September Monthly Message from the Principal

September Monthly Message from the Principal

"Wake me up when September ends."

Clearly the writers of that song lyric never worked in a school before.  I have to be awake for September, for it is one of the busiest months in education for many obvious reasons.

But for us here at the John T. Nichols, all we can say is that this has been an amazing month; one I would have never wanted to sleep through or miss.  It has been an incredibly smooth opening and the faculty, staff, and students of the Nichols Middle School should be acknowledged for their extraordinary work during this time.  The 6^thgraders 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, a great opening in deed.

During the first day of school, Mr. McLaughlin and I were able to meet with the classes as a full grade in the auditorium.  There we explained to them our school’s mission and where we see us taking the students not only during this school year but during their whole time with us.  In essence, our mission is to make them the best students they can be.  Everything we do is geared towards this mission of making them successful.  When I spoke with the classes, I talked about how for many years the emphasis in schools has been on the "3 R’s" of Reading, wRiting and aRithmetic.  We certainly will continue to recognize the importance of this academic foundation by increasing students’ understanding of and interest in math, science, literature and language arts, social studies, health, wellness and physical education, computer technology and the fine and applied arts.  But we stressed to them that we were going to focus on “3 other R’s.”  Today, learners also need to master the "3 R’s" of Responsibility, Respect, and Reputation in order to be successful life long learners.  It is these 3 R’s which will enable them to have access to our mission to make them the best students they can be in school and in life.

In relation to our mission, I have begun to tell the students during our morning announcements for them to “Do the best you can in everything you do today.”  If they do their part in doing their best, and we as a school do our best, only great things can and will happen.

On Friday, September 28, I made an Alert-Now message to inform parents that the Spring 2012 MCAS Score Reports will be mailed home on Monday, October 1.  As you may be aware, last spring’s MCAS results were just received, and we can now release these scores to you.  We will be mailing these score reports to all of our students in grades 6 through 8, on Monday, October 1.

Improvement of our MCAS scores is something that we as a school community know and understand that we need to do; for success to us will only be when we have 100% of our students in the Advanced and Proficient range.

In that message, I also relayed a message of reminder from our PTSA:  Please have all money, orders, and books from the KidStuff Coupon Book sales back in to Homerooms on Monday, October 1.  Homeroom teachers will be collecting them, and the PTSA will be coming around to finish the ordering process for the Coupon books.

I also hope that you have received an email telling you that I have updated the website, but if you haven’t done so yet, please enter your email (to the right) so you can receive updates on any and all important information about the school.

It has unquestionably been a wonderful opening for all of us here at NMS.  Mr. McLaughlin and I could not be happier with how things are progressing or how we have been welcomed into the Nichols family.  We see many changes afoot, but we are taking things one step a time. 

Please remember to check out the calendar at the end of this site, as well as the Attachment of Important Dates. 

Please continue to visit the website, for I will be updating it as often as I can with events, news, and other school proceedings.

Sincerely,

M. R. Geoghegan

Mr. Geoghegan

Nichols Middle School Important Dates for SY 2012-2013

Nichols Middle School Important Dates for 2012-2013

NMS Open House
What a great turnout for tonight's Parent Open House.  Mr. McLaughlin and I were so happy to meet all of the parents, who turned out.
The comments from everyone on their way out was beyond positive.
Again, we thank everyone for coming and hope to continue this energy throughout the beginning of the school year.
Thanks,
Mr. Geoghegan

Nichols Middle School Blog Website

Thank you for visiting the New and Improved Nichols Middle School Website-Blogspot.  I will be updating this site regularly for you to find out what's happening here at NMS.

I feel as though this is a better means to communicate with you as we move NMS into the 21st Century. 

At the right, you will see that you can be updated automatically with an email whenever this site has been updated.

I hope to get pictures at tonight's Open House.  I hope to see all of you there.

Also, you will see that there is a calendar below, which will be kept up-to-date with any important dates/presentations/events.

Thank you,
Mr. Geoghegan

NMS Open House, Tuesday, September 18, 6:30 to 8 PM

Good afternoon. This is Mr. Geoghegan from the Nichols Middle School.  I invite you to our Open House for all parents and guardians Tuesday night, September 18, from 6:30 to 8 PM. We will begin at 6:30 PM in the Auditorium and end at 8 PM. Our teachers will have their opportunity to explain to you what their expectations are and what parents can expect to see for the school year for their children in terms of class work and homework. We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible. The evening will begin in the Auditorium with a welcome from the new administration. 

The PTSA will also be available for you to join in this wonderful, helpful organization.  One of their many initiatives is going on right now with our Anne Frank Exhibit; please check the links on this website for times to visit. 

Again, our Open House is Tuesday, September 18th starting at 6:30 PM in the Auditorium where I will tell you some of my goals for this school year, and then the rest of the evening until 8 PM will be meeting with your child's teachers. Thank you and we hope to see you tomorrow night.