Monday, April 28, 2014

Nichols Middle School Council Meeting, Wed. 4/30, at 3 PM in the NMS Media Center



2013-2014 John T. Nichols, Jr. Middle School Council

Are you interested in getting involved with your child’s education in another way besides PTA or fundraising?  Would you like to be more involved in the academic aspects and decision making of your child's education here at Nichols?  If you are, then seriously consider whether you would be interested in joining the Nichols Middle School Council (also called a School Improvement Council).  By law, every school in the country has to have a School Council.  

The law outlines four major areas of responsibility for councils.  School councils are to assist principals in:  

  1. Adopting educational goals for the school that are consistent with local educational policies and statewide student performance standards; 
  2. Identifying the educational needs of students attending the school; 
  3. Reviewing the annual school building budget; and 
  4. Formulating a school improvement plan.

We meet once a month on the 3rd Wednesday of each month, except where specified below – our next meeting is on Wednesday, April 30, for about an hour, beginning at 3:00 PM and ending around 4 PM, to discuss such items as our School Improvement Plan, parent involvement, how we are working with MCAS data, what we are doing to improve teaching and learning, different curricular ideas, courses, etc.  In all, the group is not like the “PTA”; it is more a group of people who are looking into school improvement and how we can get the improvement we are looking for.

This month's meeting will be centered on putting the finishing touches on our School Improvement Plan.

The group is made up of parents, teachers, and at least one community member.  If you are interested or would just like to come and check it out, please come to our next meeting, Wednesday, April 30, at 3 PM, in the Media Center at NMS or email me at mgeoghegan@middleboro.k12.ma.us. If you have any questions, please let me know.  Thank you.

2013-2014 NMS School Council Remaining Meeting Dates
May 21, 2014
June 18, 2014
*All dates are the 3rd Wednesday of each month - except where specified.

Tuesday, April 22, 2014

58th Annual John T. Nichols, Jr. Middle School Science Fair

2014 John T. Nichols, Jr. Middle School Science Fair


A Celebration of Scientific Proportions

On the evening of Wednesday, April 16, the 58th Annual NMS 7th Grade Science Fair was held in the John T. Nichols, Jr. Middle School gym and auditorium.

The night's festivities were hosted by NMS Science Department Chair, Mr. Scott Redpath, and by our 7th Grade Science teachers, Mr. Steve Eddy and Ms. Cindy Kuhn.

The students displayed their scientific acumen through multiple means as they had a tri-fold board, report, lab notebook, and made a presentation.  Everyone in attendance was dazzled by the incredible amount of time and effort students put in to making this night an amazing success.

Ms. Melanie Gates, STEM Coordinator Grades 6 through 12, said it best when she mentioned how the students showed the spirit and energy scientists display in proving their own hypotheses, and she knows that future STEM workers were ever-present in the work they completed.

An awesome night of academic excellence.

Congratulations to all of our young scientists, and most especially to our winners.

Superintendent Dr. Roseli Weiss and Principal Mr. Martin Geoghegan awarded our 2014 NMS Science Fair Championship to Sydney Montross, whose very personal project on Type 1 Diabetes and the benefits of exercise in controlling blood sugar levels in diabetics was phenomenal.


While Runner-up, Jack Mulgrew did not let anyone down.  His experiment compared the levels of bacteria found in the home versus levels found in public locations such as NMS and local restaurants.

The judges had the most difficult time they had ever had in deciding on a champion; congratulations, Sydney!

Also receiving awards were:

Medals of Distinction were awarded to:

  Rachel Buroughs
  Zachary Chin
  Kassidy Cragin
  Heidi Creiten
  Leo Domenic
  Owen McCarthy
  Marc Millette
  Danah Moore
  Greg Silva
  Jacob Studley
  Isabella Ventresca
  Ian Yeskewicz

Honorable Mentions were awarded to:
  Camryn Beals
  Katherine Bingham-Maas
  Maddie Cannavo
  Shyla Carrasquilla
  Jamie Carson
  Peter Colagero
  Natalie Dargelis
  Amanda Davis
  Julia Dellamano
  Garrett Donohue
  Emily Geddes
  Katelyn Harrington
  Mykaela Hood
  Michaela Lenahan
  Sydney Littlefield
  Ryan Marshall
  Katherine McDermott
  Matt McNaughton
  Milo Oliva
  Isabel Perry
  Rachel Peterson
  Tim Reed
  Madison Roberts
  Emily Sargent
  Dylan Smith
  Maggie Smith
  Eliza Tripp

Here are some more pictures from the evening as well as some of the other sensational projects.




















Spring Portraits Reminder from Lifetouch

REMINDER:

John T Nichols Jr Middle School
Portraits were taken on: 03/31/2014
Final reminder to select your favorite portraits. 

You should have received your child's spring school pictures.
  1. Select your favorite portraits
     
  2. Pay online or complete the order form, include payment and return with your child to school
     
  3. Return any unpurchased portraits with your child to school
     
  4. Lifetouch is rewarding positive behavior by providing a bicycle to be used in a drawing for the school if everyone pays for, or simply returns, their portraits. If we reach 100% response, Lifetouch will give the school a bicycle. No purchase is necessary to be included in the drawing.
Picture Day ID: MV983407Q0
PAY ONLINE
  Lifetouch 2014
 

Thursday, April 17, 2014

Dress for Sox-cess 2014, A great SUCCESS for NMS Team Dylan -- Final Tally

NMS Team Dylan Final Tally for the Jimmy Fund

On Friday, April 4, the Nichols Middle School hosted our Rally Against Cancer Dress for Sox-cess Fundraiser, and it truly was a SUCCESS.  We joined forces with Dylan Berio and his family, but we also put together the power of the whole Middleborough community as we tried to raise funds to battle this horrible disease, cancer.

Through the generosity of the students, faculty, staff, and the whole Nichols Middle School community including the Middleborough High School, the Mary K. Goode School, the Henry B. Burkland School, and the Memorial Early Childhood Center, we were able to raise $3609.15, for NMS Team Dylan.  

What an awesome success.

Ms. Berio, when told of the combined effort had this to say:

Dear Mr. Geoghegan, all faculty, staff and students at NMS, MHS, MKG, HBB, and MECC schools:

We would like to thank all of you for participating in The Dress for SOX-CESS Rally Against Cancer fundraiser. This is something that you all know is very near and dear to our hearts. We thank you for coming out and supporting and honoring Dylan, Hailey and Jesse.  We are blessed to know we have a wonderful community rallying behind our families. Also a big thank you to everyone for continuing to support not only Dylan but by your donations giving and supporting all of Dylan's friends at the Dana Farber Jimmy Fund Clinic to get more funds for research. So here is to another wonderful successful year for this event; I can't put into words how this has truly touched our hearts.

Sincerely,
The Berio Family
Phil, Dawn, Hayden, and Dylan


Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Spring Parent-Teacher Conference, Second Night, Wednesday, 4/16, 4 to 6:30 PM


Our Second Evening of Parent-Teacher Conferences

Wednesday, April 16, is the second night of our Spring Parent-Teacher Conferences from 4 to 6:30 PM.

Communication is a powerful tool in closing the gap between home and school and ensuring success for all of our children.  If you feel that discussion regarding your child’s progress or lack of it is needed, please come in on April 16, for that would offer both you and the teacher enough time to adequately discuss your child's present situation.  Please know that these Spring Conferences are usually lighter in attendance, so you will have a far greater chance of discussing your child’s progress at these conferences.

The Science Fair will be on display as the Parent-Teacher Conferences are going on, as well as our Book Fair will be open in the Media Center.

We hope to see as many of you as we can on Wednesday, April 16, from 4 to 6:30 PM.

ROAR Award Winners for March 2014


March 2014 ROAR Award Winners

This year NMS faculty, and specifically Mr. McLaughlin, has begun a new program, which recognizes student achievement each month.  The ROAR award is given by each cluster, and Unified Arts, to acknowledge students who have been Respectful, On-time, (positive) Attitude, and Responsible.  The goal is to recognize students who not only take care of basic expectations in class but are good citizens and role models in our community.

Award winners receive a certificate, a coupon for a free book at the book fair, bumper stickers for their parents’ cars, and their individual picture displayed in the school for the month.

The March award winners received their certificates from Mr. McLaughlin and Mr. Geoghegan in a brief ceremony at the beginning of this month.


The ROAR Award winners for March 2014 for each team were:

Grade 6 Challengers:  Riley Bateman
Grade 6 Adventurers: Ethan McAnneny
Grade 7 Explorers: Matt McNaughton
Grade 7 Beacons: Rachel Tuell
Grade 8 Apollos: Gerry Leavens
Grade 8 Comets: Owen Connell
Unified Arts:  Kevin Calabrese, Jr. (Grade 6)

Congratulations to all our March 2014 ROAR Winners!  Great job during this month as you march your way to a sensational year!

Monday, April 7, 2014

April PTA Meeting on Wednesday, April 9, 6 to 7 PM in NMS Media Center


PTA Meeting -- Wednesday, April 9, at 6 PM

The April PTA Meeting has been scheduled to 6 PM this Wednesday, April 9, at 6 PM, in the NMS Media Center to accommodate the Parent Presentation at 7 PM in the Auditorium with Joani Geltman on "Social Media: What is a Parent to Do." 


Please come and help to support our students.


The NMS PTA normally meet on the first Wednesday of each month.


Any questions please contact Rose Borges at Click here to email NMS PTA.


Thank you.

MPS Health & Wellness Committee -- All Are Invited to Meeting, May 7, 3:45 to 4:45 PM at HBB


MIDDLEBOROUGH PUBLIC SCHOOLS
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
COMMITTEE

Please join us at our next meeting.

Henry B. Burkland School Auditorium
3:45 – 4:45pm
May 7, 2014

RSVP by May 2, 2014

508-946-2040 x4415

MISSION
To be sure all students, staff, and community members are provided with a school environment that promotes lifelong wellness.


Friday, April 4, 2014

Dress for Sox-cess 2014, A great SUCCESS for NMS Team Dylan



NMS Successfully Dresses for Sox-Cess to Help Defeat Cancer



On Friday, April 4, the Nichols Middle School hosted our Rally Against Cancer Dress for Sox-cess Fundraiser, and it truly was a SUCCESS.

In our own version of the World Series, we definitely proved to be Champions.  Through the generosity of the students, faculty, staff, and the whole Nichols Middle School community, we were able to raise over $800, so far, for NMS Team Dylan.  We are still awaiting the results from the other MPS Schools who also helped pitch in to make this a true Middleborough community effort.



All the funds will go to help fight this horrible disease, which affects so many of our loved ones, but especially our very own "NMS Team Dylan" Captain, Dylan Berio.

Thank you all for all your support; it was an awesome, awesome accomplishment!


Thursday, April 3, 2014

Reminder: Dress for Sox-cess 2014 for NMS Team Dylan, Opening Day, Friday, April 4



Help NMS-Team Dylan Defeat Cancer by Joining Our Team, Wearing Your Sox Gear, and Donating to the Jimmy Fund on Friday, April 4

Good afternoon Nichols Middle School community,

On Friday, April 4, Opening Day for the Red Sox at Fenway Park, the John T. Nichols, Jr. Middle School community will be participating in a very special fundraiser:  The Jimmy Fund Rally Against Cancer Dress for Sox-cess Fundraiser.

The Berio family has again joined forces with the students of Nichols Middle School to help strike out this horrible disease.  

Students can come to school wearing their favorite Boston Red Sox gear, and all we are asking for is at least a dollar donation to wear your hat during school.  



Students may make more of a donation, if they choose, for all the proceeds will go to The Jimmy Fund in support of Team Dylan Berio as well as Jesse and Hailey, our other Middleborough Community members.



Dylan Berio is a six year old, who is battling cancer.  Dylan is the brother of Hayden Berio, an 8th grader here at NMS.



One can sign-up by making a gift in one of three ways to help strike out cancer:
  1. Bring a cash contribution to school on Friday, April 4.
  2. Bring a check made out to "The Jimmy Fund" to school on Friday, April 4.
  3. Visit the website and make an online donation at:  Click Here to Donate to Rally Against Cancer 2014 NMS Team Dylan

All proceeds raised will go to the Dana-Farber Pediatric Brain Tumor Research fund and to the Dana-Farber Brain Tumor Pediatric Patient Fund.

Please help us Rally Against Cancer and strike out this horrible disease.

Go NMS Team Dylan!