The Principal's Perspective

This week our wonderful students will be showcasing their phenomenal acting and stage crew abilties as they put on the show Holes! The story centers around the bond between two characters Stanley Yelnats and Hector "Zero" Zeroni. For a long time their families were plagued by "no-good-dirty-rotten-pig-stealing" misfortune and a curse that seemed impossible to break. The curse eventually gets broken when Stanley carries Zero up a mountain. By working together through extreme thirst, exhaustion, and the uncertainty of what lay at the top, they didn't just survive—they reversed their misfortune and discovered a treasure that had been hidden in the dirt all along.

At Nichols Middle School, we find ourselves in a season that feels similarly uphill. We are navigating a period of significant transition marked by the loss of programs and, most painfully, the loss of dedicated staff members. These are moments in what seems to be a dry desert with no oasis in sight, and it continues to test our morale and our resolve.

However, just like Stanley and Zero, our path forward requires a shared commitment. We are committed to working together to support our most precious "treasure"—our students and our staff. We must find the ability to come together through this uncertainty. Our students are the reason we climb this rocky mountain. Even as programs change, our dedication to their growth, their voice, and their safety remains the central to our work. Our educators are carrying a heavy load. Now, more than ever, they need the grace and partnership of our entire community to continue providing the high-level instruction our children deserve. When we collaborate instead of retreat, we ensure that no one has to carry the weight alone. We will get to the mountaintop and attain the treasure that awaits.

The "treasure" at Nichols isn't a chest of gold; it is the resilience of our community and the bright futures of the children in our classrooms, it is their success, and it is them seeing the example of sticktoitiveness. As we navigate the remainder of this year, let’s keep climbing together. The view from the top is only possible if we make the journey as one.

So, congratulations to the crew of Holes! We are looking forward to seeing your amazing production of this great story! In the words of Ms. Keko:

"You are invited to Nichols Middle School's school play Holes by Louis Sachar on Wednesday, April 22 and Thursday, April 23 in the Nichols auditorium. Over 70 of our Nichols students in grades sixth, seventh, and eighth grade collaborated on this show. Our cast and crew have rehearsed scenes, designed and built props and set pieces, screened t-shirts for costumes, designed and run sound effects, and operated lighting cues. Most importantly they have developed a company of serious leaders as crew members and performers dedicated to their work."

There are no tickets. Admission is free for the evening performances - seating is first come, first served.

We want to remind our families that student conduct expectations extend beyond the physical school building and school hours. Any activity or behavior occurring outside of school—including on social media or in the community—that creates a significant disruption to the school environment or impacts the safety and well-being of our students and staff can be subject to school disciplinary action. We appreciate your partnership in helping our students understand that their choices outside of school have real consequences within our learning community. We also ask that if you are aware of something happening outside of the school environment, that this information be shared with us so that we can be proactive in making sure that all are safe while at Nichols.

1. Toy guns of ANY kind are strictly prohibited. Please check your child's backpacks BEFORE they bring them to school to make sure they do not have any such items in their bag. This includes nerf guns, water guns, orbeez, BB Guns, Pellett guns, or any look-a-like.
2. D65 is not responsible for damage to or for the loss of transportation items such as bikes, skateboards or electric scooters. We will not store electric scooters in the building nor will we charge them.
3. Items such as basketballs, soccer balls, etc. must be stored in the locker until recess.

This is a reminder to parents (for those students entering the 7th grade next year ) to complete the World Language Selection Survey. This is to be completed EVEN IF your child is in AVID. You will choose French, Spanish, or Spanish Language Arts (SLA). If a selection is not chosen your child will be placed randomly.

• Graduation will be held at Chute on June 2nd. The students will be divided alphabetically. Group A will graduate at 5:00 p.m. and Group B will graduate at 6:30 p.m. Each family will get 4 tickets. Group assignment will go out this week.
• 8th Grade fees are due May 1. These fees are NON REFUNDABLE.
• Picture Retakes are April 24th. If you did not get the first set of pictures (they were passed out during PE) please email your child's PE teacher.
• 8th Grade Sweatshirts- 8th graders need to complete the google form no later than 3:05pm on Friday, April 24th. The google form and more information can be found on the Class of 2026 Google Classroom.

Math:

In math we have been continuing our geometry work. We have explored transforming figures with dilations, rotations, reflections and transformations. We will have our unit test next week.

SS:

The last couple of weeks, we have delved into the difficult topic of slavery in the United States. The students have been very respectful and insightful in our discussions. Ask your child about what a "Courageous Conversation" is. It is so important to be aware of sensitive issues that arise when discussing history, and that people respond differently to the same topic.

This week, we will be learning about Harriet Tubman and her accomplishments in the abolitionist movement. We will end the week by writing a CER/DBQ essay about what her greatest contribution was.

😃