April 13, 2025

Principal's Message and Nichols Updates

State Testing

We begin our CAASPP or SBA testing this Tuesday for grades 3-6. I am so excited to see what students show they have learned this year. Students have been doing an amazing job working every day to learn and it shows. Students participating in Accelerated Reader (AR), primarily 2nd-6th grades, have read over 40 MILLION words. Students have passed over 16,250 myPath lessons, and improved overall proficiency by 18% on our iReady Reading and 13% on iReady Math. Students have worked hard. This gives them a chance to show all they have learned.

Here are some helpful tips for home.

Practice a Good Bedtime Routine: Ensure your child gets enough rest by establishing a consistent bedtime routine leading up to the test. Aim for at least 9–11 hours of sleep for elementary-aged children. A calm routine, free of screens and distractions, can help them wind down and get the rest they need to feel refreshed and ready for the test.

Eat a Good Breakfast: Start the day with a healthy, balanced breakfast. Foods like whole grains, protein, and fruits can provide lasting energy and help your child stay focused throughout the test. Avoid sugary breakfasts, as they can lead to an energy crash. A good breakfast sets the tone for a successful day. They are always welcome to eat that breakfast at school.

Practice Positivity and Encourage Confidence: Remind your child that they are capable of doing hard things. Use positive affirmations like "You’ve got this!" and "I believe in you!" Encourage a growth mindset, emphasizing that mistakes are okay and part of the learning process. Help them understand that doing their best is what matters most, not perfection.

We are already proud of our Cougars. We want this to be an opportunity for others to see how much our students have grown.

Lodi USD Community Input Needed – LCAP Thought Exchange

Lodi USD invites you to share your thoughts on the district’s Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP)! Your input is essential in shaping our priorities and ensuring our students receive the support they need.

Please take a moment to participate in our Thought Exchange by clicking the link below:

🔗 https://tejoin.com/scroll/308859188

Your feedback will help guide the development of our LCAP moving forward. Thank you for being a valued part of our community!

Use the link below or QR code to access Thought Exchange survey.

Deadline to submit input is April 18, 2025

Upcoming Events and Opportunities

Yearbook

Purchase Your Yearbook Now

Make sure you order your yearbook! To purchase click HERE.

Yearbooks are $25.00 (23.09 plus tax). This year everyone has the option of customizing their copy for no additional charge. If you have questions, contact the office at nicholoffice@gmail.com or (209) 331-7378.

Safety

Drills

As previously mentioned, Nichols students and staff participate in a variety of safety drills throughout the year. The purpose of these drills is to ensure everyone knows what to do in an emergency situation. This week we will have a lock down drill. This drill will help ensure students know if there is an unsafe situation on our campus. We take the time to talk about where everyone should be depending on their location, what they should do, and how they should behave. If you have any questions please feel free to reach out to me. I would be happy to help.

Parent Cafe

Please Join us for Parent Cafe

Every Wednesday at 8:30 in room 6

Upcoming Minimum Days

May 7, 2025

May 21, 2025

May 30, 2025

No School Days

May 26, 2025

PTA Updates

PTA Wish List

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2TLBRUSLF4Z57?ref_=wl_share

PTA has created a wish list. Donations are greatly appreciated. Feel free to share with families or friends who would like to help support Nichols PTA. When purchasing you can select "Nichols Gift Registry" in addresses so items are sent directly to Nichols.