A Message to Our Nichols Community
With Gratitude and Appreciation
Dear Nichols Families and Staff,
As news continues to circulate regarding the difficult decisions and position cuts facing our district for the coming school year, we want to pause and address the heavy hearts and anxiety many of you are feeling. Change of this nature is never easy, and the uncertainty it brings can be unsettling.
At Nichols, we believe that the strength of our school lies in its people. We want to be incredibly clear: every adult in this building plays a substantial role in the development and success of our students. You are the heartbeat of this community, and your impact is immeasurable; your care and concern for our students cannot be replaced nor duplicated.
The "Nichols Experience" is a unique one because of the roles that every adult plays in this building. However, we function like that of the human body, all the parts, the organs, the blood, the cells, the muscles, the bones etc. ALL work in their own capacity to support another part of the body. Our people are the parts of the Nichols "body" which allows the students to learn and play every day. We celebrate and acknowledge all the things everyone does!
Our Cafeteria Staff: You do more than serve nutritious hot meals; you provide the first warm smile of the day in the lunch line, ensuring our students feel nourished in both body and spirit.
Our Teachers: We see you planning on evenings, Saturdays and Sundays. While others are enjoying the outdoors, or fun events, you are at your desks, or at home, pouring your energy into engaging lessons that spark curiosity and a love for learning. You pay out of pocket every pay day to buy a treat, a workbook, a sweater, toiletries etc for your students.
Our Front Office Staff: You are the frontline of our school, answering every call, meticulously tracking attendance, and kindly intercepting forgotten water bottles and Door Dash and sack lunches, all while managing the endless behind-the-scenes requests that keep this school running smoothly.
Our Custodial Staff: Your hard work ensures that our building and grounds are not only clean but provide a safe, high-functioning environment where our students can thrive.
Our Paraprofessionals: You provide the vital individual and collective support that allows every student to feel capable, both inside and outside the classroom.
Our Nurses: You are our calm in the storm, stepping up during emergencies while expertly navigating the day-to-day health needs of our children with care and precision.
Our Librarian: More than just a keeper of books, you are an educator who creates a sanctuary for our students. From hosting reading challenges to curating the most sought-after titles, you make reading for fun a cornerstone of the Nichols experience.
Our Related Service Providers: To our psychologist, FACE liaison, social workers, and counselors—you are, in fact, the glue that connects academic learning with mental health. You navigate the most difficult situations with grace, ensuring students in distress are seen and heard, and connecting families to vital resources. You carry the weight of these challenges home with you, and your dedication is profound. You are in the intermediary that so many students AND parent rely on for the greatest of needs, seen and those not so obvious to the naked eye.
To our staff: You may not feel seen all the time, but we want you to know that we see you. Your work is seen, your heart is felt, and you are beyond amazing.
To our families: Please know that the Nichols team is deeply committed to our students. While we navigate these systemic changes, our focus remains on providing a supportive, stable, and loving environment for your children.
We are a community built on mutual respect, trust, collaboration, and shared passion and purpose. In times of transition, we lean on that foundation. Thank you for everything you do to make Nichols a place where students can grow, feel safe, and succeed.
With deep gratitude,
Ms. Fishman, Principal
Mr. Woodie, Assistant Principal