The Sixth Scoop

Dear 6th Grade Families,

Welcome back! I hope you and your family enjoyed a restful and enjoyable spring break. The weather was beautiful, and I personally cherished the opportunity to spend time with my children and extended family. It was wonderful to catch up on reading, share meals with friends, and even take a short road trip. Time spent making memories with loved ones is always special.

As we ease back into our school routine, we have an exciting event coming up! This week, our 6th graders will be attending a field trip to the Evanston Public Library.

Field Trip Details:

• Dates: Tuesday and Wednesday (Teachers will inform students of their assigned day)

• Departure: Approximately 8:30 AM

• Return: Around 10:45 AM

• Weather: Please check the forecast and ensure your child is dressed appropriately for the walk.

We are excited for this opportunity to foster a love of learning and explore the library’s resources.

Reminders for a Successful Week:

• Please ensure your child brings their fully charged iPad and all necessary school supplies, including binders, notebooks, and writing utensils.

• Arrival Time: Students are not permitted inside the building before 7:40 AM. Adult supervision is provided starting at 7:40 AM, both inside and outside the school. While we know many students enjoy socializing before school, it is important that they arrive no earlier than 7:40 AM for their safety.

• Dismissal: Staff members will supervise students until 3:15 PM. If your child does not participate in an after-school program or practice, please ensure they head home promptly after dismissal.

Ensuring their safety and well-being is always our top priority, both on their way to and from school and throughout the school day.

Reporting Absences: If your child will be absent, please contact the office as soon as possible by calling 847-859-8660 or emailing ni-attendance@district65.net. Please include your child’s legal first and last name, along with the reason for the absence.

We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with you in your child's education and development.

Thank you for your continued support. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or concerns.

Warm regards,

Ms. Brunson

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Nichols Middle School is offering a free morning tutoring program for all interested students called Morning Mentors. Nichols staff and Northwestern students will provide tutoring in all subject areas. This is a great opportunity for students to be provided with homework help, re-teaching of lessons and general study skills. Acceptance into the program is a two fold - first come, first served basis along with a continuous attendance expectation.

Sessions are held at Nichols Middle School, in the library, on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Sessions run from 7:15-7:50 am. Light breakfast snacks will be provided free of charge.

Students may also get breakfast from the cafeteria and bring it to the program. We are currently accepting seven students per day and due to the limited space, we are also limiting each student to one day per week. We ask that parents speak to their child(ren) and classroom teachers to determine exactly how much support is required. Please keep in mind, our goal is to serve as many students as possible.

What are the benefits?

You are providing your student with an important opportunity to increase their overall academic skills.

Do I need to arrange transportation?

Yes. Nichols does not provide transportation for students. Students need to arrive at school by 7:15 am and meet in the library.

Do I need to supply any materials?

No. Students will use their current supplies and textbooks provided by teachers.

Is homework assigned?

There will be no homework assigned.

How will I know how my child is doing?

Academic work will be reflected in progress reports on PowerSchool.

What do I need to do as a parent?

You and your child will be asked to sign the attached contract in which you agree to your child consistently attending the morning tutoring program. Attendance for the program will be taken daily. If your child will be absent due to illness or etc., please email Ms. Verzo AND Ms. Bastas, so we can mark the absence as an excused absence. Students with ONE unexcused absence or ONE severe tardy (15 minutes or more) will get an email home. The SECOND unexcused absence or SECOND severe tardy will result in possible removal from the program. Once again, our goal is to help service as many

students as we can.

Please indicate your interest in having your child participate in the Morning Mentors program by signing the attached contract and return it to Ms. Verzo (verzom@district65.net) or Ms. Bastas (bastasm@district65.net). If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Thank you for this opportunity to work with your student!

Sincerely,

Ms. Verzo and Ms. Bastas

The Nichols PTA plays a vital role in making our school community strong, vibrant, and engaging. Thanks to their dedication, we’ve been able to host incredible events over the past few years, including:

• Back-to-School Night, a fun-filled celebration with jump houses, snacks, music, and a true sense of community.
• Family Fun Night, where families come together for an evening of activities and connection.
• The State of Nichols Address, providing important updates and insights about our school.

Beyond events, the PTA directly supports our students and teachers in meaningful ways. They provide grants that fund exciting learning opportunities and hands-on projects in our classrooms. They also go above and beyond to show appreciation for our teachers, ensuring they receive special gifts during Teacher Appreciation Week. This year, the PTA generously funded our math teachers' attendance at the NCTM Math Conference, allowing them to expand their expertise and bring back valuable knowledge for our students.

However, our current PTA leadership team members are primarily 7th and 8th grade parents—and with our 8th grade families moving on to ETHS next year, we need 6th grade parents to step up and get involved.

We need you to help keep our community strong! Your involvement ensures that Nichols continues to provide enriching experiences for students and essential support for teachers. It takes a village to educate and uplift the next generation.

If you're interested in joining the PTA leadership team and becoming an integral part of the Nichols Pride, please email nicholsmiddlepta@gmailo.com. Your time and commitment will make a lasting impact!

Thank you for being part of our Nichols community!