Mr. Smith's 6th Grade Spotlight

Hi Northstar families,

We are off to a fantastic start in 6th grade! This week we held our very first Town Hall together. During this time, students learned our grade-level cheer (the Hi-De-Hi!), reviewed the purpose of Town Hall, and revisited some of our shared expectations around personal electronics, our STARS core values, and more. We also introduced SmartPass, our new electronic hall pass system, and provided students with a full orientation on how to use it.

At Town Hall, students also had the opportunity to meet Ms. Karl (6th Grade School Counselor) and Ms. Sobhani (6th Grade Social Worker). They shared who they are, the types of support they provide, and how students can reach out for help. Families are always welcome to contact any of us, though it may help to know that:

• If your child has a 504 Plan or IEP, please be sure to reach out to both myself and Ms. Sobhani.

• Ms. Karl primarily supports our general education population, though she collaborates closely with our whole team to make sure every child is cared for.

The role of a School Counselor is exclusive to our D65 Middle Schools. To learn more about Ms. Karl and our School Counselors, check out their Haven School Counselor Introduction Video!

We also introduced this year’s 6th grade motto: “Stepping In.” I encouraged students to reflect on what it means to step in, whether that is stepping into middle school life, stepping into responsibility, or stepping into community. Over their years at Haven, students will continue to build this story with new themes in 7th and 8th grade, all connected to the journey they are on together.

I want to share my gratitude with you for helping us launch the year so strongly as a community. As a parent myself, I know how rewarding and challenging it is to raise a child. Partnering together makes all the difference, and your support is deeply appreciated.

As we move forward, we will continue to build strong relationships and community throughout the year. At the same time, now that many of our routines and procedures have been taught and practiced, students are beginning to transition into more content and academics. This balance between connection and learning is at the heart of 6th grade, and we are excited to see students stepping into both with energy and enthusiasm.

I am especially proud to share that our personal electronics policy has been off to a great start. Students have done an excellent job keeping cell phones, smartwatches, and other electronics away during the school day, which helps us stay focused on learning. One area where we can still grow is timely arrival to school. All doors open at 7:50 AM, and class begins promptly at 8:00 AM. Many students are already eager to come in right at 7:50, and we would love for all students to be in their seats ready to learn when the day begins. Thank you for working closely with your child to support this important habit.

Thank you again for your partnership and support. Please take some time to read through this newsletter, and I wish you and your family a wonderful weekend!

Best,

Thomas Smith

Thomas Smith (he/him/his)
Assistant Principal
Haven Middle School
📞 847-859-8207

smitht2@district65.net
🌐 Haven Middle School Website

Next week, Haven students will participate in our Fall district assessments (formerly known as MAP). These assessments help us better understand each student’s progress and guide our instruction throughout the year.

• Monday, 9/8 & Tuesday, 9/9: Math assessment through i-Ready

• Thursday, 9/10 & Friday, 9/11: Reading assessment through Renaissance STAR

The best way to support your child’s success is to ensure they get a good night’s sleep, eat a healthy breakfast, and arrive at school with a fully charged iPad each day.

Thank you for your partnership in helping students put their best foot forward!

The safety and well-being of every student is our top priority. Evanston/Skokie School District 65 is committed to reducing the risk of exposure to life-threatening food allergens, including nuts, while recognizing that a completely allergen-free environment is impossible to guarantee.(resources.finalsite.net

, district65.net)

To help keep our friends with nut allergies safe, please follow these important practices:

1. Be Mindful of Nut Products
   If you're eating in the cafeteria or bringing food to school, avoid items that contain peanuts or tree nuts. Cross contamination can happen easily, such as when crumbs mix or surfaces are not fully cleaned.

2. Respect Nut Aware Areas
   Some spaces in the cafeteria may be designated for students requiring extra protection from nut exposure. These nut aware areas play a critical role in reducing risk, even if they are not completely nut free.(district65.net)
   Please remember: These areas are not about exclusion, they are about inclusion and care.

3. Take Shared Responsibility
   Protecting students with allergies is a shared responsibility. Families, students, staff, and the entire community must remain vigilant.(resources.finalsite.net)
   Simple acts like checking labels, cleaning personal eating spaces, and respecting others' needs matter.

4. Prioritize Everyone’s Safety
   You might not notice a reaction, but for someone with a severe allergy, even a trace of nuts can be life threatening. Having empathy and taking preventive steps shows how much we value each other, and how seriously District 65 takes wellness, guided by our wellness policy and supported by Health Services and trained staff.(district65.net, resources.finalsite.net)

Why This Matters

• Allergy Awareness Saves Lives
  Nut allergies are among the most serious and common food allergies, and even tiny exposure can trigger severe reactions like anaphylaxis.(healthcentral.com)

• An Allergen Aware Mindset Builds Compassion
  Being considerate of dietary restrictions teaches empathy. Kids learn powerful lessons in community and shared care when they think, “How can I keep everyone safe?”(healthcentral.com)

• District 65’s Approach Reflects Shared Safety, Not Exclusion
  District 65 avoids labeling any space as absolutely allergen free to maintain vigilance. This is about risk reduction, not comfort or avoidance.(district65.net)

Thank you for helping make our cafeteria a caring, safe, and inclusive space. Little actions, such as choosing nut free snacks, cleaning up thoroughly, and following nut aware guidelines, can make a big difference in keeping everyone healthy.

Let’s stand together for safety for all students, every day.

Our annual student and school pictures will take place on Friday, September 19th. Please mark your calendars!

Pictures will be taken by Lifetouch, and additional details about Picture Day can be found below.

-------

Picture Day 9/19
Order online @ mylifetouch.com using your Picture Day ID: EVT98W7SX.
Your child can also bring their completed flyer with cash or check on Picture Day. Orders after Picture Day must be placed online only on mylifetouch.com .

https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1755297943/district65net/ctwneoext9iwejp713ug/picture-day2025.pdf

At Haven, we want to ensure that all students have access to the tools they need for learning. Our school, along with District 65, uses a ticketing system to track and resolve any issues with student iPads, including lost or damaged devices. Educators also use the same ticketing system to get support with their own devices. All educators received training during our institute days on how to submit tickets, and we are working closely with our tech team to provide support as quickly as possible. We ask for your patience, especially at the start of the school year, when there is often a high volume of technology needs. Thank you for partnering with us as we work to keep students connected and ready to learn!

Alternate Placement
The process for requesting alternate placement has been updated and is currently posted on the D65 website. The process for responding to the request is being finalized and will be shared soon!

Below you'll find a snapshot of what your 6th grade students are engaging in for their learning and classwork!

Social Studies

Science

Fine Arts

SLA

AVID

Advisory

PE

August

August 21st: Haven Back to School Bash (4:30-6:30 pm)

August 25th: First Day of School for Students (K-8)

September

Sept. 1st: No School - Labor Day

Sept. 17th: No School - School Improvement Day

Sept. 18th: Curriculum Night at Haven Middle School (5 - 7 pm)

Sept. 19th: Picture Day at Haven Middle School

Sept 23rd: No School - Rosh Hashanah

At a glance 25-26 calendar click here or view below

August: 19th, 22nd

Email: smitht2@district65.net
Website: https://www.district65.net/haven
Location: 2417 Prairie Avenue, Evanston, IL, USA
Phone: (847) 859-8207

Email: karlm@district65.net
Website: https://sites.google.com/district65.net/havenschoolcounseling
Location: 2417 Prairie Avenue, Evanston, IL, USA
Phone: 847-859-5805

Email: sobhanim@district65.net
Website: https://www.district65.net/haven
Location: 2417 Prairie Avenue, Evanston, IL, USA
Phone: 847-859-8213