Memo from Ms. Melanie Gates, RE: Calculators

MEMORANDUM TO:  JOHN T. NICHOLS, JR. MIDDLE SCHOOL FAMILIES
FROM:  MELANIE R. GATES, DIRECTOR OF SECONDARY EDUCATION FOR STEM
SUBJECT:
CALCULATORS AT THE SECONDARY LEVEL

Our middle school’s website posts recommended student supplies for the 2013-2014 school year. Calculators are recommended for students entering the 8th grade, I would like to share with you the recommendations for calculators at our high school so that you may plan your purchases accordingly.

A scientific calculator, like the TI-30X IIS, is sufficient for middle school, algebra I, and geometry. Students who are taking Algebra I honors and intend on pursing mathematics through calculus are recommended to have a graphing calculator, such as one from the TI-84 series.

Please know that we are not stating that students should have a graphing calculator for middle school, but this information may be helpful in planning your purchase.

TI-30X IIS

Each of these recommended calculators meet the specifications for CollegeBoard’s SAT policy and for the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) exams.
TI-30X IIS

TI-84 Plus TI-84 Plus

TI-84 Plus TI-84 Plus Silver Edition

Grade 6 Open House

6th Grade Open House -- Monday, August 26

On Monday night, August 26, Mr. McLaughlin, the 6th Grade Teachers, and I hosted an Open House/Ice Cream Social for our new, incoming sixth grade students.

It was a tremendous night, where we were able to introduce the teachers; have students see and meet the teachers on their teams; and enjoy a fresh scooped bowl of ice cream from their principal, assistant principal or PE/Health teacher.

Great information being told and great time to be had.

Major thanks to everyone who came -- parents and students; the 6th grade teachers; Mr. McLaughlin; Unified Arts Teachers, Mr. Thompson and Ms. Joyce; Guidance Counselor, Ms. Buron; and for the NMS PTA for supplying the ice cream and toppings.

Students enjoying some ice cream; talking about their new teachers.

Students building the best sundae possible; no topping left behind.

PE Teacher Mr. Thompson lending a great hand scooping some Swirl.

Assistant Principal Mr. McLaughlin feeding the masses.

Parents and students enjoying all the positives they've learned of Nichols Middle.

Welcome Back to School Year 2013-2014!

Welcome Back!

Long time, no hear . . . I know.

We have been very busy all summer trying to put together our schedule for the new school year starting on Wednesday, September 4.

Just a short reminder:  Please pass on to new 6th Grade Parents how they should register for an email update whenever this blog is updated.  Entering their email address to the right.  à à 

Okay, now for news:  Our plan is for on Monday, August 26, we will be posting Homeroom Assignments on the windows of the school for students in all grades and parents to see which team their child is on.

We, again, have been diligently working all summer on inputting our new schedule into Aspen, our Student Information System.  It has been very tricky, to say the least.

We first stated that we were going to move from a 3-Day rotation to a 6-Day rotation for this upcoming school year.  As we worked to enter everything into Aspen, we realized the 6-Day rotation was not going to be equitable, and a 7-Day rotation would work best.  So we will have an A through G-Day schedule.  It looks a little different than the 6-Day schedule, but we know it works better for all students and will be a great addition to our school.

Grade 6 Open House/Orientation will be held at the Nichols Middle School on Monday, August 26, 2013, at 6 PM.  This will be your opportunity with your child to see the school and meet his/her teachers.  We look forward to seeing you there.  At this event, we will be introducing Mr. Tim McLaughlin, our assistant principal, our sixth grade teachers, and myself.  We will start the evening at 6 PM in the Auditorium, and then you will be led to your child’s teacher team for introductions there on the sixth grade floor, to finish in the cafeteria for an ice cream social, sponsored by our NMS PTA.

On Tuesday, August 27, 2013, we have a Walk-Through Orientation for sixth grade students and all new students from 10 AM to 12 Noon.  Again, this is a chance to see the building and have some of our seventh and eighth grade Student Council students tour your child around the school answering any questions you or your child may have.

During this Walk-Through at 11:30 AM on Tuesday, August 27, we will also be holding an informational meeting about our new math program, Digits, for parents with students in all grades.  Ms. Melanie Gates, our STEM Coordinator, and I will be making a presentation about Digits and answering any questions you may have about the program.  We will then do the program a second time at 6:30 PM, Tuesday, August 27, in the Auditorium for parents with students in all grades.  We hope you are able to make one of these presentations.  

Again, we hope you enjoy the end of your summer.

Thanks,

M R Geoghegan

Summer Reading

Summer Reading 2013

Good morning.  I hope everyone is enjoying their summer so far.

I just wanted to remind everyone that we have a link on our website for Summer Reading for each of the three grade levels.  This link has all the requirements, expectations, and also places for students to interact about their Summer Reading.  Please check it out:  Nichols Summer Reading 2013

Incoming Grade 6 students are reading Crash.

Incoming Grade 7 students are reading Ghost of Spirit Bear.

Incoming Grade 8 students are reading The Giver.

Again, our goal for Summer Reading is to help our students see the joy and importance of continued reading outside of school.  These three books have been some of our most popular choices of our students in the past, and we hope all students will enjoy them.

We put out there one book to read, but we do hope students see the enjoyment of reading and maybe pick up titles from similar authors or themes from these stories.

Summer is time off, but we do need students to maintain their level of reading and we know, as research says, students who read do better in school and eventually have greater choices from which to choose.

Keep enjoying your summer and keep reading; will be in touch soon yet again,

M R Geoghegan

Sixth Grade Field Day at Battis Field

Just a couple of pictures from the 6th Grade Field Day at Battis Field.  I am sure I will have more to share later.

It was a hot day, but it was most enjoyable for the students and teachers.

Dr. Weiss stops by to see the fun.

8th Grade Events

June 2013 8th Grade Events

8th Grade Parents and Guardians,

Please see the following important dates for 8th Grade Events during these last two weeks.

Friday, June 21, at 6:30 to 9 PM -- 8th Grade Dance
The Student Council and the PTSA together put on a dance for all 8th graders to enjoy in our Nichols Middle School cafeteria.  The cost is $5 to get in and our theme this year is Paris.  8th Grade students can dance the night away as they get a little dressed up for one of their last nights together as Nichols Middle School Tigers.

8th Grade Days
On Tuesday, June 25, and Wednesday, June 26, the PTSA has sponsored 2 wonderful Field Days for the students to enjoy their last few days as Nichols Middle School Tigers.

Awards/Promotion Nights
Trailblazers Team on Monday, June 24, at 6:30 PM in the NMS Auditorium
Apollos Team on Tuesday, June 25, at 6:30 PM in the NMS Auditorium
Comets Team on Wednesday, June 26, at 6:30 PM in the NMS Auditorium

Last Day of School
Thursday, June 27, will be an early release day at 12:05 PM

It has been an incredible year and we are all looking forward to celebrating with our 8th grade students some tremendous events to help us thank them for setting a spectacular tone to the Nichols Middle School this whole year.

Message from Ms. Walgreen in the Media Center -- Summer Reading Program

Beneath the Surface

Teen Summer Reading Program offered by Middleborough Public Library

June 24-August 22, 2013

See Mrs. Walgreen for information about the Summer Reading Program sponsored by the Middleboro Public Library.  

Log the time you read over the summer and earn prizes as you go.  

A Teen Kickoff Party will be held at 1:00pm on the last day of school at the public library.  

Registration for the Program starts June 24^th.  

Visit the Middleboro Public Library Website www.midlib.org for more details or visit Nichols Middle School library for a flyer.

Any questions, please see Ms. Walgreen.

Thanks.