AVID Anecdotals

💥 AVID Anecdotals will be emailed monthly to all Nichols AVID families. We hope to further clarify the AVID program and provide information to those who are new to AVID. 💥

AVID's mission is to close the opportunity gap by preparing all students for college and career readiness and success in a global society.

AVID is a comprehensive program for grades 6–12 that bridges the gap between students’ aspirations and their readiness for college and careers. Your student is in the AVID elective class, which builds academic skills, college and career knowledge, and student agency. AVID strategies are also integrated school wide to help foster a culture of rigor and support across all classrooms.

Nichols is an AVID school, and as an AVID school, all students in every grade level are using the AVID Binder System this year. This system supports one of AVID’s core goals: Organization and Time Management. One key feature in their binder is their academic notebooks to help students keep track of what their assignments are and how to break down longer academic tasks.

Each binder includes:

• A folder for each class, arranged in the order of the student’s daily schedule

• A supply pouch for pencils, pens, and other tools

• Other academically useful materials to help students stay prepared and organized every day

The AVID Binder helps students develop lifelong organizational habits and makes it easier for them to keep track of assignments, notes, and important materials across all of their classes.

Ms. Stone - stonec@district65.net

7th Grade

Ms. Lopez - lopezv@district65.net

Dr. C - christopoulosj@district65.net

8th Grade

📌 Just last week students gave their first 15-second presentation in front of the entire class! The focus was on building public speaking skills such as voice projection, purposeful hand gestures, and maintaining eye contact with their audience. For this activity, students shared a short excerpt from their journals based on the word "Victory". This exercise not only strengthened their confidence in speaking, but also gave them a chance to showcase their writing in a meaningful way.

📌 6th graders have been working on Inquiry, Reading and Writing. To build on their college and university awareness, each student is researching a school of their choice! Students will create a slide presentation that builds on their class presentations.

🌀 Students are practicing research skills, strengthening their presentation abilities and are starting

to envision their own future education paths! 🌀

6th Grade

Favorite thing about AVID: Exploring options for the future. I like looking at different colleges.

How has AVID helped you as a student: It helped me academically to be neat and organized and get things done on time. I get the extra support I need.

"Would you Rather" go to the mountains or the beach: Mountains because I live next to the beach.

Favorite thing about AVID: Friday is "Free Choice" day and we get out old board games to play.

How has AVID helped you as a student: Helped me keep track of my things and be more organized with my stuff. We work on homework, which is pretty helpful too.

"Would you Rather" go to the mountains or the beach: Beach because I don't like really high places.

Favorite thing about AVID: I can work on my homework so I don't have to do it at home.

How has AVID helped you as a student: It helped me a lot on my homework. I have independent time. I can read books.

"Would you Rather" go to the mountains or the beach: Mountains because I have been to the beach many times.

Favorite thing about AVID: I love AVID because I can meet all of my friends. The teacher teaches us leadership skills. We have a lot of fun. I love public speaking.

How has AVID helped you as a student: AVID encourages me with my leadership skills and public speaking.

"Would you Rather" go to the mountains or the beach: Mountains because I like nature and you get to trek, so it's fun. It's cool at the highest point and I like snow.

7th Grade

Favorite thing about AVID: it helps me get homework done

How has AVID helped you as a student: it helped me ask more questions

"Would you Rather" go to the mountains or the beach: the beach because of the water

Favorite thing about AVID: I can do stuff I can't do in other classes

How has AVID helped you as a student: it has helped me with other subjects; one of the tutorials helped me when I was struggling with division

"Would you Rather" go to the mountains or the beach: the beach because I am not good at hiking

Favorite thing about AVID: it helps me catch up with all my classes and stay organized

How has AVID helped you as a student: it has helped me with all my work and keeps me ahead

"Would you Rather" go to the mountains or the beach: the beach

Favorite thing about AVID: the help I get and how it doesn't make me feel stupid about it

How has AVID helped you as a student: it's helped me stay focused and on track, and has reminded me to do homework

"Would you Rather" go to the mountains or the beach: mountains because it's a better view and sometimes I don't like sand

8th Grade

Favorite thing about AVID: Community!

How has AVID helped you as a student: I've found ways to apply my notes to my classes.

"Would you Rather" go to the mountains or the beach: Beach because it's way closer!

Favorite thing about AVID: Being able to prepare for tests and quizzes. Get extra work done that I didn't get to finish in class.

How has AVID helped you as a student: It's helped me become better organized with my work and helped me figure out new ways to study.

"Would you Rather" go to the mountains or the beach: Beach because you usually go to the beach on a sunny day and it would be hot outside.

Favorite thing about AVID: Going to visit different colleges and writing about them.

How has AVID helped you as a student: Mostly with taking down information and studying about it.

"Would you Rather" go to the mountains or the beach: Mountains but depends where because lots of different mountain ranges - Appalachian, Mt. Everest and Hawaii are all different but all mountain ranges.

Teachers and counselors are currently planning field trips for this year. Field trips focus on preparing for high school and college & career readiness. Students will visit Oakton Community College, Northwestern, ETHS, and various businesses, trades or non-profits

🚌 Look for more details in November's newsletter! 🚌

Here are the ways you can support your AVID scholar at home:

📒Make sure that your child has their binder with them each evening.

📒Check their binder. Look to see if course folders are in order, are papers neat and in the correct class folder, and are notes organized? Discard old papers that are no longer needed.

📒Provide a space for your child to study and keep completed assignments at home.

📒Make sure their device is fully charged for the school day.

October is Bullying Prevention month

Bullying is defined as any unwanted aggressive behavior that involves an observed or perceived power imbalance and occurs repeatedly.

School Counselors foster opportunities for students to learn communication, problem solving and conflict resolution skills that help them achieve their goals and establish successful relationships.

Anti-bullying lessons already began school-wide in September and will continue throughout the school year.