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​Dear Nixon Families,
 
Welcome back! I hope you have had a wonderful, safe, and joyful summer! We have been very busy this summer planning for the return of your students.  The administrative teams, teachers, and all staff have been working hard to strengthen your child’s experience at Nixon.  Our goal is to ensure that your child has access to an education that gives them the skills they need to be college ready, to support their social and emotional growth and well-being and to give them enrichment and extra-curricular experiences that expose them to new ideas, and can possibly spark life passions and interests.  To that end, this year, you will see many new initiatives and changes.
As we begin the 2017-2018 school year, you will notice new routines and procedure. As you know, we’ve implemented a new entry routine for the main building. We will also have a new inclement weather routine. This year, we will also have a new recess supervision plan. We are partnering with Urban Initiatives to ensure that students have structured games to engage in during recess. This year we are also distributing a parent/student handbook to help clarify Nixon rules, procedures and expectations. Through these changes, we hope to maximize your child’s safety and well-being.
This year we are also implementing a new literacy and science curriculum. In grades Kindergarten through 6th, your teachers are working hard to learn and use a new literacy curriculum called the American Reading Company Literacy and Research Labs. This curriculum is aligned to the Common Core Standards, based in authentic texts, and emphasizes student thinking about reading, and the production of original writing products. We are also introducing a new science curriculum, FOSS kits. While already in use in some grade levels, we now have FOSS kits in all grade levels. This curriculum is a hands-on curriculum that will enable your child to develop a deeper and enduring understanding of key science concepts.  I am excited to see the new teaching and learning that will be taking place this year!
Another big change ahead of us, is that this year, in grades 3-5, we will now be semi-departmentalized. This means that 3rd-5th grade students will now have two teachers. They will see one teacher for reading, writing and social studies, and another teacher for math and science.  While these new plans will take some adjusting to, I am confident that your child will benefit from receiving instruction from a teacher who specializes in specific content areas.
Finally, this year, despite the budget challenges, we are happy to announce that your child will have the opportunity to participate in many new after school enrichment programs. We are partnering with multiple arts organizations to offer after school ballet, capoeira, folkloric dance, cuatro, and beginning band classes, in addition to our regular after school programming. We also will be offering new sports programs.  Just in the Fall alone, we will be offering boys soccer, boys and girls volleyball, and boys and girls cross country. I hope everyone enjoys these new expanded opportunities.
I am very excited for the year to come. I know that change can lead to questions and concerns. As we head into the school year, I want to once again affirm that my door is always open. Please know that I am always available to meet with parents. I also will continue hosting monthly coffee chats, sending email newsletters every two weeks, and be present during entry and dismissal. Please reach out, let me know how you are experiencing these changes; what’s working, what’s exciting, and what can be improved upon. Through open dialogues, and continued partnership, I am confident that we can work together to ensure that your child has a successful school year. I am happy to welcome you and your child back. It is going to be great year!
 
Sincerely,
 
Principal Chavarria 

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5th/6th Grade Boys Soccer Practice starts on Tuesday, September 26th.  Please see the linked document with practice dates.  

Free lunch this summer! Visit www.cps.edu/summermeals to find a location near you! 

Check out these resources for your student's summer learning!

Sign up to Chaperone a Field Trip or Volunteer at the school at www.cpsvolunteers.org 
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