Greetings Nichols Middle School parents, guardians and caregivers!

This is the first edition of our monthly counselor newsletter for the 2024 - 2025 school year. We hope to provide connection, information and resources to our families.

School Counselors focus in 3 domains:

• Academics

• Social/Emotional

• College/Career Readiness

Through classroom lessons, small groups and individual counseling, we support students with attendance, improving grades, study skills, managing emotions, learning coping skills, navigating relationships with peers and adults, social skills, learning about careers and what careers interest them and postsecondary options. Working closely with teachers, we come alongside your student to help them thrive in school and gain tools for life.

How Students Can Reach Us:

1. Students can take a photo with their iPad of a QR code posted throughout the hallways and classrooms. The QR code links students to a short "self-referral" form to complete. Form submissions will automatically alert the Student Services Team (counselor and social worker).

2. Students can ask their teacher if they can see the counselor. The teacher will gauge the level of urgency/necessity, then let us know to check in with the student or contact us immediately if the need is urgent.

3. Students can email their counselor to request support and we can arrange a time that works best for their need and school day.

4. Students can stop by our offices during passing periods, before/after school and/or lunch to request time to check in.

Happening this Month:

Mini-Meetings

Throughout September, each counselor will meet with every student in their respective grade levels for a 2 - 3 minute "mini-meeting" to start/continue to get to know them. This is just a brief touch point and opportunity for each student to share some things about themselves and their experience so far this school year.

How You Can Reach Us:

• Email is the best way to reach us. We will respond within 24 - 48 hours.
• You can also call and leave a voicemail message if we are not in our offices.
• If you have any concerns for your student or you would like to share information that will help us support your child, please don't hesitate to contact us.

Care Solace is a company contracted by the district to help match individuals with therapy. We can make referrals for students and family members of students. D65 staff and their family members can also utilize their services. If this is something you feel would be beneficial, please reach out to your grade level counselor or use the link below.

Middle School Debate Calling all middle school students: It’s time for debate! The D65 Debate Program, funded by District 65 and covering lunch and transportation costs, offers a structured environment where students can engage in competitive debate, learn to construct and defend arguments and develop their reasoning abilities. Since 2022, we’ve partnered with Argument Centered Education, a renowned organization dedicated to advancing debate and critical thinking skills, ensuring that our students receive high-quality instruction and mentorship. The program allows students to debate in teams or individually against teams from across the city of Chicago and Northwest Indiana.

Intellectual property rights is the national debate topic for this school year. D65 students will be given a set of files, along with other materials to prepare and practice for the tournaments (view 2024-2025 schedule).

Use the button below to register by SEPTEMBER 14! If you have any questions or need assistance, please email Regina Colquitt, Director of Social Studies, at colquittr@district65.net.

Dial 988 (call or text) to reach the National Suicide Prevention Hotline, offering support for anyone experiencing “mental health - related” distress such as thoughts of suicide, substance use crisis, worried about a loved one who needs crisis support, etc.

Know the Warning Signs of Suicide

• Talking about the desire to die or feeling hopeless or having no reason to live

• Expressing they feel trapped, are in unbearable pain, feel like a burden

• Increased use of alcohol/drugs

• Anxious, agitated, reckless

• Sleeping too little or too much

• Withdrawing/isolating

• Showing rage

• Extreme mood swings

• Prolonged sadness

• Experiencing a major life crisis

• Becoming emotionally distant/detached from people/activities

Recommended books from Ms. Philippe, Nichols Librarian

Other recommended reads on this topic:

Thirteen Reasons Why

The Last Time We Say Goodbye

What I Leave Behind

The Astonishing Color of After

My Heart and Other Black Holes

All the Bright Places

Playlist for the Dead

Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock

This Song Will Save Your Life

Some self-improvement tips for teens can include:

• setting goals
• exercising
• limiting time on social media
• trying new things
• journaling
• building study habits
• time management

Encourage your child to check in with their school counselor for any help with strategies and/or tools to increase self-improvement!

Recommended books from Ms. Philippe, Nichols Librarian

Non-attendance day for students

Check out the links below for fun activities for your children on their day off.

Lego Club for Teens - Evanston Public Library

1:00 - 3:00

Main Library

Age group: Teens

Event type: STEM & Maker, Games

Test your LEGO building skills, either alone or with a team, in this ultimate LEGO challenge for the chance to win! (Grades 6-12)

Click the link below and scroll down to register for this event.

https://evanston.libnet.info/events