Mr. Smith's 6th Grade Spotlight

Welcome!

Dear Rising 6th Grade Haven Families,

I hope this message finds you well! I’m thrilled to officially welcome your student (and your entire family) to Haven Middle School. This will be my 5th year as Assistant Principal at Haven. Before that, I was a science and math educator, and I also served as both a Dean of Students and a Dean of Instruction. Those experiences have shaped how I approach my work today: keeping students at the center, building strong relationships, and helping both kids and teachers grow.

Newsletters are one of the main ways we share important updates and information with our Haven Middle School community. They allow us to communicate efficiently with students and families, keeping everyone informed about upcoming events, classroom highlights, and key details about 6th grade life at Haven. We encourage parents and caregivers to read each newsletter carefully and in its entirety. These messages often contain time-sensitive announcements, reminders, and resources to help your child have a successful school year. Staying connected through our newsletters is an important way to ensure you don’t miss out on what’s happening at Haven!

As we sent off our recent graduates in June, we’re equally excited to embrace our newest students. I’ll be your child’s designated grade-level administrator, which means I’ll be with them (and you!) every step of the way from 6th through 8th grade. Mr. Latting and I each support specific grade levels, and together we’re committed to making sure your child’s experience at Haven is both positive and successful.

In addition to myself, your child will also be supported by two dedicated members of our student services team who will stay with them throughout middle school:

Ms. Morgan Karl, 6th Grade School Counselor
Ms. Mahalia Sobhani, 6th Grade Social Worker

Together, the three of us will work closely to support your child’s academic, social, and emotional development. You’ll see my colleagues and me engaging with you in ways that reflect the “Big 5” of our district: courtesy, professionalism, dignity, respect, and humanization. These values guide how we show up for students and families every day. In turn, I ask that you also bring these same qualities as we partner and collaborate in the years ahead. When we model the Big 5 together, our students see those qualities in action—and they learn to carry them forward in their own lives.

To kick off the year, we’d love to see you at our Back-to-School Bash on Thursday, August 21 from 4:30–6:30 p.m. It’s a fun and welcoming event where students and families can meet staff, enjoy music from a live DJ, grab a treat from the ice cream truck, and tour the building with our amazing Student Ambassadors.

During our time the best way to get in touch with me, Ms. Karl or Ms. Sobhani is via email, as we prioritize being present in classrooms, hallways, and around the building with students and staff. As a result, we're rarely at my desk or by a phone, but we're always checking email and responsive throughout the day.

I’m truly looking forward to getting to know you and your student as we begin this exciting new chapter at Haven.

Best,

Thomas Smith

Thomas Smith (he/him/his)
Assistant Principal
Haven Middle School
📞 847-859-8207

smitht2@district65.net
🌐 Haven Middle School Website

Keys to a Successful Middle School Experience at Haven

As I enter my 5th year at Haven, I’ve had the unique opportunity to loop up with students and walk alongside them as they grow. That experience has given me a clear sense of what it takes for both students and families to have a successful Haven experience. With that in mind, I’d like to share a few kernels of advice to help you and your child start strong:

We’re in this together – The best results come when we partner. I truly believe that schools work best when families and staff are on the same team. Please don’t ever hesitate to reach out—you’ll always hear back from me, and we’ll figure things out together.

Students come first – My top priority is making sure every student feels safe, known, and part of the Haven community. Kids can only learn and grow when they feel they belong, so that’s where we always start.

We will get to know your kids and YOU – One of the exciting things about this year is that Ms. Karl, Ms. Sobhani and I are looping up with this grade level. That means we'll foster deep connections and get to really know students—their strengths, their challenges, and their personalities. We've implemented this model with the most recent graduating class with success and positivity.

My background – Before moving into leadership, I taught science and math, and I also spent several years as a Dean of Students and a Dean of Instruction. This will be my 5th year as Assistant Principal at Haven, and I can honestly say I’m just as energized now as I was on my first day. I love this work, and I love this community.

How I lead – My leadership style is what’s called servant leadership. In plain terms, it means I see my job as serving students, staff, and families first. I focus on listening, building trust, and creating the conditions where others can do their best work. It’s not about being the loudest voice in the room—it’s about helping others shine.

High expectations with real support – I believe every student can achieve at a high level. But that doesn’t mean doing it alone. We balance challenge with the right supports so kids feel stretched but not stuck. That’s how growth happens.

Rooted in Evanston – My family and I recently became Evanston residents, and that has deepened my commitment in a new way. Haven isn’t just where I work—it’s part of the same community where I’m raising my own family. That makes the work more personal, and it makes me even more invested in seeing every student and family thrive. I also went to graduate school at Northwestern. I'm connected to the community of Evanston.

We’ll stay connected – You’ll hear from me regularly so you know what’s happening, what to expect, and how to support your child. Clear communication builds trust, and that’s something I take seriously.

We’ll celebrate – Middle school is full of challenges, but it’s also full of moments worth celebrating. Whether it’s a small success in class or a big milestone, we’ll make time to lift up students’ effort, growth, and leadership along the way.

Quick Reminders for a Smooth Start

Lockers – Students will receive their lockers during the first week of school, assigned by their homeroom teachers. Please note that students are not permitted to carry backpacks during the school day—all backpacks should stay in lockers.

Cell Phones/Smart Watches and other Personal Electronic Devices – Cell phones, smart watches and other personal electronic devices must remain in lockers throughout the school day. At Haven we try to focus as much energy and attention on learning and recognize that these devices can be distracting. Students may not use phones or wear smart watches during school hours. If a student is found using a device, it will be turned into the front office, and a parent/guardian will need to pick it up. Students will not be able to take the device home that day. Students can use the landline of the main office or an educator to get in touch with you during the school day. *Please ensure that you speak with your student about this expectation so that we can remain focused on teaching and learning.

Bicycles – If your child rides a bike to school, please remind them to wear a helmet and to lock their bicycle securely each day. Unfortunately some bicycles have gone missing or stolen, and in most cases it is due to not locking a bicycle or not locking it appropriately.

Arrival & Start Time – Our school day begins promptly at 8:00 a.m. Doors open at 7:50 a.m. Students arriving after 8:00 a.m. are considered late and must sign in at the Prairie Avenue front office before going to class.

Newsletters – You’ll receive newsletters from me every 3–4 weeks with important updates, reminders, and celebrations. For easy reference, past newsletters will be archived at the bottom.

Meet Ms. Karl (6th Grade Counselor)

Hello! I’m Morgan Karl (Ms. Karl, to students) and this is my fourth year at Haven and fourth year as a school counselor. In my role as a school counselor, I support the social emotional, academic, and career development of all students, with a focus on our general education students. I just closed the loop with my first class after supporting them through their middle school journey, and I am so excited to be transitioning back down to 6th grade to welcome, encourage, and support a brand new cohort of Haven Northstars (Class of 2028!).

I will be meeting with all students during the first few weeks of school during our “Mini Meeting.” Mini Meetings occur twice a school year (fall and winter) and allow me to individually connect with students, learn about their interests and goals, and determine supports to help them succeed as both humans and learners. I’m passionate about teaching students how their brains work, how to “level up” their thinking through a growth mindset, normalizing human emotions while learning and practicing coping skills to navigate life's challenges, and how to self-reflect and engage in responsible decision making. Additionally, I support students with their executive functioning, communication, and relationship skills.

I value communication and collaboration with caregivers in order to best support students. Please feel free to reach out at any point with insight on your student, whether they need a brief check-in after a challenging morning, support navigating a peer challenge, or are in need of more regular support.

For additional information on the role of a school counselor and for mental health and parent resources, please check out the Haven School Counseling website.

I am looking forward to a wonderful 2025-2026 school year and am so excited to welcome our new class of 6th grade students! ⭐

Meet Ms. Sobhani (6th Grade Social Worker)

Hello! I’m Mahalia Sobhani (rhymes with Chobani) (she/her) and this is my second year as a Haven social worker. In my role, I work closely with students with IEPs and 504 plans in addition to supporting the general student population. Ms. Karl and I work together to support every student’s social-emotional well-being and connect folks to community resources. I am particularly passionate about grief work, teaching students about how our brains work, and helping students identify their values and how to live through them – all in the pursuit of a quality education and a meaningful life.

I am so excited to meet our Haven Class of 2028 and to be a companion to them throughout their middle school journey! This phase of life is full of changes and opportunities for growth, and Ms. Karl and I will be there every step of the way.

Your input and partnership as caregivers is incredibly valuable to us, so please feel free to reach out if you ever want to collaborate about your student.

Looking forward to an exemplary school year and bright new beginnings!

Back to School Bash

Before the year starts let’s kick off the year together at our Back to School Bash on Thursday, August 21st, 4:30–6:30 p.m. Come enjoy free ice cream, music from our DJ, fun photo booth moments, building tours with our amazing Student Ambassadors, and a peek at updates like the newly retiled Allied Arts main square. It’s the perfect time to connect with friends, meet staff, and start the year off with smiles and energy.

Picture Day (September 19th)

Our annual student and school pictures will take place on Friday, September 19th. Please mark your calendars!

Pictures will be taken by Lifetouch, and additional details about Picture Day can be found below.

https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1755297943/district65net/ctwneoext9iwejp713ug/picture-day2025.pdf

Alternate Placement

Alternate Placement
The process for requesting alternate placement has been updated and is currently posted on the D65 website. The process for responding to the request is being finalized and will be shared soon!

6th Grade Curriculum Updates

As the year starts you'll see at a glance updates about curriculum/learning your students are engaging in.

DATES TO REMEMBER (At a Glance Calendar Here)

August

August 21st: Haven Back to School Bash (4:30-6:30 pm)

August 25th: First Day of School for Students (K-8)

September

Sept. 1st: No School - Labor Day

Sept. 17th: No School - School Improvement Day

Sept. 18th: Curriculum Night at Haven Middle School (5 - 7 pm)

Sept. 19th: Picture Day at Haven Middle School

Sept 23rd: No School - Rosh Hashanah

At a glance 25-26 calendar click here or view below

6th Grade Newsletter Archive

August: 19th