AVID's mission is to close the opportunity gap by preparing all students for college and career readiness and success in a global society.

💥 AVID Anecdotals will be emailed monthly to all Nichols AVID families. We hope to further clarify the AVID program and provide information to those who are new to AVID 💥

6th Grade

In addition to the Oakton trip, 6th grade AVID scholars wanted to learn about more colleges, so they have been researching different schools. Students then used their research to design their own Ugly Holiday College Sweaters. They have also "gone" on two virtual college tours, providing valuable insights into life as a college student.

7th Grade

Students in Ms. McDermott's 2nd and 6th period classes have been doing comparative college research. Students made pennants of colleges they researched! Did you know Penn State remains one of the largest public universities in the United States with 87,995 students!!! That is huge 😃

This graphic displays just some of the universities students have been researching.

8th Grade

8th Grade AVID has continued with their tutorials on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Students are really digging deep into their Points of Confusion and working with classmates as well as teachers to problem solve.

Both 8th Grade AVID classes have created a fundraiser. They have designed a sweathshirt they are going to sell and the proceeds will be going to a charity - food bank or animal shelter. They are using a Fundraising Proposal document (below) to create their own marketing strategy. The classes are competing against each other in order to see which is going to stand out more. They are organizing the entire process. This has turned into a really big deal in which scholars are talking about campaigns they can flash on TV.

Ms. Stone is working on leadership skills with her AVID scholars. They are working towards leading our Town hall assemblies for the 8th grade. This is not required of all AVID scholars but most, stepped up. They are creating speeches, quotes, songs, dances and artwork to open the town hall focusing on the theme for Student of the Month. Ms. Stone is looking forward into 2025 and hoping for our AVID scholars to be representing in full AVID gear with solidarity.

Our 6th grade AVID classes recently went on their field trip to Oakton Community College in Des Plaines. During this field trip, students were able to learn some good general information about college, such as the differences between degrees and years needed to achieve them, financial information and more. Our scholars also got to learn some information about Oakton, what they have to offer, and why some people often go to community colleges prior to or instead of expensive universities.

6th Grade

Favorite thing about AVID: My teacher

How has AVID helped you as a student: It teaches me different ways to take notes

Would you Rather...have to clean the school bathroom or the school cafeteria? If It's my own bathroom then that so I don't have to touch the food

Favorite thing about AVID: It helps me wake up

How has AVID helped you as a student: It helps me get organized

Would you Rather...have to clean the school bathroom or the school cafeteria? clean the cafeteria!

Favorite thing about AVID: The class in general

How has AVID helped you as a student: It helps me take better notes

Would you Rather...have to clean the school bathroom or the school cafeteria? Cafeteria so I don't have to touch gross stuff in the bathroom

Favorite thing about AVID: Writing

How has AVID helped you as a student: I am not sure yet

Would you Rather...have to clean the school bathroom or the school cafeteria? If it's at school then the cafeteria

7th Grade

Favorite thing about AVID: I have a lot of freedom and choices of what to do. Like Wednesdays when we have missing work, we have time to do it.

How has AVID helped you as a student? I have gotten better at note-taking.

Would you Rather...have to clean the school bathroom or the school cafeteria? Cafeteria.

Favorite thing about AVID: Going to colleges on field trips. Last year we went to Oakton and Northwestern.

How has AVID helped you as a student? I can do Math better. The tutorial process has helped me understand it.

Would you Rather...have to clean the school bathroom or the school cafeteria? Cafeteria.

Favorite thing about AVID: The environment. A period you can talk with friends and work on TRFs, reading and writing.

How has AVID helped you as a student? TRFs are good because you submit a question, then they tutor you. Like if I don't understand a Math problem, I put my question on the TRF form and the tutor breaks it down for you.

Would you Rather...have to clean the school bathroom or the school cafeteria? Oof! Bathrooms because people do more in the cafeteria. It'll go quicker. I've been through the trenches already cleaning bathrooms.

8th Grade

Favorite thing about AVID: Helping me excel in all of my classes.

How has AVID helped you as a student: Helps me stay organized.

Would you Rather...have to clean the school bathroom or the school cafeteria? Cafeteria because it is more supervised.

Favorite thing about AVID: That you get to talk to your fiends and peers. And we do a lot of fun actitvities.

How has AVID helped you as a student: Helped me be more organized and take more notes.

Would you Rather...have to clean the school bathroom or the school cafeteria? Cafeteria because it is probably cleaner.

Favorite thing about AVID: Learn about high school and do our own activities like the bake sale for fundraising. And in the community with kids.

How has AVID helped you as a student: Actually started using my binder, I keep track a lot of my work and helped me keep my locker cleaner.

Would you Rather...have to clean the school bathroom or the school cafeteria? Bathroom because I find it gross cleaning other people's food and it's just gross and stinks in general.

Favorite thing about AVID: Taking notes.

How has AVID helped you as a student: Helped me to be more organized and take better notes.

Would you Rather...have to clean the school bathroom or the school cafeteria? Girls bathroom only!

ETHS Course Selection Night -

Jan 22: Last names A-F: 6pm, G-L: 7pm

Jan 23: Last Names M-R: 6pm, S-Z: 7pm

6th Grade AVID Teacher

7th Grade AVID Teacher

mcdermottmeg@district65.net

8th Grade AVID Teacher