Welcome to the first full week of school in 2024! I hope this newsletter finds you well and that your student is settling into the routine of school after winter break and the 2 days of e-learning. Here are some important updates and reminders for the week ahead:

1. Curriculum Highlights:

   • This week, students will be taking their unit assessments in ELA. We encourage you to engage with your child about their learning experiences in all subjects and ask questions to foster a deeper understanding for them.

2. Upcoming Events:

   • Our first half day of 2024 will be in 2 weeks on Wednesday, February 7. School will end at 11:00am. I want to give you plenty of notice so that you can plan accordingly.
   • Sixth grade townhall will be this Friday. In December, we had a virtual townhall. We used it as an opportunity to review audience expectations and school safety. This Friday, we will resume an in-person townhall in the auditorium. We are excited for our 6th graders to display what they have learned while receiving their student of the month awards.

3. Homework and Assignments:

   • Please check your child's Google classroom for any assignments or announcements. Encourage a consistent homework routine or 30 minutes of reading, and feel free to reach out if you have any questions about the material that your child is working on.

4. Communication Channels:

   • We value open communication. If you have any concerns or questions, don't hesitate to contact your child's teacher, 6th grade counselor - Mrs. Dortzbach (dortzbachd@district65.net), or reach out to me (brunsone@district65.net).

5. Encourage Independence:

   • As your child progresses through 6th grade, fostering independence becomes crucial. Encourage them to take responsibility for their assignments and manage their time effectively.

6. Reminders:

• Ensure your child gets a good night's sleep and a healthy breakfast to support their focus and energy during the school day.
• Stay informed about any upcoming parent-teacher conferences or meetings. Parent teacher conference will be February 13th and 14th. Be on the lookout for additional information.

Thank you for your continued support in your child's education. We look forward to a fantastic week of learning and growth!

Thank you for ensuring that your children were present for learning even on our e-learning days. Our staff and students showed such dedication even using their phone hotspots when their home internet wasn't as strong. We have an incredibly dedicated teaching and learning community at Nichols! It's great to be a Lion!

BOYS/NON-BINARY Basketball

GIRLS/NON-BINARY Basketball

Every month, our 6th grade team has a special holiday. This month, it will be a compliment day on Wednesday, January 24, 2024. Please ask your student when they come home on Wednesday what compliments they received and which one they gave. We hope that they are also giving compliments to you when they come home.😀

Location: The Field Museum

Date of Trip: Mr. Lawrence/Mr. Engleman’s students: Wednesday, Feb. 21st

Mr. Sommer/Mr. Cohen’s students: Thursday, Feb. 22nd.

Depart: 9:15 AM

Return: 1:40 PM

Cost: $5.00 - cash or check(payable to Nichols Middle School)

Additional donations would be greatly appreciated to ensure all students can attend!

Please sign this form and return it to Mr. Sommer or Mr. Lawrence. It can be sent electronically to sommerb@district65.net or lawrencet@district65.net