The Principal's Perspective

Hello Caregivers! As we approach the final weeks of the 2024–2025 school year, we find ourselves reflecting on all that has made this year meaningful—your partnership, your children's growth, and the collective spirit that defines our Nichols community. It has been a year of learning, resilience, and connection, and we are so grateful to have walked this journey together.

While we celebrate the accomplishments of this year, such as our amazing athletes sweeping the season, our debate and chess clubs taking home awards, our phenomenal fine arts scholars displaying their talents, our students meeting their growth goals in ELA and math, our eyes are already on the horizon. The 2025–2026 school year offers a fresh opportunity—not just to continue the good work we’ve done, but to sharpen our focus and deepen our impact.

Next year we are set at deepening our goals so that they can be met with with greater intention, leading to more powerful outcomes. This philosophy is guiding our planning as we prepare to meet the coming year’s challenges head-on. Whether it’s through refining our academic programs, strengthening family partnerships, or reimagining how we support student growth, our goal is clear: to ensure that every child at Nichols experiences a learning journey that is purposeful, joyful, and deeply impactful.

This kind of work requires courage, clarity, and collaboration. We are committed to making thoughtful choices about where we invest our time and energy, and we invite you to be a part of that process. Your insights, hopes, and experiences are essential as we chart a course forward—together.

Thank you for your continued trust and support. The best of Nichols is always ahead of us, and with your partnership, we look forward to shaping a school year that is not only greater in scope, but richer in meaning.

Please respond to the caregiver survey by May 21st. We sincerely appreciate any feedback that you might have as we plan for next year. Thank you!

As we move into the warmer months and students begin to spend more time outdoors, we want to remind you of an important school rules regarding safety and appropriate behavior.

All weapons and weapon look-alikes—including water guns, toy guns, or any object resembling a firearm—are strictly prohibited on school grounds. This includes during school hours, on buses, and at all school-sponsored events.

Possession of any item that could be perceived as a weapon, even if intended as a toy or prank, is considered a very serious offense. In accordance with school rules and local law enforcement guidelines, any weapon or weapon look-alike will require notification to the police.

We urge all parents and guardians to speak with their children about the seriousness of these matters. What may seem like harmless fun can have serious consequences, both in terms of student safety and legal implications.

We appreciate your support in keeping our school a safe and respectful environment for everyone.

Google Takeout for 8th Graders

• Students can preserve their digital work using Google Takeout (bit.ly/d65googletakeout)
• Important deadline: 8th graders lose access to Google Drive on June 5, 2025

Summer Device Policies

• 6th-7th grade students will take devices home for summer
• Students will have access to all instructional technology tools through July 31, 2025
• Summer program participants may have different access depending on their enrolled program
• Optional device collection form available upon request for families who prefer not to have devices at home during summer (bit.ly/optionaldevicecollect)

Device Protection & Replacement

• Device Protection Plan (bit.ly/d65deviceprotectionplan)
• Spanish version: bit.ly/d65plandeprotecciondedispositivos
• Annual insurance fee covers devices through summer

Summer Support

• For damaged devices or help with platforms like Clever, families can email: summersupport@district65.net
• Note: Support limited to district-issued devices only

We are excited to announce the launch of a new and improved Digital Backpack 65! On this platform, families can find all of Evanston’s programming in one place, including after-school programs and summer camps.

How Digital Backpack 65 Can Help You

• Find programs near you – Digital Backpack 65’s explore page allows you to filter opportunities based on your school and ward, making it easier than ever to find programming in your own backyard.

• Explore programs that match interests – With Digital Backpack 65, you can search for programs based on a number of themes, such as “Sports & Wellness” or “Community Engagement & Action.”

• Learn about new programs – The team at Digital Backpack 65 is actively working to find new programming in Evanston so that you don’t have to! On the platform, you can find new programs and those that you may be familiar with all in the same place.

Digital Backpack 65 is a collaboration between District 65 and Northwestern University’s Office of Community Education Partnerships.

• 8th Grade Boat Cruise May 21
• The Wizard of Oz Spring Play May 22, 23 7:00 p.m.
• ETHS Sports/Activity Fair (6:30-7:30, Door 3)
• 8th Grade Picnic May 28 10-1:30
• AAPI Family Night May 29, 7:30 pm.
• 8th Grade last day of school May 30
• Graduation June 4 at ETHS
• Last Day of school June 5

The City of Evanston's Health & Human Services Department is offering free Mental Health First Aid trainings designed to help you recognize, understand, and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges. These sessions will teach you how to approach a mental health crisis with compassion and confidence. Trainings are planned throughout June, July, and August. The trainings are completely free!

Upcoming Training Sessions

Saturday, June 14 | 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Location: Levy Center, Locust Room
Register here.

Tuesday & Wednesday, June 24 & 25 | 4:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Location: Main Library, Falcon Room
Note: You must attend both sessions.
Register here.

Saturday, July 12 | 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Location: Main Library, Falcon Room
Register here.

Umbrella Arts Festival | Saturday, May 31, Noon to 5 p.m. | Fountain Square

The Umbrella Arts Festival is a celebration of Asian American history, culture and art. The umbrella symbolizes the Asian American diaspora which includes a diversity of ethnicities from over 40 Asian, South Asian, Southeast Asian and Pacific Island countries around the world, and is inclusive of the many intersections of identities that exist in our communities. The festival is free and for all ages and will take place on Saturday, May 31, from noon to 5 p.m., at Fountain Square in downtown Evanston. Bring the whole family out to enjoy performances, food trucks, and over 50 artists and vendors. More info.

Asian American Heritage Restaurant Week | May 23 to 31

The following local businesses will be participating in Roots to Table, Asian American Heritage Restaurant Week! Celebrate the rich flavors and diverse culinary traditions of the Asian American and Pacific Islander community by supporting these amazing spots: Dozika, Brothers K, Backlot Coffee, Yasothorn, NaKorn, Inspired Indian, Mt Everest, Lulu's, Coffee Lab, Papa Bop, Pink & Tan, and Madison Grace. Participating restaurants will feature specials throughout the week and host pop-ups, spotlighting local Asian-owned shops

Beginning Monday, June 9, the City of Evanston's Parks, Recreation and Community Service Department will provide free breakfasts and lunches to youth ages 1 to 18 years old throughout Evanston as part of the Summer Food Program. The program will run through Friday, August 8.

Free meals are available to all youth daily, Monday through Friday, on a first-come, first-served basis. Breakfast will be served from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. and lunch will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Menus are available at the Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center and on-site at each location.

There are no residency or income-based restrictions to participate in the program. All meals must be eaten on-site and parents/guardians must accompany young children.

Meal site locations (June 9-August 8*)

• Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center, 1655 Foster St.
• Mason Park, Church Street at Florence Avenue
• Robert Crown Community Center, 1801 Main St.
• Dawes Elementary, 440 Dodge Ave.
• Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Literary and Fine Arts School, 2425 Greenwood St.

*There are no meal services on June 19 and July 4.