Good "Graffiti"

NMS Creative ELA Art Project

The 7th Grade Beacon Team students just finished reading The Outsiders by SE Hinton in their ELA classes.  To celebrate they created a "graffiti" mural using character names and important phrases from the text.  Most importantly, through reading the novel, students learned the importance of breaking down stereotypes so that they are open to getting to know others despite perceived differences.

Check it out; very cool way to look at the novel.

"Class Act" Student

NMS 7th Grade Student, Allison Nickerson, Honored as WHDH Class Act

Congratulations to 7th Grade student, Allison Nickerson, who was honored as a Channel 7 WHDH "Class Act" student recently.

As was reported why Allison received this honor:  "Allison is a High Honors student at her middle school in Middleborough.  She not only excels in the classroom but is the starting Goalkeeper for the Middleboro Girls U14 soccer team as well as a starting Striker for the U13 Blackhawks Soccer Club.  Allison is a baton twirler for her school as well as a competitive baton twirler for Twirl Town USA studios where she is on the competition team.  She also performs solos, 2-baton, flag, duets, basic marching, x-strut and modeling events for Twirl Town USA. She represented Massachusetts at Baton Nationals last summer as the 2012 Beginner MA Pageant Winner.  Allison is an All-American girl and an All-American Class Act."

If you see Allison, congratulate her!  Great job on representing NMS so well!

Read more: http://www1.whdh.com/news/articles/class-act/10010644568170/allison-nickerson-nichols-middle-school/#ixzz2UaVcDjME

Stock Market Game Champions

Nichols Middle School Students Know How to Invest

Last week, two John T. Nichols, Jr. Middle School students participated in an awards ceremony for the Stock Market Game Competition.  8th Grade students, Matt Dolan and Evan Hartel finished first and second out of 526 teams in the Commonwealth.  These two students in Ms. Crystal White's math class were honored at The Boston Globe on Wednesday.

Students who participate in the The Stock Market Game program learn more than investing.  As they progress, they learn core academic concepts and skills that can help them succeed in the classroom — and in life.

Starting with a virtual cash account of $100,000, students strive to create the best-performing portfolio using a live trading simulation.  They work together in teams, practicing leadership, organization, negotiation, and cooperation as they compete for the top spot.  The setup is engaging, and the learning is a natural part of the experience.

In building a portfolio, students research and evaluate stocks, and make decisions based on what they've learned.  Teams trade common stocks and mutual funds from the NYSE and NASDAQ exchanges; earn interest on cash balances; pay interest if buying on margin and pay a commission on all trades.  To determine why certain stocks perform the way they do, or why the broader market has moved up or down, they need to understand how the economy works, and to calculate their returns they need to do the math.


If you see Matt or Evan, think about having them invest some money for you, for it may pay off great dividends.  Congratulations, Matt, Evan, and Ms. White!  Awesome job, Tigers.

Matt Dolan (with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Dolan) is in the red shirt and he placed 1st out of 526 teams in MA.  Evan Hartel (with his parents, Ms. Sullivan and Mr. Hartel) is in the blue shirt and he placed 2nd out of 526 teams in MA.

Term 4 Progress Reports Issued Friday, May 24

Progress Reports Issued for 4th Quarter

This afternoon I made an Alert Now message to remind parents that Progress Reports for Fourth Term were issued today, Friday, May 24.  They went home with your child with a small sheet saying you received and saw the Progress Report, which needs to be signed and returned to your child’s homeroom teacher on Tuesday, May 28. 

As I have said before, communication is a powerful tool in closing the gap between home and school and ensuring success for all of our students.  The marks that you have found on this progress report should never be a surprise to either you or your child.  If you feel that discussion regarding your child’s progress or lack of it is needed, please make an appointment to schedule a time that would offer both you and the teacher enough time to adequately discuss your child's present situation.  There is only a short amount of time left to make sure the grades your child is receiving reflect the ability of the student.  Grades can change either way in the next few weeks; we want to make sure all of our students finish the year strongly.

Thank you and have a great, holiday weekend, 

M R Geoghegan

Be On the Lookout for the Cape Flyer!

COMING SOON:  NEW CAPE FLYER TRAIN AVAILABLE FROM BOSTON TO CAPE COD

(Weekends beginning Memorial Day Weekend, Friday May 24^th  through Labor Day, Monday September 2, 2013)

To All Parents and Students:  

Although there has been continuous operation of trains in your area, this is to notify you that there will be additional trains starting May 24^th. YOUR FAMILY’S SAFETY IS OUR PRIORITY.  Train tracks may seem like a cool place to hang out…. But it is very dangerous and illegal.  Please do not put yourself or your friends in harm’s way by trespassing on or near the train tracks.  Always remember to approach all roadway grade crossings with caution and follow all speed limits and warnings. 

Always Remember:  ANYTIME IS TRAIN TIME!!!!

·   THIS IS AN ACTIVE RAILROAD.  YOUR COOPERATION IS NEEDED!!  PLEASE EDUCATE YOUR CHILD ON RAILROAD SAFETY
Please be aware that trains currently operate on this line and there will be additional trains this summer!!!

·   DO NOT TRESPASS:
DO NOT go near the railroad tracks – It is dangerous and it is illegal.

·   BE CAREFUL AROUND RAILROAD GRADE CROSSINGS:
Approach all roadway grade crossings with caution and follow all speed limits and warnings.

For further information:

• Craig Dias, (617) 222-6740 or cdias@mbta.com
• Arthur Munchbach, (617) 222-3074 or amunchbach@mbta.com
• Ed O’Connor, (508) 866-4023 or eoc131313@yahoo.com

Math MCAS for Grades 6 & 7 on Tuesday, May 14, and Wednesday, May 15

Math MCAS for 6th and 7th Grade on Tuesday, May 14, and Wednesday, May 15, Grade 8 Science Technology and Engineering MCAS on Thursday, May 16, & Friday, May 17

This afternoon I sent home an Alert-Now to our 6th and 7th Grade Parents and Guardians about our Math MCAS testing for the 6th and 7th grades beginning tomorrow, Tuesday, May 14.  

All 6th and 7th grade students will take the First Session of Math MCAS, tomorrow, May 14, and then finish up the second math session on Wednesday, May 15.  

Please try to make sure your child gets a good night sleep and something to eat for breakfast during these days.  We will be providing snacks and a drink to all students, but they are also encouraged to bring in a healthy snack and a water bottle.  

Our 8th Grade Students will then complete the Science, Technology, and Engineering (STE) portion of the MCAS test on Thursday and Friday, May 16 and 17.  

I remind parents to please try to make sure your child gets a good night sleep and something to eat for breakfast during these days.  We will be providing snacks and a drink to all students, but they are also encouraged to bring in a healthy snack and a water bottle.  

Please remind your child to do their best, take their time, and show how well we know they can do.

Thank you,

M. R. Geoghegan

Math MCAS for Grade 8 Thursday 5/9 and Friday 5/10

Math MCAS for 8th Grade on Thursday, May 9 and Friday, May 10, STE MCAS on May 16 & 17

This afternoon I sent home an Alert-Now to our 8th Grade Parents and Guardians about our Math MCAS testing for 8th Grade beginning tomorrow, Thursday, May 9.  All 8th grade students will take the first session of Math MCAS, tomorrow, and then finish up the second math session on Friday, May 10.  

The Math MCAS for Grades 6 and 7, will begin next Tuesday, May 14, with session one, and then finishing session two on Wednesday, May 15 (there will an Alert-Now reminder for you; not to worry).

Our 8th Grade Students will then complete the Science, Technology, and Engineering (STE) portion of the MCAS test next Thursday and Friday, May 16 and 17.  

I remind parents to please try to make sure your child gets a good night sleep and something to eat for breakfast during these days.  We will be providing snacks and a drink to all students, but they are also encouraged to bring in a healthy snack and a water bottle.  

Please remind your child to do their best, take their time, and show how well we know they can do.

Thank you,

M. R. Geoghegan

NMS Collects for the Boston One Fund

NMS Has Successful Fundraiser for the Boston One Fund

The Nichols Middle School community again has shown its giving nature as we had a Boston sports hat day to support the Boston Strong One Fund this past Friday, April 26.

We were able to raise $400 for the charity set up to support the victims of the Boston Marathon bombing.

Excellent job, again, NMS Tiger Community!