The Principal's Perspective
Welcome Back From Fall Break!
As the leaves have turned and fallen, and the holiday season officially kicks off, my family and I recently took a much needed journey to a peaceful cabin in the Missouri woods for Thanksgiving. It was a wonderful opportunity to slow down and truly take in the silence and breathe in the spirit of gratitude and togetherness. Tucked away from the hustle of adult life, this trip offered a profound sense of unplugging. From the cabin it takes a solid 15 minutes of driving just to reach the "civilization" of a Wal-Mart or a Wendy's. This location makes sure that we are successfully off the beaten path.The traditional concrete roads disappear, and are replaced by the crunch of gravel under the tires and a path marked only by the vibrant fall foliage. A home that belongs to deer, fawns, and antlered bucks who are always roaming freely, reminding us of life outside of the concrete jungle.
One of my favorite parts of this family tradition location is the the deliberate darkness. The community encourages turning off all porch and deck lights at night, creating a pitch-black canvas overhead. This enforced solitude brought our attention to simple sensory joys: the mesmerizing and sparkly red crackle of wood in the fireplace, the smoky scent of burning embers, and the sweet, aroma of apple pie oozing over a crust that I clearly needed to poke a few more times lol!
My grandsons, Mars and Thomas, filled with energy and imagination, ran through the trees, playing knights hunting a pretend bear, all while their aunts kept a watchful eye on the real wildlife. Though the chilly lake kept them from swimming, they settled happily for the simple pleasure of throwing rocks and acorns off the deck—a small echo of the great outdoors and ripples in the water brought cheers. Soon a winter storm came, however, and blanketed all the leaves with snow that looked like white glitter when the sun hit the surface.
This year was especially meaningful as we focused on spending quality time with my 89-year-old father, who is slowing down due to age. As we all live in different cities and states, we are committed to cherishing these moments and listening to stories of yesteryear, Harry Truman (his favorite historical figure), and all of the things the history books do not write about.
Like many families, our Thanksgiving followed the familiar ritual of assignments: those who can't cook, clean, the expert chefs cook (my daughter and myself), and the children, the most fortunate of all, color and play with boundless imagination, like making pretend fishing hooks out of neon bracelets and fishing for matchbox cars through the spaces on the staircase. And yes, it wouldn't be a true family gathering without a few disagreements or arguments along the way. Yet, in the end, we know the deeper truth: Family is the tie that binds. We are all connected, seeking to be heard and understood. Even when things don't go "our way," we can trust that they unfold exactly as they are meant to.
As we move forward into a season rich with celebrations—whether it be Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, Bodhi Day, Las Posadas, Yule, or simply the celebration of togetherness—let’s carry the spirit of gratitude for each other, and yes, even ourselves, with us. Let's remember and appreciate the ties that bind the Nichols community. Remember that even if you find yourself in solitude during the holidays, you are never truly alone. There is profound peace in recognizing the joy that is you and the gifts you bring to Nichols.
May we all continue to find and live in peace and harmony even as we face uncertainties ahead as a school, district, community and yes, even as a Nation. We are all a part of the tie that binds! We are all an important part of the tradition and travels of life!
Sending a huge thank you to The Sanctuary Evanston Nichols Group and all volunteers, both parents and community members, who came out daily to make sure our scholars arrived safely to school and exited safely home as ICE continued to threaten the members of the Evanston community. Your dedication and work has not gone unnoticed. You all are so very much appreciated!
6th Grade Winners!
7th Grade Winners!
8th grade Winners!
Please encourage your scholar to check the lost and found. Lost and Found will be cleared out on Thursday, December 4, 2025.