Brett Burton
 Dear Nicholson Families & Friends,
I would like to welcome you to a new and exciting 2008-2009 school year! We are extremely enthusiastic about having another great year at Nicholson! Next, I would like to outline various goals for this upcoming school year.
This year we will continue to strive towards excellence in academics and character. We will be in the third year of our Reading First Initiatives in kindergarten through third grade. In addition, we will be striving to have a comparable model at the 4th and 5th grades. These initiatives will remain a 90 minute uninterrupted block of time for reading instruction, which is paramount for the success of our students. Equally as important, the Houghton Mifflin series will be the core reading text, and students will be frequently assessed this year with this program. Furthermore, students at Nicholson will continue to be monitored frequently to measure reading gains and to support identified reading gaps.
Nicholson teachers and students will transition to year three with the behavioral management model. PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support) is a system approach to preventing and responding to classroom and school discipline problems. PBIS creates and maintains safe learning environments where teachers can teach and student can learn. The previous two years the focused was geared toward establishing expectations on the playground and classrooms. This current school year we will continue to focus on these two areas, as well as incorporate the Nurtured Heart Approach to provide additional support for our students and staff.
Another important facet of school this upcoming year will be the focus on creating positive life experiences for our students. Nicholson School will offer curricular connected learning experiences to Chicago and the local region, as well as curricular connected school assemblies. In addition, Nicholson 5th grade students will be provided an outdoor education at Camp Edwards, which is located in East Troy, Wisconsin. This year will be the second year of the program. Therefore, we will be seeking parental support in organizing various fundraising initiatives to provide this great opportunity for our students.
In closing, I would just to stress the importance of parents participating in their child’s education. We cherish your feedback and support. Please don’t hesitate to contact me this year if you have any questions.
Brett Burton,
Principal
Nicholson Elementary School
(630) 301-5395
bburton@sd129.org
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