Hello 8th Grade Families and Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

Attached are continued updates for you! Any additional information can be found in the Graduation Letter that was sent out March 16th, also attached here!

The countdown is shortened!

• 2 days until our Annual 8th Grade Picnic
• 4 days until the final day for our 8th graders
• 7 days until GRADUATION!

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

Attached below is the link for the Graduation Live Stream on June 4th!

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

Hello Caregivers,

The following information was also sent via email (if you signed up). You will find important information regarding our 8th grade picnic celebration this Wednesday, May 28th at Elliott Park.

Donations: Snacks/Drinks/Coolers

The 8th grade team is requesting that if you have volunteered to donate snacks/drinks, or coolers you drop them off at Elliott Park at 10:00 am on the day of our picnic, May 28th. If you need to drop them off at Nichols ahead of time, please let Mr. Walsh know: walshj@district65.net or 847.401.3605.

Donations: Yard Games

The 8th grade team is requesting that if you have volunteered to donate yard games, you drop them off at Elliott Park at 10:00 am on the day of our picnic, May 28th. If you need to drop them off at Nichols ahead of time, please let Mr. Walsh know: walshj@district65.net or 847.401.3605.

Volunteers:

We are actively finalizing our parent/caregiver volunteer schedule. If you would like to be a volunteer, please let me know by responding directly to Mrs. Puro's email!

If you have any additional questions, please don't hesitate to reach out!

Thank you and have a wonderful weekend,

The 8th Grade Graduation Committee

This year marked the second year of the Nichols Track and Field Program. In its first year, the Nichols Track and Field team had a roster of sixty participating student-athletes, this year the team has reached one-hundred and five members; that is about 20% of the school's population!

These student-athletes were able to demonstrate and witness their own personal growth as they improved week to week under the pressure of competition.

Both the boys and girls team each placed 3rd at the "Willie May/Ron Risch Evanston Conference Championship."

On Saturday, May 17th, the Nichols Track and Field Team competed at the IESA 4A Sectional Championship, qualifying five events and nine athletes to the IESA State Championship in Peoria, Illinois! This is three more events and five more athletes than our previous year.

Qualifiers

Boys 8th grade 800 Meter Run - 2:14.20 - Dalston Wooller (8th grade)

Boys 8th grade 1600 Meter Run - 4:56.70 - Leo Patton (8th grade)

Girls 7th grade 1600 Meter Run - 5:31.04 - Nellie Patton (6th grade)

Girls 7th grade 800 Meter Run - 2:32.76 - Nellie Patton (6th grade)

Girls 8th Grade 4x100 Meter Relay - 54.43 - Samaria Gandy (7th grade), Sally Weinberg (8th grade), Emani Young (8th grade), and Jailyn "JJ" Davis (8th grade)

These athletes competed at the IESA State Championship this weekend, May 23rd-24th.

"As the Nichols Track and Field Head Coach, I've experienced tremendous reward helping students and families understand the intricacies and approaches to this classic sport. Additionally, I've witnessed our Nichols student-athletes experience remarkable growth as they learned to value practice, mental rehearsal, peer support, and preparation (both physical and mental) in order to perform at a high level. I view these processes as life skills and a huge win for Nichols student-athletes, as they transfer these habits into life skills and apply them in the real world."

Thank you Mr. Perez for your dedication to our kids and this program! Looking forward to what the future holds for Track and Field!

As we reach the end of another school year, we pause to honor the remarkable teachers and staff members who are beginning their well-deserved retirement. Your years of dedicated service to District 65 and specifically to our Nichols community have left an indelible mark on countless students, families, and colleagues.

Throughout your careers, you have been more than educators—you have been mentors, advocates, and champions for every child who walked through our doors. Your commitment to excellence, your patience in nurturing young minds, and your unwavering belief in each student's potential have shaped not just academic success, but character and confidence that will last a lifetime.

The halls of Nichols will echo with the lessons you've taught, the kindness you've shown, and the positive culture you've helped create. From early morning preparations to after-school support, from celebrating student achievements to providing comfort during challenges, you have given your whole hearts to this calling.

While we will deeply miss your wisdom, experience, and warmth, we celebrate this new chapter in your lives. You have earned this time to rest, explore new adventures, and enjoy the fruits of your incredible labor. Thank you for your service, your dedication, and for making Nichols a place where students thrive and dreams take flight.

Your legacy lives on in every life you've touched.

We want to make you aware of a growing trend among middle and high school students known as the “Splash Game,” “Senior Assassin,” or “Paranoia.” This off-campus activity involves students using water guns to “tag” others, often in public spaces. While often viewed as a lighthearted tradition, some of these water guns closely resemble real weapons, which can cause serious safety concerns and fear within the community.

While not on District property, it is our understanding that some Evanston/Skokie students are engaging in this "game". We encourage you to speak with your student about making safe and responsible choices. Also, as a reminder, any look-alike weapons or items that can be used as weapons are not allowed on school property. Thank you for your continued partnership in helping us keep our school and community safe.

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:

NUplayday2025