guardians remain with their children throughout the duration of any after-school sporting activities. Students who are not accompanied by an adult will not be able to attend these activities. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we work together to maintain a secure and supportive environment for all our students. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out.Thank you for your partnership in keeping our school community safe.
School Closure Days
On rare occasions, we may need to close schools unexpectedly due to inclement weather or other emergencies. When making these decisions, the safety of our students and staff remains our top priority, especially their ability to travel safely to and from school. We will always strive to provide as much notice as possible if an unexpected closure becomes necessary.
District 65 has an approved E-Learning Plan, which is accessible in more than 100 languages. An E-Learning Day means that schools will be closed, but students and staff will engage in remote teaching and learning. In the event an E-Learning Day is called, you will receive more details from the district and your child’s school to ensure a smooth transition.
New Closure Cadence:
In response to feedback from staff and families, we are implementing a consistent approach to unexpected closures:
- The first two days of closures will be E-Learning Days (virtual instruction).
- The third day will be designated as a “Snow Day” (no instruction).
This sequence will reset each school year and apply as needed. Please note that E-Learning may not be possible under certain conditions, such as a widespread power outage.
Stay Informed:
Please ensure your contact information is up to date in PowerSchool so you receive timely updates. To update your phone number or email address, email registrationinfo@district65.net.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation as we prioritize safety and maintain learning continuity during unexpected closures.
My65
It’s Time for My65! Don’t Miss Out—Register Today!
Join us on Friday, January 31, 2025, from 7:00–10:00 PM at Palmhouse on Howard for an unforgettable evening of celebration, connection, and community.
Enjoy great food, drinks, and fun, including an open beer and wine bar and mouthwatering bites from Evanston’s own Soul & Smoke.
Individual Tickets: $120
Sponsorship Opportunities: Starting at $565
Foundation 65 invests in our educators, funding innovative programs that address racial and socioeconomic achievement gaps while creating environments where every student can thrive. By attending My65, you directly support the educators who make a difference for our children every day.
Space is limited, so don’t wait—secure your spot now!
Visit www.foundation65.org/my65-25 to register or become a sponsor.
We can’t wait to celebrate with you!