Thompson Friday Forecast

April 9, 2021

From the Principal...Steve Morrill

Congratulations! We have successfully completed one week of five days/week in person school attendance! It feels like a middle school now! The revised social distancing guidelines have resulted in a few changes at Thompson. On the positive side, our students now have class period access to our fabulous learning resource center and the talented people who work there. We are now able to feed all students in our beautiful cafeteria including, weather permitting, eating in our outdoor courtyard.

On the challenging side, our morning arrival and afternoon dismissal has become much more congested. If your middle schooler qualifies for district transportation, please consider taking advantage of this opportunity. You can drop off and pick up your child at the district administration parking lot off of 7th Street or at the gym entrance off of Indiana Street in addition to the front of the building. There is a crossing guard to assist students in crossing 7th Street. Students may enter the building beginning at 8:00 am.

As expected, our students were flexible and eager to learn in their changed environment and have done a great job following established procedures. It almost feels like it did in early March of last year. Thanks to our parents and guardians for taking an active role in facilitating these school changes and thanks to our dedicated Thompson Staff for preparing for and supporting students with these changes.

Thank you to the Thompson PTO for providing an early Teacher Appreciation Week lunch for our staff on the March 26th School Improvement Day! What a great start to Spring Break!

Enjoy your weekend~

Steve

School Physicals for the 2021-2022 School Year

The Illinois school code requires that students entering an Illinois school for the first time, and all sixth and ninth grades, must submit evidence of a physical examination and a complete record of immunizations prior to starting classes or receiving services. Physical Exams and Vaccine Records are required for students enrolled in face-to-face learning as well as remote learning prior to August 11, 2021 (the first day of school for the 21/22 year). Make your appointments today as these appointments fill up quickly! Please contact your school nurse prior to May 28, 2021 if you need a copy of your child's immunizations.

Saints Tutoring Thunder 2020-2021

The Saint's tutoring Thunder (STT) club provides students with an opportunity to receive help on homework, projects, and/or comprehension of material that they are learning in classes. The Saint's tutoring Thunder (STT) club is available for both students attending in-person or remotely. This club meets on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Parents can sign their child up for this tutoring and/or students can sign up themselves!

STT allows students to meet virtually with a Thompson club supervisor and a St. Charles East Sophomore tutor from 4:15 until 5:00 pm. The Thompson club supervisor will facilitate the after school support while supervising the high school students tutoring our students.

Sign-ups are available Thursday-Monday for the following week. This ensures that we have the correct amount of tutors for our students. You can click here to sign up for Saint's tutoring Thunder club. Once your student has been signed up, they will receive an invite link in their email.

Band and Choir Are Playing and Singing Again! Join Us Next Year!

Some students may have chosen not to do band and choir this year due to the restrictions. Therefore, ALL students are welcome and encouraged to sign up for band and choir for next year. This includes those who have never participated before and all students going into 6th, 7th, or 8th grade. Changes to the course forms you already turned in WILL be allowed. If you would like to sign up for band or choir, or if you have any questions, you may contact your counselor or the band and choir teachers.

Mr. Anderson, Band - adrian.anderson@d303.org
Mr. Blank, Band - john.blank@d303.org
Mrs. Rybski, Choir - michelle.rybski@d303.org

A reminder from the school nurse…

State legislation requires that all Illinois children in sixth grade will have a dental examination. A licensed dentist must perform the examination, and he or she shall sign the form. Dental offices should have the form available, but it is also available online at www.d303.org under Departments, then Health Services, then “Health Documents and Forms”. Each 6th grade student must present proof of a dental examination by a dentist prior to May 15, 2021. The exam must be dated within 18 months prior to May 15, 2021. If your child has had an exam already, you can ask your dentist to complete the form for the exam.

The Illinois Department of Public Health has established a waiver for children who show undue burden or lack of access to a dentist. Parents or legal guardians who object to the dental examinations on religious grounds shall present to the school a signed, detailed statement of the objection.

The deadline is quickly approaching! Please submit this if you have not already done so. If you have any questions, please contact the TMS nurses.

Diane Isbrandt RN, PEL-CSN

Sherri Esposito, RN

Amy Kashuba, RN

Thompson Middle School

331-228-3104

Chromebook Device Exchange

The IT device exchange takes place at the Haines building (305 South 9th Street), Door #2, between 12:00 - 4:00 pm Monday - Friday. You do not need to make an appointment. If you need assistance with a broken device, please contact the live chat service during business hours or visit the IT Technical Resources site for information.