Parent-Teacher/Student-Led Conferences Night 1 Highlights

Parent-Teacher and Student-Led Conferences from October 30

Last night at our first night of our Parent-Teacher Conferences, we had another packed house here at 112 Tiger Drive.

Parents came in to check on their students' progress and also for a chance to put a face to a name for many of our teachers.

It is an excellent evening, but again, it is not perfect.  There were many parents who were waiting a long time to just have a short, three minute conversation.  I apologize for this.  With almost 900 students and only 5 hours of time to distribute among that many students, it is a tall task.

I hope, though, that parents were able to receive the information they were looking for, be it positive or not, information they could use to help their child improve in their academics. 

Please remember we have our second session on Wednesday, November 5, from 4 to 6:30 PM.  I hope to see even more of you then.

Since last Spring, we have piloted Student-Led Conferences, and again, some of our 6th Grade Teachers engaged in this educational foray last night.

Students led their parents in discussions about their own learning and how they have grown as learners.  It is an awesome experience for the students and also for their parents. 

I want to attach some of the comments the students made about their experience, which they wrote to some of the students who have yet to go (thank you, Ms. Borges).  

I have also attached some of the pictures of the evening with some pics of the Book Fair and also the NMS PTA table with snacks, raffles, and spirit wear.

Thank you to everyone who makes this night such a sensational success, especially our teachers, who put in all this extra time to communicate with you.  Thank you.


Sixth Grade Student Responses about Student-Led Conferences

It made me think that I have to up my game in my classes now that I know I have to do this again in the spring.

It is not as hard as you think it is. Your parents really care about your learning and are positive.

Be willing to talk and be confident. Show your parents that you are excited.

It is a lot of fun because you talk about school then you can go to the book fair, the bake sale, you see your friends. It is fun.

Be proud of yourself and your work.  Your parents understand that you might have a hard time in some things. They know that you are trying our best.

Be honest because your parents will find out the truth.

Have lots of evidence. Parents want to see your work.

Student Led Conferencing is better because you get to explain your work to your parents. You can show that you understand stuff.

Parents will listen carefully to what you are saying.

Celebrate your learning. Your parents will be proud of you no matter what.

NMS Girls & Boys Basketball Tryouts Schedule

NMS Girls & Boys Basketball Tryouts Schedule

Tryouts for the NMS 2014-2015 Boys and Girls basketball season will be held Monday, November 3, through Friday, November 7, and are scheduled as follows:

Girls

Monday, November 3 -- 3:30 to 5:30 PM

Wednesday, November 5 -- 3:30 to 5:30 PM

Thursday, November 6 -- 2:30 to 4:30 PM

Friday, November 7 -- 2:30 to 4:30 PM

Boys

Monday, November 3 -- 5:30 to 7:30 PM

Wednesday, November 5 -- 5:30 to 7:30 PM

Thursday, November 6 -- 4:30 to 6:30 PM

Friday, November 7 -- 4:30 to 6:30 PM

For questions, about tryouts, athletics, scheduling, etc, please contact our AD, Mr. Mike Perry mperry@middleboro.k12.ma.us and/or Girls Coach, Mr. Tommy Thompson tthompso@middleboro.k12.ma.us and/or Mr. Shane Russell srussell@middleboro.k12.ma.us

Tryouts are open to students in all grades, sixth through eighth.  Please make sure players have an updated Physical into the Nurse's Office and you have filled out the required paperwork online before Tryouts begin.  Without this, players will not be able to tryout.

Please see blog post for more directions on required paperwork:  http://nicholsmiddle.blogspot.com/2014/10/registering-for-nms-winter-athletics.html 

Again, any questions, please contact Mr. Perry, Coach Thompson, and/or Coach Russell.

Go Tigers!

Google Apps for Education for NMS Students

Google Apps for Education Letter and Sign-Off Coming Home on Tuesday, Oct. 28

Below is a letter all students will be bringing home with them on Tuesday, October 28.

It is an excellent opportunity for all of Nichols Middle School to start taking advantage of the Google Apps for Education opportunities we have been waiting for since the Middleborough Public Schools decided on using Google for our email, and in turn, became a "Google School."

There are so many opportunities we are going to be able to take advantage of once your child gets the signed permission slip from parents to do so.

Once you receive the letter and have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Student Google Accounts for Nichols Middle School

Middleborough Public Schools has created Google accounts for all K-12 students to allow for collaborative sharing using Google Apps for Education.  These accounts will be used for school-related communication and projects only. 

On October 30^th at 5:30 PM there will be a Google Apps for Education information session held at Nichols Middle School in the auditorium prior to the Parent Teacher Conference.

Accounts for students in grades 6-12 will have access to Google applications including email.  However, email will be restricted to the Middleborough Public Schools domain.  A student will not be able to correspond with aol, yahoo, gmail, etc. accounts, but only with staff and students within Middleborough Schools. Email addresses associated with web 2.0 tools, such as Prezi and Lynda.com, will be allowed through the email filter.

No K-8 student will be assigned an account without parental or guardian approval.  Parents will be asked to provide consent for the use of the student accounts on the attached sign-off form (please sign attached sheet).

The account naming convention will be the last two digits of year of graduation, last name, first name, middle initial@middleboro.k12.ma.us. For example, Jonthan L. Smith is a member of the class of 2015 so his email address would be 15smithjonathanl@middleboro.k12.ma.us

Students will receive their email address and password instructions from their homeroom teacher.

Please read the Middleborough Public Schools Student Google Account Acceptable Use Guideline (see back of this sheet).

Thank you,

 Martin R. Geoghegan

Middleborough Public Schools Student Google Account Responsible Use Guidelines

Middleborough Public Schools has created Google accounts for all K-12 students to allow for collaborative sharing using Google Apps for Education.  These accounts will be used for school-related communication and projects only. Accounts for K-5 students will have access to Google applications only, and will not have access to email.  Accounts for students in grades 6-12 will have access to Google applications including email.  However, email will be restricted to Middleborough Public Schools domain.  A student will not be able to correspond with AOL, Yahoo, Gmail, etc. accounts, but only with staff and students within Middleborough Public Schools.

No student K-8 will be assigned an account without parental or guardian approval.  Families of students in grades 9-12 may choose to opt out of having email functionality. The account naming convention will be last two digits of year of graduation, last name, first name, middle initial@middleboro.k12.ma.us. For example, 15smithjonathanl@middleboro.k12.ma.us. Students will receive their log-in and password instructions from their homeroom teacher.

Middleborough Public Schools supports the use of Google accounts to enhance the teaching and learning process.  All middleboro.k12.ma.us accounts are housed on a Google mail server, thereby giving students’ access to Google Apps for Education.  This also allows teachers and students to share information housed in these file areas with others. The account will be considered the student’s official middleboro.k12.ma.us email address until such time as the student is no longer enrolled in Middleborough Public Schools district.

Students must follow the Middleborough Public Schools Network Acceptable Use Policy.  Access to and use of student accounts is a privilege and Middleborough Public Schools maintains the right to withdraw the access and use of an account when there is reason to believe that violations of the law or district policies have occurred.  In such cases, the alleged violation will be thoroughly investigated.

Middleborough Public Schools does not guarantee the security of electronic files located on the Google system.  Privacy will be maintained to the extent possible; however, system administrators may have to examine activities, files, and electronic mail to gather sufficient information to diagnose and correct problems with system software or hardware, as well as investigate any alleged violations as stated above.

Revised with permission from Norwell Public Schools

Important Substance Abuse Awareness Program for Parents on Oct. 28

October 28, 2014 Substance Abuse Awareness Program for Parents at 7PM in MHS Auditorium

This is a reminder regarding the very important presentation:

"Do You Know What You Need to Know? A Substance Abuse Awareness Program for Parents"

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

7:00pm to 9:00pm

Middleborough High School Auditorium

Presented by State Representative Tom Calter and Sponsored by Kingston Collection

"You may think you know what to warn your kids about when it comes to drugs and alcohol, but there are startling new trends and methods of substance abuse making their way through teen social circles. From household products and strong prescription meds to dangerous use of alcohol and street drugs including heroin, this eye-opening information will inform, and likely surprise, you.

Get up to speed on the issues and trends… learn the warning signs, health consequences, tips for communicating with your child, strategies for intervention and more.  

This 2-hour program is time very well-spent -- don’t miss this powerful panel presentation designed to keep our children safe. Panelists include the Regional Director of Student Assistance from Caron Treatment Centers, members of the Middleboro Police Department, and Middleboro’s trained School Resource Officer.  The program will be hosted and moderated by Rep. Tom Calter and will conclude with a Q&A session.

All parents and adults who interact with kids of any age are encouraged to attend. No registration is required to attend.  NOTE: This program is not meant for youth attendance. Candid dialogue among adults is important in addressing these issues. 

For more information, please contact Amy Belmore at abbelmore@hotmail.com or 617-908-4653."

This presentation is NOT recommended for children.

Wear Your Pink on Friday, Oct. 24

NMS Joins the Fight for Breast Cancer Awareness

Reminder to all to wear your PINK on Friday, October 24, to honor all those who have fought, are fighting, or are just affected by this horrid disease.

Keep Calm & Wear your PINK!

Registering for NMS Winter Athletics

Registering for Winter Basketball

Winter sports are right around the corner.  For NMS, we have two sports available to all students here at Nichols.  There is a Boys basketball team and a Girls basketball team.

With almost 900 students in the school, tryouts are sometimes an interesting site to behold, but we do hold open tryouts for all three grades to be on the two teams.

Dates and times of Tryouts will be announced, put in the Calendar below and to the side, as well as put in Twitter account (also on the right-hand side of this blog).

All of our sports go through our District Athletic Director, Mr. Michael Perry.  His contact information is:  508-946-2010 x3116; mperry@middleboro.k12.ma.us

As all high students have to do in the district, we too have to enter all information online if interested in participating in sports.

I have posted the information below with some helpful hints and direct links to guide you through this "paperwork" portion of the registration.  If you are going to follow my directions, then you can read through and just click on:  https://www.familyid.com/middleboro-athletics and Follow the Directions from Step 3 below.

Again, if you have any questions, please contact Mr. Perry for I know he will most certainly help you out.

Thanks.

WINTER ATHLETES

Prior to trying out, all WINTER athletes must complete the following:

1. Physicals must be returned to the school nurse
2. Parents must fill out the paperwork on line using the following directions
1. Go onto the Middleboro Public Schools website http://www.middleboro.k12.ma.us/

                                                           

2. Click on Athletics Department (top choice) on the left hand side   http://www.middleboro.k12.ma.us/Page/1060

3. Click on Family ID Athletics Registration (fourth choice down) on the left hand side   http://www.middleboro.k12.ma.us/Page/2188

                                                            

3. Scroll to the following: “REGISTRATION BY A PARENT OR GUARDIAN CAN BE COMPLETED BY CLICKING ON THIS LINK: https://www.familyid.com/middleboro-athletics” (Third Heading on the main part of the page.)

a.      Once on the FamilyID site click on sign up in the upper right hand corner

b.      Click on sign-up as a family or individual on the right hand side

c.       You will be asked for your family’s last name, e-mail, and password

d.      Once you complete this, FAMILYID will send you a confirmation e-mail

e.      Sign in https://www.familyid.com/sign_up to FamilyID using your created LOGIN then complete the paperwork and save (you will need Doctor’s info, insurance info, etc.) or SIGN UP as a Family or Individual.

f.        Register under Middleboro Athletics- 2014-15 Winter Sports

g.      You will receive a confirmation email once everything is completed. Make sure to submit as the final step.

4. User fee is due by December 12, 2014. User fee must be paid online
1. Return to the Middleboro Athletic Website
2. Click on UniBank User Fees in the left hand column
3. Click on MHS athletics User Fees Pay Portal
4. Under Winter Athletics choose your son/daughters sport (Nichols or MHS)
5. Complete payment form using Mastercard or Discover ($5 fee) or an automatic withdrawal from your checking account (.20 cents)
6. You should receive an email confirmation when completed.
7. 

NMS Fall Parent-Teacher Conferences, Thur 10/30 & Wed 11/5

Parent-Teacher Conferences, Thursday, 10/30, 6-8:30 PM, and Wednesday, 11/5, 4-6:30 PM

We have almost completed one-third of the school year; it is truly hard to believe.  On Monday, December 1, our first Trimester will be "in the books" and you will receive your child’s 1^st Trimester Report Card on Friday, December 12.  

I always feel as though this is the first sign that "school has officially begun."  With that knowledge, we also have our Parent-Teacher Conferences scheduled for Thursday, October 30, in the evening, from 6-8:30 PM, and Wednesday, November 5, in the afternoon/evening, from 4-6:30 PM.  

These conferences are only five minutes in duration and may not be enough time for a complete discussion regarding your child’s progress or lack of it.  If you feel that more time is needed, use your appointment to reschedule a time that would offer both you and the teacher enough time to adequately discuss your child’s present situation.  This will open the door and begin the communication that is necessary to bring all of us to the same page on your child’s educational growth.  I will repeat something I mentioned from the progress reports, the marks that you find on the report card should never be a surprise to either you or the student.  

For those parents, who might be new to NMS, here is a description of how the two evenings work:

Parents can start coming in at 6 PM.  You go to the classrooms of your child(ren), and there may be a sign-up sheet outside that door and/or chairs to line up and wait.  There may also be a Student Council student rep at the door to monitor time, etc.

The teacher will then meet with the parent for about a five minute time period, and the parent then moves on.

It is not a perfect system at all, but it does work, as I witnessed the last two years.  There just isn't enough time to make it "perfect."  I will say, though, that usually the second Parent-Teacher Conference time (the Wednesday, 11/5 time slot) is lighter, and if parents can make that time period, it would give you the greater chance to have at least that 5-minute block with teachers.  Also, parents need to know that these meetings are at a maximum of 5 minutes, so if you need to discuss something in more detail, please just use your 5 minutes to set-up an appointment for another time.

Sometimes during the evening, a parent will sign up for one teacher and then if they see that teacher is busy or there is a long line, go around to other teachers and meet, and then come back to meet with that first teacher.

The Unified Arts teachers will be in their rooms and they are usually available throughout the night.

Again, this first night on Thursday, October 30, is the "night time" version from 6 to 8:30 PM, and then there is the afternoon version which is on Wednesday, November 5, from 4 to 6:30.

During both sessions, prior to the conference times, I will also be in the Auditorium (at 5:30 PM on Thursday, October 30, and at 3:30 PM on Wednesday, November 5) to meet with parents with any questions they may have.  This is not a mandatory event for parents to come to; I just feel as though with all the changes which have occurred in the past two years, parents might have some questions for me.  I will also be available throughout the evenings to meet with parents with any questions they may have, as I am here both nights.  Please do not ever hesitate to ask.

We will have the Fall Book Fair in the Media Center and also PTA selling goods and raffles outside the main hallway.  It is usually a very bustling evening for all.

Below I have attached an article by the NEA (National Education Association) which I feel can help with conferences; it is entitled, “How To Make Parent-Teacher Conferences Work for Your Child.”  I have cut it down to just some helpful hints:

“You've been asked to attend a regularly scheduled ‘report card’ conference with your child's teacher.  Teachers like to meet with parents from time to time to discuss how to help students do their best in school.  All children learn in different ways.  They have their own individual personalities and their own work habits.  To help their students learn new knowledge and skills, teachers must know as much as they can about each child.  No one knows more about and has more influence over your children than you.  That's why teachers need your help to do a first-class job.  Working together, you and the teacher can help your child have a successful school year.

Here are some things to keep in mind before the conference:

• Start the conference right:  plan not to run over the amount of time that has been set aside.


• The best conferences are those in which both teachers and parents stay calm and try hard to work together for one purpose and one purpose only:  to help your child do well.  Arguing, or blaming each other for problems your child is having, helps no one.

For getting ready for the conference, each teacher will probably come prepared with knowledge or samples of your children’s work and with ideas to help them do even better in school.  You should get ready for each conference, too.  Talk to your children before the conference.  Find out how and maybe why your child is doing well or not so.  Also, ask your children if there is anything they would like you to talk about with their teachers.  

Before you go to the school, write notes to yourself about:

• things about your child's home life you feel it’s important for the teacher to know


• questions about your child’s progress


• how you and the school can work together to help your child

During the conference, some good questions to ask are these:

• Is my child working up to his or her ability?


• Does my child participate in class discussions and activities?


• Has my child missed any assignments?


• Have you noticed any sudden changes in the way my child acts?


• What kinds of things should I do to help my child's progress (especially in terms of Homework, studying for tests/quizzes, writing assignments, etc.)?

It’s a good idea to ask your most important questions first, just in case time runs out before you and the teacher have a chance to discuss them all.  Be sure to ask the teacher for specific suggestions on ways to help your child do better.  This is the most important part of the meeting.  It will become your action plan.  If the teacher says something you don't quite understand, don't be shy about asking for an explanation.  It's a good idea to end the conference by summing up decisions you've made together.  If needed, ask to meet again.

After the conference, one should start immediately on the action plan you and the teacher worked out together.  Discuss the plan with your child.  Make sure he or she knows that you and the teacher care.  To see if the action plan is working, watch your child's behavior and check your child's class work and homework.  Stay in regular touch with the teacher to discuss the progress your child is making.  Meeting with your child's teachers should help build strong parent-teacher partnerships—partnerships that are needed if you and your child's teachers are to reach your common goal of helping your child get the best education possible.”  The National PTA, National Education Association of the United States

We hope to see as many of you as we can either Thursday, October 30, from 6 to 8:30 PM, or on Wednesday, November 5, from 4 to 6:30 PM.

As always, if any questions, please don't hesitate to get in contact with us.

Thank you,

M. R. Geoghegan

NMS Fall Frenzy, A Successful Afternoon of Fun, Fun, Fun

A Very Fun, Friday, Fall Frenzy

I just wanted to thank all of our NMS PTA Parent Volunteers for an excellent Friday afternoon event, this past Friday, October 17, our Fall Frenzy.

Students had an excellent time dancing, mummifying, playing games, hanging out with friends, playing dodgeball, or even just watching a movie.

It was a fun afternoon for all involved.

Thank you again, Ms. Rose Borges and the rest of our NMS PTA!