An Awesome Day in Worcester

NMS Student Leaders Go To Worcester to Hear the Dynamic Mike Smith

On Wednesday, November 18, Mr. Geoghegan, Mr. Rothemich, Ms. Hudson, Ms. Ciulla, and Mr. Donovan took 36 sixth, seventh, and eighth grade leaders to the Hanover Theater in Worcester to hear and learn from the dynamic, energetic, and incredible Mike Smith.

In a word, Mike is just that, incredible.  But more than that, he is inspirational.  The stories he weaves about what he has done and how one can help his fellow student (man) is impressive.

Our students left the auditorium with a plan to help our school be even better, our student body closer, and our overall culture as one that is more inclusive.

It was a sensational day.  I appreciate the students giving their own time and energy as well as our faculty chaperones.

Here is a link to a short sample video of Mike Smith in The Harbor, a video series we are hoping to use in our Health curriculum.  Slide to the bottom of the page for the video entitled "Judgement" Episode 1.

You will see the message Mike brought to our students today in Worcester.

Also, here are some pics from the day.

Reminder: NMS School Council November Meeting, Tonight, Wed 11/18 at 7PM in Media Center

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 – with our next meeting on Wednesday, November 18, for about an hour, beginning at 7:00 PM and ending around 8 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 we are going to do at7 PM to see if we can get more participation.  We will be discussing some subjects that have come up so far this year:  MCAS, Student-Led Conferences, Standards Based Grading, and more.

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 our next meeting, Wednesday, November 18, at 7 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

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

Foreign Language After-School Activity at NMS

Opportunity to take Foreign Languages

A couple of days ago, a permission slip went home for students to sign up for Foreign Language After-School Activity.

This opportunity is one many students have taken in the past and have enjoyed as they learned.

Here is the letter (in case it never made it home):

November 9, 2015

Dear Parents/Guardians:

We would like to announce the start of our extracurricular activities. We will offer a foreign language enrichment course after school one day per week for fifteen weeks. Students who sign up will take Russian, French, and Spanish on Wednesdays after school from 2:25 PM to 3:40 PM beginning, December 2, 2015. They will have each language for five weeks on a rotating basis, Russian, Mr. Michael, French, Ms Ward, and Spanish, Ms. Oliveira.

Please have your child return the form below to his/her homeroom teacher by Friday, November 20, 2015 to indicate your child’s participation in the program. The program is open to sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Sincerely,

Martin R. Geoghegan

Principal

If you have any questions, please get in touch with Mr. Sean Kinney at MHS Foreign Language Department Chair, at skinney@middleboro.k12.ma.us

ROAR Award Winners for October 2015

October 2015 ROAR Awards Handed Out

A couple of years ago, NMS began 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,  (displaying a 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.

This year we have also connected the ROAR program with our TIGERS culture-building protocol.  We are specifically looking for students who are Trustworthy, have Integrity, are Generous, are Empathetic, are Responsible, and show Strength. 

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 Main Office for the month.

The October award winners received their certificates from Mr. Geoghegan, Ms. Rae, and Mr. Thomas in a brief ceremony.

The ROAR Award winners for October 2015 for each team were:

Grade 6 Challengers:  James Swarce

Grade 6 Adventurers:  Michael Neitlich

Grade 7 Explorers:  Ryan Franey

Grade 7 Beacons:  Emily Turner

Grade 8 Apollos:  Hillary Gherardi

Grade 8 Comets:  Colton Destrampe
Unified Arts:  Adam Montross (7th Grade)

Congratulations to all!  Thank you for all your efforts; you are ROARing to a great start of the school year!

Reminder: All Yankee Candle Sales Need to be Returned Fri 11/13

Yankee Candle Sales -- Just in Time for the Holidays

Yankee Candle Fundraising Packets Due Back on Friday, November 13

A couple of weeks ago, Yankee Candle Fundraising Packets were handed out to all students.

The NMS PTA is asking that all Yankee Candle Fundraising Packets are returned on Friday, November 13, to the students' Homeroom Teachers.

We appreciate any and all sales.

All profits go towards helping our Nichols Middle School students' endeavors.

Our NMS PTA has been very active in supporting our students with purchases of technology, audio for the auditorium, 8th grade events, and much, much more.  Please continue to support our students as you support our PTA.

Top 3 Student Candle Sellers will receive gift cards of $50, $35, and $20.

Any questions, please email nicholsptsa@gmail.com

Thank you.

NMS School Council November Meeting, Wed 11/18 at 7PM in Media Center

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 – with our next meeting on Wednesday, November 18, for about an hour, beginning at 7:00 PM and ending around 8 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 we are going to do at 7 PM to see if we can get more participation.  We will be discussing some subjects that have come up so far this year:  MCAS, Student-Led Conferences, Standards Based Grading, and more.

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 our next meeting, Wednesday, November 18, at 7 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

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

NMS Fall Drama Presentations on 11/20, 21, & 22

Get Excited for "Murder in the House of Horrors"

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.

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