Start of a New Season 2014

The Start of Another MCAS Season

We are about to begin a new season.  And I’m not talking about the Red Sox, although they are in full swing of Spring Training.  This season, though, is not as well-known as fall, winter, or spring, but in this new age of education it is even more important:  the MCAS season is upon us.  Every student at the Nichols Middle School be completing the English Language Arts portion on Tuesday, March 18 through Thursday, March 20, 2014.  

We have to keep in the forefront of our minds that these tests are important.  The reason for this is simple:  the MCAS is just that important.  I know it.  The teachers here at NMS know it.  Hopefully, the students understand it and do their best; and I am also hoping that parents are echoing these same sentiments at home. 

So on Tuesday, March 18, our 7th Grade Students will be completing the Long Composition portion of the MCAS, whereas on Wednesday and Thursday, March 19 and 20, all of Nichols Middle School’s students (Grades 6 through 8) will be taking the English Language Arts (ELA) Reading Comprehension portion of the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS for short).  And then starting on May 5 through 20, students will be completing the Math (Grades 6, 7, 8) and Science and Technology (Grade 8 only) portions of the tests.  

These tests bring anxiety, fear, anticipation, grief, resentment, and relief.  With everyone’s differing feelings on MCAS, though, one thing is for sure, they are here and we must deal with them for the best of our students.  Students at NMS have been preparing all year every day in their classes for these assessments, but we all must make sure we are doing everything we can in order to make sure each and every student is ready. 

I will be having meetings with each grade level to discuss the importance of the tests, better test-taking skills, and some overall strategies to help them do better and relax.  Our teachers are preparing students with skills they need to succeed each and every day either through teaching to the standards, extra test prep during DIAL periods, working with our online math program Digits, or participating in our After-School MCAS Math Prep classes (Information to be coming out soon).  

So what, may you ask, can parents do?  Well, I am glad you asked.  The following is from the Guide to the MCAS for Parents/Guardians put out by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education: 

What Can I Do to Help My Child?

Supporting your child is critical now and in his or her future academic career. Here are some tips for helping your child prepare for the next MCAS test administration.

·         Have regular discussions with your child’s teachers to see what you can do at home to support your child’s work in school.

·         Make sure your child gets enough rest, eats properly, and arrives at school on time every day.  Send your child to school prepared to learn.

·         Discuss with your child subjects that need improvement and whether he or she thinks there has been improvement.  If the answer is no, find out why.

·         Ask your child about homework that is due tomorrow and next week, and make sure this homework is completed.  Check your child's agenda nightly.

·         Ask your child to explain what he or she is studying.  These conversations help you follow your child’s progress, and help your child to remember what he or she has learned.

·         Help your child practice MCAS test questions, and review the tests together so you will all become familiar with the expectations.  Have them show you what the tests look like and try to answer the questions with him or her.

Test Prep Questions are on-line at DESE Website each day and other helpful information can also be found; there is a whole database of past tests.  

Our teachers have been utilizing this all year, and more and more each day as we get closer to get used to the styles of questions as well as to be more familiar with the material.  We are getting there; each and every day we are getting closer to doing better as a school.

The MCAS is important.  Yes, it is, but we all know that we each have a part to play in the success of each child.  At NMS, we all believe each and every student can be successful at the MCAS and every other subject in school as well.  We are all going to work together as diligently as we can to make sure all students do succeed.  If we all keep this in mind and work together, there is no way we won’t succeed.  So, ‘tis the season of MCAS for it will be just another season of success for all of us at NMS.

Nichols Middle School Council Meeting, Wed. 2/26, at 3 PM in the NMS Media Center

2013-2014 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 usually meet once a month on the 3^rd Wednesday of each month, but our next meeting is this Wednesday, February 26, 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 our next meeting, Wednesday, February 26, 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.

2013-2014 NMS School Council Meeting Dates

February 26, 2014*

March 19, 2014

April 16, 2014

May 21, 2014

June 18, 2014

*All dates are the 3rd Wednesday of each month - except where specified.

ROAR-ing into 2014 with our January ROAR Award Winners

January 2014 ROAR Award Winners

This year NMS, and specifically Mr. McLaughlin, has begun 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, (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.

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 school for the month.

This month's award winners received their certificates from Mr. McLaughlin and Mr. Geoghegan in a brief ceremony at beginning of this month.

The ROAR Award winners for January 2014 for each team were:

Grade 6 Challengers:  Caitlyn Swanson

Grade 6 Adventurers: Jacob Dolan

Grade 7 Explorers: Cameron Rideout

Grade 7 Beacons: Garrett Donohoe

Grade 8 Apollos: Elizabeth Sangiolo

Grade 8 Comets: Sarah Stearns

Unified Arts:  Mackenzie Jones (Grade 8)

Congratulations to all our January 2014 ROAR Winners!  Great job starting the new year off on the right paw!

Getting Caught Up on ROAR Awards (November and December)

November and December ROAR Awards Handed Out

This year NMS, and specifically Mr. McLaughlin, has begun 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, (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.

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 school for the month.

The November and December award winners received their certificates from Mr. McLaughlin and Mr. Geoghegan in a brief ceremony at the end of each month.

The ROAR Award winners for November 2013 for each team were:

Grade 6 Challengers:  Mina Pabst

Grade 6 Adventurers: Ciarra LaCouture

Grade 7 Explorers: Ryan Quill

Grade 7 Beacons: Cammie Beals

Grade 8 Apollos: Theresa Awad

Grade 8 Comets: Cassie Golden

Unified Arts:  Samantha Crowley (Grade 6)

The ROAR Award winners for December 2013 for each team were:

Grade 6 Challengers:  Maxwell Dargie

Grade 6 Adventurers: Cole Perkins

Grade 7 Explorers: Isabel Perry

Grade 7 Beacons: Brooke Murphy

Grade 8 Apollos: Matt Crowley

Grade 8 Comets: Cierra Frietas

Unified Arts:  Connor Bruffee (Grade 8)

Congratulations to all! Thank you for all your efforts; you are ROARing at the right time of the school year!

Boston Globe Scholastic Art Award Winners for NMS

Scholastic Art and Writing Awards!

This year, four young artists of Nichols Middle School have won Honorable Mentions in the Scholastic Art and Writing Contest!  This contest has a legacy dating back to 1923 and is the longest running, most prestigious recognition program for creative teens in our nation.

The Alliance partners with more than 100 visual and literacy-arts programs nationwide to bring the Awards to local communities each year. Students in grades 7-12 can apply in 28 categories of art and writing for the chance to have their works published or exhibited.  The Awards are the nation’s largest source of scholarships for young artists and writers. In just the last five years, more than 60 top arts institutes and colleges have partnered with the Awards to make $40 million in scholarships and financial aid available to Scholastic Award winners.

Submissions are juried by a panel of noteworthy professionals, some of whom are past award recipients. The judges look for works that “best exemplify originality, technical skill and the emergence of personal voice or vision.”

Congratulations to Matthew Crowley, Melissa Foley and Katelyn Harrington for their Honorable Mentions, and to Peter Colagero who earned two!

Pictured from left to right:  Peter Colagero, Melissa Foley, Mattew Crowley,

In front:  Katelyn Harrington

A (Sort of) Monthly Message from Mr. Geoghegan

January February Message from Mr. Geoghegan

January is a time of change.  So much so, that January can go by and you (I) don't even realize that you (I) haven't put out a January Message.

But I figure better late than never.  Usually in January, or just the beginning of the year, there are many commentaries about how we have made our resolutions of what we are going to change in this year.  I was trying to think of a resolution I would like to see myself accomplish.  Well, first of all, I am going to get my blog updated more quickly than I have been able to do in the past month-plus.  ;-)

Also, something that I see each night I come home and my boys (ages 11 and 12) never want to answer that that question I feel that I and every other parent ask:  “How was school today; what did you do?”  Even these two don’t answer.  Their usual answer, much like probably yours, is “Alright. ...Nothing.”

So for me my resolution for this year was to try to be able to put less stress on them about school, yet still be involved and show them that I am interested in their learning.

I found a great article online, which I have reprinted below.   I hope you enjoy it and that all of your New Year resolutions can be resolved as well.

“10 Ways To Get Your Kids To Talk To You” by Mark Brandenburg MA, CPCC

Parents can often be frustrated by their kids' unwillingness to share their lives with them. Whether your kids are toddlers or teens, there will be times when it's difficult to "break through" and find out what's really going on. Here are ten ideas on how to create opportunities for your kids to open up and share their lives with you.

1.       Don't try so hard to get them to talk. The harder you try to get them to talk, the more they'll resist you. When you relax the pressure a bit, they'll sense it and be more ready to talk to you.

2.       Slow down your own life and be available. Kids have a keen sense of how busy you are. If you're providing enough down time for you and your kids, they'll be more likely to feel comfortable talking to you.

3.       Engage in a physical activity that they enjoy. Shooting baskets, playing soccer, or a game of catch may have your child chattering away. Moving the body can serve to move the mouth as well!

4.       Be as non-judgmental as possible. If your kids feel they won't be judged when they talk to you they'll have no reason to hold back. Have a sense of curiosity and wonder about what they're saying, and limit the lectures about what's right or wrong.

5.       Use open-ended questions. Questions that begin with "why" tend to create defensiveness, and yes or no questions won't get you much of a response. Learn to use questions that will stimulate conversation. "What did you notice about that picture?" works better than, "Did you like that picture?"

6.       Use the car as a place for conversation. You've got them and they can't get out! Don't allow video games or other toys to interfere with your opportunity to talk with them.

7.       Reflect back what you hear from them. It's still the best way for your kids to feel heard and the best way to encourage them to expand on the subject.

8.       Talk to them while they're coloring, painting, or drawing. Using these activities to allow your kids to express themselves can have them expressing themselves to you as well. And joining in on the activity yourself can produce an even greater sense of connection and sharing.

9.       Provide opportunities for fun and excitement. Whatever the activity, when your kids are doing something they love to do they'll want to share it with you. Provide these for your kids and listen to them talk about it afterward!

10.    Be a parent, but be friendly as well. While you must be a parent first, being a friend to your kids will help them to want to share with you. Don't overdo the strict parental stuff.

PTA Meeting -- Changed to Wednesday, February 12, at 7 PM

PTA Meeting -- Rescheduled to Wednesday, February 12, at 7 PM

The February PTA Meeting has been rescheduled to next Wednesday, February 12, at 7 PM, in the NMS Media Center.  It is changed from Wednesday, February 5, to the 12th to avoid the MHS Open House.

Please come and help to support our students.

The NMS PTA normally meet on the first Wednesday of each month.

Any questions please contact Rose Borges at NMS PTA email

Thank you.

Monthly PTA Meeting

PTA Meeting -- Wednesday, February 5, at 7 PM

There is a PTA Meeting on Wednesday, February 5, at 7 PM, in the NMS Media Center.

Please come and help to support our students.

The NMS PTA meet on the first Wednesday of each month.

Any questions please contact Rose Borges at NMS PTA email