One Month in the Books

A Closing of September Message 

I can't believe September is over.  It has been an incredible month of new beginnings.  We are a month into our new school year.  It has been a joy to see the faculty, staff, and students of the Nichols Middle School attack the school year with such energy and motivation.  I have said this before, but I will say it again, the 6^th graders have made their transition look as though they have been coming to NMS for years, and the 7^th and 8^th graders are taking the mantel of school leaders to a new level.  It has been a wonderful opening to the year.

Three things I want to reflect on as we have started the year.

First, our two new Assistant Principals have been an awesome addition to our school community.  Ms. Stephanie Rae is the assistant principal for students in the beginning of the alphabet and also curriculum-wise here to help and support our STEM teachers (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).  Mr. Gregory Thomas is the assistant principal for students at the end of the alphabet and also curriculum-wise here to help and support our Humanities teachers (English Language Arts, Social Studies, and Fine Arts).  They have already made an impact in how NMS is going to continue to improve.

  

Second, we have a renewed spirit here at the Nichols as our students have studied, worked on, and defined what it means to be a TIGER.  Every teacher in the building has had conversations with our students about what these letters stand for, and Ms. Rae and Mr. Thomas continue to stress the importance of this positive culture in their conversations with students.  Students need to show how they are T.I.G.E.R.S. with each letter being a representation for being Trustworthy, having Integrity, showing Generosity, having Empathy, displaying Responsibility, and being Strong.  These are our core values as a school and it is driving force for our school this year.

Third, our renewed school spirit has been incredible with our students wearing their class shirts, graciously supporting fundraisers, and generally making NMS a positive place to be.

It has unquestionably been a terrific opening for all of us here at NMS as we start the 2015-2016 school year.  The whole Nichols faculty and staff could not be happier with how things are progressing.  We have started to put together many changes, which we feel will only make the Nichols' experience greater for all of our students.  

Please make sure you stay in touch through this blog and also to us in the Main Office.  We are here for your students but also for you as well.  

Please remember to check out the calendar at the end of this site, for it holds a wealth of information.  As you can see, there are PTA Meetings, School Council meetings, Parent-Teacher Conferences, and Progress Reports all coming up.  

Please get and stay involved with your child's education.  Middle school is such a special time and the children in these "tweener" years need our help and support more than ever. 

Please continue to visit this website, for I will be updating it as often as I can with posts, events, news, and other school proceedings.  Also continue to check the Twitter site or check here on the right-hand side to see the Tweets I have sent out, which consist mostly of our daily announcements and reminders.

We're hoping for a great October as we have had an excellent September.

Sincerely,

M R Geoghegan

NMS Achieved Gold in PJ Day Fundraiser for Cancer Research

NMS PJ Day for Dana Farber Raised Excellent Funds

On Friday, September 25, the Nichols Middle School community participated in a Pajammin' Day to raise funds for cancer research as we went for "Gold for Kids with Cancer."

All week announcements were read explaining how children in hospitals across the world, but even more specifically across our own Middleborough community, are sometimes spending their days in PJs because they are dealing with cancer.  And so, we decided to have our own PJ Day to help raise some needed money to help eradicate this horrible disease as we went for Gold.

We had many students participate as they brought in a dollar to wear their PJs for the day.  

We raised almost $500 in this one day effort.

The money we raised was sent to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute Jimmy Fund in honor and support of Dylan Berio, Middleborough's own child battling cancer.

When contacting Mrs. Dawn Berio and telling her our good news, she couldn't have been prouder of our students, our community, and Mr. Rothemich and Ms. Hudson, our Student Council Advisors, for running the event.

The students had an excellent time wearing their PJs and eating outside during lunch.

Thank you all.  Please enjoy some of the photos from the day.

Reminder: NMS Picture Day is Wednesday, September 30

NMS Picture Day

Wednesday, September 30, is picture day for all of our NMS students.

Last Reminder to Order from Lifetouch prior to Picture Day:

John T Nichols Jr Middle School Picture Day: Wednesday, September 30
Picture Day ID: MV135281Q0

Picture Day flyers have been distributed. 

If you don't get one, please just check with the Main Office.
Simplify Picture Day by ordering online at mylifetouch.com. No need to send cash or flyer back to school when you order online

• See more options available online
• Use credit card or PayPal on our secure site

Go to mylifetouch.com

Satisfaction guarantee: Love your portrait or Lifetouch will retake it (or refund it).

Smile.

NMS School Council, 1st Meeting, Wed September 23 (4th Wed of Each Month)

2015-2016 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 4th Wednesday of each month, except where specified below – starting Wednesday, September 23, 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.

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 the first meeting, Wednesday, September 23, 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.

2015 – 2016 NMS School Council Meetings

October 28, 2015

November 18, 2015**

December 16, 2015**

January 27, 2016

February 24, 2016

March 23, 2016

April 27, 2016

May 25, 2016

** All dates are the 4th Wednesday of each month – except where specified

Talking with Your Kids ... Maybe Even Hearing about Learning

25 Ways to Ask Your Teens “How Was School Today?” WITHOUT asking them “How Was School Today?”

I posted this article on my blog last year, which I had seen on Twitter from another middle school principal I know in the Commonwealth.  

I just thought how perfect it was considering, we as parents (myself included) might be running out of questions to ask our own children, with the standby of "How was school today?" to only get a shrug or "I don't know" or "Good" with the "Let's move on now" look.

The website for the post was:  Simple Simon and Company with the link being:  http://www.simplesimonandco.com/2014/08/25-ways-ask-teens-school-today-without-asking-school-today.html

Again, I hope you find the post helpful, for I did, and I was going to use some of the prompts tonight with my own two middle school boys.

Thanks,

M. R. Geoghegan

25 Ways to Ask Your Teens “How Was School Today?” WITHOUT asking them “How Was School Today?”

AUGUST 29, 2014

On Wednesday I posted 25 ways to askyour kids “How was school today?” without asking them “How was school today?” and the questions came from a list that I made to ask my own children who are in elementary school.

But all of those questions are geared toward elementary school aged kids….and I started to think…if I think it’s hard for me to get school stories from my 10 year old boy now what is it going to be like 5 years from now?!?

And then I remembered that I know what its going to be like.  I taught either junior high or high school for almost a decade and I get that communication with that age group is an art.  BUT when you get dialogue, engaged dialogue with a teen it’s never disappointing, it’s guaranteed to be interesting, sometimes it can be very enlightening, and it’s ALWAYS worth the work.  ALWAYS.

So tonight my husband (who also teaches high school) and I sat down and made a list of 25 ways to ask your teens “How Was School Today?” without asking them “How Was School Today?”…in an effort to get some sort of engaged, interesting dialog…even if it only lasts in that brief time in between them texting friends…

#1.  Where in the school do you hang out the most?  (Like a particular hall, classroom, parking lot, etc.)  Where in the school do you never hang out?

#2.  What would your school be better with?  What would your school be better without?

#3.  If you were a teacher what class would you teach?  What class would be the worst to teach?  Why?

#4.  What was the coolest (saddest, funniest, scariest) thing that you saw today.

#5.  Tell me one thing that you learned today.

#6.  If your day at school today was a movie what movie would it be?

#7.  Besides walking to their next classes, what else do people do in the halls in between classes?

#8.  Who do you think you could be nicer to?

#9.  What is your easiest class?  What is your hardest class?  OR  What class are your learning the most in?  What class are you learning the least in?

#10.  If they played music in the halls at school what would everyone want them to play over the loudspeaker?

#11.  If you could read minds what teachers mind would you read?  What classmates mind would you read?  Whose mind would you NOT want to read?

#12.  If today had a theme song what would it be?

#13.  Which class has your favorite group of students in it?  Which class has the worst group of students?

#14.  What do you think you should do more of at school?  What do you think you should do less of?

#15.  What are the top 3 (or 5) things that you hear people say in the halls?

#16.  What do you think the most important part of school is?

#17.  Tell me one question that you had today…even if it wasn’t answered….actually, especially if it wasn’t answered…

#18.  What class has the most cute boys/girls in it?

#19.  If an alien space ship landed at your school who would you like them to beam aboard and take back to their home planet?

#20.  Who did you help today?  Who helped you today?

#21.  If you could be invisible for the day at school what would you do?

#22.  What part of the day do you look forward to?  What part of the day do you dread?

#23.  What would you change about school lunch?

#24.  What classmate is most likely to be arrested, made president, become a millionaire, be in movies, let loose a flock of wild chickens in the library, etc.

#25.  If you had to go to only one class every day which class would it be?

#26.  Tell me one thing you read at school today.

#27.  If your day at school was an emoticon which one would it be?

#28.  What do you think your teachers talked about in the faculty room today after school?

*****

Ok, so I know there were a few more than 25…but with teenagers…we all need all the help we can get! 

Good luck with those teens and happy conversing!

-liZ

*NOTE:

I don’t have teenagers of my own but I’ve worked with my fair share of them….and one thing that I’ve found is that when you want them to open up just sitting them down and asking questions isn’t really effective.  BUT, if you….say….trap them in the car…and talk to them while you are driving…and they don’t have to make eye contact… they are more willing to offer up more information or ask more questions.

This also happens while you are working with them on things like making dinner, folding laundry, rearranging furniture, etc.  You can casually talk and ask questions without making them feel like you are grilling them.

When I taught school sometimes I would make up work project jobs to do with students that I was worried about just so that we could have some heart to hearts while scrubbing desks or cleaning out closets.  It sounds lame, but I’m telling you, it works.

Wear Your PJs on Friday, September 25 to Support Kids with Cancer

NMS Student Council Pajammin’ Day

to

Support Children with Cancer

We are raising funds and awareness for

Childhood Cancer Research

on

Friday September 25, 2015

To participate, please:

·      Wear your pajamas to school to raise awareness about childhood cancer.

·      Donate $1 to help kids with cancer in the morning prior to Homeroom outside the Media Center, and receive a hand stamp.

We are doing this for it is a good cause, but also to support a special member of our Middleborough community.

The following is a letter from Mrs. Dawn Berio about her son, Dylan, who is currently fighting this horrible disease:

My son Dylan, now 7-1/2 years old was diagnosed with brain cancer at the age of 3-1/2 on June 10, 2011. Dylan’s journey is not  a short one but a long and difficult one. He has been through two brain surgeries and four protocols of chemotherapy and will start his fifth protocol of chemotherapy after we recently learned that two of his tumors are growing. Dylan has lost 50% of his vision due to one of his tumors behind his eyes that is inoperable. Surgery is currently not an option for Dylan so we pray that this next chemotherapy treatment helps keeps his tumors stable and he does not lose any more of his vision. At this point there are only a few chemotherapy options available for Dylan. I have joined The GOLD WORLD Project in their mission to do everything we can to help increase Childhood Cancer Awareness.

Any questions, please contact our NMS Student Council Advisors, Mr. Rothemich or Ms. Hudson.

So, on Friday, Bring a $1 and ...

While YOU ...

NMS Half-Day Hat Day, Thursday, September 24

1/2 Day Hat Day for a Worthy Cause

NMS Student Council will be holding its first Half Day Hat Day on Thursday, September 24.

Students will just need to pay one dollar to get their hand stamped and wear a hat to class.  

The money raised on this hat day will go to help the UN Agency for Refugees.  Please join us in supporting this worthy cause.  

We will be stamping hands and collecting money outside the Media Center in the main hall prior to the start of Homeroom.  

Students will be learning more about the refugee crisis in their Social Studies classes.

NMS Clubs & Activities Info

NMS Clubs and Activities

We are working on updating an Informational Page on the NMS website on our clubs and activities from the MPS website.

This "What's Happening" section gives a description of the clubs/activities we have to start the year.  We will be updating this page with any updates as the year progresses with Winter and Spring Sports as well as the Spring Musical, etc.

The link is our NMS website front page:  NMS Clubs & Activities

I will also attach the information below.  Our Google Calendar here on the blog will have the Clubs and Activities meeting dates as well.

Any questions about specific clubs or activities, please get in touch with the listed Advisor, or contact us in the Main Office.

Thank you.

NMS CLUBS AND ACTIVITIES

  

STUDENT COUNCIL

Advisors -Ms. Bonnie Hudson, Mr. Rothemich

Student Council meets the third Tuesday of each month except  in September and November those dates are 9/12 and 11/14.  Meetings are located in the 7th grade A cluster. We encourage students to be  school leaders by raising awareness through fundraisers, food drives as well as helping students find ways to help out in their community.  Additionally, planning of hat days, school functions, etc... Any questions please contact:

bhudson@middleboro.k12.ma.us    drothemich@middleboro.k12.ma.us

YEARBOOK COMMITTEE

Advisor - Ms. Walgreen

Yearbook committee meets after school on Mondays starting in October in the media center. 5-10 students are selected by Ms. Walgreen to help create the Nichols Middle School yearbook.  Jobs include taking photos, creating and editing pages, interviewing staff and students, writing and promoting yearbook sales.  Students who are interested should pick up an application from Ms. Walgreen in the media center. Any questions please contact:

dwalgreen@middleboro.k12.ma.us

BUILDERS CLUB

Advisor - Mr. Redpath

Builders club meets twice a month beginning Wednesday, September 23, after school in room A100.  Builders club is a community service club.  It is the middle school version of the Kiwanis Club and is sponsored by the local Kiwanis Club.  Our mission is to help students gain leadership skills while providing service to the community and stressing the value and importance of volunteering. Sign up at lunch or after school.  Any questions contact:

sredpath@middleboro.k12.ma.us

ART CLUB

Advisor - Ms. Tucker

Art club meets every first and third Monday, and every second and fourth Wednesday after school in the art room.  Since there are so many after school opportunities offered to our middle school students, I do not expect art club members to meet each time.  Art club is a chance for students to explore art beyond the general curriculum. Students are invited to participate in the cultural or seasonal art projects presented each time, or to work on projects they choose independently. We also have a student led Anime group that meets at the same time for students interested in the art of Japanese cartooning. The first meeting is September 28, then Art Club begins the new schedule October 5.  Any questions contact:

jtucker@middleboro.k12.ma.us

SPELLING TEAM

Advisor - Ms. Conant

Spelling team meets two days a week for practice starting in late September/early October in room B302 specific days of the week will be determined later.  There are two Spelling meets each year and we will travel to two schools. The team is limited to 12 students, for more

information contact:

wconant@middleboro.k12.ma.us

MATH TEAM

Advisor - Mr. Rader

Math Team Meets two days a week starting in late September in room C 306 and is available only for 7th and 8th graders. we will travel to other schools for those meets please see Mr. Rader for further information or contact:

mrader@middleboro.k12.ma.us

Theatrical Players Club

Advisor - Ms. Weaver  

The Theatrical Player’s Club will meet will meet every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday after school starting September 21, 2015 in the auditorium. This year's production will be an audience interactive/murder mystery/comedy, “Murder in the House of Horrors.”  Any student who would like to be onstage or work behind the scenes during the production please see Ms. Weaver or contact her at:  

sweaver@middleboro.k12.ma.us

CAST AND CREW FOR “MURDER IN THE HOUSE OF HORRORS” WILL BE POSTED ON FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 18TH .

INTRAMURALS 

Advisor - Mr. Thompson

Four sessions of  intramurals will be offered on Monday and Wednesdays to all students throughout the year.  First session flag football will begin on September 28 and end November 9.  For further information see Mr. Thompson or contact:

tthompso@middleboro.k12.ma.us

CHESS CLUB

Advisor - Miss Fisher

Chess club will meet every Monday after school in room B206.  Students will learn the different chess pieces and their related moves, how to play chess, and different strategies used in the game.  For further information see Miss Fisher or contact:

lfisher@middleboro.k12.ma.us

FOREIGN LANGUAGE AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM

Advisors - Mr. Michael (Russian) Mrs. Oliveira (Spanish) and Mrs. Ward (French)

The foreign language after school program is a 15 week exploratory language learning opportunity for students in all grades at the NMS.The program meets weekly on Wednesday’s for a period of one hour and for a duration of 15 sessions. Students will spend 5 weeks learning each of the three languages taught at MHS giving them communicative skills in each language as well as helping them to discover which language they will most enjoy studying when they attend Middleboro High School. For further information, contact Mr. Sean Kinney  (MHS foreign language department leader):

skinney@middleboro.k12.ma.us

Tiger TV Club
Advisor: Mr. Healey
Tiger TV club is an after school activity that starts the first Wednesday in November and will meet on Wednesday's until the end of the year. We get together every week and learn how to use digital video cameras, editing software and studio equipment. Students can find themselves working a variety of projects. In the past we have done claymation, interviews, short videos and even a monster movie. All NMS students are welcome to check it out but space can be limited. Attendance is important while we are filming projects.
Please contact Mr. John Healey with any questions:

jhealey@middleboro.k12.ma.us

Athletics

Fall Coaches: Girls Field Hockey- Ms. Rich

              Girls Soccer- Ms. McLaughlin

            Boys Soccer- Mr. Van Riper

Tryouts for Fall sports begin in late August and run through the end of October. Tryouts are open to students entering grades 6-8 with roster size varying between 17-22. All athletes are

expected to commit to practices and games scheduled Monday through Friday during the season. There is also a $175 user fee due when selected for a team. Both soccer teams compete in the Massasoit League that includes teams from Norton, Dighton, Rehoboth, Bridgewater, Berkley, Freetown-Lakeville, Seekonk, and Swansea. Field Hockey has an independent schedule that has a mixture of middle school teams and freshmen teams primarily from the Patriot League and South Shore Leagues.

Winter Coaches: Girls Basketball: TBA

     Boys Basketball: Mr. Russell

Tryouts for Winter sports begin in late November and run through the end of January. Tryouts are open to students entering grades 6-8 with roster size varying between 8-12. All athletes are

expected to commit to practices and games scheduled Monday through Friday during the season. There is also a $175 user fee due when selected for a team. Both basketball teams compete in the Massasoit League that includes teams from Norton, Dighton, Rehoboth, Bridgewater, Berkley, Freetown-Lakeville, Seekonk, and Swansea.

Spring Coaches: Softball: Mr. Luppino

     Baseball: Mr. Thompson

Tryouts for Spring sports begin in late March and run through early June. Tryouts are open to students entering grades 6-8 with roster size varying between 12-17. All athletes are

expected to commit to practices and games scheduled Monday through Friday during the season. There is also a $175 user fee due when selected for a team. Both basketball teams compete in the Massasoit League that includes teams from Norton, Dighton, Rehoboth, Bridgewater, Berkley, Freetown-Lakeville, Seekonk, and Swansea.

For further info, contact Mike Perry(Athletic Director) mperry@middleboro.k12.ma.us