The Principal's Perspective

Dear Caregivers-

I trust this message finds you well as we enter the second week of February. There’s so much excitement in the air, and you all know I love a good theme connector—LBVS! So let’s jump right into it—the Super Bowl! Or should I say, let’s "kick-start it"—see what I did there? LOL!

Millions of people across America will be glued to their screens today. Two phenomenal Black quarterbacks are set to make history, with one aiming for an unprecedented three consecutive Super Bowl wins before the age of 30. Then, there’s the highly anticipated halftime show featuring Kendrick Lamar, who dominated the Grammys with a clean sweep. Hip-hop fans everywhere are wondering how this might play out, especially after his lyrical duel with Drake( more like assassination of). And of course, the commercials—brands shelling out $8 million for just 30 seconds, using their creative genius to capture our attention and maximize their return on investment. All of this excitement is unfolding in one of my favorite places—New Orleans, a city of incredible food, mystical energy, and endless secrets.

The Super Bowl, in many ways, is a lot like parenting. We have a game plan, we rely on our team—our village of support—to help us reach the final round successfully. We execute plays, hoping for the best. We teach our children the importance of teamwork because no one wins alone. We ask them to trust us as their "coach." We provide them with the rule book, equip them with strategies, and allow them to practice, make mistakes, and grow. We celebrate each successful play and every victory, big or small.

Most importantly, we remind them that "winning" is not a destination but a journey. A destination implies an endpoint, but a journey means they get to keep learning, growing, and striving for success. This growth mindset is key to developing emotional intelligence and resilience.

So if no one has told you today—great job, Coach! Look at how far your scholar has come. Stay encouraged! I know parenting, much like coaching, can feel overwhelming at times. But remember, the most crucial moments happen in the huddle—the behind-the-scenes conversations where a team becomes one unit with one goal. It’s the encouragement you give before your scholar heads out onto the field. It’s the guidance you provide when mistakes happen. It’s the "WE will come back stronger" speech when things don’t go as planned. And just as importantly, it’s the celebration and confetti when there are victories!

So congratulations, Coach! You’re leading your team to success, and your scholar is going to win big!

One of my favorite books is "Love is a Revolution." This book is written by popular young adult fiction writer Renée Watson📚. In the spirit of Valentines day, love absolutely is a revolution. It is an act that can change the world! The most important love we can have is self- love. She writes "“Self-love is radical love. Self-love is radical love. Self-love is radical love. Today, I’ve started my own revolution.” Speaking of this phenomenal writer, our fabulous librarian, Ms. Philippe, has arranged for Ms. Renée Watson, the award-winning author of several middle grade and young adult novels—including the Newbery Honor and Coretta Scott King Author Award-winning Piecing Me Together—to visit with our 6th graders this week! This is an incredible opportunity for our students to engage with a renowned author and deepen their love for reading.

You can read more about Ms. Watson here, and if you’d like to order her newest book, please fill out this form. Books will be delivered to the school and signed by the author! Be sure to place your order by Feb. 10th—more details are on the linked form.

Let’s continue to foster a love of reading in our scholars, as books open doors to imagination, knowledge, and endless possibilities!

As we approach parent-teacher conferences, I encourage you to make the most of your five minutes by asking meaningful questions that go beyond grades and test scores. While report cards provide academic insights, they may not always reflect the full picture of your child’s school experience. Here are some thoughtful questions to consider:

🔹 How is my child doing socially in class? Are they engaging with peers, working well in groups, and building positive relationships?

🔹 How is my child doing emotionally in class? Do they seem happy, confident, and engaged, or have you noticed any signs of stress or frustration?

🔹 Have you seen any changes in my child’s performance or interactions with others? Whether academically, behaviorally, or socially, understanding shifts in your child’s engagement can help us support them together.

These questions open the door for valuable conversations and insights that can guide and strengthen your child’s learning experience. Thank you for your partnership in their success!

Looking forward to seeing you soon.

We are looking forward to seeing you on February 19th for our Nichols State of the Union, Parent Town Hall. We have designed the evening based on your survey responses related to the format and related to the various topics that you would like to see addressed .However, we have not received enough questions for the Q and A session. if you would like to add questions, I have extended the deadline to this Wednesday, otherwise , we will adjust the session to include a different topic. Here is the link to post your question(s).

We are all looking forward to our 4 day weekend! You might be wondering, what are some fun, no cost, ways to enjoy it? Here are some ideas- Valentines Theme:

1. Love Notes Exchange 💌

Write heartfelt notes to each other and hide them around the house. Leave little messages of appreciation in the fridge, under pillows, on the sofa, or taped to mirrors.

2. Family Movie Night 🎬

Pick a family-favorite movie about love and kindness (our students still love Disney movies), make homemade popcorn, and snuggle up together for a cozy evening. Add some red m&M's to the popcorn if you have them!

3. Cook a Special Meal Together 🍽️

Prepare a meal using ingredients you already have at home. Let each family member choose part of the menu and help with cooking. Set the table with paper hearts that everyone had colored in!

4. Acts of Kindness Challenge 💕

Spread love by doing kind acts for each other or the community. Write positive messages on the sidewalk with chalk, call a relative just to say "I love you," or do a surprise chore for a family member.

5. Memory Lane Storytelling 📖

Take turns sharing favorite memories of family adventures, funny moments, or things you love about each other. You can even make it a game by writing memories on slips of paper and drawing them from a jar and guessing who said what!

6. People Snuggles & Hot Chocolate Creativity ☕

Snuggle together on the sofa with warm cups of hot chocolate. Each person should think of a unique topping they would add to their hot chocolate—but it has to start with the first letter of their name! Then, share why you picked that item. For example, since my first name is Nicole, I would add nuts—specifically honey roasted—since those are my favorite. I might not actually add nuts, but it’s a fun way to be creative and share something personal!

7. Virtual Museum Treasure Hunts 🏛️

Go on a virtual adventure together by exploring an online museum tour! Create a bingo board with a list of interesting items to find during the tour—think “a painting with a dog,” “something gold,” or “a person wearing a crown.” The first person to find all their items wins a special treat, like an extra hour of social media, an audiobook, or a chore-free day! You can find countless virtual museum tours with a quick search, but one of my favorites is The Louvre’s Online Tours.

Valentine’s Day isn’t about spending money—it’s about celebrating the love that makes your family special. However you choose to spend the day, make it full of joy, laughter, and connection! You can also carry these activities into the weekend❤️

Wishing you a love-filled Valentine’s Day!

Here are some Black History Facts for this week!

📅 February 9:
✍️ Paul Lawrence Dunbar, the first poet to use Black dialect in his verse, passed away (1872-1906).
⚾ Leroy "Satchel" Paige was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame (1971).

📅 February 10:
✊ The Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) was founded (1957).
💰 Andrew Brimmer, the first Black person to serve on the Federal Reserve Board, was born (1966).
🎶 Leontyne Price, world-renowned soprano, was born (1927).

📅 February 11:
🕊️ Nelson Mandela, leader of the movement for democracy in South Africa, was released from prison after 27 years (1990).
🏛️ Clifford Alexander Jr., the first Black U.S. Secretary of the Army, was confirmed (1977).

📅 February 12:
⚖️ The NAACP was founded after the Springfield, Illinois riot (1909).

📅 February 13:
🏀 The first Black professional basketball team, "The Renaissance," was organized (1923).

📅 February 14:
📢 Frederick Douglass, legendary abolitionist, was born (1817).
🎓 Morehouse College, a historic HBCU, was founded in Atlanta (1867).

Let’s celebrate and honor these incredible milestones in Black history! ✨