Monday, November 30, 2015

NMS Chorus Concert on Mon 12/7 at 6:30 PM at MHS

NMS Chorus Concert


Monday,
December 7, 2015
at 6:30 PM
at the
Wayne M. Caron Auditorium,
Middleboro High School


Chorus students should  arrive at 6PM and report to the Middleboro High School cafeteria for warm-ups.

Students should wear white shirts with black pants, socks and shoes. School Dress code applies.


Every student and every Voice is important to a successful performance and all students are expected to attend. Our concert is like a group homework assignment that everyone needs to complete together, we can’t email it in. If you have a medical excuse please let Mrs. Young know, as soon as possible.   

Please contact Mrs. Young with any questions ASAP at (508) 946 2020 ext. 3514 or




NMS Band & Orchestra Concerts on Tue 12/8



NMS Band & Orchestra
CONCERTS


Tuesday,
December 8, 2015 
at the
Alan R. Lindsay Auditorium
Nichols Middle School


Orchestra students should arrive at 6PM and  report to the cafeteria for warm-ups and tuning.

The Orchestra Concert begins at 6:30 and concludes by 7:15.

Band Students should arrive at 7:30PM, after the conclusion of the Orchestra Concert, and  report to the cafeteria for warm-ups and tuning.

The Band concert begins at 8PM
and concludes by 8:45.

Students should wear white shirts with black pants, socks and shoes. School Dress code applies.


Every student and every instrument is important to a successful performance and all students are expected to attend. Our concert is like a group homework assignment that everyone needs to complete together; we can’t email it in. If you have a medical excuse please let Mrs. Thornton know, as soon as possible. 


 Please contact Mrs. Thornton with any questions ASAP at (508) 946 2020 ext. 3539 or

NMS PTA December Meeting on Wed 12/2 at 7 PM in Media Center



NMS PTA December Meeting

The NMS PTA will hold its December meeting on Wednesday,
December 2, in the NMS Media Center at 7 PM.

Please come and support NMS.

Hear from Mr. Geoghegan and hear about all the great things NMS PTA does to support all of our students year-round.

Visit the NMS PTA website as well:  NMS PTA Blog

Come meet this helpful group of parents, who are working hard to make sure the Nichols Middle School is a sensational experience for each and every student.

7 PM in the NMS Media Center on Wednesday, December 2!  Be There.

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Dipping Our Toes into Standards-Based Grading


Keeping Learning at the Center of What We Do at NMS

Last week, we had our monthly meeting of our Nichols Middle School Council; it was very productive, and in it, much of the discussion surrounded the idea of "Standards-Based Grading."

Here inside the walls of NMS, we call discussions such as the one we had as a "Professional Learning Community" discussion (PLC).  We talked about education and what we specifically are doing to help our students learn better at NMS.  We engage in these conversations on a daily basis here.  We are always looking at our curriculum, instruction, and assessment and what we could be doing better.

At all times with these discussions, our number one goal is better learning for our students.  


In PLCs, people's beliefs and philosophies are going to be tested.  But again if in the end, we have student learning at the center of what we are trying to achieve then we can all walk away happy.

At the School Council Meeting, Standards-Based Grading was the main discussion point.  Parents have questions about it.  This is very common.  It is a change.  Change is difficult.


This post is going to be flooded with Resources on Standards-Based Grading (SBG).  I want you first to know that you do not need to go out and study them, but I would love for everyone at some point to check them out and let them help you come up with more questions that we can continue to search together for answers.

I don't have all of the answers; I don't.  I don't even think I do, but I do believe I can help in finding answers.

First, I would love for you to watch this very quick video on "SBG Overview."  It is very quick and gives an excellent overview.

Second, I would love for you to check out this article.  It was just in the newspaper on November 4, so this is something that many schools and school districts are dealing with across the county:

My favorite lines from the article are:  

"'We're trying to eliminate the concept of the kid who does school very well because the work ethic is there, but when it comes time to demonstrate learning, they don't do as well,'said Michael Berrie, District 116 director of teaching and learning. 'We're trying to provide an accurate reflection of what students know and are able to do.'"

A second video is:  "What is Standard-Based Grading?"  This too explains the whole idea of it very well in a quick video.  https://youtu.be/k3dyJAkYsew

It, too, has an awesome line which I believe expresses why we are moving in the direction of utilizing SBG more.  At about the 1 minute mark, the narrator says:

"The focus [with traditional grading] may be on the assessment or grade rather than the learning."


Another is a blog post, which I read recently, "Imagining a No-Grades Classroom."  It is here:  http://www.ethicalela.com/nogrades/

It, too, has many links within the post to videos and other sites which also speak about SBG with the moniker, "Teachers Throwing Out Grades."  

This is a real thing that is going on across the country, and the world for that matter.  This is not just a middle school thing or a Nichols Middle School thing; this is happening everywhere -- in elementaries, high schools, and even colleges.  Check the post out.


Another article is:  "Seven Reasons for Standards-Based Grading."  This again says it in one line for me:  "Reason 1: Grades Should Have Meaning."  


Then just a couple of other videos.
The first of many from one of my favorite educational researchers/speakers, Rick Wormeli:  https://youtu.be/h-QF9Q4gxVM

He is the MAN, in my opinion.  This particular one is one of his shortest videos on SBG.  To the right, you will see a list of other videos, many by him, which could be 30+ minutes or longer of presentations he has made on SBG.  He is well-versed in understanding what SBG is and what it should be, and why we should be doing it.


Another is in a TED Talk by a high school science teacher in Montana.  I love his straight-forward nature to talking about it.

And lastly for now in this group of resources is from the book we studied as a faculty.  I know you all have heard me say that we as a Nichols faculty read this book as a book study last year and we continue to study it this year, "Leaders of Their Own Learning" (LOTOL).  Here is a short video that we have links to from the book on the chapter about SBG:  http://bcove.me/m2u0hu08
Here in this video there are teachers, administrators, and students talking about SBG.  It is very good.


We as a school are, again, only in the "piloting" stage of utilizing Standards-Based Grading.  We have a little more than 20 teachers experimenting with it.  We are going to run into some kinks here and there, but if you read some of these resources and check out some of these videos, you will see why we are engaging in such an endeavor, what our purpose is. 

It is for our kids.  It is for their learning.  It is for their success.  That's it.  That's why.  No hidden agenda.


So, please check out some these resources and let me know what you think.

Our next meeting of the Nichols Middle School Council will be in the afternoon again on Wednesday, December 16, at 3 PM, in the Media Center, but then in January, we will have another evening meeting, on Wednesday, January 27, at 7 PM.  

Thank you so much for letting me be a part of your child's education.

Have an awesome Thanksgiving.


Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Where Are You Headed? Wear Your College Gear on Wed. 11/25

College Gear Day

Show Where You're Headed by wearing your favorite college/university gear on Wednesday, November 25.

Wear a college hat and support the needy in our community by donating a dollar to a worthy cause.






Movember 2015 Has a Leader but the Furry Four Too Close to Call


The Furry Four Beards Are Too Close to Call, but Mr. Candler is Clearly in the Lead

In stunning fashion the NMS Movember 2015 Furry Four Beard Bracket has not been decided yet.


At the moment, Team Candler is clearly in the lead.  His beard, which he tried to downplay to be an underdog has made him Top Dog.


Teams Rothemich, Redpath, Minarovich, Thompson, Thomas, Geoghegan, Brandon, Kuder, Luppino, Perry, Rader, Eddy, and Jesman are all so close that the Furry Four cannot be decided, so the first round of voting continues.

No facial hairs have been hurt in this contest so far.  

All money raised will go to cancer research based on the winner's choice.


Bring some spare change in on Tuesday and Wednesday for the NMS Movember 2015 Championship to be decided.

Monday, November 23, 2015

BSU: Engage in Math -- Parents' Game Night Series --- Educational Games for Kids

The Center for the Advancement of STEM Education


I just received this email from NMS PTA parent, Patty Delaney.

This sounds like an interesting program for parents.  Thank you, Ms. Delaney.

Check it out:


Subject: Engage in Math Parents Game Night Series: Educational Games for Kids

Have you ever thought that family game time and math homework could actually be the same thing?

For the first time, this year Dr. Sabinin is holding a series of Engage in Math Parents’ Game Nights. At these Games Nights, Dr. Sabinin will share some of the most impactful games, which can help kids build strong intuition about school mathematics. With this intuition, their engagement and grades in math class can improve dramatically.


Dr. Polina Sabinin is a mathematics educator in the Department of Mathematics at BSU. Specifically, her scholarship is in using games and puzzles to teach mathematics. For over a decade, she has trained teachers in grades 1 - 12 at all points in their careers. As part of her work she has built a library of almost 100 mathematical games, which she uses in courses and workshops for teachers.

Join us for a night of playing and learning! Register early! Registration ($25) is limited and includes a game, which you can take home to play with your kid(s). Please note, this is an event for the parents so no children under 12, please.


Grades 1-5:
December 9th from 4:00-5:30 PM
Grades 6-8:
January 27th from 4:00-5:30 PM
Grades 9-12:
February 10th from 4:00-5:30 PM
Register at:

*Please note you should use Google Chrome when registering. 

 

Friday, November 20, 2015

Make Sure You Make It to "Murder in the House of Horrors This Weekend"

 

3 More Shows This Weekend

Make sure you make it to "Murder in the House of Horrors" this weekend.

3 More Shows for All.



The John T. Nichols, Jr. Middle School
Proudly Presents:

“Murder in the House of Horrors”

An Audience Participation/ Mystery/ Comedy/ Play

Saturday, November 21st at 1:00 and 6:00
Sunday, November 22nd at 1:00

Tickets are just $5.00 at the door.
*Students Can Get a FREE Ticket to COME to 1 SHOW this weekend. Just pick up from Homeroom Teacher.


Do you like a good mystery?
Does a good “Whodunit” just make you sit up in your seat?
Are you a fan of Haunted Houses?

If you can say YES to any of these questions, then you will want to attend this year’s
Theatrical Players Club production of “Murder in the House of Horrors,”
an audience participation/mystery/comedy adventure.

This play will have audience members trying to solve the murder of Professor Dirk Carlton-- a famous Egyptologist. Audience members will enjoy a tour of “The Monsters, Murderers, and Madmen Haunted House” along with a tour of the Egyptian relics found in the Tomb of Menkaura. Audience members will become part of the action as they are interviewed and questioned as to what they have witnessed and who they think committed the murder.

Any questions, please contact Mrs. Sally Weaver at sweaver@middleboro.k12.ma.us













A Huge THANK YOU to Ms. Weaver for a job well done.

Thursday, November 19, 2015

Get Ready ... "Murder in the House of Horrors" This Weekend!





Friday, Nov. 20 through Sunday, Nov. 22



The John T. Nichols, Jr. Middle School
Proudly Presents:

“Murder in the House of Horrors”

An Audience Participation/ Mystery/ Comedy/ Play

Friday November 20th at 6:00 pm
Saturday November 21st at 1:00 and 6:00
Sunday November 22nd at 1:00

Tickets are just $5.00 at the door.
*Students Can Get a FREE Ticket to COME to 1 SHOW this weekend. Just pick up from Homeroom Teacher.


Do you like a good mystery?
Does a good “Whodunit” just make you sit up in your seat?
Are you a fan of Haunted Houses?

If you can say YES to any of these questions, then you will want to attend this year’s
Theatrical Players Club production of “Murder in the House of Horrors,”
an audience participation/mystery/comedy adventure.

This play will have audience members trying to solve the murder of Professor Dirk Carlton-- a famous Egyptologist. Audience members will enjoy a tour of “The Monsters, Murderers, and Madmen Haunted House” along with a tour of the Egyptian relics found in the Tomb of Menkaura. Audience members will become part of the action as they are interviewed and questioned as to what they have witnessed and who they think committed the murder.

Any questions, please contact Mrs. Sally Weaver at sweaver@middleboro.k12.ma.us